The Purple River

by Shane Cogan

  ‘Enough of your mind words. We want a battle,’ she screamed. He felt his other ear being penetrated by a tongue again. He watched as his legs were being held down by another female. Her face is sullen with light blue eyes. But her skintone sparkles like the rest. He tried to move his head, but another female was holding his head down. He felt her ice cold hands massaging his head. My eyes are the only thing I can move. Where is the last female? He felt the other female’s weight on him in different parts of his body. And seen the last of the robe being pulled from his feet. They are becoming more aggressive. More forceful. Tiuus let out a yell. He tried to kick and move his hands. He watched as he landed a punch on the green-eyed female. She barely moved. She responded by moving his hand down to the side and placed her leg on it. She did the same on the right side. I’m being pinned down. You. You are the leader of these nymphs. She rolled her head back and laughed. ‘There are no leaders here now. We are all equal. Isn’t this what you came for Manith man?’ she screamed out. He could see through her legs. At first it was closed, but then it opened. Her genitals have started to emerge externally. Tiuus’s eyes were hooked on her arousal. He screamed as he felt a nail slash his skin and felt the liquid trickle down his inner thigh. He felt a hand move in between his legs. But first I need to be aroused…There will be nothing there. Focus your mind on nothingness. He closed his eyes. Tiuus tried to scream out, but a hand held his mouth. ‘Spare me. Let me go,’ he shouted.

  He felt several hands rub and grasp at it. How did they do that? I cannot move any part of my body. ‘Let it be, go with the hands. Put up no fight and we shall easy on you,’ he heard a female say. Softer this time. He opened his eyes and looked around and saw that all of them had been aroused. But where is the sixth female? A hand caressed his thighs. He felt it twinge. That feeling. Fear is driving this arousal. I cannot control it. Yet they have not penetrated me yet. He screamed some more and kicked lighter. I’m fully erect. I can feel her. A slight finger is touching its rim. He watched as the red-eyed nymph was now right in front of him. Her body glorious, yet she vibrates. He watched as another hand moved her leg to the side and held his right arm down. Her red eyes locked on his. He centred his gaze as another female moved to the centre, her eyes closed. He could see he was fully erect as she mounted it. One leg on each of his sides. Her breasts have started to appear. What is that silver spark around them? He watched as she spread her thighs and locked them on to his manhood. Yet, her eyes remain closed. She screamed. ‘We shall all have you, Manith man,’ she said, as he heard the others scream and hiss at him. They licked his skin. He moaned loudly. He caught all their eyes upon him, as she moved up and down on his erect organ. But her eyes? He managed to break one of his hands free and wipe his eye. Her eyes were open now, staring at him. Tiuus watched as she moved more forcefully up and down. Slowing each movement, as her eyes and face drew in closer to his. It’s you. Those piercing blue eyes. The Queen.

  C H A P T E R 35

  The Balor

  It slid its cloak to one side of its shadow. Revealing its body to her, close to where she was kneeling. Zirva watched it move. Her eyes opened and transfixed on the creature. That I have summoned. Zirva could see that the sun on Atis had returned, but could not feel its heat in the room. Yet all around us only shadow exists. The creature moved slowly. Its shadow covered Zirva. Her face still, she looked upon the creature and controlled her breath. Slowly. As everything is silent. Facing east, she saw the partial sun as the creature’s cloak slipped to the ground in front of her, exposing his body and covering the view to the sun. She could see each bone and the skin attached to it on the creature. With each heartbeat his veins breathe red. Zirva held her breath and closed her eyes. She felt his breath upon her face. Her body shivered as its shadow covered her. I remember the stories of the Balor from father. You were the shaman of our people. But where have you been for 300 years?

  Zirva opened her eyes slowly. She could see that the Balor’s body remained dark. A shadow within a shadow. I have heard tales that you have no sexual organs. Her breathing stopped. She held her throat with her hands. Zirva felt its force as she came upright. She stretched her neck slowly backwards, looking at his face. He has no eyes. Just a closed middle one. Zirva dangled her feet freely, the gushing air brushing her soles. She felt his hand over her body. With each rub, he has collected my moisture. She opened her mouth slightly, but her tongue stuck to her bottom teeth. Why have you paralysed me, my love? Zirva heard the sound of the liquid in his hand, swishing around. She watched his hand move past her eyes, with droplets of water, sweat, blood and saliva falling from his palm. Some landed on her face, the hand’s shadow covering her head. The creature knelt down and placed his hand on her head. She felt its contents flow down her hair, her neck and face. That smell. The heat. She heard his words. It’s like a wind coming through a keyhole on a door. Zirva twitched her head at the sound.

