2073 year.
“Get up, get up,” opening my eyes, I saw that my little sister was trying to wake me up, “today is an important day!” Have you forgotten?
She kicked off her shoes, stood on the free edge of the bed and began to jump. Seismic waves generated by a relative killed all hope for another five minutes of healthy sleep. Spatya loved, and my sister liked to imagine that she was ten years old again. Only it was already over twenty, and it came out rather clumsily.
"Octavia, stop it, you know I'm awake!" I said to my sister, who made me jump fifteen centimeters on the mattress.
My sister was smart, and she knew that if I enter into resonance with the bed, then I can easily fly off her window.
“Do you want to feel the power of heavenly wrath again?” - "heavenly wrath" meant a pike from the highest point of her jump and an accurate elbow strike on the ribs.
- No need! I instantly shifted into a sitting position, dangling my legs off the bed.
“Yes, I just decided to cheer you up, otherwise it’s too quiet in this room,” smiled my sister, who cheered up only herself. - It would be faster to see you off and rush home to Styopa. Anagi is the most boring place I've ever been.
— What did you want? Here people are trained to become soldiers. There are only training grounds, weapon shops, the Academy and the General Headquarters.
Octavia was a good person. But, unfortunately, we are not relatives ...
And I am at a military facility for only one reason. In 2060, the Gates opened in London, from which the Gods emerged. We called this day simply: "Apocalypse". The gods spread across the Earth like locusts, destroying everything and leaving smoking cities behind them. Bringing with them the laws of their world, they began to cleanse the Earth of people with the help of forces hitherto unknown to anyone. We called them "magic", there was simply no better word.
The principle was simple: if at 11:00 the Gods came to the city, then at 11:03 you are sitting in a bunker, no longer knowing who to pray to, and at 11:15, still sticking your head out, you find yourself in the middle of the desert. Nuclear retaliation? For them, he was like a firecracker, just someone's prank. A day after the Apocalypse, satellites rained down from the sky in a fiery rain, and on that day humanity was blinded.
On the third day, the states announced their unification against a common threat, but the United Earth Union lasted only a week. When the Gods destroyed every capital, every million-plus city, society crumbled into small fragments. Anarchy reigned, and every man was for himself. They spat on us, believing that the remnants of people would disappear on their own. I don’t know how it is in the stars, but in this world, garbage can’t stand itself. While the Gods were building their empire - the Pantheon, we, like a phoenix, were reborn from the ashes. People hid in their small settlements, away from the new masters of this world. We then deceived them well. The gods believed that people are adapted to live only in a mild climate on the shores of the oceans, so small pieces of humanity scattered across the deserts: sandy and icy. One of these shelters was the city of Novosibirsk, where I live to this day.
But there is no evil without good. Albertine, Goddess of Wisdom, has come to help us. She had the power to feel the suffering of living beings, and the other Gods required her to use this to find all the remaining people. She refused and was expelled from the Pantheon. A goddess who understands suffering and the bitterness of loss ... not like everyone else, an outcast.
In 2063, the Goddess found us and told us that after the opening of the Gates, the world was filled with pure magic, curbing which, you can fight with God on an equal footing. We did not want to believe, but there was no choice.
By 2065, the city was divided into two parts: Kendro - a residential area, whose population consisted of civilians, and Anagi - a dilapidated part, there were training not for life, but for death. I had to fight with the gods from the retinue of Albertina, but they did not restrain themselves. On the border of the districts was the Academy, where the magicians, the future Killers of the Gods, lived and studied.
Albertina also found associates who responded to her request for help. One of them was Illarion, the god of the sun. He enveloped the city with a huge barrier so that no one, even the Gods, could get through to the people and complete what they had begun.
After talking with my sister, I went into the kitchen, where a pensive middle-aged man with a lush gray beard was sitting. He was dressed as if he were going to an awards ceremony: a white formal shirt and black trousers with polished shoes.
"Good morning, father," I said, walking over to the table.
- Good, Alester. Get dressed, it's time.
I wasted no time putting on my uniform. It felt like an electric current had hit my fingertips. I'm worried what else to say. Octavia got ready faster than me, breaking the stereotype of girls.
