GOD ASSASSIN (PT1) AN ADVENTURE STORY YOU MUST LOVE

As I emerged from the depths of unconsciousness, a splash of water struck my face and I found myself afloat in a pool of crimson. My mind reeled attempting to discern the events that had led to this ghastly predicament. Why had my comrades turned against me and what has become of my beloved wife Shogoye?

I grasped her velvet scarf which found me and called out her name thrice but only the silence of death replied. My gaze fell upon the lifeless bodies of my peers, their limbs sawn asunder and their eyes frozen in eternal slumber. The realization then dawned upon me – I had led them to slaughter, deceived by the very generals I had once revered.

My wails knew no bounds through the waters as I beheld Shogoye’s lifeless form, her throat slashed with the same brutality that had claimed my soldiers. And then, I espied my child, Anan, mere eight winters of age whose small hand still clutched a knife. His left eye however was plucked out, a gruesome testament to the generals’ mercilessness.

A faint whisper pierced the air, “Cryblade, over here… in the trees.”

I recognized the voice immediately but the sight that greeted me was too fatal to comprehend – Doumani, the last of my men stood stabbed with the knife of General Khonzu.

“Doumani”, I gently called as he leaned against the tree, his eyes gleamed with pain.

“Khonzu,” he sneered, “…..did this to me.”

I lifted him onto my back without hesitation, despite his protests, for I knew that to leave him behind would be a fate worse than death.

“Cryblade,” he tapped my shoulder, his blood seeping into my garments, “….do not leave your wife and child behind.”

I nearly chided him but with reassurance I spoke, “We do not abandon the injured, my friend. Shogoye and Anan will be here when I get back but you need me most.”

With these words, he extracted the knife from his wound and entreated me, “Brother, avenge me… slay General Khonzu”, he pleaded.

I nodded, my heart heavy with despair which quickened my pace.

But we suddenly approached a cart. I removed my helmet quietly, fearing to bring shame upon the Emperor.

Princess Yeoh, Doumani’s beloved emerged instead from within, her eyes widening in horror at the sight of her wounded lover.

“Patch him while he’s still alive”, I urged as she hastened to his side.

The cart’s rider stood agog, frozen in bewilderment at my countenance. Yeoh, nonetheless tended to her man’s wounds with alacrity, her hands moving with a precision born of desperation.

“You too are wounded,” she observed, her eyes falling upon my own injuries.

I shook my head, resolute in my determination to fight on.

“Give me glue,” I demanded as Doumani flashed me a mischievous grin.

“Be cautious,” he warned. “These generals ain’t the usual.”

I grasped the knife of General Khonzu from his other hand.

“You talk too much”, I grinned back as the princess pressed the balm into my hands.

“Thank you both,” I bowed, before hastingly running to lay my dead to rest.

“Isn’t he coming with us?” She called after me but Doumani restrained her.

“Cryblade is a general, the strongest I know,” he ensured her. “That dude is leaving unscarred.”

“But he’s wounded,” Yeoh protested. “If he returns, the Emperor, my father’s brother would surely slay him just like he did my father.”

“No! they set us up,”, Doumani gnashed his teeth. “the Emperor and his cohorts of generals set us up.

“Not going to back down”, I approached my lifeless wife and child which were boldly disturbed by a raven.

It alighted nearby, its dark eyes fixed upon me.

“Get off!”, I shouted, tears streaming down my face but the bird merely hopped aside, watching me with an unblinking gaze.

“Shogoye,” I whispered, staring into her sightless eyes, “I swear! I’ll avenge you.”

“Vengeance,” the raven intruded in a low raspy tone, “…..will be your undoing, assassin.”

“I am done with that life”, I countered recognizing the dark mage’s familiar voice.

“General Vorg diagrees” the raven declared before taking flight.

I then plunged my sword into the earth, rage coursing through my veins like a wounded lion.

“Tell Vorg and the Emperor, I’m coming for all of you”, I roared, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of all I had held dear.