by Troy Snyder
Inside the hangar Quetzalcoatl expected to see ships all around, but the once enormous fleet the Stalassian’s commanded was nowhere to be seen. The hangar was bare, people wandered around aimlessly looking for anything of use, but as Quetzalcoatl’s eyes traveled over the area he could tell the place had been cleaned out quite some time ago.
The officer must have noticed Quetzalcoatl’s eyes wandering the area for he spoke. “You seemed confused at what is going on.”
Quetzalcoatl’s eyes snapped to him. “Where is the grand fleet?”
The officer stopped in his tracks. There was no sarcasm or trickery in the man’s voice. He seriously had no clue what was going on. The likelihood of this man being Quetzalcoatl appeared even greater now, to be on the safe side he would have to be careful, the officer decided.
“Destroyed mostly in the war, sir,” he added to show respect.
“War? With whom?”
“Mixcoatl declared war on all the great planets in revenge for imprisoning his son. None bothered to take the threat serious at first until he attacked several vessels. That is when the Craxi attacked. Mixcoatl tried to fend them off, but they were led by Thor. We stood no chance; they overran us within a month. What they did not destroy they took from us. What we have now is all we have been able to scrape together since the destruction.”
The officer could see the other man’s fist ball and his forehead crinkle. The anger was obvious and he had no desire to speak further lest he anger him again. He continued to walk on to the end of the hangar where an elevator lay.
Inside the elevator the officer placed his necklace into a slot, the V shaped key fit perfectly and with a clink the doors shut. The button was pressed and the elevator shot into motion. At first it followed an angular upward patter, but then after reaching the level it stopped and moved to the side stopping in the middle. As the doors opened Quetzalcoatl was almost brought to tears, the hallway that was once so grand leading to his father’s office was now grey and bare.
He followed the man to the end of the hall to the peeling wooden doors guarded by two large snake men. They stood an entire head above both the officer and Quetzalcoatl, but Quetzalcoatl kept moving toward them with practiced grace and calm. He had nothing to fear from such inferior bred soldiers, he was born in the noblest family and bred for battle, these men were nothing.
The two giants stared down at the new arrivals. The one on the left stepped forward. His skin was red with black stripes and his nose was pierced with a brass circlet. He spoke with a timbre so deep it felt as if the air vibrated. “What do you want insects?”
Quetzalcoatl noticed they wore golden necklaces, royal guard. He completely understood them talking down to the officer, but himself, that was another matter. The one on the right who had been leaning against the corner never saw the strike coming. Quetzalcoatl’s tentacle crunched right through his skull without warning and another tentacle wrapped itself around the neck of the one who had spoken. The large red and black one’s obsidium axe dropped to the ground as he clawed at the tentacle gasping for air.
The officer stared in horror at the scene unfolding before him, in one way he was glad he had not attempted to assault this man, but on the other hand he knew that if this man, Quetzalcoatl as he called himself, was defeated by his current superiors he was a dead man for bringing him here.
Quetzalcoatl brought the giant down to his knees. The second tentacle, still dripping with the blood of his friend was brought to his throat. “Do not dare call me insect you excuse for a royal guardsman. I am Quetzalcoatl and you will not ever speak to me like that again, do I make myself clear?” Quetzalcoatl did not yell, but that made the threats all the more real. The man nodded erratically in hopes of being released.
The officer could not see more of his kin die, even the one who had insulted him. “Master Quetzalcoatl,” He said trying to appeal to the man. “We should let this one be, we cannot hope to achieve any goals by killing off all of our people. Shall we not first take back you throne? Then people will know and never speak down to you again. You have been gone so long; none of us were even born when you were around. We could not have recognized you, let alone known you were even alive.”
Straightening his back Quetzalcoatl stared into the officer’s eyes. The blade slipped away from the kneeled man’s throat and drifted over toward the body lying in a pool of blood. It grabbed the necklace from the body and brought it to a rest in the officer’s hands.
