Chapter 3: Birth Underneath Despair

Locks of pure black lay over a pale face. Crystallized azure wrapped around them. Just

enough to cover their eyes. Slick black gloves danced in the air as they moved their fingers.

Ahh. There you are. You even brought your friends along. That old relic will lead you nowhere.

Best I take care of the carcass. Solemn gray and black eyes followed Tobias out of sight.

Moon and Sun clanked together.

“Is that the one we are looking for, Clelia?” The giant man threw the hood off his cloak. The

letters of Island Fresh instantly grew dim. Tobias leaving the lot, unaware of any danger. Before

the sleeve fully revealed what was underneath a cold hand stopped it.

“Not here, Yizmola. There is way too much rabble near us. Avaron will not be pleased if we

spark conflict sooner than he would like.” She said. Bits of crystal formed on the giant man’s

arm.

“Pathetic and soft. He has the nerve to make us wait. All the while he is out causing chaos.”

Stone fell, harmlessly hitting the earth. Onlookers gasped and gave a wide berth as the two stood

in the elevator.

Yizmola made eye contact with a startled man. Instantly he began to sweat and rushed out as fast

as possible. Crystals hit the floor as he swept them off.

“Come now. You are making me incredibly worked up. I can taste your rage in the air. That

magic of yours was about to coat this place in blood.”

Her eyes reflected in the crystals that rest upon the steel floor. Tight lipped and blank faced.

Never once looking up. Like an animal arising from sleep after the long days of winter, she raised a finger. The rest of her body did not move along with it. Crimson scattered against the walls.

“Owww! What the hell was that?” A woman cried out. Her cheek had been sliced open towards the bridge of her nose.

Yizmola chuckled as the elevator descended.

Colors dazzled in the mirror of her eyes. Memories trickled back then began to pour. Her partner was busy snickering at her recent display. The mission here was just for reconnaissance. No deaths were allowed. It was beyond her, but she did not question it. They had found one of the many targets Avaron had personally marked. “Marrows” he had called them. Stains upon not only on this planet, but the universe. Far-fetched was the only way to put it. A select few measly humans? What could they possibly do? Nearby, a fish curled up from tail to spine. It cracked and split into pieces, littering the bottom of the tank. Clelia’s fingers outstretched in its direction.

Without some divine power or intervention, like she had received, everyone including her before were worthless. Before her Yizmola lead the way. With this giant shield in front of her, she had a moment to relive a specific moment. Avaron had given them instructions to also act like the current populace. An impossible task. Made easy thanks to the oblivious people. Often stoned faced, this thought rearranged it into an angry snarl.

Torch light flickered off damp stone mixed with cracked earth. Pincers poked and dug through. Ancient species burrowed through the walls. Malnourished hands held a child in their arms. Fires along the walls outlined cages. Not just a few either. Rusted steel led to rotten wood. Shallow waters running just underneath. The child began to cough uncontrollably. That was common down here. Wherever this was.

Right next to them, presumably in another cage, mucus and blood splattered on the floor. Lungs hacked and heaved up bile. Rotten teeth barley hung out from a foaming mouth.

“Hey Koshi, you still alive?” A man said. Next to the woman holding the child. Equally in terrible shape. Light from the torch did not reach his face. Slumped over a trembling hand reached out, then stopped. The face that he could barley make out was consumed with rot and mold. Not a single breath escaped.

Waters rippled and shook as the march of footsteps came. Dark blue helmets covered their faces. Fully clad armor compared to those suffering. With all their strength, the three stood up. No words being exchanged. They had already known what was coming. Shackles against their feet broke. Through the dark their footsteps drowned out all other sounds. The procession marched on. Subterranean depths awaited. More torches on distant walls, water cascading down its sides. Over loose walls of earth, giving way over decades and decades. Rapid water was the only thing that brought the trio comfort. Lights grew brighter as a giant crystal reached out. Slightly slanted it rose as far as the eye could see.

Encircled around the base of the crystal they stopped.

“Don’t worry dear. You can do it. Then we can leave this depressing place behind.” The woman said. With an arm still holding on to frail hands, she let go. The young child approached the crystal. Dressed in dark regal blue and white, a figure stood firm in the center. Tentacles grasped a globe. Hung on the upper torso, the badge proudly displayed. He unsheathed a sword from his side and pointed it at the child. The cobalt blade at their throat.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Best of luck child.” He said and took a couple steps forward. Sword still drawn.

Long black hair fell over the child’s eyes. With one last look she brushed her withering black hair aside. With a small nod, she approached the crystal. The brilliant stone remained intact. Beedy spectacles took in the sigh. White and orange blazed their way to the iris. To look away was impossible. Wisp of energy tethered out from the crystal and surrounded her. Azure struck the ground and the man smiled. His face wore deep gashes. Blemishes of red and swollen purple. Beard hair going down to his chest.

“Heatherweald beautiful as ever. Bestowing your gifts to the meek.” Sparks of azure and flame erupted as he approached the parents. Fear in their eyes as the blade tore through the air. However, the blade instead met the sheath. He placed a hand on each of them.

“Congratulations! I was nearly about to cast you down to join the others. Been so used to failure after all this time I cannot believe this!” His laughter was more like a roar.

“Thank you, King Malgerius.” The father said. Tears in his eyes.

“It is not I you should be thanking. The three of you, I should be thanking. With the birth of a new scepter, Ovoroth will now have to worry less about the future.” He said and gave them a shove.

“Go. Join her before Heatherwealds gift expires.”

They nodded and ran towards their daughter. Being embraced by the crystal’s energy. Life coming to her. Her hair went from brittle to vibrant. Lungs inhaled and exhaled air more easily. Heart muscles much stronger. From having a hard time taking the simplest of steps, she stood taller. Poison and rot from down here seeped out of her body.

