War of Mortal Gods

by Kipjo K Ewers

  In front of them was a reddish energy field separating the section they were entering from the rest of the hallway. As it dissipated, they went through; Sophia's eyes scanned the enormous spacious holding cells that lined both sides of the hall down to the wall at the end.

  The cells on the left of her were bare save for a long metallic bench.

  The cells, on the other side, had no benches. Instead, each of the three walls was a set of weird cocoon looking restraints for four appendages. A slightly nervous Sophia held her breath as they halted by the third row of cells.

  Attea then turned and stood before the cell on her left. As a similar energy field from the hallway disappeared, opening up the unit, the Thracian High General, with a hand gesture, commanded Freedom to enter.

  She complied with cut eyes, walking in and taking a seat on the bench attached to the center wall.

  Like on the shuttle, Sophia made herself comfortable crossing her legs as she zoned out, not even giving Attea a second look.

  Wrestling to maintain her professional composure, Attea asked the disrespectful human customary questions one inquired of a prisoner under the Dominion Council.

  “Do you require sustenance, something to eat or drink?”

  “No.”

  “Do you need to relieve yourself?”

  “No.”

  Attea slowly nodded to Sophia’s blunt answers laced with her desire for the High General to just shut up and be out of her cell and sight.

  As she turned to leave, also wanting to be out of the human’s vicinity before she did something that would violate Dominion Council law, Attea stopped and faced Sophia.

  “For the injuries, my brother inflicted upon your daughter. You have my apologies. She was never meant to be a part of our conflict.”

  Attea’s sincere and solemn apology meant more for repairing the dishonor her brother brought upon their family, caused Sophia’s head to raise as her eyes locked onto the Thracian General for the first time since their encounter on Earth.

  Sophia shook her head while fluttering her eyes in disgust as a sinister smirk formed across her face.

  “All you had to do when you landed on my island was walk up to me and say, ‘Sophia Dennison of Earth, I’m hereby placing you under arrest for the following trumped-up charges.’”

  Attea placed her hands at her hips, slightly impressed and disturbed at Sophia’s perfect imitation of her voice.

  “I would have said you were full of shit. We would have argued; you probably would have threatened me with consequences of what would happen if I did not comply. I would have retaliated with a, ‘I’d like to see you try.’ Somewhere in our verbal disagreement, I would have slipped in that I knew about your Dominion Council and that I also knew the Eye of Ra.”

  Attea’s frown deepened as she switched to folding her arms, not liking how this conversation was going.

  “And now, knowing that you also knew him, you could have contacted him. He could have then walked out through one of his portals like he did, told you that you were full of crap, convinced me to surrender, and come to this ridiculous trial to clear my name.

  And as irritating as I would have found it, I would have willingly surrendered myself to you. Peacefully.”

  The smile slowly disappeared from Sophia’s lips, becoming a calm trembling rage.

  “Instead …you blow up my house, and in the process maimed a man who I not only see as one of my good friends…but a literal second father to me. And for all I know could be dead from his injuries because I am not there to treat him. You then fight me across my planet, causing untold destruction and death to innocent people on my world, …like Steve-O.

  And then…your brother comes down …and damn near murders, my child…”

  Sophia fought to control her trembling as she wiped the forming tears at the corner of her eye.

  “So, you can take your apology and choke on it.”

  Sophia leaned forward, delivering her steely summation.

  “I am choosing to go before this Dominion Council, peacefully, where I will prove my innocence against these absurd charges and clear my name.

  And then…then, I will be paying you and your brother a visit to finish what you started.”

  As Sophia fell back against the wall in her seat, Attea took a minute, processing everything she heard before she spoke.

  “I did not mistake you for one who made hollow threats.”

  Sophia retorted with additional bass in her tone.

  “I’m sitting here still breathing because neither you nor your brother could finish the job back on Earth, Super Giant Blue Star Eater. So, don’t talk to me about hollow threats.”

  An eerie silence filled the room as official mortal enemies stared each other down.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Sophia said, breaking the silence. “I’m going to rest my eyes, so I don’t have to look at you for the rest of the trip.”

  With arms folded, Sophia lowered her head and closed her eyes, sliding into blackness, retreating into her thoughts while canceling out the world around her.

  A miffed Attea snarled while her eyebrows went into a spasm of twitches.

  The second time the same lowly human from a backwater planet made her feel both disrespected and powerless. This time it was under the roof of her own vessel.

  An offense attempted by more superior beings who she either permanently injured or sent to the afterlife.

  With gripped fists whose knuckles cracked with the urge to pummel someone, an enraged Attea spun on her heels, storming out of the cell, passing surprised subordinates to get as far away from Sophia as possible.

  ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

  Back on Anu, a descending Laurence landed in the front yard of his home.

  The pyramid-shaped abode with a domed top built from a combination of white stone and mirror-like silver metal stood the height of a three-floor townhouse. It sat atop a land of neatly trimmed sea blue-green grass with a walkway created from the same stone akin to the house that connected it to a local road.

