The Collapse
Introduction:
The air above the narrow costal in let was heavy and slick – the scent of salt and rotting fish; the smell of desperation – it permeated the air, a typical atmosphere in a world that seemed to have descended into a total collapse.
Empire’s that had struggled from humble beginnings now trembled with imminent collapse as society crumbled; the Bronze Age Collapse.
As dark waves lapped against moored vessels, a strange tribe greeted an unnatural visitor – a being who seemed to make the very air turn icy and was surrounded by something that left everyone in a primal state of fear, so felt it so strongly, they simply locked up in fright.
Zor’Githas.
He stood, the picture of terrible stillness clocked in dark robes – and like many of his visits, his hood drawn up and over his head, keeping his long black hair trapped beneath; his eyes a calm amber as he let his gaze drift.
He spoke; he addressed the leader of the Tribe he came to know only as ‘Weshesh’ – a strange people, mysterious and hardened by the recent famine and signs of fighting, though even these hardened people had faced plastered with confusion and fear as the arrival of a being they couldn’t comprehend; the Tribal leader finally dare to speak “You speak of new lands; a… ‘New Kingdom’ you call it, rich beyond measure” he spoke with a hoarse voice
The Tribal Leader was a broad, fairly large man with evident scars visible named; Krauko – Zor’Githas brought his focus onto him – Krauko, so use to violence and being someone in control simply folded, his gaze dropping, not daring to meet “Indeed” he spoke slowly; as if Krauko would struggle to understand him – Zor’Githas saw humankind as beneath him, beneath all of his kind – simply clay to be moulded and played with like a toy that could be easily cast aside – typically he did dislike them greatly, but, only more recent had he begun to take notice of something useful amongst them, though it did not change his belief towards them “Beyond your shores lies a land rich; it believes itself safe as all around collapse”
“But…. You haven’t really given us reason to do as you command” Krauko hesitated “Why should we leave these lands to go where you only claim is rich and waiting for us”
There is a pause as Zor’Githas moves forwards, leaning forwards, and speaking directly into Krauko’s ear “Your kind are desperate needy creatures; starving people” he spoke with a mocking tone “You think this is negotiation?, you have been given an instruction; and you will obey it, you claimed loyalty and obedience, your declared your people will submit; now you dare to consider refusing me?”
Krauko swallowed “But…, there are others like you that may stop us; we have seen one before…”
“Indeed; and I protected you, now do as instructed and set sail, cross to those new lands on the horizon, I want them to break; the more chaos that unfolds here, the more likely my kind shall decide they must intervene; and I can craft the perfect series of events to break the doctrine that has made us weak”
Chapter 1:
The Celestial Realm: a veiled dominion far removed from the Mortal realm was a vision of beauty – a city that rose with gleaming spires of marble and gold adorned with friezes depicting valiant warriors and celestial beings.
The Grand amphitheatres and temple with their elegant uniformity – the clear evidence of an advanced civilisation far removed from any other.
At the very centre of this vast, beautiful city stood a Ziggurat – a tiered structure of obsidian, a dark structure that stood in direct contrast to the white marble of its surroundings; the centre of power that refused to bend, chambers filled by ancient and sterile authority.
Within one of the many chambers, a balcony that overlooks the city itself stood Zor’Githas, his gaze was fixed on was looked simply like a glass mirror that could cover a wall if it had physical presence, it was, a ‘tear’ in reality, a ‘window’ to observe the mortal world they were so often told they could not intervene in.
Zor’Githas flicked his wrist – a movement like a cat’s ear flicking absently; he kept observing the ‘scenes’ of violence he took most interest in.
He was not sure where it was unfolding, but he focused on the unfolding of a battle, horrifying in scale as men ran from horses stampeding them, he let out a bored sigh before flicking his wrist again, the scene darkened before focusing onto a cluster of mud-brick and thatch nestled in a desolate valley, far removed from any trade route or notable landmark – within a rough-hewn circle of circle stones, there was a small gathering of figures in dark hooded robes that swayed in rhythm to their guttural chanting; the first stirrings of Cultists that had begun to worship a ‘Dark God’
When Zor’Githas heard his name being used; his eyes simply narrowed, his amber eyes flickering to a crimson hue “They worship ‘Me’?” he spat, a sound as though he’d been gravely insulted, the air around him seemingly vibrating
With another flick of the wrist he would finally fix his attention to the scene he watched now – it settled him in ways he couldn’t truly explain – his crimson hue softening instead back to amber.
It was the ate evening that Elpis – a woman of deceptive beauty, an angelic looking face with long hair that cascaded down her back like a silken midnight waterfall beneath the back of her waist, that was tied at the tip to keep it from being purely left free and wild; it bobs from side-to-side from the gentle sway of her slender frame as she finds herself enjoying the warmth of a tavern that has managed, despite the chaos of the world, to find happiness.
