The Rogue God Series: The Coming Darkness

THE ROGUE GOD SERIES

BOOK 1: THE COMING DARKNESS

GREGORY C. LANGTRY

Copyright © 2014 Gregory C. Langtry

Smashwords Edition

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CONTENTS

Prologue Disaster

Chapter 1 Re-emergence of a God

Chapter 2 God’s Fury

Chapter 3 New World

Chapter 4 Ambush

Chapter 5 Caravan

Chapter 6 Fight in the Trees

Chapter 7 Discovery

Chapter 8 The orcs are coming the orcs are coming.

Chapter 9 Demons

Chapter 10 The Keeper

Chapter 11 Trapped

Chapter 12 Dwarfs

Chapter 13 Kings Council

Chapter 14 Gwendolyn

Chapter 15 Encounter

Chapter 16 Elves

PROLOGUE

Disaster

History tells us, empires and civilisations, no matter how great, inevitably fall and turn to dust, so it is on other worlds.

Long ago there was extraordinary planet hidden among the stars that had achieved a level of existence that was almost beyond imagination, as every whim and desire was instantly fulfilled. Illness, old age and death were abolished and immortality was taken for granted. Life was a state of pleasure where the only want was for new ideas to entertain and fill the endless days. In time this civilisations looked upon themselves as Gods, as they believed they had defeated every challenge and were invincible.

Devoid of alternatives to fill the endless days they turned to the stars for answers to what was missing in their long and opulent lives. These self-proclaimed Gods called themselves the Celtic Gods and travelled the universe to discover primitive mortals to worship them as all were in awe of their greatness. At first these Gods were pleased, then after a time they grew bored and left to explore other worlds further into the cosmos, inevitably only ever to find more of the same. Desperate for alternatives to enrich their endless days these Gods inevitably asked the greatest of questions. ‘Is this it? Is there nothing more?’ Not knowing this very question would begin a chain of events that would begin their demise.

At the Great Auditorium of the Heavens, the largest auditorium ever built, these self-proclaimed Gods met and agreed that they had achieved all that could be accomplished on this plain of existence and that their future lay in ascension to a higher plain. How to achieve this end was unknown. So the Greatest and Wisest of the Gods bent all their thoughts to this very question.

After many years of toil they discovered what they believed to be the answer or The Truth as they called it. An understanding of what they thought was the basic fabric of the universe, which entwined the answer they desired.

These self-proclaimed Gods rejoiced and held a celebration the greatest in the history of their planet, in anticipation of their elevation to a higher plain and escape from their old and monotonous lives.

Far away, on a distant continent dwelled a handful of immortals that were horrified at what was unfolding. They called it the madness and sort solitude in their palaces.

The celebrations ended and the Gods gathered at the appointed time on the Harken Plain with thousands upon thousands arriving to contribute their power for the good of all. As the appointed time approached, the Celtic Gods formed a circle and waited for the signal to project their powers. Unknown to the gathering were three that watched from an adjacent hill. Taranis was their leader. He was secretly terrified at what was unfolding.

As the appointed time neared the air began to tingle with magic then as the sun reached its zenith the signal was given and the Celtic Gods brought forth their power until all the beams of magical energy collided to form a sphere. The intensity was so bright it forced all to avert their eyes, except the three on a hill. They were looking elsewhere at first as they felt a strange sensation in the air. A compelling sensation that made them detect a change to the equilibrium between the magical forces that balanced the tranquillity of their world. All too quickly these magical forces were becoming unstable until they were straining, then the horror stuck them they might be torn asunder.

The clouds slowly began to move across the sky until they raced faster than anyone had ever seen. The winds gusted to tremendous speeds, while tornados formed and swept the land. Only by their powers were they not swept away. Finally the sea boiled and the ground began to shake. Taranis gasped he realised the end was near and his failure to leave earlier had been a dreadful mistake, one that could result in his destruction and that of his people. He acknowledged his error with a loud curse, as did his two companions though they did so more from fear.

