The Legacy of Gaea Volume I: The Underworld

by S L Gassick

  “How do you know where I live, Moros?”

  “Do not get so uptight, young one. Ha! Just like me at your age! Son, I only know through what I hear, just like everyone else.” Moros brought out his pipe again and began smoking it. This time, the smoke smelt stronger. “A lot of people are interested in you, more than you could imagine. Ah, but I have said too much. Be careful of your passions Hemero. Whether they be love or hate. Any extreme emotion clouds judgement and you have to know where your responsibilities truly lie. Even if it means hurting those close to you. But then, I am the last person you should be hearing this from.”

  “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

  “Sometimes,” Moros sighed “your fate has already been decided.” Moros took a long puff of smoke and closed his eyes.

  Hemero looked on the table and became transfixed on the magnificent sword. The golden hilt glistened like fire against the icy cool steel of the blade. There was a beautiful pattern carved into the gold; shapes and swirls and mesmerising patterns dancing across it distracting him from the solid strong steel that served one purpose – to kill.

  “How do you come to have that sword then, Sir?” Hemero asked, wondering if one day he might be able to acquire the sword for himself.

  “I killed the man who bore it…” Moros paused. “Tell me young man. Has anyone ever told you how you came about such eyes?”

  “No sir. Just that I’m some sort of Half-Titan. Some say it’s a curse, some a blessing.”

  “Hmm… they are not wrong either. I’ve seen those eyes before and one day I think you shall see them again in another. Though that might not necessarily be such a good thing.”

  Hemero sat straight up in his seat. “You’ve seen my clan, Sir? When? Where?”

  “Your clan? Well yes. Many a moon ago. Where your village once stood that is now nothing but a grave. You’ll find the secret of your eyes one day, when Fate wills it.”

  “Or when Gaea wills it Sir.”

  Hemero thought this the right thing to say but a look of anger suddenly brushed past Moros’s face.

  “Do not talk to me of Gaea.”

  Hemero felt a sudden thickness in the air, the wind was gently blowing the light out of the lamp and at once Hemero felt afraid of Moros. “As much as I am grateful to the Valhalla and what it stands for, it does not mean I am a man of Gaea. Do not take that as me saying that he[DG8] doesn’t exist, young man. I am merely saying you must make your own mind up about what you hear. Do not ever trust what you are told as the truth. And that goes for what I say also.”

  “That’s… confusing.”

  At this moment Moros stood up and stumbled across the room; it was suddenly evident that he had been drinking. He walked into what must have been his bedroom, paused inside, turned around and slammed the door without looking or saying anything else to Hemero. On the table lay the sword. Hemero thought he heard it say something to him, but he decided it was because he was too tired and so went to bed, all the while not knowing that the sound was from an Undead, staring at him through the window, its moaning beckoning others to join him.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Hemero awoke in the night to find everyone else out of their beds. The windows that were boarded up before they went to sleep were now fully open, letting in the pale shine of the moonlight bouncing back off the old toys, dolls and other clutter around the room. He stepped outside and looked around. There was no-one else in the house. He made his way to the kitchen in the black silence.

  “Hello?” he shouted. There was no answer. He turned on the tap but no water would come out. Suddenly, there was a female whisper behind him like a sigh, just like the sound he had heard earlier.

  ‘Hemero…’

  He turned to see the room suddenly full of farmers and village folk standing completely still until they started freaking out, making disturbing sounds and clawing at their skin. They soon turned into the Undead – their screams deafening, frightening and painful, their fingers ripping at their flesh and tearing it off in strips.

  “Hemero...” they were saying. “Hemero…”

  They launched towards him together as one. It was so fast and horrid that Hemero screamed as he felt one of them bite into his cheek.

  Hemero woke up again. It had just been a dream, but felt more real than anything he’d ever dreamed before. He could tell something was happening inside him, that something didn’t fit right, as if he was being squeezed tightly from within. Choking him. Throttling him.

