Chapter 12: Ch. 12: Escape
"Kill them!"
Zed's father yelled the order to the guards who in turn launched themselves at the duo. Time seemed to have stopped for both Mike and Parish as they anticipated for the worst. Zed was now holding his head in regret as he turned to see what would happen next. Zed's heart raced in fear as the guards spears drew in close to his friends. But before the spears could even land on the two of them, something unexpected happened. Blinding light came from the center most part of the cave making everyone shade their eyes from the light. The guards who had attacked were sent away flying before their backs hit the cave walls so damn hard that a debris formed on their already dead bodies.
"I am Parish, the heir to the god of vengeance and mortal shall disrespect me!" A gruff like voice announced before the bright light burst into the area rendering some clansmen momentarily blind.
"What the hell was that?" Everyone began questioning but Zed and his father's gaze were fixated on the place where Parish and Mike had been a few seconds ago. Hell it was empty, not a single soul present.
"Father?" Zed called in almost a whisper. "Is what I'm seeing what you're seeing as well?"
Zed's father rubbed his eyes to confirm that what he had seen was indeed true. "I guess yes." Only white wraiths of smoke could be seen left on the place where Parish and Mike were standing before.
"See? I told you Parish is not one of us. He used a human trick to escape death!" The elder said turning to face everyone else.
"As your leader, I hereby issue this decree. If anyone ever comes across Parish and Mike, make sure to bring back Parish's head to me, they will be rewarded handsomely." The crowd cheered on that, but not Zed.
"Son? Don't tell me you want Mike spared when he broke your trust, do you?" His father asked, sending him that probing gaze that would make you feel as if he knew your deepest and darkest secrets.
"Ummn…no father." Zed did not want to disappoint him now, but deep down he knew how much he loved and cared for Mike.
"Alright everyone, back to work now," the elder said, and turning to Zed, " we'll have to evacuate here as soon as possible. The humans will know about this cave not too long from now. You know what you have to do."
Zed nodded before his father tapped him on his shoulders heavily that it almost hurt. He smiled wryly at him as he watched the retreating back of his father, a sour mood now taking over his being. This was definitely not what he had expected. And what the hell had happened to those two. The scene got implanted on his mind forever. And that voice.
"I am Parish, the god heir to the god of vengeance…" He laughed hysterically at that. Who never knew that Azazel was the god of vengeance? But again, what could Parish be? He had vanished into thin air, something that even the genius humans had never done before. That said, Parish being human was not a possibility then. Not that Zed believed he was one to begin with. Hell they had grown together and he had seen with his own two eyes as Parish slithered everyday. But what happened to his lower limb, that Zed did not know. What if what that voice had said was true? Hell it couldn't be! 'Just calm down Zed' he told himself taking in a couple of deep breaths.
Oh yes! His father had given him a task and here he was thinking about a weak Parish. But what happened today would remain fresh in the minds of many, and create a great impact on them.
***somewhere in the desert****
"God Azazel, please avenge anyone who inflicts any pain on me or Parish." Mike was still reciting this mantra when he noticed a sudden change in environment. Sand? Was this sand or was his eyes playing tricks on his mind? He was supposed to be on a rocky ground, right? What then was the meaning of this? Or maybe he had died and this was heaven! The thought shocked him driving him to abruptly stand on a gait posture.
Now he could see extensive sand everywhere making him swallow in fear. Did heaven look like this…an extensive mass of sand and freaking scorching sun? He had thought it would be like a paradise, a dream come true dè jà vu. Unfortunately it wasn't. He was so much engrossed in his own thoughts and fears that he had yet to identify another presence. A pair of beautiful white feet sinking on the sad besides him was what caught his attention now making his heart race in anticipation. Was this the devil now?
A sinister laugh was what pulled him out of his dreamy world. That laugh tone?
"Parish? Is it really you?…It's really you?" He exclaimed looking at Parish from head to toe in disbelief.
"So you also died?" He added earning a frown from Parish.
"We are not dead you fool," Parish said shading his face with the back of his hand. It was now the turn of a surprised Mike to grow even more surprised.
Surprised was in fact an understatement of how his face looked right now. It had turned all shades of surprise, confusion and disbelief. And before he could think further, Parish was already walking away.
Hey! Wait." He called trotting towards the direction that Parish was headed to.
"If we are not dead…can you explain how the hell we came here then."
"Miracles do happen my friend," Parish answered with a smirk earning another frown from Mike.
"I'm serious on this Parish. I saw the guards coming to take us down and the next thing I knew," he snapped his finger to show how fast it happened. "I got myself in the middle of a sand sea."
"Well… You prayed to Azazel, the god of vengeance and he came to our rescue. Isn't that the answer you were looking for?"
