The sands were on fire. Billowing in heated heats and crashing like dusty waves against the half-finished structures that would house the earthly remains of Kings.They should have been finished now but the tools had been dropped, the slaves and overseers fleeing from their work, prostrating themselves before their ruler for forgiveness. Forgiveness he could do naught but grant for who could face the wrath of a God?From the vast world beyond the eyes a great court was in session. Masked forms that seemed hybrids of man and beast discussed the events that blighted progress.One hand rose and all fell silent. None would speak over the creator of all.Atum slowly rose to his feet, making no sound as he paced some the flight of steps to the stone hall below him.His eyes were hard as the door flew open, revealing the one who made them tremble.Powerful in figure and fierce in face when covered with the
Isaac remained quiet as they wandered down to the car park, a small area that always seemed practically empty even when the museum was fairly full. He preferred the bus since he always found his car seemed under siege by the birds nesting in the trees lining near the tarmac. And car wash cost added up over time, he needed those wages for living and not cleaning bird mess from his windows."When I looked online at the menu it all looked pretty good," Ash broke the silence as they turned onto the street."Decent range of prices as well which is rare for around here, people take advantage of the visitors."He looked at the scenery as it passed. Grey, concrete and tarmac, so different from the materials they were surrounded by in the museum. Each piece telling a story of a long-lost land, he couldn't imagine any of the modern architecture doing that in years to come. Mass produced and almost identical.Further from the city, past the outskirts the view looked
Mr Montford had cleared his desk of all the papers and other clutter by the time they got back. The top was now covered by a white sheet and illuminated by a strong lamp. Without specialist equipment it was the best he could do and, thankfully, his past tutors had taught him how to improvise when the need arose.A half empty water bottle sat nearby by. He had been losing so much fluid by sweating it was well needed."Ah, good timing!" He beamed as the pair entered "Ash, you can hold the cloth steady and Isaac, you fetch the statue. I can take the scraping and send it off post haste, then we will have some answers, I hope! Until then it can be kept safe itstorage, I won't display it until we have more information, misleading the public leads to the wrong sort of publicity."Ash moved over the smooth out the creases, his hands shaking his excitement and nerves as Isaac went to take the figure from the box.As he leaned ov
Mr Montford's entire body froze in horror at the condemning words and his Adam's apple bobbed as he choked on his own bile that had risen into his throat.His bewildered eyes took in the figure, roving over the curious mask, powerful muscles, and claw-tipped fingers. This was the exact image of the statue, somehow live and full-size in front of them.A spark of determination flickered across his eyes as they were commanded to kneel, and for a brief moment he met the terrifyingly-cold gaze of the creature. His heart skipped a beat at the pure malice he saw there, freezing him on the spot.Isaac unconsciously stepped closer to Ash whose pale face had become a waxen death mask, stealthily resting his hand on his upper arm in an effort to give some reassurance as another wave of natural fury rocked the sky.In the back of his mind a voice hissed. But like the leaves in autumn, it was a faraway cry. Audible but unable
Isaac materialised in an empty room. To the untrained eye it resembled an empty tomb but one slab in the floor was clear, providing a mirror to the earth.The hand opened and he was dropped into an unceremonious heap on the floor and looked at me with cold eyes."This is the world between worlds. Neither life nor death. It is where those with the darkest intents can reside without bowing to any.""Will you at least tell me who you are?" He grumbled as he struggled to sit on his haunches, deciding against standing even though the floor was freezing. "Surely you have honour enough to do that?""I am Am-Heh, Ish...mortal," he seemed to stumble for a moment before gathering himself. "That is all you need know at this time."He wandered across to the clear tile in the floor. From the invisible vantage point Am-Heh could watch the world below him. And the chaos that ensured. He turned
Atum had been inactive for so many years he had almost forgotten the power he once wielded. But he still held his authority, his knowledge.Sat in the modern penthouse he had been reading the paper, realising after a while it was the previous weeks.But something felt wrong. Something he couldn't place.As soon as he switched the radio on and the static finally cleared, he shuddered. Red rain. Surely the prison had not been broken, not yet? But if it had..."I must find others," he muttered "one way or another this must end for good."He did not wish ill on any of his creations, his children, each of whom he held dear to his heart. All the same he felt an obligation to the children of the other Gods, the humans and those species that the former thought only as myths.They had little contact with one another, save for the odd interaction over important issues, but a mutual respect bound them tog
Marie Westley had been a charwoman in the museum for years. A squat woman with a bust that seemed to strain out of even the largest blouse she was a common sight at all hours. Both staff and visitors alike were always offered a greeting and a sparkling smile.She was handsome in her own way, keeping a neat appearance, her nut-brown hair always tied without a strand out of place and her hazel eyes always shimmering even if given the most taxing job.Professional pride went a long way in her family, whatever the task and whatever the employment.Of Jamaican descent her dream was eventually to become a teacher, her grades had well excelled the needed scores to qualify but they cost.People had told her she could do more, that was wasting her knowledge for a job that didn't pay as well as others but the fact was, apart from children, she loved cleaning and helping the elderly who couldn't do it themselves.
