Isaac managed to stop himself diving for cover as a brilliant flash illuminated the room. A spinning vortex tore open the air and Am-Heh emerged.
Gone were the modern articles of clothing, the constricting garments piquing his heightened irritation, replaced by the freedom of the old attire.
Looking at him, Isaac felt the old feeling of awe and adoration kindle inside, a sense of nostalgia for the days of old and could almost feel the stifling desert heat.
"I sense disturbance," Am-Heh said, his eyes dark. "The scent of another God. What a surprise, they never do learn to mind their own business." His hawkish gaze fell of Isaac. "I hope you had common sense enough to bite your tongue, careless talk could mean losing it."
"It was Shu," Isaac's stomach sank. "And no, I didn't say anything he didn't already know. How can I? It's not like you've really opened up to me." His looked up, his soft eyes feeling like needle
Aiden stepped cautiously over the rubble that half blocked the doorway, the remains of the frame and the crumpled metal of the once strong occupant, the lock the only thing still intact.Beyond, the shadows stretched into nothing in the long corridor, the only chinks of light flickering like willow-the-wisp from under sealed doors."Watch your step," Aiden warned, holding the wall as he worked his one leg. He was starting to get the hang of it now, but that didn't mean he wanted to fall flat on his face and practice getting up. "These places have been going to wrack and ruin for years. If you're a bit of a prude, I'd avoid paying too much mind to the graffiti, it's pretty colourful in parts."Ash chuckled politely at the attempt to lift the mood, moving around to offer an arm. The darkness was so thick, one slip and Lord knew what one would land on. Already his mind was working overtime, imagining all sorts of ghouls and long-legged b
Shu had appeared at the door of the museum. He scanned the streets, empty save for a sheet of newspaper rolling like a tumbleweed in an attempt to avoid catching fire.It's luck soon ran out and it vanishing into a pile of grey ash, flying away to the four winds."Where are they?" He muttered, wringing his hands anxiously. "They should surely have been back by now."Am-Heh was not near, he couldn't sense his presence and cloaking such power took a grand effort, one that was seen as too much to bother with."Something is wrong," he took to the heated air, swatting the cinders as the wind whirled them about him. "And I must find out what. The sword cannot fall into the wrong hands."--Atum watched in disbelief as the sword's presence vanished from the map before him. No trace or slither of its power revealed it.Stupidly, for the want of any other action, he picked up and the chart and shook it
The wrath of the God was being felt the world over.The seas became heated, sending the life beneath to the surface in a desperate attempt to live. Smaller fish had little chance, floating up and forming a silver carpet on the rippling waves.Larger beasts, some unknown to mankind, followed in their wake, clearing them and whatever else was within reach in one snap of their jaws.From the deck of a fishing trawler, stranded when the fire fell and destroyed the engine, a quartet of fisherman watched the carnage. The sea a mass of foam, blood and steam.The bitter odour of rotten and burning fish filled the air around them and seeped into their overalls, already reeking of brine and scales that sparkled like gems on the fabric."If this is it," the skipper's gruff voice reached his crew. "Then I'm glad it was with you. To die alone is the greatest fear of any man."The three fishermen loo
Isaac emerged at the junction that broke the road into four.Normally it was a crescendo of honking horns and not so quiet expletives from impatient drivers, wrapped into a messy package with a smog of exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke.It was the prime example of why Isaac refused to drive unless he really had to.All that was gone. The turning points were desolate. Cars left abandoned and empty, sparkling with the bloody rain that ran slowly down the metal if it hadn't been burned in by the following fires.In a car to the right a figure sat slumped. A plastic bag tied over his head.The drains were still full an overflowing. Unable to cope with the sudden deluge the grates pulsating with crimson waters and rotten leaves. The stench of decaying foliage and waste rose in waves from below, tarnishing the puddles with a murky sheen.Isaac gave it a wide berth. The smell alone enough to d
Am-Heh paced restlessly. A soft sheen of nervous sweat clung to his brow, dashed away when he turned by the whirl of hair.Irritation blended in with the anxiety. Looking down to see no more fire falling was a sign he had again succumbed to Isaac's wiles. He could only placate himself with the reminder that the rest of the world still endured. He had ended the city, and the city alone.That had been resented. He was furious with the human who had turned to Babi, and not returned to him as demanded. Angry with himself for thinking he would."His life will be miserable enough..." He stopped still and looked back, focusing on the blood of the crow that still ran in him, giving him a view far closer than what should be. "I cannot linger here until called," he felt his fingers curl into tight fists. "It will drive me mad, I never sat around and watched others face the fire. Such cowardice might be the bluster of the leaders today, but it i
Atum's fingers shook as he fastened the buttons on the starched shirt. His hands were warm with sweat, making the task more difficult than it should be.Behind him, Shu related Isaac's words before falling silent. moving instead to look at the desolation of the once busy city. The only life crawling on its belly and searching in eternal hunger."We must go on foot. Stay outside the boundary of the city. Time is not our friend but we cannot rush.""The longer we take, the more damage could be done." Shu turned, wringing his hands. "Great one, I have never questioned you. But surely we ought to go to Babi's lair immediately?"Atum shook his head, his eyes full of pity as he caught the earnest gaze. "Nay. If we did that, Babi would sense us and heighten his defences or push forward his own plans. That would be a disaster. Not to mention if Am-Heh sensed interference. Both are powerful, both are dangerous. Babi must c
It had been some time when Atum had last entered the centre of a city. He sometimes frequented wine-bars, mingled at the more exclusive clubs, but they were often set away from the general hub. The wear and tear of life assaulted his senses every time he looked at the towering offices and slumped figures in their suits, carrying the majority of their life in a branded briefcase.The luxurious cars went past, carrying their bosses and showing off the wealth they had at the expense of their workers. Yet still some refused to acknowledge it.Even like this, desolate and quiet, it still reeked of corruption and capitalism. Although that was perhaps not quite as bad as the dead and dying, the stanch of rot and welling chaos."Lead me to the museum," Atum ordered. "The potion I have needs a better vessel and I should be able to find one there. The residue of history adds potency to these charms, heightens them."
"It-it will cost...my life..."Aiden sank to the ground, his sole leg buckling like sodden paper beneath him. He reached blindly to touch the large paw of the hound who moved to his side curiously, shuddering at the cold feel of the claws."Babi cares not for you. But for the power your body will have. The blood of a virgin, however soiled with the pestilence of life and excess, is rare and grand for any magic."Aiden's head shot up, his eyes wide in feigned indignity, his cheeks flushed. "Wha...?""Don't try and lie," Am-Heh's lip curled in contempt and Aiden drooped, nodding in beaten obedience. "It does not become you. You voiced your desire to die, I am giving you the chance to do it in glory. To do something that endears you to your fellow man and will hold sway in the beyond.""I...suppose so," Aiden looked across at a growing shadow. The sound of dragging feet and grunts o