Chapter 4 The Ishtar Plot

" Kneel!" Came the harsh command from the woman who sat upon the golden throne. She was tall, at six foot five, elegant, and majestic looking. Long flowing platinum colored hair, piercing amber eyes, tan skin, her face, while lined with wrinkles, was still that of nobility. She wore an elegant green gown and a silver crown on her head. This was Hera, the queen of the Sintar Dragons. Calypso dropped to a knee, bowing her head at the foot of the twenty steps that led to the throne.

Lustrous braziers encircling each of the six marmoreal columns lit up the lower levels of the throne hall, and their light wrapped the hall in a warm radiance. The artistic depictions of legendary battles on the embowed ceiling danced in the flickering light while dragons and statues looked down upon the stone floor of this imposing hall. A silver rug ran down from the throne for a few meters before coming to an end while roaring drag head banners adorned tufts the walls. Between each banner, almost all of them had been lit and, in turn, illuminated the artistic depictions of Sintar heroes and legends below them. Veils enclosed broad, stained glass windows depicting important royal moments colored the same silver as the banners. The curtains had been adorned with fancy tassels and gold leaves.

A dignified golden throne sat within a pagoda of sorts within this hall and was adjoined by an equally impressive seat for Zeus, the absent king. The throne is covered in hallowed illustrations, and fixed on each of the rather slim feet was a gemmed head of a dragon. The thick pillows were dark silver, and those too had been adorned with embellished tassels.

" Kneel!" Calypso hissed to the meek human man she had brought with her, a common slave she had acquired in a human city. She never cared to remember his name, all she recalled about him was he was a farmer who couldn't pay his taxes to the Ishtar. So he had been imprisoned and sold as a slave, one Calypso had gotten a good deal on. Trembling, the man did just that. He was older, in his late fifties, with thin gray hair, weathered skin, and tired blue eyes. He wore a dirty and tattered gray tunic with no form of protection for his feet. His hands were bound and around his neck was a collar with a rope attached that Calypso used to lead him.

" What is that, Calypso?" Queen Hera asked with a smile. Others would have seen it as kind, but for those that knew her well, such as Calypso, she saw the sinister intention behind it.

" Tribute for you, Mi' Lady," Calypso said. Hera's smile grew as she looked the human over.

" Well, it is a bit scrawny, but I suppose it will do," she said, leering at the slave. The human shrank away, but Calypso jerked him forward by the rope. The human gasped as he fell facedown and didn't get up. " So, my apprentice. What news do you have for me?" Hera asked.

" The two Half-Breeds had unlocked the Ryuijin Mi'Lady," Calypso said, now looking at the one who had been her mentor since childhood. Hera leaned forward in her throne, her interest in the human now diverted.

" The children of Caelus? The ones he had with that Ishtar woman, what was her name, she was the third daughter to the Queen-Mother.... Anatu! That's it," Hera said after searching for the desired name for a moment. " If only I had managed to seduce him back then and made him my mate, rather than the incompetent oaf I'm stuck with now. Our children would have ensured my rule for a thousand years, and they wouldn't be repulsive Half-Breeds. And you say they both have unlocked the Eyes of Zorvun?"

" Yes, Mi' Lady," Calypso said.

" That could be troublesome," Hera said. " Perhaps you should take them out. Before they become more trouble than they're worth. Then again, I did order the elimination of all the villages that were weak so our race could only consist of the useful ones. To kill two with the Ryuijin would be a waste, especially since they are the sons of Caelus. And with stories of the Paragon stirring-"

A startled gasp from the human who was now standing on his feet caused both female dragons to stare at him.

" By that gasp, I take it you know what we are talking about?" Hera asked.

" N..no... no!" The human stammered, trying to step away, but Calypso yanked him forward.

" Explain, worm." She snarled. " You are a common farmer. How do you know information only the Ishtar elites and their closest allies know?!" Just then, out of nowhere, four figures stepped into view. They wore crimson robes with hoods covering their faces. Calypso chuckled and grabbed the human by the hair.

" Well. If I'm not mistaken, those are members of the Red Tower. Secret assassins and elite troops of the Ishtar Dynasty. Some of the most fearsome warriors in all the land. Why I do believe in the Half-Breed War, a few hundred of them held off five hundred thousand Abnormals warriors from various tribes. If I remember correctly, they managed to hold out for three days and three nights before they were all killed. Why would they be here unless they were here for you? Not that they'll tell us who their target is, they're not one for talking."

