The Coming From the Shadows Series
Previous Stories:
- Ēlysia / The Enigmatic Nicon and the Secrets of Ēlysia
- The Encounter / A New Dawn: A Celestial Encounter
The Wrath of an unrestrained Celestial Being
Introduction:
3000 B.C.
It was a nascent epoch of Humanity; a raw, burgeoning of strength that began the forge of a new age that would become known as simply ‘The Bronze Age’ – walking amongst them was one of the youngest amongst a higher realm that went beyond their understanding; Elpis.
Elpis moved through their early settlements more as a ripple in the air than presence, she was still learning, still understanding, yet; she had come far from her point of origin in Ēlysia; she was deceptive angelic woman whose long, black hair cascaded light a silken waterfall down her back, falling below her waist, bound in a tight bind at the base, her wide, amethyst violet eyes an eternal, innocent curiosity that would drink in the bustling of life amongst a species so young compared to her, she had watched the development of many early towns, observed the intricate dance of creation and survival, observed various developing cultures and the differing methods demonstrated amongst a species she saw as not merely interesting, but unique.
She drifted easily through the streets, her gaze falling towards laughing, playing children that rushed by her unseen form, she purposely veiled her presence, she was a whisper in the wind, drawing no attention as she mingled amongst them, a silent advocate for their beauty and resilience to her own kind.
During one of her quiet explorations, admiring intricate patterns woven into crude textile, something drew her, her head snapped upwards, a flicker of concern when she sensed it; a subtle tremor, a low thrumming deep within the earth; her violet eyes narrowed, as the sound intensified, the growl seemed to emanate from the very planet’s core twisting unmistakably into a guttural roar – spinning around, just as the ground began to buck beneath her, she observed as panic erupted, people scattering like startled birds, shouts, panic erupting .
Buildings, crafted with such painstaking effort groaned and then buckled, crumbling to debris as tremors worsened, a violent spasm that tore through the settlement, turning what had been order into utter chaos and destruction, Elpis, her eyes now narrowed, watched as the fragile world she admired was torn apart, she knew that it was no natural churn of the world itself, this bore a distinct, terrible signature that represented something else; something she wouldn’t have the capability to stop because of its very nature.
Chapter 1:
The moving from the mortal realm to the celestial, while still a little jarring, had become easier with practise as she stepped back into the serene threshold of the veiled realm, the large. Ziggurat the central pillar of the realm they resided, her gaze lingered towards it before Elpis finally started marching forwards, the images of the destruction still present in her mind and yet now, so far away from the swirling tapestry of the world she inhabited now.
The calm of her home did little to soothe, greetings from those of her own kin unheard as she hurried to the one she knew had been the source of Earth’s chaos, her violet eyes no longer soft, but blazing with a fierce intensity.
Stood on a balcony looking over what looked so much like a window to another world just on the other side, a simply step from his position; Zor’Githas had locked his gaze, his eyes, crimson and ferocious as they narrowed, not from malice, but from deep thought, his dark robes hiding his lean, yet powerful frame, with long black hair falling to his shoulders, her mere presence creating a cold, icy front.
The very air around him dropped significantly in temperature, enough that people often would notice the misting of their breath that would often accompany a primal dread, a suffocating panic whenever he appeared “Githas!” Elpis snapped, her voice resonating with an uncharacteristic sharpness that tore through the silence “What have you done; the humans and their settlement, it is little more than ruins!” her voice was laced with profound distress, her hands clenched by her sides
“The devastation was immense, beyond any natural cataclysm; you sought to destroy them again didn’t you!, to prove some kind of sickening point” she accused
Zor’Githas remained motionless, his gaze never leaving the world that for now locked his gaze; his back to her, a statue carved from shadow; he gave no indicator of his thoughts, he simply listened to her, absorbing her words without interruptions, the chill in the air deepening, a testament to his unspoken power, when he finally did turn, his gaze finally landing onto her, it was unwavering, piercing, the crimson orbs taking on an amber hue rather than remaining crimson “Your efforts are wasted Elpis” he told her, his voice a low unnatural rumble, it was devoid of any discernible emotion, echoing the desolate landscapes he would so often cultivate “They are little more than fleeting shadows, easily broken, a pestilence that is unworthy of anything more than entertainment, mere clay for us to play with”
Elpis opened her mouth, intent to retort; but his raised hand stopped her, a subtle, dismissive gesture as he came towards her, a peculiar shift occurring, his expression seemed to soften, so far, Elpis had only seen the flickering of Crimson or Amber, yet, as he drew closer, his features softer, to her utter surprise, they shifted to a velvety violent, matching her own.