After their initial shock passed they turned back to the assembly just in time to see the sphere of magical energy explode with a blinding flash, sending the already out-of-control forces of nature into absolute chaos. The end approached, still they dared not leave, transfixed they had to witness how their idyllic world succumbed to this arrogant and prideful madness.

Once the light of the sphere faded all went dark and for a moment, it seemed like peace had returned. Taranis slowly surveyed the land only to discover a sudden return to normality, which he found for some unknown reason more frightening. Gradually a sinking sensation swelled in his stomach, a foreboding of some dreadful catastrophe grew. He nervously glanced at his companions and could see they sensed it too. Reluctantly his eyes turned away from the reassurance of his friends and returned to the assembled Gods, terrified at what he might see.

The circle of gods had mostly collapsed while others seemed to be held in a trance unable to move from the shock of their exertion. A voice next to him broke Taranis’s concentration and continued to shatter the eerie silence like a clap of rolling thunder, followed by another voice which stammered, barely able to choke out a hoarse whisper. ‘A hole, it forms!’

‘Rapidly!’ gasped the other god.

Where once the sphere of magical energy stood the ground fell away as the hole continued to grow until it was five hundred paces across. Two arms appeared. The three Gods groaned as one. The arms were black and terrible with traces of flame running along the black leathery skin. ‘Leave now! While there is still time,’ cried Lugh, one of Taranis’s companions.

Taranis’s other companion held firm and cried out. ‘Stand! We must not weaken! We must witness this event so we can tell all of this folly into madness! It must never happen again!’ Taranis said nothing he only nodded having already been overwhelmed by the sight what was unfolding before his eyes. A huge black head appeared and roared with fire vomiting from its mouth; then, with one great gesture, its huge body was expelled from the hole. Once free of its confinement it stretched its arms until it reached a height of three hundred feet then roared as it reached full stretch with its flaming drool falling to the ground like molten lava that burnt away the soil like acid on metal.

Horrified by what was unfolding before them, snapped many of the gods out of their trance like state making them react to the terror that stood before them. A few of the Gods threw energy bolts that crashed into what could only be described as a Demon Lord who brushed them aside then laughed horribly at their feeble attempts. The three gods gasped again after the Demon Lord jumped then landed just inside the circle directly in front of the Gods with the impact knocking many off their feet then the feeding began. The Demon Lord stooped down and scooped up the Gods and devoured them whole. After the Demon Lord savoured the taste he roared with satisfaction then scooped up more.

Taranis pointed with his trembling hand. ‘More! There are more! Look! Look at the hole!’ as two more monstrous demons climbed out and began to feed on the hapless Gods. Simultaneously a cry of despair was heard from the three as a swarm of man-sized demons or demi-demons came clambering out of the hole, with the remainder of the Gods being buried by a dark mass of howling death.

Taranis’ eyes were full of tears when he called out angrily ‘I’ve seen enough! There is work to be done.’ The three Gods transformed themselves into millions of light particles before they completely vanished, only to appear a moment later outside Taranis’s palace.

Gathered around his palace doors waited a crowd of the remaining Gods that shared Taranis’s fears. They stared in silence, including the ones dressed in battle armour, a sight not seen in a thousand years.

A heavy curse of silence hung over their heads as none could bring themselves to ask what had befallen them. Though all could see the land tearing itself apart and knew some dreadful calamity had come to pass. Taranis still in shock by what he had just witnessed was at first unable to speak but knew he could not delay his news any longer. He didn’t know what to say at first, how could he describe the indescribable as he climbed the base of the large statue, which stood before his palace door. Taranis took a deep breath before he called out to all before him.

‘The Great Assembly has opened the door to a Demon Realm. Demons are devouring all before them. Our world is lost! Your choice is DEATH or FLIGHT but know this my brothers and sisters. They will soon be here!’

Taranis watched as a murmur flowed through the crowd with but a single voice calling out. ‘Let us leave this place! Our home is lost and our new home waits.’ The crowd responded with a stifled cheer, so Taranis gave his orders and the Gods dispersed.

