Storm's reading group discussion

PROLOGUE

Anubis swooped down on silent wings, his crystal white fur glimmering in the partial twilight. A jittery looking creature greeted him, it’s tiny form nothing compared to the Schtall King. “What is this meeting for, Dereagus?” He smoothed his chest fur, his cold blue eyes raking across the Frilvel.

“I- I’m sorry, s-sir. Too many of the Schtall and Qezan warriors have been killed.” The twitchy Dereagus forced himself to look at Anubis, his long tail coiling around his ankles.

Rage flickered over Anubis’ face and he snapped his wings open. “Fine.” The King snarled, ignoring the looks of his brothers. “If my pitiful kindred can’t do their job, I will.”

“Brother!” Heka crowed, watching with disdain as Anubis leapt into the sky. “Wait!” The older brother shot after him, Ra close behind.

“Anubis! Anubis what are you-”

The pure white Schtall cut him off with a yowl. “BRETHREN!” His voice shook the trees. “JOIN ME! JOIN YOUR KING TO KILL THESE PATHETIC HUMANS IN ONE FELL SWOOP!”

Roars rose to greet their master’s battle cry, to the dismay of his elder and therefore wiser true brothers. Thousands of lithe bodies filled the sky in a thick cloud, their wings beat the air, shaking the skies. Schtall, Qezan, Frilvel, they all joined his call.

Ra and Heka swooped close to Anubis, getting to him before Tehelara did. “Anubis- Anubis! Stop this.” The skinny blue Schtall demanded, his voice wavering.

The King turned his head slowly, sharp blue eyes bright with rage as they raked over his brothers. “Traitorous mongrels.” He snarled in Fae, his fur bristling as he swelled to nearly twice his size. “You DARE try to take over MY army. You abdicated your rights as king to ME, brother, me. I let you stay here, rather than kill you like the laws demand. I REFUSE to listen to your sniveling. One more word of your cowardice and I’ll have your head as I should have done.” Anubis’ voice rose to a roar, shaking Heka to his core.

“Yes brodir.” The eldest son whispered meekly, turning away to join the other warriors. King Anubis nodded his head, satisfied, before focusing on Tehelara and Ra.

“Let’s get started.” He purred, paws rubbing together gleefully.


CHAPTER ONE

Jets screamed overhead, rocking the war-riddled town. The warriors hidden within the houses tensed in anticipation. Their soot-stained fur gleamed in the sunlight.

“There!” A pilot shouted over the radio, “West-bound, between the houses!” The air crackled with the machine-gun fire, bearing down half-a-dozen Schtall before they could react. The dull and weathered fighters rose quickly, adrenaline washing away their fatigue. They were fast for their size and latched onto the flimsy metal hulls.

The sky shook with explosions, lithe and furry fighters ripped the jets apart. After only a few minutes that felt like eons, the leftover warriors drifted to the ground, disappearing between the wreckage.

A young boy, soft brown skin covered in mud and scrapes, cowered in a ditch, shaking. He clutched a rifle to his chest, straining his ears. In the distance, he could hear the thunder of a truck, filled with russians. Pasha’s breath caught in his throat, his thin fingers turning white with the force of his grip.

Harsh cries in Russian came from the troops ahead of him, and he felt his anger rise. With a shout he lifted his rifle and squeezed the trigger. The force of the gun jerking back nearly knocked the skinny boy off his feet, but he quickly steadied. Four were down before they could fire back.

A scream built up inside Pasha, and he let it out, firing blindly at the soldiers. “UMIERAĆ!” He shrieked, taking down five more. The remaining Russians scattered, chittering with panic. He held the trigger until the gun clicked, signaling he was out of ammo.

Pasha turned and sprinted, catching sight of the ruined town and heading there. The air was blue with smoke, though he saw no fire. Debris crunched beneath his worn boots as he slowed to a trot, weaving between buildings and hiding when he heard any noise.

The withered Schtall crept quietly through the ruins of Erfelch, their fur shifting and changing to take on the colors of the landscape. They picked up speed, swiftly crossing the town and ducking into the forest. A group of Polish fighters followed warily, guns at hand.

