The Void

Shadowed Light

Shadows are seen not unless the light is obstructed....

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Mogan,

Many like to live in the shadows with its comforting silence...Quite oblivious to the fact that in those shadows there exist monsters-blood thirsty monsters ready for those who want to fall prey to them.I was quite aware of this but with every passing second I went deeper into darkness.After all,I was a monster by my own right.

I was in the good books of Warren-that I could tell.I would be joining the hoplites soon.The hoplites made up the brutal Greek army.I once belonged with them but after killing my own men in cold blood,I had fled.Their dry iron smelling blood still haunted me.I had become a monster soon after and here I was-back in my first home in search of my freedom.

I was close to decipher this puzzle.I could almost smell the answer lurking around.I still wondered about the golden comb that forever remained in my back pocket.How did it fit in this puzzle? And then there was kitten!Why did she have to be the lost mistress?
Were the fates still getting back at me?

Tonight,I would be adorned with the whole armoire of a hoplite (foot soldier).I let the linen white shirt slip through my head and onto my scarred body.I fixed the metal armour plates on my shoulder,wore the bronze breastplate which actually covered most of my front.Shin guards covered my calved legs as my pointy helmet completed the look.However, I knew that no matter how much I dressed like a hoplite,I would never belong with them again.

War,people feared it while others had to face it in their very souls. The fighting turmoils of emotions in me had somewhat made me fearless to the war without. Good thing I wasn't getting dressed for a real war.We would be going to mount Olympia to amuse the gods with our 'mock fights

I presumed they liked how mortals went at each other's backs.I was not enthusiastic about the going because my 'master' was the host of the event.At times I felt like I could rip Poseidon's head off but that was next to impossible because after all he was immortal.Come dusk,we would all ascend to the mountain and perform the duels.As I had predicted,the other hoplites weren't enthusiastic about me joining them but which choice did they have in the matter?

As the orange orb set to the unknown horizon,its fading rays casting deadly reflections on our swords,we marched on.Hoplites in their hundreds (just a handful of the main army) trudged on-all ready to do their master's bidding.All except one! ME

Skilled,deadly,dangerous and fully armed we were but in the eyes of the gods I suppose we were just small ants fumbling with food.There was this continuous tag in my cold heart but as always I closed the shutters tightly.

This would be thunderous!! I was no Oracle but my guts never lied.

Nightfall was slowly creeping in and we were at the foot of the mountain-still marching.No one had dared to utter a word to me and I really didn't mind it.It was as if I was sending waves of fear within a ten miles radius or something was because there was this disturbing silence round me.

On cue, a fire ball shot into the open sky lighing the surrounding a shade of ominous yellow.Each of our faces were blank masks because as soldiers a display of emotions was a sign of weakness.We knew not what to expect but I could really smell fear emitting from their cold sweat.

The air was growing colder and snow started to fall.Mount Olympia had this rugged dominance about it-I was therefore not surprised that it was Poseidon's favourite place.Then another giant fireball exploded into the sky this time revealing faces of what mankind dreaded and served- greek gods.Then the cold snow fell faster blocking our view of them.

Blindly we journeyed on
Some to their deaths
Others to some glorification

Only time would tell each of our fates

Minutes passed,and several metres away from their surreal presence we stopped,lowered our helmets and knelt with our faces fixed on the ground.Such a submissive position if you ask me!!

Before hand, we had attached red or green flags on our shields.Little did we know brother would fight against brother in this 'mock war' as long as the flags differed.

"Arise!!" The voice I so much hated boomed into the chilled weather.

In less than a heartbeat we were on our feet.I still couldn't see his face due to the snowy misty weather though.Servants (who I suppose were human ) handed royal goblets to the gods.

"Let the game begin" My awful master boomed again.

Warrior turned against warrior,clanking of metal,war cries mixed with amused laughter.A visible glowing silver blue barrier ensured we kept away from them.Why those exact colours? Anyway,I kept on dodging and attacking.Warren had been convinced I would persuade one of the Greek gods to find her.But how?

The fighting was getting intense and messy as bodies fell round me.I had a gushing wound on my elbow and several bruises.Weariness was gradually taking a hold of us but we knew we could only stop at their command.

Pink cheeks,pale lips,laboured breathing as I thrust into my opponents flesh.A snow storm was coming,things were getting blurry.Somehow I knew this odds were being caused by them.

Another hour in this weather and we would start sheďding off our body parts.
The air was kind of compressed so breathing was growing harder by the minute.I lashed at my last opponent and just then my feet gave way as I fell.

Eyes drifting to the barrier,I saw a goddess adorned with blue gems come out of it.Her eyes never leaving mine.

"Intriguing."She said.

"It's over."Poseidon said.

And where there were shadows came light.But there was definitely something off with this light.

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It has been too long since I updated then this popped out of mind...I just had to write it before sleeping 😪...Love J...