A reunion of worlds by D.A.Sanford - HTML preview

Day of hiding

Everyone knew of the day. Everyone that knew dug and made their shelter. Now the day is in sight. Villages first moved the old and infirmed into the shelters along with their dear possessions. There were care givers assigned to help them but all knew and did what they could to take care of themselves.

They knew that all were needed to finish the topside work and close the doors.

By the day before, most homes were bare inside. Even though the warning said that the people and animals needed to go into the shelters. Most wanted to move all they had into the shelter. There was nothing in the warning against it.

Anthony thought it was silly because they will see their homes still intact and realize that they now had to haul everything back. The warning was meant to have the people saved and after to be able to just resume their life after the day of hiding.

All were told that they would receive the warning. At that time they had to go into the shelter and bar the door. A mental broadcast was made to all to take the day off which was the chosen signal for those who made the shelter.

The reason for that was the shelter digging was clandestine. All knew that the old kingdom had spies in all the other countries. They all could receive mental messages. They never got any message of digging because that was sent out by proclamation at the beginning by my father.

In the predawn hour on the day of hiding, Anthony sent out the message that today is a day of rest. All were to rest from their labor and enjoy a full day together indoors. In the basements, families had their door. Without much fussing, the exception being that someone in the home wanted to take one last look around.

“I might have forgotten something.” Was the common phrase uttered. But all went in and barred the doors. Once they were closed, most now showed their true apprehension. “Are we really safe? Did we dig deep enough? Are these rock walls really going to hold?”

What Anthony and Montgomery did not say was that the effect would only affect sentient life and only to the depth of a foot below ground level. The real reason for ten feet is that they wanted the people to be comforted and shielded from the carnage that would come with the dawn.

The night’s darkness finally was surrendering to the darker shades of gray until all the landscape could be seen but only in the shades of gray.

Anthony could sense that the one was creeping up on him.

Anthony, since he returned from the god’s training, got up and stood in the middle of the town’s square to watch the sun rise alone. His so called friend, Kevin, knew it. He knew what he had to do.

Kevin knew that today was the day of the attack to finally wipe out the population of this town and claim the country for the king. All the reports were that this country was very wealthy in food, game and best of all riches. The king knew that those were his.

These people were defenseless so he personally led the army.

“Those bastard generals will take all my riches for themselves. I have to be here to make sure that they don’t”

Kevin saw Anthony watching the horizon, like he always does, Waiting for the sun to rise. He knew for a fact the this was Anthony’s down fall because he had that spell ready and the enchanted knife. Once he spoke the spell, Anthony would be frozen in place. He would not be able to move or speak.

With the stealth of his assassin training, he crept up to Anthony’s back and spoke the incantation. Much to his horror, Kevin was the one to freeze. Then he hears Anthony speak without even turning to look.

“Did you not realize that, for one moment, you could block your thoughts from me? I modified your mind without you even knowing it. Your thoughts leaked like an old rotten water bucket. It was easy to change that spells script to have the effect render the speaker frozen rather than the intended, me.”

Now I turn to face the frozen Kevin. In his hand is the enchanted knife. I touch that hand and instantly, all the boned in the hand vanished.

“You thought that your assassin skills would keep me from hearing the grass scream out to me their warning?”

I dissolve the arm bones and that arm now dangles like a cooked noodle. I lecture him on my training by Montgomery as I debone his other arm. I tell him how I trained with the gods themselves while I dissolved both sets of bones in his legs. He is now lying on the ground. Unable to move.

Moving him while he is still frozen, I move him over to a tree and magically secure him to the tree just so he cannot fall over. I kneel down and look into those terrified eyes and tell him.

“You will not be affected by the spell I will cast on that army coming to kill all of us today. You will only be able to blink but you will not be able to close them. I task you, assassin, to be witness to what happens. All my people are in their shelters. You must have found out by now that you cannot communicate mentally to warn the other spies in this country. Wouldn’t matter, they are dead now. My people will live.”

Now I hear the horses and the noise of armor and footsteps.

“My friend, watch and see what the gods taught me.”

I wait until most of the army is here then I speak.

“Look, there is the enemy’s mage.”

Suddenly every person, from king down to the lowest soldier and aide see the wizard next to them. All start fighting for the glory of killing the fabled wizard. Mages are casting spells of death on each other. The king is killing madly.