We quickly left the building. It's a sunny day outside, not the slightest hint of bad weather. A small detachment of soldiers passed by us. Faces, as always, serious, look askance at us. Ignoring them, we headed towards the black car that was waiting for us. Every student has one. We are still civilians and cannot move freely around Anagi. Law is law.
We sat down and the door slammed shut. That's it, there's no turning back. But... I'm ready. I've been waiting for this day! My emotional throwing was noticed by my father. He always noticed them, and always knew how to support me.
“Son, are you sure of your decision?” You can still refuse. No one is forcing you to follow this path,” said the father in a serious tone.
- Yes, dad. I have already told you a hundred times,” I wearily continued the old argument, “at the age of ten I had a chance to see how the Gods kill and destroy people ... exterminate us. I made my choice a long time ago.
“Your choice is your path,” the man shrugged his shoulders, realizing that it was useless to argue with me, as always.
We rushed in just fifteen minutes, the roads here are smooth. But during this time, my sister managed to get me so much with her stupid questions that I began to worry even more.
When we pulled up to the Academy, from the front seat, I got a good look at the gray building of the Central Branch. It conducts a set of candidates and houses the reception. Behind him are three hefty educational buildings with training grounds inside. There is also a small hostel. In the center there should be a large tower, on the very top of which Illarion is located, which supports the barrier of the city. I read a lot about the Academy.The car stopped abruptly. I swallowed, but still pulled the handle, thanked the driver and went outside. A bright light hit my eyes, and my heart began to tap dance. After all, there was a huge number of cadets near the entrance to the central department.Horror, what a crowd here, a hundred people! By the end of the training, our number should be significantly reduced, no less than two or three times. I hope I won't be among the excluded.Looking at the candidates, I saw fire in their eyes, some fear. Everyone came here for the same thing.A man with a military bearing, obviously from the Academy, began to divide us into groups. The crowd, like a living snake, began to disperse and line up in small columns.Excitement gradually grew into ... boredom. When will this ceremony end? Now, I suppose, there will be fiery speeches - the most unnecessary part of the performance. At least for me. It's better to start learning right away.Bright flash of light. We instinctively covered our face
The Beginning of TormentNoisy. It is difficult to breathe because of the large crowds of people. The corridor we are walking down is clearly intended for fewer people. It made it damn hot. The shirt began to stick uncomfortably to the body, which made me wince every time if someone touched my back.As soon as the other cadets and I got to the fifth floor of the first building, we were immediately met by the God and the Goddess. Because of what I had to stop and immediately line up in ranks. The gods stood near the open door to the auditorium. That's where all the young warriors went.I immediately understood who they were, and there is no need to guess. A man, a huge giant, in scarlet armor, and a girl with pitch-black curls and her tunic of the same color. The average person obviously wouldn't dress like that. For sure ...The man began to examine each cadet. His eyes even fell on me a couple of times. Not very nice...“Everyone lined up quickly,” the command rang out. - I am David,
- I said get up!The door was pushed open loudly, slamming it against the wall. Three men in blue armor ran into the room, and they brought the uniform of the Academy into the room. It was like a military one: a T-shirt, trousers, berets and a jacket, if we get cold outside. And everything is black.As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw “6:00” on the clock.- Stand up!!!Aran immediately jumped out of bed, while three of David's subordinates watched me wrap myself in a blanket.Horror, I can not get up, the body refused. Reptiles, I understand, to wake up at eight in the morning, but at six - this is chaos! I tried to get up, but my mind began to drift into sleep. Yes, they are crazy, now instead of screaming they blow the bugle.“Help him up and go out,” one of the wakers barked, and the trio went off to join the others.Aran implicitly carried out the command. He rushed to the bed and began to shake me in different directions."Alester, get up, we've got to go!"- I'm getting up... I'm