  ‘You have summed me, my love. You have brought me back to this planet. With my bodily fluids, you are now one with me,’ the Balor said. His words grew quieter on each breath. The silence. They know he is here. She felt both hands cover her head. With her eyes open, she could see darkness. He released his hands. Zirva watched as he moved his body towards the window, the sun catching his frame and she could see his face more clearly. ‘You will be my third eye. Once you have completed my tasks it will reopen. And the destruction shall rain down on this filthy planet,’ he said, the echo longer than before. The Balor shifted his frame. Zirva continued her stare upwards, her neck rigid at full stretch as he bent further towards her, its shadow engulfing her. Her body shook rapidly, her lips turning a new colour. ‘And once my third eye re-opens, I will unleash them, my beloved Formorians,’ he said. As he said Formorians, Zirva caught the smile that showed his teeth. She jerked backwards. The Balor held her more tightly. His grip is too tight. She felt his hand go under her chin and force her head further backwards. Ice cold. His breath is like a storm. She felt her tongue being pulled out, yet his hand was only under her chin. Stiff, her eyes were locked onto his. Zirva could see his full face drop closer to hers. His tongue growing in length. It’s changing to yellow. I feel its heat. He is close. She felt the first drops hitting her on the cheek, flowing down her neck. She forced her eyes to its flow. It’s burning. The Balor moved one of his hands slightly. He held her head back and forced her neck forward even more. Her tongue in full view, she watched as the yellow drops fells in quick succession into her mouth. Zirva closed her mouth and swallowed.

  ******

  Kassobra found herself on the floor. She glanced at the open window and caught the moon’s glare. Something has broken my sleep cycle. A new presence. Looking around her room, she got up slowly and walked to the lighted area of the room. She looked around the room again, scanning every corner ‘Nothing. No one.’ she whispered. Yet, I feel its presence. Kassobra doubled her robe and pulled its collars closer to her neck. She reached for the top shelve and found the box, her knuckles rapping its hollow sound. I need it to work this time. She arranged the small funnel on a table. Placing two charcoals on its small metal frame, she lit them with a match. She placed some drops of oil from a small blue bottle that she pulled out of the box. Stepping back, she observed its motion and sequence. Perfect. The charcoal is burning an orange flame. Yet, the oil remained still. She slightly moved its scales and it rocked back and forth above the small flame. She touched it and pulled her hand back quickly. Too hot. She watched as the flame died. Its message is done. Now do your formation. She blew the smoke and left the room, slamming the door on her way out. The charcoal re-lit.

  Kassobra was running down the hallway. Faster. Reaching the palace yard, she glanced up towards her balcony. She caught sight of the smoke as it left her room. ‘Confirmed’, she said. She ran faster and back into the building. She entered the room. He turned his head as she entered. ‘It has begun,’ he said. Still panting, she tied the loose knot on her robe. She caught his eyes glancing at her half-expose
d flesh. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘And you confirmed it with your own potion?’ he asked. ‘It is done. He has arrived. I felt his presence and my father’s ancient ceremonial oil confirmed that he has been summoned,’ Kassobra said, still panting. He motioned for her to sit down. She shook her head. ‘So the Balor has indeed returned. The Lord of Death and Destruction. And what about his disciples?’ Samarth asked. ‘I fear they too are not far away. But they have not been seen, or more so, my potion has not spoken of them. But I have sent out a message to see if they too have arrived…but…’ Samarth cut her off and turned his head as he reflected on her words. ‘But you said the Formorians, his disciples, can only arrive once he has completed his tasks,’ said Samarth. Kassobra sat down and held her hands to her face to rub them. She looked at the King’s brother. He sees the fear in my eyes, I know it.