Her large, illuminous violet eyes fixed wide and happy as her lips curve upwards – her body simply swayed in time with the sound of someone singing, she was purposely matching the movements of other women that danced.
Slightly behind her, was a vision of beauty that outshined any of their own kind – Aphrodite, her hair a long, golden blonde that was tied back and gently swayed from the subtle movements of her head; her eyes fixed on Elpis “Your movements my dear” Aphrodite purred; a voice that was low and soft; honeyed vibration that caressed the very air “They flow like water; a nymph’s dance, almost disarming, hm”
Elpis gently turned her head, her smile soft and genuine “Even in the darkest of moment; this is what they are truly capable of, this is why I care so strongly for them” it was not purely the warmth and genuine happiness of the moment, but it was also the first she had purposely abandoned the veil that would usually be kept to keep her from the mortal eye – they hadn’t responded as so many often had, with fear, but acceptance; it was a moment that had proven in Elpis’s view that there are places that will welcome without restriction
As Elpis turned proper, she gestured to Aphrodite “Don’t simply sit; come…, join and enjoy the flow of this atmosphere…”
Aphrodite couldn’t resist – she enjoyed the same love of humanity as Elpis, and had made many efforts to interact with mortal kind, and like Elpis; she often ignored the imposed rules – now, she joined Elpis in the warmth of the moment, enjoying the communal atmosphere as she too danced.
Though, things would shift as they overheard mention of a ‘Dark God’
Chapter 2:
Despite the warmth and genuine happiness of the tavern; Elpis and Aphrodite find their attention suddenly, jarringly, drawn to the hushed conversation not far from them – the mention of a ‘Dark God’, it became clear that it was some kind of recruiting taking place – Aphrodite shifted her gaze to Elpis who exchanged a confused look – the only figure that they could think of was ‘Zor’Githas’.
The two decided to learn more by repositioning, to listen to the discussion taking place – the more they heard, the more they was certain the ‘Dark God’ was Zor’Githas – determined to find out more information, they would begin a subtle investigation, not wanting to draw too much attention from any of their own just yet, they needed to understand what was going on first.
The following days they would learn that it was no small group – it was growing in number; the allure of power in times of chaos proved an alluring poison.
Tracking the whispers for the next three-days; they followed crude, charcoal symbols scrawled across ruined buildings, marks they’d come to learn helped guide those interested in this secretive, growing, movement.
The night they draw closer than they’ve ever gotten, the air felt unusually chill with a distant rhythmic crash of the sea.
They hid themselves from the mortal gaze their usual way, while still standing amongst them to listen as a wiry man stood addressing a group crowd “He is the Cold Heart; the Purge of the unworthy, he is a promise of power and true strength; we must serve, we must submit; pray to the Dark Master”
They would take another two nights of searching and investigating by the time they tracked down what they hoped would be their primary target – instead, when they approached what was meant to be a Cultist gathering spot; they discovered it was just an abandoned camp “Something isn’t right; I have not sensed him anywhere near, yet these people are worshiping him like he visits them personally”
“Perhaps he doesn’t know” Aphrodite suggests as she looks at Elpis – as they exchanged puzzled looks, there was a sudden noise that broke the silence that settled – a whiz of air, sharp and fast passed between them; an arrow fletched with dark feathers slammed into a tree; if it had been a little higher and to the left, it would have certainly struck Elpis in the head “Ambush!” Aphrodite snapped, jerking Elpis backwards a step as she moved forwards, her gaze snapping to their left – she looked into the surrounding darkness
An unseen volley erupted – these attackers were silent, professional and numerous; as Elpis and Aphrodite sought cover; arrows struck the ground with audible thuds that snapped Elpis’s gaze immediately.
“They are too quiet…, too many” Elpis growled; her eyes darting about in the darkness – her frustration building until she decided to lash out, the luminous violet glow of her eyes displayed a physical warning sign of her frustration as it reached its limit
“Enough!” She snapped, voice ringing out loudly with ancient authority as she gestured her arm in a wide arch – the ground heaved and bucked; the earth turned almost liquid in the sudden movement as it obeyed Elpis’s command – a violent shaking that threw the abandoning camp into ruin – collapsing tree’s and tumbling stone – it forced many of their attackers into the open, some immediately fleeing, others found themselves swallowed by the earth itself
It was a victory – or that was how it looked initially
Seeing figure starting to try escaping or disappearing into the earth that swallowed them; she felt a sudden thud against the back of her hip jerking her into a forwards step; eyes widening as her breath hitched.
