God, Man & King: Chapter 6

[Khaos King]

I'm in a realm not my own as i look up i can feel that i am being watched by unseen eyes. the Cavern ceiling looks like an obsidian mirror with smoke swirling about it and through it i can almost see a being watching observing me through the veil of the underworld. I walk through the cavern floor as it rumbles and shifts beneath my feet, i try my best to stay upright as i follow the screams and wails of the dead. I walk through narrow tunnels that snake and bend leading further into the center of the underworld. I hear a familiar voice screaming for help, it's Hummingbird. i run toward her in the darkness hoping to reach her in time as i turn the corner i see the town's market place dark and gloomy as if it were a dream, a nightmare to Hummingbird.

I see the town people going about there business buying and trading as if nothing has happen to them. I make my way through the crowd hoping to find Hummingbird among the crowd. I find her trying to push away a wretched looking naked stranger attempting to rape her as he laughs at her enjoying her fear and desperation as she struggles to push him off her. Angered i reach toward him from behind and flip him off her flinging him into the merchant table as he crashes among the food stands of chiles and vegetables.

Hummingbird sobbing curled up in fear screams...

Dont touch me!
stay away!

i reach for her but she pushes me away in shock refusing to open her eyes afraid of the nightmare that will come next in this dark realm... The demon rises from the merchant stand as he pushes the tables away and comes to face me.... i stand my ground between her and the demon...

you will not touch her.

he stares at me as his face becomes distorted and shifts his eyes glowing like red embers, he stinks of rotted meat as he smiles and bears his stained crooked teeth.

Ooh, how will you stop me?

I do not fear you, you have no power over me..


The Demon lunges at me bearing his teeth and bony clawed hands, i jumped to meet him in mid air as we crash into each other and fall upon the ground. We roll as we each struggle to get the upper hand.. i take the dominant position as i land punishing blow upon blow across his face, he laughs as he tries to defend himself...

I am not afraid of you!

I repeat it like a mantra as i strike him and splatter his blood across the cavern floor. the images around us begin to fade away with each punch i land. The Demon strikes back clawing across my chest, i feel the fire sizzling through my body as i try to ignore it. As i throw one last punch the demon melts turning to black liquid shadow disappearing beneath me as my fist strikes the cavern floor..

i stand up and look around the setting has changed there is nothing around us but me and Hummingbird who is still crying... I go to her as i try to calm her.

It's me Snake Crow... Dont be afraid.

she looks up as i reach out my hand for her to take it.. she takes it as she stands and pulls me toward her crying as i cradle her..

It tried to rape me.....

i know, i'm sorry...
you must not be afraid.
it is how it gets its power.

How did you get here, are we dead?

the same way you did, i drank the potion.
you are not dead this place is not for you or your people.
I need you to be strong if we are to escape.

Oh, i say she should be very afraid. This is the world of darkness, my world and i am all around her.
i will have her and you will watch and there is nothing you can do....

The cavern shakes with demon's laughter as it twist and shifts taking on a new form around us of a dark forest.. The forest seems to contract as if it were breathing able to feel respiration of air.. Hummingbird clutches my hand as i try to lead her away from this place. As we walk i try to reach to old memories of how to escape this realm but my mortal mind no longer holds such an answer.

Hummingbird pulls my arm back as she forces me to stop looking ahead i see a shadow figure sitting on top of tree branch staring at us through its glowing eyes.

tell me how do you plan on escaping this place, you are trapped hear with me godling.

he jumps off the tree landing on the ground as the shadow that is his body shifts he takes a new form now covered in fur turned into some kind of animal man...
he charges at me, i instinctively push Hummingbird aside as we slam against each other. i feel my ribs crack and my bone vibrate from the impact.. i groan in pain.

arrghh!

He growls as he attempts to rip my throat with his fanged teeth.. in desperation i use my forearm to stop his attack as he bites down on my arm...

arrghh!

i strain to fight him off, his weight having increased with the monstrous form he has taken presses me to the ground..

I am not afraid!
i have no fear!

the demon punches me as i complete the sentence striking me with what should have been sufficient force to snap a tree. yet i do not die from the unexpected blow as i take the hit with unwavering resolve .. i look at the Demon and grip his wrist pulling them apart forcing him to fall into me as i head butt him...

I fear no demon!

I shout it out as i crack his nose... Hummingbird hearing me shout comes to my aid...

Hummingbird: i am not afraid!

she screams it as she strikes the demon across its head with a large piece of lumber forcing him to fall off me... The Demon growls in anger knowing it is losing its power over her and melts into the ground. Hummingbird helps me to my feet as i massage my jaw..

Hummingbird: i'm not afraid..

i look at her...

I know..

I will have her!

the demon shouts as he grips her ankles from beneath the forest floor pulling her down as she struggle to break free, the demon laughs as he slowly pulls her down trying to terrify her.... I look at Hummingbird as fear crosses her eyes... i reach toward her and wrap my arms around her as she holds and hugs me back and whispers in my ears as she closes her eyes.

