A white bull emerged from the heavens, arriving like a storm, violent, turbulent and fear inducing.
The sky split apart, as if an invisible blade had slashed through the fabric of the world. An otherworldly rumble followed, shaking the air, rattling the bones of all those who were unfortunate enough to witness its wrath. The first thing people saw was its eyes—not their usual golden brown, but a deep shade of crimson glowing with an unholy rage, now under the control of its new master—Dicaeus, the god of chaos and destruction.
The bull made its descent.
A creature of divine fury, its massive body moved with the force of a fallen star and when its hooves struck the earth, the ground ruptured, cracks snaking outward like veins of fire. The very air around him shimmered with heat, scaring all those who saw it.
From his realm, Dicaeus watched with great interest, a wicked smile forming on his lips.
He sat on his throne made of onyx, where bones and skulls surrounded his feet. His blood-red eyes now shimmered with sadistic delight as he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands, savoring the moment the bull will strike. A shattered glass-like sound escaped from his lips, filled with endless malice as he watched the two men approaching the bull as if it was nothing, that's when he saw it, in both their hands, the golden aegis and the divine spatha.
His eyes went wide, and his eyes burned a golden red ember at the sight. "How do those miscreants still have the weapon?!" He bellowed, his voice tinged with unbridled rage.
One of his minions who stood by his side whimpered as he felt Dicaeus' accusatory gaze on him. "I-I.." he stammered, unable to bring himself to speak.
"SPEAK UP NOW!"
The minion jumped, his body shaking like a leaf. "I-I, I apologize lord Dicaeus, it would seem..the sorceress has failed to acquire the weapons." He said.
The god stared the poor minion down. "Why haven't I been informed of this sooner?"
"...It would appear the sorceress put on a veil, shielding us from seeing what had transpired on the ship my lord."
Dicaeus leaned back into his throne, his eyes sweeping past the scene before him before making their way back to the minion. "I see. So you were blocked by a veil. That makes perfect and logical sense, how could you know what was happening when you were being blocked by a MERE VEIL!"
The god didn't wait for the minion to make his case as a swarm of scorpions appeared almost out of thin air. Dicaeus directed his fingers towards the helpless minion and as commanded, the legions of scorpions made their way towards him, stinging and slowly eating the flesh on his skin. After five minutes had passed, all that was left of the minion were his bones.
Dicaeus sighed in discontentment. "For crying out loud, why can't anyone follow my simple instructions around here?" He said softly before looking at his glass where the two men were prepared to engage in battle.
"Well, it looks like I won't be getting my wish for their complete annihilation. But it's not like they will be coming out of this battle completely unscathed either."
The god was silent for a moment, before a laugh escaped from his lips. "Yes, at least one of them should die."
The people of Trojas were confused and also in a state of panic as they wondered what was happening. Anemone who had been enjoying a drink alongside Elias nearly dropped his cup as he saw the now dark clouds separate in two, and a blinding light revealed a bull.
"Are you seeing this?" He blinked.
"Yes, I'm standing right next to you," Elias said in a daze.
What they saw amazed everyone around them. The only two people who were absolutely terrified were Loki and Meliše.
"He already finished reviving it?!" she couldn't help exclaiming.
Ceremus whipped his head towards the sorceress, who had gone deathly pale. "What in the hell is that thing?" He demanded.
"Your impending doom, that's what it is. I warned you this was going to happen, but you never bothered listening to me. This is your comeuppance!" She yelled in return.
And just as she said those words, a violent wind blew through the crowd, and the bull of judgment landed on the ground.
Its red eyes pierced through the crowd of thousands of people, as if in search of something—or someone.
"Are you seriously telling me that the bull from those legends is not only real but alive?!" Ceremus asked as he watched the people running for their lives.
Anemone swiftly made his way towards the king alongside Elias—the captain of the huntsmen guild, Anthanasia, the twins, and Laurel.
"Your Majesty," the advisor called, surveying the area the earth had scorched. "What is going on? What is that thing?!"
Ceremus pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. Of course. The moment they returned, the world was already burning again.
"I really can't catch a break." He murmured to himself.