“You are correct. I see you have reason and respect. Replace your silver necklace with this golden one and welcome to my guard.” Quetzalcoatl said with a smirk. The kneeling one’s eyes widened. No one had been promoted to guard since before Mixcoatl had taken power. They had been born and bred into the guard from rich and noble families. “You do not agree with me?” Quetzalcoatl asked, noticing the kneeling man’s glare.
“Yes sir. I mean, no sir. I mean I agree with you sir.” The kneeling man uttered.
“Good, but if either of you fail me I will wipe you from existence. Now tell me your names.”
“I am Mikar, master,” the officer said now sporting his golden necklace he had cleaned the blood from.
“Potan, Lord Quetzalcoatl.” The kneeling man said bowing his head in respect.
“Excellent,” Quetzalcoatl said releasing the man and retracting the tentacles. “Now what do you say we take back my kingdom?” Quetzalcoatl moved past the two men and pushed back the doors.
Chapter 14:
As Quetzalcoatl entered the throne room a warmth that was absent in the hall covered his face. He was taken aback by what he saw. Several men sat at an ornate dining table of dark wood trimmed in gold. The seats were cushioned and trimmed in gold as well and the dishes and cutlery were of hand crafted silver. The men at the table were surrounded by a feast and the hearth at the far right of the room was radiating heat from a large fire. These men lived in luxury while the people starved and lived in poverty.
Mikar also seemed taken aback by the luxury that these men were living in. He had a family of his own and was barely scraping a living as a ranking officer. Potan however hung his head in shame. He knew full well what was going on, being a part of the royal guard.
The man at the end of the table stood. He had a long grey bear protruding from his elongated snake face and hair that hung down the same color. Anger contorted his features as he spoke, “What is the meaning of this Potan? Who are these intruders?”
Potan was about to speak but Quetzalcoatl stepped forward into the light. The man’s face lit up in recognition. He knew who stood before him, he was the only survivor from those times who could recognize him as who he was and a dreadful shadow hung over him now.
“I am Quetzalcoatl returned, Shiram.” Quetzalcoatl said recognizing his old bodyguard.
“You’re dead…”
“Oh no, I am quite alive and well my old friend.” Quetzalcoatl said approaching the table and taking someone’s glass, draining it of its contents. Everyone’s eyes were on him and seeing the fear on their leader’s face they knew it was the truth this new man spoke. “So Shiram, you lead the kingdom now, do you? Quite the step up from a mere bodyguard, but what can one expect from a traitor.”
“Traitor? I did nothing wrong to your family, I protected you and when your father left I stepped up to care for this kingdom.” He protested.
Quetzalcoatl eyed the silver cup he held in his hand. He could see the ornate hand carvings; it must have taken some poor fellow countless hours to complete such finery. “So, this,” He held up the cup, “Is taking care of my kingdom? While the people suffer you live the high life?”
“I only take what I need just as anyone.”
“I see, so the town to the south I saw destroyed by war, stricken by poverty, and the people starving? What about them?” Quetzalcoatl threw the cup to the ground bending its once beautiful rim. He slammed his hands onto the table. “You do not care for the people and for that I will kill you.”
&nbs
p; “But my lord I…”
“No excuses. As for the rest of you, you are quite lucky I am in a lenient mood today thanks to Mikar here; only some of you shall die. The rest will be broken back down into the ranks. Your God has returned, let us restore our kingdom and then we will seek retribution for the destruction those other inferior species have caused.”
Shiram sunk into his chair his heart beat rapidly, he had to escape, that or try to kill Quetzalcoatl which he knew was near impossible. Without warning he bolted for the door to his right, it led to personal quarters of the ruler and had an escape vehicle available in case of attack. Shiram was old now and Potan ran him down easily yanking him off his feet into a headlock. Quetzalcoatl strode over with grace and looked him in the eyes straight in the eyes.
“Oh no, you cannot leave. Someone needs to be made an example of,” Quetzalcoatl’s vicious grin struck fear into all those around.
