Free Web NovelChapter 2: Chapter 2: The Winds
The way back was long, or should have been long, with all the monsters and other beasts coming in the way. But with the guardian at their side, the few who had even dared would die with only a flick, and others would cower.
Which was a good choice for mere beasts. They feared for their very lives.
"Ooh, another one of those hulk yetis coming at us again." Cheering said.
Amon squinted his eyes to see it, far, as the beast was far, far away, making him wonder how Cheering spotted something from such a distance.
"Let me take this one off as well..." he said, picking up a pebble from the ground. "I swear if I had your eyes, Cheering, these beasts would have gone extinct." He said, throwing the pebble right at the giant hulking white yeti.
It blasted through its head like a cannon, making its upper body nonexistent with that one blow.
"Hey, hey, come on. If you have all the gifts, what use do we have, huh?"
Another one, carrying all the crystals and precious meat from the yetis, laughed as well. "You still don’t know how to butcher a monster, Amon. And thank God for that, because I feel useful."
Nyima reclaimed the arm of her husband. "I know you see well." She whispered with a smile. "And I know you damn well. You can butcher any beast in the world. You just don’t." She said, with a smile on her face.
"My sweet wife, I don’t even know what you are even talking about. Your humble husband only has brute strength, nothing else."
"I know. A brute in bed as well." She whispered back.
"Nyima..." he whispered, looking around, hoping no one had heard that. But the looks everyone was giving made it clear they all had.
"Guys, guys, hide your wives, the guardian will take every—" Cheering joked but got hit by a bottle from his sister Nyima.
"Shut up, will you."
"Hahahaha." Everyone laughed, watching the brother and sister fighting as usual. When Amon felt something. Something was watching.
He looked back sharply, at the top of the hill. He didn’t see it, but he felt it, his instincts telling him something. But he let it go, altogether. Whatever it was, he was sure it would think twice before attacking him.
Besides, he didn’t want to think about it much. All he wanted was the warmth of his wife. That was it.
"We’re home, dear." She whispered, pulling him toward the lights of the grand village, the Sherpa village.
Many three-story houses built around the only green valley among the hills, where a waterfall crashed at its edge, creating a river that bisected the village in half.
"Indeed. It’s been a long while." Amon said.
As they walked down the valley, Nyima felt a cramp in her stomach. Her steps paused as she looked down. Amon held her hand tight, seeing her face fall.
"What happened, Nyima?" Amon asked.
"N...nothing, dear. Let’s go."
***
At the peak of Everest.
The sky cracked with thunder as lightning landed right at the top, bearing a white light that sprouted eight wings. It looked around, searching for somebody.
"Ureil!" It called.
With a flap of wings, she came, bowing right before the light. "Yes, Lord Michael."
"Did you find him?"
"Indeed. Who would have known he was hiding all the way in the corner of such a civilization. It was hard, but we found him."
"Good. Have you begun to commune then?"
"..."
Ureil didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. A hint of fear lingered from her vessel. "No, my lord. For now, I am only observing."
"Why! The world is in peril! Why not call him back right now!" Michael bellowed, the clap of thunder raging in his voice and across the sky.
Ureil looked down, the sheer aura pressing her down. "My lord, it’s him. The second breath of the Creator. I can’t take things lightly." She said.
There was silence again.
"Then do what you must," he said, bringing his palm above Ureil’s head as he drew something like a chain out from her body. "There. Your restriction has been lifted."
Ureil, who had looked human, finally began to glow, somewhat similar to Michael but not quite. He was the galaxy itself, and Ureil shone only like a star.
"Thank you, my lord. I will not fail you." She said, flapping her wings and disappearing as suddenly as she had appeared.
Michael stayed there for a while, watching the world from the peak of its height.
Amon. It is unfair. But we need you. The world needs you.
***
Meanwhile, the village rejoiced. Their hunting party had secured their safety and food for the winter, and a great fire was lit. Everyone laughed, smiled, and relished the peace and prosperity they had.
Amon, with a smile, took another bottle of alcohol and sat near the fire. He had forgotten he was ever sober. The people here believed his personality was always this warm, loose, smiling kind. But that wasn’t it.
Has it been 30 years? I don’t even know when the last time I was sober was.
He thought, drinking another bottle of alcohol, gulping it down like water. The kids came by, drawn by the scent of alcohol.
"Oh, look, it’s the drunk guardian deity." They said, as their parents quickly came as well, bowing toward him.
"No, no. No need for all that formality. I am no deity." Amon said.
The mother simply smiled. "Of course, oh guardian. This is for you, a tribute from our family." She said, holding out a large bottle of pure alcohol and bowing toward him. "May your blessings be upon us for more years to come."
Amon sighed as he slowly took the bottle, tired of convincing everyone here that he wasn’t what their high regard made him out to be.
I am just a mistake. Not someone who should be worshipped by good people like you.
He thought. But he could never say no to alcohol. So he just said thanks and took the bottle she gifted. The woman left right after, the kids waving goodbye to Amon.
"Oh, there you are." Said an old man from behind. "Your golden hair blended right in with the fire. Thought you were some kind of god."
"Pasang, not you too." Amon said.
"Ha. You are the only man who can speak to this old man like he’s a child." He said, sitting right by his side. "You haven’t changed a single bit. Not since I was young."
Amon patted his back. "That’s not a good thing, Pasang. It really isn’t."
"Haha." He huffed. "After taking my daughter, you think self-pity will work on me? You are still the same. I know you inside and out." He said, taking the bottle of alcohol from him.
Amon smiled and let him be, watching the old man gulp down the alcohol like it was nothing. But seeing those wrinkles and white hair, he couldn’t help but think.
You’re going to leave me too, huh.
He thought, still remembering that it was Pasang who had found him lying on the ground and brought him to the village, back when Pasang was youthful and vigorous.
"Pasang." He called.
"Yes?"
"I can help you live lon—"
"No." He simply refused.
"...Still the same stubborn fool."
"Not stubborn. Seeing you all depressed every day and masking it with alcohol. I don’t want to live like that, Amon. I’ve had enough. I have a wife, I have a daughter and a son, and hopefully..." he said, patting Amon’s back.
"A grandchild soon."
"Haha." Amon said. "Maybe. Perhaps."
Boom!
Something exploded from afar, the sound echoing all the way to the village and drawing everyone’s attention.
"What happened?" Pasang asked.
"It’s an avalanche! Run!" Someone shouted, as from afar, the mountain shook, moonlight shining upon the wall of snow pouring right toward them.