The two weakened troops met each other, the Schtall bristling and the humans with their guns at the ready. The leader of the Fae fighters stared down upon the Polish men. After a few long, painful moments, she smiled and dipped her head. “Vinur.” The other Schtall nodded and repeated her words.

The Resistance leader, shaking and scared, slipped a knife and sausage from his pack. “Hungry?” He cut the dried meat into chunks and offered it to her, palm out. The famished and impressed Schtall took the food and passed it to her troop.

“I.. Thank you kindly.” She said slowly, her voice had an odd lilt to it, as though she were about to sing. “I am Tehelara.” Her dark green fur shifted to her normal colors, which was an inky black.

“I am Captain Jakob.” The leader replied, heaving a huge sigh of relief. “I was worried you would have killed us. Many humans assume you to be mindless monsters.” He rubbed a dirty hand over his face. “I am glad it isn’t true.”

“Ja.” Tehelara pressed a thick paw to her chest in a gesture of gratitude. Her ears perked up and swiveled. “I hear someone.” She growled, passing on orders. Before they could move into position, a small dark-skinned boy stumbled into the clearing.

Fear and guilt was written onto his face, and he barely noticed the hulking Schtall. “Oh! Oh pierdolić! I am safe!” Pasha cried, dropped his rifle and sat heavily. His whole body shook, the attack on the Russians still fresh in his mind.

Jakob approached Pasha, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Are you alright, maly?” His palms were calloused and rough, making the poor boy flinch away.

“Yes. Yes, I’m fine.” Pasha laughed dryly. “I just fucking killed about nine of those Russian fuckers.” Captain Jakob gently picked up the boy’s rifle.

“Dobry, dobry.”

Tehelara cleared her throat, her elegant head tilted. “Drifa Sig. We must hurry. They’ll be upon us in no time.” She put a huge paw on Pasha’s shoulder. “Gather your things, ungur, you shall come with us. This place is cursed. It is no longer safe.”

Pasha nodded, which satisfied the Schtall. She turned away and called to her kinsfolk, her native language foreign and beguiling. The small boy clung to Jakob, trembling. “What is she saying?” He whispered, watching as they followed out her orders and slipped into the foliage, disappearing.

“I don’t know.”

“Fuck.”


CHAPTER TWO

Pasha leaned against the doorway to his home, flooded with memories. He let out a shuddering breath, forcing himself to go inside. His brown eyes flickered to the wall to his left, the white paint stained a rusty pink from blood. The drywall was pockmarked with holes, a reminder of the wicked Russians.

Pasha slapped the side of his head, grunting. “Knock it off.” He ordered himself. The dark boy suddenly looked very small, shrinking down as if protecting himself from the former horrors. He darted from the foyer and into his room, Pasha’s arms tight around his torso.

Images flashed behind his eyes. His sister was trapped, screaming as the soldier pushed into her. His parents side by side, blood trickling from the dozens of bullet holes. Pasha hidden under his bed, fighting the urge not to scream. His head rang with the sound of gunshots, each beat of his heart too loud, too threatening.

“Pepromeno!” A harsh voice cried from the threshold. “Moira!”

Pasha nearly screamed, whipping around in panic. An oversized raven hopped by the doorway, black feathers gleaming. The bird opened his beak and cawed. “Pepromeno!”

“Stupid bird.” The boy grunted, waving his hands to shoo the bird away.

“Stupid bird.” Mimicked the raven, hopping back, then forwards again. “Stupid bird!”

Heaving a sigh, Pasha gathered clothes and other essentials, shoving them into a burlap sack. His neck itched, feeling eyes on him. He turned his brown gaze back to the bird.

It wasn’t a bird.

A tall, skinny boy stood blocking the doorway. His skin pale as snow and his hair black as coals. “Stupid bird.” He chuckled, his voice soft and surprisingly feminine. “Ochi, I’m no stupid bird. I am Steinben.” Steinben’s eyes were pink and red, glowing with curiosity.

Pasha shouted in alarm, brandishing a pocket knife he’d been packing. “Demon! Demon!” His whole body was tense, coiled and ready to fight if the situation were to demand it.