Quetzalcoatl reappeared from the hangar and started to approach his ship. The door opened and men filed on board taking the humans inside to a holding area that Quetzalcoatl had designated for them. Afterwards Quetzalcoatl called for Gabriella and she and her mother joined him outside of the ship.
Gabriella heard a bell clanging and curiosity overwhelmed her. All the new sights, smells and sounds, she could not help asking questions. “What is that bell for?” She asked.
“It is calling the people from the entire city to gather at the square down there for an announcement. We will be joining my people at the top; people need to know I have returned.”
“I see, and then can we get something to eat? I’m starving!”
Quetzalcoatl laughed at the young girl. “Of course we can, my dear. Come,” He gestured for them to follow. “I have something to talk to you about Gabriella, while we walk.”
For a while it was quiet, but as they reached the elevator Gabriella could contain it no longer. “What did you want to talk about?”
The two snake men standing behind had her language scanned from before, and both were surprised with the easy tone with which she talked to their fearsome ruler.
“My dear I have a serious question to ask you and I want you to answer me honestly. Can you do that for me?” He asked. Gabriella nodded her head several times. “I know you are without a father and while I cannot marry your mother I wish to adopt you as my own. How would you feel about being the daughter of a god?”
Both Potan and Mikar were taken aback at the suggestion and Graciana flinched at the question, but Gabriella’s face lit up. Her smile turned Quetzalcoatl’s heart to putty and he knew her answer without her even saying so.
“That would be so awesome! Can you teach me to fly more and how to kick butt like you do?”
Graciana’s heart sank into her stomach. Her fear had come true, her child saw this man not as a monster, but as an idol.
“Of course, my child,” Quetzalcoatl said smiling, but not with his evil grin, with a genuine smile.
The elevator reached the top floor and move into the center of the pyramid. The doors opened and gave view to a small empty room with a large doorway straight ahead. As they moved toward it they saw the view of the entire city, it was as breathtaking as he had remembered Quetzalcoatl thought.
Through the doorway to the left were four men in chains guarded by giant snake men armed with halberds. To the right were several chairs which Quetzalcoatl told Gabriella and her mother to go to. Down below a large mass of people had gathered and looked upward toward the top. They could not see him, he knew, but with the system set up they could all hear him and with what he had planned they would know the warning he was going to give well.
There was another loud clang from the bell and the crowd below silenced to hear what was going to be said.
Quetzalcoatl stepped forward toward the edge of the pyramid. Steps led to the ground below him, which no one had ever climbed because of the sheer height. He was unused to the thin air at this altitude and he was feeling quite woozy, but he could not show weakness, nor go in without making his announcement.
“For those of you who do not know me, I am Quetzalcoatl, son of Mixcoatl and rightful ruler to this planet. I was imprisoned long ago by the enemies of our people for simply wanting to do what I was destined, rule as a God, for I am a God. Not even the might of the three greatest factions could bring me down.
However, that is not what I am here to talk about. I am not here to gloat or other nonsense. I am here today to liberate you all from the tyranny of these few who thought they could live so highly in the name of royalty while you all suffer in poverty and desolation. I am here to restore our greatness and strike back at those who thought themselves better. We will annihilate the Craxi for the sacking of our home, but we will not stop at them. Oh no! We will continue on to destroy the Dvergar scum! Then the Ljósálfar, those filthy light elves deserve it the worse, for it was a light elf plan that led to my entrapment.
“Now let me introduce your previous leader, Shiram.” He continued “Shiram used to be a body guard of mine. Needless to say, he failed his duty which led to my imprisonment, but also, he has failed each and every one of you. While you all suffered he languished in luxury of the finest sort. You barely scrape together a meal; he and his cohorts had a full feast! Fear not, however, Shiram will no longer take advantage of you good people.” Quetzalcoatl stepped back and stood next to Gabriella. He leaned down to her and whispered, “You may want to turn away, my child. These bad people are about to face punishment.”