  ‘I fear it has already begun. Whichever vessel the Balor has taken over, he will have started the next stage. We need to stop whoever it is, before his third eye is opened. If opened, the Formorians, his children, will be unleashed and no one can stop them. Not me. Not my magic. Not my power. Nothing. There can be no return. Atis will be lost to the Balor and his disciples. It will be far worse than the mercury wars of 300 years ago. Destruction will reign and darkness will fall on our planet for good. There will be no more Atis,’ she said, still panting. ‘Then we must act. And act swiftly. Time is of the essence. Come with me now,’ he said. ‘Whereto?’ Kassobra asked. ‘To the forest that sings. And to meet my disciples,’ Samarth said. She looked at him. ‘Your disciples? I do not understand what you mean?’ she said. Samarth was already walking past her. She followed him.

  C H A P T E R 36

  Violence

  ‘What is violence?’ the little boy asked Fareth. Fareth recalled the last conversation he had with Samarth on the boy. The little boy’s father and mother had been killed by the Kelpie. He has spent all his life in the palace. His father had been a royal servant of the King and council. And his mother was one of the Kingdom’s better-known artists. Their little boy now was the only thing they had left. His eyes stared at the King, waiting for a reply. Fareth looked at the boy and motioned for him to come sit at him. There were so many things happening right now. But the little boy’s attention was a welcome distraction among the chaos.

  ‘Violence is when a person or a group enact some harm, either through forceful or armed means. But here on Atis the word has been more or less confined to the history books,’ the King explained. The little boy blinked his eyes and scratched his head. ‘Ah. Yes of course. Come here and sit closer,’ the King said. He pulled the little boy’s sleeve up and, using his thumb and finger, made the little boy yelp. ‘So, that was sore. I meant you no harm. But can you imagine if we all went about doing that, but harder to each other and all over your body or even punching each other? That is a form of violence, albeit a mild one,’ the King explained. The boy smiled and nodded.

  ‘And your brother will now go to the singing forest and do this vio…lence on those creatures?’ he asked the King. ‘Not quite. As on Atis, we don’t do violence. It’s pronounced all in one word. I know it’s a new word for you. Violence is deeply prohibited here. We have not attacked someone or something in some 300 years…not since the…’ But the little boy interrupted the King. Fareth shook his head from side to side. Best allow the boy some freedom to do this, as he just lost his parents. Fareth nodded. ‘Since the long Mercury Wars and the destruction. Is that what you mean by violence and attacks?’ he asked. ‘So you know about the last great wars?’ Fareth asked. ‘Yes. But they called it wars and not vio…lence. We learned it at school. It’s a compulsory subject. But that was then and this is now. That was war. These are different times,’ the boy said. ‘Very perceptive of you, my little friend,’ said the King. Fareth turned as he heard footsteps. He caught sight of a short male. Interesting face and no hair. But I can sense his fear, like most since the attack. ‘We have a visitor…’ he stuttered. The King patted the little boy on the head and turned to face him. ‘Who?’ he asked. ‘It’s the guards. They may have…,’ he paused and glanced at the little boy. ‘It’s fine. He is smart and needs to know everything. Go on,’ the King said. ‘Well, the emergency guards may have found something else where your wife was last seen.’ Fareth stood up. ‘Rufus, can you do me a favour and look for that book on the Great War, your favourite one?’ The boy smiled and turned to leave. The King turned to the visitor and said: “Take me to this guard immediately,’ he said.

  Fareth’s panting increased as he looked down to see his running feet. Royals don’t run. People are watching. He slowed his pace. Fareth looked around for the messenger. He heard him mutter some words ‘faster’. Fareth said back at the little male. ‘Wormblack, hurry up!’ ‘Worm who?’ the messenger asked. Oh, I got the subjects mixed up. Fareth stopped and took a deep breath and waited for him. It is only a short distance, yet the little male is panting. ‘Where is he, this guard?’ the King asked. The small male was next to the King now and trying to usher him inside. There were other eyes now on me. Two Manith children stopped playing and watched the King. Their mother quickly spotted them and pulled them aside as she too looked on at the King. She saw that the King was running around in circles in the yard. And a little male was trying to catch up with him. She covered her children’s’ eyes with her hands. They peaked out from inside her hands.

  Fareth saw the crest coming towards him. The three Atis moons. Who wears such a crest? He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and another on his back slowly twirling him around. He caught a glimpse of the little messenger being escorted away. Who are they? He swung his arm in the air and caught his face with a slap. A hat falling. I know that red hat. And again a crest and the Tarracullan bird sitting on it.