The size of the army, it does take almost until noon but all are dead with the exception of one person, the king. I now walk over to him and he swings his sword at me. I grab the sword in mid swing like it was a feather in the wind and take it from him. I release the spell.

“I am the one that you tried to kill when I was ten. I am the one you feared. I will not be the one to kill you. Look around you. All the blood of the fallen is on your hands.”

With that spoken, the gods of all appear. They both look at Kevin and release his mouth. All he can do is scream. Then they turn to the king.

“Your crimes are so egregious, so insidious that oblivion is too merciful. For the killing of those innocent children alone, we turn you over to the Watcher.”

A woman that I know well appears. She has a presence that causes the king to lose all bodily control. Every orifice lets go.

“That gets you no sympathy” and she laughs at him.

Now I have been shown her worlds as a warning to me and even I tremble at the thought.

He is told that he no longer is mortal. He will no longer be able to eat or drink. He will not die, ever, but he will feel the hunger and thirst. He is then sent to that burned out world he created. He is all alone until time itself ends.

With that, the gods disappear. I turn to Kevin and tell him one final thing.

“I now must clean up this mess but you will be shielded.”

I now cast the spell to dissolve all the bodies and set back in order all the damage caused. All horses have been calmed and just graze.

It has been a long day and twilight is now upon us. I cause Kevin to sleep. While he is like that, I return his arms and hands to normal but leave his legs boneless. I put him on a platform that is strapped to his waist. He will now be able to move himself with his hands.

I have set his sleep until noon on my twentieth birthday, tomorrow. Now I sit on the grass and watch the sunset and sleep.

Tomorrow will be a new day.

The twentieth birthday

It’s time. Anthony sends a world thought broadcast.

“I welcome all to a new era. That mad king’s tyrannical reign is at an end. The gods of all have taken him. He will never be seen again. His army has been beaten and their bodies are now gone in an instant. The king’s assassin is now the only witness to the battle. He is to be treated well. No one is to harm him. Feed him, take care of him but listen to his tale. Now is the end of the day of rest. Welcome to the day of freedom.”

Kevin was cared for but after a time, they found he slit his wrists to end his misery

Anthony tells everyone that this needed to happen.

There is a rebirth of delight and me laughing as is see the reality that they indeed did not need to move everything into the shelters. Only the humans and humanoids needed to be shielded.

For a while I enjoyed watching but then I needed to intervene.

“Folks, why don’t you only bring up the essentials. The underground still can be used in the hot of the summer and the cold of the winter. Bring up what you really need. Leave the rest in the shelters.”

This hits them and it really is a relief, to the backs.

The old wanted to stay. They enjoyed each other’s company. Most missed the companionship. Now, even though it was a few days, they latched onto it. It was actually better for our community. The ones that helped during their stay agreed to help the relatives while they had other things to do.

This became a country wide practice. All the old ones who had no one, had us sell their homes to support the shelter. Our black smith made wheel chairs so those who could not walk could go outdoors.

Montgomery Salas is one of the ones that want to stay. He is now beyond his years. He hurts and I make sure that I make the time to be with him. I know of a few spells that would help ease his distress but he refuses.

“Anthony, don’t you know that this is by design. Those who die in battle, by accidents or being, how did you put it? Oh yes, “The bitch killed me,” don’t know this secret. The old feel deepening discomfort and out right pain. This makes the day you know that you are going to cross over, a day of joy. We old gladly give up this tired, aching body for that new young one we will get in the final life.”

He smiles at me as he lay in bed. Both of us knew that the other prediction was coming true. He patted my hand and told me that his wife told him last night that she was coming for him.

“I got to meet you and train you. Now I am tired and I want to sleep. I ask you one thing, would you stay and see me off?”

“I will”

He closed his eyes. While asleep, I held his hand.

“I’m going to release your hand now. It is time for you to take that wonderful wife’s hand and go with her.”

I let go, he smiles and took his last breath. It was so fast. From his last words until his departure was a matter of a minute or so. The call I put out to his family to come quick was too late. They were here only a minute later.

I apologized to them but they would not hear it. I told them about his last comments. How I held his hand until his wife took it. They looked at him and could still see the smile. They thanked me for being there for him.

