Sci Fi Flash Fiction: Amott’s Hearth (Revelations)
The 20th entry in the Sci Fi Flash Fiction series Amott’s Hearth, and this time I have a little surprise in store for those of you that have been following this series. I think you’ll enjoy the twist, and I think you might not have seen it coming (though I never doubt my intelligent readers). Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Craig felt the pacification rays wash over his body and grew more annoyed with every moment he spent under the dull blue light. He felt his jaw tighten, and his fists clench as he watched the ray sweep over once more. The blue cascade of light stopped and allowed him a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dimly lit hallway in front of him. He took a step off the targeted area and walked with a purpose toward the throne room.
He walked past the trophy cases holding the flags of previous heroes that stood for the god in the tournaments and wars that preceded him. He ignored the flickering monitors that contained the information on the heroes and video for their glorious victories. He saw the long window overlooking the city below and saw the dark oranges and reds hanging in the twilight sky. He muttered under his breath as he turned his head and kept walking.
The clicking of his boot heels echoed across the room, making every step sound like crashing thunder. His heart pounded, though he couldn’t remember if it was out of rage or terror. He held out his hand and placed it on the door, taking a moment to catch his breath as his heart pounded so hard that his vision swam. In his head, he heard her speaking to him and he growled with every word she said. ”I don’t know why you are upset at me, you know as well as I do there are a crap ton of liars on this world. They only want one thing, to destroy us both. They want all gods and goddesses dead.”
Craig’s voice shook as he felt the blue lights pulse nearby. He tried to keep himself calm as he spoke, but the words sprayed out of his mouth as though it were poison. “Why didn’t you tell me what was going on when you had the chance? I thought you were on my side, damn it!”
”I am on your side! I am trying to do everything I can to make sure you can do this and live. Do you think I want to be ripped out of your body and destroyed? I know this is your shell, but I kind of like it here too.”
The door that Craig rested his hand on slid opened, and a voice rumbled from the dark throne room. “Would you two stop arguing and come in here for a moment?”
Craig offered a sneer as he pointed at the ghostly reflection looking back at him from a weapons case hanging on the stainless steel wall. “This isn’t over yet, not in the slightest.”
He walked through the door and stopped a few steps into the room. The doors slid closed behind him with a sharp hiss. He clenched his fist and closed his eyes. He could feel Tiamat coiling around his soul as her wordless warning rumbled in his ears. The lights in the room grew brighter until there was just enough light to see a figure sitting on the throne. Craig strained to see the figure and shook his head. “What’s with the parlor tricks? I thought you wanted to see me.”
“I did want to see you, but I don’t think you know who this is.”
Craig took a step back and swore as the lights flared to full power. He crouched and watched as the Godling and Jasmine stepped out from behind the throne. Sitting in the plush leather lined seat was Jay Wildman, his leg dangling over the right armrest as he held his head up with his left hand with an annoyed sigh. “I was wondering when you were going to show up. You were taking far too long to keep me interested in you. You should know it is rude to keep these ladies waiting.”
“What did you do to the god, Jay?”
“Oh, he is safe. He never made it to his throne room, but he isn’t dead. I believe the Collective has him in their facility somewhere, though I really can’t confirm that. All I know is that you better do something soon, or else he might have a terrible case of dying that he can’t recover from.”
Craig uttered a forced laugh as he turned his attention to the metal godling who took another step toward him. “What are they paying you, tin bitch? The god gave you life. He made you in his image, and this is how you pay him back?”
The godling shook her head and laughed as her skin turned from a translucent pale color to shimmering cobalt blue. Her fingers merged together until they formed two sharp blades that glimmered in the light. “You are a fool. You have no idea what is happening, even if you have a goddess inside you. There are powers at work that are far beyond what your feeble human mind can understand. The only thing you were brought here to do was to die.”
“Herald set this up, didn’t he?”
The godling giggled, nodded and charged at Craig with a terrifying scream as the blades were poised to strike. Craig felt his heart pounding hard and shifted his stance until he was ready to attack. The godling jumped a few feet away from him and pulled her fist back. Craig lashed out in defense.
A blinding green light overwhelmed them both.
The godling fell to the ground, crackling with energy as green tendrils licked from her metal body to the ground and walls. Craig snapped his head toward Jasmine, who smiled and winked at him. Jay removed his leg from the armrest and leaned forward as he clapped his hands together. “You did well, my friend. You distracted her longer than I anticipated.”
“What are you talking about, idiot?” Craig asked.
Jay rose from the throne and nodded his head at Jasmine. She walked past Craig with a smile and blew him a kiss as Jay walked toward Craig. “She gave us what we needed, a name to start with. You should go check on your girls while we scout the last place the Herald was spotted.”
“You tried to kill me; you killed my friend, and destroyed everything I knew. Why should I trust you?”
Jay clapped Craig on the shoulder with a hearty laugh and shook his head. “Friend, you don’t understand the theatrics of wrestling. We have to put on a show for the people in the stands. We have to make them hate us or love us based off our words and actions. This is what they call a swerve.” Craig pulled his shoulder away from Jay and pulled his fist back to throw it at his adversary, but he felt his fist hanging in the air as though a powerful force prevented held him back. “You should ask her about us; I think she will know more about this than you will.”
“Is what he saying the truth, Tiamat?”
”It is true; I brought them from the Earth to work for me. I needed to do what I could to make sure we all survive. He works for me, and by extension, he works for you now. Come on, we need to hurry. The Collective won’t spare the god any agony.”
