by Brandon Chen
“Geez, Ares. You’re eating like a barbarian,” Aleysha murmured.
Aleysha’s mother tilted her head. “What did you say his name was?”
Aleysha’s face paled. “Uh….”
“Darien,” Tetsu said, shooting Aleysha a glare. “His name is Darien.”
“Ah, like that old Persian prince. That’s a cute name,” her mother said.
Tetsu exhaled. That was close. Practically everyone knew of Ares, and most of those who heard of him believed the rumor that he was a bloodthirsty deity that killed for fun and abused his limitless power. Never in Tetsu’s wildest imagination would he have believed that the renowned Ares was actually his old childhood friend.
After finishing practically every single dish that Aleysha’s mother prepared, Ares leaned back, patting his bloated stomach. Aleysha giggled. “What?” Ares smiled, finding that Aleysha’s laughter was contagious.
“You look like a pudgy little kid right now!”
“Once I digest this I’ll look like a bony weakling again. No worries!”
“Darien,” Tetsu harrumphed, and the boy turned to look at his friend. “Come on, let’s go for a walk. I want to talk to you about something.”
Ares blinked, looking at his friend for a moment before nodding. He grunted as he heaved himself to his feet and turned, giving Aleysha’s mother a deep, respectful bow. “Thank you so much for dinner!”
“You better not show him the whole city, Tetsu!” Aleysha called as Ares and Tetsu walked towards the door. “I promised him that I’d show him part of it myself!”
Tetsu grinned over his shoulder. “I’m just taking him to the ocean. The two of us have to catch up.”
Stepping outside of the small building, Ares saw that everything was dark. Tiny lights flickered on candles and torches held by sconces, which illuminated the still-active city streets. While there were not as many people walking about as Ares had seen earlier in the day, there were still a reasonable amount of civilians occupying the streets. Most of the merchants had begun to pack their belongings and were walking with camels, which carried the packaged weight.
Tetsu led Ares through the city to the docks, without speaking a word. He watched as the lights in Ares’ eyes lit up like two tiny suns as a broad grin stretched across his face. The boy seemed infatuated with every aspect of the docks and the ocean. The wooden docks were mottled with moss and random discoloration. Several ships were still docked and Ares leapt onto the wood ecstatically, thudding loudly as he scrambled to get a closer look at the ships.
Tetsu watched his old friend, smiling. It was like watching a younger brother get excited over the perfect gift for his birthday. Perhaps this was a gift. After all, Darien had wanted to see the ocean since they were kids. Cambyses had read them stories of the incredible ocean, a body of water that extended as far as the skies. If mankind could cross the body of water, they could potentially discover new lands, with new people and cultures. The very thought had boggled the minds of the two children in their youth.
Ares was gripping a rail, gazing upon the flapping white sails of one of the ships as a brisk breeze blew against it. The edges of the docks were soaked in brine, giving the wood a dark-brown color. The salty smell that filled the air was foreign to the god, and he turned and gazed across the swaying ocean with twinkling eyes. It was mind-blowing how the water moved on its own to create gentle waves that crashed against the docks and the sandy beaches. The Lost Sands was so deprived of water, yet here there was plenty! It was like an oasis with an unlimited supply of water!
The boy squatted down onto his knees and cupped his hands, dipping them into the freezing-cold water. He lifted his hands to his lips. “Darien, you might not want to…,” Tetsu began to warn the boy but sighed when he noticed it was too late.
Ares sucked in his cheeks and winced as the salty taste of ocean water filled his mouth. He spat it out immediately, coughing and sputtering. His eyes were bulging and he shook his head, turning to Tetsu. He looked completely bewildered. “W-What’s wrong with the water? Is it poisonous or something?”
“N-No….” Tetsu laughed. “It’s not drinkable. Ocean water is for the creatures of the sea to live in, not for us to drink.”
Ares crossed his arms and pouted, annoyed. “Why can’t it be both?”
