Aeternum

by Lawrence A. Votee

  “Do you believe Rek will succeed?” Gryn questioned.

  “Your brother is the greatest assassin our people have ever known. He has never failed before, what makes you think he would now? Do not underestimate him.” Syrk answered.

  Hearing this, Gryn stopped and looked at his father.

  “Perhaps your memory of Ryaal has faded. Do I need to remind you of all he has accomplished in the name of our people? There is a reason you sent Rek and not some petty functionary. He too should not be underestimated.” Gryn’s words seemed to enrage his father.

  “If you ever speak in praise of that traitor again, I will have your throat! Ryaal betrayed our people the second he bonded with that female and it would’ve been just a matter of time before he lead them against us. When Rek returns with his head, you will see how inferior he was.” Syrk responded angrily.

  With that, he began ascending the long stairs leading to his stolen throne. Gryn turned his attention to the tower which held Kara. As she sat there completely still in her knelt position, he couldn’t help but question the actions of his past. He cared a great deal for his brothers and though he would never express it out loud and fought hard against the thought, he often wished everything was the way it used to be. If given the chance to do things differently, he would’ve defended his brother instead of branding him a traitor. It was then that he noticed something disturbing. Her skin was no longer the midnight black of sadness. Instead, it had lightened to a more ashen grey color.

  Gryn motioned for the two Akirians standing guard at the foot of the long stairs and gave them his orders.

  “Leave the city immediately. Go to every outpost and put them on high alert. Tell them, if anything or anyone gets past them, they will answer to me.”

  The guards nodded in compliance and left quickly to carry out their orders. Gryn’s menacing stare fell once again upon the beautiful prisoner as he ascended the stairs to join his father.

  Chapter 23

  The sun had begun to set as Connor and Etria started making a fire. Alina sat motionless, her chin placed firmly atop her knees as she stared at Ryaal lying unconscious, as though she were trying to will him awake. A low grumble was heard as he began to move.

  “Hey!” Alina yelled excitedly as she hurried to her feet.

  “He’s awake!”

  Connor and Etria stopped what they were doing and the three rushed to their friend’s side. Ryaal attempted to push himself up off the ground but struggled. His friends were quick to grab him and help him to his feet. They helped him walk over to the fire and sat him down.

  “What happened to the guards?” He asked, still a bit sluggish.

  “Don’t worry man, we took care of ‘em.” Connor answered.

  Ryaal looked around and by the glow of the fire he could see the stone corpses in their various death poses.

  “Not bad.” He said, returning his attention to the group.

  “Are you going to stay like this?” Alina asked, referring to Ryaal’s obsidian skin and now noticeable crimson eyes.

  “I do not know.” He answered.

  “Everything happening now has never happened before.” He added.

  “If it’s any consolation man, I think you look pretty bad ass.” Connor shared his thoughts. Ryaal responded with a slight smile.

  “Does it still hurt Ryaal?” Etria asked.

  His smile quickly faded and instead of answering her question, he asked one of his own.

  “Why are you still in human form?”

  Etria lowered her head as though she were ashamed of something.

  “My knowledge of forms is nowhere near the level of your grandfather’s. If I were to change…I would not be able to take this form again.” She answered.

  “Why would you want to keep an untrue form? There is no reason in that.” Ryaal asked confused and when he did, saw an almost bashful look dart from Etria to Connor and then back to the fire.

  “DUH!” Alina interjected.

  “She obviously likes Connor and feels that if she were to change her form, he wouldn’t like her back. Don’t you know anything about girls?”

  An awkward silence fell over the group.

  “Please excuse me.” Etria said as she stood and walked hurriedly away.

  “Great job.” Connor said angrily as he stood and headed off after Etria.

  “You’re an idiot.” Alina told Ryaal as she poked at the fire.

  “What? I didn’t…you said…never mind.” He returned.

  “Are you alright?” Connor’s voice broke quietly through the night as he approached Etria sitting at the cliff edge where they had been together earlier that day.

  “I don’t like you.” She answered defensively.

  “You are arrogant and overly sure of yourself. Intellectually, we are not even close to the same level. How could I possibly like you?” She asked, trying to convince herself why she shouldn’t have those kinds of feelings for a human. For this human.

  “Are you flirting with me?” Connor asked with coy sarcasm.

  Etria laughed and realized instantly why she did like him. Why she more than liked him. He took her away from herself. He was a welcomed distraction from all the chaos in her life. She stood and approached him, taking his hands in hers. She smiled at him, closed her eyes, and turned her head skyward. A moment later a light began to emanate from her entire body. A light so brilliant and bright, Connor had to look away.

  A moment later the light subsided and Connor returned his gaze to her. What he saw captivated him completely. Standing before him was Etria in her true form. While her shape remained athletic and statuesque, her long, shimmering, blaze red hair stood out like wildfire against her arctic silver skin. Her face was concentrated beauty with angelic grace.

  In his eyes, she was a goddess. In her eyes Connor saw both infinite mystery and answer to all questions his heart, soul, and mind could ever hope to ask. She looked at him, waiting for a response but, he had none.

  “Why do you not speak?” She asked confused and sounding a bit disheartened.

