Golden Repair

Isaac ran fast while he minded his surroundings and the steps he took. He knew he could go a lot more faster but that would have just created more problems than there already were. The sand was dry and gritty beneath the sole of his boots. He felt it. The spell he casted was still there.

From the ground he felt many things.The rocky ground underneath them. A hidden water deposit unfound many generations hence. The well passage used by the ruined abandoned village near them. The diverging pathways beneath the mountain connecting the passages beneath. All of which stretched further than where the Fireflies were. There were bones as well scattered throughout and untouched. There were graves and fossilized flowers and boxed treasures, gifts for the dead. Above were the crew he just left. He felt them all. Those who wanted to stay and those who didn't. Those who were passionate and those who were forced. He felt them in colors.

Isaac felt the different myriads of the Scholars, the officials of the Fireflies. Luca was disheartened and confused. Mary was disgruntled and ready to burst out anytime save for a hint of silver that bottled her to her duty.  Rhea's color was different though. She was gray and dull but silvery and ashen. It was the same with Andrew from far away.

From the sky he felt many things as well. The numbers of the star were uncountable but he remembered the places and the reaches of the heavenly bodies. He felt it all. The shape and the cold stare of the moon hidden beneath above the clouds. He knew too of the clouds forming in the sky. The direction of the wind, eastward and downward. The slope of the snowy mountain near them. The rolling pebbles led astray by the dancing wind. The dirt and ground that formed the outer layer of the mountain. The tall trees of pine triumphantly scattered but unabundant. Some of which were stricken with few leaves while there were those laid toppled on the ground and slanted clinging on for pride. He could not see beneath the mountain. Nonetheless they were not alone.

He felt the presence of a few bandits and deserters waiting for passersby and odd jobs to come. Their colors were as varied as the fireflies themselves but they were dulled and watered down.

He paused for a moment as there was a sudden change of wind from the sky. The clouds were violently forming a storm. It was brimming in anger. He looked back and saw a pillar of light ascending up to heaven. He felt his captain’s presence and he proceeded on to his given order. The clouds stopped and dissipated. A beam of moonlight shone towards where his captain was. Leon had just averted a brewing storm.

Isaac arrived at the abandoned village. It was filled with empty houses. The doors and windows were smashed. Only the windows on upper floors were intact and left untouched. There were stalls, beside each house, covered overhead by thick linen cloth. On top of the tables were dividers, though roughed up, worn out and unorganized, still lined across. There were gardens and vases too, once filled with hardly striving produce, empty and aged. It was apparent the village was once bustling with merchants and diligent kind folks.

At the center of the village was a building with no door and an empty hall. Four strong wooden pillars held the center. Connected by a wooden wall and in the center another pillar, made of stone and a set of stairs leading up. On the top of it was a cracked bell. It was a village hall for events and meetings. The tables and chairs were crookedly lined forming a roundabout for ideas which once flowed around. It also served as a learning facility with the stacked up chairs and tables of miniature in size and the almost empty bookshelves by the walls. Dusts and aged stains littered all of its corners. Not a hint of its previous tenants can be traced. It was as if they had all vanished. 

Isaac was not able to detect any trace of magic except for what had had happened to Andrew.

He approached the building Andrew was thrown off. The wooden shed was half destroyed. The roof almost fell down but clinged on. The walls of the shed were thick enough to withstand the impact except for the wall that Andrew was thrown in. It was empty and desolate except for the broken wooden shelf and crates that caught Andrew's descent.

Dust was scattered in the still air. Wooden rubbles and chipped off splinters were everywhere. A recent healing magic was performed. Andrew lies on top of the mess unconscious. His neck arched way back from his body that leaned on the toppled shelf. He was resting on his right arm, his left leg bent beneath him and his right leg caught beneath the wooden remains of a new aftermath.

"He will feel numb and sore once he wakes up," Isaac thought as he approached Andrew. He used his magic to lift up his fallen comrade. Andrew was covered in dust and sand. His clothes and armor were torn and bent. Traces of magic were present where his clothings tore open. 

Before Isaac could take a hold of Andrew, a small golden ball fell from his slump body. It rolled over and immediately grew in size. Isaac noticed and immediately tried to grab Andrew. A blast of air separated the two. Isaac was thrown outside the empty streets.

"So there were two Owed among the insects?" It was the same ominous voice that trapped them in a dimension of the fake Jerusalem. "Andrew, this man will take your brother away from you. What are you going to do?" continued the ominpus voice.

Andrew's closed eyes fidgeted and tightened and his fingers twitched. He gently landed down on his feet. His back slightly arched. He lifted his right hand and covered his eyes.

