False God

THE BEGINNING

˚₊‧𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 ‧₊˚

"Trixie, let's go," I said, tugging my little sister's wrist. "Father will beat us silly if we're late."

Trixie, who wasn't listening before, nodded. "Okay, Laverna."

I hated using Father's temper as a weapon against her, but Mohini was a big city. It was neon-lit and had dozens of believers of The God. The God was a big entity that many Mohinians believed in, but I didn't buy that. If The God was so gracious, why would my family live in a dump with Sidero's ex-husband, my father?

Trixie and I shared the same mother but different fathers. Our mother died from a fire that I started by mistake. I was trying to make some chicken soup for Trixie since she was ill, and Mother didn't care so much about her, but the house ended up in flames.

After her death, my father took me to Sidero, his ex-wife. Now, they just try to fight off arguments. Father didn't like Trixie or me that much, but he had some kind of 'mercy.' Trixie never knew her father, but I think it's better that way.

I was exhausted, walking through a crowd of people. "C'mon, Trixie—Trixie?" I asked, realizing my sister had broken free of my grasp. In the distance, near the heart of neon-lit Mohini, was Trixie being taken away by a stranger. "TRIXIE!"

I ran forward, ditching my bag of groceries. I sped past people, shouting my sister's name. I screamed for other people to help me, but no one moved. Typical Mohinians. "GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU FREAK!"

The stranger grabbed Trixie as she screamed, running into an alley. Oh my god, I'll have to confront this guy. Desperation was greater than my senses. I stumbled into the shady alley, gasping loudly. "Trixie! Whoever you are, give her back!"

"Laverna Keres," a mysterious voice hissed, coming out of the shadows. A tall, hooded figure stepped forward, holding Trixie by the collar of her shirt. Tears flooded her eyes as she cried.

"Give me my sister, you creep!" I hollered, running to grab her. The hooded stranger suddenly summoned a knife to her throat. Trixie screamed as I gasped. How did he summon a weapon— "You're The God."

"No, I am not The God," he—at least I assume—laughed. "I am merely a messenger of The God. Laverna Keres, you are guilty of sins, your whole family are sinners. Loki Keres beats and abuses the Keres, Sidero Keres gambles and drinks excessively, and you are a rotten thief."

The words were stolen from my throat. I was a thief, but only because our parents couldn't provide for our needs. "Please, don't hurt Trixie, she is not a sinner."

"You are correct, Trixie Keres has not committed any sins," he spoke clearly and charmingly which made me gag. He summoned something else, a scroll of paper. "However, The God has decided to punish her for the Keres' misdeeds. Although, there is a leeway since he is forgiving."

Forgiving, the words tasted like poison. He handed me the scroll, setting down Trixie, but the knife was still pressed against her neck. I reviewed the scroll, narrowing my eyes. "The God wants me to complete a series of tasks to receive Holy Water? That's my price as a signature?"

"The correct term is Rivkah Talia."

"Why can't he get it himself?!"

"Because of your family's sins, it's your punishment."

Suddenly, Trixie vanished. Before I had a chance to react, he held up his hands, angel wings fully expanded. "Trixie Keres is safely tucked away in Heaven with The God. My name is Achar and we begin our journey right now."