CH.1 LAMB AND WOLF

In a dark empty void was a man chained between two pillars. He opens his eyes unable to remember how many years have passed since he was betrayed. Left imprisoned in a dimension of absolute darkness. The same question plagued his mind over and over. How did he, with all his power. End up trapped here, alone. The answer was always the same. It was not lack of strength or power that put him here. It was a broken heart. Even now, he can still remember her face. The way her dark bangs illuminated her bright blue eyes. The feel of her luscious lips against his. Her sweet fragrance that brought him to peace every time he embraced her. He remembered the joy he felt when she gave him the necklace he still wears and said "I love you." He cherished the necklace, unaware that it would be the key to his downfall. More than anything else, he remembered pain. He never imagined that four simple words could inflict such immense pain, like a hot knife piercing the heart. When she spoke the words, "I never loved you." In that moment, she managed to do what entire nations had failed to do. She defeated him. He simply watched as they chained him and performed their ritual. Banishing him to endless darkness. Now, after all that time, the pain eventually became unyielding rage and hatred. Every time he wakes, he tells himself. "I should've killed them all." Many times, he dreamt of escaping. So he thought it to be another dream, or his mind playing tricks on him when a blinding light erupted in front of him. He squinted, rapidly blinking his eyes, trying to adjust to seeing light after so long. When his vision finally adjusted, he couldn't believe what he saw. A portal had emerged before him. On the otherside of the portal stood a beautiful woman staring inquisetively at him. For the briefest moment he thought it was her coming back for him and his heart fluttered. He hated the fact that the mere thought it was her almost ceased his anger. The woman before him was tall and beautiful with fierce amber colored eyes. She put her hands together, mumbling an incantation. The chains that weaved around his body went slack. He fell to his hands and knees. After a moment, he stood up trying to maintain his balance. He took a few shaky steps, then quickly acclimated. He shook out his limbs, making sure everything still worked. The woman patiently watched him. She tried to speak, but before any words could leave her lips, he rushed behind her. She quickly turned around, startled by his immense speed. It had been so very long since he saw or heard anything. Initially, it was a little disorientating. He tilted his head to the sky. He forgot the way the sun felt on his skin. The sounds around him poured into his ears. Birds chirping, water flowing of a nearby river, wind moving through trees. The breath and heartbeats of people nearby. He could hear it all and thought it beautiful. Many people were gathered there. Everyones eyes focused on him as they slowly crept back. The people had a farmers appearance, Everything they wore looked like hand-sewn hand me downs. He looked around at the little wooden shacks scattered around an open valley. He turned to face the girl. She didn't seem scared of him, or back away as the others had. She simply watched him. Confusion began to set in on him. Questions started swirling in his mind. He cleared his throat. "Who, are you?" He asked, his voice shaky and raspy from not speaking for so long. "I am the person who freed you and the person you are now bound to." She said, obviously having practiced that very line many many times. "What do you mean, I am bound to you?" "I Thena Mews have freed you, former king of monsters, Exios Lenodos.This seals our contract, you will do my bidding until our contract is complete." "I have no time for this!" He said cutting off her recited speech. "I have somewhere I need to be and someone I need to find. Thank you for freeing me, but i must go." He began walking towards the closest trail. "Forgive me, but I cannot allow you to leave." She grabbed her necklace. "I command you, halt!" Exios froze in his tracks. Her words vibrated in his head. A pulse went through his entire body and no matter how much he resisted, He couldn't move a muscle. "What, have you done to me?" He said, perplexed at how mere words were able to subdue him. He struggled but found himself unable to budge at all. Thena looked to the people. "It's ok. He's under my control now." The crowd slowly crept forward, gawking at him. Whispers began to circulate. Some doubted who he was. Some were shocked he appeared to be a man instead of a beast. An old man pushed his way through, making his way to the girl. "It really worked" he exclaimed, in an old raspy voice. The old man examined Exios, his face filled with excitement. "Its him alright," he announced to the people. "We now have control of Exios Lenodos, the man who single handedly ended the fourth empire." The old man paced back and forth before the crowd, talking