DETRITUS - The Heavenly War

By Alexander de Melo Luiz

A mercenary and his quest for answers. The scaring eminence of a heavenly war that involves the Devas, followers of the God of Shadows, and the Iluminattis, followers of the God of Light. This war is about to destroy the structure of the medieval world in Detritus. Intrigue, magic, adventure, mystery, and passion make this story absolutely thrilling and exciting. Sometimes shadow and light complete each other; other times, however, they collide. A fantastic plot that will grab the readers' attention from its very first lines. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Sep 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507119983

Book preview

DETRITUS

– The Heavenly War –

EDITING

Alexander de Melo Luiz

Celso Alves

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Translated by Elvira Sousa

COVER

Estúdio Tanuki

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2014

Part of the Holy Scriptures

Debauchery has come and behind its vivid and clean appearance a dirty heart is hiding. Now, A heart which once was brilliant lies down in complete darkness.

He has to clean the disgust. However, he has to clean his dirty heart first.

The ambitious one keeps the keys of hell. The lack of faith of the sinless is the trump card. The sword of ambition has hit her, and now she needs to trust again on the things she trusted before being fearless of death.

The path leads to the depths of darkness and the living are with the dead.

Nevertheless, it is important to remember that the valley of death is not the valley of the dead: Death only comes whenever the murderous blue light shows up. It is much easier to follow that light.

The blessed will be the ones who enter the valley of death and get out of it. they will meet the true gods who, fighting for power, will harbor the victory over the beast.

The outsiders are the only ones who can play with death, and wisely understand that the valley of death is half way between hell and the heavenly kingdom.

As you walk down the way, you will meet hell; if you walk up the way, you will meet its demons.

Most people would rather go to hell rather than face their own demons.

justice is above. Justice is also known as courage.  The black rider will show death : Humans are prisoners of the past; The one who was once been pure needs now to strengthen his faith; and the warrior with a black heart must break his chains.

the sacred weapons are hidden In the sacred room. The signs of light and shadow must unite: as the North does not exist without the south; the moon, without the sun; right, without left , heaven, without ground; and light, without darkness.

The sinner who comes from the two worlds is the only one who can find his magnitude and serenely kill evil with His sword.  

The hindered child will show her most serene face. The impure will be killed by the grim reaper with his scythe of destiny. The carrier of the destiny arrow will sacrifice his own heart to the noble cause.

Thus, the three of them will be able to form a fourth supreme element that will annihilate the beast with his spear carved with blood.

The sacrifice is the action of the broken heart that will kill His Great love, and eventually himself. Only this way will the impurity in His heart (and in everybody else’s) be dispelled; however, the final choice will be the demon’s.

The greed for power hides the fear of death. Humans have to embrace this destiny. The supreme angel will rise again, surrounded by light, and, finally, balance will be the winner. 

The signs of darkness will fall and the heavenly blue sky will show its true nature.

Prologue

‘No! No! ... You bastard, leave them alone!’

‘Wake up! Wake up! .... Gutts!?’

‘Ah...’

‘What’s the matter with you?’ Falcon asks. 

‘Damn! The same dream again! All night long the same dream! IT SEEMS LIKE A CURSE!’, he shouts angrily, tearing down the objects on the small table next to him.

‘Calm down, Gutts. Even if we need to go to hell, we’ll find your parents’ assassins.’

‘Damn! This is the only reason why I’m still alive. Revenge! And also, because of my brother who has been taken away. I know it... I can feel he’s alive!’

‘Let’s go! We need to leave this hovel. Put your armor on. I’m ready to start. Come on, Gutts!’ Gutts puts his armor on, but hesitates when he sees the sword. He stares at it. 

Then, someone knocks on the door...

‘Are you deaf, Gutts?

‘OPEN THE DOOR, FALCON! I’m busy...’ he shouts again as the dream he has just had is still very vivid in his mind. Finally, he puts the sword into the sheath.Falcon opens the door.

‘What a miserable hovel! No wonder mercenaries like you can live under these conditions!’

‘Shut up your mouth, you bloody humanoid!’. says Falcon, grabbing the half-elf by the neck.

‘Let go of me!’ Falcon drops him while Guts walks towards the door.

‘It’s you, Bambim! What do you want?’

‘I only came to bring you a message. Osiris wants to talk to you.’

‘Osiris!? But, Osiris is the great master of the Iluminattis. What does she want from us?’, asks Falcon.

‘Can I speak?’

Gutts looks at Falcon and both nod.