Taranis jumped down next to his two friends then commanded. ‘Come! We need to open the door only enough for our fellow Gods to pass.’

Belenos was slow to move at first then quickened his pace to catch up as they passed through the oversized doors into Taranis’s magnificent palace where he declared. ‘A small opening will be difficult to achieve.’

Lugh cut in, ‘the danger lies not in opening! These doorways to other worlds close slowly. I doubt the doorway will be closed before the demons discover what we have done.’

Taranis spun around his face full of anger and snapped out loudly. ‘Be silent! Our brothers’ and sisters’ courage hangs by a thread.’ Belenos also showed Lugh his anger at his words.

Undeterred Lugh defiantly continued ‘we must prepare to defend your palace and the doorway from the other side.’

After Taranis heard his council he stopped and glared at his friend with his stare turning into a stony expression. Finally, he put his hand on his friend’s shoulder before relenting to a grimacing smile. ‘You are wise my old friend. Please forgive my anger. This is the first time I have ever tasted fear and I find it most disagreeable. Divide the Gods with armour half and half. Be quick! I feel time is running out’ then they hurried to the sub-level.

The Gods lined up outside the palace with all carrying their orbs that contained their valuables that would allow themselves to establish their lives in a new, more primitive world. For most had never explored the other planets and had no idea of what to expect.

The doorway opened. The exodus began with the Gods leaving one by one. Taranis realised this would take hours so he left to stand watch on a nearby hill, finding another already there, Cerridwen. She glanced at him, her face sour without a hint of recognition.

Taranis understood why and forced a half smiled at seeing another familiar face: ‘I thought you were with the assembly.’

She shook her head without facing him: ‘I was like you. I watched from a distant hill. Yes, I saw you and so did others. It will not be long before more arrive.’

‘Your husband and children?’ enquired Taranis.

‘He was among the first to be devoured. My husband was a fool. He would not listen. As for my children! They wait in line’ she said with a slight tremor in her voice, while observing the tornados destroying a not so distant valley. Taranis searched the horizon only to see lightning storms had surround their location that gave him the impression he stood under the last rays of sunlight left on the planet with the remainder being lost to darkness. Only then did he realise the bad weather would hinder the sighting of any demon’s approach, which made his thoughts turn to another massacre. ‘Oh no,’ he gasped as he noticed the sky to the south. ‘Is that cloud or smoke?’ As his words faded Cerridwen vanished into a swarm of light particles, giving Taranis his answer.

When he arrived at his palace’s doors he saw the queue was longer, which prompted him to almost panic until he heard Lugh’s reassuring voice. ‘Hundreds have passed through, more have arrived, but in the last hour their numbers have dwindled. I fear this is all that have survived.’

In desperation he grabbed his friend’s arm and pulled him away, so others wouldn’t hear, ‘I saw smoke to the south! Move everyone inside the palace while I close the great door’ whispered Taranis.

Lugh gripped his friend and sighed. ‘Farewell my old friend! I go to collect my armour.’

‘No! Go through the doorway. I will not mourn your death’ pleaded Taranis.

‘Belenos and I have decided we will hold back the demons! You and yours must survive. Don’t argue! It’s final’ proclaimed Lugh, as he ran off to move the crowd inside the palace.

Two hours later most of the Gods had passed through the doorway, with a great sigh of relief emanating from the twenty Gods that were dressed in armour, as none really wanted to battle. As everyone knew there was no hope against a full-scale demon attack. The expected call came, the call they all dreaded to hear, ‘to the south! The south! A Demon Lord with his minions!’

‘To the lower levels. NOW!’ commanded Taranis. He had taken time to dress in his battle armour for he knew it would be needed.

The armour of the Gods repelled magic while their shields reflected magic spells, energy bolts and much more. Their swords produced lightning bolts and were capable of cutting through anything they struck. Only the Warrior Gods wheeled such weapons and they were few, all too few.