There was a grand ceremony for his burial. The entire town turned out. He was a revered member of the community and well liked. A few of the other races speak of their practice of having a celebration of life. This was gladly embraced it and we celebrated.

Looking across the gathering and relating the years I was with Montgomery. I relate the training highlights where he whooped my ass repeatedly. Everyone is enjoying my tales and a few say they saw the beatings.

As I am talking, I see her. Standing there in all her beauty. She stands out because she radiates warmth and love.

Everyone is alarmed that I have just stopped. I am mesmerized. I hear a voice in my head but it is not a human one. I know who they are.

“She is your one.” Is all they say.

I step down from the platform and walk to her.

“You know don’t you. You are my one. May I ask your name?”

“Regina is my name and I have heard the voice telling me to come here. I would know my mate. He would be talking about being beaten in training. Yes I know that you are my one.”

Some are in shock, especially my parents because they thought it would never happen to me despite the prediction. Not because she is the most beautiful felid there is. She then does something that no one expected, she shifts to full human.

“For as long as it is remembered, we have hidden the fact that we could change between human and our true form. The voice told me that it was time for us to come out of the shadows. You’re saving the country was the trigger.”

Her revelation was correct. We saw couples nodding in affirmation. Either one or the other, sometimes both, change from human to various humanoid forms. Everyone was astonished but I did not see any of that. I am fully captured by the sight of her in both forms.

We go and talk to my parents. I explain that the gods have called both of us together. I reminded them what the gods told me that after I passed my final test on the day of hiding, my fated mate would appear sometime after that

I could see that Regina is puzzled by what I just said. She asks

“I feel that the gods told me about you and that they must have told you also but what did you mean about a final test?”

My father explained our history. How I was almost abducted at age ten because I was evaluated and ruled to be a god class mage. She is lost there and looks to me. I explain that I was taught, by the man we had just buried, for five years but then I was taken to the gods realm to receive their training. Once the conflict was finished and I did the right thing by sparing the life of the assassin, I passed the final test.

“While I was in the god’s realm, I was told that I would meet you. I was informed that, along with my mate, we would be candidates to take over the position of god of all when the time comes for them to retire. Right now, I am a demigod.”

Regina believes everything we have told her but is besides herself as to who she has fallen for. Who the gods have guided her to. Who she was instantly in love with. She looks down as she says

“I am sorry, I am not worthy of you. Not being perfect as you are…”

She vanishes in a white light.

“We are the god of all” the female of the two tells her. The female is obviously a mouse humanoid, Regina thinks to herself.

“Finally someone gets it right!” Olga exclaims “Even the old god of all called me a mouse folk. You are the first to know the difference. Thank you. I knew, when we chose you that you were the one.”

The male, Terry, now speaks. “We are fallible in some circumstances. That is why we have a network of demigods to help us. When we retire, our replacements will be chosen from those demigods. Anthony is a male with great talents. We trained him here.”

Olga now takes over “You know that the male of any species is head strong and thick. You are Anthony’s perfect mate. You will be his anchor, his grounding rod. You will know when his emotions are outweighing his logic and you will be able to calm him down. Know this, you may need to stand between him and that rage. Give him the look and he will back down but unleash him when you know he is right.”

In unison, they both say “You are the chosen one, we deem you worthy of the co-title of demigod.”

Now she is back. Anthony knows exactly what she is going to ask.

“How many days have I been gone?”

“Only a minute or so. Time does not exist in their realm. Now do you see why you are to be my mate. You make me complete.”

I look at my parents and Regina. “I know where you are from and exactly where your parents are. I need for all of us to go there. I need to ask them my question.”

Now to show her a glimpse of a demigod’s powers. There is a full sized live picture of her parents’ home as if you were looking out a door. I take her hand and the four of us walk through.

Now in her village, we are causing a stir. Four people just appearing out of nowhere and one of them is the adventurer Regina. We walk calmly to her parents’ home.

Her parents came out after hearing the commotion. Upon seeing their daughter, her mother runs over to her and embraces her crying.

“You have been gone for months. We hoped beyond hope that you were safe. You are. Thank the gods!”

Her father puts his hand on her mother’s shoulder and reminds her that she was here with others. He invites us into the home.

“Let’s not make a public spectacle of this.” But his wife now gets right into his face and tells him, in no uncertain terms, that she did not care. “We came out to see what the ruckus was. This is our lost daughter. I can make a scene if I want to.”

