Logos & the Babe

'What, in the name of the Sun Goddess, is that smell?' grumbled Logos, as he slowly stretched the slumber from his enormous frame. His matte gray scales, which had long since lost their argent luster, were dappled with clinging brown leaves and a few fallen branches. He emitted a low groan, as his skeleton realigned, bones popping into place with cracks and muffled thuds.

The smell of what had awakened him lingered among the miasma of his weary thoughts. If the scent was important enough to rouse him, then perhaps he ought to investigate it.

Logos sighed with resignation, and pushed himself up from the ground, first to his hind legs, then his fore. Patches of pungent forest loam clung to his underbelly when he stood, and a small family of squirrels was displaced from their trespassing burrow beneath his chin.

He positioned his long snout into the gentle autumn breeze and breathed deeply. The sound was like a strong wind gusting through a narrow cave. His mind sorted through and identified all of the individual scents until he had it. Unless his memory was failing, which simply did not happen to ancient drakes, it was a human babe that he detected.

From the south, he thought. And nearby.

Turning his head in that direction, Logos found himself suddenly staring into a pair of baby-blue eyes, framed by a riot of golden ringlets.

There, on his enormous back, sat a small human boy. A toddler in fact. The great dragon started in alarm, harumphing a loud snort at which the small child's face lit up gleefully, and he squealed with delight.

It was an adorable little creature, for a human, reflected Logos.

And truly he was. The child wore a knee-length golden tunic of silk, and his fair skin was still sunkissed from the summer sun. He had the face of a cherub: a tiny nose nestled between two enormous eyes the color of a winter's sky, and his lips were curved like a rosebud.

The breeze caused his straw-colored hair to stir, as he studied the dragon's face with an expression that made the boy appear far older than a few years. He has the look of an old soul, thought the dragon, and Logos knew that this child was special in some way. Perhaps not so bright, he thought. But what am I to do with you...

Clearly, the boy came from wealth, on account of his cleanliness and fine clothing. Also, his complexion and features were consistent with the exquisite beauty of Princess Ellyahna; her spiraling golden hair, like silk, and eyes of gentle, fair blue were as legendary as her kindness.

Considering Logos had chosen to take his leisure in the Empress' forest, the odds of this child being the Princess's son and the Princeps of the Empire were rather high, he concluded.

Hmph, sighed the beast. A party will soon be out looking for you, little one, he thought.

Logos could wait here for the searchers to arrive, or he could make his way toward the castle and save them some time.

Well, since I'm up...

The great dragon nudged the boy to better center him on his back and began to slowly lumber forward on a Northerly track, towards the castle.

'Twill take a while to reach the castle, considered the dragon, so perhaps I ought to tell the boy a tale as we travel. Though Logos' lacked the capacity for speech, he maintained the power of thought projection. A toddler may not be able to understand words, but images and feelings were well within the boy's capacity for learning. Logos could discern, through his empathic sensibility, that the boy's soul was far older than his body.

And so, he began...

There once was a very powerful high priest of the Sun Goddess called Cerno Apostos. He was a cruel and wicked man who worshipped only wealth and power. He had come to be the high priest through a lifetime of scheming, deception, and murder.

During his reign, Cerno sent assassins into the dark of Sheol, deep underground, with the intention of murdering the High Queen of Devilkind, the Diávola Mitéra. His assassins failed, but their attempt brought forth the wrath of the Devil Queen. She led her army of red soldiers above ground and declared war on Cerno and the Church of the Sun Goddess. Her war machine was fierce and disciplined, and they had gained many victories against Cerno's unruly army of thugs and cutthroats. Soon, the great city of the Sun, Illios Polis, was within the Devil Queen's reach.

Unable to call the fires of Heaven upon the Diávola and her armies, as the High Priests of old had done, Cerno Apostos, met secretly with the Devil Queen and struck a dark bargain.

In exchange for twelve human children each year, for a hundred years, the Diávola agreed to halt her hostilities against humankind and return to her empire beneath the earth. This gave the impression that the high priest had successfully thwarted her and guaranteed his incontestable rule over the Church of the Sun Goddess and the High City of Illios Polis.

For more than three decades the agreement lasted, and each year Cerno secretly banished twelve children beneath the earth for a lifetime of servitude. One day, the High Priest, in an effort to eliminate a problematic priest, sent him with the children to meet with the Devil Queen. The man's name was Father Agathos, known affectionately as Agathos, the Kind.

