The mind-numbing odor of smoldering flesh and clogged blood hit Tyler's nostrils. The bizarre sights were even more disturbing than the pungent smells.Hundreds of soldiers lay dead before his eyes, a scene he could only equate with war movies. However, reality hit differently with heart-rending cries of mortal suffering.Tyler's sharp eyes swept the battlefield in seconds, and he could barely recognize it. Something so devastating happened that the very geography of the area had changed. When the young man first visited, it was flat ground with dry grass interspersed with thorny bushes.Right now, it looked as if Armageddon had crashed onto Earth. Fires crackled on one end, while floods threatened to drown on another. Lightning had struck one side while the soil had upheaval on the other. It was as if all elements of nature had together rained hell on the armies.Tyler activated Athena's Insight and began scanning for Malcolm, Silas, and Dwayne. Within seconds, he located a couple of
Dwayne and Silas exchanged nervous glances. "Of course, he is real, and his power defies reason! The man summoned forces of nature with his dark magic and annihilated our armies. Our bullets and bombs were useless against the Green Monk.""We saw hell on earth today, sir," Dwayne joined in. "Pillars of lightning followed waves of floods! A storm of hailstones preceded a river of fire! Calling it a nightmare would be an understatement. Luckily, we were inside a robust vehicle and survived the attacks."Tyler nodded without emotion and looked into the distance. "I assume the Cooper and Hilton armies were totally demolished."He surveyed the remnants of the royal army. "You have over a hundred soldiers still alive. Then why are you still here? Return to Sapphire City and cherish your families.""But, sir…""I will not hear another word of argument!" Tyler thundered. "This enemy is beyond your capabilities. I will deal with the Green Monk and the Red Marauders by myself. Now get lost befo
Tyler glided over the border of El Medalla and El Abyssium, looking for a waterfall. It was the sacred location where he and Kat decided to reconvene. The young man was convinced it was a spiritual aquifer where he could recharge his energies.Even though the goddess hated being separated from her newlywed husband, she reluctantly agreed to the arrangement.Typical panthers were solitary and polygamous. It was expected that Kat, a vessel for the panther-goddess Tezcatlipoca, would have similar inclinations. However, her behavior toward Tyler was precisely the opposite.Ever since they mutually renewed the divine contract, Kat stuck to Tyler as if they were joined at the hip. When she assumed at the hill summit that the newlywed husband may reject her, she was devastated. All of this cumulatively accounted for pure monogamous behavior.Tyler imagined Kat anxiously prowling near the waterfall, waiting for her husband. The thought put a silly smile on his face. The girl was quite adorabl
The cave shuddered in response to Tyler’s violent eruption. “No way! No way this happened! I just rescued Kat! I married and swore to protect her! She cannot have died while I was gone!”The young man spiraled into an emotional crisis for the first time since stepping out of prison. It was expected since, despite all his powers, he failed to protect his own wife.Tyler dropped into the sacred pool in misery. It was supposed to be brimming with limitless mystical energy, but he felt nothing. A murder had happened within its waters, which defiled its very core, cutting off the supply.Tyler was the least bit concerned about recharging his stock. Instead, he cradled Kat’s corpse in his arms.“Wake up…” he whispered into her desiccating ears. “I’m here. You don’t need to be alone anymore.”Naturally, there was no response from the dead body. Tyler was still not prepared to give up. He felt around for her breathing, her pulse, and her heartbeat. Nothing. She was gone.Kat had been dead for
Tyler lowered his face and closed his eyes as the onset of depression hit him. He had sworn never to be oppressed by anyone or bow under bullying. The war with the Red Marauders, the Green Monk, the corrupt billionaires of Sapphire City, and finally Lazarus Briar. It was just too much.The more he tried to save people, the more trouble came for them. Perhaps Tyler was the problem? Now… devoid of energy and motivation, the young man convinced himself it was time to give up.‘Use… Me…’Tyler's eyes suddenly fluttered open as an idea hit him. It was like he received inspiration from somewhere deep. The young man had entirely forgotten he had another power source apart from mystical energy. He used it to escape the Inbetween when Max Powers abandoned him there.The mysterious energy started accumulating and building its reserves very recently. It first struck oil in Tyler when he summoned Hestia's Hearth. Sacrificing anything human increased its volume progressively.Tyler decided to refe
"Why?" was all Tyler asked in exasperation. Now, even the gods had turned against him? He was speechless. What would Quetzalcoatl gain from destroying Kat's corpse?The dragon sigil blinked continuously, reflecting the god's irate mood. "We will furnish three reasons, Tyler Grant.""First, your intentions are pure, no doubt. However, the attempts to revive the dead would only have disturbed the goddess' destined life cycles.""Second, you may have ended up preventing Tezcatlipoca's reincarnation in a new vessel.""Finally, the sacred pool was infected because of the heinous act of murder. The ritualistic cremation purified the water and reconnected its supply to mystical energy."Indeed, the pool water turned crystal clear within seconds and rippled with mystical energy. "You have three reasons to be thankful to us, Tyler Grant.""Traitor!" the young man barked. "You tricked me by promising a revival, and instead cremated Kat's body without my permission!""You are still ignorant, Tyl
Tyler could see Kat was reluctant to share her final moments. She shivered slightly at the request as if a chilly breeze were blowing inside the cave. Her eyes darted to the astral mirror hovering over the pool like a monolithic gravestone."Do I have to…?" she murmured in apprehension.Tyler realized the girl was scared if they talked about the monster, it would come back to hunt her again. How terrifying a creature could it be? It was absurd that the entity struck fear into the heart of an immortal goddess whose own natural form was a ferocious beast."I've sealed the mirror's surface," the young man said in a reassuring voice. "Even if something breaks in, I am vigilant enough to defend us. You need not worry."Kat nodded and slowly lowered herself into the pool. Even though the water was warm, she trembled as if running a cold fever."Come to me," Tyler offered, holding out his hand invitingly. The offer surprised the girl. She blushed around the cheeks but took his hand, nonethel
Tyler turned Kat around and looked into her eyes. "I don't understand. Even though the mercenaries are quite seasoned and possess a few cursed weapons, that doesn't make them powerful enough. How could they control a god-like beast like the Kraken? The one you call GOD EATER, previously subdued only by the mighty Poseidon?"Kat shrugged her shoulders. "I have no idea. But this attack had a mercenary stink on it. My instincts are never wrong."The young man nodded and pulled her closer. "I trust you. Let us not waste time then. Do the ritual with me."Tyler's mystical energy recharge took over thirty minutes. This time, he made sure to fill his stocks enough to last a month. After they were done, he asked Kat to step out of the cave for some time."Come back in an hour," Tyler instructed her. "I need some time for battle preparation. But don't venture very far. The Red Marauders may attack again."After the goddess was gone, he held his breath and immersed himself entirely in the pool.