Chapter 47. When Gods die
And ending comes to all things, and even the Gods must someday perish.
Old Nomad Saying.
A heavy rain began to fall, as the battle between the humans and the Metal God, raged on. The Nomads fought like demons, and so did the Norgonie. The Galu, would never turn from death either, so each side, continued to sow the ground with their blood.
Arn and Andra were fighting on foot now, their Whiptails had been killed by the Beast-men. Even without the teeth and claws of the reptiles, the humans were killing machines. The King's skill with war-ax and dagger, could not be surpassed. The Selcarie woman was very skillful too, due to her training and experience in hand to hand combat. With their mind-link, they could anticipate each others movements, so doubling their destructive power. Rain fell from the sky, it washed blood from their armor, and the many fires burning around them, softened, but still the huge machine's cannon fire, continued to roar death.
Without warning, a cry was heard above the din of battle, a wild animal cry that rang in the ears. It gave courage to the warriors, they looked upwards to see the cause of the screams.
The Giants of the Earth, were riding to war.
The Honnargar had heard their King's Mind-call, and now they would stand by his side. They fell from the sky, like ancient sky Gods, their Screechers grasping the Galu in their powerful claws, then lifted them into the air. Soon the raindrops mixed with blood, and the screams of the dying, echoed to the sound of thunder.
Valen was bleeding from numerous cuts and scratches, not bad enough, to stop him taking his revenge, he cut the head off a charging Galu, then turned to see the Steel Shadowman's demon arm, spewing fire. It cut down the warriors nearby, like a harvest blade, seeing his brother’s fall, he ran to their aid. When he was within arm’s length of the metal giant, he swung his ax with all his might. The weapon found its mark, but his enemy's leg, was not cut, a broken ax handle and a shower of sparks was all he got for his effort.
The Cyberman/God seized the Nomad, pulling him into the air, as easy, as pulling a Burrow Baby from its earthen home. Valen fought back with all his strength, but it was useless against the might of the giant. Looking into his opponent's cold eyes, he heard the thing speak.
“Look upon your destroyer!” it shouted, then flung the Caladon warrior away.
Valen hit the ground hard, he regained his feet, his left arm was broken, being a Nomad, he still drew his dagger, and continued to fight.
The King and Andra watched the young warrior's brave efforts, seeing he was no match for the huge metal giant, they raced to his aid, as they drew closer, a strange thing happened. Arn’s mind reeled, like before, he suddenly found, he was no longer himself. It lasted only a moment, but in that brief instance, he was the enemy being.
The Nomad staggered, his head spinning, he fell to the ground. The same thing happened to the Half-human. He saw through the Outlander's eyes, knowing how it felt, to be flesh once more. As before, it did not last long. Rising from the ground, he became a creature without feeling once more.
Andra also felt the strange sensation, but did not fall, when it was over, she found herself facing an enemy that rose like a wall of steel before her. When Andra had been a soldier, she fought in many desperate battles, facing enemies of both flesh and steel. She fought hand to hand against the Bolbec, Cennatian and the Ogarians, but they were things of flesh and bone, not like the metal giant, she faced now. She could not leave her mate helpless, so summoning her courage, she attacked! Her movements were quick, and she managed to avoid the Cyborg's grasping hand. She moved closer swinging her weapon, like Valen had, it did little damage. Before she could move away, the iron monster's backhand swing, caught the side of her face, sending her flying. She landed on top of a dead Galu, stars in front of her eyes. Luckily, her helmet had taken most of the impact, a cut just above her eye was bleeding, her ax gone.
Ishea pulled her Kagar from a slain Beast-man's chest, looking around her for another victim, she saw Arn fall before the rampaging steel God. She also saw the valiant effort of the Half-Soul, and her defeat. While the King lay helpless on the ground, she raced to stand at his side, her movements lightning fast, now she was standing between the huge monster, and her former mate.
“You will not kill him!” she shouted, taking careful aim with her spear, she flung the weapon with all her might. Ishea’s aim was true, her Kagar buried itself deep in the Half-human's left vision device. A shower of sparks burst from the eye socket, and the giant shook his head in rage.
In the same instant that Ishea threw her spear, the steel creature had lifted its arm, and fired at the Norgonie Queen, the shot hit her in the chest.