The man trembled and tried to speak, but no words were coming out. Calypso picked the man up by the collar and threw him against the wall. " Wait there, filth. Once I'm done with these fools, I'll be back to question you. And just to make this fun, I won't use either of my hands to kill them. They came all this way; the least I could do is give them a sporting chance." With that, Calypso rushed the intruders, a large smile on her face.

Before any of them could react, Calypso twirled on her foot and kicked one of them in the chest. The assassin gasped and fell on its knees. Calypso landed another kick, this time in the throat, leaving the intruder gasping for air, clutching at its throat. Calypso backflipped over a charging assassin, waited for her new challenger to turn around before definitively winning with a sharp kick to the throat.

She then spun out of the way of another assassin charging at her, turned on her heel, and slammed her foot into the assassin's spine. The intruder gasped and crumpled to the ground. Before Calypso could finish the third off, the fourth rushed at Calypso, who ducked and, with all her might, slammed her foot in the chest, sending the assassin flying and crashing into the wall. Then, with a smile of cruelty, Calypso kicked the last of them over on its back and ended the assassin's life with a stomp to the neck.

Just as soon as it had started, it had ended. With just her feet, Calypso had slaughtered them. The slave trembled as he looked at the monster before him. Hera chuckled and clapped her hands.

" Well done, Calypso! I do believe that shattered your record."

" I do aim to please," Calypso said, walking back to her slave. Hoisting him up by the neck, she glared at him. " Alright, you. Talk. Who are you? Really?"

The former farmer choked and grapes the arm choking him with both hands, gasping for air.

" That's enough," Hera said. " Let the poor fool go." Reluctantly Calypso obeyed and stepped back. " Now then, human. If you don't tell us who you are, I am going to turn you over to my apprentice here, and she's quite adept at torture." The man tortured and started to speak.

" My name-"

" I didn't ask your name. That means nothing to me, nor does it have relevance as to why assassins were in my throne room," Hera interrupted. " You get one more chance; I suggest you choose your words carefully." Trembling, the slave tried again.

" I am the former Loremaster of the Red Tower. I retired a few years ago due to my age to run my farm. My former associates you dispatched of were undoubtedly sent here to dispose of me before I could give away any secrets. Namely the current events of the Ishtar."

" And what might those be?" Hera asked. The man hesitated, an act Hera didn't take kindly to as she narrowed her eyes. " If you do not tell me or dare to tell me a falsehood, I promise you, your death will be a slow and painful one."

" They're hoping to perform the Paragon's Communion," the slave mumbled. Calypso gasped and stumbled back, and the usual smug face of Hera showed fear.

" The Paragon's Communion?!" She demanded, gripping the armrests of her throne. " The ritual passed on to your kind from the earliest of days? That accursed ritual that births the next Paragon?"

" The very same," the human slave said, a smile slowly crossing his face when he saw Hera's fear. " As you know, long before Abnormals of today took power here in Ocrad, it was known by a different name, Daikhana. Kealdin, the one you call The Paragon, ruled over the ancient humans with an iron fist; after all, we humans are mere shards of Kealdin. Of course, he was defeated and sealed away by the founders of your Abnormal villages. Sintar the Dragon, Augar the Giant, Rudoka the Kitsune, Azrez the Naga, Ivaura the Hydra, Koame the Anansi, Eterna the Phoenix, Raithea the Siren, Mazoga the Orc, and Syrink the Griffin.

But before he fell, he gave my people his trump card. A grimore with spells and rituals, including what is now known as The Paragon's Communion. This, as I presume you've heard tale of, tells of how humanity could ensure the rise of the next Paragon, and binds him to the will of the summoner for three whole days and three whole nights before he is free to do as he pleases. However, if this new Paragon is even stronger than its predecessor, that will be more than enough time for the Ishtar's plan to succeed."

" And what is their plan?" Calypso asked in a soft, worried voice. The slave shot her a menacing glare, forgetting his place.

" Their plan has two objectives. To take over the entire world, and to wipe you Abnormals out once and for all. Oh, how the idea makes me chuckle. The Paragon, the very reason you Abnormals have detested Half-Breeds for hundreds of years crushing you all. But don't misunderstand, I'm not criticizing your ways. Quite the opposite in fact.

After all, if my destruction was prophesied to come due to a Half-Breed mantling into that said destruction, I'd treat my potential destroyers the same way you have done to Half-Breeds for centuries. Of course, there is another motive. The Ishtar are tired of dealing with you. They feel the treaty made five centuries ago has run its course. Plus, Queen Kissare Ishtar has a score to settle with you dragons. After all, that Caelus fellow used her younger sister as a pawn, costing her to die in childbirth when she had her entire life ahead of her."