“Hello guys… I hope you don’t screw up like yesterday.“Hello, teacher,” I answered him with the same smile, “this will not happen again, but so far only with your subordinates, I’m not sure about you.”- You are funny. Good. Team number one, which one of you is the leader? Yesterday I told everyone to choose a leader.- The leader of the first team - Alester Lambert! Aran answered for everyone.- Then proceed, - nodded Amedeo and pointed where to look, - this is my Renegade. Defeat him or die.In the center of the training ground, out of nowhere, stood a man in his thirties, all in torn clothes. His skin color was as gray as if he had died long ago.- Renegade? What?! I was surprised.Yes, it's mine and I manage it. We have a couple of them to train beginners.The renegades have only tremendous physical strength, it is possible to slaughter him with our tactics, but it will be more difficult than with a person. But the main difference between the Renegades from man and God is that th
AwakeningTwo months have passed since I entered the Academy. During this time, my friends and I died eight times. Killed us, as always, Amedeo. I also went to the Goddess of Wisdom... or, I'm beginning to suspect, stupidity. Indeed, after my negative answer to the question “did I notice anything strange behind me,” she simply sent me back to the hostel. I went up to her for almost two hours ... I won’t forgive! I will pick up the right moment and take revenge! .. Well, okay, I digress. Everyone on my team was able to awaken their magic except for me. This is sad. I don't understand why my magic doesn't awaken. What am I doing wrong? After all, the catalyst for magic is the fear of death ... maybe I'm not afraid of it? It makes me feel like I'm dragging my comrades back. Amedeo did not order the use of power outside the training ground, even if they could acquire it. If the whole team could wake up, then she rested until the end of training with the God of death and the beginning of
“Nothing shines for you,” I put my hand on Aran's shoulder. “Now KEEP WASHING THE FUCKING WALLS!” Fucking fireball!***I'm on the stairs. I'm covered in sweat and suffocating. I was again summoned to the tower of the Gods... only now I'm standing in front of the door with the sign "Amedeo - God of Death". And the funny thing is, Albertine's room is opposite.There is only disappointment in my heart. Amedeo killed us again, and all because of me. How many times do I and my friends have to die for my power to awaken? What the hell am I doing wrong?!Alester, come on in.No sooner had I knocked than they called me. Do the Gods have cameras built in somewhere?Opening the door, I went in. His room is luxurious, everything is decorated with paintings, Persian carpets. The golden statues of the Griffins were pleasing to the eye. Social life in all its glory.God was sitting at a wide table, covered with papers and seals. He didn't have the usual snake smile on his face. Why did I feel unea
Her hands were shaking from adrenaline, and a crazy smile appeared on her face. Joy, happiness, that I could. I managed.“I didn’t expect this,” God said in complete confusion, but immediately coming to his senses, he looked at me. - You're awake. And now. - Amedeo broke my ice spike, as if nothing had happened - it's time for me to revive your comrades.- What does it mean?God dusted himself off and went to my comrades. The barrier was asleep, the doctors are already there. As if they knew everything in advance.- Was it a performance? Full of anger, I asked.“Yes and no,” Amedeo gave an incomprehensible answer.The God of Death took his severed hand and pressed it against the stump, the limb immediately fused. Not even a scar left.“If you hadn’t awakened, your comrades would indeed have died. You're a Godslayer, do you think we'd kick you out of the academy just like that? Moreover, do you think you could easily defeat me, the second generation of Gods?- Of course not. But not by
We entered the classroom and collapsed on a free desk. All the candidates were whining in pain, and I could see in their eyes how they were cursing everything.“Al, if I die, don't send my corpse in this armor to my parents. If they also bury me in them, my spirit will definitely not rest,” my friend asked me.— Aran, calm down, we will survive. Look, it's hard for Vanya and Eve too, but they hold on. We will endure everything, brother,” I said with hope in my voice.The Goddess entered the classroom. Her black hair was blowing in the wind even though we were indoors. Some kind of magic...Hello candidates! Let's start the lesson." Minerva smiled at the whole class.Ah, a ray of light in pitch darkness. We listened carefully, this knowledge will keep us alive. She explained that she would teach with us for five months and would hammer all the necessary knowledge into our heads. Today's lesson was dedicated to the Renegades and the fourth generation. Everyone knows everything she said