Ral did not stop after leaving his Fortress home, running as fast as his strong legs would allow, he now joined the battle. He fought like a demon from the Pit, dealing out death left and right, shouting and screaming, as he did, he was now free, to vent all his anger and frustration. With each enemy he killed, he saw his father's face, the father he never knew, the father who abandoned him. All that mattered now, was finding the man who did this, and make him pay.
Then he saw his mother, protecting the man he hated, he watched her fall before the giant. Although she had sacrificed herself, for the man he hated most, his mind cried out for vengeance. Running as fast as possible, he closed the distance to the metal monster, he leaped with all his might, landing full on the creature's back. He tried to drive his spear, into the area between his enemy's head and neck, but the point broke. Tossing the shaft aside, he ripped at the creature with his bare hands. The monster reached up, and grasped him in an iron grip, it pulled him away. The Norgonie Prince, was about to be crushed to pulp, when a wayward canon shell from the Fortress, hit them. The metal man, took the full force of the projectile strike, on his chest, sending him reeling, his grasp on the human weakened, and Ral, was able to free himself.
At the same moment, in the God Machine's underground chamber, Osh was in deep pain. The device's power was rising, soon it would send out a charge that would destroy him. He sat waiting for the inevitable, but he could not forget the Guardian's words.
The key is at the foot of the God?
Moments before his life would end, he reached into his Mindlock capabilities, trying to solve the problem. Hundreds, thousands of images ran before his inner eye, images of Gods and Deities, from every corner of the Outer Rim. Gods great and small, Gods long forgotten and Gods who still held sway over their followers. They flashed before him, while the clue, kept repeating in his mind.
The key is at the foot of the God?
Then something began to form in his dream state, an image of a fallen statue, resting on a broken base, an image he had seen before.
Korath Enargo; he remembered; the Path of Pain, the fallen God!
He fought back the rising pain, focusing all his will power on the image, looking at the base of Atos' broken statue, he saw the intricate patterns and symbols. The broken and worn base became, newly carved, images once obscured with age, became fresh, the old man saw them clearly, he knew what they were.
The key.
Quickly transferring the patterns to the God machine's coding matrix, the pain in his mind began to lessen. When the last hieroglyph was correctly placed, the door barring his way, opened, he went into the core of the all-powerful machine.
Slowly the rain ceased, Arn still lay on the ground before his enemy, he ground his teeth in fury, because he could not stand up, to be with the woman he loved. He watched helplessly, as Moonbud fought the metal giant alone, he cried out in pain, as he watched her being defeated. He tried to regain his feet, he saw Ishea, sacrifice herself after shielding him from death. He pulled himself up on one leg, watching his son in the grip of the monster, and the blast that almost blinded him. Now as his vision cleared, he gathered up the last of his strength, he stood to face the all-powerful God.
The thing that had once been a man, pulled the spear from his optical process
or, tossing it aside, although he only had one vision collector now, he knew it was enough to watch his enemy die.
He turned, to look into the face of the warrior before him, he found his strength was leaving him.
What is happening to me? He thought; who is greater than I?
Arn felt new energy, flowing into his weakened limbs, a power he had never felt before. He stood up, and looked at the giant, now he felt like two people, a man of flesh and bone, and an abomination of steel and wire.
All Nomads know that the Gods give life, and Isarie in her wisdom, created woman to bring that life into the world. It is the Mother, who has to choose, who shall live and who shall die, a soul cannot be shared. The Darkman and the King, shared the same mother, because of love, she went against the laws of the Goddess, she let both live. Now they stood face to face, only one could remain.
The battle raging between them, was not fought with weapons of steel or fire, they did not grapple in the Challenge Pit, or on the backs of Whiptails. This war, was fought in the mind, the strongest would be victorious.
The Shadowman's hate and vengeance were his weapons, while the Nomad relied on his strength of heart, and his will to live. They stood like statues, while the battle raged around them, each waiting to see who would survive.
I am a God! The Darkman screamed in his mind; and Gods to not die!
The Kings face was contorted, from the burning pain in his mind, blood began to drip from his lip; I will not fall, I will not fall!
Andra and Valen, watched as the King stood his ground, too weak to help him, they waited and prayed.
