Fall of Gods

Episode 10: Feathered Bow

Mount Olympus twenty years ago

The red and gold target-like eyes open sharply. The inhale from the archer was loud and desperate. Those strange eyes dart across the room with equal desperation. The walls are pure white, matching all the furniture. From what he could tell it was an infirmary. “Chang’e!” Hou Yi called out as he tried to sit up. This action was met by a single middle finger pressing to his forehead and pushing him back into the bed. The woman responsible has dark skin, shoulder length black hair and a scowl on her face that spoke a ferocity that just couldn’t quite be communicated in words. Or at least she wasn’t prepared to do so just yet. She wore golden wrappings on her hands and feet. She wore this same material in a skirt and a top that completely exposed her arms and only went down to just passed her ribs. Hou Yi looked the woman over a moment before he attempted to sit up again. He was met by the same response she had given him the time before.

“Please. You can’t keep me here. She needs me. She needed me to die with her. Why am I still alive?! Please I need-“ Hou Yi managed to get out as the woman put her hand over his mouth and gripped as she pressed him into the bed.

“It would be my pleasure to kill a bleeding heart like you. But there are a few problems with that. One, your pantheon leader and several others insisted I keep you alive. Second, I used a lot of time and magic to cure your mistletoe poisoning. That would be a dreadful waste. And finally, if Chang’e needs you as much as you think she does then, you are of better use to her in your current state. Souls respond to those they recognize. Be hard to recognize if you had to start over too. Your gesture is romantic…. But stupid”. The woman said roughly before she released his mouth and walked away from him and to a cabinet not far from where she stood initially.

The archer looked down at himself. He had been stripped of his armor and his wound seems to have vanished like it was never there to begin with. He touched the area gingerly expecting pain but, it never came. “I’m completely healed? How long was I out”? He asked as he seemed to submit to the doctor’s non-verbal order to stay in bed.

“A few weeks…” she responded calmly before she returned to his side after pulling a vile from the cabinet. She pulled the stopper out before offering him the container. The liquid inside had no color of its own but, it did have what looked like flakes of gold in it. “Drink”. She commanded firmly.

Hou Yi looked to her nervously as he took the bottle from her. He then sat up as he did what was asked of him. He coughed once when he was finished. “There! Can I go now”? He asked as his strange eyes locked onto the healer.

“You may. The council wishes to see you first. They have questions… and the location of your beloved”. She added coldly.

He sighed and nodded almost expecting this. He got out of bed wearing only a white skirt. He slowly yet, efficiently got to his feet. He tested his bearings by jumping in place a few times as the woman who healed him went to the door and opened it. His attention was immediately drawn to the door.

“This way”… the woman stated as she started walking.

Hou Yi stumbled at first but, immediately sped up until he caught up to her. The pair made the journey through the halls that seemed to work like a maze. Neither said a word until they reached an ornate door with several emblems engraved into it. They went in a circle and seemed to represent the eight pantheons that had a seat on the council. Olympian at the top, represented by a mountain. To the right of that is Norse, represented by a hammer. Followed by Celtic, represented by a knot in the shape of a tree. Then, Chinese, represented by a dragon without wings. Right behind Chinese is Shinto(Japanese), represented by a shrine. Egyptian after that, represented by an eye, wearing the same dramatic eye make up the healer was wearing. Next is Mayan, represented by a circular calendar. And finally Hindu, represented with the fabled ‘ohm’ mark. The woman who lead touched these symbols in a specific sequence: Norse, Hindu, Olympian, Chinese, Celtic, Japanese, Egyptian and then Mayan. This opened the door and she let herself in. Hou Yi followed close behind her.

Upon entering the room the eight ascended at the table ceased whatever conversation they were having and looked to the pair that entered the chamber. Just like the rest of this place there are no windows and yet it is magically lit with no sign of a light source. The pantheon leaders sit at a round table in the order suggested by the icons on the door. The dark skinned woman sitting at the table in ‘Egyptian’s seat smiled as she spoke first. This woman is noticeably taller than the woman who escorted him, even from a seated position. Their clothes are similar but, she has a gem encrusted hood that for all intents and purposes looks like the face of a bird. The hood is left off and hanging from her head, letting her princess length, curly, black hair flow around her. “Thank you Isis. For all you have done. You may leave now”. She stated calmly as she gestured to the door.

“Always a pleasure to serve you Ra”. The woman she named as Isis responded before immediately turning and leaving where she and Hou Yi had just come in.

