TWO - THE BEGINNING
844 Words
The weather shifted. A cool breeze replaced the heavy heat as clouds swallowed the sun.
Two godly guards dragged Xingho by the arms through the stone corridors. Their armor clanked with every step, the sound echoing in the silence.
The prison door groaned open, iron scraping against stone.
They tossed him inside.
“Damn Yosuke… I’m gonna rip him apart,” Xingho muttered, brushing dirt from his face.
“Quiet. You’re lucky you weren’t executed,” one guard spat before slamming the bars shut.
The cell fell silent. Only the faint murmurs of other prisoners broke the stillness.
Xingho clenched his fists, summoning his divine energy. Metal shards nearby trembled, then fell still. He tried again nothing.
“It’s useless, boy,” a voice rasped from the shadows.
Xingho nearly jumped out of his skin.
An old man sat cross-legged in the corner, back resting against the cold wall. His long white beard spilled over his chest, his tattered white robes stained black with dirt. His hands were folded in prayer, but his eyes when they opened burned with quiet power.
“The cell is enchanted,” the old man said, his tone calm but final. “No divine energy will answer you here. Sit. And be still.”
“Geez,” Xingho muttered, heart still racing as he shuffled over. “You scared the hell out of me.”
The old man ignored him.
“Who are you?” Xingho asked, peering at the weathered face. “And why are you here?”
Silence.
“Please. I was locked up for losing a duel. I don’t even get how that’s a crime.”
The old man finally sighed, lowering his hands. “Since you’ll be released by morning, I’ll give you some advice. But first a story.”
His voice was like gravel, worn and heavy with years.
“I am Lord Cacreed, Elder God of Magiick. Son of Trinity.”
Xingho’s jaw dropped. “Wait. The Lord Cacreed? Son of Lord Trinity? Your power is… unspeakable! You could free yourself and all of us with a snap of your fingers. Come on, let’s get out of here”
“Boy,” Cacreed cut him off sharply. “If I wanted to leave, I would’ve done so. I stay because I must. And you… you interrupt too much.”
Xingho swallowed and nodded. “My apologies, Lord Cacreed. Please… continue.”
---
Dried leaves littered the cold stone floor. The only light came from a narrow window, a single golden beam cutting through the dark. The stench of sweat and rot clung to the air, suffocating them all.
“When Syxerus fell,” Cacreed began, “I descended in my vessel and challenged Tinamerax herself. I tortured her for my father’s location. But she resisted.”
His voice grew bitter.
“I didn’t know then… she had gathered other High and Low Gods to her side. They fought me together. And they defeated me.”
He raised a trembling hand, rubbing his chest.
“She used Amex a sword forged by Kareivis, stolen from his armory to drain my powers. She took my divinity for herself, becoming… an Advanced Elder Goddess.”
Xingho felt his stomach turn. “But… you’re still alive.”
“Elder Gods cannot be killed while inhabiting a vessel,” Cacreed replied. His eyes flickered, something unspoken behind them. “But Girathon, the High God of Earth, warned me long ago… a weapon forged with an Elder God’s power can kill us. Tinamerax now seeks that weapon.”
He paused, watching Xingho carefully, as if weighing whether to say more.
“There’s something about Amex you aren’t telling me,” Xingho said quietly.
Cacreed smiled faintly, but his eyes held no warmth. “Sharp. Good. Keep that mind alive. One day, you’ll learn why Amex was made. And why… it was always meant to be found.”
The old god coughed, taking a small cup of water and drinking deeply.
“They couldn’t kill me. So they locked me here. I’ve waited in this cell for… I don’t even know how long. Waiting for the day they come to finish it.”
Xingho’s voice softened. “Do you… know where Lord Trinity is?”
Cacreed shook his head slowly. “My father’s whereabouts are unknown.” Then his voice lowered. “But he left threads. Pull on them, and you may find more than you seek.”
He turned his gaze fully to Xingho, his eyes piercing through the dim light.
“My advice, boy… work together with the other demigods. Stop fighting each other. Only you the next generation can restore balance to this world. To Syxerus.”
Xingho wanted to speak, but Cacreed raised a hand.
“No buts. My time has passed. I failed. Now… it’s up to you.”
The sun dipped below the horizon, and the cell grew cold. Cacreed closed his eyes, returning to his meditative silence.
Xingho lay on the floor, Cacreed’s words echoing in his head until sleep finally claimed him.
- Writer