Once Father Agathos met the Devil Queen and became aware of the insidious and deceitful bargain made by the high priest Cerno, Agathos refused to surrender the twelve children and fought off several of the Diavola's guards. Alas, he was no match for her soldiers, and they captured him.

Rather than killing him outright, the Diávola set about to ruin the priest for her own entertainment and made him a fiendish offer: In exchange for the freedom of the twelve children, he must provide her with an heir from his own loins.

Though it meant his eternal damnation, Father Agathos could not condemn the children to a lifetime of subjugation among devils, and so he agreed to the terms set forth by the High Queen. He returned with her back to Sheol, and laid with her for thirty days, producing a son before he was set free. In his shame, Agathos withdrew from the world and became a recluse.

Never having carried a human child, the Diávola was transformed by her labor. Folks of Devilkind, it is said, have no intrinsic souls. They lack the fundamental innocence that defines humanity; even in the worst of men dwells an innocent babe, who came to the world free of sin and eager to love and be loved.

There was nothing inherently lovable in a child of devilkind. They lack the softer emotions that bind humanity together and inspire self-sacrifice. From the beginning, devilkind seek only self-gain at best and the ruination of others at worst. Their parents use children as tools to further their own ambitions, and they care little more than wounded pride should the child die.

However, as the human babe grew in the Diávola's womb, a change came over her. Though Devilkind do not cry, she wept one thousand tears of blood on the night of his conception, as her own soul recognized the innate goodness and innocence of her unborn offspring. Her heart softened, and she came to love the child of her womb, as did all those who came into close contact with her.

When the boy came to term, he was called Theros, which means of both man and devil. He strongly resembled his father and bore the look of a full-blooded human.

Theros grew to be both kind and strong, brave and gentle. His innocence persisted and affected all of those who came near him.

While he was loved by many, he was abhorred by others who resented the Queen's partiality to the halfbreed. For the Queen indeed had changed much since the birth of young Theros. She came to know love, and from it sprang fear. Her nature became fiercely protective of her son, and woe to he who provoked her maternal sensibilities. It would be better for them had they not been born.

Though Theros grew large and strong in human form, he was not as strong nor fast as his peers in Sheol. The Queen fretted for his safety, for many would seek his death, and she pressed it upon her closest advisor, the weapons-master Rahem, to instruct the boy in combat. Rahem substituted precision for strength and wit for speed. He imparted onto Theros great skill with bladed weapons, including those secrets preserved for masters. He was a severe teacher, knowing that the boy's life would depend upon his talents in combat, and also preparing him for his rite of passage: the Blood Trials.

Of all his physical deficiencies, none was greater than his inability to phase. Phasing is a skill only possessed by the noblest bloodlines. The pathways through which the warrior's body connects with his mind contract, granting them preternatural speed of both mind and body. It is as if time has slowed down for them, while in reality, they move with blinding quickness, giving them precious moments of action in an otherwise still world. While few indeed possess this skill, the Diávola had desperately hoped that it would manifest in Theros.

When Theros reached his twentieth year, the day of his Blood Trials arrived. All four of the Noble Houses were present to challenge the young warrior, and to bear witness to his success at becoming a fully recognized Diavolo, or else his death. Theros was to fight a champion from each noble house. He was not expected to defeat the champions, but rather, to survive, demonstrating his skills and prowess.

Theros mind was quicker than the champion's blades, and utilizing the techniques taught to him by Rahem, did more than survive the first three champions, he defeated them! However, when the last champion was to face Theros, a trap was sprung against the Queen and her House, for the house of Prodosia rebelled and sought to take the Obsidian throne by coup.

Upon seeing the treachery against his mother, young Theros' heart swelled with fear for her life and a great metamorphosis came upon him: his body contracted and his skin shone crimson; the speed and strength of a great Diavolo emerged and then began a horrendous onslaught of the rebelling house.

The Queen, bearing witness to her son's change, grew fiercely proud and joined with him in a dance of death. They were a terrible beauty to behold as they slew their many enemies. The Queen fought with lithe grace, while Theros' ferocity was unparalleled. He possessed the skills of a master with the strength of a demon lord and he relished the undoing of his Mother's enemies.

When the carnage came to an end, the Queen wiped the gore from her son's face, easing him from his bloodlust, and Theros returned to his human form. When he saw what he had done in his malevolence, he wept bitterly, for he now knew that he too was a monster, and he would not be consoled...

***

Logos felt worry and compassion emanate from the boy. Looking back, he saw that the child's eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he wondered if he should not have begun to tell him this tale.

