Chapter 9.2: Malphas (2)

The next day was livelier; the news that Matthias would train his sons brought spring to his sons' solemn. "Dad, dad, what will you teach us first?" The youngest squealed in delight, tugging on his father's arm.

"Nothing, we must fish first." He replied curtly.

"Fishing? But dad we have to train." The eldest complained.

"Life comes first; we cannot train on empty stomachs."

The five set out on the ocean waters, heading south, away from the northern sea.

The water, still as glass, only small ripples and waves slowly brushing along the deck. The two eldest began working along the small ship, barely enough room for them all. Whilst the youngest wrestled with each other on the deck.

It was more in line with dancing with two left feet than it was wrestling.

'Is this really what I wanted?' He asked himself. Second youngest knocked his brother overboard, splashing into the ocean below. Looking to his farther, eyes asking for approval. A smile worth protecting.

'Perhaps it's not so pointless after all.' A slow smile forming at the edges of his mouth.

*Whoosh*

A sudden gust of wind threatened to capsize the boat. A larger boat came speeding past, its wake tossed the small fishing vessel into chaos. Water soaking everything and everyone.

"Matthias, is that you?" A man with a large beard reaching down to his chest called out.

"Gai! What is wrong? Why are you rushing south?"

Gai looked back towards home, terror seizing his face.

"Run Matthias, run! Monsters have made landfall. Get out of here now!"

The hair on Matthias' arms stood up, heart pounding in his chest. Fear sent his stomach into knots, his world stopped.

"Boys! Row! We must get your mother!" He bellowed, five of them worked feverishly to move the small boat. His hands gripped the side of the boat until his knuckles turned white. The southern sky darkened as they approached; black clouds filled the horizon.

The town was cast alight, burning with white flames. Buildings blazing white, the harbor so often filled with ships now a combination of fleeing ships and burning vessels.

A roar that belonged to no known beast came from the acropolis, erupting like a volcano. Sound creating waves through the water. It hit like a sledgehammer, knocking Matthias and his boys to the floor.

The ringing in their ears lasted long after the impact.

"Dad...Dad...Can you hear me?" The eldest shouted over ringing.

"Yes...yes I can hear you." He rasped out.

"Stay...here..." Disorientated, Matthias rolled into the water, making the desperate swim back to shore.

As he swam, a giant lizard emerged from the burning dome of the acropolis. The size of a three-story adobe, scales black as night, contrasted by reptilian red eyes, large eaglelike wings folded. Scanning all below, its claws digging into the marbled foundations. Matthias could almost make out a smile, from all the carnage below.

Breaching shoreline, determined to save his wife, Matthias ran towards the burning town. All around him were chaos, fires raged; Screams rang out from across the town; children cry, and men scream out in pain as they are cut open by a shadowy horde of black warriors.

Clad in deep black armour, faces hidden beneath helmets. Some carried swords of darkness, whilst others used their bare hands to crush the townsfolk's skulls.

Amongst the rubble and smoke, Matthias searched for signs of his wife.

"Matt-hias." A feeble whisper came from behind a nearby stall. He ran towards it, quickly lifting off the debris. Damas lay, a large gash ran across his torso, his eyes fading with each breath.

"Damas! I'm here, where is my wife?" He asked hurriedly.

"U-up...there..." Damas raised his hand pointing to the acropolis. His final breath leaving him, head falling back onto the ground.

'Faster' The voice in his head urged.

Weaving through the stalls, out of sight of the shadowy warriors, cries of help ignored, fear clouding all judgement.

The once pristine grass fields leading up to the acropolis are smothered in blood or burnt to the ground. Black knights in small groups slaughter their way through survivors.

"No, no, no!" A cry of agony coming from behind. An elderly woman protecting a child. Matthias couldn't stop. He needed to keep going.

Coming to a cluster of villagers piled on top of one another, at the base of the steps leading up to the acropolis. All beaten and bloody. Some missing limbs, others their heads.

"Matt...hias." Soft, gentle sobs greeted Matthias, barely above a whisper. Her white dress was stained red, blood covering her pale skin.

"My love...No." Tears filled his eyes as he saw her crumpled body.

Struggling to breathe, she gurgled and retched. Her lungs, filling with blood.

"My...love...please...the...boys." Her chest heaved, spitting out the crimson liquid. Matthias held her tightly in his arms.

"Shh... Keep still, you must be strong." He whispered softly, stroking her hair. Her once luscious locks were now matted with dirt and blood.