  He rubbed his head and saw the others were still sleeping soundly. As Hemero walked again into the kitchen, he had to double check nothing was behind him before looking outside the window.

  Lying outside were about thirty or forty dismembered corpses and among them he saw Moros trying to drag them into a pile. The twisted faces and limbs layered one on top of the other resembled a bunch of discarded toys, thrown into the corner for being too old and tatty.

  Moros was wearing the same rough, brown, tattered farmer’s clothes from the night before, with numerous stains and patches from blood or worse that had grown crusty and putrid. He looked homeless at best. His breath rose from his mouth in the icy air like the pictures he had seen of the dragons of old and his skin looked just as leathery. Time had clearly not been kind to the man.

  Hemero decided to join Moros and went outside into the cool morning breeze that winded its way through plants, trees and vegetable patches to surround him with the fresh smell of spring rather than the hideous odour of decomposing corpses.

  “Is this from last night?” Hemero asked.

  “Yes, and from this morning. I cast a defensive spell around the house before I came inside last night.”

  “You cast spells?”

  “Sometimes. It’s not strong but was enough to last a full day. They were still trying to get in but as you can see I finished them this morning. It’s all safe for the moment. But this is just the beginning.”

  “Thank you Moros. For everything.”

  Hemero smiled and to his surprise, the smile was returned. There was an understanding here, but Hemero couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.

  “Don’t worry young sir. Now you three had better get to the Valhalla to tell them what has happened. Here Hemero, take this.”

  Moros handed Hemero the small golden coin from last night.

  “Sir, I don’t need money but thank you.”

  Moros got down on one knee so he was looking at him face-to-face. Hemero suddenly felt colder and a chill ran down his spine.

  “Hemero, this is no legal tender. I meant what I said last night, this is not of this world. This coin has come from the depths of the Underworld. It is what is used to cross realms and it was given to me by a close friend. It is very dear to me. Keep it on you, it will be more useful to you than me by the looks of things here. Believe me, when I go to that place, I will want to stay there.”

  Moros stood up and stretched his back.

  “Sir, won’t you accompany us to the Valhalla? They will accept you now they know you have helped us.”

  “Who says I wish to be accepted? Your words are kind young one but it is my choice to stay out here. I do not wish to be part of Gaea’s regime or any concerns of this world. I just wish to live a life separate of any battles, wars, politics and religion. This is where I belong. I have left provisions for your group by the door as I have a feeling you have a long adventure in front of you. I have prepared the food myself and what it lacks in taste, it makes up for in nutrition. One of my potatoes there could fill you for days, so eat little and often. There is also a grey cloak that I wore in my youth which I wish you to have Hemero. It was sewn by the Sirens of the North and shall hold against any weather and keep your body at a perfect temperature. It was given to me by my father, an important man once upon a time.”

  Hemero was taken aback at this person’s generosity, he was rarely given anything. The thought of having something that was an heirloom, a family gift, something o
f such sentiment, left him almost speechless.

  “Thank you sir,” he said, “I will cherish these gifts and…”

  “Yes, yes” Moros interrupted, “Now make haste. Your council will be holding a meeting this afternoon. You have to make it before then. Now go, your friends are waiting.”

  Hemero looked behind him to see Milius and Phin looking shocked at the dead bodies around them. He walked back to them and saw by the door the gifts Moros had arranged to be taken with them.

  “Go!” Moros shouted from beside the pile. “Leave now, quick as you can.”

  “Thank you!” Milius shouted back, but Moros was already sat facing the other way, watching the pile and smoking his pipe. Hemero wanted to say more, but it was clear the man didn’t want to be disturbed. He had the feeling their paths would cross again, but for the moment they needed to get back to the Valhalla.

  “This cloak looks amazing, and it fits perfectly.” Hemero excitedly waved it up and down and around him. The texture was soft yet thick and it smelt of the smoke from Moros’s pipe.

