The End of gods: Chapter 1 – Curious Silent Whispers

“This world is ruled by a pantheon of twelve benevolent gods. They were given this ability by the God above that trusted them with their gifts and gave them the authority over all His creation while He sits in Heaven and turns the wheels of creation. Each god has their own church where their followers give them praise, worship, and gifts. Because of the pantheon, the world has not known death and suffering since the Age of the Black Thorn that was centuries ago.”

-          According to the Final Testament of the gods

Chapter 1 – Curious Silent Whispers

While studying scripture for a test, Killian looks at the vine of black thorns on his arm that he got from a stranger. Scripture had never interested him because he thought that there was something false in them despite them being taught as infallible. The vine of black thorns causes him pain every now and then, but it’s a weird soothing pain that doesn’t bother him. The vine is a relic from a time long past that was said to be a time of suffering and darkness though Killian thinks differently. Though he looks no different than the other soldiers besides his facial features that appear to have not changed since he was a child, his deep blue eyes, and dark brown hair, he thinks differently than the other soldiers of the gods.

He keeps his opinions to himself since he knows that he may get in trouble for them and that his thoughts and prayers are the only places he can talk about his view lest the god of omniscience hear him and convict him of being corrupted by lies. A sudden sound outside of his room gets Killian to hide his black thorn. The sound taps the floor a couple times so Killian investigates it to find that no one is outside his room. Whatever is making this sound then seemingly goes from where he is standing and walks down the hallway. Following it leads him to the cafeteria where two soldiers are eating breakfast before heading out.

“Did you hear any news about the previous squad that went to the Void?” one of the soldiers asks the other.

“No, and I haven’t heard anything about the previous squads before then. The Void is a cursed place so it doesn’t surprise me that even soldiers get lost in there.”

“It could also be that news of their return is slow to get here. We’re on opposite sides of the world after all. They’re on the bottom while we’re at the top.”

“Do you really think that Scio wouldn’t know and tell us about them? He does see everything around the world after all.”

“But he doesn’t see into the Void.”

“But also, why would our troops stay in the Void for weeks where the light of the gods doesn’t shine?”

“We’re going to find out soon enough.”

The two soldiers grab their gear and leftover food and exit the cafeteria. After hearing let Killian hear this, the curious noise then leads him outside.

“Killian!” a girl’s voice calls out to him that startles him.

“Y-yeah?” Killian says while turning towards the sound.

The young girl that approaches him looks much like him, but her eyes are light blue and her hair is light brown with the only thing dark apart about her appearance is the scowl on the face as she looks at Killian.

“It’s about time you finished studying. We have our combat test soon. Why did you even bother scripture? We’ve been learning it since we were little.”

“Ah, I don’t know. I think I may be stupid since none of what I’m learning seems to stick.”

“I’d think you were stupid too if it wasn’t for the other things about you.”

“Other things like what?”

“You know! Come on and let’s get this test over with.”

Killian and his friend go to the combat arena where his teachers, the god of combat, the god of life, and the rest of his classmates are. He shakily takes his sword and armor before firmly gripping it and going out into the arena and faces his friend.

The god of combat stands and says, “Killian, Scintilla. Today, you face each other in your final test before your first deployment. Aeternum blesses you with life and I, Caedes, bless you with strength. Fight as if you were fighting the enemy.”

Killian and Scintilla begin to fight each other though Killian is hesitant because he knows how these fights go despite the safety measures in place that don’t allow them to die. He fights as best as he can countering Scintilla’s attacks and mostly being defensive until she cuts at his throat. His throat is healed and the two back off one another.

“First round goes to Scintilla,” Caedes says.

“Come on, Killian. Hiding your talent isn’t going to make this easier,” Scintilla says.

Knowing what he has to do, Killian goes on the offensive and cuts Scintilla’s head off in a short fight though blood doesn’t fly out like it should and Scintilla is still alive.

“Second round goes to Killian.”

As her head reattaches itself, Scintilla says, “There we go, Killian. Come at me!”

Scintilla rushes at Killian and seemingly doesn’t give him a chance to attack with a series of slashing attacks until Killian sees an opportunity to counter. He cuts off both of her hands then stabs her in the chest.

“Final round goes to Killian. Impressive as always, good knight.”

The arena claps for Killian including Scintilla while he feels empty wishing that he didn’t fight as well as he could. His unit has a first deployment party at a bar. He drinks one glass of wine while the rest of his friends get drunk on whiskey. A group of drunk men from his unit ask him if he wants to join them to go to the prostitution den, but he declines. They don’t take his denial too seriously especially since Scintilla is sitting next to him mostly drunk and they know their relationship.

“Good job turning those perverts down, Killian,” Scintilla says in a drunken voice.

“Are you okay?” Killian responds.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Scintilla says as she downs another drink, “What about you? Why aren’t you drinking more?”

“Because someone has to take you back to barracks safe and sound.”

“Aren’t you sweet? You’re so good to me even though you did really beat me down in the arena.”

“Sorry about that, again.”

“Ah, it’s no worry. You can make it up to me with a kiss.”

“I would if you didn’t stink of alcohol.”

“But it just makes me taste sweeter,” Scintilla says she kisses Killian on the lips, “See?”

“I-I see. You’re not wrong.”

She continues kissing his face until she rests her head on his shoulders.

“Why don’t we get out of here and…”

“No.”

“Hah, you didn’t hear what I was going to suggest.”

“I know exactly what you’re going to suggest because you’ve done it before even when you weren’t drunk.”

“If it isn’t wrong for our friends to spend time with prostitutes, then it’s less wrong for us to…”

“No.”

“Ack, fine, but don’t be shocked if you wake up with me on top of you.”

“Scintilla.”

“Haha, I’m joking.”

Scintilla passes out shortly after and Killian leaves the party to carries her back to the barracks to rest. While laying her down, she grabs him and forces him to lay down next to her.

“This is as far as you get,” Killian says.

“Haha, I love these nights. I wish we can have more of them,” Scintilla says as she goes back to sleep.

Killian quietly goes into his pocket and takes out a small golden ring and looks at it, but the vine of black thorns takes it. He tries to get it back as the vine crawls away to prevent him from taking it.

“Maybe it’s not meant to be then,” Killian thinks to himself as a cold reassuring chill goes through his body, “Maybe, maybe not.”

He then falls asleep hoping for the best for his first deployment.