Hummingbird: i'm not afraid, i'm not afraid..

Be strong and know no fear.

she sinks deeper into the ground as i pray to the Creator to let me sink with her... she begins to succumb to the fear as she locks eyes with me ready to surrender to the darkness...

you cannot surrender to him fight him.
step out of the ground you must believe he cannot harm you.
it is why he is drawing you slowly using your fear to pull you in, fight it..... please.

tears begin to stream down her cheek as she looks at me straining to say what she want to say to me.

Hummingbird: i....... i dont want to die without telling you i love you Snake Crow..

her waist already beneath the ground as i strain to keep her from sinking. I look at her with sadness knowing if i do not do something she will fall to the clutches of the demon and her soul will be lost...

you cannot die,,

The darkness infecting her as she begins to become despondent her mind and soul closing itself off to the horror that is the Underworld as she speaks in a monotone voice losing its emotions....

Hummingbird: why?

because you were the only person who was ever nice to me and you didnt let me die in the desert and i wont let you die here..

i strain to finish the sentence as tear stream down my cheek afraid to lose her the only light in what has become my dark lonely world..

because i love you......

she looks up at me a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes as she response..

Hummingbird: you do?

yes, i do.. i love you with all my heart pls dont leave me, fight..

I cup her face as the only part still above the ground as i kiss her hoping she responds and fights the darkness and the paralyzing fear that has forced her to shut herself off... She begins to kiss me back and whispers back to me.

Hummingbird: I love you too....

I smile at her as i tell her what she needs to do...

so fight back give me your hand and walk out...

her hands comes out from the ground as she reaches for mine and i pull her out as she begins to steps out and hugs me... I hold her tightly as i look up and see the cavern polished obsidian roof, the smoke swirling around making it difficult to see the figure on the other side of the veil who peers into this realm watching me, i know it is my brother... .

you lost demon!
she no longer fear you nor do i !

The Demon doesnt reply it knows it no longer has power over us... all that is left is to get Hummingbird away from this place and rescue the rest of the town people.

[Khaos King]

We walk through the cavern tunnels as it shakes and rumbles a mild quake, we hold hands so not to lose ourselves in the darkness and caverns. The screeching of torture souls can be heard its ear piercing screams cut deep into our astral soul self. Hummingbird begins to tear up feeling the anguish of the souls as if it were her own. I see a bright light at the end of a tunnel from where the screams are originating from the closer we get the more the walls rumble till we finally arrive and exit into a large chamber.

In front of us sits the God of the Underworld, The God of Death and in his hands is a bright radiating white glowing orb.. It is the newly arrived souls of the Town people... He tightens his grip causing them to scream, Hummingbird tightens her grip and screams in sympathy...

Hummingbird: Leave them alone!

I turn to cover her mouth put it is too late her scream is heard i put myself in front of her as she hides behind me. The God of Death, Acolmiztli Lord of Mictlan turns to look at me as he peers at me through his skull mask, its eyes glowing like red ember.. The Cavern shakes as he breaths, i step forward to confront him an insect facing a Giant.

Death God: you, I know you.
why are you here?
and why do you have one of my souls?

she is not one of your souls nor are those in your grasp yours..
they did not come to you willingly but were tricked.

Death God: They were a gift to me from other gods for my services.

Than you were also tricked and because these souls are not of your land nor do they follow our ways.
They are not dead but yet live.

The Death God becomes annoyed as he leans forward to look at us and measure the truth of my words.

Death God: If they are not dead why are they here?
So they must be dead for only the dead can come here.
you two must also be dead.

Hummingbird looks up at the Death God as she yells out at him..

Hummingbird: We are not dead nor are you our god or Great Spirit!
Our souls are not yours to take, We run free in the Spirit Forest and join with the Great Spirit when we die!
we are the Dine and we do not belong in this place!

Death God: Interesting, show me.

The Death God reaches out with an outstretch finger while holding the orb of spirits in the other. i try to stand before the large clawed like finger but it passes past me as if i had no form and was as if smoke. the clawed nail sharp stabs into Hummingbird behind me inflicting spiritual pain at the forced merging.

Hummingbird: aaahhh!

Stop! you're hurting her!

He ignores my plea as i try to grip his hand and force it off her but i only pass through it as if i were nothing but smoke. I turn to see Hummingbird and hold her hand and realize what is happening. Her soul is shown to me and most importantly to the God of Death, she becomes a window of her spiritual beliefs as we see a large green forest within her. Her ancestors running free, i can only imagine what she is feeling or seeing within herself as Death accompanies her and uses her.

The Death God removes his finger from her chest as she collapses on her knees shaking and sobbing...

Hummingbird: i dont feel so good..i cant stop shaking..
what did he do to me?

Death peered into your still living soul.