  “I…I can’t find the words.” He answered sheepishly.

  “Does my appearance offend you in some way?” She asked tilting her head trying to understand why her crush couldn’t find the words.

  “No!” His answer came as reflex and without a second’s hesitation.

  “It’s just…I thought you were so beautiful before, and now…”

  “I understand.” She said sadly as she lowered her head in disappointment.

  Connor stepped towards her and placed his hand on her silken cheek, lifting gently until their eyes met once again.

  “I don’t think you do.” He told her.

  “For the rest of my life, I will struggle to find beauty in anything, because I see it all right here, right now as I look at you. You have stolen my thoughts, my mind, and my heart, much to my agreement as I could never imagine anyone ever holding them but you.”

  “Connor.” She said softly as her expression changed to one of great relief and flattery.

  “Do you really mean that?” She asked, still trying to understand why this young human’s opinion meant so very much to her.

  “With all that I am.” He answered with an intense maturity she had not before seen in him.

  She stepped closer and kissed him deeply, making mere seconds seem like days. When it was over, she placed her hands on his chest and with her head nestled softly against his whispered,

  “We should get back.”

  Hesitantly, and wanting nothing more than to stay in that place with her forever, he agreed.

  Chapter 24

  “Whoa!” Alina exclaimed, directing Ryaal’s attention to Connor and Etria as they arrived back at camp.

  “That’s what you really look like?” Alina asked, awestruck.

  She stood and began circling Etria, taking in her remarkable form.

  “Why would you ever want to look l
ike one of us?” She continued playfully.

  Ryaal looked at Etria. He smiled in approval of her decision to return to her true form. A smile that soon faded as her appearance brought images of Kara flooding into his mind.

  “We need to discuss what’s ahead.” Ryaal spoke up.

  They all took a seat around the fire as he began.

  “About half a day’s travel from here, there’s an encampment. In it, will be about two hundred more Akirian warriors.”

  “What? How do you know that?” Connor asked.

  “Our city is very large. However, it is not large enough to contain the entirety of our armies. They are broken down into smaller encampments located throughout the lands. I know this because I designed the layout for the troop encampments. But do not worry, I will take care of that one.” Ryaal answered.

  “Yeah right.” Connor laughed as he looked around at the others and then back to Ryaal.

  “I love ya big guy, but I don’t think you can take on two hundred of these monsters by yourself. No offense.” He continued.

  “Connor.” Etria interrupted.

  “What you saw of Ryaal on Earth was not proper indication of his abilities. His name alone has defeated armies of thousands.”

  “It is alright Etria.” Ryaal continued.

  “It is not the two hundred you need concern yourself with. The closer we get to the city, the larger the encampments will be.”

  “How much larger we talkin’?” Alina asked.

  “In the thousands.” Ryaal answered.

  The group fell quiet. As they contemplated what lie ahead, there was only silence. Each of them tried to imagine what lie ahead and how they would fare against it. Alina was eager to fight, her only concern was for her friends and she knew what she was willing to risk to help them. Connor felt the same. No matter how much he would overreact to numbers or size of the enemy, he would not fail them. In addition, he wanted nothing more in the world than to watch over Etria.

  “It is not too late.” Ryaal offered.

  “Not too late for what?” Alina asked looking a bit confused.

  “For the two of you to return home.” He answered.

  “And miss a fight?” Alina said excitedly.

  Connor looked at Etria, who quickly returned his gaze and, for a moment, they were again lost in each other.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Connor spoke loud enough for the group to hear but his comment was directed only at one person.

  “Nor am I.” Etria answered back.

  “Well then.” Ryaal said as he stood and faced his friends.

  “Let’s go start a war.”

  He turned and headed in the direction of the first encampment. His friends stood, looked at one another, grabbed their weapons and bravely followed their massive leader into the night.

  Chapter 25

  As dawn broke, the group arrived at a hill overlooking the majestic landscape for miles. However, their target was much closer. Ryaal motioned silently for the group to get low and stay quiet. The four inched closer to the edge of the hill and saw the enemy encampment directly below. After getting a good look, Connor, Etria, and Alina moved slowly back from the edge. The looks they gave one another silently relayed the fear they felt. Etria instantly felt a strong sense of regret for bringing them into this. She now knew what Ryaal felt about putting his friends in this kind of danger.

  Etria fought the urge to grab the young humans and get them far away from that place. Speaking of two hundred Akirians was a stark contrast to seeing them, just yards away. Ryaal stayed locked into his overlook position, the way a mountain lion would when stalking its prey. His hands grabbed tightly at the ground beneath them, itching to do the same to the flesh and bone that defended those who took her from him. Far in the distance he could faintly see the tower where Kara was being held and something primal and violent snapped inside him.

  “Stay here.” His quiet growl commanded.

  Ryaal stood defiantly atop the hillcrest. No more hiding. No more planning. No more talking. It was time for him to share his pain. He leapt silently off the hill but his powerful legs slammed into the ground below instantly demanding the attention of the entire camp. For a moment there was no movement, no sound as every warrior’s murderous gaze fell to Ryaal. Some thought they recognized him. Some were clueless as to who the dark Akirian standing fearlessly before them truly was. Some were horror stricken as they looked upon their idea of death incarnate. After a moment the silence was shattered by the sounds of the savage mob all rushing to attack. Arc staffs morphed into all manner of deadly things. Bladed and blunted battle instruments all sailed towards Ryaal, hoping…needing to find their mark.