The woman in the Chinese pantheon’s chair looked at Hou Yi with yellow, snake-like eyes. Her body is barely wrapped in what literally looks like a ribbon with changing colors and tones. Like watching the northern lights dance upon her body. She’s deathly pale and from the looks of her flawless skin she may very well be made of porcelain. She smiled though as she lowered her head slightly to the archer. “I’m very sorry for your loss Hou Yi”. She offered as she pushed an envelope from the table and within reach of the archer.

Hou Yi reached out and took the parchment with ease. “I am humbled by your condolences Nu Wa. Is this her location”? He asked raising the sealed letter.

“Also, the name of her mother. This should make it relatively easy to find her”. Nu Wa offered softly.

“Don’t mean to interrupt the pity party but, before you rush off in your very stylish skirt we have some questions”! The voice was quite energetic, a loud stereotypical Olympian voice. It belonged to none other than Zeus. He wore a white toga, held together by a golden emblem with a lightning bolt striking a mountain with the words ‘the might of Zeus’ engraved around the edges. The toga matched his back length hair and pectoral deep beard. The head of the table and leader of the Olympians made sure Hou Yi was looking at him now.

“Very well… how may I enlighten the council”? Hou Yi asked as he bowed to them slowly before rising to patiently await their questions.

“As you may have already imagined, we have seen your memories but, there are still things that don’t sit well with us. Maybe something you heard or saw that we did not pick up on”…. The Morrigan spoke up as she lazily sprawled out in her seat waiting for an answer to a question that hadn’t been asked yet.

“No need to torture the poor man with your riddles!” The man in the Mayan chair called to the Morrigan as he looked to Hou Yi with a cheerful disposition like Zeus. “Our first question concerns Mulan’s death. Her own dragon turned on her and yet, she still bears the dragon on her back. Did the knight utter a spell or speak anything that might have suggested he was a commander”? The Mayan ascended who spoke wears gold armor that clatters about him as if it were just excessive jewelry. It is gold and green. Even his eyes are gold.

“I’m sorry Chaac. I wasn’t even aware there were any Dragon Commanders left. Not that it isn’t a useful ability but, especially on earth there aren’t any dragons. There was no need to fear a commander. Not to mention he didn’t speak anything let alone dragon”. Hou Yi stated with a shrug.

“One of the opponents in your memories was blurry. Almost like you forgot who it was. Did you get a good look at him? Did anything about him seem familiar”? Ganesha spoke up from Hindu’s chair.

Hou Yi shook his head. “I didn’t forget. That’s how he was. Blurry…. He was never in focus. Almost like he was constantly moving. He took everyone by surprise with his speed”. Hou Yi responded with yet another shrug of his shoulders.

“Why did Odin throw the Gungnir”? Ullr barked out as he eyed the archer fiercely from the Norse seat.

“Yes… that doesn’t really make sense does it? If an ascended dies with items in their arsenal then, it would return to them once they reach ascension. What are your thoughts on this Hou Yi”? The man in a all white kimono followed up with quickly as he perked up with interest at the answer to Ullr’s question.

“I can’t say for certain…” Hou Yi responded as he lowered his head apologetically. “I wasn’t exactly focused on the others. My priority was protecting the seal and most of all Chang’e”. He admitted slowly.

“Thank you Hou Yi. The council is satisfied”. Ganesha spoke up as he looked to the others expecting objections.

Ullr glared at him as he started to stand but, Zeus took hold of his arm and pulled him back into his seat. “The Elephant man is right. If we have other concerns we will send Ratatoskr”. Zeus stated as if directed to Hou Yi but, those sky blue eyes were focused on a less than enthused Ullr.

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“With that I bid the council farewell”. Hou Yi began as he lowered his head in a low, traditional bow.

“If you’re heading to Earth there is something I would like to make sure is absolutely clear”. Ganesha said calmly as he raised a hand slowly. “Earth has changed dramatically since the last time you’ve been there. Their rules and standards have changed but, ours have not. While there, your task is to assist in Chang’e’s ascension. No getting involved in their affairs unnecessarily. No acquisition of power. No unnecessary use of your abilities. Is that clear”? Ganesha asked in his usual calmness as he even smiled at the archer. “Oh and if you see my father do tell her I said hello and that I can’t wait to meet them”. He added as if it were the end of a joke.

On Hou Yi’s back is the tattoo of his red feathered bow and on top of it a red and gold sparrow. The sparrow began to glow before his armor appeared to cover his previously fairly bare body. The raven haired snake lady giggled quite audibly. The other pantheon leaders look to her in unison as if none of them had ever heard a sound quite like it. She stood up from her chair turning her legs into a almost pearl colored serpent’s tail. She then slithered over to Hou Yi at a speed that might have alarmed most people. She pushed her hair out of her face as she examined him. “No no no. You can’t go to earth dressed like that; try….” She let out cheerfully as she waved her arms as if sewing something only to make clothing appear from nothing. They were neatly folded as she offered them to him.

