We Are Taking Down the Goddess

Fragments of the Past

The flames danced once more. The blaze that was once so alive now chilled Aiko to her very core. It caused her hands to twitch. The heat created a new image, this time of an elven city. The exact moment the girl laid eyes on the structures, she immediately noticed a difference. It was much darker. Its streets dreary, as if the entire kingdom was submerged in sadness; and it could be felt through the houses they built and the clothes they wore. Used to the bright elven capital, this scenery pierced Aiko’s heart.

-        “To create a strategy, as fast as possible, the races borrowed resources from one another. With the state they were in back then, it was impossible to put an end to the slaughter and save their female brethren. They needed something more. A unified front.” – the elder continued. His deep tone, unchanging.  

Royal beings from every corner of the world were now meeting in a single room. Devising their strategy laid out on a massive map that stood in the middle. Their eyes locked, their focus unwavering.

-        “They had to put their differences aside. Their hatred for one another had to come to an end. For the first time in history, an alliance was born. Elves, fairies, humans, dwarves, half-human and half-beasts, working together to defeat the common foe. Us.”

Soon, the flames painted the perfect picture of a battlefield so bloody and full of gore, it almost made Aiko puke. A land covered in corpses, severed limbs, broken bones, and organs gouged out. Countless cyclopes fell. Their numbers dwindling. But, they also took down many fighters with them.

-        “One by one my kin fell. Killed by the sword. Burned by magic. The divide was our undoing.”

Then, the purple blaze turned bright blue, revealing the face of a mysterious giant; with features so distinct, they remained engraved in the girl’s memory. It was the shortest, yet the scariest looking cyclops she has seen. Its muscles were never meant to emphasize his fighting skills. His hands were never meant to carry heavy things. He was smaller than most. But, his eyes carried a different glow. It took one look for the girl to realize that this being would be the single greatest threat the world has faced.

-        “But, in every cold storm, there is a silver lining. That’s when he came. Vurog the Sacker of Kingdoms. The only one who could turn the tide.”

Soon, the world in the fire was broken beyond repair. Devastation raged across the entire surface, destroying all life in its wake.

-        “He unified our kin under a single flag. He trained an army. He tamed even the wildest beasts. Dragons and all kinds of monstrosities bowed at our feet. They became our greatest strength.”

Aiko gazed into the blaze, not letting a single moment slip by. She saw everything. Fire-breathing beasts laid waste to the forests, cities, and kingdoms. The land quickly turned to dust. Only a couple of ruins were left, signalling that there was once life there. 

-        “No one knows how he did it. What we do know is that he was born to rule. He was born to bring a new era for our kin. And in that, he succeeded.”

The vision in the flame switched from one area to the next. There was no end to the bloodshed. Millions lost their lives. Young and old alike. Aiko clenched her teeth. She could burst into tears at any moment. Yet, she held back those crippling emotions as hard as she could. Just so, that she will hear the rest of it.

-        “The God of Time took interest in this abnormality. He didn’t want Vurog dead. He was impressed and wanted him to live, just to witness the outcome. The God granted Vurog a powerful weapon bestowing him with immortality. He could be killed of course, but wouldn’t age. This was the beginning of the 5,000-year-war. A war that would plunge the world into darkness. But, usher in a new era for the giant kin. Our numbers increased. No matter how hard the alliance tried to defeat us, it was impossible. To put an end to the bloodshed, they turned against each other. Whatever it took to keep their kin alive. The alliance was simply, outmatched and outnumbered. It soon crumbled. We were too powerful. Too overbearing.”

Aiko was now lost in thought. She was well aware of the elves’ ability to procreate. She knew the immortals couldn’t give birth that fast to try and defeat these monstrosities. Their numbers were limited. Humans also needed time to grow and train. To become the warriors they were destined to be. Dwarves and half-human half-beasts need the exact same time to create their own progeny. Does that mean that…

-        “Cyclops are born faster. They grow quicker.” – she thought aloud, her voice reached the elder.

-        “I see…You do have something in you. Yes, youngling. When cyclopes are born, they are the size of a regular human baby. Now, only males can be born. But, they grow and develop in just a couple of months. Ah…I remember…” – the elder smiled, recalling some of his earliest memories. “…my kin describing the days long past. Retelling the stories our ancestors left behind. A time when female cyclopes bore families. During mating season, they could give birth to over a dozen babies. They were fertile and menacing. But, just because our kin got stuck with some inferior beings, it doesn’t mean they couldn’t thrive. On the contrary, they made every option a viable opportunity.”

The fire gave way to a grim sight. Countless naked women of different races laying one over the other, like a pile of corpses. Although they were still alive and breathing, their souls were already dead. Stripped from even a shred of dignity.

Then, the blaze showed a different setting. Something not even Aiko could expect. The world became a snow-globe. A powerful blizzard swept the land.

-        “Then, Elidy was born. The new chosen one bound to take the celestial throne. The soon-to-be goddess swore to end the carnage.”

