Chapter Text
"Narinder, stop this madness, we beg of you! It's not too late, we can forgive this!"
The three eyed cat laughed, causing Kallamar to flinch instinctively as he stood next to Heket and Leshy, clutching his sword tightly. Leshy was heartbroken as he fiddled with something under his robes, and Heket stared defiantly at their mad brother. Only Shamura had emotions of love still left on their face, as they reached out a hand still to Narinder. A hand of mercy.
"Oh so wise Shamura" His tone was mocking, before becoming crazed, "I have seen the light! Death is Peace, Death is Everlasting, Death is Inevitable! No, you will now submit to me! Chaos, Famine, Pestilence, War! All will lead to Death; all will lead to me!"
It was too late, and both Shamura and Narinder knew it. There was no going back.
"Then I am sorry, little Brother." Shamura bowed their head, before suddenly moving with speed that was always underestimated by others. Raising their sword and a paper, only for Narinder to swipe his claws at their face, forcing Shamura to take a step back. Using the window of opportunity, the crown slid down his head and into his waiting hands, transforming into a deadly red sword.
No longer was the advantage of surprise on the Four's side, so now they had to use all their wits if they hoped to take down Narinder.
"Kallamar! Move!"
Kallamar was no longer frozen, Heket's voice prompting him to throw himself into the fray. His golden sword clashed against the red one, the blue crown aiding him in speed and agility. His heart dropped when he saw the hateful look Narinder gave him.
"So, the coward dares challenge me?" Asked Narinder, bemused.
Kallamar didn't have the ability to make a snappy comeback, so instead he focused on aiding Shamura. Metal on metal, sparks flying as Narinder was slowly gaining the upper hand.
Heket roared as she joined in with her fists, her yellow crown aiding her in strength, forcing Narinder to focus his attacks on the three separate people at the same time. But where the youngest?
"Now, Leshy!"
A paper was slapped against Narinder's exposed tail, and a chain sprung up from the ground as soon as the rune of blood touched his flesh. It wrapped around him, capturing his lower legs and pinning them to the ground.
"You little BRAT!" Narinder lashed out with his free claw before Leshy had a chance to run back. The nails caught into his face and dragged horizontally and deep. Leshy screamed as inky black ichor and red blood dripped from his wounds, but Narinder kept going. Kept dragging. Screams as he reached the tender jelly of eyes, which were mashed into a gory mess as his claw finally ripped free from Leshy's face.
"Oh, my stars, Leshy!" Older Heket cried out, as she instinctively paused in her beatings to focus on Leshy. Narinder immediately took advantage of this as his sword swept aside Shamura and Kallamar, and sliced through her throat. The blood spurted out as she choked on her own ichor, a scream that was forming was suddenly cut off from her damaged vocal cords. Only her godhood prevented her from dropping dead.
"You always have something to say, well then, say something Heket!" Mocked Narinder, as he again focused on the shocked siblings remaining.
Yet Heket, despite being in terrible pain, managed to reach out and slam her paper on his back. Her chain dug into his flesh, the rage she felt when casting the spell transferring into his bondage. It slithered up his torso, binding him to the earth even more, leaving his arms free still. A freedom he could still use.
Kallamar was in a panic now, never having guessed his elder brother was this capable of fighting even this incapacitated. A panic and fear that was causing his swordsmanship to falter.
"I hate you, Kallamar! I hate you for how weak you are compared to the rest of us!" Snarled Narinder as he pushed back Shamura and used his sword to hook Kallamar's before dragging him close.
"And let that be the last thing you ever hear from me!" Like water, the sword slithered into a crown again, causing Kallamar's sword to fall as it had nothing holding it. Narinder's paws reached out and gripped Kallamar's ears, before pulling. Tearing. MANGLING.