“Eirini, peace young one. I was sent by Tehelara.” He spread his slender hands, each tipped with talon-like nails. Steinben had wings, Pasha noticed, huge, inky black wings that shifted and shrugged as the thing moved.

“What are you?” He asked begrudgingly, not quite ready to let down his guard. Pasha raked Steinben with his gaze, taking in the boy’s pointed ears, colorless skin, odd pink eyes and most of all, his huge wings.

“Svifa, though if it shall please you, I am simply a winged elf, an Avariel, as you humans believe us to be.”

“Svifa? Am I saying it right?” The word rolled off his tongue strangely, not quite feeling right. Pasha put a hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat for comfort. “Who sent you, Steinben?”

“Tehelara.” His voice had a melodic, lilting quality to it. His reddish-pink eyes bored into the boy, filled with wisdom beyond his years. “She requests you join her in Asfalis, post-haste. There are several things she can use you with.”

Pasha swallowed thickly. “Right.” He grunted and turned away, stuffing his pack hastily. His skin crawled, knowing that Steinben was studying him. His pink, knowing eyes unnerved the poor boy. He knew that the Svifa was not good for him, the world wasn’t meant for unnatural things.

“And hurry up would you? I bore of this waiting.”

— — —

Steinben crouched, his muscles bunching, his wings rose high above him until the tip touched. With a whooshing sound, the ground quickly fell away from Pasha. The boy screamed in both fear and joy, his stomach plummeting as weight dragged his limbs down.

The Avariel was surprisingly strong, able to carry Pasha while he flew, despite it being a frightening experience. Wind whistled in his ears, chilling his skin until he shivered. “Where are we going?” He shouted over the wind.

“Asfalis! Home of the Fae, or as you might call them: Potwor.”

Steinben’s knowledge of languages surprised Pasha, and he smiled. It felt good to hear his language. “That’s right. Monsters.”

A laugh escaped the elf. “You may want to hold your tongue when you meet his Majesty. He’s not fond of your names for his kind. Especially not monster.”

“His Majesty?”

“Nai, his majesty. Anubis. He’s not quite an Egyptian god, as you may have him, but he’s as close to a god as you’ll get.” There was a bitter undertone to his words, and Pasha had a sense that Anubis wasn’t what he hoped for.

“He started this war, didn’t he?”

“Ochi, no.” He sounded indignant. “You humans found our homes and, afraid of a power far higher than your own, slaughtered us by the hundreds. In turn we retaliated, every capable warrior we had rose to fight. We lost many brave soldiers, and during this turmoil, for this war is far older than you could think, Anubis succeeded his father, Horus, and took over. Both his brothers, Ra and Heka abdicated their rights.” He paused, a shift in his mood that was barely discernible. “And quickly turned the tides of this war in his favor. You humans can never make up your mind, so you separated. There are four factions currently, us, the Fae, you, a multitude of warriors not quite with us, though not opposed, the other humans. Russia, China and many other countries hate us, though they started it. Then there’s Chaos. (oh shit im out of room)

Continued...

Beastly things they are. Their leader, Alcatraz, is the worst. She’s made herself from the bodies of those she’s slain. It’s terrifying.

“Of course, we have little information on them. Your species, however, we know plenty of. As an elder race we watched your kind grow from little worms wriggling in the dirt, helpless and pathetic, to cavemen.

“It is merely that they, that is you, do not understand what greater powers lie beyond your incompetence. Schtall are among the eldest of all races on Galdur, and humans are the youngest. For eons your kind worshiped us, keeping us revered as gods and deities. Until you realized we couldn’t give you what you prayed for.” A deep sorrow filled his voice, nearling bringing Pasha to tears. “We weren’t gods, as your kind initially thought, but we have magic. We fought mightily to survive. It was horrible. I lost my parents in the first battles.”

Steinben lapsed into silence then, and Pasha knew he had been ignorant.

“I apologize.” The boy murmured. “I wasn’t aware.”

The elf gave Pasha a gentle squeeze. “That’s quite alright, paidi, fret not.”

Throughout the duration of the flight, the two of them exchanged questions and meaningful conversation. Several hours passed unchallenged, the landscape beneath him a speedy blur.

