25 - Bontruks - A cursed generation

Aegefon Grumdull had seen a lot throughout his years, from the Dust wars to the First Shattering. He had been amongst many a movement even that which had led him to this very condition he was in.

Cursed and stripped of worldly possessions, abilities, and anything. Sent out to the lands to die a ghastly and very bad death. This was the fate of his people.

He might have borne the ordeal if the curse wasn't a hereditary one. Passing on from parent to child the curse was unrelenting.

This had been their fate since the First Shattering. When tbe other races had bonded together to tear the human race down. Elves, Dwarves, and even Orcs had come together to shatter all peace in Fiarin.

In a brutal decade-long war that he remembered like it was yesterday the humans were pushed back losing territory after territory to the hordes of three races till finally, they lost.

Thrown into slavery the survivors were shipped off to different continents and used for many things. Labour, as merchandise, and others. Still some humans refused their treatment and revolted.

Of course, they had lost after all their might compared to the other races was nothing after their tragic defeat. The curse was given to all twenty-two leaders of the uprising a brand made with a red hot iron that left a ghastly scar on all the cursed ones' cheeks.

The Mark didn't just brand their bodies but their very being as well with a curse that could never be broken by mere mortals.

It was a shame for most of the twenty-two but for Aegefon it was his pride.

The saddest and most painful part had been the silence from their gods about their plight. While the gods had supported various races in their battles and with blessings and abilities.

No god had stood with the humans. Aegefon could remember a particular defeat suffered. On the snowy hills of Irondam, the last stronghold of the humans within the fifth continent stolen from the dwarves the barely holding army held strong for the longest part of a losing siege.

Cut off from any food and water the men had almost gone crazed with hunger when the skies parted and a literal hammer had pounded down on the stronghold.

Aegefon could only thank his luck for not having arrived with the food supplies he had stolen off from dwarven and elven armies. He could always see the mushroom clouds in his dreams and nightmares.

The Mark of a god's strike shown clearly on the earth. The mountains were pressed low into sand and nothing but the shape of the hammer formed a basin that had been named Bontruk. The rejected ones. Now that basin was a huge lake.

The name that had also been tagged on the ones the brands had been given.

So the vehemence was obvious in his eyes and stance as he stared down the god or demigod before him. His hatred and anger toward all divine beings were as clear as the round moon in the night sky.

Erizos for once could not help but frown at the public display of hatred thrown at him for the sins of others.

'This is gonna be problematic, very problematic' he thought as he could only mentally sigh at the more work he had to accomplish. His old laziness slowly tried to seep into his bones.

"Hey, old man" Erizos greeted a large smile stretching over his face. Aegefon kept silent his eyes staring down the man. While he could do nothing he could always die honorably.

"What if I told you that I'm here to help," Erizos said his smile never waning as he gave a suggestive and hopeful expression.

"I'd spit on your boots and call your bullshit". Aegefon found himself replying in annoyance without a bit of hesitation. He tensed slightly expecting some divine retribution.

" Good thing I've not gotten that Godly ego thing yet " Erizos shrugged.

Aegefon frowned before he got off his bed. For an old man, his movements were fast his green eyes never leaving the man in his room as he made for the great sword leaning on the wall.

"You do realize if I wanted you dead you'd be dead. " Erizos asked feeling confused at the attempts to get to tbe sword.

"I'm no fool. Neither am I interested in the games you gods wish to play now. Or what, you lot already bored of the lack of wars and carnage after this "Aegefon's eyes narrowed as he finally got to his greatsword while pointing to the brand on his left cheek.

A ringing had Erizos tilting his head even more as steel scraped against scabbard, the huge sword leaving its comfort as it pointed straight at him. Aegefon breathed heavily not from exertion but from a steaming rage that threatened to spill out of him.

Erizos sighed before waving his hand a burst of white mist coagulating on the floor revealing a set of tables and chairs formed out of ice.

"Sit old one. What I have to say is important to you. Don't regret this moment "

In Erizos' head, several decisions had been made. He was tired of this world and the merchant-like life he had. Walking about showing off his strength while trying to get divine points wasn't interesting as he thought. No, what he wanted was to get back and start creating.

At first, it felt fun being all-powerful and able to change people's Fates but now. He already had a migraine from all the fates he would have to change if he decided to fully get involved here. Without realizing it he was already getting the itch to create which was making him artsy about leaving.

Besides the situation of humans in this world bad turned out to be complicated once he learned of some things here in this town. While he was thinking of going ahead with his thoughts he knew it would cause a lot of problems.

He didn't know how much divinity he could get from here if he started but if everything went well it could be a lot. It could be more than he thought but yet he was skeptical. His former life's anxiety as an introvert got to him. If he did what he had in mind a war that neither he nor Aegefon wanted could begin. He was one young god against a whole possible batch of them and a nearly extinct race against an entire world.

Before with Moira and Cara and Gerasmine, he had helped in a situation that was already apparent. Here the situation while bad was at a state that could be called survivable. Yet his plans could change all that. Which was certain to get more attention from not just the mortals that had put humans in this position but also their gods.

It was obvious the winning and losing rates of both teams. Which made it a no-no for him. Luckily researching the village and its inhabitants for the past day had borne fruit and now he knew exactly what to do.

Yet here an extra headache had grown, making him more unsure of his plan. The stubborn old man just hadn't been factored in. Anyone would have jumped at the help offered by a god but he has to get this god hater.

Fate if it indeed affected him as a God, was a b*tch.

"I can remove your curse not just personally. Don't you think it's time your race rose back not on top but at least better. " his words weren't meant to sound too good to be true. He felt the old man was too wise to be fooled or even endanger his town and others for a half asses promise. So he found himself adding" The last thing this race needs is a war but at least I can help your kind get better. "

"Before you go all I'm a god why do you want my help I'll be plain. You look like a wise old man who's seen a lot in his years. You remind me of someone. Funny the memories I still have." he muttered.

Aegefon still stood his greatsword raised and pointed to the ceiling waiting for any sign that he had to do battle. Yet his face had a bit of confusion and also suspicion. After all, he had heard of gods with different aspects, some ruling elements, some emotions, and even others that had their claws in deceit and trickery.

He would not be so foolish as to quickly believe the words from this god. Yet he listened after all he had said two things he wanted to hear for quite a long time.

Aiding the humans and also avoiding war. The humans had constantly tried to rise in the decades past but the races had always kept them below their thumb.

While it looked like they had their region here they were trapped in what was known as the Desolation of Anges. Here the races watched and regulated the foods and goods and everything that came in.

In other words, they were colonized unofficially. Having it a bit better than most other humans but still gone was their pride. The fate of Bontruks and in extension all humans had been set in stone.