The Odyssey of Scylla

Chapter 11

Supreme's ship was massive; moving beneath its hull blocked the sky. It could carry his entire fleet within its hull and have room to spare. Hokuto called it Second Mahara. The ship was rumored to even house Mahara, but that was only a fanciful story.

Hokuto wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me agilely through the crowd to the room where I would make my announcement. I pulled my hood over my head and pressed myself closer to him. He pulled me through a door and hesitantly let go of me.

The room was filled with the entire fleet's announcers. The 30 or so aliens in the space looked up but didn't react to our entrance.

I turned around. "I see where my things are. I'll be fine. Go attend to Death."

He held my elbow. "Are you sure you'll be fine on your own?"

I ran my fingers over his ear crest. "I'll be fine."

"If you're sure." He looked over the group, and I knew he searched for Snake and E-scale.

"Go. Don't keep Death waiting. I'll see you in a few."

He squeezed my elbow and let go with some reluctance. I watched him leave then headed to where my things were placed. The others had begun to take the places in front of doors spread down the room.

Death and Hokuto had told me the announcers would come out of the doors simultaneously. Each announcer would step forward and give their best introduction. Death had told me to introduce him and add to it about the crime committed. It was going to be interesting, to say the least.

I closed my eyes and waited. I could hear them all practicing their speeches. I was the only one that would be singing. After a few moments, I heard the gentle woosh of the doors. I opened my eyes, collected my things, and stepped through my open door.

We stepped into an amphitheater, and all the Kukuna were spread through the room. Supreme, his mate, and his children sat at a table facing the doors. I quickly scanned them and found Death. He took a drink from a goblet and set it back down. Then, he focused his eyes on me.

We didn't break eye contact until it was my turn to announce. Then, the room was silenced, and all eyes fell on me. I picked up my microphone and headed to the center of the room like the others had. Hokuto had made sure that my guitar would be compatible, so I was appropriately heard.

I began plucking away at the song's chords, letting its rhythm fill the amphitheater. Pushing my hood back, I let them all see my face. Had I been human, removing my cloak would have interrupted my performance, but I wasn't human anymore. I used my tentacles to toss my veil aside, and it fluttered to the ground.

The words of Lorde's song, Glory and Gore, flowed from my lips in a slight hum at first but grew loud and clear with each passing second. I quickly found my own in this amphitheater surrounded by Kukuna, spectators, and leaders alike. I stole glances at the crowd, and they swayed with my words letting the music push them. I smiled.

As quickly as I had let the energy rise, I brought it back down. I could feel the anticipation from the crowd. What would come next? Who did she announce, who was her master?

I let the last cord reverberate across the room. Glory and Gore, like Lorde, said they go hand in hand and victory was contagious. I flipped my guitar's volume down so I wouldn't send discord through the room then set it on the ground. I took the microphone in my hands and moved closer to Supreme and his children.

"Death. Through loyalty and command, you have led your soldiers home. Home, to where they have been greeted and embraced as brothers and sisters. Death. You sit beside your kin and wait for them to hear; hear what tale you have to tell."

I could see everyone lean forward in their seats. I had them eating out of my hand. "Death! The third son of Supreme, you have come home to Mahara. You have listened to their call."

I stopped in front of Death, and he looked down from his seat and nodded his head.

"Though you have returned home and brought many with you, there is one who did not."

The crowd erupted in a frenzy of whispers. They had realized I had gone off-script.

"Death was bringing home news and excitement. Excitement because for the first time, he would have a child."

Supreme stood, and the crowd fell silent. "Speak the truth plainly tale weaver."

His voice echoed in the quiet room, and I could feel his command in those few words.

"My story and Death's story intertwine, Supreme." I lowered my head.

"Out with it."

I stood up tall and looked at Serpent and Chariot. "My name is Scylla. I was split from my original body. The body that was carrying Death's child within it. My consciousness was placed inside a half-life, and my original body jettisoned into space. This body does not carry Death's child."

The room erupted in shouts and screams. They called me a liar and didn't believe death would choose someone other than a Kukunda. So I waited until they settled.

Once I was sure it was safe to speak again, I did. "I'm not lying, Supreme. I was a human from Earth, and through something miraculous, we were able to conceive a child. Dr. Traverse was doing everything in his power to ensure the child was healthy and that I could bear it. But, unfortunately, the announcers Snake and E-scale split me. They killed my body, thus killing Death's child."

Supreme turned to Death. Their words passed unspoken. "What do you want, Scylla?"

"I want retribution. Those responsible pay the price." I let those words sink in.

"Death, what do you want?"

Death took another drink from his goblet. "I want the announcers silenced and the ones that gave the order," he looked at me coldly, "I want them to die by the vacuum of space."

"Death, who ordered the split?" Supreme's words were flat.

"Serpent and Chariot, Snake and E-scale told Scylla before they split her. I've seen the memory."

"You may choose ONE of your brothers to face that punishment, and the other will be silenced along with their announcers."

Death had figured that would be the case. "Serpent."

Supreme sat down. "Done."

Serpent and Chariot stood up, keen on protesting, but armed soldiers grabbed them from behind and dragged them out of the amphitheater. Soldiers made their way across the amphitheater ground and collected Snake and E-scale. The soldiers carried them past me. They pleaded with their eyes, but I had no mercy in me for them. They were being punished for the crime they had committed. I could only help Death, and I could find peace after this.