Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 26

Volohs smiled as he watched the minor god be brought before his very eyes. He knew the rules of Lumesc. When a minor god slayed a major god, such as the mighty Claydrin, they would absorb their power, though impossible the task, given the gap in their power and authority. However, Volohs had the funds, the power, and enough men to march through Hell itself, catching a few minor gods was all within his power, it was why he would win this war. If Claydrin wouldn't gift him with godhood, perhaps he had to earn it. The Amulet of Halv, the Mighty God of Smithy, Halvier had made the amulet for his one true love, upon her death, in the war against Oxroses, he had infused her soul into the amulet, allowing gods, or in this case mortals, to absorb other life forms. All Volohs had to do was become as a minor god.

He looked at the almost human like deity before him. Artio the Bear was a woman far from weak they had used twenty wizards using enchanted equipment to hold her in a magical field. Nearly a hundred Ommart had flooded the room. Volohs looked about as he cracked is neck. Artio the bear simply looked at the man. She was stocky in build, barely covered and her hair felt almost to the floor when she stood tall, giving about three inches of space. She had bushy eyebrows, long nails, and canines that protruded from her mouth. She growled at Volohs; besides him and the Ommart, every other man seemed to retreat from the monster as far as allowed.

Voloh's dropped his mace by the woman's face, savoring his victory, as he thought back towards his meeting with the Fates. A month prior to his current encounter he had spoken to the Fates, three women, who decided the destinies of men. Artio looked at him, as if to read the king's thoughts.

"So you have met with the Fates, weak blood!" Artio said in almost a grunt.

"Indeed." Volohs replied.

He remembered the scene he had stumbled upon as he entered the grove of the Fates. He had traversed mountains, plains, and forest to walk among the grey and gloomy area. The trees in the surrounding area had died, the clouds darkened. All other life had seemed to have died, as Voloh's climbed the dark grey and stone stairs. Some of the stone stairs were cracked; other's almost completely broken and shattered into pieces. The three women smiled as he approached them with his men on standby, the vivid image still implanted in his brain.

He recalled the cool wind brushing against his skin. The stone structure had been built towards a cliff edge, as the ocean could be seen beyond the drop off. Each of the three sisters had dark brown hair, except the eldest, who had a dirty blonde color. They each had matching eye colors, of different shades of hazel, and wore white dresses, that hung down to their feet, where their near perfect sandals could be seen.

"And what did you learn, King of the West?" Artio mocked.

Volohs smiled, his memories leaving him, "They told me, and I say this word for word. You are destined to be a god! Their words, not mine, to be a god, not some minor deity such as you. I must admit however, that your presents will be missed in this world."

The Mace flung back as with one smash of the mace, the woman's head made a huge cracking noise. Pieces of her skull jetted from her head, as her blooded and dazed eyes spun. This was the end, the great fall of Artio the Bear. Volohs hadn't hunted the bear by himself, but he had taken a step of no return. He was dedicated to finish this, no matter what. He could feel the strength of the bear goddess enter his body and souls, as she lied on the floor dying in a pool of her own blood. Minor deity weren't immortal, and only those with amulet of Halv could truly kill a God.

Volohs felt stronger then thirteen men, and faster than a legion of runners. All in the room quaked as the light grew dark, as if an ultimate taboo had been performed, it instantly rained, as if the Heavens were weeping. Thunder and lightning sprung from the sky, as if to show the rage of the other gods. Volohs seemed to be the only one, who felt at ease with the decision. While most would have now regretted their mistake, Volohs found only strength, and encouragement. Nothing would be the same now; Volohs was now on the path of power.