After a few moments, the boy took on an impatient look and slapped his hands upon the dragon's back. Logos felt from the boy an intense desire to hear more of the story, and he laughed softly.

Logos turned to resume walking, as well as the tale.

***

That evening, Theros prepared to journey out of Sheol and into the world of the Sun. He despised his Mother's comforts, for he loathed his own heart, and thought to discover his place among men. For men, he thought, would be good and kind, and among them, he might find his peace. No remonstrations from the Diavola, or his teacher, Diavolo Rahem, could persuade Theros that his journey would come to naught but disillusionment. And so, Theros packed his massive steed, Ferocity, and left Sheol for the world of men.

It was evening when Theros exited the darkness beneath the earth, and when he saw the stars, he was amazed and thought that, surely, humans must be grand creatures considering they have such glorious heavens to behold! He marveled at the grasslands and the trees, So much life! he thought. What a blessed world from which my father hailed.

Theros journeyed for days across fields and valleys, through forests, and over hills. Inspired by the beauty of the world above, he believed that he could find a peaceful existence in this world of men.

Occasionally, Theros saw men working in fields or carting their harvest toward towns but the men seemed wary of Theros. When he rode through villages, people went inside and locked their doors.

One day, while resting in a small village, downcast that the people of this land were loath to converse with him, he heard a gentle voice say, "It's because you're an outsider and a warrior."

Theros turned and saw a young woman with golden hair and light gray eyes looking toward him, but not at him. She was beautiful, like a wildflower.

"They fear what they see," said the woman. "But I cannot see."

"Do you not fear me too?" asked Theros, surprised at the woman's boldness.

"No, sir. For I can sense that you are not a danger to me." She smiled and Theros could only marvel at her beauty and innocence.

"Woman, I have a monster inside me. I have killed many men. You would be wise to fear me too."

"I sense your hidden beast, sir. It hungers for the blood of those who are evil, not for the innocent."

Theros marveled at the woman as she approached him and Ferocity.

"You seek peace, sir, for you believe that you too are wicked. My sight is better for seeing men's souls, and yours is a good and kind soul." She reached up with her hands, seeking his. As he laid his hand between hers, she smiled and kissed it.

Theros was much overcome with emotion, and he began to silently weep, as the woman's gentle touch soothed his aching heart.

"I am Theros," he said, once his tears had ceased to fall.

"I am Savannah," replied the woman with a smile.

Perhaps I will yet find peace among men, thought Theros.

At that moment, Theros and Savannah fell deeply in love, and she took him back to her father's hovel, deep in the nearby forest. At first, her aged father was wary of Theros, but he soon shared his daughter's opinion that Theros was a good man, and he was glad to have someone nearby who could protect and care for his daughter.

For many days they lived together in harmony, and Theros found peace. Savannah read his soul and said comforting things to Theros. He believed all of the kind things that Savannah said, and he sought to be all that she saw in him.

Theros took Savannah as his wife, and as they loved one another, the two knew indescribable joy.

***

One day, as Theros was returning from hunting the great white-tailed deer, he heard Savannah scream. When he returned to their hovel, he found Savannah's father lying upon the ground with a grave wound to his gut.

"They've taken her, Theros," whispered the dying man. "The guards from the Church of the Sun Goddess and a priest." Then he cursed the priests of the Sun Goddess.

"I will find her. I swear this to you!" promised Theros.

Swiftly, Theros mounted Ferocity and rode after those who'd taken his beloved Savannah.

He soon caught up with the guards and saw Savannah bound and gagged over the saddle of one of the abductors. Theros snarled, and his body transformed into his devil likeness. From behind he cut down the first guard, who screamed as he fell. The other guards halted their horses and dismounted to do combat with Theros.

With skill, strength and cunning did Theros fall upon them all. Though he stood among many guards, none could touch him. He fought for his beloved and when his sword ceased its song, not one guard stood alive.

In the following silence, Theros heard the sound of a horse galloping away and remembered that there had been a priest among them. He remounted Ferocity to give chase when he saw the horse upon which Savannah was bound begin to run in another direction. Rather than chasing the priest, Theros went after his beloved and soon caught up to her. He freed her from her bonds, and she clung to him in terror for she was nearly taken to become the priest's slave. The rage in Theros was soon soothed by the soft embrace of his wife.

"The priest has seen you and knows your secret," began Savannah. "He will return for you and for me with many more men. They will hunt you until they capture you."

"Then I will kill them all!" roared Theros.

"No, my love. Even you cannot resist all of the mighty warriors at the disposal of Cerno Apostos."

