The Gauntlet ( A Fantasy Novella)
Page 8
“So as we suspected, we were just part of a game all along. All this death and suffering just to see who would make it through first? You three disgust me,” said Janna.
Yari laughed: “Child. You are mortal and you are destined to die, so do not be angry. You have no big place in this universe, no afterlife and no new beginning. But you can take pride in the fact you have earned the respect of your gods and we will not forget your names in a hurry.”
“I don’t believe it. We were just pawns in your game? What about the men being tortured in the cave for eternity?” said an incredulous and disheartened Ash.
“You had your suspicions all along about The Gauntlet and you are indeed correct: this was a game, a bet between gods. You see us gods are quite confident in our own abilities and one way to settle the argument was for us to create a tournament, consisting of various challenges spanning every part of the universe. This was one of the more fun games, whereby we challenged each other to create life and see which of our creations could successfully navigate a series of demanding mental and physical challenges. For thousands of cycles of the sun and moon we have watched on, while simultaneously competing in a variety of other games. Although, I must say, this game was so much fun. We must to do it again but with a clean slate. New creations and a new map. The witch and the torturing was an illusion, nothing more, we are not that cruel. Although to step into the cave meant, indeed, to fail the test and to die instantly. Yet the death of mortals is not something we are concerned with. The witch made sure the weakest were filtered out quickly,” said Yari.
“The willow tree was actually the first test. We could always tell who would make it far depending on if they etched their names onto the bark. It is not a good trait to needlessly deface nature like that. Neither of you marked your names, nor Ugg,” said Liya.
“I like the map, we should keep it consistent. Let us redesign our creations though, I think I can do better next time,” commented Khith.
“I agree we should keep the map. I will do better this time when creating life. This was never a proper three-way challenge as only your creations took part,” said Liya.
Ash and Janna couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Their lives and emotions meant nothing to the three gods, the makers and takers of life. Although Ash was relieved to hear what he had witnessed in the cave was just an illusion, if they were speaking the truth of course.
“But the traps? They were filled with snakes and other beasts,” cried Ash. “Your creations suffered tremendously and you didn’t care at all.”
“You forget yourself, Ash. We watched when you were just a boy and liked to pour hot water on little ants, oh how those poor little things suffered. You were their master and we are yours. It is as simple as that,” replied Khith.
Ash was taken aback by the analogy.
“That’s…not the same,” he stuttered. “They were just ants and I was only young.”
“Just ants. See, you answered your own question. You are our ants, although I admit you are a lot more complex and, in most cases, smarter,” replied Yari.
“You are murderers, evil and deluded in your morals. You watch on and do nothing as children are abused in the city by priests and hundreds die from your twisted game,” screamed Janna.
Khith uttered a command and a replicated version of Janna appeared in front of her, before it disintegrated into dust. Janna was stunned by the power she had just witnessed.
“Yari sure made his people feisty. Do not threaten us; that is not a wise move. We cannot interfere with the lives of our creations, not once we have set them forth from the Clouded Mountains. It is in the rules of our game and to break the rules is an instant forfeit. We are too competitive to lose over matters as cheap as interfering with mortal lives. I assure you we did not sow the seeds of evil within your people, but life evolves for better or worse, and in the case of your people, for worse. That is the natural order of things,” said Liya.
“You are evil. You are not gods but demons,” said Ash.
“I’m tiring of your whining. So let’s wrap this up shall we? Now, you deserve a reward but remember you are mortal and we cannot change that. Yet we can give you power, if you desire it,” said Yari.
“I want power. Send me back to Harwell so I can strike down the priests and establish a new order, one of good,” said Janna.
“So you will spill blood first and then rule? That doesn’t sound a nice way to start your reign to me. Who is the demon now?”
“Give us both the power, shared between Janna and myself, so we can go back and change Harwell for the better. We will dispense justice. Please, I beg you. Give me more time to spend with my son. Let me raise him in a peaceful and safe world. Give me the time I have earned,” pleaded Ash.
“But you will die in time and Harwell will fall back to how it is now. It is the way of your people. It all seems so futile. Maybe we should start again, keep the map but reset the species?”
“No! We have earned it, you owe us. Time may be futile to you but to us it is everything. Let us go back and shape Harwell into our image, then after we die, you can erase this world to dust and start your game again. You have watched on for thousands of years, what is another few to you? Let us make the most of the time we have left, before we return to the nothing that you made us from,” shouted Janna.
Yari grumbled.
“Fine. Time means nothing to us, you can have your days and enjoy them. It will be mildly entertaining to watch you go back and change your city.”
“Perhaps we could even make a little bet out of it?” queried Khith.
“Yes, I like where this is going…” said Liya. “We can discuss the terms of the bet after we have sent them back. Let’s do this, if you two are ready?”
Ash and Janna looked at each other and nodded. They looked down at the map and noticed the three entrances into the Clouded Mountains had closed up.
“Wait. What about Ugg? Did he die?” asked Ash.
“Yes. But you knew he would. For what it’s worth, I liked him the best of all of your kind,” said Yari.
The three gods entered the bodies of Ash and Janna, coursing through each of their veins and transferring a fraction of their power into them. Ash and Janna screamed in pain and every muscle in their body was shaking. After a few seconds the ordeal was over.
“You are not immortal, so be wary still. But you will no longer need to wield swords or shoot arrows, your hands and the force unleashed from them will do everything you wish,” said Yari.
Ash clicked his fingers and a bright red flame rose out of his palm. Janna extended her hands out and pointed them palm down to the floor, before beginning to levitate.
“We will send you back, if you are ready?” asked Yari.
“Wait. I have one more demand,” said Ash. “I want every bone of every knight who entered The Gauntlet returned with us and Ugg’s body. I made a promise and I will keep it.”
“Very well. You’ll be spending the first days of your reign organizing funerals. Sounds a very boring way to spend your limited life to me, but it shall be done.”
“It is time. You have another knight just outside the old entrance to The Gauntlet. They know something peculiar has happened. This will be fun to watch. Farewell,” said Khith.
Ash and Janna were suddenly blinded by a dazzling white light and the next thing they knew they were standing opposite a knight of Harwell back at the entrance to The Gauntlet. Hundreds of bones were piled up behind them along with Ugg’s body.
The knight drew his sword, but Janna turned it to dust.
“Who…are…you?” said the terrified knight.
Ash and Janna looked at each other. Janna burst out laughing and Ash marvelled at her beautiful smile at last. She was finally happy and together they both replied:
“We are the champions of The Gauntlet.”
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