The dragon turned its attention to the sound of a horn at the top of the damaged castle tower, as the old wizard waved, wielding Gizzy’s nearly 7 foot long katana.

“Face me, demon…taste the power you have been sent here for!” he called proudly. The dragon flapped and rose to his height, lunching out its neck to eat him as he stepped aside and delivered a mighty downward strike, the blade cutting through the raised fin between the neck spines and stopping just into the outer skin with a harsh clank. His heart dropped in his chest, betrayal in his eyes as the dragon turned its head and yanked the sword to the ground, opening its mouth and chomping down on the old man.

Gizzy ran down the alleyway towards the noise, noticing a blue-green glow from the sword in her left hand getting brighter. Her hand gripped tighter without her knowing why, as the handle turned from gold to black and gray, twisting like steel cable, lengthening out as the blade conformed from a double to single edge and began growing with a slight curve. She stopped sheathing her short sword and noticing the now nearly 7 foot katana in her hand, glowing blue and green, the exact shape and weight of her old Katana, and she was unable to release her grip.

“Oh son of a bitch, he’s dead.” She sighed, taking another hand to the handle and returning to a full sprint.

Dee carried the wounded goblin to the stable exit, where the bow fell from his hand and she stopped to retrieve it, handing it back as she realized his arm was bleeding badly.

“Take it.” he whispered as she sat him down in the hay

“I can’t. It’s not mine, and I’m scared of commitment.”

“The lord of the town is dead. And so shall be the rest of the town soon. Defend it. You are one of those who brought it here to begin with.”

“It wasn’t our fault.” Dee said, questioning that statement.

“For 3 generations, the sword on that throne kept the Elves away, unwilling to risk the death of their most powerful weapon, until you removed it.” he said as the dragon landed solidly, flexing its limbs to absorb the fall, and looked their way, now directly down the alley with stone walls to either side and a burning church to their back. He lifted the bow, struggling to even move his drawing arm to the string, and resting it on the string, staring her in the glowing orange eyes. “Make a choice. Make the easy one.” He sighed.

“If I take this bow, I’m stuck with it. I’m not a range bitch, I barely know how to use the crossbows. We got better people to stick this thing to than me. I’m not a hero.”

“Then we die for nothing. Or you embrace your fate and live, and I die the hero today. Tell my tale to Theivenbridge. Embellish it if you can. When I die, this bow belongs to you regardless now.” He said starting to go limp.”

‘No, you can’t die on me and leave me with this damn bow. You’re hurt, not dead, we have healing shots, NICOLE DAMNIT GET DOWN HERE!” she yelled as the dragon neared.

Dee held the bow shakily, staring at the dying goblin.

“Hold my hand and pull the string with me. Help me aim one last time.”

“No no no no.” Dee muttered, drawing back the strange glowing string with his help and watching the dragon step closer. She released, sending a beam of light down its open maw. The flames exploded from the neck and ribs as it dropped and slid to a stop a few feet from where they knelt.

“Take the bow.” He wheezed. “Quickly, while I have breath.”

“I don’t want this, can I give it to someone else like Vinn, who’s kinda good with a bow?” she asked as his hand slipped and his eyes faded to a lost gaze and Gizzy ran to a halt, stopping short of the dead dragon as Dee sat holding the bow, now glowing at her fingertips. A smile appeared on the goblin’s face as he saw Gizzy holding the sword, glowing at her fingertips. He coughed and she turned to his dying words.

“Do not fear…for together, you will be strong. With a goddess leading, you cannot fail, and with the weapons together, the chaos god grows stronger. The closer they are, the more of his might flows through your veins.” He wheezed, going silent as the bow glowed blue and Dee’s fingernails sparked with little bits of chaos lightning.

“Oh great. So that’s a big damn problem.” Gizzy sighed.

“No, it’s fine. See, I’m putting it down. Someone, please take this.” She said, dropping the bow.

“That thing binds to whoever was holding it when the owner dies. And you heard him. The closer we are, the more chaos god that thing channels through our veins.”

“He just handed me a bow and we were gonna die. I didn’t know it was THE bow, have you seen how many people were just shooting bows at this thing? It’s not my fault. Can you like…disconnect the thing.” She asked in a panic.

“Yea, sure…by killing you and then taking both weapons and double the chaos dark magic, probably turning me into some unstoppable demonic force of chaotic evil because I just murdered my own girlfriend. I’ll just do that.”

“Well, obviously, don’t do that!” Dee barked.

“I was being facetious, no shit I’m not doing that.” Gizzy barked back.

The 5 of them stood at the burning city, now at least 40 percent destroyed, including the castle and church, now a pile of ash and stone with a dead dragon in the center.

“So yea, we fucked that up kinda gloriously.” Gizzy sighed,

“What do we do?” Nicole asked softly. “We can’t just leave the village like this.”

“We can’t help them either.” Gizzy explained. “We can’t rebuild the town or heal the dead. Those healing shots aren’t real magic.”