“The gods just didn’t make it that way, I suppose. After all, if we stole all the water for ourselves then the creatures that need the ocean to survive would never be able to live. You know how humans are. Always greedy,” Tetsu said, leaning against the wooden railing of one of the decks. “I want to talk about what happened on that day, Darien. There wasn’t time for us to talk. I know that you acted on impulse, trying to protect me.”
Ares sat on the edge of the docks, dipping his bare feet in the chilling ocean water as he gazed at the sea of glistening stars that gleamed in the night sky. A full moon beamed among the tiny stars, illuminating the dark sky with its brilliance. Ares personally didn’t like to think of the memories that he had as Darien. Those memories merely brought him feelings of regret or nostalgia, both of which he loathed. “You would’ve done the same for me, Tetsu.”
“I know that,” Tetsu said. “Yuu was slashed trying to protect me. The horrific guilt of that day, knowing that Yuu was cut down because of me, haunts me in nightmares every night. Sleep is hard, knowing that the boy that I teased everyday was killed because he tried to save me.” He swallowed hard, looking down at the crashing waves. “Though, I’m grateful to have had two great friends that looked out for me. Both of you risked your lives to save someone of lesser worth like me.”
“You know that I don’t see any human as lesser.”
“But that’s not how this world works, Darien.” Tetsu closed his eyes, knowing the harsh reality of social hierarchy. “You and Yuu were worth much more than I was. The two of you were educated, and prepared to enter the world of politics that could influence the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. I’m just a person who influences the lives of those that I kill and their families.”
“And those that you save,” Ares added.
Tetsu nodded, a tear forming in the corner of his eye. “I suppose. I just wanted to say thank you. I mean, I wouldn’t be here today without you. So thanks.”
Ares smiled, kicking his feet through the water gently, causing the salty liquid to slosh around. “Like I said, you would’ve done the same for me.”
Tetsu bit his lip. “I also want you to know that I wasn’t the one who killed your parents.”
“I know.”
“And I want to find out who it was that committed such an atrocity and framed the two of us. I want them punished for what they’ve done,” the Demon Mercenary growled, squeezing the wooden railing tightly. “I’ll bet it was Cambyses. After the king and queen were out of the picture, pointing fingers at you was easy, and cleared the path to the throne for him. After all, as soon as he took the throne, he began conquering every nation near Persia. They spared the lives of no one, and either shoved survivors into slavery or had them decapitated and cremated to create fear in those who oppose the Persians. I’m telling you, I caught him conspiring with a Magus, saying something about a god and eliminating the king. He’s insane, that man is.”
Ares remembered how Cambyses had talked to him several years ago about uniting the continent as one and how his father had been foolish to attempt to create an era of peace. He lowered his eyes. “Cambyses had much to gain from eliminating the royal family, yes. But it was not him that physically committed the murders. There had to be others involved. You and I were the only ones in the room, but neither of us did it. That means that magic must be somehow tied into this. I’d point fingers at the Magus, if anything.”
“The question is how many Magi were involved in this plot.”
“There’s more than one?”
“I heard that Cambyses has ten Magi at his disposal. Each one is assigned to a Persian army, practically ensuring victory because of their overwhel
ming power. This new era of war calls for magic. Without it, victory is very much out of reach. And Persia conveniently has got most of the magicians in its pocket.” Tetsu ran a hand through his spiky black hair and exhaled. “We know for a fact that the Magus who knocked us both out is involved, though. He was the one who was plotting to overthrow the king with Cambyses in the Royal Jail. His name is Zahir.”
“Zahir, huh?” Ares echoed. “In the end, it doesn’t matter. The past is the past. There’s no changing it.”
“Aren’t you angry? Don’t you want to make them pay for your parents’ deaths?” Tetsu exclaimed, turning to face Ares. “Darien, Cambyses has your throne and no one is punishing him for it! I’ve waited patiently for years for an opportune moment that would give me a chance to exact revenge for the injustice done on that day. But you don’t even seem to care.”
Ares said nothing.