When he arrived at the doorway, he saw the last of the Gods passing through, with only the warriors remaining then a huge crash was heard as the ground trembled how the palace doors held nobody knew. ‘A Demon Lord stands before my door. Flee! We make our stand on the other side.’ He could tell they were reluctant to leave without at least attempting to battle these demons, so he walked over to Belenos and Lugh and said softly: ‘Get those who will not fight to safety and prepare the others to defend the doorway.’ He glanced at the doorway to their new world and could see it would be another three hours before it would be fully closed, and then it hit him and hit him hard. The fight to hold the doorway would be desperate with the surviving Gods being forced to pay a terrible price.

At that moment a massive explosion was heard as the palace was shaken to its very foundations followed by a deluge of magical residue of such intensity it made him shudder. He found it difficult to comprehend the sheer power this Demon Lord possessed. Shaken by what had just happen he turned back to the doorway and saw the backs of the last two Gods, their courage had failed them. He gasped with horror as he spun around cursing himself he had forgotten to place a barrier spell on the stairs and did so just in time. Taranis hoped the barrier would hold back the demi-demons though deep in his heart he knew the truth, his barrier was strong but it would be lucky to rebuff a few attempts to breach.

This was followed by howls and the sounds of destruction in the upper levels coming down the stairs, followed by running feet. Two demi-demons appeared at the top of the stairs then stormed down to crash headlong into the invisible barrier then bounced off falling stunned onto the stone steps. More followed, only briefly pausing as they passed the two dazed demons, then cautiously one stopped and examined the barrier while the others looked on at the remaining God with anticipation of another feast.

This pause gave Taranis his first opportunity to closely examine these demi-demons and saw that no two were alike either in appearance or colour. Cautiously he moved closer to the barrier and saw the demons appeared to be a combination of demon and animal or reptile most of which he had never seen. Only their lust for destruction and their loathing for anything not of demon kind seemed to be the common bond. Taranis knew the barrier would not last very long so he raised his sword towards the demons as a challenge and watched as they snapped their jaws and howled, with several frustrated demons throwing themselves against the barrier, but to no avail.

Taranis decided the time had come and stepped through the ever-shrinking doorway, leaving his home and this world for the last time, painfully aware that he would never return.

Taranis, with his two close friends, had earlier used their powers to build a fortified town on top of a mountain not far from the doorway, for they had perceived that the time was coming when a safe haven would be sought. Now that day had come.

As he stepped out of the doorway he discovered that the non-combatants had left the area and only the Gods in armour remained near the door. Those without armour stood further back and showed their resolution to fight whatever horror came through the door.

In seconds he had assessed the situation and concluded their only advantage was that the doorway was too small for a Demon Lord and shrinking. The Gods would only be forced to hold out against the smaller man-sized demi-demons. Taranis paused to consider what the demons might do then decided their tactics would be to swarm the Gods with overwhelming numbers which prompted him to glance at the other Gods and saw it in their eyes; he was only considering the obvious.

The barrier spell only lasted a few more minutes before the first demi-demon exploded out of the still-open doorway, followed by another, then another. The rampaging demi-demons were turned to ash from energy bolts, still more came. After fifty were slain they stopped. Taranis thought it’s too easy–they’re up to something!

A sea of burning energy exploded all around him as Taranis felt himself being swept away. After several minutes all was a blur until he shook his head, with his vision gradually returning, only to find himself flat on his back some fifty paces further back from where he had been standing. It took several minutes before he felt some of his strength come back to his limbs then he gingerly climbed to his feet and found himself completely unprepared for what he was about to see. Corpses, burnt corpses the Gods without armour had suffered greatly, while those who were protected like him were just returning to their positions.

It wasn’t long before the demi-demons came with renewed vigour and rapidly developed a foot-hold in this new world, putting forth a magical shield which withstood the energy bolts that were being hurled at them, this allowed their numbers to grow. Time passed as the stand-off continued with every minute allowing the doorway to shrink a little further.

Taranis realised that sufficient time had passed to allow the doorway to close and that the demi-demons were trapped and would attempt to end the stalemate and charge. As expected the demons surged forward and broke through the line of Gods. They refused to continue the fight and fled into the vast forests that surrounded the mountaintop. Exhausted the Gods were content to let them go and continue the fight on another day.

