Destruction or Domination?

  Kalilo’s words sent a chill through Maxwell. While he was no stranger to ruthlessness, the idea of a goddess destroying the world and all its inhabitants was a horror reserved for the pages of fiction on earth.

  “And what does this all have to do with me?”

  Kalilo raised a hand to Maxwell’s face and traced the scar running down his cheek with her finger.

  “You look just like him and yet the two of you couldn’t be anymore different from one another. What horrible world could have made you this way?”

  “I could ask you the same question.”

  Kalilo giggled. “Touché.”

  “I brought you here to punish this world.”

  “Punish?”

  “Years ago I tried to destroy this eye sore of a world as it is my nature. However it was Maximus who convinced me to give this world a chance. He showed me that while this world can be vile and cruel it also has the potential to be greater.”

  “So much for that” thought Maxwell.

  “I agreed to have my true form sealed away on the condition that Maximus would build that great world he spoke of. But alas, he was betrayed by those closest to him. Now I know that the great world he’d spoken of was nothing more than a beautiful lie. Perhaps I knew from the start and yet somehow Maximus made me believe in it.”

  “Or perhaps it was Maximus you believed in, not the world itself.”

  “I think you might be right, but that is all in the past. Now that my eyes are once again open I can see clearly what must be done. Maximus is dead along with any sympathy I had towards this world. You will be the blade in which my wrath is dealt. You will be the last face this world sees before I deliver my final judgment.”

  “I understand now. You want the great hero “Maximus” to help you destroy the world as some sort of twisted revenge against the people who betrayed him.”

  Kalilo seemed pleased that he was able to figure out her plans without needing an explanation.

  “You catch on quick. I knew you’d be right for this task.”

  While he did appreciate the goddess’s praise, Maxwell didn’t care for being someone else’s lackey.

  Was his face the only reason he was chosen? Was he nothing more than a substitute for this “great” Maximus?

  “No” thought Maxwell. “This pathetic excuse for a goddess may have brought me here to serve as her pawn but it will be my decision whether or not I carry out her will.”

  “I’m honored you have chosen me for such a task goddess, but may I ask, what exactly do I get out of all this?”

  “You mortals and your insatiable greed.”

  “I am only human after all.”

  “Very well, when your task is complete and this world is no more, I shall return you to your world with the power to reshape it in your image. You can even destroy it if that is what pleases you. With my help you could wield the power of a god.”

  “You have that kind of power?”

  “I will. Once you free my true form, my power will be absolute.”

  “And how exactly do you expect me to do that?”

  Kalilo reached into the fire place and retrieved a ball of flames in her bare hands.

  She held the flames up to Maxwell and the image of four keys began to appear before him.

  “These are the four keys that were used to seal my true form away. Each kingdom was trusted to guard one. Your task is to simply to acquire each of them so that I may be released.”

  “What’s the catch?”

  “I was just getting to that. Each kingdom is under the protection of their hero. These heroes are blessed with remarkable abilities. They have sworn to defend both their kingdoms and the keys with their very lives.”

  “In other words you want me to kill them.”

  “They did betray Maximus, but if you’ve suddenly lost your taste for killing I suppose you could find another way to steal the keys.”

  “From how she’s described these heroes I doubt there is another way that doesn’t involve bloodshed” thought Maxwell.

  “After I’ve acquired these keys what then? How do I use them?”

  “Patience Maxwell, travel to The Kingdom of Dulciena and obtain your first key. Then we’ll discuss further.”

  “I was afraid she’d say that” thought Maxwell.

  “Before I leave you, I just want you to remember Maxwell…”

  The flames in the fireplace died instantly filling the cottage with a chill that turned Maxwell’s skin to ice. His blood seemed to freeze within his veins and his heart slowed till he could feel each beat.

  The feeling was eerily familiar.

  “I pulled you from death’s embrace once, should you fail me, do not think I will hesitate to return you to that fate.”

  Maxwell could feel his lungs closing as his body began to shut down. He was dying, again.

  “I…understand.”

  “Good, now I shall take my leave. Good luck Maxwell, you’ll need it.”

  The flaming orbs that had replaced Elizabeth’s eyes vanished along with the cold chill of death that had been promised should Maxwell fail.

  “That bitch” thought Maxwell as he caught the unconscious Elizabeth.

  “If she thinks death will be her deterrent against disobedience then she truly knows nothing of me. I wasn’t afraid of death then and I’m certainly not afraid now. My life had no purpose. The world I called home rejected me, imprisoned me and sentenced me to death. But now I’ve been given another chance. Why would I ever help destroy what is destined to be mine? I’ll kill anyone who stands in my way. Whether it be hero or goddess the outcome will be the same. This world shall be mine!”