“You and I have both suffered emotionally and physically from that day. Our courageousness and strength were tested in the Lost Sands. If we had not been worthy, the two of us would’ve perished. The desert gave us a chance to make things right.”
“The desert gave us a chance at life,” Ares snapped. “So why are you so eager to toss it away again? If we’re so lucky to be alive, then why do you want to challenge the greatest military in the entire continent? You’re rushing to your death, Tetsu. You can’t combat the Persians.”
“But you can,” Tetsu said with a sly smile. “I’ve heard the stories and I know that they’re true. You bested a hundred thousand foot soldiers on your own. Now imagine if you had an army with you. You could halt the legendary empire and bring judgment upon the murderers of your parents. You could reclaim your throne and become the ruler of Persia—”
“I don’t want to become a ruler,” Ares interrupted him. “I’ve never wanted that responsibility. I don’t want to hold the lives of thousands in the palm of my hand, knowing that every decision I make decides their fate. Kings choose whether they want to sacrifice their own wealth to help the people. Or kings can decide to let them suffer. Kings even have the power to, apparently, have any minority group that they want eradicated from existence. I’ve heard tales of what Cambyses has done to your clan in Persia. I believe that the power of a king is much more terrifying than that of a small god.”
Tetsu closed his eyes. A year after Cambyses became king, he announced the persecution of everyone in the Hayashi clan. There was no real reasoning behind the mandate. But soon people in Persia began to use the Hayashi clan as scapegoats for their problems. The people of the Hayashi clan were pried from their homes by the dozens and all hung. Their dangling bodies were cut down and burned, as if they were executed soldiers of war rather than innocent civilians who deserved proper burial. A single command from Persia’s king did that. Darien was right; the power of the throne was immense and terrifying. Such power had to be wielded by someone trustworthy. Not a man as selfish and merciless as Cambyses. “We can’t just sit back and let Cambyses destroy innocent lives. Doing nothing now would only make things worse. You heard Aleysha, the Persians are beginning to look east. That means that they’ll be at our doorstep in no time!”
Ares sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was given the responsibility to wield the power of a god. The Lost Sands deemed me worthy because the gods believed that I would use this strength for the right reasons. Interfering in mortal affairs is not what this power is for.”
“By interfering in these ‘mortal affairs’ you’ll be doing what is right. If that isn’t what your power should be used for, then when should you use it? Why did you train vigorously in the harsh desert for so long if not to wield this mighty strength? If you should ever use it at all, it should be to bring order and justice to Dastia,” Tetsu said.
Ares lowered his head, defeated. Tetsu was right. He had no idea when he should use this power. But if there were ever a reason to use it, justice would be the answer. “Let me think about it. What you’re asking is a big commitment.”
Tetsu nodded. “I understand.” He walked over to Ares and took off his leather boots, rolling up his pants as he dipped his feet in the water beside his friend. A freezing chill exploded through his legs and he shivered, wincing. “C-Cold!”
The god laughed heartily. “After so many years in the scorching desert days of the Lost Sands and the freezing nights, temperatures don’t really bother me much anymore.”
Tetsu wrapped an arm around Ares’ shoulder and grinned, rubbing his knuckles into the top of the boy’s skull playfully. “Hey, man. I really missed you.”
Ares yelped, chuckling at his friend’s teasing. “I missed you too, Tetsu.” After finding his friend, Ares felt a hole in his heart that had previously been empty become filled. “I have to show you to a friend of mine. His name is Amon and I met him in the Lost Sands. I’ll introduce you tomorrow.”
Tetsu grinned, pulling away from Ares as he placed his palms on the wooden docks and looked up into the night sky. “Sounds good, I can’t wait to meet him.”