* *

Thus the hundred-year war began that raged between the Gods and demi-demons, until finally the demons submitted, being stripped of their powers and were imprisoned under a mountain range which the Gods had named, Heavens Pillars.

Taranis was made Lord of the Gods and continued to build on his fortified town and eventually called it the Cradle of the Gods. He decided to change their ways so they would never repeat the mistakes of their past. He delegated to each God and Goddess a duty, some aspect of the new world to govern and control as he was determined that the Gods would never revert to their once lavish life-style that he held responsible for the demise of their old world.

To help keep the Gods occupied Taranis opened the doorways to other worlds and allowed mortal races to enter and populate the land. In time these mortals learnt of the Gods and worshipped them, and the Gods responded, and the many peoples flourished.

Chapter 1

Re-emergence of a God

In time the many different peoples and cultures clashed with countless wars tearing the land apart, this period was known as the Dark Times.

During these dark years a Goddess came forth to stop these wars. Her name was Cerridwen, the Keeper of the Tomb that Swallows. Her designated task by the Gods was to seize the cruel, the wicked and the evil, and place them in her tomb, to cleanse the land so that the many peoples could live in peace and harmony.

One day while she stood on the land observing the aftermath of battle with a multitude of dead before her. She stooped down and picked up a headless child and cried out in her fury: ‘How can I stop this madness! These mortals only desire death and destruction and yet in some, I see great virtue. How can this be?’ proclaimed the Goddess.

Cerridwen returned to the Cradle of the Gods and sort council from the high and mighty, for she was determined to find the answer. In time her frustration grew, as the answer could not be found. After many days of contemplation she discovered the answer she desired. War is evil. Men start wars so they must also be evil. Remove men from the land and you remove evil, and peace will once again return, and the people will flourish.

It had become so clear, the solution so simple. Cerridwen was in rapture over her new found clarity and rushed to leave her palace to prowl the land to apply her solution. The final solution, thus threatening humanity itself in her mad attempt to stop all wars forever. In return she earned the eternal hatred and loathing of all the peoples of the land, except for one nation and a handful of devoted followers that had been deceived.

* *

The Goddess Cerridwen, known as the Dark Mother by some and the Mad Goddess by others, stood staring out through the invisible barrier that held her captive for over two hundred years. She had been imprisoned by three of the most senior Gods, Taranis, Belenos and Lugh. These Gods could not abide the evil she imposed upon the many peoples of the land. So they told her, she could only be freed if a maiden worshipped the Goddess at the shrine that stood outside her invisible barrier. Or if she could prove to them that she had changed her ways. In her heart of hearts she knew neither of these options would ever be fulfilled and she would never be released. Thus Cerridwen learnt she had earned the eternal hatred and fear of all the peoples that had suffered or even heard of her great task. This forced her to concede that after all this time that mortals could not possibly comprehend the logic of the Gods.

Cerridwen’s confinement was in a white marble villa hidden in a valley, unknown to mortals. This part of the land was mostly unexplored and considered by most as wild and dangerous lands on the eastern borders of The Great Forest and only a few footsteps from the forbidding Heavens Pillars. It was said by most that these were the highest mountains in the land, which were shrouded with many dangers and mysteries. A place where only the brave or fools would go.

Cerridwen’s villa was comfortable and allowing her to live as a Goddess though it was small when compared to her once magnificent palace but the worst of her punishment was the solitude. She found the days incredibly lonely, with the invisible barrier rebuffing all prayers and most forms of communication. To break the monotony she would receive an occasional visit from her two sons Afagddu and Taliesin, and this was only after their mother’s persistent calls for their attendance. As both of her sons were terrified of offending Taranis the Lord of the Gods who despised Cerridwen and all who called upon her. Thus their reluctance to visit was great and their need for caution even greater.

