Twist of the gods

Sterian stepped out into the crisp morning air, the storm's remnants lingering.

His destination: Billy's unfinished building.

Time to reveal his true self.

As he walked, Sterian's thoughts swirled.

How would Billy react?

Would he accept the truth?

The building loomed ahead. Sterian's heart quickened.

He climbed the creaky stairs.

"Billy!" Sterian called.

The door creaked open. Billy's eyes widened.

"Henry! What's going on?" 

At first, Billy found it hard recognising him.

"Wait….are you..?"

"Yes. It is me. Henry" Sterian answered.

"You changed. Much younger and all". Billy said. 

Sterian took a deep breath.

"Billy, I have something to tell you."

"Something big."

 Billy's curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Sterian's words spilled out.

 "Billy, I'm not who you think I am."

"My name is Sterian. I'm a being of steel.Forged in fire.Tempered by will."

Billy's eyes widened.

"What do you mean?"

Sterian's determination hardened.

"I'm a god, Billy.A being of immense power.Hidden on this earth.For protection."

Billy's face pale.

"Why tell me now?"

Sterian's voice softened.

"Because I trust you.And I need your help."

"Against Warmonger."

"A dark deity spreading chaos."

Billy's eyes locked onto Sterian's.

"Count me in."

Together. They would face the unknown.

***

It was no new deal, Billy had volunteered to be by Henry alias Sterian alias Asher's side. Having multiple identities and with change in his look will help him remain unidentified and presumely make Warmonger and his cohorts hard to find him.

Sterian and Billy are now back in the the 'Wanderer's Rest'. Elara was in the counter as usual. 

"Had a pretty tight today?. So for asking Friend of yours?" Elara gave a skeptic glance at Billy.

"Um. This is Billy my business partner. He is the reason I came from a far place just to see him" Sterian smiled. Looking at the alway tensed Billy.

"Yes, I am a business man too" Billy lied. Seeing the innkeeper giving him a doubtful look. " well, I am not very much dressed. I love looking different. You know perceptives , hahah"

Elara was not convinced, if Billy was a business man or not . But it was not now of her business.

"Supper will be served as usual. 7 on the dot".

"Thanks Elara". Billy smiled at her and gave her a tip. Elara thanked him.

Walking up the stairs to his room, Billy questioned him.

"Henry. What is it over. You gave that innkeeper some money. How come?"

" Well, My dear friend Billy, Priscilia or would i say Fergina the goddess of the weak made this clothes for me with some cash" Sterian opened the door of his room. "After you" 

Billy entered, Sterian followed him behind and then shut the door.

"Who is Priscilia and how did you came to know what she truly was?" Billy asked, sitting hesitantly on the bed.

Sterian knew he had to tell his friend literally everything that transpired the previous day. No stone should remain untouched.

KRAK!!!

There was a loud sound of lighting outside. It was obvious there would be a downpour soon. 

"Let me start by telling you by the little knowledge I have and all I could remember, who Priscilia the woman I met yesterday is" Sterian leaned on the wall on opposite direction towards Billy..

"It all started two days ago. When I went to an almost empty park to relax. A woman walked up to me in an amusement park. She walked forward towards me and was making nice gestures towards me. She asked for my name and I then told her. She introduced herself to me as Priscilia…"

"How did you know she was a god or goddess of the weak?" Billy asked. Puzzled. Staring at Sterian.

"Well, she gave me a card, a street card" Sterian searched his top collar pocket. He hope he will still find the card. He brought out the card and showed it to Billy. Billy took it from him and read:

"341 Callum street" .

"Yes. That was where I went the previous day. I had come to you but wanted not to tell you yet till I know who this mystery woman was and what she wants." Sterian continued.

"Ok" Billy nodded. He seem still unconvinced yet but was following along.

" so I went to her place and didn't find her. Her home was locked" Billy said.

"Why?" 

"She was not around. I had to wait a couple of minutes and still I got no reply" Sterian said. " My first thought was going to the backyard but I had a change of mind. I then decided to leave. Just when I was yet trailing pass Callum street. A figure fell from the sky in a thunder god manner and accosted me"

" Is that supposed to be the god of chaos you told me about at my abode?" Bill queried.

"No genius" Sterian answered . Witly. " but to be exact, he is not just a god of chaos, he is god of thunder, he is Kator. Warmonger is their leader"

"Ok"

"He fired a lightning at me. Luckily for me, Priscilia intercepted the attack and saved me. She told me to run. And you should see terms way I sprinted. I obeyed and never had the time to and questions" Sterian grinned.

"Sure. I imagined the fright on your face" Billy laughed a handful and deep laugh.

