6. Hastur Hatched

Epimetheus stood before the Lieutenant. He noticed he was avoiding his gaze. So he took a seat facing him.

Then he gestured for others to leave the room.

The man is covered by bandages, with parts of it blood stained. He appeared to still be trembling.

"Lieutenant, what attacked the border? And how were you able to escape it? Not a single man or trace of anything was found at your post." Epimetheus questioned the man.

"The King in yellow is coming. We rescued a group of people who said they were sailors. They seemed to have been attacked. So we didn't put too much thought into it." The man recalled the event.

"But there was a harbour for ships and boats a little distance from the border? Why and how did they get there? And, what exactly attacked them?" Epimetheus asked, locking eyes with the man.

"I don't know if it was true. But they said, it was a kelpie. The beast was taking different form to hunt them. Also, it made sure they were together. So they said." The man paused for a deep breath.

"How were the people related to Hastur?" Epimetheus asked again.

"Worshipers. They worshiped him. We were never aware of it. But they had many suspicious things on them." He paused for a recall.

"The yellow sign. It was on all of their belongings. Their tattered robes. Their boards which turned out to be art. Their books as well."

"What were they doing with all that? And why didn't they give it up even when their lives were in danger?"

"Their lord God wouldn't let them. The great old one and rightful master wouldn't like that, they say. So we decided to take the books from them. But that's when it began." The lieutenant said dreadfully.

"What began?" Epimetheus probed curiously.

"The madness. It started with the men who held the tools. Then like a virus, it spread to anyone who held their belongings. I suspected the tools were cursed. Hence I tried to destroy the tools." The lieutenant's eyes widened and dilated as though he was getting mad himself.

"Calm down lieutenant. Don't leave the details. I can help you. But I have to understand all of this." Epimetheus held the man's hand.

He held the man's hand and glowing green energy glowed all over the Lieutenant. It soothed the man and calmed him down.

"Mosnters. Grotesque creatures with huge terrifying wings and body. The monsters came out of the strangers' belongings like black smoke and spread out. Nothing blocked it, not even walls or magic. Nothing stopped it. It was something otherworldly. Something ancient, dark and terrifying." He calmed himself with a few deep breaths.

"What did the monsters do?" Epimetheus still pushed the man to continue.

"They intensified and drove anyone in their way mad. Some disappeared with the very people they touched. The entire outpost was unders siege in minutes. I don't know why, but somehow, I was able to withstand the madness."

"But beyond that, no one else survived. I was knocked unconscious. When I woke up, I was tied to a tree with the horse beside me. My body was wounded and my armour shattered." The man looked at his hands as though trying to recall something.

"Lieutenant, what is your ability I'd I may ask. An intrinsic power that you may or may have not awakened?" Epimetheus said to the man as though suspicious.

"I was training for something. The ability to manipulate Cosmic Outer force. Or more specifically, the energy generated by all existing things." The lieutenant said simply.

Epimetheus gave him a soothing smile. He then stood up and rested the man back down.

"Your highness." The lieutenant grabbed Epimetheus' hand, bringing him to a halt.

"You should rest. We will be sure to handle everything else from here." Epimetheus assured.

"Your highness, please... please read my mind. There are things. Things I can't really explain. Memories I myself don't understand." The man begged.

His hands trembled. He was not slipping into madness. But he was slipping into fear. Unknown fear that was slowly tearing at him.

The liefear came from one thing, knowledge. He knew something he couldn't explain and it terrified him.

Epimetheus was hesitant. Unlike his brother, Epimetheus' greatest power is hindsight. As opposed to Prometheus' foresight.

"Please trust me. I promise not to be of harm." The man stretched out his hand.

Epimetheus held the man's hand. The other held his head. Right then, he peered into the lieutenant's head. The man's memories came rushing into his head.

"Oh no. This is not good. We should stop them." Epimetheus said with his eyes widened.

"My brother. The army. All of them should come back. The greatest danger the world has ever seen is.... coming forth." Epimetheus stood up abruptly.

The lieutenant fell unconscious as the man rushed out.

The guards also came behind him.

"Where are our forces?" He asked the men.

"They must be at least half way to the border Sire. Possibly closer. Would you be willing to join them in battle Sire?" The guard responded.

"They must come to a halt. Or come back directly. The situation is worse than we prepared for. Is there a way to contact or reach them?" Epimetheus inquired.

"Her highness ordered a barrier to be raised around the castle. So they left without taking anything to communicate with us. But if you leave now, you may be able to reach there before roo much loses are incurred." The man suggested.

"Has my brother been in contact since my arrival?" Epimetheus said worriedly.

"His majesty the king has not been in contact. Your highness, if I may ask? Where did King Prometheus go?" The man responded curiously.

"Find my brother. Tell him to get back here as soon as possible. But most importantly, activate the Yellow Horn and The Eye. Report everything suspicious to me." Epimetheus ordered.

He didn't wait for any responses and headed out. A large wyvern came flying from the sky.