Two more followed; sharp, painful that stole her breath – twisting her head around, she gestured wildly the earth responding on command though as she stumbled sideways, she landed awkwardly her elbow sinking into the dirt and her focus immediately shattered – the world stilled.
Something wasn’t right about the arrow-tips that had struck her; it burnt…, it shouldn’t have, but it did.
Chapter 3:
Immediately moving to Elpis, Aphrodite skids down beside her; her hands already moving to pull gently to give her a better angle to look at the three penetrating arrows “Stay still Elpis” she states calmly – voice steady, ignoring the sound of something whizzing by her head
Though her head snaps up the very moment she registers a new movement.
From the blackness of the tree’s a figure surged forwards; dressed in rough leather and fur – a man of terrifying efficiency, his eyes wide and fixed on the two as he rushed towards them, his broad, heavy sword aloft and ready for the finishing swing.
Aphrodite readied herself to intercept the blow, her body coiled in preparation to rise up and meet the heavy body coming at them.
But, just as that sword came swinging down – it halted.
The air snapped; it was not the sound of wood or metal, but the sound of reality giving way to something ancient and terrifyingly cold.
Within an instant the temperature felt as though it plummeted – that they were in the arctic as the humid air turned thick; breath misting – the attacker was frozen rigid, but he wasn’t merely paralysed, he was locked like that out of pure, primal terror.
The sword, stopped in mid-movement accumulated a fine frost, his eyes were wide and fixed on a point directly above the two women; he felt as though he couldn’t breathe.
The ground around Aphrodite and Elpis did not just tremble – it exploded outwards into a wave of raw, enraged power; as though the earth itself were liquid lead reacting to a terrible sound; a display of power as Zor’Githas crossed into the mortal realm.
The leather the man wore instantly withered – metal studs flaked away; then the man himself, he simply ceased to exist.
He did not fall, he evaporated, collapsing inward into a handful of fine dust; cold and grey that drifted silently onto the olive leaves, the sword itself clattered to the ground already too fragile to hold its form.
What had been a surrounding space with beautiful trees and rare plants; was now a wasteland.
Elpis’s eyes, blurred with tears, as she stared forwards – the first drops of rain falling in response to her heightened emotional state; she felt Zor’Githas’s movement as he dropped swiftly to her side – Aphrodite locked eyes onto Zor’Githas, a warning flashing in her stare “Don’t you dare try to take advantage of this; she is not yours to control”
Zor’Githas brought his gaze up to meet Aphrodite’s – his hand already tracing the back of her neck, a soft brush of his fingers against her skin “I have never tried to manipulate her” he growled “Her devotion to these…., creatures…, is maddening, but, it is her compassion that makes her, her; and I only seek to preserve that spark, none of you will ever stop me from that”
Chapter 4:
“These hurt; stop arguing!” Elpis howled – a sound echoed in a sound of rumbling thunder “This kind of discussion can wait; get me help!” she felt the urge to lean towards the dirt, but any movement simply reminded her of three arrow heads stabbing into her body
Zor’Githas turned his gaze back down to her then glances around briefly before deciding to, with a gentleness he reserves for her alone, pick her up, being as careful as possible even as she screams out “We’re compromised here Elpis; I can’t try tending to you, neither can Aphrodite, we shall return back to the Ziggurat and seek the healers”
“Just get the pain to stop!” she whimpered
The crossing between realms – something Elpis had become use too was suddenly very jarring as darkness was suddenly bright and when she hears a kaleidoscope of noise it was almost overwhelming she would lose track of what was going on until she realised she was being tended too – the sharp pain as she felt the removal that elicited a sharp cry.
It was over within a few hours, leaving her resting on her front; face pushed into a comfortable pillow that simply made her want to drift off under whatever concoction she had just be made to drink; her head swam, and body felt numb, she couldn’t help smiling, her eyes a haze.
When she felt a hand touch her cheek she barely even moved “Sleepy” she slurred – Zor’Githas merely remained quiet as he watched her carefully, remaining present with amber-hued eyes until she simply drifted off into a realm of dreaming.
“You’re a Destroyer; yet you hold an attachment towards her” Aphrodite approaches him, coming to stand beside him “Seems unusual”
“Here I believed it was very well hidden” Zor’Githas rolls his eyes before looking towards her “I upset her not long back; she was unhappy with my effort to collapse those civilisations, and even in their desperation, she still clings to hope that they can prove themselves; I find it admiring” he admitted, Aphrodite slowly nodding
After a moment, he moved, he intended to return to his own quarters – making mention of his intent to return later; Aphrodite thought carefully, she could raise this to Nicon, or, she could simply hold onto it for the moment and see what happens – she decided to wait, gently stroking Elpis’s head before she herself left
Written By: Westley H.
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