" Yes. Then when I coastline Alley, Fergina the goddess of the weak found me" Sterian continued. " she then took me to a secluded cave outside this town. She proceeded to narrate everything to me. She told me about Warmonger and Kator. She told me she was the goddess of the weak. And I believe her primary assignment was to help me discover who I was and get back my powers and regroup to the other gods who are not affiliated with Warmonger's evil plans to bring chaos in this world.'

"Ok chap boy" Billy was begining to understand. He still had questions.

"What?" Sterian said. Looking at his friend.

" I have three questions for you."

"Ok" Sterian walked to the window and stared. It was drizzling with little amount of lightning.

"Have you discovered your powers yet?"

"No. I believe I will. Fergina made me to understand that" Sterian said. Dropping the curtain.

"Ok. I believe you will get them. Question number two" Billy was as intent in knowing more than ever.

"OK" 

"Where is Fergina or Priscilia?" 

" She left into the void. She is always with me. And that anytime I need her, she will reappear to assist when possible" Sterian answered. Not knowing how much truth was in that anyway.

"OK. Question number three is how will you be able to see other and know your allies and your enemies?" 

This was a difficult question to be precise. And Sterian found it hard to answer. He had to give it answer second thought then decided to answer what he thought was his first ever strategy.

"Well. I believe once I get my powers back. I will be able to identify them. I believe those foul gods will surely be in haunt for me." 

There was a knock at the door. It was Elara.

"Supper is ready, Mr Asher" 

A voice came from the other end of the door.

"I will be right down, Elara."

"Come on. Let us go and have dinner" Sterian held his old dear friend on the shoulders.

***

He walked fearlessly towards the inn. He was almost seven feet tall. All eyes glanced at him. He was unfazed. He kept his shoulders high and walked with authority.

At the inn, the gentle men stared at him. 

"What do you want sir?" Elara asked. Looking at the fearsome and masculine figure.

"Ah..Just a whiskey or rum will do" He replied.

"Two coins will do. Are you checking in,. We have reservations." Elara said. While pouring out the drink to him.

" actually I came looking for someone. Who I think you meant have occupied a room here." The man replied.

"Sorry sir. Policy is that I can't disclose any one at the inn here without first knowing who you are." Elara answered bluntly.

"Sure. My name is Ben. I came from the south because of the war. I think a business associate of mine, came here and lodged for the night" the man said. " he goes by the name, Asher, came in here two nights ago, says there was war in the south"

"Ok. Well" Elara had doubt releasing information to this stranger but still he was her customer now. Despite the fact that he looks fearsome because of his size. He was right about Asher.

" yes we have a business by that name. He came from the south. He left this morning with his friend."

" A friend, I see. Did he tell you where he was going?"

" He didn't exactly mention the specific place. He said something about a place called 'The gathering'... says he had a business partner there waiting for him" Elara said. Trying hard to remember.

"Oh, thanks love. Here is your money" Ben drank his glass in one gulp, dropped the coins in the counter and left.

***

The 'Gathering' was actually a place of quiet and solitude. It was an empty hall at the far end of Coastline Alley. It used to be a place for various events like , reception venue, social gatherings and other communal meetings. 

The place has remain desolate for a very long time, decades or more. The patchy bushes surrounding it has grown wild and untamed. The lawn overgrown. 

The walls are almost green from lack of maintenance and rainfall. 

And the big doors had already fallen apart, a sign that maybe someone might have forcifully opened it or it might be the aftermath of a heavy storm.

"Why are we here again?" Billy asked.

 As both men approached the doors.

"I had a feeling that the inn is no longer safe. I decided we come here while I summone Priscilia to come" Sterian answered.

"Oh. You decided to leave the inn based on a feeling?" Billy could not believe his ears. Was Sterian out of his mind.

" No just it, Billy. I believe my god's powers are beginning to come up"

"What do you mean?" Billy asked.

" I can feel a false presence coming through my instincts. I also can sense when other gods are in danger or close. Like right now, I feel like Fergina is in trouble" Sterian face looked concerned.

They were now at the center of the hall. It was empty and dirty, filled with Spider cobwebs and dust.

"Wait. Did you hear that" Sterian stooped. He held Billy on the arm. "Listen"

There was a sound of footstep coming from the far end of the hall, from the place that usual serves as the podium, where a speaker addresses the crowd. 

"Who are you?" Sterian yelled at the figure. "State thy course or depart from here"

"My dear friend Sterian" Ben said. Audibly enough for the other two to hear him.

"I am Warmonger."

Fear gripped the two men.

"That is Warmonger. The one you talked about. " Billy's said. 

" Did you came to help your friend. Tirex the shapeshifter" Ben laughed so loud that his voice sounded like thunder, shaking the foundation of the hall.

Sterian stares at his friend with a questionin look.

" What is he talking about. Who is Tirex?".

****