“And you can’t stay.” Said a voice from the dark, as Thaddeus stepped closer. “They may kill you for this. If there is anyone left with the strength to attempt it. But they certainly will not let you stay and help any more than you have.”

“Kid…” Gizzy sighed. “Your Grampa died fighting like a badass, he just didn’t have the strength to fight a damn dragon head on.”

“No, he died because he believed in a prophecy, and because he told me to warn the goblins of it coming true. It’s a lie, is it not?” he asked, tears in his eyes.

“Most of it.” Gizzy said. “It’s more complicated than you understand. There is evil coming to this land and we are here to fight it. We just…weren’t properly prepared. And yes, we lied. Our magic isn’t as powerful as these weapons and without them, we can’t do our job. Unfortunately, your god that is supposed to return, is not exactly what you’ve been told.”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“He is a myth.” Thaddeus nodded.

“Unfortunately, no, he’s a monster. He WILL return, and that’s the problem. He’ll destroy the elves, and then everyone else you know and love. Everything. He’s not a savior, he’s your destruction. You think the dragons are bad? That’s what happens when something ingests just a little bit of a chaos god.” She said, as Dee nervously looked at her bow. “The Elf kings mad with power are mad because of just a little bit of HIS power and madness. Those dragons are nothing compared to the evil that is going to hit this world. The village was our fault, and if we never came here it would be perfectly fine, for now. And many years from now, everything will be destroyed, including the village and you, and those who survived this. We’re not here to wake a god, we’re here to make sure one doesn’t show up. So we ride for the other items.” Gizzy nodded.

“Then it is settled. I will go with you.” Thaddeus said confidently.

“Uh, no. You’re not.” Gizzy sighed. “Kid you’re like 17 at best.”

“Do you know the land? Do you know the people?” he argued. “You stole my sword, my birthright. My home is destroyed because of you, my only family gone because of this damned prophesy, and I WILL have my sword. Which means I will follow the one it is bound too and if you fail, I will take it from your body and return to my village. Because I will not return without it. I know these lands, these people, and I will follow the goddess where she goes as well.” He said, looking at Nicole.

“I’m not a goddess. I just vaguely look like the drawing in the book. I have no powers, I mean I can see in the dark and swim good. That’s it. The stupid stick does everything.” She argued

“The staff that none can touch but you, that answers your will?” he smirked.

“That’s because Gizzy made it that way. I’m just a fishbitch with night vision and a cool weapon. Without this I’m just a fishbitch. That’s not very goddess like.”

“You command the house.” He noted.

“AGAIN!” she yelled. “Fancy shit Gizzy set up! SHE built and set the commands! The closest thing we have to a goddess here is Gizzy, who…now that I think about it, is actually not far off, or may just qualify?” Nicole pondered.

“And she answers to you.” Thaddeus nodded.

“Oh my god, kid, if you wanna follow a goddess, follow her, we’re on the same team anyway, but I’m not that damn special.”

“I disagree.” Vinn said, hugging her.

“I’m only a goddess to you because you’re a big horny dork who loves me.”

“Well, debate the reasons if you may, I will follow my sword until it is mine to carry again.” he argued.

"And my Axe!" Dee said in a gruff tone. "Sorry, I just sometimes can't stop myself. But in all seriousness, I’m following Gizzy.” Dee said. “Someone take this bow.”

“Unfortunately, you’re following me with that bow. You need to learn to use that thing.” Gizzy huffed. “You picked it up, you’re stuck with it, and you’re now our only ranged dragon slayer, so you’re gonna learn to get good with a bow fast.”

“That’s not fair.” She whined.

“That village burning down is not fair. This stupid kid being raised for a prophecy that took his family is not fair. Dee. You’re strong, you’re smart, your social skills are shit, but I can’t talk much there, I may have villagers hunting me down with pitchforks pretty soon. You can do this. Help the mission. This is why we’re here. We’ll always be together, even if we get separated. Just tap into my wireless codes and I’ll guide you through it. Like a schizophrenic robot conscience.

“You’d…let me have access to your control coding?” Dee said looking start-struck.

“What…what’s going on here?” Silverback asked Vinn.

“No idea, but it looks intense.” Vinn replied.

“Shut up guys, this is a moment.” Dee said. “Sharing wireless access with someone’s inner thoughts is…pretty scary. It’s a lot of trust.”

“I trust you.” Gizzy nodded.

“Aww.” Nicole pouted. “It’s like some robot trust-fall thing. Like sharing your soul or your Netflix password.”

“Weird.” Vinn squinted.

The horses slowly rode onward towards Theivenbridge, spaced out oddly and at a tired pace.

“Where are you people from? Beyond the ice mountains or the seas?” asked a very confused Thaddeus. Vinn pondered the question.

“Oh, we’re all from different worlds entirely. We came here through a time gate from a place so advanced you can’t really grasp…holy shit we kinda are just gods.” Vinn pondered.