The archer looked the snake lady in her eyes as he accepted the clothes from her. He lowered his head to her. “I will wear them proudly”. He responded as the clothes vanished. His armor began to glow as it is replaced with the clothes Nu Wa presented to him. A red hoodie with his tattooed sparrow on a tree branch printed on the front of it and a pair of brown pants that are loose fitting and have more pockets than anyone would know what to do with.

She clapped rapidly as she squealed happily. “Oh goody they fit”! She let off enthusiastically as she examined the clothes.

“If I’m being completely honest my lady…” Hou Yi hesitated as he looked towards the ground slowly.

“Choose your words wisely!” Zeus cracked with a hearty laughter following. Chaac joined him as if they both knew something the rest didn’t.

“Speak freely”. Nu Wa insisted politely as she gave an uncomfortable turn of her head to get into his line of sight.

‘She looks harmless enough’. Hou Yi reasoned with himself as he pointed at the white and red shoes that came with the outfit. “The shoes are a bit tight and the colors are distracting”. He put gently as he reeled back preparing for the worst. The silence was long and drawn out to a point that made the rest of the council uncomfortable. Ganesha stood as if to say something but, the silence was broken by the sound of Nu Wa laughing.

“Is that all”? She asked through the laughter as his shoes vanished. “I never was very good with feet”. She added teasingly as she looked to her tail and magically replaced it with her human legs once more. “How about?” She paused as a pair of black, steel toed boots magically encased his feet. “Better”? She asked innocently.

Hou Yi smiled and lowered his head to her. “Much. Thank you”. He lied as she made them heavy enough that he was having trouble lifting his feet.

“Yay”! She let off happily as she clapped her hands together rapidly. When her clapping finished she returned to her seat at the table. “Good luck waking up your wife”! She followed up with, waving at him widely.

Hou Yi lowered his head to each of the other council members, before making his way out of the chamber.

New York City

Hou Yi trudged through the artificially lit streets with the rain coming down fiercely. He examined every detail with every heavy step he took. He watched cars drive by quickly piecing together social behaviors from passerby. Even though he came in from the bifrost in the middle of a busy sidewalk, no one seemed to notice. Those strange eyes of his moved from individual to individual swiftly. In each twitch of his eyes he learned something new about social norms. He traveled through the rain as if he knew where he was going. Eventually, he found himself across the street from a five story mansion. Complete with an iron gate this place has hedges cut in the shape of circus animals and a fountain that could easily hold a family of twelve has a swimming pool. Hou Yi looked at the gate for a moment before a stranger in tattered clothes that barely hung off his body approached. “Who the hell are you”? The stranger asked aggressively as he eyed the archer fiercely.

“I don’t see why that’s any of your business”. Hou Yi responded in a calm manner as he continued to examine the house.

“You tryin’ to muscle in on Lena? She just had my baby homes. If anyone is getting in on this action it’s gonna be me so, step off”! The man quickly escalated as he reached out and pushed Hou Yi’s shoulders.

Without thinking Hou Yi reached and pushed the stranger’s hands away. “Don’t touch me. I will not warn you a second time. If you must know I’m here to see a friend”. He responded coldly before he turned to face the aggressive stranger.

“Yeah that’s how it starts! Listen bitch, step off! Lena is mine. No supermodel jawline is gonna screw that up for me, you here me”!? The man roared out as he went to punch Hou Yi without hesitation.

Hou Yi blocked the fist with one hand and pushed the center of the man’s chest with the other. The push was enough to knock the stranger over and had him skidding along the pavement a couple of feet.

The man seemed unharmed as he growled out of frustration as he stood and pulled a handgun out of the waistband of his pants. “I ain’t gonna say it again fool! Step off”! The stranger demanded as he pointed the weapon at the archer.

Hou Yi stared at the weapon but, was still unmoved.

“You mocking me homes!? Maybe this’ll change your tune”! He called out as he pulled the trigger. The barrel clearly smoking after firing the munition but, nothing seems to have happened. Hou Yi held the bullet in his index finger and thumb as he now examined it. “What the hell?! What are you?....” the stranger had quickly changed his tune from aggressive to frightened.

“Is this a weapon”? Hou Yi asked as he continued to examine the bullet. He then looked to the assailant before he rolled the bullet to between his thumb and middle finger only to flick the bullet straight into the ground. The bullet buried so deep into the concrete it could no longer be seen. Only it’s very deep wound it left behind.

