The Legacy of Gaea Volume I: The Underworld

by S L Gassick

  “Well,” Rose said, “yes it’s true. But I don’t know why I was chosen to come on this silly mission with you. Aren’t we supposed to be investigating the spy in the Valhalla? Wasn’t that the Headmaster’s orders?” Hemero could see why Rose wouldn’t want to go. It was so warm and cosy here; the room smelled of pine and was so clean yet homely. He’d have trouble leaving if he lived here.

  “Don’t worry about the mole,” Hemero assured her, “this is much more important.”

  “Oh … okay, fine! When do we go?” Rose sighed.

  “Now.”

  “Now?!”

  “Yes. Now.”

  “We’ll have to wait to tell my mother.”

  “No time for that, leave a note explaining that you’re staying with me for a few days in the Valhalla. Perfectly safe.”

  “I don’t want to lie to her Hemero.” Rose’s voice suddenly sounded very little and Hemero felt slightly guilty for a second until he realised the importance of what they had to do.

  “Just do it Rose. It’ll be fine! It’s not a real lie. It’s for the greater good!”

  Rose paused for a few seconds to think about it. She didn’t want to miss the chance of spending time with her new friend Hemero and, although she hated to admit it to herself, to see more of Nayakax. “Fine. I’ll write a note.”

  She got up and walked into her bedroom. As soon as she was out of earshot, Phin turned to Hemero with an angry look on his face. “This isn’t right Hemy. You’re forcing her to do it. It’s not on.”

  “Look, it’s her decision. We need her Phin, we can’t do this just me and you. Nayakax is powerful, but I don’t trust him. Rose is the only person here that’s nice to me apart from you and I’m going to be honest, I’m scared. I’d feel a lot better knowing there’s a Healer nearby.”

  Phin crossed his arms. “I’m telling you now Hemero. I’m not happy about this, I’m not happy one bit.”

  Rose re-appeared ten minutes later with a backpack full of her things and a note. She placed it on top of the old fireplace and took a look around the room. She hoped her mother would understand but, even if she didn’t, Rose knew that this was the right thing to do.

  They slowly walked back to the Valhalla and Rose was very quiet. Hemero looked at Phin and wondered if this was all a good idea, but it was too late now, he couldn’t back down, especially now Nayakax was involved. There was no turning back – they had to get the artefact.

  They made it back to Hemero’s hut, a tiny little cabin of sorts that looked miniscule compared to the overbearing Valhalla that looked over it.

  “Is this where you live?” Rose asked.

  “Yes.”

  “It’s tiny! It looks like a shed.”

  “Just… just wait out here. Please.”

  Rose waited outside and looked around her. Hemero was completely isolated out here. They were around the corner from the main entrance, about a ten minute walk and there was nothing else out at this side. It was mainly because it was in such an awkward position, near a cliff face and the huge stone walls of the Valhalla, let alone the building itself, blocked out a lot of sun so the hut would be cast in shadow for almost the entire day. She thought it would make a good place to hide, around the back of a Valhalla on a mountain where nobody else lived but for such a young boy, and living by himself, it could not have been healthy.

  Hemero appeared with a small brown cloth bag with a single leather strap that looked a quarter of the size of Rose’s. “Is that it?” she asked.

  “Yes. Well, it’s all I have. Just some clothes and some bits that Moros gave me.”

  “Mad Moros, who saved you?”

  “Yeah, he gave me the cloak I’m wearing as well.”

  “That was nice of him. I like the clasp.”

  “Yes, yes, yes, everyone likes the clasp. C’mon, let’s go meet the others.”

  As they walked up to the main entrance to the Valhalla, they saw a number of guards walking towards them patrolling the outer walls.

  “Hm,” Hemero noticed, “you don’t usually get this many guards walking around the perimeter.”

  They continued towards the main gates and saw a large number of guards and knights standing outside, some were walking up to the villagers nearby and looking through their belongings.