  The second he retracted his armor and took two steps onto the pathway, Laurence turned to a savage high-pitched roar as something big came from around the rear of his home at high speed, bolting toward him.

  He braced himself with a big smile upon his face.

  “Butch! Come here, boy! Come here!”

  Hitting him with enthusiastic full speed in the midsection was the house Jacolla, a large animal with a head similar to a jackal atop of a muscular body rivaling a silverback ape. It vigorously wagged its long narrow whip for a tail while wrapping its tree trunk for arms around his waist to support it, standing on its hind legs to nuzzle the top of its head against Laurence’s bare chest, looking for affection as it welcomed him home.

  Laurence reciprocated by vigorously rubbing its back of soft maroon matted fur while scratching Butch’s chin with his other free hand. The act caused the house pet to rapidly stomp the ground with its right hind leg.

  “Who’s a good boy?! Who is a good boy?! You miss me? You miss papa? You keep the Babi kids off our good lawn?”

  Butch’s answer was to stand taller, placing its front paws, each with five rows of thick black hook claws, on Laurence’s shoulders as Butch opened its mouth of pointy white teeth to slobber him with its long purple tongue.

  “Down, boy. Come on, let us go see mother together.”

  Butch obediently trotted next to Laurence, now and then brushing up against his leg. Laurence’s eyes raised to the symbol of the House of Ra a couple of feet over the doorway, an eagle-like creature with a star disk behind it forged in metallic gold. The crystalline disk doors parted as they both entered the huge sunken foyer constructed from floor to ceiling with a gleaming wet, dark blue stone.

  Laurence slightly sighed as he was received and greeted by the five-party detail, which included the Head Servant of the House and minor servants.

 
The female elder with a cue bald head adorned in a golden orange Kalasiris, thick golden bracelets, and giant shiny silver disk earrings the size of drinking coasters with hieroglyphic Annunaki etchings stepped forward with a traditional curtesy of Anu.

  “Welcome home, Lord Laurence.”

  “Pakhet, I was under the impression that you and the staff had the day off today.”

  “Per tradition, attending servants are on call when either the Lord or Mistress of the House is off-planet,” she reminded him. “Our service ends once you enter, are properly attended to, and then dismiss us. This is our way which you are privy to, young master.”

  “You are also aware that I hate when you call me ‘master’ and am quite self-sufficient.”

  “As the Head Servant of this House for over four of your human decades, I am well aware of your independence. But I must once again remind you that you mistake profession for servitude.”

  With a raised hand gesture, the four male and female servants followed her command flanking Laurence. With a defeated eye roll, he stood still as they took their time, removing his armor.

  Laurence released Sol, allowing him to transform into his Seni mode, which caught the attention of Butch, who vigorously sniffed him all over.

  “Your bath is drawn …”

  “Thank you, Pakhet, but I shall bathe later,” Laurence politely cut her off, “I would like right now to see my wife and children.”

  The servants nervously glanced at one another as they witnessed the stand-off between Laurence and Pakhet. The Eye of Ra stood his ground as the Head Servant of the House with narrowed eyes gave in to him.

  “As you wish, my lord. The Lady is feeding the children in the solarium.”

  “Thank you, Pakhet,” he nodded. “And thank you all for taking care of my household while I was away.”

  All five respectfully bowed before him as they answered in unison.

  “We are here to serve, Eye of Ra.”

  Laurence passed Pakhet and placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder, which she grasped with a motherly touch. She released him as he made his way down a long hallway, followed by Sol and Butch.

  At the end of the hallway was a circular glass door with frosted Annunaki hieroglyphics. They slid, splitting apart, allowing the trio to enter into the rear section of the pyramid that was pure glass. The slanted glass ceiling was partially parted open to allow fresh air to enter.

  Inside was a mini jungle garden of exotic vegetation and small birds native to Anu that snuck in through the opening to find food.

  Laurence’s chest heaved heavy.

  The thought of him coming home alive once again did not strike him until he saw his family before him.

  Several feet before him sat his mate Neith adorned in a sheer green single shoulder Kalasiris dress. Silently sitting next to her was her feline shaped silver and gold accent colored familiar, Seret. Her long silky black hair hung down as Neith held a clear bowl partially full of orange thick mashed up food. She attempted to feed the contents using a spoon possessing a polished wooden texture to her infant son sitting in a floating youngling pod. A golden semi-circular egg-shaped transport for children with a magnetized propulsion system doubled as a highchair with a rudimentary AI system that followed simple tasks.

  Next to him sat his older toddler sister in a similar pod, leaning forward as she waited for her turn for both her mother’s attention and to be fed.

  “Stop! Come not a step further.”

  The stern command from his wife halted him in his tracks along with Sol, while a semi-whining Butch came to heel sitting on his rear. Neith slowly turned to him, looking him up and down with her piercing green eyes.

  “Give me this moment to look upon you, my love.”

  Laurence cleared the lump from this throat before he spoke.

  “So long as the moment is fleeting and you within my embrace is lingering, my love.”

  “Aye, ‘tis fleeting.” She smiled.

