The Broken Circle

Seeking Violence

Talul's limbs burned as he hauled himself out of the churning waters. He clung to the sheer cliff face of the island shore, taking a moment to catch his breath. He had climbed just above sea level, but there were many yards before he reached the plateau. Lightning flashed and his gaze swept the horizon, the fishing boat was nowhere to be seen. Good. The farther the better. Saltwater sprayed him as a wave slammed against the the rocks beneath his feet. The last thing he needed was to be swept back into sea. Talul fixed his gaze onto the top of the cliff and began to climb. The rain had slicked the stone and in the dark he could barely find handholds. More than once, he had to change his hold on the stone to keep from tumbling down. Pain flared as his nails cracked and split. Talul embraced that pain and willed himself to put one hand after the other. Soon, he was close enough to see the contrast between the cliff and plateau. Talul made a handhold with his right hand, and made to plant his left. But this time the stone crumbled beneath his hands. His heart lurched as he began to freefall. Swirling water and jagged stones rushed up to meet him. Talul ripped his black pointed spear from his back and rammed it into the rock face. There was a screech as the spear slowed his fall and he came to a stop almost where he had started. "Fuck!", Talul cursed. His shoulders burned from the strain but he pulled himself up and began to climb again. What else could he do? He would need all of his power soon. With his spear as a lever in his right hand, Talul fought his way up the cliff he had already scaled. He found a rhythm and his mind wandered, taking him back to the days when he had climbed trees in An Linel. Those bright days before the Holy Rain had come and broken his home into blackened pieces. The city of An Linel had been made into a lesson for the world. Fear the gods. Talul let his fury fuel him as he made his last push. Finally, he rolled over the edge of the cliff and onto the plateau. He lay there at the edge for a moment, he was sore everywhere. He was still tired when he stood and picked up his spear. Rest and conquest never did get along.

He walked further inland, noting several miles of grassy plains. The time was drawing near, and the anticipation made Talul's skin tingle. He was the dark sword of destiny, and there was blood to be spilled. He tightened the chains on his power and drew on it even as it fought against him. Talul tilted his face skywards. The storm was calmer now, but the tension in the air grew with every moment. Rain pattered down on him and Talul took a deep breath

"UKAMI!" he shouted. Thunder rumbled. "YOU WILL NOT SIT ON THAT THRONE MUCH LONGER. I AM THE INFIDEL AND I HAVE COME TO TAKE EVERYTHING FROM YOU!"

For a moment nothing happened, then there was a crash of thunder like a drumroll. Lightning split the sky and thick black clouds gathered and spun above. The air crackled with static.

"COME ON YOU BASTARD!" , Talul screamed, "DO IT!"

A lightning bolt struck a tree on Talul's left, turning it to ash. Another struck the ground to his left and shattered the stone into a crater. The third lightning bolt arced from the sky like a heavenly arrow.  It shot down and struck Talul with the fury of a god. Fuck his fury. Talul carried the rage of all humans living in bondage. He reached up and unleashed his power, in that moment grabbed the lightning bolt by the tail.  Talul pulled, lancing his power between realms. He pulled with all his might, screaming as his blood boiled and his muscles tore. And then something gave, the very sky split open. A deafening crack sounded as Talul dragged Ukami from his heavenly throne. The god fell from the fissure in the sky at the other end of the lightning bolt. Friction trailed his form as Talul swung to send him crashing into the earth. The impact set off an explosion that threatened to split the island. White light blasted outward and scorched the earth. The brilliant dome flared but he was only hit with the residual blast. Talul coughed blood and reached a charred hand to grasp his spear. The real battle was about to start.  Yet Talul was dizzy, and he leaned on his spear to keep balanced. He was burned both inside and out and spots danced in his vision as he tried to breathe.