Author's Words:
Sorry this one made a mistake in uploading the chaps 😅😅😅
Chapter 13: Ch. 13: Desert
Parish and Mike continued walking in the scorching sun for God knows how long. At least parish could walk, Mike was slithering on the hot sand and only he could share the experience his belly was having right now.
"Where are we even going?" He asked halting in his tracks. Sweat was breaking profusely on his face, a big contrast to how Parish was coping. He in fact looked as energetic as he was when they began the journey. The Parish in front of Mike right now was a mystery he had not been able to unravel since they materialized in this desert.
"I need water Parish. We cannot continue like this or else…" Mike's skin now looked dry due to lack of water. Cracks had already started forming on his grey scales.
"Would you shut up and keep moving," Parish said. Mike's statement made him worried though. Unlike him, Mike was panting and gasping for air with every passing second. He was afraid he might pass out any moment from now. Damn it! Carrying a person was not a thing he liked, especially under these conditions. If not for Mike's slithering belly, they would have gone far. For once, he saw the importance of these legs.
"Just hold on a little longer Mike. We're gonna find some place with water." Parish said trying to enlighten a crestfallen Mike.
"I can't do this anymore,"Mike said before he slouched on the hot sand.
"Damn it!" Parish cursed as he turned around to help Mike up. This was what he had feared for the most. Mike was one heavy bundle to carry. But again, he was not able to shape shift anymore, heck although having a tremendous power now but what was it's use when he couldn't manifest it. He was a god. Carrying Mike should be a piece of cake to him, right? Why then was he even worrying in the first place?
He scooped a frail Mike like a piece of feather, and true to his thoughts, Mike was light, as if weightless. He placed the bundle on his shoulders and continued walking as if he was carrying nothing.
"How come you can carry me with so much ease? The last time we did this, you couldn't even lift me off the ground," Mike asked equally surprised by how strong Parish was now. There was this aura that emanated from Parish that would make someone feel like bowing down and worshipping him on the spot. Mike had felt it since the moment they materialized in this desert. If that was Parish's action as well, that he couldn't tell. But his gut feeling told him that Parish was the mastermind of all that. If not him, who else?
Not that he was doubting the gods or something. But never had he seen nor heard of anyone being rescued by a god, especially Azazel. Many had prayed to him to be rescued from their demise but it would always end in vain.
Parish smiled wryly reminiscing on those good memories when they were still young boys then. They had engaged in a competition of carrying one another around and since he was the weakest, he ended up unable to lift a damn heavy Mike who had been lifted effortlessly by Zed and some of the younger members of the clan.
"It's a long story Mike," Parish answered after a while of silence.
"I want to hear it Parish, all of it," Mike said adopting a curious tone.
"Not when you're weak. I need to find you water and food first," Parish said. Still, this was not the perfect time to tell Mike or anyone else about it. He had to know who to trust and with Mike being Zed's a partner, he had to act cautious. He knew Zed would go to as great lengths as to send Mike to spy on him, so he had to act cautious around him.
"But…."
"Hey! Look what we have here?" Mike tilted his head to the other direction and behold an oasis full of water was standing majestically in front of them. But they were not alone. A group of what looked like humans were standing at the far end of the oasis with several double humped camels parked by their side. They wore evil and ugly smirks on their faces as they looked at the approaching duo with little interest.
"They are humans?" Mike asked as they walked closer to the oasis. "They'll kill us Parish!"
"They are not humans Mike. They are a desert race that protects this oasis. If you check closely, you'll notice that they have pointy ears and fangs."
"How do you know all that information?" Mike asked looking at the 'humans'. And it was indeed true. They had pointy ears and a skin tone different from one of a human.
How did he know? Parish searched for the answer in his mind but he couldn't find it. He just knew they were a different race. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that he was a…god. He still couldn't believe it. It felt so funny yet frightening at the same time.
Parish placed Mike softly on the sand before he threw a furtive glance at the group. One of the men looked back at him creasing his brows when his gaze landed at Mike. He tapped his minions catching their attention.
"What's happening?" Mike asked when he noticed the look on Parish's face.
"They are looking at you," Parish answered simply. Mike shifted his gaze towards the group and the looks that met him made him swallow nervously.
"Why are they looking at me like that?" Mike asked referring to the crazed looks on the group's face.
"This is a desert Mike," Parish said as if Mike didn't know they were in a desert.
"And? What does that have to do with those looks?" Mike asked clearly irritated by how the guys were looking at him.
"You know that snakes reside in the desert, right? These guys eat scorpions and snakes Mike. You might have to become a dish in their plates today," Parish answered with a smirk but this did not sit well with Mike. Was that supposed to scare him?
"Now you should be scared," Parish said signalling Mike at the incoming group.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
0 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment