The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 4-6

by Brian D. Anderson

  “Do you know what they are?” asked Melek. “I do.” His voice was distant. “I speak of the stars. I was there when they were created.” He glanced down at Gewey and sighed. “There is so much I know. So many wonders. And I can share it all with you.”

  Before Gewey could respond, he felt the flow spring forth from Melek. But this time it was in a way he had never known before. It wasn’t quite earth or air, nor water or spirit – but a strange and wonderful combination of all four. The ground trembled for a brief moment, then two pillars of earth pushed themselves up about two feet above the ground. They twisted, swirled and expanded, slowly taking the form of two chairs. Gewey gawked in amazement.

  “Even such simple things are beyond you,” said Melek. He sat down, motioning for Gewey to do the same. “But they don’t need to be.”

  Gewey approached the chair and brushed his finger across the arm. It was as solid as granite, yet warm to the touch. When he sat, the seat gave way as if he were settling onto a soft pillow. He looked up at Melek, trying to mask a sudden feeling of inferiority.

  “You have tremendous power, Darshan,” he continued. “And considering your teachers, you have come far. But it is time for you to leave mortals behind you.”

  “I am as much a human as a god,” Gewey contended. “And I am bound to this world. If you think I can simply turn my back…”

  Melek held up his hand. “I don’t expect that. Why do you think I have seen to it that you are to rule here once I am gone? If you want this world - take it. I have never desired this place, or its people. If you want to amuse yourself with humans and elves, I will not stop you.”

  “I have never wanted to rule. And the people of this world are not playthings put here for amusement.” Gewey calmed himself and leveled his gaze. “I can’t allow you to carry out your plans. The gods didn’t wrong you, and war on the Creator is insanity. Can’t you see this?”

  Melek was unmoved. “The gods wronged us both. The real insanity is that you fail to understand this. As for the Creator…she will fall, even if I have to tear down heaven to make it happen.” His fists clenched tightly together, and for a moment his eyes became wild. Then it was gone. He regained his composure and leaned forward. “You are not accepting the inevitability of your situation. You cannot win without me. And even if you could, what do you imagine is going to happen once heaven is free?”

  Gewey thought, but quickly realized that he had no real idea.

  “When they learn that you have freed me from my prison,” Melek continued. “Do you really believe they will be forgiving?”

  “I didn’t free you,” Gewey contended. “You escaped.”

  Melek laughed sardonically. “That won’t matter. They’ll hold you responsible anyway. Then war with the gods will come in spite of all your efforts. And like me, you will fall.” He sat back and folded his hands. “That is, unless you help me. Then we can both have what we desire.”

  Gewey couldn’t help but see his logic. But the glimmer of a lie hiding behind his boyish smile was something he could not ignore. “Before we go any further, there is something I would ask.”

  Melek gave him a friendly grin. “That we are going further is encouraging. Ask your question.”

  “What did you do to Malstisos?”

  Melek chuckled and scratched his chin. “He proved to be an entertaining distraction. Your enemy – the one you call the Dark Knight – had corrupted his spirit. Mohanisi healed him, but only to a point. His spirit was still weak and tormented. It was simplicity itself to wrench the information I needed from him.” His expression was distant, as if recalling something amusing. “He screamed and begged for death, swearing to me that he knew nothing. Which of course, he didn’t. At least, not consciously. The funny thing is that he had no idea of what he really knew. The healing process had wiped most of the knowledge from his awareness. But I found it. It was still there, buried deep in the dark recesses of his mind.”

  “So you killed him?”

  “Of course,” replied Melek, waving a hand dismissively. “He had served his purpose. And I needed to know the extent of his kind’s tolerances. He was a stubborn one, to be sure. I was amazed as to how much pain he could endure before madness took him. But don’t worry. Everyone believes he has gone east.” He cocked his head and shrugged. “Everyone but Mohanisi, that is. He knew what I had done, so I was forced to deal with him as well.”