as if giving an introduction to a play. "Exios is the only person to have ever bested Barbatos in single combat. He was known across the lands as the nation breaker, earth shaker, the unbreakable sword and shield. . . . The king of monsters!" The crowd cheered at the old mans rant. It had been so long, since Exios heard his own name, it sounded foreign. The crowd whistled and applauded as the old man went on. "Have we met before, old man?" Exios said cutting the old man off. The old man turned to Exios combing his weathered fingers through his grey beard. "We have, many years ago. My name is Maxwell Mews and this is my grand daughter Thena . I doubt you would remember me, im not the young fit man I was back then." "Werent you still, like in your fifties back then grandpa?" The girl said interjecting. Maxwell scowled at her. He had long grey hair tied back in a ponytail. A grey beard, saggy eyes and a hunched back. "Anyways!" Maxwell said shuffling towards Exios. "I was there, When you were imprisoned." Exios face flashed with anger. Maxwell quickly raised his hands. "I promise, I had nothing to do with it. I was merely a soldier back then, following orders. I barely knew what was going on." Exios closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "How long," he said through gritted teeth. "How long was i imprisoned old man?" Maxwell let out a sigh, "its been twenty eight years." Exios stared blankly in confusion. He knew it had been a long time, but not twenty eight years long. "I'm confused though," Maxwell said, walking around him. "You look exactly the same as I remember. Probably mid twenties, tall, physically built, how can this be possible." "You're right." Thena said just as perplexed. "I figured he would at least be middle aged by now." She stroked her necklace. "Maybe the prison realm prevents whoever is trapped there from aging. Although, i dont know why Grandmother wouldn't mention something that important." "Well," Maxwell said clapping his hands together. "No matter the reason. Him being in top physical fighting form is the best thing for all of us." He placed his hand on Thenas shoulder. "Now, would you please let the poor man up. I think he's been through enough, and we should probably speak in private." He gestured to the progressively growing concerned crowd. "Are you sure I should release him?" She said nervously. "Yeah! Are you sure old man? Exios said staring him down. "You know I could kill you all in the blink of an eye." Maxwell chuckled, "Oh I know you could, but I don't think you will." He smiled then turned and shuffled off. "I will trust my Grandfather" Thena said kneeling down to face Exios. "Dont make me regret it." They stared into eachothers eyes briefly. Thena couldn't help being allured by his bright golden eyes. She hadn't noticed before that he was fairly attractive. Exios had short brown hair and bright golden eyes that complimented his chiseled yet smooth face. His clothes were of fine material and design but they had become faded and thin. The necklace he wore was made of colorful smooth pebbles and large fangs woven together. Thena snapped out of it, "let's go" she said standing up quickly. Exios felt his body release from whatever hold he was in. He stood up to face Thena, she gave him a glare as if saying "I'm watching you," then she walked off towards the same shack as her grandfather. Exios thought about trying to flee again, but curiosity of the whole situation had gripped him. He quietly followed behind Thena. People cautiously stood outside their homes watching as they walked by. Even though he had just been freed he still felt like a prisoner. Exios looked down at his hands. Being stuck in complete darkness, he never noticed if he was aging or not. "Why can't I move? Why did my body involuntarily, do as she commanded?" Exios asked, still kneeling. Even though he just escaped that prison, somehow he still felt like a prisoner. Maxwell looked around, seeing the crowd growing and the whispers becoming more concerned. "Really grandpa," Athena said protesting. "You wanna take him inside?" The old man shrugged as he walked off. Athena let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine!" She said, throwing her hands up. "Not my fault if he destroys the place." She looked to Exios, then commanded him to follow. Exios glared at her, his body unwillingly stood up, and began to follow her. People stood outside their homes watching, as they walked by. Suddenly, a little girl no more then seven years old broke free from her mother. She ran to Exios, grabbing him by the hand. He and the little girl locked eyes for a split second, before athena commanded him to kneel. She pulled the little girl away from him. The mother came running and screaming. "stay away from that monster." She shouted. She wrapped her arms around her daughter, but the little girl fought her mothers embrace. "No!" The little girl shouted, shoving athena and her mother away. "Daddy always said, 'before you judge