  “Security must have been tightened,” Rose noticed, “it looks like they’re searching people at random.”

  “I don’t want to get too close, they’ll search me.” Hemero sat down and took off his bag.

  “Well, I think they’re just searching anyone.”

  “Rose, I’m a Half-Titan. Look.”

  Hemero pointed to three guards that were talking to a small person in a green cloak, he could not have been more than four feet tall. One of the guards pulled back the cloak to show a green head, completely bald and when it turned round, Rose could see that the only features he had were one eye that was placed on his chin and three holes where his nose should be, that had the pattern of a triangle. Nothing more. His skin was so smooth and almost translucent that he was mesmerising to look at. However, no matter how strange he looked to her, she could see, in that single eye, that he was scared.[DG9]

  The guards opened up his leather pouch and dumped it all on the floor. The small Titan rushed to the floor to put everything back in, clearly embarrassed by it. The guards laughed and continued onwards before the Titan threw up his hood over his head and continued on his way.

  “Well, I guess that’s not very nice.” Rose scratched her head.

  “It happens everywhere. They say there’s peace with the Titans, which there is, but it doesn’t mean that humans don’t like us. They’re slowly trying to push them all out of Norheath, that’s why you don’t see many here.”

  Rose suddenly realised Hemero was right. A lot of other countries have quite a high number of Titans here but Norheath seemed very… human. Wasn’t this where the peace had begun? Where equal rights first bloomed? “Why’s that then? What happened?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe the Titans just got sick of it here. I know I would. People here are scared of them now more than ever and whenever something bad happens, people blame it on Titans. They forget Titans may seem scary, but they are still human.”

  “Well, that’s what they say…”

  “Rose, you can see it in them. You can hear it when you speak with them. The world made them this way, but they’re still human. If anything, they’re more powerful, what they lack in looks they make up for in other ways. No, they don’t follow conventional beauty – and why should they? ”

  “I don’t know. Father says it’s their power, their sheer number what makes them dangerous.”

  “Aren’t humans just as dangerous?”

  “Well, yes but …”

  “Rose, I’m Half-Titan, what does that make me then?”

  “I don’t know… it’s all silly isn’t it? I’m sorry.”

  “That’s ok but in the nicest possible way, it’s a good idea to understand what you’re talking about first. Maybe you should tell your father that too.”

  “Hey guys,” Phin walked up with a big smile and a cheery hop to his step. He was carrying a dirty purple rucksack over his outfit and was acting as if the previous night’s events hadn’t even happened. “Where the hell is Nayakax?”

  “Probably chickened out at the last minute,” replied Hemero as he got up off the floor.

  “Is that so?” They turned around to see Nayakax chewing on a blade of grass.

  Hemero’s face turned red. “Whatever. Come on then let’s go.” Hemero turned around and almost walked straight into a guard.

  “Where are you going, laddy?” the guard asked, bending down so he was face to face with them. He was wearing a full body of thin armour that was known for being light-weight but extremely strong, it was one of Norheath’s most profitable exports. He carried a spear and upon his back was a bow and a set of arrows. Over the top of his armour he wore a red and white tunic, the colours of the No
rheath Valhalla. On his head he had a helmet that underneath revealed a black, chubby, bearded face.

  “We’re going out. Who cares?” replied Hemero, clearly angry.

  “I care, son. Now listen, you can’t just go wandering about, there are monsters out there now, and not your normal wild Titans, I’m talking real monsters. The kind that eats little boys and girls like you up if you’re not careful!” His voice sounded condescending and Hemero didn’t care much for it.

  Nayakax walked up to the guard and stared him straight in the face. The guard was clearly taken aback by such a bold affront. “Listen,” Naya stated, still chewing on a blade of grass, “do you know of the family that I belong to?” Nayakax was studying the guards face, as if looking for something. The guard’s face turned from shock to fear as a sudden realisation dawned on him.

  “Yes,” replied the guard, almost visibly shaking now.

  “Then you’ll know you don’t ask questions.”