  Gewey fumed and very nearly leapt from his seat. But he needed to know more. He took a deep breath to steady himself. “And what of Aaliyah and Nehrutu?”

  This time Melek burst into laughter. “Those two fools have actually sworn fealty to me. As if I would desire such service from those wretched mongrels. I saved the male after he had been injured in battle, and the female thought me her savior for doing so. I knew her to be your friend, so I used her to ease any fears of those I was unable to influence directly. I had planned on killing them both later. That is, unless you have some other use for them.”

  “You will not touch them,” commanded Gewey hotly. “Or anyone else.”

  Melek scrutinized him for a long moment. “Before I agree not to harm your pets, I would show you something.” He pushed himself up from his chair and rose skyward. “Follow me.”

  Before Gewey could object, Melek was racing away. Grumbling, he set off after him. A few minutes later he found him hovering a few hundred feet above the Angrääl soldiers.

  Melek waved his arm in a grand sweeping gesture. “Can you see them? Can you feel their weakness and fear? Are you not appalled that they would dare to challenge you? These festering boils on the face of the Creator actually had the audacity to count themselves your equal. But look at them now, huddled together, devoid of hope, groveling in the mud and slime like the worms they are. The mortals you care for are no different, and soon you will understand this.”

  Gewey knew what was about to happen. He flew forward to prevent it, but just as he was within reach of Melek he stopped short. It was as if he had struck a wall. He dropped like a stone for several feet, only to be caught and held fast by invisible hands.

  Melek looked down and shook his head. “Why are you fighting me? They are your enemies and not deserving of mercy.”

  Gewey struggled to respond, but his voice was muffled. Melek turned him over so that he could see the soldiers below. A massive blast of fire was slowly descending upon them. It extended for a mile across, turning the night into day. The terrified cries of the men below raked at Gewey’s ears as the flames continued to fall. Then, when the blazing inferno was a mere twenty feet above the ground, it suddenly vanished.

  Melek pointed to the vast mass of men running aimlessly around trying to save themselves. “Do you see how they tremble? How they run?” He began to laugh like a child with a new toy. “I could burn them all if I wished. But then, what would that teach you? You are perfectly capable of doing the same thing yourself. No. What I have to teach requires a different method.”

  Gewey looked on in horror as Melek reached inside the soldiers… thousands of them, all at the very same time. Almost as one they fell to the ground screaming while he crushed them from the inside. Blood spewed from every orifice as they spent their last agonizing moments writhing and squirming, pleading for mercy. Then all was still.

  “Impressive, yes?” asked Melek. He surveyed the carnage, clearly pleased with himself. “And that is just the beginning.”

  Gewey felt himself being released. He drifted to the ground well beyond the dead soldiers. The fury that he thought banished in Shagharath had now returned tenfold.

  Melek landed a few yards away. “I know you are angry,” he said. “I can feel it. Though I confess, I don’t understand why. But I will give you time to quell your rage before we go on.”

  Gewey glared at him. “You’re a monster.”

  “And you still look at me with mortal eyes,” countered Melek. “But I am no more a monster than the Creator who allows such pain to exist.” He shook his head, gr
inning. “I can see in your eyes that you think you can challenge me. And if you had knowledge of your power, perhaps you could. But as it stands you have no hope. In your heart, you know that to be true. Even if you could find a way, you would still fall in the end. Your enemy has in his possession four of the god stones. He has stolen their power, just as he did with the Sword of Truth. You cannot defeat him without my help.” He rose up and spread his arms wide. “You can have all that you desire if only you join me. I give you until tomorrow to decide.”

  Gewey watched as he disappeared into the night, his mind filled with impossible choices. What if Melek was telling the truth? What if the Dark Knight was as strong as he said? What if the only way to save the world was to join with a creature equally as evil?

  The journey back seemed to take an eternity, though in truth there were still several hours before the sun would break the horizon. Althetas was still glowing as he approached, the celebrating and mirth yet to cease. He landed just outside the king’s manor where he knew he wouldn’t be seen. But just as he was passing through the main gates he felt a sudden spasm of fear shooting through his bond with Kaylia.