" What treaty do you speak of?" Calypso said, reaching behind her and grabbing the handle of her lance, wanting to strike this slave down. Hera answered for him.

" Five centuries ago, the Ishtar king, Uber attempted this very ritual in an attempt to wipe out all Abnormals and take Ocrad for his own. At the time, a Kitsune Queen ruled these lands, back when all Abnormals villages were united and acted as one and humans lived in the outskirts, little more than savages. Until Ubar rose to power and organized the humans into a rebellion, only the Ishtar can read that particular Grimore; listed in it are magic spells explicitly made to kill Abnormals Ubar taught humans. Over the centuries, they have been passed down from generation to generation, hence why the Ishtar are so formidable.

A short but bloody war ensued, with humanity getting the worst of it. It looked as though the Abnormals would prevail until Ubar attempted The Paragon's Communion. What exactly happened is uncertain as no two accounts are the same. But it was so cataclysmic it caused both sides to stop fighting all together and form a treaty. Ubar Ishtar became king, beginning both the Ishtar dynasty and the era of humanity ruling over Ocrad and Abnormals would break away into separate tribes and govern themselves. Should any Abnormal try and seize power away from the Ishtar, they would perform The Paragon's Communion and bring about the end of days. But as long as Abnormals respected the balance of power, the Ishtar would leave us in peace and even be willing to work with some tribes, such as the Sintar."

" Exactly," the human slave said with a smug expression. " While Kissare lacks the key components for the ritual now, events she will obtain them and Kealdin's child will be called forth into this world."

Hera snarled and extended her hand towards the slave. A geyser of water so hot Calypso could feel the heat on her face erupted from her palm. The slave screamed in agony as the water engulfed him. Calypso watched as the slave melted before her in morbid fascination until his remains were nothing but a puddle on the floor. Hera didn't take time to gloat as she whirled on Calypso.

" We have no time to lose! Every second we waste is a second the Ishtar gains on us! Begin Stage Two of the plan, now!"

" But I'm not ready! I haven't even selected who all will make the journey!" Calypso protested.

" I don't care! Just pick all the ones who have impressed in their fights and go!" Hera roared. Then she reached into a pocket on her gown and grabbed a fistful of black gemstones. After muttering a few words, she tossed them on the ground. Once they hit the floor, pillars of black smoke sprouted from them. They began to shift and warp until they were no longer pillars of smoke but seven humanoids wearing black and white jester outfits with black and white Venetian Jester masks differing in height. Calypso shivered and backed away from them. The Queen's Flock, Hera's personal guards she only called upon in dire circumstances.

" Ahriman, Bakasura, Eligos, Kasadya, Namtar, Kore, Jinn," Hera said, addressing each of them in turn. " Go keep an eye on the Ishtar and the humans in general. Do NOT let yourselves be seen. I'll summon you back here once I am ready to hear your findings. Go!" Without saying a word, the Flock of the Queen turned into shadows and raced out of the room. Calypso was glad to see them go; she held nothing but disdain for those abominations of nature.

She had no idea what exactly they were; they weren't Abnormals or humans. She knew that. They had no scenes; none could tell the gender of any of them unless they spoke, which they seldom did. But Calypso did know a few things about them. They were ancient, very powerful, and very sadistic. So much so they dwarfed her several times over.

" Are you still here?!" Hera roared at her. With a yelp, Calypso turned around and hurried out of the throne room.

Kronos stared in horror as he stood amidst the rubble of what had once been a prosperous city. Dead bodies everywhere, the stench of burning flesh invaded his nostrils. Fire raged out of control, the flames licking at his flesh. He heard cold, cruel laughter from somewhere, but he couldn't place where it was coming from. Just then, two red eyes gleamed from a giant pillar of smoke.

" Kronos," said a low growl. " This will be your reality unless you overcome."

Kronos's eyes flew open, and swore as he tumbled out of his hammock, falling on the floor.

" Damn!" He grumbled, sitting up and running his head.

" Are you okay?" Acacius asked from his hammock.

" Yeah. Nightmare." Kronos said, looking at his twin brother. A week later, after learning he had a sibling, he still found it hard to believe.

" Me too. I dreamed I was in the ruins of a city. Something terrible had happened," Acacius said. Kronos raised his eyebrows.

" Interesting. I had the same dream," Kronos said.

" Really?" Acacius asked, staring at him in interest.

" Yeah. And then I saw a pair of red eyes and a voice from somewhere telling me it would be my reality unless I overcome."

" I heard a voice in mine too, except it told me to remember who I am or I will fall into despair," Acacius commented. " I don't think this was some random nightmare."

