AEON: (rise of the god of war)

CHAPTER FIVE.

Everything happened so fast and by the time Aeon realized what was happening, Magnus’s guards were already after him and he began to run. The seven savage beasts were all lifeless on the floor and the whole arena was in turmoil as everyone was struggling to get out of the place alive.

“Aeon!!!!” He heard someone scream his name and he stopped running only for him to see the guards taking Ayita away again. Now he was torn between running for his life and going to save her but how could he save her now? He lost a great deal of his strength during the fight and now he was on the run, even if Magnus wanted to kill Ayita, he was not going to do it so easily.

With that in mind, he turned his attention to the road ahead and continued his escape while the cries of Ayita filled his ears.

Magnus promised to make her into one of his harems and that was going to buy a little time for him, he just had to lie low for a while.

The guards continued to chase him and the army commander was the one leading them, straight into the market. A lot of things were destroyed and people had to hide in fear of the heavily armed chariots and guards all in the pursuit of Aeon.

He didn’t know for how long he had run but by the time he knew what was happening, he was already at the top of a large waterfall. Now trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, what was going to be his decision?

“You can no longer run, lad” the general’s voice filtered into his ears, “you have caused a lot of damage today and I will make sure I chop off both your hands”

Aeon was trying to think, if he entered the water he may be devoured by the beasts who inhabited it and if he tried going back, he would be caught and taken to Magnus.

“Just give up boy” another footsoldier mocked, “you have angered the great Magnus bane and you have to suffer the consequences of your actions”

“I am not scared of you or the Magnus” Aeon suddenly yelled, “if for anything, he should be the one to be scared of me” his voice trailed off. He was biting off more than he can chew but it was better for him not to show his fear than allow these people to know how hard his heart was pounding against his rib cage.

For the umpteenth time he wanted to ask how he got to this god forsaken place.

“Come with us boy, I will make sure you have a lighter sentence” it was the general but aeon would hear nothing of it. He knew the moment he entered the palace, he was going to be killed.

“You know what?” Aoe asked after a while, “catch me if you can” and like that he jumped into the raging water which immediately swept him away.

“Find him” general Zander half yelled, “don’t let him get away”

“Yes sir”

The footmen began to jump into the water one after the other, all in search of Aeon.

*****

Ayita was kneeling in the middle of the large throne room when she heard the heavy footsteps of someone approaching and her heart skipped a beat. She knew who it was and maybe he was here to kill her. No one dared to mess with Magnus bane and lived to tell the story.

This was the end for her and even Aeon would not be able to help her out of this dilemma, she could only pray to the gods to save her mother.

“Finally, I have you back in my cage” Magnus's voice filtered into her ears and she cringed at how evil his voice sounded. It was full of loath and pure wickedness.

“Pardon my recklessness my lord” she kowtowed to the ground as tears streamed down her eyes, “it was stupid of me to do this”

If only the heart of the man she was begging was human to begin with. Magnus Bane was the most ruthless man in the whole wide world and anyone who went against him was left to fight for a space in the underworld.

“Take her” he ordered to his guards who were stationed near the throne, “she should be dressed in beautiful purple linens and join my harem, from tofay, you shall stay by my side and not leave if I do not tell you”

Ayita could feel the tears streaming down her eyes, it was better to be dead than be a member of Magnus's harem. Killing the ladies was not too hard a job for him to do and what more would he do to her?

“Aren’t I right, priestess?” He turned to Azedah.

“Of course my god, you can never be wrong. Her fortune is a good one, she will bring good luck to the king”

Magnus’s lips curled into a smile, “very well then, make sure she is given the best quarters and treated with respect”

The guards were about to take her away when azedah stopped them.

“I have a question for you, how did you hide your magic all these years?”

“I don’t know, I was just able to”

“I see, make sure to keep a close eye on her”

“Yes priestess” the guards bowed and dragged her out of the room while she turned her attention back to Magnus.

“I have collected her powers and filled the orb with it, you need not worry my lord”

“Of course priestess, you have always seen what the normal eyes can not see”

“I am flattered, my lord” this time she bowed again, “the boy must not be killed, he is much more useful alive than dead”

Now this piqued the Magnus interest and he leaned forward on his throne,

“Why? What is so special about him?”

Azedah was quiet for a while but her eyes were up to the heavens, she seemed to be communicating with the gods and by the time shs was done, an expressionless look hovered over her face.

“The gods have refused to say a word but I know it is just a matter of time. Until they say something, the boy must be kept at arm's length. We can not trust anyone”

“Very well then priestess” the Magnus stood up from his large throne, “I will send words to the general to capture him alive then”

“Sure” with that, he turned around and walked out of the room while Azedah kept standing and muttering something to herself.

****

“My lord” one of the soldiers ran to the commander, “god has sent a message not to kill the boy”

General Zander collected the magic filled message from him and read through it.

“Make haste and let the guards in the water know, no one is to lay a hand on the delinquent”

“Yes my lord”

Aeon didn’t know for how long he swam but finally he could see a shore far ahead and he quickened his pace but before he could even swim four miles, a net was cast down and he got entangled in it. All his attempts to free himself proved futile and by the time he knew what was happening, he was already ashore and lying at the foot of the general.

“I would have loved to have you beheaded for all the trouble you have caused” general Zander bellowed as he grabbed a handful of Aeon’s hair.

The boy’s lips curled into a smile, “let me guess, Magnus would not allow you to kill me right?” His voice was filled with so much pride which annoyed the general and how badly he wanted to kill him. If he had known, he wouldn’t have let him go that day.

“He didn’t say I can’t hit you though”

After talking, a mighty slap landed on Aeon’s face and blood came splashing out of his mouth.

“You don’t dare talk to the general like that, '' another soldier bellowed.

“Tie him up, make sure the horse he is tied to runs faster than the rest of us, let me see how tough he is”

“Yes general”

“Wait” Aeon called and everyone halted, “I can’t die, remember. The Magnus will have all your heads for mine if anything happens to me. I know he will probably kill me in the palace bur for now, you can’t harm me”

Another mighty slap from the general turned his face away,

“By the gods, i will be extremely pleased to execute you”

After talking, he grabbed the boy by his hair and dragged him along. Why did Magnus want to keep him alive anyway?