  Melek was with her!

  He broke into a dead run.

  The doors to the manor were closed, but that was never going to slow him down. He sent a blast of air ahead that had them flying open with such force that they almost came away from their hinges. The guards nearby were thrown from their feet, landing in the flower bushes that surrounded the base of the manor. Not that Gewey gave them even a glance. He navigated the halls with such speed that he was nothing more than a blur to passers-by. As he threw open the door to his room and reached for his sword, he realized that he did not have it with him.

  Kaylia was sitting at the edge of the bed, staring intensely into the far corner of the room where Melek was leaning casually against the wall. He was staring right back at her with a look of deep contemplation in his eyes. Gewey quickly placed himself between them, poised to attack.

  He reached back and touched Kaylia’s arm. “Are you alright?”

  “I am unhurt,” she replied.

  Gewey returned his attention to Melek. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “Trying to understand you,” he replied calmly. “You have mated with this creature. You care for her. I am trying to understand why.”

  “Get out!” he shouted. “Now!”

  “I mean her no harm,” said Melek. “But tell me, do you care for her because she bears your offspring? If so, why are you allowing her to continue carrying it inside her? Why not simply speed up the process and be done with her?” He took a step forward and used the flow of the spirit to penetrate Kaylia’s body and enter her womb.

  She gasped and fell back, clutching at her stomach.

  Gewey’s rage exploded. He leapt at Melek with enormous speed, landing a fist solidly on his jaw. Melek’s head twisted with a loud crack. He stumbled back, slamming against the wall. Gewey tried to land another blow, but this time Melek caught his wrist and spun him around.

  Melek’s physical strength rivaled his own, and his speed was far greater. Melek landed three solid punches to the abdomen that took Gewey’s breath away. This should have been enough to cripple him, or at least slow him down, but the thought of what Melek might be doing to Kaylia and their child was enough to overcome the pain and drive him on.

  Gewey’s fist crushed into Melek’s nose. Blood splattered, covering them both. Another blow landed on Melek’s temple, this one hard enough to send him tumbling to the floor. The flow he was directing at Kaylia had ceased, but Gewey’s fury was far from over. Seizing hold of Melek’s collar, he continued to rain punches down on him.

  “Enough!” shouted Melek. A massive burst of air sent Gewey reeling back. The room darkened and Melek slowly rose to his feet. “It is clear you cannot be reasoned with. Perhaps I have been looking to the wrong source for an ally. Perhaps your enemy will see my wisdom.”

  Gewey regained his footing, his temper still boiling. He wanted to continue with the thrashing, but couldn’t risk Melek unleashing the flow once again. Not with Kaylia so close by. He glanced over his shoulder and panic gripped his heart. She was writhing in pain, her arms still wrapped tightly around her stomach.

  “What did you do to her?” he demanded.

  Melek was busy healing his own wounds, the blood already fading from his flesh and clothing. His angry expression turned to disgust and contempt. “Spend what time you have left contemplating your folly. Come sundown tomorrow you will join me. If not, I will kill every living soul within the walls of this pathetic city.”

  “What did you do?” Gewey cried desperately.

  Melek simply sneered and strolled casually from the room. Gewey gave chase, but Kaylia’s cry of agony stopped him short and he rushed back to her side.

  He reached within her, trying to see what Melek had done, and immediately felt his unborn child. The light of his spirit was pulsating rapidly. Little by little he was growing larger. But something was aiding this growth – something unnatural. He could feel that his son was aware of this…aware and afraid.

  ‘Help me!’ he cried out to Aaliyah. He was doing his best to calm Kaylia, but her breathing was rapid and he knew that she was terrified.

  Barely a minute had passed when the door flew open and Aaliyah sprinted into the room. Without hesitation she pushed Gewey aside and set about examining Kaylia. Each second seemed like an eternity to him as she tried to determine the reason for Kaylia's pain and the sudden growth of their child.