  “Stop that!” Milius said “There may still be those Undead things around so we need to keep moving quietly.”

  He knew Milius was right, but Phin’s older brother was always so serious. It seemed strange that he was always so moody seeing as Phin was usually quite cheery, looking at them both you could see they were brothers, but they were completely unlike each other in every other respect.

  As they walked, Hemero wondered what it must be like to have an older brother. Milius was held in high esteem by all of Norheath for being not only one of the most acclaimed within the Chosen, but one of the top Knights of the Valhalla. There were rumours he had once taken on a small army of a hundred enemies by himself and won against all odds without a scratch. Though, strangely, Phin had always said his brother never spoke of his work as a Knight to any of his family and no-one asked. Hemero was confused as to why this could be. Surely he’d want to tell everyone what he’d been up to? All his adventures and the glory of battle? Maybe he just had to keep it all top secret? Maybe he thought his parents wouldn’t understand?

  Their mother and father were simple working folk who, when not having to travel around making deliveries, spent each and every day either ploughing the fields or discussing the fields and had always been very loving towards both their sons. Hemero wondered if Phin was somewhat jealous of his brother’s success. Just by looking at Milius, you could tell he was important, his long white hair gave him an air of maturity and his face was somewhat stern, intense and emotionless. His black slender stealth suit showed that he took care of himself physically and that his strength was to be admired. Everything about him oozed vigour, admiralty and power and then there was Phin, destined to forever live in his brother’s shadow.

  Any sense of danger had long passed as they walked up to the Valhalla, yet they all continued to remain silent. As they approached, Milius stopped to address them both.

  “I will talk to the council. You two wait for me in the Great Hall,” Milius ordered and continued walking towards the main gates. They all entered and went their separate ways. Hemero and Phin sat quietly alone in the Great Hall still reeling after the night’s events. Alone that is, until Nayakax appeared.

  “Hemero. You look awful. I mean, more awful than usual.” Nayakax gave out a slight laugh of which Hemero wasn’t sure whether it was of malice or friendly banter, but either way he didn’t like it. “What’s this awful grey garment you have on? Nice golden clasp though.”

  Hemero hadn’t noticed it at first, but indeed there was a golden clasp attached to the cloak. It looked like a shield used in swordplay, circular in shape with what appeared to be leaves and roots engrained within it and looked rather beautiful.

  “Not now Naya. We’re on an important mission,” replied Hemero, dismissing the remark about the cloak with all his might.

  “Find the mole? The person within the Valhalla who helped the Dark Clans?”

  “How do you know about it?”

  “Rose. I think she’s taken a liking to me. Not that I’m interested.” Hemero suddenly felt a twang of disappointment; he had, after all, assumed Rose liked him. He was also upset by what he deemed as her betrayal but did not say anything. “Don’t you think,” Naya continued, “that I would therefore be the number one suspect? I mean, I did fight him and he did disappear. It could have all been a show? What do you think?”

  Hemero refused to answer. He knew he was being wound up. Wasn’t he?

  “I tell you what,” Nayakax quietly stated while sitting down beside him, sensing Hemero’s frustration, “I’ll give you a hand. That’ll make it easier won’t it?”

  “I don’t need your help.”

  “Well what harm could it do? Think about it.” He stood up and walked out of the hall. Phin had just sat completely still.

  “He never notices me” was all Phin could conjure up and they sat there in silence. After a good half an hour, Milius walked inside the hall.

  “They’ve decided on a plan of action,” he stated and started walking out of the hall expecting them to follow. “Come on then!”

  As they were all walking out together, a pair of eyes were watching them with great interest. The mole looked on knowing that he would not be able to hide for long and soon, he would have to reveal himself.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “So what’s the plan?” asked Phin as they walked away from the Valhalla and out onto the plush green fields that surrounded it. Milius sat down and stretched his legs out, feeling the bright, warm sun smothering his face.