  “Yes.”

  “So don’t ask. You tell anyone you saw us,” Naya bit off a piece of grass and spat it out on the floor, “I’ll tell my father I saw you.” He then walked off and nodded to the others to follow him. They followed, clearly shocked by what had happened.

  Hemero realised that he was so out of the loop within the town, that he had no idea who Nayakax really was. What was the family he belonged to? Who was his father? Hemero felt he had to find these questions out by keeping Naya as close as possible, and also, more importantly, find out if he might still be part of the Dark Clans.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Where is the Kalad?”

  The voice echoed around the dark, gloomy room, bouncing off the grubby stone walls, stained with blood, dirt and grime. Near the end of the room was an oak table with sheets of faded paper and spilt black ink strewn across, a lit lantern throwing up dark shapes against the walls, a few dusty books, some glass bottles of different coloured liquids and pieces of raw, bloody meat that had been torn and thrown aside. Against another wall, in pride of place, was a large black flag with a white star and a single red dot in the centre.

  In the middle of the cold, grey, stone floor knelt a young man in simple, stained, brown peasant clothing with skin as white as a cloud. His head was lowered to the ground in humility. Facing him was the back of a large, grand, high-backed brown leather chair which was turned towards the flag.

  “The artefact,” came the voice from the chair, “should be in my possession by now.” He swung the chair around to face the young man.

  The person in the chair was pale yet stunning, his eyes were small and blue and he had high cheekbones that gave his mouth a slight pout. His hair was long and silver and he was dressed in a simple, elegant, long black evening gown [DG10]that was in stark contrast to the dirt and horror that surrounded them.

  “Sir,” replied the man in the middle of the floor, his voice dry and raspy. He rolled his head around and as he did so, it was clear that his head was no longer connected to his spine - his neck had been broken. Yet here he was, alive, unable to support his head, and in fact it was a miracle the skin in his neck hadn’t torn off. He held up [DG11]his head with his hands to face his master, “it is on its way. Our team have it in their possession.” Every word seemed like a huge effort. He let go and his head rolled back round to the front so he was once again staring at his own chest. His hair was dark and patchy and though seemingly once blessed with a handsome, young face for such a gruesome figure, on closer inspection it had been cut and scarred like the rest of his body.

  The man in the chair stood up; he was unusually tall, and his gown had a slit up the side so that it emphasised the extraordinary length of his hairless, toned legs. [DG12]His lips were coloured a dark red and he walked to his desk very slowly, aware of each step. His voice was silky and soft, like a lover’s whisper or a seductive temptress. [DG13]“Then it will be here soon. That’s all I need to know.” He looked at the paper on his desk.

  “Master?” spoke the young man.

  “Yes Delay.”

  “It’s the boy.”

  The man looked up from the paper, his curiosity sparked.

  “Which boy? The one Theus has been hiding all this time?”

  “Yes. He was seen talking to Moros.”

  There was a pause. The master stared into the middle distance, shrugged and then turned his attention back to the paper in his hand. “No matter. Moros is no longer the warrior he used to be. He’s a drunk. Once the artefact is ours then we can storm Norheath and take everything in a single swoop. Then Moros will no longer be protected and no longer be a problem. The plan will not fail. After Norheath, we will advance and continue eradicating the Valhallas and their Chosen until there is only one clan.” The man walked back up to the flag hanging against the wall and looked up at it with pride. “The Dark Clan.”[DG14]

  “What about the other Dark Clans, lord? The ones not of this land?” asked Delay.

  “Ah Delay. Your simple child-like mind is such a sponge for information. I would think you were a spy were it not so obvious. The other clans will be given their fair share. I must be in charge to prepare everything for the Queen. When she rises, Earth shall no longer be plighted in war and religion but instead live in complete freedom. She will free us, Delay. To help us do this we must win over the Lord of the Underworld; he will be a powerful ally and the only one that can help us raise the Queen from her slumber. That is our true motive. Well, my true motive anyway.”

