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“This is it, mate.” A blond warrior with long hair and blue eyes speaks. He stands next to his fellow soldiers, a pink-haired man looking to him for a signal. After four years of war, they are finally seeing it to the end. Four years ago, the Angel of Death– or Philza, and the Blood God– or Techno, found themselves drafted into war that was not their own.
Allied to the neighboring kingdoms, Phil and Techno ended up on the battlefields. They were the greatest among their fellow soldiers, encouraged by the thought of their family, Kristin and Wilbur waiting at home. The warriors put their everything into the battle.
Phil nodded to Techno, who pushed the castle door open. This would be the last battle– Today, Techno and Phil would be going home.
“Attack!” Techno yelled out, a grin of blood shed forming on his face. Phil chuckled at the man, nudging his arm before he grabbed the hilt of his sword. Enemies attacked from everywhere, trying to defend their king.
Emperor Sam fought near the throne, defending his rank. Phil sneered at him, blocking an attack from the side with his blade. The song of his heavy heart beat flooded his ears, loud and close. Everything else seemed so distant.
The enemy was outnumbered, soldiers from the opposite side soon began to fall. The Angel of Death soon found himself approaching the Emperor. Back turned to the warrior– that was his first mistake. Without a second thought, Phil pierced his sword through the king– a scream exiting the man’s throat.
A scream from his own. He looked down at where the pain came from, watching as a foggy sword began disappearing in front of him. The fight carries on around him, his soldiers finishing the last of the enemy. Phil turns, eyes fixating on a man dressed in gold.
“Who are you?” Phil questioned, his throat dry and panting. The man was no mortal, telling from the heavy weight around him. This was a god.
The god smiled. “A vision of what is soon to come.”
The Angel of Death quieted at the words, not daring to move as his eyes began to blur on all but the god. His hands shake next to his sides, he ignores it.
“It can’t be outrun, only to be dealt with here and now.” The god speaks, his voice is like a song yet uncaring. Shivers run down Phil’s spine, causing him to straighten. The god eyes him faithlessly. “If not, you’ll have no one left when your time comes.”
Phil takes a step forward, thinking of his wife and son. “Tell me how.”
“A mortal, you must kill him here, before time runs to an end.” Phil heaves a heavy breath. He has killed many before, what would make this different. Why would he spare this man a life, when it means his own. When it means the ones of his family.
The blond nods. “I’ll kill him.”
“I don’t think you’re ready.” The god says, raising a hand. The blur in Phil’s eyes take over, leaving him blind as an image becomes clear in his mind. An infant sleeping in a crib– wrapped in a blanket knitted with gold threads and rich materials.
Phil’s breath hitches to a stop. “He’s just an infant. Just a boy.”
The mortal could only wonder what threat he could oppose. Such a small creature, innocent as that of his own.
“He is the son of Emperor Sam– know that he will grow from a boy to an avenger.” The god huffs, taking steps closer to the Angel. Phil doesn’t dare make eye contact with the god. The immortal looks to the king, dead on the floor “Fueled by rage, and vengeance for whom killed his father.”
The man shook his head. “No, no-”
“As you're consumed by age, he’ll find the justice he sought after.” The god tells of his future– grief falling upon his shoulders. “You’ll say goodbye to your wife and child.”
“Please don’t make me do this.” Phil pleaded with the god, falling to the floor. He begs upon his knees for mercy, for some sort of charity. It does him no good, other than ruining his already blood stained pants.
The god only offers him a frown. “This is the will of the gods.”
“I can’t, please.” Phil shutters.
The immortal’s voice comes distantly. “There is nothing I can do.”
A choice between his son and wife, or an infant. Phil cannot cry, but his legs forbid him from moving an inch. A numb feeling washes over him, he takes the sword from the emperor’s chest. He stands, legs shaking.
The fight is already over, one of the soldiers is counting the fallen men. Phil begins to walk farther into the castle, leaving Techno to capture the rest of the soldiers. He searches for the baby’s nursery.