“Your…Eyes” she breathed, thrown off by the unexpected change, her indignation momentarily forgotten “They…, are like mine”
A faint curve touched his lips, a rare, fleeting glimpse of something other than severity “Their natural colour” he answered; his voice losing its customary metallic edge, becoming unusually soft, a drastic shift to the glacial environment he usually projected “A rare sight”
Taking another step, he closed the distance between them “Why do you waste your concern on them Elpis; they are mortal beings, and all mortals crave the same thing; they are violent, aggressive creatures that turn upon their own over differences or beliefs, perhaps imaginary borders on drawn maps; they are not like us, and they will only bring you harm, they are driven by base instincts; Greed and Violence, I worry that their inherent barbarity will corrupt the very hope you embody”
Elpis shook her head, raven-hair shimmering with movement “No Githas; you are mistaken, they are capable of great things, great beauty; I have watched them, they are capable of profound love and fierce loyalty, they create, they build, they dream and they inspire; their potential is boundless” she softened her voice as she watched him “You only see their shadows, but there is so much light”
Extending her hand, her touch was like a spark against the cold “Come with me; see it yourself, witness their joy, their sorrow and their resilience”
Zor’Githas searched her face, a complex storm brewing behind his violet eyes; that primal dread that accompanied him seemed to recede, replaced by a subtle, tender stillness, he still radiated power, but, for a moment, it was tempered by something close to curiosity; affection to Elpis astonishment, he inclined his head “Very well Elpis; I shall, for you”
The Celestial realm, usually a bastion of detached observation had begun stirring with news of Zor’Githas’s recent act of aggression, while still unconfirmed to be precisely ‘his’ doing and with Elpis’s impassioned defence, a fervent debated had been ignited.
Within the central chamber deep within their ziggurat, Nicon sat surrounded by other beings of great power, though his presence alone radiated an undeniable authority as he listened to arguments, his eyes, glowing their usual subtle golden hue, was unblinking as arguments began to rage, some spoke of intervention, hinting at various realms that demanded intervention, some trying to argue the folies specifically of human kind and how their barbarity was reason enough to treat all mortal realms with the same approach.
Arguments of the dangers of interaction as some present recalled past misfortunes and the very reason of their original retreat beyond the veil, Nicon merely observed, his silence more potent than any utterance, the very collective fabric of their collective understanding beginning to fray, pulled by threats of growing interest of the idea of their return, the potential that it could yield if they were to cultivate mortal beings in their image.
Chapter 2:
Amongst Humanity; Elpis and Zor’Githas had crossed one again from their celestial realm, their presence, like so often chosen, veiled to keep themselves from being detected; they had come to a settlement in the midst of a vibrant celebratory event – a harvest festival, perhaps a communal gathering – the air was filled with an earth scent of roasting grains, a sweet aroma of wild fruits.
A rhythmic beat of drums, the laughter of children, faced smeared with berry juice that chased one another through the crowd laughter bright and unrestrained; Adults, their faces etched with the daily toll of their lives, now shone with joy amongst the sharing of food and drink, raucous songs rang out loudly amongst the gathered crowds.
Elpis, her violet eyes alight, found pure enjoyment within the scene – she watched a young woman, hair adorned with wildflowers, spinning in a dance of utter abandon, movements were fluid and graceful, she couldn’t help but try to mimic the movements subtly, her long hair swaying, her features alight with a serene smile, an expression of complete contentment.
Elpis could feel the warmth of communal spirit, a simple, yet profound beauty of human connection, she felt as though it only proved her beliefs.
Zor’Githas stood close, his gaze on Elpis, tracking each of her subtle movements and changes in expression; the harsh lines of his face, usually set in an expression of disdain or calculation, softened considerably, he saw a genuine, unadulterated happiness from Elpis as she witnessed Humanity’s unburdened jubilee – it was a sight that he rarely ever encountered, especially from his own kin, for him, it only further proved Elpis was different.
As Elpis revelled in the symphony of mortal joy, a bright, melodic song sung by a group of women, Zor’githas watching – there was a sudden shift, a subtle tremor not of the ground, but of awareness – across the plaza, an old man, his eyes sharp despite his age, locked onto something unusual, he came to a sudden halt mid-step, while his gaze would usually by cloudy with wisdom, they fixated squarely onto Elpis with an alarming intensity, his arm raised, hand gnarled and trembling, a finger now pointing “There is a creature of evil amongst us!” he croaked, voice raspy, yet carrying an unnatural resonance that cut across the festival din like a blade
Elpis’s gaze drifted towards him, confuse, her head subtly tilting to the left; a bewildered frown forming – silence, deep and unsettling settled over the celebration, rhythmic drumming faltered, spontaneous laughter died, a murmur of unease rippling quickly, awareness rippled from the old man, washing over everyone present as they begin to search – eyes landing on Elpis who was now a known presence – the subtle chill created by Zor’Githas’s presence and the sense of dread was now subconsciously noted, and it was quickly believed to be coming directly from Elpis as she drew all attention.