"I don't know what to do anymore," Andrew's voice was trembling. The color of Andrew that Isaac could see changed. From dull and ashen to silvery and white. "I won't. I won't give my brother away. I will protect him at all costs." His fierce eyes peered in the gaps of his fingers. He was determined to protect his brother at whatever the cost. His left hand on his side was shaking.

"Is that your resolve or a very convincing bravado?"  mocked ominous voice. "No matter, it will hurt. Excruciatingly." The golden ball floated and erratically shot and bounced everywhere. "Brace yourself, little trickster." Isaac ran towards Andrew but a blast of air threw him to the broken bell on top of the village hall. The bell fell down and a loud metallic clang echoed.

The golden ball launched towards Andrew and attached to his left arm. It had bit him. Andrew swayed his arm trying to free himself. He screamed in pain. The bite of the golden ball tightened. It clenched more he tried freeing himself. He grabbed it with his free hand but it was no use. The golden ball smiled. It bared vicious fangs and sharp teeth. The bite buried deeper beneath Andrew's flesh.

"Could you not bear with it?" the ominous voice asked. 

"N-n-no! No m-more!" Andrew hysterically shouted. "No more!!"

"The pain your brother bears is a few folds more compared to this." the ominous voice spoke and laughed. "And you would want to protect him?" The bite of the golden ball loosened. Andrew's face felt a little relieved but the pain was still there. "I will help you."

"P-p-please," Andrew begged. The golden ball released its bite. The smile on its face was still visible. It licked its lips with a menacing blood red tongue. The golden ball grew bigger. A goofy looking eye opened on top of the golden ball's mouth and bit Andrew whole left arm. Andrew screamed and tried prying the creature's mouth open but he couldn't get a grip. He hit it hard over and over but it only made the bite tighter. He poked the golden ball in the eye. The creature blinked in pain and loosened its hold. Andrew tried pulling his arm but it was too late. The golden ball forcefully bit off Andrew's arm. The golden ball moved back and chewed his meal.

Andrew quickly crawled back as he stared at the creature chewing his arm. The ominous voice laughed.

Isaac jumped out the top of the village hall and shot toward the golden ball. He landed near it and casted a lightning spell. The golden ball looked at its attacker with conceit and continued chewing. His attack was ineffective. Isaac was irritated and kicked the creature with all his might. The golden ball flew toward the sky. A metallic clang and a loud crash was heard.

The laughter of the ominous voice reverberated.

Isaac looked towards the village hall but felt nothing was there and the recently fallen bell was there untouched. He looked at the sky and noticed a crack that had formed. The golden ball bounced off an invisible wall. There was a fissure in the sky. He knew they were once again caught in trapped.

Isaac went to Andrew and tried helping him up. But was thrown far back by Andrew's left fist. When Isaac stood he saw Andrew's left arm was assimilating golden dust. A floating golden ball flew towards Andrew and slowly stopped beside him. Andrew's missing limb have been replaced by a monstrous synthetic arm and glowed golden yellow.

"Does it hurt?" asked the ominous voice.

Andrew jumped towards Isaac as he threw another punch. Isaac felt the bloodlust and tried dodging it. He barely succeeded in evading the punch but he still felt the pain just from the wave of Andrew's fist. Isaac jumped further back. A portion of his armor was shattered and the cloth from the evaded impact was torn. Andrew smiled as he saw blood dripped from Isaac's arm.

The moon ripped open horizontally and smiled. A sinister shape pupil emerged in the middle.

Andrew ran towards Isaac and readied his fist. His hand glowed red as he threw a punch. Isaac braced himself and blocked the blow with his forearm. Andrew smiled as his hit landed.

"Aren't you a getting a little to cocky?" Isaac asked. His overall armor was shattered and his shirt was blown to pieces. His forearm was bruised and battered but it was healing quickly. He smiled as he countered with a right hand blow. But he stopped. He remembered his order to keep Andrew safe. Before his fist could hit he diverted and hit the air beside Andrew's head. It caused a wave of wind that blew off a portion of the village and a small crack was formed in the air.

Isaac leapt back and breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad he didn't kill what he was supposed to keep safe. He calmed himself down to lower down his power output and raised his fists. He was ready for a restrained match. Andrew was shocked and could not able to move.

"It's good you dodged that. I almost killed you," Isaac playfully said and smiled. "Let's go for round two."