As Theros and Savannah rode back to their hovel, Theros contemplated what Savannah had said. When they returned home, they saw that Savannah's father had passed from the world, and Savannah wept deeply. Theros, too, shed tears on his behalf, for he had come to love the old man.

That evening, as Theros held his beloved close, he formed a plan. First, he must find safety for Savannah, for he could not do what he must if he must also protect her.

While he slept, he had a vision of his mother, the Diávola Mitera. In his vision, he asked his mother where he could take Savannah that would be safe for her, while he did what he must.

She replied, "Take her to the camp of the battle monks. They are former priests of the Sun Goddess who have lost favor with the High Priest and have been banished. There you will find a man named Agathos. He is kind and brave. He will protect her."

"How do you know this Agathos?" asked Theros.

"He is your father," she replied. With that, the vision ended, leaving Theros with much to reflect upon.

The next day, the two set off to find the camp of the battle monks. It took them many days before they came upon the camp, deep in the Forgotten Hills.

As Theros rode into the camp, many monks wearing only threadbare robes approached him and Savannah with heavy weapons at the ready.

"I am Theros Devil-son," he said. "I have come seeking Agathos."

One of the monks stepped forward. "I am Agathos," he said, "and you are my son." Theros saw himself in the man and knew that it was his father. The two looked at each other for some time before Theros and Savannah dismounted.

"This is my wife Savannah," he said. "We are being hunted by the Church of the Sun Goddess because I slew many of their guards, and was seen doing so by a priest who fled."

"Why did you slay the guards?" asked Agathos.

"Because they had taken my wife to be the priest's slave," answered Theros.

Agathos' expression became one of solemn anger and he said, "What do you ask of me, my son?"

"To watch over my beloved, whilst I put an end to those who hunt me," he replied.

"This, I will do," declared the battle monk. "Though I fear you may be no match for the Church of the Sun Goddess. For once Cerno Apostos is told that there is a half-breed devil-son among the world of men, he will not rest until he has killed or captured you."

"Why would he take such interest in me?" asked Theros.

"Because I betrayed him, saving the lives of twelve children and undermined his bargain with your mother, the Queen of Devils," explained Agathos. "You are the result and symbol of my betrayal, and the reason I am banished. Your life, Theros Devil-son, mocks his pride."

"Then I will slay Cerno Apostos, and put an end to his wickedness," declared Theros.

He saw to it that Savannah was properly taken care of, and then kissed her goodbye. He worried that she would ask him to abandon his ambitious pursuit, but instead, she smiled and said, "Go, my beloved, and put an end to his villainy!"

***

Theros knew what he would do, and so he rode hard for the city of Illios Polis, where he might find Cerno Apostos. A few times, guards of the Sun Goddess attempted to stop him, but he had no wish to tarry by fighting them. Their steeds were no match for Ferocity, and he quickly left them behind.

On the seventh day of riding, Theros came to the magnificent gates of the City of the Sun: Illios Polis.

When the gate guards challenged him, he replied, "I am Theros Devil-son! I have come to put an end to the wickedness of Cerno Apostos."

The guards laughed at first for they believed Theros to be mad. Once Theros dismounted and discarded his riding cloak, his glistening black armor, and great sword gave the guards pause. They knew that the High Priest was seeking a man born from beneath the ground, among the devils.

"We will tell the high priest you are here, Devil-son," announced one of the guards, before he rode off to the Temple to let his Superior know of the strange man who wears the armor of Sheol and has come to challenge the High Priest.

Before long, the thunder of hooves filled the air, as more than three hundred horses came through the gates to stand before Theros. Among them were guards, knights, and priests. Behind them all rode a hairless man in golden armor.

'Tis the high priest, Cerno Apostos, thought Theros.

"Who are you, that comes before the gates of my city and challenges me?" roared the hairless man as he drew rein behind his army.

"It is I, Theros Devil-son, you whore-begotten scoundrel!" shouted Theros. "I have come to put an end to your wickedness!"

Darkly did the high priest laugh at what Theros had said. "You half-breed brat! I shall torture you to death, and then find your wife and make her my slave!" called Cerno Apostos. "Guards! Take him!

Theros smirked as fifty guards of the Sun Goddess strode towards him, for he longed to unleash the monster in him upon the high priest's army. As he ran at the guards, his body transformed into that of a devil; with pointed ears and scarlet skin, did he join battle with the fifty guardsmen.

The tip of his sword sang through the air as it claimed life after life. Never before had these men beheld his magnificent skill and prowess. Only in stories had such strength and speed been told of. His black armor soon glistened dark red with the blood of his foes.

