The legend of Zaphratos

Death calls

Deep within Henry's mind as he slumbers a faraway pounding sound is heard.

Pound.. pound.. pound..

"Zaphratos... you know the rules..." a female voice says sounding playful, Henry's heart beats faster as he hears the voice.

Henry wakes up with a loud gasp covered in sweat before sitting up and looking around in a panic "Who's there!" He says breathing heavily. Henry looks around the stone hovel brushing his hands against the soft wool of the bed under him as he does. His breathing begins to slow, "Okay, I think it was just a dream" he says to himself trying to calm down. "But why was it about zaphratos?" He asks himself curiously, "Henry, we have to go," says zaphratos in a deeper serious voice. "Why? Because of the dream?" Henry says, "Yes, I didn't think Saa'met could reach us here but I guess I was wrong," zaphratos says somewhat calmer.

"Saw-who? Why is she after us?" Henry says sounding mostly calm but concerned, "Saa'met, the entity who holds dominion over the dead, I'm assuming she's angry that I cheated death by tying myself to the totem but I must not die, I will not die, definitely not yet," zaphratos says sounding increasingly determined and defensive.

"Woah woah woah, it's okay zaphratos, I'm sure we can figure something out, I stopped that shadow guy, the Vasari guy by staying away from the shadows, is she the same way?" Henry says keeping a positive tone trying to give zaphratos hope. "I'm afraid not Henry, she is above normal limitations, even for a celestial. She is death itself a force beyond even me and my siblings." Zaphratos says deep in thought feeling hopeless.

Henry sighs "We can't give up hope, if she didn't just break in here and take you there must be a chance, maybe you can contact your father or make some kind of deal with her," he says very worried but hopeful. Zaphratos's heart sinks metaphorically but feels a slight warmth at some of Henry's words "I appreciate your courage and aid, but I doubt either of those are possible, hmm" zaphratos says before thinking for a few moments "Maybe we can stand a chance if we gather the celestials, might even get our fathers attention" zaphratos says in a lighter voice feeling hopeful. Henry smiles "Yeah! There you go, we can do it I'm sure," he says happily, "indeed, I think we may have a shot after all" zaphratos says hopefully enjoying Henry's enthusiasm as well.

"So who's first?" Henry says still curiously still smiling lightly, "My wife I'd say," zaphratos says feeling a warmth spread through both of them at his words as he recalls the tidal goddess. "Your wife?!" Henry says extremely surprised, zaphratos smiles metaphorically "Indeed, my mighty wife Asearus, the tidal goddess herself who reigns over all water and sea.

Henry smiles at that filled with amazement from the description "She sounds really strong! Let's go find her" Henry says full of hope and excitement. "Well, I have a slight reluctance," zaphratos says quieter, "a reluctance? What's up?" Henry says a bit calmer curiously. "It's my form and lack of power..." zaphratos explains a bit nervously but trying not to show it "I'm not exactly the legendary god of balance right now," he says thinking back to his sealing and death "but we should go though, I'm sure it'll be fine," he says trying to perk them up and ignore the worry. Henry feels bad for zaphratos but believes Asearus will only find a bit of worry in it "Yeah it'll be fine, you're still the legendary and skilled god of balance" he says with a smile attempting to conceal his buried thoughts.

"Indeed, let us venture," zaphratos says more proudly as he takes over and steps off of the soft wool bed on the ground. He walks across the stone floor exiting the stone hovel filled with hope, as he walks towards the dungeon exit he sees Alina and Alinar "Good times Henry and my lord, are you returning to the outside world?" Alinar asks brightly with a smile as Alina watches Henry curiously with a smile as well. "Indeed, we are to search for the celestials and unite as many as we can," zaphratos says careful to leave out any signs of his possible doom, "wonderful, we wish you good luck my lord," they say with a smile, and a slow bow. Zaphratos smiles back and nods before walking past them admiring the smooth stone walls and the dim torches strung across them, before long they arrive at the sigil that they used to gain entry previously.