Zoombieverse - Memory 1: The Three-Headed Dog

The Three-Headed Dog

"Why do I have to go to this stinking place too?" a child-god muttered as the boat he was on meandered its way through a wide dead river. A hand suddenly grabbed the top of his head, pulling on the stray strands of hair sticking out of his visor as a voice shouted, "Watch that tone of yours, brat! You'd best present yourself well when we arrive at our destination. Father has charged us with this important delegation and you should be thankful that you're part of it."

"Y-Yes. Of course. I-I understand, Eldest Brother. I will behave myself. I will not disappoint Father," he pleaded at the imposing figure before him.

As the Eldest Brother let go of his head, another hand reached in to pinch his cheeks. "Aww, is our Youngest already bored? Come here. Older brother here can play with you," said an insidious voice to his side.

"No! I'm fine! Go away!" the boy-god protested as he unsuccessfully attempted to dodge all the touching, groping, pinching, tickling, tapping and slapping that came his way in the narrow space of the boat they were in.

"Cut it out, you two," a quiet but firm voice commanded. "You're rocking the boat. I don't want to arrive at the palace drenched in these waters."

"Yes, Second Sister. Apologies," the insidious voice replied as he attempted a final swipe at the boy-god's head.

"Ow! That hurts! Second Sister, it wasn't me who started this," cried the Youngest.

"Pathetic boy. If the Thirteenth's light taps are enough to hurt you, how are you going to survive on your own? You better stay close to us and not cause any trouble," his sister scolded.

"Yes, Second Sister," was all the boy-god could muster as a reply.

The boat eventually made it to the other shore and the four siblings made their way to their destination. As they neared the palace, its owner came out and greeted them. "Ah! Children! I'm happy to see all of you. You all seem to be doing fine."

"Greetings, Sire. It is an honor to have you personally greet us."

"Nonsense! We are all family here." As the Lord of the palace surveyed the siblings, his gaze turned to the boy-god. "Oh. Who's this? Could you be the Youngest now?"

"Y-Yes, Sire. I am the current Youngest."

"Oh, how cute! And so polite as well. You don't need to be so formal with me. You can just call me Uncle. Come here and let me see your face."

"Yes, Uncle." The boy-god swiftly obeyed the older god before him.

The palace owner took the boy-god's face in his hands and examined him. "Hmm... Interesting. Now then, look straight into my eyes."

The boy-god obeyed and gazed at the ancient eyes. He felt himself fall deeper and deeper even though he was standing perfectly still on solid ground. The young god wanted to scream and squirm away from the abyss that he was staring at but found himself unable to do so. As the other siblings stood nervously and uncomfortably on the side, each remembering their own experiences with those eyes, the ancient god simply started pronouncing his observations of the child-god's soul. "Hmm... Yes. Interesting. I see. This is quite-- Yes."

What felt like an eternity only happened in the span of a few minutes. As the boy-god found himself able to move again, his shaking knees were unable to support him and he stumbled backwards and fell. The ancient Lord before him smiled as he ruffled the child-god's hair while proclaiming, "I see! Ha! That was quite interesting indeed! I've never seen anything quite like that. I look forward to seeing more of you in the future, little one."

The confused and shaken boy-god did not know what to do and simply stared at the excited god in front of him until the Eldest Brother grabbed him and pulled him up roughly. "Stop being an embarrassment, brat. Stand straight in front of our host."