He slew them to a man.

Cerno Apostos snarled with anger at the failure of his guards, but he could see that Theros had tired after killing so many. My knights and war priests will finish him! thought the high priest. Theros was indeed tired, but he had strength yet for battle.

"Knights! Priests! Forward!" shouted Cerno, and the ground shook as two hundred knights, and fifty war priests, rode forward to join battle with Theros.

Theros doubted not his resolve. His strength, however, would not endure a battle with such numbers of skilled warriors. Theros accepted that he may never again see his beloved, but he was grateful that he had known peace.

It was then that the earth shook...the ground between Theros and the Knights opened up, and from a chasm of fire stepped the Diávola Mitera, in her gleaming black armor and great sword across her back. Behind the Diávola came scores upon scores of devilkind knights. They stood to the left of Theros.

"What's this?" asked Cerno Apostos as he blanched in dread. "How is it the Queen of Devils and her army stands before me?"

"I am here to stand beside my son, Cerno Apostos, and bring an end to your depravity!" shouted the High Queen of all Devilkind, and all within the city heard her voice.

Then too did the forest rumble as fifty battle monks, wielding heavy hammers and maces, rode forth and took position on Theros' right.

"It is I, Agathos, and I am here to stand with my son against you, and cleanse the Church of the Sun Goddess of your apostasy!" Just then, a great light, brighter than the Sun shone down from the sky upon Agathos, and his clothes became dazzling white.

"How can this be?" cried Cerno Apostos. His face grew pale, and he was sorely astonished. His heart beat with terrific violence within his chest, for he knew immense fear. "Attack!" he cried, and the battle commenced...

***

...Logos slowed his steps and looked back at the boy. The child's bright blue eyes were wide, and Logos sensed immense curiosity and concern from him, but no fear.

Ahead, Logos could hear and smell the approach of a small group of humans. I must hurry with the tale, my boy, for your mother and grandparents are near.

***

The earth quaked, and the air sang with the clash of steel, howling warriors, and cries of death as hundreds of horses, war monks, and Diavolos clashed before the gates of Illios Polis.

The armor of Cerno's knights was thick, and their swords were sharp, as they cut through the charging mob of unarmored battle monks. Yet the heavy war hammers and maces crushed many bones and unhorsed dozens.

The Diavolos enveloped the left flank of the knights and cut through their ranks with lithe precision. In their center, dancing to the song of death, was the High Queen of all devils. Her beauty was matched only by her lethality, and her thirst for human blood was fiercely whetted. Her black sword whipped and twirled, and the air surrounding her was a misty red.

Theros, moved greatly by the appearance of the Diavola and Agathos, found new strength and joined the fray with relish. He too seemed to dance with his precise and powerful blows. Though he took wounds, and was severely fatigued, nothing would prevent him from finishing the dance.

Suddenly, from the woods rode six guardsmen carrying a woman across their saddle. It was his beloved, Savannah!

"No!" roared Theros, but the guardsmen made their way to the high priest before Theros could push through the press of bodies. His heart froze as he saw the high priest's smile when he had her in his arms.

Cerno Apostos put a shining dagger to Savannah's pale neck and boasted, "You may win the day, Theros Devil-son, but you shall never again know peace!" With that, he began to draw the blade across Savannah's throat.

Theros' body compressed and sprung with speed never before seen among devilkind. He leapt between the bodies at war around him and closed the distance between him and Cerno. He reached forward, his muscles burning like fire, and he seized the dagger from the High priest, plunging it into his black heart.

Cerno Apostos, the Imposter high priest of the Sun Goddess, was no more.

Theros took hold of Savannah and saw, to his relief, that the wound to her throat was shallow. Feeling his arms around her, Savannah smiled and embraced her husband and her hero. "My Beloved," was all she said.

***

Logos felt triumphant joy emanating from the boy and knew that the young princeps understood.

A party of humans appeared before him. There was a ravishing young woman with golden ringlets and sky-blue eyes. Behind her was a couple in fine clothing. The man, though old, still radiated strength as he led the lady by the hand. The lady, too, was aged but remained lovely and her pale gray eyes sparkled as they rested indirectly upon Logos.

"Logos!" cried the younger woman. She ran to the side of the dragon, reaching for the child. "Regathios...I was worried!" she scolded.

Logos nodded his head in respect. Princess Ellyahna, he projected. Empress Savannah, Emperor Theros. The old man nodded his head slowly and the aged woman smiled at the dragon with sightless eyes.

THE END