“Not in the immortal sense.” Nicole reminded as vinn broke down the question.

“Aren’t we technically still on Delmar safely raising an adopted kid and unaffected by what happens here, while absolutely affecting what happens here and altering time itself? And Gizzy literally just IS a god, even to us. There’s a Church of Gizzy down the road some Delmarians go to pray. And I’m pretty sure ancient humans worshipped Gizzy and her kind. If we die, we just get cloned back somewhere.”

“Holy dick, we kinda are gods. Why did nobody tell me this?” Nicole blurted. “Wait, Gizzy…what were you the god of in ancient times?”

“Tits and wine.”

“That checks out.” Vinn nodded.

“I’m kidding. That’s Dinklage. I was the god of blacksmithing…and also…uh, alcoholism in general, and then at one point sex and alcoholism. Basically the god of getting hammered and then hammering other things. There’s a lot of overlap, don’t think too hard about it.” she shrugged.

“The god of pounding…just everything. Shots and ass alike.” Vinn smirked.

“Basically. Oh come on, stop judging. You know Greek mythology. All the gods were just us. Who WASN’T drunk and screwing everyone? Hey, at least I didn’t do my own family. You would be shocked how often that happened. I was a tame prude by comparison, let’s remember what we’re comparing me to and the context.”

“Welcome to the team, Thaddeus.” Vinn grinned, patting him on the back. “It’s only going to get weirder from here.”

Dee rode sadly behind the others, intentionally so they couldn’t see her pouting.

“So where are we going again and why?” she asked.

“Thievenbridge.” Silverback said, slowing to comfort her as the others rode ahead. “You’re bound to their bow, and as we now realize, sneaking these weapons out under their noses isn’t gonna work. Someone found out the sword was gone and in no time flat sent a dang dragon, took down half the town. If we don’t go back to Theivenbridge, and someone finds out there’s no bow. They could get hit, and this bow was the only thing that put a dent in that dragon.” Silverback explained.

“So we came here to get the items and destroy them, and we’re…returning it?”

“Well, returning it…with You as the wielder. So that…uh, look we don’t have this figured out yet. The original plan went to shit pretty fast. We do know that we need ranged weapons to fight these things that apparently, just eat regular arrows for breakfast. So, Gizzy is working on it, and we’re basically just preventing the world from turning to shit in Theivenbridge. You know how, no matter bad things get and how much shit hits the fans, Gizzy always has 2 backup plans and an idea that will pull it together?” he asked her.

“Yea.” She nodded.

“Well, this is not one of those times. We had 2 plans, both of them sucked and are over. We’re winging this.” He admitted.

“You’re a terrible motivator.” She sighed.

“I’m just an honest one.” He admitted. “That’s the only reason the boys respect me. That and, I was their boss on the construction job. They kinda had to.”

“Well Gizzy trusts you, so I trust you.” She smiled sadly.

“You’ll be safe, You got tough people around you. I hear you’re pretty tough yourself.”

“Kinda wish I didn’t have to be so tough. I’m not used to having a durable physical form. It’s pretty new to me. Gizzy built me tough, so I could survive on my own, but I kinda thought she’d always be the fighter. She told me to protect you and Nicole.”

“Ha. That’s just a nice way of saying you’re not a damsel in distress. Trust me, Nicole doesn’t need help, she has Vinn. Feel free to save my ass if I get it into trouble though. I’m an old dog with very few new tricks, those people up there are warriors…and also Nicole is there.”

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“Shoot.”

“I wish you had taken the bow. On the other mission, Gizzy and Nicole were in command, she said she needed someone morally lighter than her own dark gray, in case things got closer to black. Nicole is strong at heart and a great moral leader, but she’s not a weapon expert. You’re a good man with a good heart and some combat skills, if anyone should have a bow it should be the team leader to balance Gizzy out, and stand moral ground, who’s had to train to kill before.”

“I’m flattered that you think highly of me, but this mystical shit works in strange ways. That bow found you. Maybe YOU are the thing that balances Gizzy out, and maybe that’s why it chose you. She doesn’t listen to me. I follow her orders. She listens to you…you just seem too scared to say your feelings sometimes. Damn that’s weird to say. The Dee I knew never shut up about her feelings…and they were usually just bad things, and often directed at me. Hell, if she was more like you, we may have never broke…” he awkwardly stopped. “The point is, I believe in fate and purpose. That bow chose you, don’t doubt yourself.”

“So if fate has a plan…why are there 5 of us and 4 items? I was kinda hoping either I would get left out of that or get the shield. I like the idea of hiding behind something.”

“Gizzy’s your shield. And I don’t know why fate sent 5 people to claim 4 items. Technically 6 people, but we all know Thaddeus is gonna die halfway through. He’s even wearing a red tunic. That’s always bad luck.”

“Oh, that’s just unfortunate.” Dee pouted.