***
In the far-off distance, upon a mountain of sand, stood two mysterious figures that watched Ares and another man at the docks of Yuusus. One of the figures was wearing a black cloak with a cowl that covered the features of his face in dark shadows. Dangling from his neck was a skull pendant that rested on his chest. They were miles away from Yuusus, yet the man was easily able to see the God of War with his eagle-like vision. “It would seem that those blindfolded soldiers were correct. He does look like the deceased banished prince, Darien.” Beside him was a giant, bald, shirtless man with rippling muscles and a thick brown mustache. A giant tiger’s hide was wrapped around his shoulder and its head clamped onto the skull of the man, making it look like the stranger was wearing the tiger as a hat. The furry hide of the striped beast draped down as a cape and cascaded down the man’s back. The man wore torn, red shorts that were just above his knees in length. He was walking barefoot in the cold desert night. “Darien, huh? Do you suppose that he’s the real prince, then?”
The cloaked man shrugged. “Who knows? The rumors said that this renowned boy was a god of war. If he’s a god of war, then why did he spare those Persian soldiers?” he murmured. “I would’ve expected him to execute them slowly and painfully merely for the pleasure of it.”
“Perhaps he’s not a sadist as the rumors say.”
“Well, we’ll find out soon. If this boy truly is as powerful as everyone says then he’ll be able to halt the Persian advance into eastern Dastia.” The man frowned. “It seems that he’s with a man as well. A member of the Hayashi clan. I can feel the dark atmosphere radiating from his very existence even from this far away.”
“And what do you feel from the god?”
“Nothing,” the man muttered. “I can’t read him.”
“Huh?” The shirtless man grinned, intrigued. “So even a Magus can’t read the god’s aura. Now that’s interesting.” The man turned and saw that the cloaked figure was walking off, in the opposite direction of Yuusus. “Eh? Where are you going?”
“We’re done here. We’ll assess just how powerful this supposed Ares is when the Persian army strikes this city. Surely there must be a reason that the god left the Lost Sands for the first time in years. And I believe that reason is in this city. If we invade it, I believe he will show his true colors.”
Noble Awakening
Cambyses snapped his eyes open and bolted forward. Sweat was rushing down his face, soaking his black beard. He had shaved the top of his head after he had claimed his throne, and now he reached up, rubbing his bald head. Another nightmare. He was sick of hearing the cries of his dead nephew, brother, and sister-in-law in his dreams.
His luxurious room was filled with glistening treasures. The walls were made of shining gold and had various elegant paintings covering a majority of it. The fine, silky, white curtains that led to his balcony were blowing in a gentle night breeze. It seemed his window had mysteriously opened. How odd.
&n
bsp; Cambyses glanced to his side at his gorgeous consort, a young wife that he had met a year after he had claimed his throne. He heard a gentle cry and his eyes shot across the room to a man wearing a long white cloak that curled around his body, making him look like a ghost. His black hair spiked down over his head, curling sideways near his gleaming violet eyes. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing a tattoo of a dragon wrapping around his arm. The marking was the color of blood. Ostentatious ruby, sapphire, emerald, and gold bracelets were wrapped around his right wrist, making his hand glow luxuriously. The man cradled a white bundled cloth that held a crying baby. He was stroking the child slowly, trying to silence it.
“Zahir, what are you doing in my room this late at night?” the king demanded as he threw off his covers and stood tall, storming forward angrily. A vein bulged from his forehead, his chest puffing out when he saw that the Magus was holding the child. “Put down my son!”
“Milord, there is nothing to fear. I’m good with children,” Zahir said with a wicked smile.
“Put him down, now! I command you!”
Zahir shrugged and placed the bundled child back in his crib. The baby continued to cry and the Magus scowled, turning his head to the little monster, holding up a finger. “Silence.” Immediately, the baby’s cries became muffled and no sound could be heard.
“How dare you use magic on my child?” Cambyses snarled silently, trying not to wake up his wife.
“Ah, it’s harmless magic, milord. There is nothing to fear.”
“What is it that you want, Zahir?”
“The army led by General Shazir that is heading east stumbled across a small group of Persian soldiers that had been blindfolded and tied together in a line,” Zahir said. “They claimed to have survived a confrontation against the God of War, Ares.”
Cambyses straightened his back, wrinkles forming on his brow.