The Gods at War

Aron of Azmar

Aron decided to enter his palace through the kitchen door , uncivilised for a supposed King but he wanted to avoid the crowds . He pushed open the door , grateful for the warmth of cooking compared to his long walk in the windy night. Aron was contemplating this , when his breath caught in his throat.

He swung around , hands grasping air . A bag had been wrapped tightly around his head, making him dizzy on his feet. He had learned to fight , and swinging his leg , he sent his attacker flying into the kitchen counter opposite him . But they were fast , and Aron was forced back against the counter , a knife pressing against his neck. He grabbed their wrist , fighting to pull the knife as far away as possible. Aron searched for a weapon behind him, grabbing what he assumed was a knife . For all he knew , it could have been a useless spoon. But he had to try. He swung , cringing at the sound of flesh tearing open. Aron heard the whoosh of something being lifted into the air and then...

When he awoke , he wasn't sure if he still had the bag on his head or the room was pitch black. Aron blinked , and as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw a door opposite him. He ran forward , banging his fist on the door and screaming for help. His feet and hands were tired and bound together in ropes, so it was a struggle to stay upright. He only stopped when he felt blood prickle from his fist , stinging in the chilly, damp room.

The door suddenly swung open , warm light flooding in. Aron shoved himself backwards , convinced this was the moment of his death. It was a man . He stood tall in the doorway , then , closing the door behind him , he reached for something.

click

A harsh bulb lit up , making Aron's eyes squint . The man turned , grabbing a seat from the corner of the room and pulled it opposite Aron . As he took a seat , Aron sighed with relief and stood , walking towards the man .

" Father , you have no idea..." abruptly stopping , he saw a bandage wrapped around his Fathers arm , stained with blood. Fresh blood.

" No....no.... Father, why am I here?" Aron's voice quivered with fear. He suddenly wished it was a random man , someone abducting him for ransom or whatever... anyone but his Father.

" Aron , son , I think its about time we have a chat."

" I know what you've been doing " his father declared.

" I don't know what you mean " Aron replied , even with his hands and feet tied , thirst and hunger making his stomach pain , his Fathers words hurt more.

" Your little friends. Zila , is it? Oh and Efi , the little strange one. I know"

" How?"

" You idiot boy , I thought I raised you well . Hours of you disappearing? Birds flying through your windows , carrying letters?" Realisation sunk in , making his stomach drop.

" You took Zila's letter. Two weeks ago. That's why I didn't know" His Father smirked.

" HELP ME! SOMEONE HELP I'M IN THE BASEMENT I NEED HEL-"

THUMP. Aron's jaw flew sideways , taking his body with him. He was on his stomach , cheek resting on the cold stone floor. Silo, his Father , grabbed his arm and rolled him over. Standing over him , fist raised into the air , Aron managed a question. " Why are you telling me this?"

He wasn't even sure if his Father had heard him , until a flash of sympathy flashed in his eyes. He lowered his arm. " Son , we have help. One day , Azmar will be feared . Me and you will be feared. I'm not going to hurt you. I never have , son " his tone soft , and menacing.

As he sat back down , Aron pulled his knees up to his chin , blood dripping from his face.

" It's not your fault for making friends , Aron. I done it too. And it gave me the greatest gift I have ever had. Years and years ago , when me , Carla , Zayi, Vru and Eli were teenagers , we used to see each other . In the exact way you do , through them sneaky little tunnels." Vlad recognised the names as his friend's parents.

" We thought the way our parents run their countries was so wrong . The curse, that doomed all of us , we hated it. We wanted eternity. So we combined our powers. Found a witch to do it for us. " Aron's jaw dropped at that , he wasn't even aware they existed. " And what came of that , boy , was magical. "