"What are you doing now?"Isaac's voice was cracked from lack of fluid, something he was hoping the God would take notice of.Am Heh barely looked over. He was not about to answer, the idea of responding to the mortals’ query felt beneath him but the knowledge that Isaac would most likely continue to question him came to the fore."Hastening my work," he said evasively, seizing a cloak that had appeared from thin air to throw about his shoulders. "You will remain here."The streets below were home only to ghosts and shadows now. The people were cowering in whatever safe haven they could find, whether it be the claustrophobic aisles of a department store or the dark back room of an office. Anywhere was better than the bubbling mire outside.The heat from the burning blood would not affect the deity who once walked in his own volcanic Eden. Nor did it affect the creatures he crafted but it
Several Months LaterIt's strange how people react after disaster. You see the best of people and the worst. Thankfully, it's mostly been the former. Things are being repaired, getting back to normal with the help of big companies and small. Not to mention the dedicated do-it-yourself people.Scientists have been wracking their brains to find the cause of such a global phenomenon. The best they have come up with so far is an imbalance in the eco-system and perhaps in the space around. And, of course, religious nut-jobs have been having a field day preaching about how sin and immorality is the cause. They haven't pinpointed a particular sin this time, they can't, it's too wide. So, the whole world has been tarnished. Except for themselves of course.Funny. They're actually closer than the scientists when it comes down to it. Except that it isn't the doing of the God who watches now.Mysteries come out daily. Strange creatures spotted in the sea, too rapid for anyone to get hold of, a
The dogs ran rampant through the living dead. Limbs flew, congealed blood oozed and the smell of rotting flesh permeated the air even more.Those who tried to fight back, biting and clawing were soon defeated, their blackened teeth unable to even scratch the thick skin.Blood and foam frothed at the mouths, neither willing to allow the rancid meat to drop down their gullets. They still remembered the luscious fresh meat that had been given in their best. Tender and prepared with care. What they caught now, on those rare occasions they needed to feed, was not a patch on it.And these beings were not fit for rats.They ignored the humans, save for knocking some over. None seemed injured, even if they hit the concrete hard enough to break a bone. They simply sat up, or lay there. Dazed and in a world of their own. With no voices ringing in their heads, their addled minds forged on to return to normal.They had long since given up on trying to understand anything.When they finished here,
You have changed me by your love.Thus say I in my heart,In my soul, at my prayers:"I lack my commander tonight,I am as one dwelling in a tomb."Be you but in health and strength,Then the nearness of your countenanceSheds delight, by reason of your well-being,Over a heart, which seeks you with longing.Time felt as if it were slowing down as Isaac made his way over the debris and towards where the horrors had occurred. Everything frozen in eerie stillness under the decrepit skyline.Dust puffed up with each step he took, his heart beating harder as the shell of the main room opened up to greet him.Immediately he saw Atum, shifting from one foot to another as if he had a cramp he couldn't release. The look in the older God's eyes immediately heightened his anxiety and he hastened forward, only to be stopped when Atum lifted his hand.What is written on the brow would inevitably be seen by the eye and his silence said more than his words."Do not allow yourself to weaken. Your st
The door shook with the force of the crowd outside, throwing themselves against it blindly. Three had moved to the window and already, their palms were bleeding as the glass cracked and pierced their skin, staining the shards red. Mr Montford and Ash hauled a small book case across the room. The carpet and their haste making it all the more difficult. If there was something for it to snag on or get caught on, then it did. Penalty, perhaps, for dumping its contents into an unsightly pile as if they were logs for the fire. "Is there an attic?" Marie called as she leaned against the sideboard they'd positioned at the door. The drawers already flung from their cubby with the force from outside. "A basement is no good, we'd be completely trapped. But an attic...that seems safer." "I didn't see," Mr Montford answered, sweat pouring from his brow and impeding his grip. "I doubt it. I remember these houses being built. People exchanged attics for garages, easier to access." "And they didn