Egmar, carrying the demon child in her arms, was protected by the Thungodra, so she was able to walk across the battlefield, unharmed, her loyal guardians, died protecting her. This they did gladly, honoring their vow, to keep her safe, thus ensuring a place, in the Golden Hall of Isarie. They drew closer to the great machine, and the Holy Mother, called to them, to take her to Atos, they obeyed.
The King was weakening, his brother now possessed a power, he did not. The Orb had given him the ability, to control a weapon, one that would continue to grow, and repair itself when damaged. Power, was being slowly channeled into Shadowman's mind. Arn could feel himself vanishing into the will of his enemy, he was helpless to fight back. Knowing his end was near, he looked over at the woman, who had captured his heart.
Moonbud; he thought; through this world and all the worlds to come.
Knowing he was about to fulfill his greatest wish, the Darkman called out to his enemy.
“Our mother, will not weep for you my brother!”
He was about to crush the mind of his sibling, when a strange thing happened, he heard a voice calling out to him, a voice he had heard before.
“I bring you a gift”, the woman said, “an offering to a God!”
Turning from the fallen King, he saw his mother, coming closer, she was holding something in her arms, he remembered a vision of another woman long ago.
What is that thing she is holding? He thought, focusing his mind on the object before him, he let go of his revenge.
Arn felt the pain, leaving his mind and taking up his weapon, he leapt high into the air, bringing the ax down hard, on the metal monster's neck. The armor was weak there, and the blade bit deep cutting off the God's head, it was sent flying through the air. The giant's huge body, stood unmoving for a moment, then crashed to the ground.
Anything human, would have found peace at that moment. The Shadowman, was no longer of that world, when his head was detached from its body, it continued to remember. Back to a time, before he became a wanderer in the Wastelands, before his world of pain and hate, back to a place of contentment and love. As the power giving him life, faded he remembered his mother arms, holding him, and the soft sound of her voice, all else was forgotten.
A great cheer went out from the warriors, seeing their enemy die, but it did not stop, the battle, around them, the Galu were not led, they fought until they died.
Vitranius stood high atop the temple pyramid, he laughed at the death and destruction around him, and lifting his arms to the sky, he cried out to the heavens.
“End it now”, he screamed, “end it now!” he wished his life to be over, all things should die.
Looking up at the High Priest, the Norgonie heard something different.
“Ormandis is calling upon the Gods for help.”
“Arm-Ra will answer his prayer.”
“He has the power to save us”, they called out.
Beneath the Holy man's feet, Osh's mind found, what it sought, deep in the command patterns of the God machine, were the inter-links that would activate the mechanism. The Callaxion, configured the last Mind-link pattern to its proper level, when he did, a tremendous wave of information, started to flood into his mind. The Overlords, had answers, to the many questions sought by all creatures. All he had to do to obtain that power, was reach out, to become one with the machine. Then he remembered the answer to his question.
I universe of knowledge is useless without love.
He let his mind return to the place, where it had started, he found himself once again, in the great chamber, he opened his eyes, and slowly lifted the helmet from his head. Looked around, he saw the God Machine coming to life.
With a final pull, the last stone, holding the Sandjar slaves prisoner, gave way, the gate it was holding, fell to the ground.
Above the dust and rock, Endo called out to his people.
“FREEDOM!”
Following their Coraw, they began, pouring out of the dark world that had been their home. They raced down the long corridor, shouting their anger, all determined, never to be slaves again. Old and young alike, made their way down the tunnel, if one fell. another would pick them up, so they would not be trampled.
Endo held onto Rawna's hand, Mog making sure they weren't harmed, in the rush to the outside.
Nomad and Norgonie were still fighting for their lives, as well as the Galu, the fallen warship's cannon, continued to roar. Unseen, the Repair-bots and Spotters inside, were following their last commands, soon the huge machine, would heal itself, then bring more destruction.
Arn, was now surrounded by his warriors, his mate and the young Caladon. The Norgonie gathered up their Queen, with Ral beside her, they formed a circle around the Nomads. The Honnargar above them, continued plucking Beast-men into the air, then casting their lifeless hairy bodies to the ground.
When the King saw Ishea, he was surprised to see her still alive, the wound to her chest, would have killed a lesser warrior, but the Queen's heart was strong, and she lived. Arn walked over to her, he touched her cheek, she opened her eyes, and looked at him.
Arn bent low and took her into his arms, he wanted to tell her, how much he regretted his decision to leave her, he knew there wasn't time, to unburden his heart, so he just smiled.