someone, look into their eyes. because they're the windows to the soul." "Oh honey" the mother said, fighting back tears and caressing her daughters face. "I know you miss your father, and I know he would be so proud of you right now." She gave her daughter a hug, then picked her up. The little girl waved to Exios, as they walked back to their shack. Athena apologized one more time. Again she snapped at Exios to follow, like a well trained dog. As they walked, Exios focused his heightened sense of hearing on the mother and daughter. He heard the mother whisper. "so, did you look into his eyes?" The little girl replied, "I did. His eyes looked the same as daddies. They were sad mommy." Exios shook his head, deciding he didn't want to listen anymore. "Here we are," said the old man, standing outside a dilapidated wooden shack. The floor creaked as they stepped inside. "Sit," Athena said, pointing to a seat next to a small fire pit at the center of the shack. They sat down opposite of him. Maxwell started a fire, then hung a pot of tea over the flame. "Who was the little girl?" Said Exios. Maxwell sat back in his chair. "Her name is Adeline. such a sweet girl, even after losing her father, Paul. "How did he die?" Maxwell scratched his beard. "About a month ago, paul was beaten badly by soldiers from the kingdom. For not meeting their demands. His injuries were severe, which lead to his death a few days after." "What were these demands?" The tea kettle whistled over the fire. The old man poured himself a cup of tea, and offered a cup to Exios. He took the cup, downed it in one gulp and handed it back. Maxwell chuckled, took the cup and filled it back up. "The demand was ten bales of hay. Paul was beaten to death, over ten measly bales of hay." He handed the cup back to Exios. "We must meet a quota of supplies or food that the kingdom sets out each month. If not, they have soldiers do what they did to Paul." Maxwells lip quivered. "We cannot let that happen again, we won't. We won't let another innocent child grow up fatherless." "I get it now," Exios said lowering his eyes staring into his cup of tea. "You only freed me, to use me as a weapon." The room went quiet, with only the sound of the fire crackling. "We don't stand a chance against them." Athena said breaking the silence. "This village is full of simple farmers. Just one of many small villages that fall under the tyrannical rule of the Voltreus kingdom. Exios crushed the cup in his hand. "Did you say, Volteus? As in, Marcus volteus?" Athena looked to her grandfather. "Yes," Maxwell said setting his cup down. "He rose to power after you were banished. With the help of Amora that is." Exios' eyes widened, a knot formed in his gut. It had been over twenty years, since he heard that name aloud. Repressed memories of him and her, rushed back to the front of his mind. He remembered her embracing Marcus. Laughing, as the darkness closed in around him. Exios shook his head, trying to shake out the thought. "How is it you were able to free me? "Well, I didn't free you. My grand daughter daughter Athena did." He said, gesturing to her. She sipped her tea trying to avoid eye contact. Exios for the first time looked her up and down. Her skin looked soft, almost seeming to glow with a natural tan. She had long soft brunette hair, soft facial features, brown eyes and plump lips. She wore light cloth clothing over her slender frame. A necklace similar to the one he wore rested around her neck. Except three several inch long fangs hung on it. His eyes locked onto the necklace. "Where did you get that necklace?" Athena gently placed her hand on the necklace. "My grandmother left it to me." "So, its these necklaces. Theyre how you can compel me, i can feel it. Funny, I didn't think they're was magic strong enough to control me." Athena scoffed, "he sure is full of himself. I don't know grandpa, he doesn't seem like the"–she put up her fingers making the air quotes gesture– "big bad monster, you always told me about as a child." Maxwell stroked his beard as he stared into the fire. "You were but an infant when he vanished. You wouldn't understand. Make no mistake though. He alone ended the fourth empire and ushered in the fifth. In terms of power he had no equal. That's why they resorted to an under handed tactic such as these necklaces. He may seem like an ordinary man, but-" Maxwell looked up from the fire locking eyes with Exios. "He is! a monster." Exios looked away. "Who made these necklaces anyway?" He said trying to change the topic. "They must have been incredibly powerful to be able to bind me." "My wife Bethany," said Maxwell. "She was famous for her genius skill at making magical artifacts, especially! sealing artifacts. She was commissioned by Amora and Marcus, to make the necklaces. They were specifically crafted to"–he pointed to Exios–"seal you away. Exios exspression soured, his jaw tightened. "Believe me, she didn't want to, she even refused. But when she refused them, they warned