Malion: Royal Blood

The Decended One

The man that was standing at the door was not a man, but a God. God of fear, and of destruction.
It seemed impossible that a being of such immense power could lower himself to a mere, mortal form. His eyes we're completely blank and his clothes we're made of the finest silk and cotton.
He seemed to reach into the my soul with his gaze.

Herross...

"Decoda," he started. His voice was deep and velvety. There was a hint of concern that laced his words.

"I am very sorry to simply approach you this way, but my family and I need your help." He said, still kneeling down.

"Why do you need my help specifically?" I asked after plucking up the courage to ask the God.

"You..." he glanced up at me, or at least I thought by the movement of his eye lids, "You will need my assistance in the future." He told me vaguely. Then he stood, towering over me by about half a meter. My head suddenly began to ache as dizziness caught me off guard. I stumbled, only to be caught by the God. His grip was steady and his radiant skin was warm against my arm.

"Are you alright?" He asked. There was a tone of sincerity in his voice that I didn't know the God of Distruction could muster. I forced a simple nod and regained my composure.

"Please do not take any offense, but I was expecting you to destroy me once I showed any weakness in front of a God." I blurted out to his surprise or horror.

"No, no! I may be the one who reaps the souls of those who have died, but I take mercy on those who live. I do not take lives. I take their souls." He explained bowing his head.

"I do not wish to harm you."

"Sir, I was wondering if you'd elaborate on why your greatness thinks I would need your help?" I asked, bowing my head. I heard a chuckle from him.

"Please, I am not fussed about formalities. I would much prefer you call me Herross or Hero." He told me. I blinked at him in surprise. I sputtered something before asking him to come inside.

"You know, your reaction is a new one, Decoda." He told me with velvity benevolence.

"What do you mean?" I asked, taking a seat on the ground. He gave me a puzzled look then sat in front of me.

"Sorry, we haven't gotten to making any furnature yet. Elliott told me he would start on some chairs, but..." I trailed off, thinking about the unconscious Osrocan.

"If you'd like, I could make some things for you, at the expense of some trees of course. My power has consequences, unlike those of my... irritating brother." He explained. Selvan, the God of Creation and Progress was known to raise castles from nothing and bring new life to those Herross did not find it fair to take.

"Would you?" I asked him.

"I would need something in return..." he mumbled, something odd for a God.

"I would like to use this area to build up your dream and hopefully have you host my family and I." He told me, his eyes gleaming with a pleading glint. My eyes widened.

"How did you..."

"It is fairly evident in your eyes. You could use some help, after all, you have a field, a ship and an old cottage. I could build you a city, but it will take time." He explained, making my mouth hang open in awe.

"You can... but... what if..." I stammered, still surprised.

"I suppose I will take that as a 'yes', right?" He chuckled. It was a hearty laugh, as if I was the first to hear his jovial expression. He gave me a greatful smile.

"If it isn't too much trouble, I would like to introduce you to my family in a few days. I may need to travel for a bit to get them here safely." He said just as another pang of dizziness hit me and made the room spin. I clenched my hands into fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms and break the skin. He stood up and offered a hand, but I decided to keep my hands a secret until I couldn't.

I stood, the room spinning and swirling. I took a step forward and swayed. Herross didn't seem to notice when I propped myself up against the wall.

"Will I be meeting your brothers as well?" I asked, clutching onto one of the shutters.

He gave a spiteful laugh.

"I'd hope for your own sake you do not. Selvan is arrogant and haughty. Norvek thinks he is above everyone else. As much as he thinks he brings joy, all he does to me is spark hatred." He explained.

Norvek was the God of protection and joy. Selvan, their other sibling, was the God of creation and progress.
The three balanced each other out astonishingly well. I didn't think that Gods would have sibling rivalry.

"In regards to mortals," He continued, "I try to recover my reputation. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work. I suppose I do come off as slightly overwhelming. You are the first to tolerate my mortal form, although I could shift it, it only feels more natural to look more like Selvan. We are twins after all." He explained. I let out a huff as he left Nathaniel's cottage and I walked after him. I watched through hazy vision as he disappeared into the spruce forest covering the flatter mountainous terrain further north. As I waited, my vision faded to a bright white and I felt my body fall to the ground with a thud.

I saw icy blue eyes parted with a bloody slash. The skin on this person's face was dark and reminded me of someone. Blood streamed from the deep diagonal slash across their face and into one of their eyes, pooling there and filling the icy blue with a familiar crimson. A wicked laugh resonated from a mouth I couldn't see.