“You saved me, and your people”, he said softly.
Knowing she had been a strong Queen, and had stood by the man she loved, her heart was content.
She did not speak, she smiled, then she saw herself, standing by the Western Sea, looking out at the vast ocean and feeling the wind on her face.
“I will wait for you”, she whispered, then she closed her eyes, and there was nothing more.
The Great Norgonie Pyramid, was coming to life, the smooth slopping stone, covering the outside of the temple, began to crack and break. At the same time, the uppermost level started collapsing, when it did, the High Priest's prayer, was answered, his end came. He fell like a Balbar leaf in winter, and as he did, his laughter followed, stopping suddenly.
The shaven headed monks, who had gathered at the Holy Shrine's base, were crushed by the falling stones, their bodies, becoming pulped flesh and blood. Like a Moonbud, opening under the night sky, the temple spread its triangular walls, it began to gather, the breaking sunlight on its polished walls. The power of the twin suns, was channeled onto the collecting crystals, placed deep within the Overlo
rd weapon. Now it was a self-sustaining, defensive weapon, created to destroy any attackers, whether flesh or steel.
A great rumbling shook the Fortress, Nomad and Norgonie alike, took shelter as best they could. Kuno felt the stone walkway, crumbling under his feet, he reached out, taking the big forest woman into his arms. Anais and Kela, also found comfort in each others embrace, thinking they may not survive, they kissed.
Osh felt the chamber shaking, running as fast as his thin legs would allow, he searched for a way back into the sunlight. He followed any route that might led upwards, if a corridor became blocked, he choose another, hoping he might live, to see his son once more.
Endo also felt the shaking, and with it, the roof of the tunnel, leadinb them to freedom, began to fall. Screams filled the dusty air, many were killed, but the Sandjar, did not turn back, they followed their Coraw. When all seemed lost, Endo saw light ahead, he called out to his people, and they raced forward, as fast as possible.
The sky was not bright, but it still hurt the Scavenger's eyes, they had never seen sunlight, and like all their kind, they preferred darkness. The tunnel behind, was slowly disappearing, with no other choice, they ventured outside, to see a huge shaft, rising out of the massive structure, it began to glow with a brilliant light. It continued to grow in intensity, until it seemed brighter than any sun. With a terrific roar, it sent out a shaft of energy that shattered the air, flinging Sandjars to the ground.
The beam of power, struck the great machine, cutting through it, as if it was a Dotfly's wing. The risen warship, was cut in two, the chamber that once held the great Orb, exploded in a holocaust of fire. The Repair-bots and Spotters were melted, into pools of lifeless metal, never to function again, and the Talsonar cannon, spoke no more.
The war machine, had one more task to perform, it was programmed long ago, not to fall into the hands of the enemy. The Eran warships, had damaged the self-destruction mechanism, but it had been repaired, it would be used for its intended purpose. Detonation and destruction, of itself and anything within range.
When the Overlord's God Machine, activated, it sent out a shaft of power, destroying its enemy. The Galu scattered to the winds, they were primitive creatures and facing an enemy with such power, quelled their lust to kill. Warriors on both sides, lifted their weapons and shouted out, the victory cries of their tribes. It was short lived, as they sensed, the Gods would take a terrible revenge, for killing one of their own. They gathered around the King and Queen, in an attempt, to protect them from the dying War God.
When the Cyberman was destroyed, Egmars mind became dark, she slumped to the ground, still clutching the demon child in her arms. Seeing the Holy Mother was hurt, the Thungodra formed a wall around her with their bodies.
The Outlanders watched, as the great machine, began to tear itself apart, huge blasts, filled the air, and fire rained down upon them. Seeing that all was lost, the King took his mate into his arms, he wished to enter the Afterlife with her by his side, together they would sit at Isarie's right hand.
Andra also knew, they would not survive, but it did not matter. She always knew, her life would end beside the man she loved, looking into his eyes, she smiled.
“Always”, she said.
“Always”, replied, the King.
As they waited for death to take them, the Honnargar guided their Screechers to the ground, leaping from their backs, they formed a barrier with their huge armored bodies. They locked arms and stood like statues, moments later, a great wave of fire roared over them, as the God of War died.
Nomads The Fallen God Page 48