Clelia found herself somewhere else. It was more peaceful here under a warm orange sky. Wind tore through sky and sent her flying. Shadows hid the warm glow. Two giant black eyes looked down on her. Beak almost touching her nose. Dust blew past as the giant flapped its wings once more. She reached up to the creature, never once filled with fear.

“Are you a birdie?” Clelia said. Skin crystallized and shed. The rest of her as well. Life returning again.

“Yes child. I am.” It replied. The giant beak opened and spoke softly.

“I have only heard stories. Me and my parents have only been down here in the dark. We have not seen the world.”

“Wow. You are so soft. Are you all like this?”

A light laughter shook the ground. Clelia smiled as she continued to touch the beak.

“If they let you touch them. Yes. Come now child. Would you like to fly? Our time here is unfortunately short. We cannot stay here.”

“Fly, what is that? It is nice here I cannot stay?” She asked. The bird carefully picked her up with the beak and lowered her onto to the soft black feathers.

“What is your name birdie?” Clelia asked. Feathers brushed against her face as she got belly down and held on tight.

“I truly am sorry child. You still have family and life to explore. You cannot stay here with me. If you would like, I can come with you.” The two launched into the sky. Brilliant orange clouds quietly soared over an ocean with crystals coming out of the water. The birds dark blue and black wings casting silhouettes off the gleaming surfaces.

“Kee, The Raven Queen. Is my name young one, Kee is good.”

“Kee the birdie queen okay. Yes I would. How would you do that? You are so big.”

Another laugh and a shimmer of orange reflected in Kee’s dark eyes.

“I will transfer my spirit to you. In turn you will inherit all my abilities. I may be quite for some time as I need to recover.”

Kee dove towards a giant structure. Made all of it crystal, it arched and looked like a gateway.

“I don’t understand but okay. Will we still be able to talk?”

“Of course. Just need to rest after we get to your world. Your family is waiting, lets not make them wait. Giant wings tucked in to the sides and Kee soared through the archway. Leaving the strange place behind them silent and empty. Thank you for this gift, Heatherweald. I won’t forget it. Kee thought.

Clelia’s vision came back. No longer in the vibrant world. The crystal was back in sight. Her parents draped on either side of her. Sickly looking no longer, traces of Heatherweald ran through them as well.

“Kee, where are you?” She asked. Tears welling up in her eyes and looking around frantically.

The raven queen. Oh, what does fate have in store? Malgerius thought.

“Come friends! Let us leave. It is time to bring you to the surface world. I cannot wait for you to meet my boy. Mathias. He also was gifted from Heatherweald. I hope you become great friends!” Proclaimed Malgerius loudly.

“Let us be off!”

Kee where did you go. Are you already sleeping? Clelia thought. Startled, she jumped back for a moment then had the biggest smile on her face. Enough to dispel the gloominess. Black raven-like feathers mixed with tints of blue sprouted out from her arms.

The last of torches lay horizontally on a giant slab of moss.

“Raise the bloody wall will you!” Malgerius hollered up. Soldiers near half asleep sprang to attention. Two pairs of soldiers split up to walls to the east and west. Each placed a hand over giant mossy slabs. Marked with different sea creatures. The slab rose, as dirt and dust mixed with foul water fell below. Likely straight into the poor souls stuck below. Light burst through, nearly blinding the family. Marble stairs made their way down to greet them.

Clelia turned back to look over what she had called home her entire existence up until this point. Even if she did not know anyone down there, since so many died, came, and left. She promised to come back and help them. A dream likely to never see light. Her parents, not invigorated, gave her a pat on the head and nodded. Blue expenses, far as the eye could see, met them as they came up. The door to the abyss closed behind them. No cries or pleading for help. The aura of dread filling in the gaps. Until it was shut and sealed. Whispers would never be able to escape.

Tentacles covered in giant starfish had taken comfort around pillars sinking down miles long.

“What is that, daddy?” Clelia said. Her eyes widening and going black as a raven.

“I’m not sure kiddo. There will be an unbelievable amount of questions. This is the first time for all of us.” The father said.

“That is our protector. A god if you will. Keeps all the people of Ovoroth safe one way or another.” Yelled Malgerius at the top of his lungs.

“If there is chance. One day I can take you to him.”

“Really?” Cleia said excitedly.

“Yes of course! However, until then we have lots of work to do. Admire the ocean as we ascend.”

The last of the marble steps ended. Radiant azure blinded even the king as they stepped into a giant room. The walls covered in mantles of many different sea creatures. Sharks, squids, giant oysters, sea shrimp, whales and even turtles. People mostly decorated in navy blue strode about. They all looked extremely different to Cleia. Fancier clothes compared to their rags. She shook more violently than an earthquake as some smiled at her. They had different colored teeth and shape even. Rows and rows of fangs. They were the only three strangers here.

Two young men ran up to the king and gripped the swords at their hilts.

“Father! How was the journey? Do we have another to add to our ranks?” One of them said.

Melgerius gripped the boy and shook him nearly off his hinges.

“Yes Mathias. We have! Heatherweald has granted us another.

“That is great, isn’t it Hannigar?” Mathias said to the man next to him.

“Sure is. Nice to meet you.” He said and reached a handout to Cleia.

She took it. Feathers from Kee brushed up against his arm. For just a moment when they connected, she saw another creature. It had four little feet and a shell on its back. It felt the same when she met Kee. One handshake to another, she met a few of the leaders of Ovoroth. Even the queen. Shorter than the king by just a head. She smiled and welcomed them.

Formalities ending Cleia stood alone as her parents were nowhere to be seen. Dozens of glances went her way. Not all of them bore friendly looks.