"…That's the bull of judgement isn't it?" Hael said, breaking through the turmoil that was now his thoughts.
"Yes, that's the bull of judgement. I suggest you clear this area and tell your people to evacuate because once it goes on a rampage, it won't be able to tell friend from foe," Meliše said.
The group turned to look at her, and Anemone couldn't help frowning. "Who is this?"
"Unfortunately, we don't have time for introductions right now, Anemone. And I don't think we have time to evacuate the people, either."
The bull opened its mouth and like a dragon, fire came out of it, its flames devastating and burning everything it came in contact with.
Elias was in awe of the sight, "how are we supposed to defeat something of that magnitude?"
"You can't," Meliše snorted. "It's a calamity, meaning it can cause irreversible damage to an entire country if it wanted to. Luckily for us, the only person it wants to kill is you." She said, pointing to the king.
"Oh, and perhaps you as well?" She added as she looked at Hael.
Anthanasia's eyes went wide. "What? Why would it be after Hael?!"
The sorceress couldn't help laughing. "So it's no surprise that it would be after your king, but it's a shock that it's after the guard? What an amusing bunch of people you have here, Your Majesty."
Ceremus cast a deadly glare her way, making her laugh even more. "Why is it after His Majesty and Sir Hael?" Anemone asked, cutting through her laughter.
The woman glanced his way and took in his appearance for a brief moment. Elias wasn't sure why, but he had the instinctual need to place himself in front of Anemone—shielding him from those lascivious eyes.
"It's because they killed the kakoethes."
Helena, one of the twins, interjected. "That scary demonic monster looking thing? Didn't they defeat it to protect the people of the village?" She asked.
"Whatever the reason was, it was a great offence to one of the gods. I can't reveal who it is, but the kakoethes are creation—essentially his kin. You killing it resulted in that god wishing to seek vengeance on you lot." Meliše explained.
"Oh, my gods! You've made an enemy of the gods now?!" the advisor exclaimed.
"When I told you to bring me back something nice, I didn't expect it would be a raging bull!" Anthanasia said.
"Well, in their defence, they couldn't have possibly known that monster belonged to a god," Elias said.
"It no longer matters whether they knew or not; the bull will carry out its plans unless it's defeated. And from the looks of things," she said as she scanned the group, "none of you look up to the task."
"Hey! That's a rude thing to say," one of the twins exclaimed.
"The only people who stand a chance are Your Majesty and Hael."
Things were finally starting to click in the King's mind. The weapon they had received from Leacus, the appearance of Meliše, and now the bull. Everything was connected. The entire trip appeared to have been planned to prepare them for this moment.
He couldn't help gazing up to the sky, thinking someone up there had devised this entire plot to lead up to this.
"Since it looks like we'll have no choice but to fight it, we need to protect the people." Hael said after a long moment of silence.
The others nodded in agreement, and a sudden thought came to Meliše's mind.
"Give me my staff." She said,
"Excuse me?" Ceremus said. The others also found her bluntness surprising. Even if she was a formidable sorceress, she was still in the presence of a king.
"Just who is this woman?" Anemone exclaimed.
She ignored his question and looked at Ceremus pointedly. There wasn't a single trace of playfulness he was used to seeing.
I can create a protective barrier that will keep everyone from getting harmed. That way, you guys can fight freely without having to hold back." She said.
"Absolutely not. Who knows what you'll do once I hand you the staff? You'll probably take the weapon and go back to that god," He said.
Meliše couldn't help rolling her eyes. "Is your ridiculous pride worth the lives of thousands of people?"
Her words struck him like a cold wave as he realized the truth behind her words. He gazed at his people, who were all panicked and scared, and sighed. He knew what he needed to do.
"Fine. You can take back your staff. But know this: if you even think about doing anything to harm us, I will end your life where you stand." He warned, his words laced with venom.
The scepter was returned to its rightful owner, and, as promised, Meliše cast a barrier over the area, leaving a large spot open where the bull was now ready to charge its prey.
Hael and Ceremus wasted no time as they grabbed the shield and sword respectively and prepared to face it.
Anthanasia and the others watched on nervously as they charged forward. The weight of this battle resting heavily on their shoulders.