Cerridwen had paid a heavy toll for her many years of isolation. If she wanted to hear a voice she would talk aloud or throw pottery against the wall just to hear it breaking, anything to shatter the endless silence. In time her already fragile mind became increasingly unsound and she began to hear voices. At first she feared madness and tried to ignore them, hoping they would go away. They didn’t. This followed a long period of denial until she could not continue the denial anymore as the voices distracted her from the monotony of her isolation. More voices came and in time she referred to them as her friends, her only true friends, and thus her mind became increasingly unsound and she descended further into madness.

When Cerridwen had woken that morning, she sensed this would be the day she would decide her destiny. She dressed in her favourite white purple-trimmed robe with gold and silver threads woven into the fabric, which was complemented by the ringlets in her golden hair, which presented an image of radiance and power. After she finished admiring herself in the mirror, she strolled towards the invisible barrier that imprisoned her. The Goddess never tired of torturing herself by looking out at what lay beyond. She continued her silent vigil deep in thought—deciding, deciding her fate.

Eventually the Goddess heard voices inside her mind calling to her, so she smiled for she always referred to them as her friends, her only true friends. Great Goddess of the Heavens, it is time to take the next step towards freedom. Cerridwen smiled and never took her eyes from the shrine that stood before her on the opposing hill. ‘Once I have taken these steps there will be no turning back. They can never be withdrawn. It will either win me my freedom or seal my fate. Oblivion!’

The voices inside her mind returned, with another, then another, whispering soothing words to the Goddess. You are the brightest star in the heavens with the most important of tasks before you. Will you continue to live this insult and shame or break free and punish those that have offended you before continuing your great task? Remember this task was ordained to you and no other.

Cerridwen lowered her head, as she knew her friends were right, but with her plan came great risk and not only from the Gods. Silence followed, as the land seemed to hold its breath, waiting upon her decision. She lifted her head and once again she cast her eyes onto the shrine with a terrible intensity flaring in her expression.

‘It shall be done!’

The land seemed to release its breath, trembling in trepidation at what was to come. Reluctantly she tore her eyes away from the shrine and began to walk through her garden passing the many flower beds of roses in every imaginable colour, only pausing when the voice in her mind spoke. Great Goddess of the Stars this is your time to fulfil your destiny. Be brave and do not falter, only by boldness will you succeed. Cerridwen’s face changed to a steely expression as she began going through all that must be done before her body would fail. She knew all to well that even Goddesses had their limitations, while she also knew that none of the other Gods had ever attempted to use the Dagger of Lost Souls, and this would be her second.

She continued along the path until she reached the door to her villa that was made of oak and iron, and marked with her symbol, ‘The Tomb that Swallows’ carved deeply into the wood that was also surrounded by many other designs of significance to the Gods. She waved her arm and the door creaked opened. She continued along the hall in her villa until she stopped before two black, iron doors that both appeared out of place in the presence of the white marbled-lined hall. She pause and took a deep breath as she felt her nerve waver until once again she waved her arm only to hear the doors grudgingly opened as the metal hinges screamed their protest. At first she was frightened to enter as she glared at the marble stand. It supported a silver bowl, and next to it laid a dagger. Not any dagger, but the dagger that absorbs life. She continued to stare while she attempted to summon her courage and force her reluctant legs to move. Unsummoned, the iron doors slammed behind her with the clang extinguishing the last of the natural light engulfing her in darkness. Still she stared at the dagger though it could not be seen only felt. Its presence prompted the voice of her friends who sensed her hesitation, whispering softly. It is time Great Goddess. It is time.

She took another deep breath then snapped her fingers which ignited the candles allowing Cerridwen to once again to see the dagger calling to her, come, come, come closer. Memories of what had happened fourteen years ago came rushing back, when she last held the blade. She had narrowly avoided her life force being ripped out of her body followed by a year laying on her bed recovering, her body burnt black, and still she believed there was hurt inside. A voice returned. You know what must be done? Only the Dagger of Lost Souls can allow you to influence the outside world without detection. Cerridwen replied, ‘yes, it allows me to enter the narrow gap between the laws of nature and magic, and is the only way of penetrating the barrier. If the other Gods ever learn of this, my life would be forfeit. None will know. But the price! The price!’ You must be more careful this time for now you know the power and the price that must be paid. Take care my beloved Goddess, whispered the voice inside her mind.