  “Master, when will we ever get to see the Queen?”

  “Only I can talk to her Delay. You know that. Everyone does. Until she rises she is weak, dormant and in pain. You sound like you’re losing your faith?”

  “No Sir. It’s just an exciting time and it’s just … I would love to see the Queen, my Lord. The way you speak of her, she sounds … magnificent.” Delay’s voice had turned even raspier.

  “And so you shall, in good time along with everyone else. And Delay?”

  “Yes Master.”

  “Come here.”

  Delay walked up to his master who was now sitting, poised on his desk, legs crossed. The servant was hesitant and his head, which had rolled to the side of his body, started to shake.

  “Come closer.” His master whispered.

  Delay took a step closer. His movement looked extremely uncomfortable as if all the bones in his entire body were out of place. His shaking seemed uncontrollable.

  “Closer.” The master spoke even gentler, smiling slightly.

  Delay took a step and all of a sudden his master leapt upon him and took a bite out of his pale exposed neck, a sharp shrill scream rang out from Delay and echoed down the desolate, dark corridors. He fell to the floor, his body still shaking as it hung on to what little life was left, the master watched on until slowly the shaking stopped.

  With a satisfied sigh, the master looked back at the paper he had been holding and wiped the blood off his lips. With his bloody finger he signed the document ‘Shui’.

  “Can someone clean this mess up please?!’ Shui shouted. The door nearby slowly opened and a stooped creature with a bucket and mop entered. He looked so alike to the victim that lay on the floor that they could have been twins; the same signs of torture; the same scarred, pale face ruined; all of it making them identical. He was just another poor soul in rags destined to serve.

  “Actually, before you clean up, take this upstairs.”

  “Yes Sir”

  “Oh,” Shui said, “just one more thing. You’re my new Delay.”[DG15]

  “Yes, Master.”

  The new Delay walked out of the room tentatively and left Shui to himself. He took up the pen and paper again and began writing:

  02/12

  So firstly, Grandier never got back to me about next week! The nerve! I don’t know why I bother sometimes – and he’s not even friendly to the other guests, I think I might have to stop asking him round, it’s not worth the hassle.

  In other more important news, the Kal
ad is almost with me. I will be able to have a REAL army that can take on even Norheath’s Valhalla and if I use it right, can make a deal with the Lord of the Underworld – if the stories are true that is, and he really exists. Then I will finally be able to give my Queen what she wants and awake her from her slumber.

  The only problem is Theus. He might be old and weak and his powers no longer as strong, but he’s still clinging on to being the righteous saviour – if only he saw sense back when we last met then I wouldn’t have had to go through all this. Why can’t he just give in?

  Saying that, I mustn’t underestimate anyone, including Theus – I have done so before at great cost. His Chosen are very powerful and the boy he keeps would have reached an age where he could become dangerous. If only I could just kill him, but alas he is too great an asset for the future, my Plan B.

  Maybe it’s time to make a play for the boy, I thought it might be too early but the boy must come to me of his own accord. Theus will brainwash him like the others, but once he finds out the truth, he will come running into my arms. Then I can show him before the Queen, she will like that.

  If I cannot sway him to commit to us, then she will. It alarms me that he has apparently already met Moros, but for now I must concentrate on preparing my attack on Norheath. For it will be our finest hour.

  A knock on the door interrupted his writing.

  “Yes?”

  The new Delay entered.

  “What is it?” asked Shui.

  “Sir, I’ve been told to tell you your guests are here.”

  “Ah! Thank you. Clean this mess up now will you, dear?”

  Shui walked out of the room into a long dark corridor with only candles to light the way. He slowly carried himself up a long, winding stone staircase and opened a wooden door to reveal a secret doorway behind a painting of naked men dancing in fire, laughing with hysterical smiles. Inside this new room sat a luxurious white bed and many exuberant decorations such as a large mirror, a huge wardrobe and other beautiful paintings lining the elegant red walls.