Demon

 

The goddess of war had her army. She had her generals. And the demons quaked.

Or did they?

Kvasir stared at the barren plain where Emelia had been lost. Beyond to the harbor that still bore no fish where Caledon had died. And to the mountains forever covered in snow where Dominic was slain.

If the demons could not separate them this time, they would usher in a new era.

But if the demons turned them against Athena again, he feared all humanity would be lost.

 

Dominic lost control at Kvasir’s words and accidentally smashed the training dummy in two. “You cannot send me back!”

“I’m trying to take you home.”

“But I must protect Athena and Emelia, and goddess knows what trouble Caledon will need me to help him with.”

“But what about your family?”

Dominic slammed his fist on the table, shattering the heavy oak. “My family cares little about me. But I will protect those I love.”

 

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not going back.” Caledon folded his arms over his chest.

“But your family, your friends,” Kvasir said.

“No one has called me a half-breed since I arrived here. No one has told me I don’t belong. Pushed me down. Accused me of stealing. And if they did, Athena, Dominic and Emelia would set ‘em straight. For the first time, I belong. You’re not taking that from me.”

 

Kvasir caught Emelia hugging the stuffed bear Athena had given her that first night so long ago.

“I am trying to get you home. I promise.”

“That’s why I’m afraid. Here, I have you and Athena that care for me. Caledon and Dominic are infuriating but are like brothers. Back home…There is nothing and no one.” She hugged her bear again. “I can help Athena save the world. I know I can. And… I don’t want to be alone again.”

 

Athena frowned. “I don’t remember much of my childhood. We’ve discussed this before.”

“But none of it?” Kvasir asked.

“Perhaps it was too awful to remember.”

“Or perhaps it did not exist,” Kvasir murmured.

Athena tossed a sword to Dominic. “I would rather prepare for the future than think of the past.”

 

 

Kvasir handed the sword back to Athena as his apprentice’s words echoed through his mind.

It wasn’t possible, and yet…If the legends were true, the goddess had created the world then chose to walk among her creations when they most needed Her.

Could she not then pierce the sky or turn back time?

How much did he know about Athena?