I turn to face Death, angry that i could not stop him, had i been a god i could have forced him to give me those souls, kept it from harming her..

Do you see now?!
these are not your people!
Not your souls to claim!
you were tricked there bodies still live give them back!

Death God: all souls of the dead are mine.
they were promised to me since the dawn of creation from the day you help make them.
why should i release them they are already here however they came they are now here.
As........ are........ you......

He leans to me as i feel his foul breath, his eyes glowing fiery red hot behind his skull mask. I try to think to find a way to escape.

So you know who i am, you were promised the bones and souls of those whom we did create but they have spread across the land forgotten the old ways. Time has robbed you of your rightful claim now Mother Earth takes the Bones and Souls from you. If you release us we will spread your story. Those souls in your grip will tell others of what happen this day and you will grow more powerful and famous. The souls will return to you after their second death you will lose nothing in the end but will instead gain a thousand fold. Is that not a good trade?

Hummingbird still on her knees hugs my leg as i speak to Death as i watch him ponder my words. He is ancient tired among us gods. the burden of his title has made him absent minded his consciousness dragging across the abyss as he contemplates what would be to him a distant echo in the vast Darkness that is his mind.

Do we have a deal?

My only chance to keep it distracted and from contemplating my words, he looks down at me and back as his hand staring at the orb as he brings it forward to me hesitantly.

Death God: all things must die, they must all come to me.

Yes, All life must one day meet Death.

As i take hold of the soul orb with both hands i feel them humming in peace, a soothing chant radiating from within the orb as it permeates my being. the fear that was death no longer plagues them.. I look up to thank Death as he speaks to me..

Death God: She will stay and show me the Spirit Forest so that i may collect the lost souls.

the realization that i cannot stop him brings horror within my being that i am helpless....

No that was not the deal!

Hummingbird: No!
i will not allow you to use me or take my people!

Death God: you have no choice little child.
Now leave little prince, Lord of Light before i change my mind.
Run and leave this place.

The ground begins to shake and rumble as i turn to see the caverns twisting turning exposing a shaft of light in this place of darkness in the far distance steps begin to appear...

Death God: there is it your way back to the land of the living now leave.

i look at the distant light and back at Hummingbird my desperation causes me to lose my temper.

you will not take her!

Death God: then you nor they will leave!

he reaches for me to take back the souls from my grasp the Orb response to his threat as they begin to moan in fear, i clutch the Orb tightly to my chest refusing to give them back.. i feel their souls crying to me for protection. his hands wraps itself around me and the Orb.

No, you will not have them!

Death God: there is nothing you can do little Lord of Light for you no longer have the power to stop me..

He lifts me up from the ground as i feel the Orb refuse to return to the darkness that is death as it begins to fade and hide deep within my soul retreating from Death. I feel them becoming a part me as they force themselves within me seeking protection... I feel their power infusing me awakening a part of me that was once a god.

I strain to break free from Death's clutches my eyes glowing bright along with my body, i feel the strength of a god returning to me as i now have my hands free to fight back.. My hands sears Death's hand as i fall back to the ground...

Death God: aarrghh!

I look up to face Death as my body is transformed with the countenance of my once stolen godhood. My mortal clothing changing to that of my golden armor my golden helm reappearing along with my chest armor and arm bracers and shin guards. The God of Death stares at me as i rise up confident in myself once more stepping forward as my footprints leave behind a light trail in his realm.

you will not have these souls or any other!

he comes at me in anger showing his full stature as he rises to challenge me.. He reaches once more to me only to be pushed back with flash of light as i open my arms holding the darkness at bay... frustrated he causes his realm to shake as rubble falls from the cavern crashing upon the ground. I grab Hummingbird and lift her within my arms and run toward the exit.

Death God: you will not escape me!

his demons, the forgotten dead and black leopards begin to rise up from the ground to stop us as we run away, the exit in front of us begins to close.. i gather my energy and propel myself off the ground and fly toward the light while carrying Hummingbird. As rubble falls on us i erect a shield of light to protect us as the rubble shatters upon impact unable to dissuade us from our course.. I use my reacquired power to silently summon those that have sworn to serve me from the land of the light.

The Underworld begins to vibrate as they approach burrowing through the cavern walls from my Realm of Light. Creatures made of light break into his realm attacking his army although small their light body is enough to halt Death's demons as their small insect and bird like bodies slam against theirs.. Their humming and chirping and sounds of their flapping light wings drive the demons and Death mad forcing them to retreat from the sound of hope and what is love and light .

Buying us time the creatures of light dissipate back to the Court of Light as i reach the exit with Hummingbird back to the land of the living we hear the demons scream of rage. I once again awaken on the lodge floor the elders asleep no longer drumming, their souls still within me as i rise off the ground and look around. The Demon in the form of the Old Man is still in the village my godly senses tell me so, i must find him and keep him from doing anymore harm.

I look at my hands my skin now de aged and wearing my gold armor....... I have returned and i will not fail these people.