She stands toe to toe with him, while not letting go of Regina. Now she turns to us.

“I would like to invite you into our home.”

She led the way, pushing the still startled husband aside.

“My dear husband, let’s go inside. You’re making a scene.”

We all laugh.

Inside, both Regina and I tell our story. It turns out that she got the message months ago. That was a month after the day of hiding. That is why her parents were worried. I now can see why.

Now I must ask my question before we tell them exactly who we are.

“I have fallen deeply in love with your daughter and she has with me. I would like you permission to marry her. I can guaranty you that your daughter will be well taken care of. I am a high rated mage. We were in my home and I opened a passage to here. Your daughter arrived at our town only today.”

That fact startled them and I could see that they did not believe me so I ask her father if he would like to see. He tells me to prove it.

There in their home, I open the door and take him into our town. I show him around and he notices that the area is a flat land. He also knows that there are other things that convinces him that this is a totally different area.

I need to do one last thing. It was part of my godly training and I hear that the gods authorize me to do this. I take hold of him and tell him not to let go of me. We rise into the air. I open a few doors and we fly through. Over and over again. Hundreds of miles until we see his village again. I project to Regina to have everyone come out.

They see the both of us hovering high in the sky and then we land.

Her father is just overwhelmed by the experience. He is just staring at me as he questions my existence.

“What the hell are you?”

The total village is here so I figure that it is time. I think to all of the gathered

“Do you remember this voice telling you about the day of freedom?” Now I continue with my voice so they see that it is the same. “I am the demigod that eliminated the threat. Regina is my perfect mate. I have asked her parents for their permission to marry her.”

I turn to her parents, “This is who your daughter will be with. I will protect her. I will take care of her. I will cherish her. I can do all for her but only she can make me complete.”

Now the village hears a voice from the sky and there appears a couple.

“We bless this union,”

They land next to her parents.

“Your daughter is that one that he needs. She has been chosen by us to make him whole. To be his guide. To be his companion. They both need each other. Believe in him.”

They vanish and the village is silent. Now some start to kneel. I won’t allow that.

“I am not to be worshiped. I am only called a demigod because of my abilities. I help not for worship but just to help. I have marvelous powers but what most do not know is that there were twenty five children that the king murdered that were going to be as strong as I am but were caught before they blossomed. I do not want to be worshiped. That is for the Supreme Creator only. Thank him not me.”

They realize what I said is right and stand.

Her father said that he did not care what I said. He will worship me. Not because of the things that I have shown him, but because he knows that I can back up my statement that I can make sure that their daughter will be protected by the gods because of me.

“I give you permission to be mate to my daughter. Mother, take your daughter and his mother inside. There are rituals that must be met. Future son and your father, we must meet with this village’s shaman. Village, prepare for the ceremony and feast.”

This is quick but it is their rituals and why wait.

We meet with the shaman and he surprises us.

“Anthony Martignetti, I am glad to see you’re finally here. I have remained silent these many years as your late mentor did. I was told your name and shown what your life would be and your future. I will not disclose the future other than it will be beyond even your imagination. Now let’s talk about what is going to happen today.”

The marriage ceremony was very simple. We stood in front of everyone and each, in their turn go to say something to each other. The shaman broke tradition by speaking after our exchange.

He was just to pronounce us as mates but before that he told them something that only he could have gotten from a god.

“Each and every one of you must engrave this into your minds that today you witnessed the coming era. Our country was founded by this man’s family eons ago. We have always been seen as inferior to our neighbors. The groom is Anthony Martignetti. He will be the one that will finish what was started only months ago. Anthony and Regina Martignetti, you have been charged to go to that country and finish the task of the gods.

You will bring that countries lingering bigots and nobles into the light for they are still in the dark. Neither of you will suffer even a scratch. They will try and in that trying, they will see their folly. Be strong be brave but above all be merciful. The gods will pronounce the few that cling to the dark.

With that I announce to the parents and to the world that these are now eternal, mates.”

Both feel a slight tingle on the word eternal. They know but will keep it to themselves. They now know why they will not be injured and cannot be killed. They both now have that power.

What Regina does not know, Anthony now bears the weight of the ages. The gods made him remember all his past.