“Steinben?” Pasha looked up at the Svifa carrying him, wondering how he wasn’t tired. “I think we should land, I need to pee.” His face flushed, a bit embarrassed.

“Of course.” The Avariel replied and the boy realized he was panting.

“You should rest, I have some dried snacks in my bag.”

“Nonsense, our arrival is of utmost importance.”

“Let me eat then, my stomach is upset and I need solid ground underneath me.”

Steinben grunted, slowing his wingbeats and allowing himself to descend on a cold draft of air.

The moment the elf landed, he collapsed, panting heavily. “Steinben!” Pasha cried rushing forward. The pale skinned boy waved his hand, warding him off.

“I’m fine, go relieve yourself. Leave your bag, though, I need food. Grigoria.”

Pasha reluctantly slipped off his bag and left the elf, trotting to a nearby bush and relieving himself. “Hey Steinben?” He called.

“Yes, Pasha?”

“What is Galdur?”

“Ah. Galdur is the name we have for this planet, Earth.”

“Oh.”

Steinben had situated himself in a sitting position, gorging himself on a protein bar. His black wings drooped, and his usual posture was replaced with sagging and exhaustion. Sweat beaded on his smooth forehead, which was visible now that he had swept back his shaggy black hair.

“How far are we from.. From Asfalis?” Pasha asked, sitting down next to the elf and grabbing a bag of chips from his bag.

“Sixty miles.” Steinben replied, a curious look on his face. “We’ll be there before sundown.”

Pasha stifled a yawn, “Alright.”

Then the two of them were in the air again, Steinben beating his wings to keep the two of them aloft, and Pasha fighting to stay awake. The sun had reached its zenith earlier in their flight, and was now slipping down towards the horizon. Clouds floating across the otherwise barren sky.

Pasha took his time studying the ground beneath them, which occasionally became towns or lakes. “Steinben?”

“Nai?”

“Tell me a story.”

He felt the elf chuckle, and the boy had a distinct sense that he wasn’t just a being, that he was the world. His laugh sounded like the gurgle of a creek, the chirping of birds and whisper of the wind. Pasha felt his breath catch, enthralled, wanting to hear the beautiful sound of the elf laughing again.

“A story, hm?” Steinben hummed with thought, chest rumbling. “Before humans, before Schtall even, it was just the elves and the Qezan. We believed in the questions of the world, not a god and not a supernatural force. We lived as one with the workings of the world, guided the development of new creatures. Back then, there was no language, not of words. We spoke with our bodies, our minds and our experiences. This made emotions easy to convey and knowledge difficult.

“We spoke with the land, whispered our love to plants and made them grow, sung melodies of our wisdom and imbued the land with tales of old. If you listen close enough, the earth and the sky still murmur our greatness. We are not what we once were, though. There was an elf, wise and old, greater than the elders now. His name is one this language cannot express, though the meaning is clear.” Steinben paused, seemingly gathering his thoughts. The elf uttered a single word, and within which Pasha felt great wisdom, kindness and power, even though he didn’t know what it meant.

“He developed a language of sorts, many words now lost to time, and sought to teach it to any who would listen.” Steinben repeated the great elf’s name, and Pasha again felt a sense of awe. “He delved deep into the world, deeper than any elf or Quezan could have hoped to acheive, and he rewrote a part of its fabric. He imbued this language with power, so much power. It is the language spellweavers use nowadays.” The elf shivered, faltering in the air. “He changed the fundamentals of life.” He said the elf’s name once more.

Pasha trembled, the power behind his name shook him. That one mortal being could be as filled with inviolable strength as he. “The elf.. He..” He couldn’t bring himself to speak, his veins still vibrating with the sense he had heard of divinity many humans know not of.

Steinben shifted his grip, holding Pasha just a little bit tighter. “Steinben- Ow, that-”

“Silence.”