Until he finds a door with a sun carved into it. It creaks open, a mural of stars painted on the wall. Phil’s eyes fall upon the infant, barely a toddler standing up in his crib. Fluffy blond hair covering his head and bright blue eyes. Carved into the crib, the name Theseus. It stains his mind.
“Hello, Theseus.” The name burns on his tongue, as Icarus reaching for the sun. His fate was set, the same as Phil and Theseus. Phil cannot prevent himself from picking up the boy. “You look just like Wilbur…”
Theseus coos at the man, reaching for his cheeks. Phil takes the boy’s hands in his own. He doesn’t realize the water drops on his face. He runs his fingers through the child’s hair, avoiding any tangles. “You’re as old as he was, when I left..”
His hand touches behind Theseus’s ear, causing the boy to giggle. “Baba!”
“No, no.. Dada isn’t here.” Phil says, hands tightening around the infant. His stomach feels heavy. How could he kill Theseus? Phil’s mind set on his own son, left awaiting his return. Letters and pictures filling his bag. He has missed so much of his son’s childhood, first words and walking.
Phil knew he would trade everything to see them again. He knew he couldn’t miss anything else. Theseus’ tiny hands pulled on his shirt, Phil’s attention turning back to the infant. A dark look crossed his face.
The younger one whined. Phil shushed him, bouncing the boy on his hip as he walked back over to the crib. Theseus yawned, eyes closing with a peaceful smile across his face as Phil placed him back on the comfortable mattress. “Go to bed, Sunshine.”
“I’m so sorry.” He whispers, hand reaching for the handle of his sword. Phil knew if he didn’t kill this child now, he would come back to take him away from his family. Kristin, Wilbur, and Techno.
Eventually, a comet will become a meteor. A candle will begin to blaze. One day, this child will become a monster. Phil holds the sword over the crib, tears falling rapidly from his eyes— sobs breaking from his throat. “Please forgive me.”
As his sword fell, Phil felt his heart fall into his stomach.
. . .
“Phil,” Techno says, something of pride in his voice as he walks toward him. Blood covers his armor, slowly dripping from it. He stops himself before crashing into the blond. “We did it, We’re going home.”
The blond stands still, his cheeks are stained with dried tear tracks. He carries a blanket in his arms— one knitted in golden threads and rich material.
“Phil, are you okay?” Techno questions, a hand landing on Phil’s shoulder.
Seeming to center the man, Phil shakes his head. “I’ll be okay, mate.”
They begin walking toward the exit of the castle. Enemies scream and cry as they are dragged away in handcuffs. Phil’s grip tightens around the blanket. Techno wraps an arm around Phil’s shoulder, a grin across his face as the soldiers surrounding them. They cheer, and give praises to the two warriors.
A noise comes from the blanket in Phil’s arms. Not loud enough for anyone but Phil to hear. He breaks from the crowd, turning down an alley as Techno calls after him.
“Hey, hey.. it's okay.” Phil shushes, removing the blanket from Theseus’ face. The baby sobs loudly, awakened from his nap. “Please, shh.. shhh.”
The infant continues to sob, confused and upset— and slightly hungry. Behind him, someone’s footsteps alert of someone’s presence. Phil panics, turning to find Techno. “You could never get Wilbur to shut up either.”
“Listen, Tech, I can explain.” Phil says, but before he can say anything else; Techno takes Theseus from his arms.
The man rocks the baby in his arms, humming the symphony he used to way back when— Wilbur in his arms, Kristin and Phil finding Techno sitting in a rocking chair in the far corner of their baby’s room.
Relief washes over him as Theseus quiets. He is finally going. To Kristin, and Wilbur. His family will be together once more— with a new addition.
“So, what’s this one’s name?” Techno asks, arms curling around the boy— eyes set on his golden hair.
Phil smiles. “His name is Tommy.”