  Setting the bowl on the floating table next to her, Neith rose to her feet and took long strides as Laurence closed the gap between them with his arms open to ensnare her. His lips first touched her forehead, making their way down to her nose, and finally, her lips for a long kiss that halted the world.

  Finally coming up for air, she cupped his face pulling him in for an intimate third eye kiss that brought mist to the Eye of Ra’s eyes.

  “Weep not my love,” she said while wiping them away. “You are home, and we are well.”

  “Boba! Boba! Boba!”

  Laurence turned to the sound of his daughter bouncing in her seat with arms extended out while calling for him. A broad smile filled his face as he held Neith while stretching a hand towards them.

  “My little Amunet and Bennu come to me.”

  The pods obeyed his command, slowly bringing his children to him. Neith let him go so that he could stoop down and pick up both his children. He showered them, each with tender kisses.

  Amunet had his skin color with a slight shine and her mother’s eyes. She wore her grandfather’s curly blonde hair as she reached out with her tiny plump hands to grab hold of his nose.

  Bick bald Bennu with his mother’s skin had ice silver human eyes like his father. With curiosity, he grabbed at the thick chained amulet around Laurence’s neck of the House of Ra bird, holding the Eye of Ra symbol in its claws. Blue ember stones fused with Awakening energy made up the glowing eye.

  “You were on homeworld quite sometime before coming home,” Neith inquired. “Were you at the capital?”

  “I had to stand before the Elders,” Laurence nodded. “And answer for my actions.”

  Neith’s expression read that she understood what was in motion.

  “They know …what you have done,” Neith whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “So, the events of your dreams are taking place.”

  Laurence answered with a slow nod.

  Neith sighed as she rested her forehead against her husband’s right arm.

  “Have they judged you?”

  “They have.”

  “And what is your sentence?”

  “They have stayed sentence for now,” Laurence answered while adjusting his squirming son in his hand. “The matter with Earth is more pressing than my infraction.”

  “I was informed of that as well; how dire is it?”

  “Sophia Dennison was taken by the Thracian High General to be delivered to the Dominion Council for inquiry on the alleged charges. Her daughter, who was injured by the hands of Merc, is currently being treated in the Hall of Healing.”

  Neith’s eyes fluttered in disgust at the sound of Attea and her brother’s name. She calmed herself, getting back to business.

  “We must make preparations for after your sentencing when it comes …”

  “The sentencing will be mine and mine alone, Neith…you and the children...”

  “Silence thy tongue!” Neith spoke in her native language with a sharp tone. “This day was long discussed, and decision was made by us both. There will be no deviation from plan.”

  Laurence reluctantly nodded in agreement.

  “Unfortunately, my return home is brief. I must leave soon to return to Earth.”

  “Why?”

  Laurence peered at his wife with fierce, narrowed eyes not directed toward her.

  “For some reason, these current chains of events gravitate back to my original homeworld.”

  “Not the Thracians?” Neith asked with concern.

  “No,” Laurence slowly shook his head.

  His mate could see the wheels in his mind slowly turning.

  “I believe in their attempt to capitalize on this situation, the Thracians are both being manipulated and dragged into a more nefarious affair.”

  His statement brought a half-smirk to her lips.

  “This would be almost humorous if it did not threaten universal security.”

  “Neith.”

  She ignored his playful scolding
standing on the tips of her toes to silence him with a kiss.

  “Come, let us get you cleaned and fed before you take up your charge again.”

  “I wish to do this with just you and the children,” Laurence requested. “The staff can take their leave.”

  “I will ask Pakhet to stay and watch our young,” Neith countered. “I want my time with you.”

  She lightly massaged his crotch before walking away back into the house, followed by Seret. Laurence kept his eye on her the whole time as he felt the weight of an unknown pressure upon his shoulders. Until now, his actions were for a supposed great good based on dreams and visions that entailed conversations with a dead ancestor.

  ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

  Neith was the only one he confided in regarding what he was going through. His mind wandered back to the night they spoke after Amun-Ra instructed him on what he must do.

  He could hear her words in his ears as she sat next to him in their bed, rubbing his back.

  “You must do this.”

  “Say what?”

  “You must do Amun-Ra’s will.”

  “You’re telling me to break one of possibly the highest laws implemented by the Dominion Council. A law enforced by our Elders.”

  “Visions and dreams are those communicating from the Awakening, you know this.”

  “Yes, I know this,” Laurence answered with a face that did not believe it.

  “Amun-Ra has foreseen a threat to the existence of all life throughout the universe. And he has tasked you to ensure this does not come to be. For the sake of our young …of all young everywhere, you must shatter the law.”

  “If I do this,” he swallowed, “What of our family…you …the children?”

  “Before that time comes, we shall make the necessary preparations,” Neith calmly answered him. “No matter what, we shall be with you.”

  ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

  The Eye of Ra was yanked from the past by his daughter. Amunet tugged on the other side of the chain his son pulled on. Both children ignored him as he pecked both of their little foreheads, as they were more fascinated with handling the amulet of his station.