Andrew went back to his senses and laughed disheartedly. He was doubting himself if ever he could defeat Isaac. But he remembered something important. His brother Leon. He steeled himself and accepted Isaac's invitation. He dodged Isaac's blow by a hair. But he knew it was not a fluke. He knew himself it wouldn't hit. Andrew knew he was far better than Isaac. He had nothing to fear. He obtained powers way beyond than what he used to have. He was better, stronger and far superior. Andrew raised his fist for a fight.

"Shut up!" Andrew shouted. "I knew you'd miss even if I didn't dodge that." He believed Isaac's lie. His competitor smiled. "You're mocking me?!" Andrew dashed towards Isaac.

"Am I?" Isaac smiled as he dashed forward. He caught Andrew right hand punch to his left cheek. He knew there was nothing to worry about it. He pretended to get hurt but Andrew knew.

Isaac pushed back Andrew's right arm with his left hand. Andrew followed with another punch from his right fist once more. This time, Isaac bent backward and dodged the blow. Andrew saw it an opening and kicked forward with his left leg. Isaac dodged to the left. Andrew whipped his left leg hitting Isaac's chest. Isaac was forced back. He tried leaping forward but suddenly stopped. Isaac noticed Andrew's left hand.

"You knew?" Andrew stood straight with his left fist ready. It was glowing red.

"No," Isaac replied. He was counting how many hits he have received. "I mean, yes. You're holding back, right?" He happily added and smiled.

"Stop mocking me!" Andrew shouted as he punched the air in front of him. It was like Isaac's punch. He tried dashing side ways to dodge but it failed. He was caught in the impact. The invisibles walls have formed cracks everywhere and was about ready to shatter any moment. Almost half of the small village were now destroyed. Dust lingered in the still air. Rubbles and wreckages were scattered. The town hall in middle was in total ruin..

"Did I defeat him?" Andrew thought out loud. He paused for a while processing what was going on. He did not know how he should feel. He won against Isaac. But his victory felt empty. He was lost. Then a thought occured in his head. He remembered, he did it for his brother. 

Andrew then remembered Mary, his brother's fiancee. He had not yet thought how he would deal with her. Thoughts of murder came to his mind. He would have to kill his brother's fiancee if he had to.

He looked at his bruises and had just remembered his hard earned victory. He set aside his dark thoughts. He just had to think about it when it comes. He felt exalted and triumphantly raised his fist. "I did it!"

A snap was heard which reverberated throughout village. Much like the trap they were caught in before, a crack formed in the sky and split the moon in two. The invisible walls the abndoned village shattered and fell piece by piece. Each pieces disintegrated into dust in mid air. The moonlight that shone through revealed the village to be intact and mostly untouched except for the wooden shed that Andrew fell through.

"Was it all an illusion?" Andrew looked around. He was filled with disbelief and fear. He did not anticipate what had happened. He held his left arm and felt something was not right.  It was not his arm.  He tried channeling magic through it and felt an immense power coming from it. The power in his left arm was real. He paused dumbfounded as he felt a presence behind him. He turned around.

"That was four," Isaac emerged from the shadow in the walls of the wooden shed. He was unharmed but he was naked. His clothes and armors were obliterated. "I aimed for a harem not this silly indecency." 

Isaac reached out beside him. His arm disappeared in the air. After a moment he pulled a pair of sandals, pants and a desert robe. He snapped his finger and he was immediately wearing his new garments. He sighed in disappointment. He had just lost one of his favorite clothing.

Andrew leapt forward and tried punching him. Isaac quickly dodge to his left and touched Andrew's left arm with his fore finger.

"We have to seal this first." Isaac said. Andrew's power waned and he felt exhausted. He fell to his knees and tried fighting with his sudden urge to fall unconscious.

"W-w-what did you do?" Andrew asked with a weakening voice.

"It's not me but you," Isaac replied. "You cannot control the immense power you just acquired. Even though it's incomplete. It is powerful nonetheless." Isaac walked in front of him and sat with his legs bent. "You're just a human who just recently acquired the powers of a god. And the god that you acquired your powers from is not yet complete."

"A god?" Isaac asked as he mustered his strength to stand. He failed. "Just like the powers my brother have?"

"Yes, but not quite," Isaac replied. "The rest you must acquire." Andrew's eyes widened. He read it in one of the records once. Those Owed by the World have to acquire the power of others to become complete. He knew his brother was one. He had just realized he became torn to his brother's side. Isaac noticed and smiled. "You only need to if you want to."

"What do you mean?" Andrew asked. But his consciousness fade as Isaac touched his forehead.

"Your memories for now have to be sealed as well. I'm sorry," Isaac replied as he carried Andrew on his back.