Kallamar was screaming, he was sure of it. His throat hurt so much, but he heard nothing as he felt so much gushing and spurting blood and ichor from the previously sensitive appendages. He was thrown to the ground. but not before he managed to slap the paper on Narinder's arm. A chain rose up and lashed onto it, squeezing so painfully the flesh was already swelling, dying, rotting.
He fell, cradling his head. Hearing and seeing nothing as his eyes were closed, he only could focus on the pain. The pain the pain the pain that was pulsating and tearing into him, missing as Shamura managed to bind Narinder with the last chain and-
Then a voice, angelic but scared, interrupted the silent pain and the dreadful battle.
"-Mar?"
"-lamar?"
"Kallamar!"
Kallamar woke up with a start and a yelp, sitting up. It was dark, his crown softly glowing, working continuously to give him a sense of hearing always.
"Kallamar, my love, Dearest song of heart!"
He looked down and saw his beloved looking at him with wide purple eyes.
Right. Just a bad dream. This is why he avoided sleep as much as possible. But things were now different. He spent as much time with Purcox as he possibly could, and that included in the evening. No longer did she sleep in her own room, choosing instead to be in his bed every night. But with the tender embrace of his consort came the nightly terrors.
"I.... I'm sorry Stardust. It was a bad dream. Again." He winced.
Purcox looked at her love with so much worry. She recognized the nightmares, for she herself suffered from them occasionally. Ever since they began to sleep together shortly following the Summer Solstice, she noticed he had very, very bad sleep.
"Lie down my love... and tell me what is wrong. Please... let me help."
He hated burdening her with his troubles, especially when she had her own. But she really was the only one that understood him in mind, body, and soul.
"I...." But she already was shushing him as she laid down on the wondrously soft bedding and pillows and coaxing him to press into her fur by laying on her. He often slept at his more smaller size due to both of them embracing as they slept... and in the fear he might hurt her if they engaged in a bit more of a... passionate... embrace.
He did as she asked, feeling her arms wrap around his head, but paying special attention to not touch his ears. He snuggled into the valley of her bosom and sighed.
"Just... memories... I try to forget them." He murmured into her collarbone, pressing gentle kisses.
"Do they... have to do with your ears?" She asked quietly.
He nodded.
They stayed silent for several minutes, the soft glow of the moon filtering through the water of Anchordeep, and through their window.
"... There was five before there were four. He was... He was my elder brother. That is the order of us siblings. Shamura. Heket. Him. Me. Leshy."
Purcox nodded. Trying to hide her shock. Five gods? For as long as time as existed, only Four ruled. Or so she was taught.
"He went mad with power, declared war on us if we would not submit and become followers of him. Give him our crowns. There was a battle. It was... it's why we all have so much damage to us. My ears were ripped, Heket's throat was slashed, Leshy's eyes gouged.... and Shamura..."
He felt tears leak out of his eyes, as she gently rubbed the back his head. But he heard her give a small gasp of shock, despite her calm touch.
"Oh Kallamar I.... I'm so sorry...."
"It's alright... This was so long ago.... Nine hundred years by now?"
Purcox widened her eyes. "And you are still bleeding, still in pain?"
Kallamar gently took her hand, and kissed its palm, staring into her eyes when he lifted his head.
"You make it easier, Stardust."
Purcox gave a small blush but that didn't prevent her eyes from showing so much sadness in them. "Kallamar... you've gone through more pain than I thought was possible. Yet please. Let me help anyway I can."
She truly was his wonderful love, and her heart was so perfect. "You just being here helps enough. I feel like myself again every time I see you. Every time I am with you. I... I haven't told a single soul what happened in my family. We Bishops try to be strong, but we all are in so much pain. I just wished I had you in my life sooner."
She gently cupped his cheek, before leaning down and kissing his forehead. "As do I. But we met each other with the stars aligned, and for that I am grateful to be your consort. I'll be here, no matter what."
He sighed as he returned to cuddling her and felt her give a sleepy yawn.
"... He's known as The One who Waits."