us there would be consequences." Maxwells tone became gloomy, Athena lifted her legs hugging them, to hide her face. "We had no idea what they meant," maxwell rubbed Athenas back. "They killed her parents, my son and my daughter in law. They vowed to kill Athena next, if Bethany didn't comply." "So, Bethany worked tirelessly for weeks, but to make something strong enough to contain you. She had to make the ultimate sacrifice. She used her lifeforce. She made two necklaces, naming them lamb and wolf. She gave wolf to Amora and Marcus, they never knew about lamb. She told me to hide it until Athena came of age. She said it would protect her. It took us an incredible amount of time, effort and money to gather everything needed to make all this happen. "I think I get it," Exios said folding his arms. "She really was a genius. She made a failsafe. Lamb, the necklace she's wearing. Has the ability to control whoever wears wolf." "Not only that" Maxwell replied. It connects your lifeforce. Anything that happens to lamb, also happens to wolf. If lamb dies. . . So does wolf." Exios blinked hard, taking in a deep breath. "This just keeps getting better and better." "Also"– Yelling and screaming coming from outside interrupted their conversation. Maxwell jumped up out of his seat. "Oh no, they're early." He said quickly grabbing a few things. "Stay here and keep quiet," He threw a satchel over his shoulder and walked out. Athena looked at Exios with worry spread across her face. Maxwell saw a platoon of soldiers gathered at the center of the village. Several foot soldiers jumped out of a covered wagon. They went around screaming at people, gathering them into a mass that Maxwell got swept up into. Two soldiers mounted on horses, each carrying a large red banner that had a symbol of several arrows going through an eagle positioned themselves in front of the mass. Another soldier on horseback slowly trotted between the banners. He was clad in polished metal plate armor, with a red cape that had a puffy white collar. He raised his hand silencing everyone. "Report," he said unenthusiastically. A soldier walked to his horse. "Just finished captain," he said handing over a scroll. The captain pulled his gloves off one by one. He opened the scroll going over it while everyone waited quietly. "Where is this one called Amanda?" He asked, looking to the crowd. Adelines mother reluctantly raised her hand. Two guards pushed their way through the crowd to retrieve her. She kissed Adeline on the forehead and told her everything is going to be ok. She gave a weak smile before two soldiers pulled her away and pushed her in front of the captain. "You're short two bales of hay," said the captain. "I don't understand sir, i counted three times, im sure there were ten bales." "Yes, but you owe twelve bales. Ten from this month, and the two you were short from last month." Her eyes swelled with tears. "Sir, my husband paid for those bales in blood." The captain let out a sigh, "you people just don't get it. What happened to your husband, wasn't a price, or payment. It was punishment, for not meeting the standard." He started speaking to the crowd. "Rules, laws, standards. These are what keeps everything in order. If these soldiers don't meet the standard, they're punished. If I don't meet the standard, I get punished. Its what keeps everything running. That's just how it is, im not the bad guy here people." Amanda wiped away the tears. Her eyes filled with anger and sadness. "If you can do what you did to paul, and say you're just upholding standards. Then you're just a heartless piece of filth." The captain twisted the end of his long mustache and squinted his eyes. "I was going to go easy on you, only give you ten lashings. But since I'm so heartless, let's make it twenty. Two guards turned her around forcing her to her knees. They held her arms out and ripped the shirt off her back. The captain got off his horse, unsheathing a bullwhip. He slowly walked forward smiling. Adeline screamed and pleaded, memories of what happened to her father sent her into a panic. She tried running to her mother, but a guard intercepted her. He held her down on the ground pinning her arm behind her back as she kicked and screamed. Everyone in the crowd began to mutter in protest, the soldiers brandished their spears at them. A loud cracking sound echoed, Amanda screamed in pain. The sound of Amanda being tortured sent Adeline into a frenzy. She managed to wiggle free from the guard. She tried to run, but he immedietly caught her. He turned her around and slapped her to the ground. Exios had been listening to everything happening. As soon as he heard the sound of Adeline being slapped, he snapped. Athena noticed his wide eyed, wild exspression. Before she could even say a word. He vanished, the doorway exploding in his wake. The soldier went to slap adeline as she got up. Exios caught his wrist. The bones crunched and snapped as Exios squeezed. The soldier screamed in anguish, falling