Her Violet eyes marking her like a beacon as ‘different’ – fear, raw and primal began twisting their faces; the initial older man that had noticed her, now emboldened by growing fear around him, surged forwards with surprising speed for his age, pulling a crude sword from his belt as he rushed towards Elpis, intent to attack her.
Elpis’s eyes widened, not in fear, but shock at the inexplicable act of aggression, instinctively she moved backwards, raising her arm upward in a desperate, futile attempt to shield herself – a searing pain erupting as the blade, dull as it was, cut through her forearm on a vicious angle, a line of vivid crimson suddenly seeping from the open wound as a pained yelp escapes her lips, echoing out amongst the hushed crowd, the force of the blow jerking her backwards, her breath hitching in her throat – her eyes immediately flaring as winds picked up.
Above, a rumbling echo of thunder before a sudden tear cut through the sky with a short, sudden flash of light following a thunderous sound that erupted from the sky; her gaze narrowed, intense as her eyes, now a subtle violet glow, anger threatening to burst as her hand gripped her bleeding forearm, her knuckles white; she was struggling to contain her anger as the world seemed ready to crack – then, it changed.
Zor’Githas, enraged came forwards, stepping directly in front of Elpis as the elder went for a second attack; he purposely caught the blade with his left hand, unlike Elpis’s efforts to control, to contain – Zor’Githas did no such thing.
Stood protectively eyes briefly flicking back towards her, locking onto the injury, his eyes flared crimson, returning to the man responsible as he ignited, an anger that seemed to scorch the very air, incensed by such a violent, unwarranted act what followed was a terrifying display.
The ground around them bucked and roared, a seismic tremor, far more violent and controlled than the last tore through the settlement, the winds picked up further with a sudden, drastic ferocity, howling like some inhuman creature bringing with it a coldness that became physically painful, freezing joints painfully, buildings, initially standing at the onset, now imploded, spewing dust and debris, it was no mere earthquake, it was raw, unrestrained rage.
Even as Elpis made a desperate plea for him to stop; he didn’t respond – a once vibrant settlement, a hub of life, was laid to waste in minutes, as if a giant hand had merely swept across it, destruction that should have taken days, perhaps weeks, had been compressed into a horrifying display in a brutal instant act – those few that managed to escape, fled in utter panic, screams carried away by annihilating winds.
In the destructive aftermath, as dust became to settle over a desolate ruin; Zor’Githas twisted around, movements now abrupt yet, his hand, when he reached for Elpis, was tender; his touch a delicate contrast to the devastation he had just wrought, he ignored her attempts to speak; his gaze fixed on the bloodied wound “Why?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous, ignoring her pleas “Why did you allow it, why did you allow that…, creature to get close enough to hurt you”
Elpis, trembling from pain but not just that – but by the display of power, a display she had never seen before, a display that made her wonder just how dangerous he could be and if he could rival what she saw from Nicon during her initial training; her eyes softened, the violet hue no longer glowing, but now holding sadness for lives lost “They are just scared; fear makes them lash out…”
“No excuse” he retorted, his right hand moving up to her face quickly, cradling her cheek with a possessive tenderness that surprised her, thumb brushing away a tear she never realised had fallen as the rain began to fall across the ruined settlement “Their fear their weakness; their flaw; you need to distance yourself Elpis; your too pure, to kind, they are not worthy of your compassion or kindness”
Elpis slowly shook her head, her gaze unwavering “The mistakes of one, or even many; should not doom an entire species, an entire people; there is still hope that can be found even when they are most freightened”
Despite his frustration, the utter devastation around them; he found himself paused, he couldn’t help but find her unwavering resolve, mirroring his own fierce determination, albeit, directed at preservation rather than destruction, was something he found undeniably endearing.
In the silent moment amidst the horrific aftermath of his rage, he simply maintained the soft cupping of her face, his features softening, a dangerous, possessive affection blooming as his eyes adopted their violet hue; Elpis herself felt that strange allure, a subtle, creeping pull towards the terrible chaos he created, and to he creeping interest that pulled her towards him despite his war-like tendency.
Written By: Westley H.
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