There was a tension in the air, electric, as if he just touched a live wire. Pasha fell silent instantly. The only sound was the whisper of the wind and the elf’s laborious wingbeats. A hissing sound rose from the trees below them. It filled his mind like poison,

Steinben shuddered, moving swiftly as he rose on an air current. The warm air drove them higher into the sky, close to the clouds. Pasha’s eyes were as wide as dinner plates, watching as odd-shaped forms rose from the trees. Their wings beat the air unevenly, the hissing growing into a roar.

“Steinben! What are they?!” Pasha cried.

“Chaos.”

Pasha sucked in a breath, remembering how the elf described them. “What do we do?”

“We’re close to Asfalis, they must’ve been trying to raid. We’ll get close to the entrance, we can get help there!” Steinben felt his heart race as the creatures came closer. He straightened his wings, finding another current to propel him forward.

A screech filled Pasha’s ears, grinding into his head. Steinben dipped one wing and spun. One of the warriors dove past, narrowly missing the two of them. The elf straightened out again and tilted downwards.

The wind whistled in Pasha’s ears and the Avariel dove. He squinted his eyes, feeling them tear up from being too dry.

Something hit them from the side, driving into the elf and attempting to claw Pasha. The elf screamed in pain and hot blood spattered over Pasha. The boy fumbled for his knife, but couldn’t find it.

The ground grew close. They were about to crash.

With a mighty snarl, Steinben snapped out his wings, violently stopping their descent. Seconds later, they continued falling, though not as fast. The two of them hit the ground, the impact knocking the breath from Pasha’s lungs.


Chapter Three

Shadows descended over Pasha and Steinben, clashing with the Chaos warriors. The boy crawled weakly over to the elf, shaking him softly. “Steinben! Steinben wake up!”

The Avariel was unconscious, his wings held out at unnatural angles, a deep gash in his neck. “No. No, no, no.” Pasha fumbled with his hands, trying to stop the bleeding. “Steinben, no. You’re okay. I got you.” He pulled off his shirt and pressed it to the wound, hyperventilating.

Warm hands drifted over his. “Allow me..” Hissed a creature in front of him, who’s raccoon-like hands held the cut closed.

“I- I-” Pasha couldn’t get his thoughts together. The creature had a sharply angled face, triangular though its nose was big and round like a cow’s. Its huge maw was filled with serrated teeth. The beast was far, far bigger than Tehelara, its four-legged body curling in on itself. He was afraid.

Deftly, the thing managed to suture the wound and patch it up, seemingly without tools. “He’ll be fine. Keep him ssssafe.”

“What- What are you?”

“Theoktonosss… Shaman of the Fae, mighty Qezan.” With a final throaty hiss, Theoktonos slithered away, its long bare legs moving in a way that was wholly unnatural.

“Thank you.” Pasha barely whispered, watching Theoktonos disappear into the trees beyond. A scream disturbed him from his thoughts and he tilted his head up. Two beasts grappled in the air, a Schtall beating his huge white wings, a Chaos monster ripping angrily at his thick fur. For several seconds the Schtall struggled to gain the upperhand, but out of nowhere, a cloud wreathed the beast and he was gone.

The Chaos looked around in confusion and shrieked in fury. His hesitation lasted mere seconds as a bundle of fur that slowly became white threw itself at the Chaos. Pasha watched in horror as the Schtall ripped the beast apart, hot globs of blood raining down onto the boy, causing him to gag.

“Oh god! That’s disgusting!” He wiped away the blood convulsively, smearing it over his brown skin. Pasha smeared the liquid over his skin and shirt, a look of disgust on his face.

“Boy.”

A voice rumbled, followed by a low thud. He turned slowly, awestruck, as he saw the tall, muscular Schtall land, his body rippling powerfully. Pasha knew within a second that this was Anubis. This was the king.

“I- I- Your Majesty.” He knelt on his knees and bowed his head, overcome by the nobility of this beast. Pasha could hardly marshall his thoughts, somewhat disappointed that he had bowed. This isn’t my king. His mind grumbled angrily, but he couldn’t will himself to stand.

“Rise.” said the dignified Schtall, the effect only stronger when Pasha saw the blood smeared on his broad chest. “A human, in our territory? Who are you?” His huge paw-like hands cupped Pasha’s face as he stood, tilting it one way then another, studying him.

