The buzzing of insects was thick in the air, and, although the sun was setting, the forest was coming to life. Bushes shook as small, nocturnal critters darted for cover from the bigger, badder creatures of the forest. Occasionally, a squeak, howl, or call would echo from somewhere deep within the trees, a natural lullaby for Gaea's ears. However, tonight, something was amiss. Under the fading shade, a group of people sat in various clumps, making conversation amongst themselves to pass the time.
"You think this is going to work?"
"Of course it is, you dope! The Divine issued these orders; failure was eliminated as soon as their name was added to the equation."
"You sound confident..."
"Of course I am! Oh wait...you must be the new guy. Pavair, right? No faith until proof, is that what you're trying to say?" The man's voice was growing subtly more violent.
"Woah, sheesh! Not what I was trying to say. I just don't really know much, is all. Have you ever seen one?"
"A Divine? Are you insane? A man of my level could never be in their presence!" Pavair raised his eyebrows in question.
"So no one has seen them? How mysterious...I bet--" The man was cut off as another joined their group, his movements slow and stiff, a sign of his old age.
"I wouldn't finish that sentence, boy, else the devil catches wind..." His voice almost creaked out of his mouth, carrying a deep and crackling tone. Pavair's eyes lit up in curiosity as he turned to face the man, leaning in closer.
"The devil?"
"Almagest," the old man replied, lowering his volume to near whisper, "the Divine. I've seen him with my own two eyes." The other man seemed to perk up, having never even seen one himself, even after his many years of service. He nodded, though, having heard of Almagest through tales passed down by mouth.
"Yes, I've heard of him. A beast, men have described him as. They say his mind is beyond twisted, his body as well." Pavair leaned in even closer, straining to hear their whispers. "They even say he has a taste for human flesh; he feasts on his victims, or, sometimes, even his own body. The only real limb his has left is a leg. Where did all the other limbs go?" By now, the group had become larger, other curious followers having formed around the story tellers. Voices began to throw out other rumors, the circle growing louder.
"I heard he once devoured a whole village of Voldo!"
"They say no one has ever talked to him and lived..."
"Someone told me he took over the body of some famous politician..." The tales darted back and forth, eyes full of both fear and excitement as their mouths ratted off faster than they could think. But, suddenly, the commotion died in an instant, all eyes focused on a figure emerging from the bush. He walked with a strong limp, a hollow, shivering breath coming from his frail body. A leg and an arm were made of strong metal, attached to his torso where the appendages should have been. The other arm was nothing but a stub wrapped in dirtied bandages. One natural leg. That was all that was left of him. Ribs and hip bones could be seen under his pale skin; his body was nothing but skin and bones. His face was protected by an elegantly decorated mask, a sign of his power and nobility. The crowd was frozen, their eyes on the figure before them, though no one dared to look him in the eyes.
"Almagest..." The whisper came from somewhere, though the culprit dared not say anything else. Almagest paused, his heard turning slowly as his chest heaved with every wheezy breath. The silence was thicker than fog, choking everyone who even dared to breathe, but still, no one moved. Almagest passed a glance over the followers before continuing to move forward, leaving them to their gossip. He hadn't enough time to waste on their pathetic lives.
Almagest was a Divine, one of the few that was able to walk around on this planet. Having acquired his body decades ago, Almagest had wandered Gaea simply for sport, until Gabrealle fell. It was then that the sins of humanity had become clear to him and his brothers and sisters. They were not worthy of the gifts Gaea presented them with. Not even these followers...
Yes, some of their tales were indeed true. Almagest's mind was beyond gone, his insanity turning him to cannibalism. Though his taste for human flesh wasn't gluttonous; he only ate when absolutely necessary, leading to his body's unhealthy weight. Though never would he resort to eating his own limbs, but to hear the followers guess...well, even Almagest had to think it was amusing. He enjoyed the attention.
Clearing through the forest, a tall building of stone sat not too far off in the distance. Watchtowers guarded each corner, full of men whose weapons remained pointed at the small, barred windows systematically located along the building walls. It was a high security prison, and Almagest intended to break into it. There was a man in there who the Divine wanted, no, needed to meet. And their introduction had been put off for far too long. Tonight would be the night, and Almagest wasn't in the mood for sympathy.
Plus, he was rather hungry...
Almagest
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