chapter 5

Malaiwu and the other gods might have left the world about a moon ago but the void they left weren’t as easily filled as others would have thought. The humans had easily forgotten about them, they eased rather quickly into worshipping the others that stood in their place. But the gods, as their memories were fading, desperately tried to cling to them but ultimately time caught up to them and the only one who seemed to have any recollection of her and the other gods which had been destroyed was Zadra. But as the days drew closer for his fight, people around him sensed a great shift in his reasoning. He forgot things, misplaced numbers and was overly cranky. He kept mentioning names of ‘people’ we didn’t recognize or remember and his anger would always surge at our confused faces. The gods and I were concerned for his health and mind but even when we suggested that he took a break and forfeits the match, he bluntly refused. Apparently, his pride as a deity was stronger and by far greater than his need to survive.

He also added a twist to the game, seeing as if it was only ‘chess’ as he had named it, then he would have won by a landslide. Instead he created a maze-like structure of leaves and sand. Leading to dead ends and many dangerous animals. ‘A labyrinth’ he exclaimed, ‘The whole aim is to make it to the centre without dying. We would have two teams, black for you and white for me, made up of eleven soldiers at each end. Due to our game, they would advance to the middle. Whoever gets captured on this wooden board would be killed in the maze.’

‘And in order for us not to lose as much, I propose we use the humans as soldiers. I mean, who would miss twenty something people. Just take them from different tribes is all. It would be very easy. So what do you say, will you play a game of chess with me? A game of intellect as well as wit. A game not only reliant on brains but the ability to read your opponents. Whatever move we make, will determine the fate of our competitors. As to whether they reach the middle in one piece or get blown up as they go.’

It was shameful how easy it was for the supreme beings to align with him but seeing as I, one voice against five hundred and four voices couldn’t win, his match against Kiluaroth was set to hold. I didn’t understand why Kil would agree to the teams, Zadra was the smartest god there ever was. And by creating a game which only he and a few followers of his understood, the odds were very much stacked against him. And as we all sat on a cloud above the former field now turned labyrinth, I could see the beauty in its intricate design.

It wasn’t easy from up here to figure out the pattern or where exactly to go and realizing the forest like walls were over seven feet long, which meant they wouldn’t be able to see ahead was crazy. We sat around Kiluaroth and Zadra with two of his minions; one explaining to Kiluaroth and the other for us. I wasn’t paying as much attention as I would have liked to the battle but I couldn’t help but watch Zadra. His face had started looking pale by the second movement and by the tenth, he was taking longer than five minutes to make his move. Just by watching, you could tell that he wasn’t on his best form and I was angry because I knew it was what was going to happen.

I kept on watching for signs of Zadra needing my intervention and it wasn’t long before I got one. Zadra was about to make his move, when I noticed his body swaying dangerously from left to right. The other gods were more focused on his right-hand man who was explaining to them what the game meant and how to play it. Thankfully before he slipped and fell down, I was right there to catch him.

‘This battle is over.’, I screamed with every intention to knock anyone who dared to oppose me. I didn’t like Zadra, I despised him actually. He always looked down on Arthy and me but no person even god deserved to be kicked when they were already down. ‘This battle is over until Zadra gets some rest and proves to be feeling better and I believe he can continue. Is that heard by everyone?’

They all kept quiet, obviously shocked that a human would try to defend gods who tried to want to end her and everything she was meant to love. And since nothing was happening anymore, the others left with how boring it had gotten. The only ones remaining were Belle, Arthy and Kiluaroth.

‘I have never seen him look like this. I guess remembering everything is quite difficult and tasking on his mind and body. What would we do now?’, Belle mused aloud.

‘Since I was the one that stopped the match, I’ll take responsibility and let you progress to the other rounds. If Zadra is still unwell by that time, we would cross the bridge then and…’ I couldn’t complete my statement because it was at this time that Zadra began moving as a convulsing child. I tried my best to hold him down before a bright golden light enveloped his body. He was being lifted up and the glow soon began enveloping his body from his feet.

Before he was completely sealed, he opened his eyes looked at me and said ‘beware, I know what would happen to you.’

Creepy much? And soon, he was fully enveloped, he shot up to the sky never too be seen again. As he disappeared, I wondered if we would ever see him again or if I would ever understand what he said. He was strange and I hoped that he would be able to rest easily wherever it was he went.

I looked up into Arthy’s eyes and what I saw scared me but it was only for a second before he sent a smile my way. It must have been my eyes, just a trick of light, I’m sure of it.