  ‘Come with me, Your Majesty. Slowly and calmly, as people are watching us,’ a voice whispered into his ear. Fareth could see the little messenger deep in conversation with another male. Fareth stopped. Palace guards. The guard loosened his grip on the King. He followed him into the corner of a large house in the centre of the yard. Fareth could see that field horses were eating grass as they passed them. ‘Let us speak here. The sound of the horses will deafen out our words....’ he said but was interrupted by the other guard. He whispered in the ear of the guard. ‘I can still hear every word you say,’ said the King. I am neither deaf nor mad. Out with it. Let me hear what you two are saying. And where is that other guard who has information about my wife?’ Fareth asked. ‘Your Majesty. I think it is best if we find your brother and extended family…,’ he said but was interrupted by Fareth. ‘What is your name?’ Fareth asked. ‘Solais,’ he said.

  ‘Listen here, Solais, I am your King and I need to find the man who has information about my wife.’ Solais shifted slightly back and pulled the King back towards the horses, as his voice was raised. He caught sight of feet close to the main door. He shouted for whoever was there to move on. ‘I have called someone from the Vanguard who are on their way. They can assist you…’ he put a hand to his mouth and coughed. The guard added, ‘He can help you will the message and the story of the visitor, who was just here. I am sure all can be cleared up, Your Majesty.’ Fareth starred at him, but nodded and agreed to leave and return to his chambers until the Vanguard member arrived. ‘But I think it might be wise, Your Majesty, if you…’ he pointed towards the yard before adding, ‘walked back alone. Slow. Calm and even greet the people in a normal manner. I will stay here for a while longer,’ he said. Fareth shook his head and tapped the guard on the shoulder. Now compose yourself. Fareth left the horses, the guard and walked out into the yard and towards his private chambers and past the crowd.

  C H A P T E R 37

  Fylo

  ‘Should we really be having this meeting in private? And away from the King,’ said Fylo. He scratched his nose as he spoke. The others looked away as he continued to scratch while he spoke. ‘This is now an emergency,’ said Tur. He added: ‘I agree with Wormblack, perhaps not as e
xtreme, but he has a point.’ The others looked at Wormblack, and saw him jotting some words with his ink pen on a notepad, his head slightly at an angle. ‘And where is Kassobra?’ asked Tiffin. ‘She is compromised, I fear,’ said Wormblack. He heard the others mumble words among each other. All five of us are here. Good. ‘Listen. Listen. Silence please,’ uttered Wormblack. He pulled at a loose layer of skin on his neck. He scratched again. A rash is forming, I fear. The only sound the group heard was his foot tapping. The other members of the Vanguard were now looking at him. I feel all their eyes on me. ‘We will not conduct this as an emergency meeting, as the people of our great planet, and especially the capital city, will sense a crisis. We need to instigate a formula B’, he said calmly. A hush gathered over the group. They merely looked at each other on this words.

  Fylo was the only one to speak. ‘But we have not enacted formula B since…’ but was cut off by Wormblack. ’Yes, indeed, since the last great crisis. But this is a crisis. The King is no longer of a sane mind. Far too many incidents have occurred since his wife first vanished…’ But he is interrupted by Tiffin. ‘If she has vanished. There have been murmurings outside of the capital.’ ‘Shush. We shall not engage in idle palace chat. That is beneath us. Higher Atisians do not speculate. Such talk belongs to the mountain hill tribes and their make belief stories,’ said Wormblack. They all laughed. I can still make people laugh. They all took their seats and looked to Wormblack. ‘And what of Samarth?’ asked Tur who has been silent. ‘As far as we know, he has not been seen in days. The last we saw was of him and Kassobra leaving the palace and heading towards the forest,’ said Wormblack. ‘On foot or air?’ asked Tur. ‘By foot, I was informed by the guard at the outer gate,’ he said. ‘Such foolish behaviour from the next in line to be King, and knowing that his brother has all but lost in mind,’ said Fylo. Wormblack slammed his hand down hard on the large wooden table. It made a ringing noise. He watched as glasses fell over and various pens and paper rolled around. ‘Enough!’ he said as his hand made impact with the wood. That was incredibly painful. Don’t show it. His left cheek slightly twitched. ‘So we agree that we should enact Formula B with immediate effect?’ asked Wormblack, while rubbing his hand under the table.