“Holy shit! Asian Superman!? Nothings worth this shit”! The stranger cried out before he ran away.

A man in a black and white suit approached the gate from the inside. With a red umbrella over his head to shield him from the rain he briskly walked towards Hou Yi. “Is everything alright sir? I heard a noise. It sounded like gunfire”. The older looking gentleman stated with genuine concern behind his words. He has a long, white mustache and a set of bifocals that only seemed to highlight his age.

Hou Yi smiled at him. “You need not concern yourself. Everything is well. No one is harmed.” He assured as he put his foot over the bullet hole in the ground.

“I see… you one of Miss Lena’s friends”? The older gentleman asked as if he immediately sensed something was off.

The archer thought long and hard about the question. “No I’m not… I only heard of her from the man who just left”. He offered as he pointed in the direction his assailant ran off in.

“Ah yes. I thought I heard that ruffian’s voice. Jessie something or other. Thank you for getting rid of him. He got my master’s daughter Lena pregnant and ran away. Then, he found out she’s from money and suddenly he cares? She’s better off without him if you ask me”. The servant put bluntly as he looked over Hou Yi again.

“He seemed like a real gentleman”. Hou Yi responded as he turned to leave

“What’s with your eyes”? The older gentleman called out to stop Hou Yi from leaving.

“You can see my eyes”? Hou Yi asked as this man seemed to be the first to notice them. The archer put a hand over one of them as if that would help but, his eyes did not change.

“On my son’s sixth birthday we were hit by a drunk driver on our way home from his party. I survived but, my son didn’t. I almost bled out before a man appeared. He was just sitting on the trunk of my car. He told me I wasn’t done yet. He told me that I still had something to do. He promised I’d see my son again if I did it but, he never told me what I’d need to do. He had eyes kind of like yours. Not bullseyes but…. X’s…” he said as he tried harder to remember more about the entity he spoke of.

“Maybe you can help me then”. Hou Yi said agreeing with the idea that this man was one who could be trusted. “An infant was born to Lena three weeks ago? I need to see that infant I need to see something”. He stated as he got closer to the gate.

“You promise that this family is safe”? The old man asked with clear guilt expressed clearly on his face.

“I would put my life on the line to ensure that if I must”. The archer insisted as he bowed graciously to the old man.

The old man nodded and opened the gate. “Couple of things. While here you will go by the name of Daniel. That was my son’s name. I never told the family that Daniel died. So, no one will be the wiser. And I’m helping you because I know you know something about the man with the X’s in his eyes. I could tell by your reaction. Most people called me crazy but, you…” he paused as he covered his mouth with his arm to cough.

“Long purple hair, thin, wears all black and has colorless eyes with pupils in the shape of an X. If that matches your description then, his name is Thanatos. He is better known as ‘the hand of death’. Mortals only see him when he desires it. Other than his weapon being a scythe I don’t know much about him. He shows up where ‘predetermined’ deaths occur. Other than that no one knows where he goes”. Hou Yi offered as he crossed the threshold into the gated home.

“That sounds like him. So, he’s a god? Did he kill my son”? The servant asked as he lead Hou Yi towards the house.

Hou Yi followed close behind him. “He didn’t kill your son. He doesn’t decide death. He does ensure it if needed but, most of the time death happens without him”. Hou Yi divulged without much convincing.

“I saw the reaper all those years ago… wow… no wonder no one believed me”… He responded as they made it to the door. “I understand if calling me dad would be uncomfortable for you so, Kai is fine. Even though I’m letting you use my son’s name I’d still like to know your’s before we go any farther”. Kai said with his hand on the knob of the door while he lowered his umbrella.

The archer lowered his head respectfully. “Hou Yi….” He responded as he extended a hand to shake Kai’s.

“Kai Chang. Nice to meet the archer who shot down eight suns”. He said almost in a joking manner as they shook hands.

“It’s a pleasure. I’m impressed you’ve heard of me”. Hou Yi returned as they released their grip on each other’s hands.

“My grandmother told me the story when I was young. Shall we go in”? Kai asked as lightning crashed.

New York-present

On top of building towering well above the others sat a man in a res and gold tactical suit. A suit one might find on a superhero or villain. The outfit is complete with a mask that represents a bullseye, matching the pattern on Hou Yi’s eyes. A familiar hooded figure joined the fully suited character as they both sat on the ledge overlooking the city.

“Oi lad. Nice get up. Got time in your busy schedule of breaking the rules to give me a progress report on Chang’e…” Cu Chulainn asked as he turned a set of glowing green eyes at the archer.

Hou Yi sighed heavily from under his mask….