Eye In The Sky

Chapter Two

I don't know what I expected to see upon summoning a god, the god of chaos no less. Perhaps, bright white light and a majestic figure stepping down from above to greet me. This was certainly more terrifying. 

 Somehow, the night seemed darker as candles lit up the temple. What was once worn and deary had changed into something glorious. A temple fit for a god. The god, himself sat upon the now golden throne, staring down at me, an odd glint in his eyes.

During these silent moments, I took as much as I could in about the god. He didn't fit the description of any gods I've ever heard about. His hair was white and black, split almost evenly down the middle. It was certainly unorthodox in the eyes of any older man or woman. Yet, somehow, that fit him. His eyes had to be hazel, but I could've sworn they were gold with the odd lighting. 

 "So, what do you want?" He tilted his head, "You've put down an offering but haven't said exactly what your family needs? I don't like it when people make empty offerings." 

 "We need bread, fruits, milk, water," I stammered out, "Anything you can give me. I can come back with more coin if that's what you need."

He furrowed his brow, "Why all the rush? Winter has only just begun. There shouldn't be a need for rationing up so early." 

 "The king," I muttered, glancing behind me, "He's been practicing dark magic, and we're paying for it. Our crops are dying so rapidly that we can't save anything." It would do me no good to try and lie to a god. Yet, it confused me that he didn't know what was going on. Had he truly left our people to die off in the wind?

"I wonder what the foul smell was," He huffed, standing up and cracking his back, "Didn't think a king would be dabbling into something so rugged." 

 "You'd be surprised how much royals dabble into if it'll get them what they want," I scoffed, shaking my head softly, "It's not completely unheard of in other countries although nothing as big as this."

"Do you know when it started?" 

 "Near the end of the fall," I chewed on my knuckle, "Or at least, that's I noticed that some crops weren't growing or dying in the middle of their growth."

"An observant one, are you?" He raised an eyebrow, walking down the steps towards me. I noticed now how tall he was, taller than any man I'd ever known. 

 "When it's necessary, yes," I replied, crossing my arms, looking up even more, "It's not too hard to notice when your vital supply of food is in danger."

He nodded, scratching his chin, "Well, yes, I suppose that is true. But you've noticed much more during this time, haven't you? More than you're telling me."

"I assumed that you would already know any information that I might have to offer, being the god over this land and all."

"Yes, that would the case if it weren't for the fact that I haven't been able to see anything since the end of fall, supposably when your kind started all this dark magic business," He adjusted his fancy attire which was far more revealing than necessary for a god. Gods had been known for their humbling attire yet this one appeared to have no shame in showing off his assets.

 It was hard to describe everything. The red sash that covered his chest, the blacktop beneath, and the white sheer coat above. His bottoms left little to the imagination with tight black shorts and the same red sash around his hips. 

 I cleared my throat, craning my head up to meet his eyes, "I doubt the king is powerful enough to have blocked your sight completely."

"So, you think he's working with someone?"

"Multiple people," I started walking away from the table, leading us outside, "I'd assume it'd be all of his cabinet members but hell, they could've hired people too."

"What's the best way to find the truth then?" He followed closely behind, taking half as many steps as I did.

"Probably going to the slums and asking around," I frowned, "The only problem being that none of them would give their information away for free. They'd probably ask for food, something that I don't have."

The god cleared his throat, raising an eyebrow as he gestured to him, "Hello? A literal god is standing next to you and you're saying that you won't be able to get food?"

"You're going to work with me?" He shrugged, leaning against one of the pillars, not even flinching at the cold, "Why not? I need to know what's happening that they don't want me seeing and you, my little human, are the perfect cover."

"How so?" Somehow, I had captured the interest of a god. The god of chaos no less. 

 "You use elemental magic, correct?"

I nodded, "Yes, I haven't been able to master anymore since the king began using dark magic."

He furrowed his brows, "Why not?"

I struggled to find the proper words without revealing the lack of control I had over my abilities, "I feel... drained of my powers. Or as if, they've weakened."

"The shoddy bastard is probably taking magic from wherever he can find it," The god looked down at me, "My name is Salem and from now on, you will be in my care."

"I'm Ameer, please take care of me, Salem," I smiled reaching out my hand. 

But instead of taking it, he moved to place his hand on my chest which erupted in searing pain. It only lasted a few moments before dissipating completely. 

I looked back at Salem, moving his hand away, "What did you do?"

He grinned, "Don't worry, it's just a pact mark to show other gods that I've taken you under my wing. There are other gods that find it funny to mess humans, this pact sigil shows that you cannot be touched."

"What about my family?"

Salem kissed his teeth with a frown, "I can't say the same for them. The hope is that they'll be too scared to mess with your family but I wouldn't put it past them. They've worse to people that mattered far less."

"Is there any way to prevent it?" I inquired, "Could you give them the same mark?"

He nudged around the snow with his barefoot, "Perhaps, depends on how many there are."

"Only two."

I couldn't bear to imagine Irene or Weylin getting hurt from this black magic business. I wouldn't be able to live with it. It was nerve-wracking enough to be in the presence of a god but having my family hurt by gods would be devastating. 

"It'll be no problem then," He grinned, "I can give a sigil to up to four people."

Salem looked down at me, placing my necklace in my hand, "I think we'll make a very good team, Ameer."