The four prisoners and Shiram were brought to the edge of the steps and forced to kneel. A warrior of the royal guard stood behind each. They had discarded their halberds for short swords made from the jet-black metal. One of the knelt snake men was shaking so fiercely from fear he lost control of his bladder. As the warrior above him saw the puddle he scoffed at the weakness of the man.
At Quetzalcoatl’s signal the swords of the guards swung into the necks of the knelt men. Their heads separated from their bodies and began their tumble down the stairs. With vicious kicks from the guards their bodies followed. Quetzalcoatl spared Shiram for last. He walked over to him and stood behind him.
He placed his hands on Shiram’s shoulders and spoke so only he could hear. “May the afterlife treat you well, but I doubt it will, considering the betrayal of your god.”
Shiram held his head high, “I may have made the mistake of mistreating the people, but I never betrayed you,” He said. “You wandered off alone and got yourself caught. It is your own fault if you want the truth. You and your father convinced yourself you are gods, but you’re mortal just like the rest of us. One day you’ll meet your match and I hope he shows no mercy.”
“There is no one alive that is my equal.” As soon as the words were out he felt a sharp sting in is arm where that human’s blade struck. A seed of doubt appeared, but he crushed it, he had killed that man. “People of Stallsia!” He yelled to the crowd, who had grown excited seeing their oppressor’s bodies falling. “This is your freedom! We shall regain our glory and then some! Follow your God to greatness! I am Quetzalcoatl, king and god!” With that he formed a blade from his brace and decapitated his former body guard and sent his body down the stairs.
As he turned and looked toward Gabriella he expected to see fear or hatred, something, he knew how to rouse a crowd, but he feared what his new child would see in him now. As he saw her and her mother, Graciana was covering her face in fear, but her daughter was not. She stared at Quetzalcoatl with respect and adulation. She stood up and walked to him taking his hand.
“Good work daddy, you punished the bad guys. Now we can fix all the stuff to make people happy,” She said with a smile.
Graciana felt as if her entire world had just fallen apart. Her daughter just smiled in the face of murder and called this creature her father. She could take it no longer. A halberd has been left leaning against a wall and her eyes flew to it. With all the speed and strength she could muster Graciana grabbed the weapon and charge
d the monster that had destroyed her world. With a bestial howl she brought the weapon down onto Quetzalcoatl’s head.
Chapter 15:
Antonio sat on his tank looking out toward space. He found it fascinating to be traveling to a new planet. The tank had been moved right near the energy shield for a better view. A noise, however, was beginning to interrupt his view. At first, he had not noticed it, but it became increasingly distracting.
Moving over to the side he saw one of the Valkyries attempting to climb the tank. Though the entire race was giants, this one seemed smaller than the rest only a mere six foot, and only with lean muscle. Antonio watched in amusement as she tried again and again to climb the tank. Eventually she got the right footing and reached the top where she was out of breath.
“I have been sent to give you a checkup,” She panted. “They said when on earth your energy dropped extremely low and that I should make sure you are in good health.”
Antonio gestured to the spot next to him on the large turret of the tank. “If you insist,” He said.
The Valkyrie sat down next to him. She took out a rectangular device with a large green screen in the middle. She sent her energy into it and it came online. The device was pointed toward Antonio and his vitals began to appear on the screen along with a complete view of his body, skeletal structure, nervous system, and organs. The energy flowed from the device into Antonio and back retrieving all the information.
After several minutes the scan was over and the Valkyrie began looking through the results. Some of her hair had fallen on her face; it gave her quite the beautiful appearance, Antonio thought. Her brunette hair was an odd contrast to her grey skin, but Antonio could not keep his eyes off her. She looked even cuter with how intensely she was studying the results. It struck him just then, this was the one that he ran into in the infirmary. Suddenly he felt self-conscious about the whole situation, why now? Why had he not felt it when it had happened? His mind had been cracked for so long yet now he felt completely lucid.