  The closest made it to within an inch of his neck and Ryaal’s motionless body exploded to life with murderous grace. Swaying and weaving in between death blows, Ryaal began his symphony of bloodshed. Taking the weapons of those he’d killed by a punch to the throat or quick neck snap, Ryaal began slicing and slashing his way through the mass. Heads, legs, and arms flew through the air like confetti in some sort of macabre celebration. His friends watched from atop the hill in utter disbelief. Never before had they seen anything so violent, so terrifying, so…perfect.

  They watched as their blood spattered friend painted the landscape with the colors of death. The look on his face was of both serenity and hatred. He felt their every move before they made it and executed them quickly and viciously, the whole time never losing focus on the tower in the distance. The last Akirian fell with his own weapon lodged in his forehead as the bodies around him, in their various death poses and pieces began turning to stone. Ryaal stood triumphant and unscathed among the carnage, which now resembled the aftermath of a fallen skyscraper with all its concrete chunks strewn about. The blood of his enemies dripped steadily from his hands as each drop glistened in the early morning sun.

  “Are you entirely sure he needs us?” Connor asked.

  No one answered as they proceeded down the hill towards their friend. They approached as he stood facing the tower.

  “Nice work, big guy.” Connor said.

  “It shouldn’t have been this way.” Ryaal replied with his back still facing the group.

  “These were my people. My father’s rule has twisted them...disfigured them.”

  Ryaal turned and began heading in the direction away from the tower.

  “Ryaal!” Etria called out. “Where are you going?”

  “To Shi’ Kar. I must speak with Larak.” He answered back, not breaking stride.

  “What’s that?” Connor asked.

  “That is my home.” Etria answered softly.

  “Looks like we’re crashin’ at your place.” Alina added as she put her hand on Etria’s shoulder.

  Etria smiled at the thought of returning home. Before going to Earth to find Ryaal, she had spent all of her time moving through the lands of Theros, hiding from the Akirians and looking for any way to get to her sister. She had not seen her family since Kara was taken and wondered if they thought she too had been captured, or worse. She felt a nervous but happy excitement well up inside her.

  “He’s getting pretty far ahead. We should probably catch up.” Connor suggested, still standing by her side.

  She turned to him and smiled.

  “Yes. Let’s go.” She replied.

  Chapter 26

  As he sat upon his stolen throne, Syrk’s attention was grabbed by a slight movement coming from his prisoner.

  “Did you see that?” Syrk questioned the guards positioned to his front, atop the stairs.

  “See what, Great Leader?” One of the guards asked, turning in the direction of Syrk.

  “That…moved.” He said, pointing to Kara as though she were more inanimate object than living being.

  “There!” Syrk yelled.

  “She’s doing it again!”

  This time they saw it. Though the movement was slight, it was noticeable. Her head
had begun to sway ever so slowly, as someone waking from a coma.

  “Find Gryn! Get him here now!” He commanded.

  The guards rushed off as ordered and soon found Gryn in the city center, sparring weaponless against thirty armed Akirians. They were hesitant to attack the larger than normal warrior, even though they were the ones with weapons. When half moved in to attack at once, the reason became evident. Gryn began to attack with the same violent fluidity as his legendary brother. Every blow he landed seemed to shatter the bones of their owner. It was over in seconds and Gryn’s sparring partners lie scattered, broken, and coughing up blood.

  “Gryn!” One of the guards called out.

  “Your father requests your presence immediately.” He informed.

  “I’m busy!” He snapped, turning his back to the messengers.

  “It is the prisoner.” The guard continued. “She is…moving.”

  Gryn’s attention quickly returned to the guard.

  “What did you say?” He asked, now approaching the messenger.

  “She has begun to move and your father has requested you return to him…now.” The guard repeated.

  “Go!” Gryn ordered. “Tell him I am on my way.”

  As the guards rushed off, Gryn turned to his sparring partners.

  “We will continue this another time.” He informed before heading off to see his father.

  A collective sigh of relief came from the remaining Akirians. They did not want to spar with Gryn in the first place. He was a monster. The biggest Akirian to have ever existed, Gryn was known for his preference of physically beating his enemies to a bloody mush. In the eyes of Akirians, Gryn was the definition of beast.

  “What is it?” Gryn asked, approaching his father’s throne.

  “See for yourself.” Syrk responded angrily, pointing to the tower.

  Gryn turned his attention towards the prisoner and saw the slight movement his father referred to.

  “That! That is nothing.” He responded.

  “Nothing!” Syrk snapped back.

  “Go to the outposts. See if anything is amiss and report back to me immediately.” He ordered.

  “I’ve already sent guards to the outposts.” Gryn informed.

  Syrk lunged at his monstrous son and grabbed him tightly by the throat.

  “You Go! Prove that it is nothing!” He growled inches from Gryn’s face before shoving him back.