*Clank* *Clank* *Clank*

Marches of metal boots drew closer, descending from the top of the acropolis. Led by a taller figure; black plate armour reflecting the white flames that engulfed the town, darkened visor that resembled a skull; and a long cloak that swayed with each stride taken.

Flanked by two women who towered over their leader, garbed in short black robes, long legs covered by thigh high boots, long flowing white hair tied in intricate braids, silver skin shone in the fire light. Faces emotionless, unfeeling; they marched silently.

"My...love..." She whispered weakly. "They...must live." Her head lolled back into his lap. Her heart slowed to a stop. His fingers still clutched her limp hand. Eyes glazed over staring into nothingness.

"No, no, no... No! My love please!" Matthias held her tight, not letting go.

The dragon roosting atop the acropolis took flight, heading towards the harbor. Its shadow blotted out the sun, wings beating heavily in the air. Matthias nearly pinned under the pressure of its wing strokes.

'The boys.' He thought. Matthias let her go, cradling her head on the ground. "I'm sorry, my love." With tears in his eyes, he sprinted back towards the ocean.

The dragon circled the fleeing vessel.

Red eyes narrowed in on the prey, diving down from above. Reigning down white embers onto the small ships. Muffled screams reached land as the ships erupted in white flames.

"NOOOOOO!" Matthias could only watch in horror, helpless, his sons burning in the distance. Matthias collapsed to his knees on the beach, staring out at the burning vessels. His family taken from him, everything destroyed.

He was alone.

"Why...why...Why!" He screamed out, gripping fistfuls of sand in each hand. White hot tears ran down his cheeks. He fell forward, body weak from exhaustion and sorrow. The legion of marching boots halted behind Matthias; the leader stood at the edge of the beach watching him.

"Why?! WHY!?" He wailed out again, face contorted in pain. Facing the leader in black.

"Do not dare speak to our lord." One of the guards hissed, stepping forward menacingly. A powerful black arm held her back, a silent command to stay.

"Your temple housed a god, hiding amongst you. Your downfall is your own doing." The other female guard spoke coldly, eyes staring down on Matthias with apathy.

"Kill me...please... just kill me!" Matthias begged for release. The faceless leader remained silent, staring into Matthias' soul.

"P-Please..."

"Our Lord does not do favours."

Hand rising, the leader gestured for the dragon circling the harbor to come. A flick of his wrist, a strange ring glowed on his finger, white leaking from it. Within a heartbeat the terror of the town, landed on the sand. Steam hissed from its scales, covering its body, shrinking it down in size. The billowing cloud bursts into flames, turning to ash.

Rising from within, a child not much older than Matthias' youngest son. Short cropped black hair, crimson eyes, pale skin. Clad in a white dress flowing down to her knees with matching white shoes.

"Praise me." She demanded. Twirling her dress as she moved.

Without a word, he marched once more; his legion of warriors marching in unison. Silent. Only the thumping of their boots on the gravel.

"Aww. Did I not do good?" She pouted in disappointment. Skipping after him.

The sight of the girl...that indifference angered Matthias greatly.

"You will pay for what you did!" He roared charging at the girl. The girl turned meeting his eyes, a sly smile on her lips.

Time suddenly slowed around Matthias, a pain radiated from his throat, a tightness squeezing it.

Blood gushing, rolling down his throat, chocking him as his lungs became heavy. Gasping for air, struggling to stay upright, the nameless leader produced a tendril from his left arm, a whip made of bone, curved at the tip.

The girl next to him giggled in delight, dipping her finger into the wound.

"MMMMM, Oh. I see. You had family out there" Matthias' eyes widened in fear, unable to speak or move. His skin turned cold and pale.

"They all screamed, begging for the fire to stop." She leaned in closer. "Not even the ocean waves can cleanse my fire."

Matthias' vision began to blur, voice only coming out as a guttural groan. Blood oozed from his mouth.

"You should be thankful; I've brought an end to your suffering." Her crimson eyes never leaving his own. The ground came up to meet him. Cold dirt filled his nose as he gasped his last breath.

With a bright flash, Matthias awoke in the land of the dead. Tall looming cliffs surround him on all sides; the land was grey and barren, the air stale, dry, and lifeless. His chest bore no wounds, no pain or blood, and yet the memories were still fresh in his mind.

The fear, sorrow and helplessness burned deep within his soul. A silent roar raged from his gut, hand clutched at his stomach, fist clenching tight. Unable to contain it, tears rolled down his face, teeth gritting together. A gentle hand rested on his shoulder, startling him from his sorrow. "Welcome... Matthias."

"Who are you?" He growled out, voice laced with anger. "You are dead, a victim of the gods selfishness. However, ... I am here to give you a choice."