Aiko watched in amazement. The fire created the first peek into a different environment. It reshaped the very foundation of the world. Cities were rebuilt. Kingdoms finally stood tall. Many regained their will to live.

-        “Peace came at a costly price. She made a deal with Vurog the Sacker of Kingdoms. The young woman offered a sufficient supply of human women to satisfy our needs. All Vurog had to do was promise to keep the peace and let the other races go. We don’t know why she decided to sacrifice the humans. But, she did with unwavering determination.”

-        “What happened next?” – Aiko stared into the eyes of the elder. The sadness, fear, and curiosity quickly took over.

-        “Vurog accepted the deal. We were victorious in every way. There was no need to keep fighting. But, our kin was not happy with the outcome or so I’m told. But, Vurog convinced them. If they were to continue the carnage, then no women will be left. That’s when they will turn against each other, once more. He couldn’t let that happen. To him, the survival of our race mattered more.”

-        “I can’t believe it…”

-        “When the human king heard of the deal. He was furious. In a desperate attempt to save his kin, he gathered his entire army and charged at Vurog when he least expected it. Although the whole human fleet perished, as well as their king, they managed to take Vurog down. The cyclopes went into a frenzy, killing everything that stood in their wake. Elidy, together with a couple of cyclopes who were influenced by Vurog’s ways, managed to persuade us once more. This time, our kin accepted the deal for good. Her actions gave birth to new leadership – the elders. My ancestors ruled this land. Now, it is up to me to watch over it.”

Suddenly, the campfire vanished. The dancing flame extinguished. Only the smell of burning tinder and smoke remained.

-        “Does that mean…these screams…”

-        “Yes.” – Kana joined.

-        “Wait. So, you knew all this time and did nothing?!”

-        “Do what?! Save them and start another 5,000-year war?”

-        “No one deserves this!!!”

-        “I never said they did.”

-        “No! No! No!” – Aiko shook her head. Tears streaming down her face. “That can’t be it. The goddess can’t just sacrifice her people. She can’t leave them behind! What happened to the elves? What happened to the alliance? Tell me! Tell me everything! Why can’t you just defeat them? Aren’t you Emeralds? Do something!”

-        “We will do nothing of the sort.” – Yakeru added, while still munching on his food.

-        “For Elidy’s sake, what’s going on?!” – that’s when it hit her. Aiko remembered those moments when she first laid eyes on these colossal beings. Her pupils widened. “Yakeru! They called you overlord. Didn’t they? Can’t you stop this? Tell them to stop!”

-        “And who the hell are they supposed to fuck?! It is their race. Their survival. Not my problem.”

-        “Have you lost your mind? These women… are like me. My people. My kind. They are a part of me…” – Aiko was now fuming. Her veins pulsing with rage.

-        “Calm down, Aiko.”- Ren placed his paw on her shoulder with a worried look on his face. “Take it easy.”

-        “That war almost brought the end of the world. Releasing those women will only cause more bloodshed.” – Kana continued. “There is nothing I can do.”

-        “Then, what’s the point in telling me all of this?!”

-        “You must see this broken world for yourself. That’s the only way you can change it.”

-        “Change?! Change what? How am I going to change something that Elidy couldn’t fix? The goddess herself couldn’t fix! Do you get that?!”

-        “Please, Aiko, take a breath. Aiko!”

Ren tried to knock some sense into the girl. But, all those emotions only kept piling up. When Aiko’s skin turned paler, the pup realized she was clocking out. Even her lips looked as if they were painted with white-wash, blending perfectly with the rest of her skin. If he were to let her continue this bickering, she would surely faint. 

-        “Stop this!”- he yelled. “Please. Let her rest. That’s enough for one day.”

The loud arguing came to a sudden end. The girl stared blankly at her friend. But, the moment she sealed those lips shut, she burst out crying, hoping that the tears would wash it all away. The more she cried, the sooner life returned to her pale cheeks.

-        “Ren is right. Sorry, Tabarg. Let’s call it a day. We will talk some more tomorrow.”

-        “I understand. I prepared sleeping quarters for you. Take her there, and rest.”

After getting the girl tucked in bed, Kana gently brushed her hand against Aiko’s swollen cheeks. She took a nearby covering made of animal hide and placed it over the girl. Ren too was sleeping in Aiko’s hands. The two hugged each other like there was no tomorrow.

-        “Poor child…” – Kana mumbled. “She doesn’t even know half of it. I hope this world doesn’t break her by the time she ascends.”

-        “You said it yourself. This world is rotten. She is the only one who can fix it. Am I right?”

-        “She is our only hope. I just wish we had more time to help her. To show her how to become what she is destined to be.”

At that moment, Kana stood up and started casting a spell. Her whispers echoed around the room. Yakeru immediately recognized the shape of the water that formed under her feet. He has seen it a million times.

-        “Where are you off to now, woman?”

-        “I have some unfinished business.” – her face turned grim. “I’ll be back by morning.”

-        “Is that so?” – Yakeru chuckled. He already expected it. “Fine. Do what you gotta do.”

Kana teleported outside Ringborg Cay.