" What do you think it was?" Kronos asked. Acacius was about to answer, but he was rudely interrupted.

" What are you two jabbering about?!" Thora asked. Both brothers turned their heads to see Thora and Arai head towards them.

"Oh, great. You're here," Kronos grumbled. Thora glared at him, and light blue energy began to build. Kronos narrowed his eyes and stood up. Ever since he met Thora, he wanted to fight her. She got under his skin like none other he had met before her.

" That's enough," Arai said, placing a hand on her shoulder. " We are on a ship heading for The Sintar Imperial Island after all. Fighting here might not be a good idea." Thora growled but nodded, the energy dissipating. Kronos sat down, keeping his eyes on Thora in case she tried anything. Both she and Arai sat down as well, the latter smiling at Acacius and Kronos.

" I have to say; I was surprised Calypso brought you two along. I mean, no offense, but I would never have thought she would take a shine to two dragon Half-Breeds."

" No offense taken," Acacius said. " We don't fully understand it either, but it seems Calypso has a plan she needs us for." Kronos nodded, reflecting on the days before the four of them and two dozen others were herded onto the ship. Calypso had been training them personally on their Ryuijin, driving the both of them to their limits. Kronos was forced to concede her brutal regime yielded results as both Acacius and Kronos managed to awaken the Ryuijin in their non-dominant eye.

" So, what's your plan?" Arai asked them both. " I can't imagine you two are going to keep going along with Calypso. Are you planning to escape?"

" Not right now," Kronos said. " I have to admit; I'm curious about where this is all going. So I think I'll stick around and see where this leads. Of course, if I don't like it, I may attempt to leave. Even though Calypso is probably hoping I do so, she can hunt me down."

" Same goes with me," Acacius said. " I don't have anywhere else to go, and I am curious as to what Calypso has planned. What about you, Arai?" The Kitsune tilted her head and shrugged.

" I suppose for now I don't see the harm in sticking around. If she planned to kill us, she would have done it already. I have to say; I don't understand this at all. It seems rather abrupt."

" What do you mean?" Kronos asked.

" Calypso isn't one to shorten her fun. I'm sure she planned to keep us in that arena for longer; I know she takes great delight in those forced battles. Particularly when the combatants are on good terms with each other, yet she seemed rather impatient getting us on here."

" Or maybe she's shopping us off to some new sadist thrill she has planned for us," Thora grumbled. " Don't forget she killed all those that weren't chosen to get on the ship."

" Ah yes, I remember," Arai said, nodding her head. " But I don't believe she wishes to torture us."

" Whatever game she wants us to play, I refuse," Thora said.

" Does that mean you're going to try to escape?" Kronos asked. " Because I'd be okay with that." Thora shot him a glare, and for a moment, Kronos thought she was going to lunge at him, but then she smiled.

" No. No, I am not going to escape. You see, I'm hoping a few particular Abnormals will be on that island. My stepmother and my brothers. And if they are, I'm going to kill them."

" You want to kill your own family?!" Acacius exclaimed.

" Of course."

" But why?!" Acacius asked, bewildered. Thora gave him a level glance.

" Normally, I'd tell you to mind your own business, but unlike your brother over there, I don't find you that insufferable. My step-mother, that good for nothing bitch, staged a coup several years ago, killing the king of the giants, my father, Aruksar. And her coup succeeded due to my brothers who aided her. And then my stepmother became allies with those damn Ishtar, selling all my father's supporters as slaves! Death is the only suitable punishment for their sins!"

Silence followed that. Kronos looked at Thora; now that he understood her slightly better, he didn't dislike her as vehemently as he did before.

" I'm sorry," he said sincerely. She glared at him.

" Save it. I don't want your damn sympathy. Stay out of my way once we arrive if you know what's good for you."

And any sympathy I may have had for you is gone, Kronos thought, narrowing his eyes. Just then, his ears perked up when he heard the sounds of footsteps walking down the stairs that led to the deck. The small group looked up to see Calypso with two Ishtar soldiers.

" Attention!" She called. " I'm only going to say this once! We will be arriving at the Sintar Imperial Island within the hour. I hate traveling by sea, so I'm in a terrible mood. So don't even think about causing me problems." A sinister smile spread across her face " Or maybe do try something. I could use some stress relief."

" Why have you brought us here?" Kronos asked her. A glare was all the warning he got before Calypso sent him flying back with a slight gust of wind.

" You will know that when I'm ready for you to know that!" She snapped. " Just know, if any of you anger me, you'll spend what little life you'll have left realizing that was the stupidest mistake you've ever made."