Cerridwen sighed. Fourteen years ago I took my first tentative step towards freedom by planting dreams in the heads of my mortal followers. Now they will be ready to serve me. Still unable to take her eyes from the dagger while she watched it absorb the light that fell upon it, forming a shadow that surrounded the blade. At first she struggled to tear her gaze away then she walked to the corner of the room, which contained a small pool of bubbling water that was fed by a natural spring. The pool was rich in magic that came from the core of the land. At first she dangled her fingers in the water and enjoyed the sensation of the tingling energy that flowed through her body and smiled when she thought of better times. After a few minutes she tired from the sensation and lifting the silver urn that stood on the edge and submerged it in the water before returning to the silver bowl. Once there she carefully poured the still-bubbling liquid into the bowl until it overflowed the edges then placed the urn on the floor.

The time had come to summons her courage, she paused as her heart raced then she noticed the air was getting hot and her hand trembled so she grabbed it with her other hand. ‘Steady yourself! Goddesses do not fear a challenge’ she cried out. She reached down and grasped the dagger’s handle that was extremely heavy for something so small. This reminded her of the ancient laws that said the blade contained a grain of sand from a black star that gave the dagger its power and disproportionate weight. As she lifted the dagger higher it confirmed what she already suspected there was some truth to the story.

The goddess examined the dagger as she felt its thirst for her life force, reminding her of the task that had to be done, and done quickly, if she was to avoid serious injury or death. Her hand still trembled slightly so she tried to relax and waited until her hand steadied before she cautiously moved the point to her forearm. She held it there for a moment while she applied pressure against her skin still unable to force herself to pierce her flesh. After she summoned the last of her courage she forced the tip to draw blood. When the skin broke intense pain raced up her arm and she shrieked barely able to breathe, as her veins felt they were on fire. Dark lines formed under her lily-white skin that channelled her life force throughout her body into the blade. The Goddess knew the dagger’s insatiable thirst for life was so great she only had seconds before her arm was charred black. Then the room started to spin as she struggled to stay on her feet. While multiple coloured stars appeared before her eyes that told her it was time to withdraw the blade. Once the tip of the dagger cleared her flesh she screamed again as her body cells were released from the dagger’s insatiable hunger. The goddess was badly shaken and attempted to steady herself for a few seconds then paused to examine the blood on the tip before gently placing the Dagger of Lost Souls into the bowl of still bubbling water. Only to hear it sizzle as it submerged. Gradually a mist formed and continued to grow until it became so thick it overflowed the edges of the bowl and continued across the marble stand and eventually flowed onto the floor. The Goddess breathed deeply to summon the last of her inner strength to part the veil that hid her future.

Images appeared. At first Cerridwen saw her garden and the many splendid roses she loved so much, then the field of view altered, as if she was racing across the country side, only slowing when she saw a smoking mountain. The vision descended closer to the ground revealing trees of an enormous size until she found what she sought. Harpies and one particular Harpy, Queen Titus. It had been centuries since she had last seen a Harpy and that was at the end of the disastrous war between the Harpies and the Gods. As punishment the Gods had transformed this once beautiful race into one of horror and disgust, and now cursed by all.

Cerridwen spoke into the water-filled bowl and watched as Queen Titus jumped up from her slumber. ‘Who’s there? Who dares to disturb Queen Titus?’

‘The Goddess that would bring salvation to a Queen and her people! For I am the Goddess who refused to raise my hand against you’ proclaimed Cerridwen.

Queen Titus stood and spread her wings then curled her tail as though she was preparing for battle. ‘Show yourself Goddess so I may tear out your throat and feast on your flesh.’

Cerridwen ignored the comment. She knew the Harpies’ hatred of the Gods ran deep and would never heal. ‘I am Cerridwen Keeper of the Tomb that Swallows. I