to his knees trying to pry his wrist free. Everyone paused, all attention now diverted to Exios. Still holding the soldiers wrist, he knelt down to Adeline "are you ok?" He asked wiping a dribble of blood from her lip. She sniveled and nodded her head. "Can you do me a favor, cover your ears and close your eyes? Don't worry, ill make sure your mom is just fine." Adeline nodded, sat down crossed her legs and closed her eyes. Exios stood up. The soldier made one last whimper, before Exios effortlessly threw him in the air. He landed several hundred yards down the road, dying instantly. Several soldiers surrounded Exios, pointing their spears at him. "Standards, punishments, laws, these are things delegated by the strong." Exios said calmly. "Who might you be?" Asked the captain. "It does not matter who I am. All that matters is that I, am stronger than you. That means, right now. I decide the standards. I decide the punishments. Sadly for you, the only one here who meets my standards, is this little girl. So tell me, what punishment should I impose on you?" "I've heard about enough," said a soldier walking towards Exios, unsheathing his sword. Exios held out his hand toward the soldier and flicked with his middle finger. A Shockwave ripped through the air hitting the soldier in the face, exploding his head. Everyone backed away in shock and terror. "Anyone else?" said Exios. All the soldiers looked to their captain for guidance. The captain gritted his teeth as his face turned red. Athena stood at the back of the crowd next to her grandfather clutching her necklace quietly watching things unfold. Maxwell placed his hand on her shoulder. "Not yet," he said softly. Every step Exios took, the soldiers took one step backwards. "Cowards!" The captain screamed. Exios looked back at Adeline who kept sneaking peeks at what was going on. "You should all be thanking that little girl for saving your lives. Im only going to make this offer once! Get on your horse, load up all your men and leave. . . Or ill kill you all. Your choice." The captain air jabbed at Exios with his finger. "This isn't over." He said before signaling his men to leave. The soldiers quickly gathered their dead, filed back into their carriages and lined up in formation. Lastly, the captain turned around and walked to his horse. He jumped on, glanced back at Exios one final time before shouting, "move out!" After a few moments they were on their way out of the village. Once they were far enough out of sight, Everyone jumped and shouted with joy. Amanda rushed to hug Adeline. Athena pushed her way through the crowd rushing to Exios in a slight panic. "You let them go!" "I did," Exios replied. "No, no, no, you can't just let them go." "Theyre just foot soldiers doing their jobs. I saw no reason to kill them all." "No! You dont understand. They're going to report this back to the kingdom. Once they hear about what happened here. They'll send a much bigger force." Exios stared at her, studying her expression. "Why don't you command me to stop them?" Athena took a step back, speechless. "Thought so," Exios said taking a step closer. "You can't compel me to do complex things, can you? Athena looked down avoiding eye contact. She tried to think of an excuse, but her mind came up blank. Finally she looked up to Exios. "Fine have it your way," she said feeling backed into a corner. She snapped one of the long teeth hanging from her necklace. "With this key, i command you! to kill every last one of the soldiers you let escape. Exios stumbled backwards, kneeling down on one knee. All his senses seemed to distort the world around him, Then his mind went blank. His eyes dilated and he slowly stood back up. He looked down the road in the direction the soldiers left, a moment later he vanished in a blur. Maxwell grabbed Athena by the arm. "What have you done?" He said walking her back to the shack. "You used a power command, you know the consequences of using those. You cant use them carelessly. Athena yanked her arm free. "I know grandpa, but he forced my hand." "I don't doubt that he did, but listen to me. You can't underestimate this man, he is incredibly dangerous. What you saw back there, that was nothing compared to what he can really do. What I'm trying to say here is that it would be better for everyone, if we're all on the same side. do you understand?" "Ok grandpa, I get it, ill stay on my toes." Maxwell stopped her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I really hope you do, for all our sakes. I think you need to just try to find some common ground with him and try to work together. He's not a dog you can just train to do and act how you want." They continued to walk in silence, Athena thought about what her grandpa said about finding common ground. She wondered if that's even possible with him. They arrived at their shack, a gust of wind rushed past them. Exios appeared in front of them, covered in blood.

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