  “The baby will come soon,” she said finally, taking a long deep breath.

  “Will he live?” gasped Kaylia, her face soaked in tears.

  Aaliyah pursed her lips tight. “I don’t know. As far as I can tell he is healthy, but his growth has accelerated beyond anything I have ever seen.”

  “And what about Kaylia?” asked Gewey. He was afraid to hear the answer. He could feel the baby sending waves of panic through his mother as the growth stretched her to the limits of endurance.

  “That will depend on how strong she is,” Aaliyah replied, grim faced.

  Kaylia reached out and clutched hold of Gewey’s hand. “Protect him," she pleaded. "Whatever happens to me, protect our son.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to you,” said Gewey, desperation bleeding through his tone. “I swear it. You and our child will both live.” He looked to Aaliyah. “Watch over her.”

  Aaliyah nodded. “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “To find Melek,” he replied, a deep and menacing tone now in his voice.

  Kaylia squeezed his hand. She gave a fragile smile. “I’ll be here when you return.”

  Gewey leaned down and kissed her. He wanted to believe it. He truly did. Fear gripped him, but he forced it back.

  Now was not the time for weakness.

  Chapter 28

  Gewey stretched out with his spirit, furiously searching for Melek but finding only a void staring back at him. He left the manor and scoured the city for a time, but to no avail. His heart sank. Melek could literally be anywhere, and he had no idea where to start.

  The celebrations had finally withered to a halt, though the streets were still filled with streamers, trash, and drunken men incapable of making it back to their homes. Gewey had considered taking to the air in order to expand his search, but at present was unwilling to put too much distance between himself and Kaylia. Through their bond he could feel her pain, but took comfort that her life force remained strong. Aaliyah was still watching over her, even though there was little she could do other than share her own strength. Whatever Melek had done, it was unstoppable.

  As he entered the temple district he saw that a new temple was in the process of being built. Muttered curses slipped from his mouth when he realized that this latest addition was dedicated to Darshan. The other temples were as yet undamaged, which was mildly surprising considering Melek’s all-consuming hatred of the nine gods.

  By
mid-afternoon, Gewey was forced to accept that Melek would only reappear at a time of his own choosing – at sundown if he meant to keep his word, though the place of their meeting was unclear. Gewey thought that it should be away from the city. Far enough away so that, should they do battle, others would not be hurt.

  He returned to their room. Kaylia was sleeping, though not restfully. Aaliyah was sitting dutifully by her bed, holding her hand.

  “The king was here earlier,” said Aaliyah. “He wanted to say that Kaylia is in his prayers.”

  Gewey sighed. “Considering the entire city is praying to me, I don’t think that will do much good.”

  Aaliyah gave no reaction. “So you go to face him?”

  Gewey nodded. “I must.”

  “He will kill you,” she stated flatly. “Unless you join him.”

  Gewey could still feel the touch of Melek’s influence within her. “And would you mourn me if he did?”

  “Of course,” she replied, though without conviction. “But this is all unnecessary. He has already told you that the Reborn King possesses four of the god stones. How can you hope to win without his help? All he wants is to return to heaven. He will leave the earth to you.”

  “And that is where he and I are truly different,” said Gewey. He looked down at his suffering wife. “I want only a small piece of the world. Not the whole thing.” He leaned down and kissed Kaylia’s forehead. Through the blankets he could see that her belly had now tripled in size. “Regardless of where your allegiance lies, I hope that you will continue to watch over her until this is done.”

  Aaliyah bowed her head. “You have my word.”

  Gewey glanced at the window. The sun would be going down very soon; he should leave the confines of the city immediately. With a final loving look at Kaylia, he hurried from the room.

  Once outside the city gates he walked for a few miles along the road heading south, then entered the forest to the east. After a short time he came to a small clearing where he sat on the soft turf and waited.