  “Four of our finest Chosen Knights will go on a stealth mission. Their task is to get back this Kalad at all costs. If this mission fails, we will have to launch an attack on the Dark Clans, it is too risky for them to have the artefact and there is no other option. That is why to prevent so much death, and therefore a larger enemy army, the Knights must succeed. I put myself up for one of the four, but apparently due to my injuries I am in no fit state to do this, unfortunately it’ll take more than a Healer to fix me up. Instead my job shall be to remain here and report to Theus directly,” Milius said with slight dejection.

  “That’s it?” asked Hemero.

  “Well… yes. It is what the Great Council of Norheath decided.” Milius replied whilst sitting back up.

  “It’s not enough.” Hemero decided. “Phin and I shall go with them.”

  “You?” Milius laughed out loud and then stopped when he realised Hemero was deeply serious. “You’re joking right?!”

  “No. I’ll get Rose, she comes from a line of the best assassins in the world, and the three of us shall follow the Knights on their journey. If they fail, we shall take their places. We will remain silent throughout and try to gather information from the outside. They won’t suspect children.”

  Milius suddenly felt like he was taking orders. There was a boldness and confidence that he had never seen in Hemero before.

  “It’s too risky Hem and no-one will allow it.” Phin suddenly chirped in.

  “Then it will be our secret.”

  Milius looked appalled. “Hemero. In the nicest possible way, you’re just kids! What if something happens to you guys? Phin, what am I supposed to tell Mum and Dad?” he asked.

  “If something happens then we’ll get the Knights to help us and have to blow our cover.” Hemero interjected. “This mission must succeed and my eyes will be able to see any danger coming much sooner than anyone else.”

  Milius was taken aback by Hem’s sudden courage and leadership. He noticed that since their run-in with Moros, Hemero had changed somewhat.

  “Don’t forget me!” A voice rang out.

  Nayakax was suddenly sitting against a large boulder in the middle of the field eating an apple, having listened to everything they said.

  “How can I forget you Naya?” Hemero said begrudgingly.

  “Then let’s go. I’m ready.” Nayakax threw away his apple, jumped up and wiped his hands.
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br />   “We still have to get Rose.” Hemero replied.

  Phin crossed his arms. “I don’t see why we do. Who says she knows anything about being stealthy? She could just slow us down. You only want to take her because you like her. This is serious Hem, we could get hurt.”

  “And that’s why she’s coming.” Hemero sternly said, “she’s a Healer, so if anything happens to us then she will be able to use her powers. Also, and I know how ridiculous this may sound, but I trust her. I don’t know why, but I do. If she doesn’t want to come then fine, but I really think she could be useful.”

  “Fine,” Nayakax shook his head, “whatever, I’ll meet you at the front gates in two hours. Don’t be late. The knights have probably already left so there’s no time to waste.” He then calmly started to walk towards the village.

  Phin was getting worried. He felt like this was a waste of time and what with little field training, he felt he wasn’t up to the task. He also felt that last night had stirred something within him, something that made him anxious, something he couldn’t put his finger on, and the more he thought about it, the worse he felt. He trusted Hemero, that wasn’t the problem.

  The problem was that he didn’t trust himself.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “Your family are renowned for healing powers aren’t they?” asked Hemero. He sat in Rose’s living room with Phin and luckily both parents were away making it a perfect chance to escape.

  “Well, I don’t know about renowned…”

  “You guys have, like, a million qualifications on the wall next door.”

  Sure enough, there were ancient parchments that looked hundreds of years old in glass frames in the adjoining room with the name Lily DeLucia on them.

  “Is Lily your mother?” Hemero asked.

  “Yes. You can see her name from here? Wow.”

  It was amongst lots of other certificates, trophies and medals for sports, beauty pageants, science and more, all adorning an entire room. It made a change from the hundreds of photos spread across the house, except, Hemero noted, Rose’s other sister that had run away, he could not see a picture of her anywhere.