Chapter 1
The Breath
The sea gave forth waves of unrelenting rage upon the rocky shore. With every hit, a massive spray of sea water coated the raised platform. The salted water drained from the rocks only to return in force like it was under assault.
A dozen creatures wearing white masks of varying shapes and expressions remained seated, unaffected by the cool mist. It was easy to see their dark skin through what little clothing they wore. Their group was formed a circle of men and women carrying drums and long horns made of sea shells. One of the horn wielders brought the mouth piece to his lips and began to play. Without a word the rest joined in.
“We have forgotten the lessons of survival handed down by our ancestors! “A man covered in white paint shouted over the raging sea. “Only you can help us rediscover how to control the forces of nature!”
The sound of the horns was thunderous and powerful, shaking the stone around them. Almost instantly a ball of black goo formed in the circles center. When the drums began to make their deep rhythm, the sphere rippled from the overwhelming bass.
“Teach us the way!” The man shouted again. “For you are our only hope!”
The goo continued to morph and distort as the music intensified. All the horn players stood up to join their drum players’ movements and eventually the music was too great for the ball, and it burst.
A black mist faded into the air and small speckles of white and yellow light streamed into the circle. The men back away to allow the creature they summoned to take form. The particles of light formed into a single thick line that reared up showing its amazing height. It's form resembled that of a snake with a darkened tip for a head
“You are the breath of God.”
(Who the hell are you guys?)
The glowing snake’s words fell upon deaf ears.
(Helloooo?)
Still no response. The only thing the Snake could hear was the booming crash of the waves.
(Geez that’s loud… Hey where are you guys going?)
The men with black skin where running away from the peninsula’s tip towards the mainland. With nothing better to do the creature of light followed, curious of where they would lead him. As he stalked them he had some time to think. He questioned his purpose, his existence, his name and many other things. So many questions, but no answers for them. He however knew one thing, and that was that these people summoned him. Why they needed his help. He did not know for what, but to leave them, left a bad taste in his metaphorical mouth.
The small beings stopped moving towards mainland when they saw their path had been cut off.
“Oh great and powerful god!” Shouted the chieftain. “The sea has cut us off. Please help us.”
(Ummm… How?) He asked rearing up again looking for anyway he could aid them.
(So if I’m a god I should have powers.)He pulled his head back and quickly forced it forward.
(FREEZE!) The water remained in its liquid state.
(Umm… LAVA!) No lava spewed from his mouth.
(SPLIT WATER!) Nothing.
(EVAPORATE!) Nothing.
The snake god repeated the motions along with his mental shouting to no effect. The people that stood under him stared at him with admiration while some looked to each other and shrugged.
(Uhhhh…. MARSHMALLOWS!) Nothing. What are marshmallows? (Dammit! Why can’t I do anything?! Some god I am!)
The serpent slammed his body against the ground in frustration. The sand that covered it was vacuumed up above him until nothing but stone remained. He looked up with surprise at the sphere of a few tons of sand. It swirled endlessly in circular patterns floating effortlessly in open space.
(Drop?) He asked, almost pleading.
The sand dropped to the earth in one big heap. The peak slowly faded as the sand leveled itself out on the rocks. The serpent went over to the pile again and with only a thought lifted a much larger amount of sand.
(That’s my godly power?) He asked, less than impressed. (To pick stuff up?)
He dropped the pile again and watched it settle. (I am possible THE worst god in existence.)
Even if he was not happy with his power the, people below him were very impressed. He heard their awe and returned his attention to them. They began cheering as he picked up a massive amount of sand and brought it over to the gap.
(Well, it’s a good thing they’re easily impressed or I would get no worship.) He scoffed.
He set the sand down so the men and women had a nice bridge to cross. They immediately funneled onto the strip of earth to cross over to the larger body of land. Despite how ‘lame’ he thought his power to be he felt a sense of pride helping them get closer to their goal.
(And all because I built a nice, strong, stable and neigh indestructible bri- OH MY GOD WHAT HAPPENED?!)
Three of his faithful followers had been washed off the sand bridge by a large wave and were now exposed to the dangers of the open sea. Their god was circling around them frantically trying to use his powers to pluck them out of danger. However every time he tried he only picked up water.
(Why?!) He shouted with frustration. (Why can’t I pick you up?!)
He reached the limit he could hold and he stopped picking up water. He realized it quickly and let go of all the water to try again. The water he released submerged the struggling men instantly.
(Shit!) He cried in despair.
Thankfully all the water that submerged men created a wave. It brought them closer to shore where their heads resurfaced. After a small amount of limb flailing. they started for the coast as quickly as their arms and legs could push them.
(Wait, you guys can swim?) He asked not expecting a response. (The fuck you need me for then?!)
The men soon reached the shore with their disgruntled god towering over them. Not understanding he was angry they thanked him for saving them. One of them had a noticeably large chip in his mask that almost exposed his face on one side. He was the first to lower his head to the sand followed by the other two. At the same time they said, “Thank you Great and Powerful Breath of God. We are unworthy.”
(I don’t want your thanks!) He shouted, unheard. (I want an explanation! If you can swim why do you need…? Hey get back here!)
The god chased after the men who had already joined the others at a strange stone structure. It looked ancient but completely undamaged by the harshness of the elements. When he got closer he heard them making obnoxious noises behind their masks. The chieftain looked to him and appeared to be waiting for something.
(What do you want?) He asked
"Great God!" He stared "You have led us to the path, now we can follow you through and meet our destiny."
(OH NO WE AREN'T!) The snake shouted back with no actual shouting. (You are going to tell me right now how you summoned me, why you need me, and why I should help you. IN THAT ORDER!)
The chieftain continued staring at him. The God could see the admiration in the eye slots of his mask.
(I can wait all day.) He said lying down.
The men continued their loud yodeling. The irregular rhyme and tempo of the noise irritated the god to his very core but he thought they would get tired after a while. Then they would have to meet HIS demands and work on HIS terms.
Or so he thought.
5 Minutes Later.
(OK they're still going.) He said with a irritated tone.
The men and women continued to dance and shout around the stone monument without breaking a sweat. The Breath of God was not sure if their endurance was impressive or annoying. Whatever it was he was defiantly feeling annoyed by the constant noise. He could have sworn that it was getting louder as it went on. He couldn't even hear the waves anymore over their powerful vocal cords.
(This is ridiculous! They must be getting tired.) He said curling into a smaller circle.
10 Minutes Later.
(PLEASE STOP!) He cried rearing up again. (I'LL GO WHERE EVER YOU WANT! JUST STOP MAKING THAT NOISE!)
He dashed up the small stairs of the structure and into the dark depths of the caverns underneath. He slithered with great speed in an attempt to flee from his worshipers while they followed him thinking he was leading them to promising lands. The Breath of God noticed the little humans follow him in and he panicked.
(STOP FOLLOWING ME!) He cried, desperately.