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Edge of Madness
CHAPTER 96

CHAPTER 96

Ishar wore an amber tunic that dropped to his ankles, his bare feet made not a sound as he trod upon the black ground with his eyes fixed on the only thing that didn't mirror the dark expanse all around him. Twenty paces before him was what appeared to be a silver marble tomb, fashioned in the likeness of the shape of a man with the image of a large bird on the side that faced Ishar. Ishar observed the abstract shape of where the man-shaped tomb's face was supposed to be, the facial features were compacted to resemble a figure in rest from one angle and a figure in turmoil from another. Ishar took note of this as he walked a circle around the waist high tomb.

"Do I have to dance on the thing and chant while pulling my hair for you to make an appearance?" Ishar asked.

"You've grown too comfortable with me." Ovek said from behind him, Ishar did not turn to face the God. "There was a time when mortals would starve themselves for fifty days and nights to appease me. To reject their bodies and the need to survive was seen as penance to ward off my presence. They did so so as to ensure my touch did not find them for what I bring is worse than hunger. 'Look, oh God of chaos, no need to visit me for I have brought you within myself.' They would pray each day. I am feared, child. You ought to revere in my presence."

Ishar waved back with his hand, his eyes still transfixed on the shifting face of the tomb's head. "Yeah yeah, got it, you're terrifying. Anyway, what can you tell me of this? I expected to see King Gans in chains as Mairek was." Ovek came to stand beside him and Ishar glanced in the God's direction. Ovek wore only brown faded pants that had faded at its knees, his skin was the light reddish brown of the Remu and it stretched out over sinuous muscles. His eyes were large and brown and his hair the sandy shade common with the Remu but the only difference was his was twisted into numerous locks that stuck out haphazardly upon his head. As usual, the tips of his fingers were stained blue.

"He is-"

"Why do you always do that?" Ishar said and regarded the God with crossed arms upon his chest while tapping one foot.

"Do what?" Ovek asked, raising one sandy eyebrow as he met Ishar's glare, causing the scar in the middle of his head to tilt one way.

"You constantly change your appearance to fit any of the four races but you leave your fingertips blue. Why? It's the one major trait of Kolotians yet you depict it on every race. It's racist if you ask me." Ishar said.

"Racist? You're calling me racist?" Ovek turned fully to face Ishar. "I am a God, I do as I want, when I want. A mortal has no right to question my actions."

"A mortal's going to beat your ass up if you don't quit messing with Kolotia's identity." Ishar said.

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The two beings stood in silence. The mortal observing the God's fingers and the God observing the mortal's face. Ovek's sandy hair changed to blond and his brown eyes to grey. His skin faded from its copper hue and lightened to a pale white. Still, his pale fingers remained tipped in blue, he raised said fingers to Ishar's face and wiggled them. Ishar charged.

Ishar rammed into Ovek's midriff and lifted him off the ground, Ishar's feet dug into the ground and flung black dust behind him as he roared and carried Ovek upon his shoulder. The God laughed, Ishar let go of Ovek and the God whirled in the air but Ishar followed with a punch. He was so sure he would land it, so sure it would connect with Ovek's smug face but at the last second Ovek's hand reached out and closed around his fist. Ovek twisted his hand and Ishar spun in the air, he lifted Ishar's entire weight in one hand and slammed him onto the ground.

Ishar's breath was knocked out of him, blood stained his teeth from where he lay on the ground and his eyes took a moment to regain focus. Fifty paces away was the tomb, as immobile as could be. Ovek's face reared into sight above him, the God gave him a silver toothed grin. "Almost had me there, I-" Ishar brought up both feet and kicked at the God's face. Ovek grabbed both of his feet in a two handed grip right before they landed, he spun Ishar around while laughing and Ishar's arms flailed in the air as he cut through the air.

Ovek brought Ishar down hard and Ishar heard more than felt his shoulder pop, he grunted in pain. Ovek stood above him once more. "You attack with a purpose, a plan, you seek order to catch me unawares, order does not coincide with Madness. Fight without thought, fight like a wild animal, let ferocity be your ally."

Ishar raised himself on one hand. His breath still heaving and his shoulder a knot of pain. "You're holding back, Meena won't hold back when she gets to me." He gave Ovek a bloody smile. "Afraid you'll frighten me? Afraid to be the bad boy that you are?" "What?" Ovek asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"I'm taunting you." Ishar replied.

"Forms of Empathy don't work on me, child."' Ovek replied.

"You always dress like a homeless peasant, I saw Nielda, he is hotter than you."

"Nielda wouldn't know style if it hit him in the face. Also, Niada isn't that hot anyway, don't know why you're-"

Ishar threw himself at the God. With his one good arm he repeatedly pummeled at Ovek's face but Ovek dodged with ease. Ishar kicked but Ovek kicked back, connecting with his shins and sending pain up the entire length of his legs. Ishar clawed and yelled, his movement a blur despite the pain. It reached a point where the agony of his dislocated shoulder became a dull throb at the back of his mind as he repeatedly used his arm to try and land an attack. It all failed. Regardless of the ferocity, regardless of the animosity and the chaotic channeling of rage. He did not land a hit.

Ovek grabbed Ishar by the neck and slammed him into the ground. Ishar groaned but his groan was cut short with a punch to his face. He turned his head aside and spat teeth. He gave Ovek a toothless smile as the God loomed over him with Ovek's knees pinning his arms to the sides, leaving his face defenseless. Ovek paused with a curled fist raised. "There was a time all the races worshipped all the Gods equally, even the banished race with their banished God. Nyawe was the link between us all, love ensured no divide and I honor her by maintaining the unity she stood for within every race by highlighting her essence in every form."

"Nya.. we, Ithn't.. tha.. hot..any-" Ishar didn't finish the sentence. Ovek's fist drove a hole into his face. Ishar's eyeballs popped out of their sockets and his skull split into fragments.