Shu beckoned the mortals down one of the alleyways that cut through the buildings to the once bustling streets. People had emerged, loitering hopelessly about the abandoned cars, their eyes glazed and their ears deaf to anything but the words of an unseen being."I cannot guide you to safety," Shu said, his voice full of remorse. "I must find Atum. This battle will ricochet about the world, and you humans do enough damage without the added help. Please," he looked at the four imploring. "These humans are bedevilled. If you can avoid harming them, I would be grateful.""We won't," Isaac spoke up, still struggling with the tight ropes about him. Try and they might, the bonds refused to give. "But you must tell Atum that Am-Heh is not behind all of this. There has to be mercy in him." Tears stung his eyes. Glistening droplets he swiftly blinked back. His voice becoming soft. "I don't want to lose him."Shu gazed at him. Lost for words. No reassurance could be uttered, he couldn't read At
A shrill shriek shattered the atmosphere as Babi tore towards Am-Heh, the sword raised high. It swung down, shattering through the arm of the reaching demon.One bite from the blade meant agony. And the wail that left the putrid mouth told of it.The eyes glazed with bubbling anger, and it swung, showering the area in burning blood. All the while trying to rise further, stopped only by the undigested meal in its stomach.Mr Montford grimaced as the warm blood descended, trickling in thick droplets like the vilest of rain. It wouldn't stop him. One dig he was on, many moons ago, never stopped even when they hit a sewage pipe.Although it delayed them when trying to clean. And when the local authorities got involved to remedy it.He slipped on the gore, trying his best to avoid it as he made his way over to where Ash indicated. As he neared, the air seemed to become thicker, as if he was walking through tar or against a high wind.His breath became harsh as the pressure became stronger.
Am-Heh didn't baulk at the chaotic sight that met him. Instead, he looked with disdain at the gangly beast that was struggling to free itself and the summoned spirits that hissed at it.It seemed humans were not the only beings that refused to work in tandem.He offered a curt nod as the injured Templar. His use, and that of the others, were over. The last thing was to strengthen the rising forces, and his blood would suffice.It would give the might to break the chains but keep him tethered until, and if, he was required.He didn't watch as the broken body struggled to its feet, stumbling over the remains of his shattered horse, wielding his sword. He heard the clang of steel, the swing striking tough, leathery skin that refused to break under the blade. In the corner of his vision, he saw sparks as the steel chipped, flakes of flesh flying amongst them. He could picture the defeat from the violent, wet noises that sounded beh
In Egypt; Anubis watched as the city smouldered. The cyclone sliding back down from the bubbling skies like a reverse volcano, sweeping away the crumbled remains of homes and business.He hung his head, feeling powerless for once in his long existence. The help he could give was like sharing a grain of rice among a starving village.Worthless.In London; the Thames bubbled. Strange beasts rose and fell in the boiling water that threatened to burst the banks and roast alive anyone who fell in its path.People sheltered in basements, in attics and had even pried the covers off manholes, only to find the threat beneath just as great.In Africa; the rich were crushed by the opulence they had hoarded, money unable to save them from the rage of nature. And the poor cowered, finding dents in the ground or concealed hidey-holes in desperate attempts to shield the most needy of them all.All over the world, s
Kyle had no idea on how to approach the gathered dead. It seemed, rather stereotypically, a blow to their skulls finished them, but there were more than ten of them. Not to mention the mounted templar who, eyeless as he was, looked thirsty for more blood to stain his hands."Why are you listening to him?" Marie whispered, lifting her voice enough to be heard over the grunts and groans. She wasn't sure why she was showing him any pity, not after what he'd done. She assumed it was just her social conscious, and the strict teaching of her mother, never to turn ones' back. "You could do so much better.""Shut your mouth," Kyle snapped, feeling Babi's icy gaze on him. "You don't know anything! This is my only chance in life to get anywhere, to get anything. Life doesn't care about people like me.""I thought that. Once."Kyle wrinkled with nose and picked up a fallen plank. It would do. With enou