“I’m Pasha.” He breathed, unable to keep his face from warming. Despite his animal-like appearance, Anubis was painfully handsome. “Um, Tehelara told me to come here.. And Steinben-” He stared at the spot where the elf used to be dumbly, blinking several times. “Well- I- He- He was right there!”

“No bother.” Anubis replied gently, his thumb just barely brushing over Pasha’s bottom lip. “You’re hurt.” His voice was kind and soft, his predatory blue eyes gleamed, but he hardly noticed.

The king had a scent of power, like the wilderness and the musk of a wildcat. It made Pasha tingle with anticipation, for what he had no clue, but there was something there. He was sure of it.

“I shall take you with me, escort you personally. But first..” The king leaned in, a smile on his feline face. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” His voice.. Oh his voice. It was rich and low, the growl of a bobcat and the whisper of autumn leaves. Pasha felt himself leaning closer, entrapped within his hypnotic gaze.

He couldn’t speak, swallowing thickly.

His brown eyes were wide, and he only nodded, breaking eye contact to look down. Anubis gently, elegantly, took his hand, guiding the boy into Asfalis.

They walked further into the woods. Pasha noticed how large the trees were, at first. They loomed into the sky, framing the golden clouds, sky stained orange and red. The bark of the trees were a rich brown, the dips and indents and divets filled with a blue glow.

Everything around him was alive. The branches above creaked a whispered, unseen creatures chattered from the trees. Pasha craned his neck, hoping to get a glimpse of what was up there, but he saw nothing. The whole forest was breathing. The ground beneath him barely shifted, up and down, the glowing from the trees pulsed. We was aware of the faintest of noises, a steady beating that reverberated in his very soul.

Magic was interwoven in the world, just as Steinben said.

Steinben.

Pasha covered his mouth, the thought hurt him more than it should have. He missed the elf, even though he didn’t want to. A pang wilted in his chest, meeting Anubis’ curious gaze. “I’m fine. This is all just so… gorgeous.”

That was partially true, the feeling he got from looking around sent goosebumps up his spine. Delicate ferns brushed against his legs, the soft crackle of fallen leaves beneath his feet. How could he have not known this was here? Humans destroy the land, but how could they? How could they not see the nature around them. The elegance.

With a start, he realized there were houses woven among the trees. The terracotta color of the walls blended in, and many were simple dens disguised as hills.

“Welcome, Pasha, to Asfalis. Home of the Fae.”

Anubis’ soft paw squeezed his, stopping at the edge of a clearing. Pasha didn’t think trees could’ve gotten bigger, but they did. As wide around as a house, they stood impossibly tall. First he saw the trees, then the houses within.

Hollows were embedded into the wood, and in them he could see Qezan, Schtall, and other creatures he didn’t recognize. There was a burbling murmur beneath it all, and it soothed his thoughts.


“You’ve yet to see the whole of it, just wait.” Anubis’ feline voice startled him, and he gave the beast a smile. “I’ll take you to my home.”

...Lullaby
Scary night
Monster teeth glowing bright
Bloody screams
Creepy dreams
And you're all alone inside
Round your neck
Talons stretch
trying to grab you in bed
Go to sleep
Don't you cry
And pray to god you won't die
Lullaby
Scary Night
Shadow creeping so slight
Children weeping
No more sleeping
And everything's giving fright
Wide awake
Life at stake
It's just about to break
Go to sleep
Close your eyes
Just make sure not to cry

...Hush, little baby, don't say a word
I’ll make sure I kill that bird
When that bird is stabbed and dead
I’m gonna bring you a human head
And if that head loses its eyes
I’m gonna buy you a bloody knife
And if that knife gets old and breaks
I’m gonna buy you a poison snake
And if that snake tries to bite your arms
I’m gonna buy something that harms
And if that thing doesn’t work at all
I’m gonna get you a spike ball
And if that ball kills one too many
Guess I’ll clean up the corpses of plenty
And when I’m done removing remains
I end anyone who’s in great pain
And when all is done and you’re alone
Hope the creatures won’t grab you whole
Now Hush, little baby, don't you cry…
I’m pretty sure you want to stay alive……