‘The problem is the following: Osiris believes Marieh Zuki is plotting something against  Zeru to bring him down and make him lose power...’

‘Just a moment!’, interrupts Falcon. ‘Zeru is a god, and gods are eternal; so, they rule forever.’

‘There are more things between heaven and the earth that your futile philosophy can ever imagine.’

‘What are you saying? Please, put it straight!’, asks Falcon. Actually, he looks very worried.

‘According to the great master Osiris, there’s an unbalance in the Heavenly Kingdom, and Detritus is expecting the worst...’ 

‘Hold on! Are you talking about a heavenly war? A war that can destroy our entire world!’ , exclaims Falcon, alarmed.

‘Precisely! Gods can be eternal, but we aren’t!’, concludes Bambim.

‘Great! As usual, they’ll take their anger out on us!’, says Gutts in his peculiar and permanent state of unrest.

‘It seems obvious, but I do believe that something worse is going to happen...’

‘Happen? Worse than my death?,  asks Falcon ironically.

‘Idiot! This is serious!’, Bambim replies.

Falcon was about to hit Bambim when Gutts holds his hand and calms things down.  

‘Is there anything worse than this? War between humans is devastating enough. Now, imagine between gods!’, Gutts exclaims.

‘That was exactly what Osiris said. However, she hasn’t mentioned anything else except what I’ve just told you. She only asked for your presence as soon as possible.’

‘And, do we have to go to Mondalgor, don’t we?’ asks Falcon.

‘Yeap...’

‘But, Mondalgor is a long way from here!’, Falcon protests.

‘She wants you there in three days.

‘What? What does Osiris want from us? We’re mercenaries, no saints. And, since when have you been her messenger? As far as I know, you’re not a saint either’, Bambim’ observes Gutts.

‘You’re right, small dirty thief!  Spit it out !’

Bambim gets mad with Falcon’s comments; all of a sudden, he wields his sword, a long and sharp sword  with a thailand point. Falcon also wields his sword, but Gutts comes between them.

‘STOP! Put your swords down, Bambim. Falcon, I want to have a word with you... in private!’

‘Ok, but do not take too long’, says Bambim, putting his sword back into the sheath.

Gutts and Falcon go to a dark corner in the hovel in order to have a private conversation.

‘So, Falcon, do you think he’s telling the truth?’

‘He’s always been a liar! But, I’ve actually been told about something going on with the people from Detritus; something related to a heavenly war. I thought it was just gossip... but now, I’m not so sure. I know there are many important things you want to know, my friend. I know we’ve been wandering together with a common goal and mission: to find your parents’ murderers and where your brother is. I don’t think Bambim is reliable, but we’re mercenaries. I believe we can get a nice amount of money with this story. Osiris is said to be very generous, you know!’

‘My parents... they were everything I had, and I truly believe my brother is still alive. But, I have this feeling, deep inside of me, that all the answers to my questions, which have tormented me since I was five, are in this demand. So, I’m in, Falcon. Will you come with me?’

Both hold their swords. Falcon hits Gutts’s hand with a small cut, and Gutts does the same on Falcon’s . They cross swords and shout loudly:

‘WE’LL ALWAYS BE TOGETHER!’

Both cover their wounds with an old cloth, and go back to where Bambim was standing.

‘You’re nuts! What have you decided?’

‘Do you think Osiris will pay us good money for this?’ asks Falcon..

‘You know how generous she can be. So, do you accept her invitation?’

‘Sure!’, both exclaim while staring at each other.

UNIT 1

A long way to Mondalgor

Chapter 1

The Black Forest

The three left the hovel, and rode their horses towards Mondalgor. They were in a hurry, specially Gutts, who believed he could find all the answers to his questions in there. These doubts had been tormenting him since he was a child, and he actually believed the answers were on the way. He hoped to find his brother and take revenge on his parents’ death...

After having ridden for fifteen miles since they left the shabby hovel behind, they reach a thick forest, where there was a huge swamp which made their travelling even harder. The forest was so thick that the sun rays hardly penetrate it until reaching the viscous grass. That was the reason why it was called the Black Forest. The sky and the sun rays could hardly be seen because of the big and imposing trees, which caused a feeling of dizziness mixed up with fear and mystery. This was the scariest forest of all the forests in the world; tension and panic seem to be constantly surrounding the place.

The three riders are forced to stop due the dense morning fog. Bambim grabs a papyrus; actually, it was a huge map of the entire area of Detritus.

‘Hey,Bambim! Why do you need a map? Haven’t you come from Mondalgor?’, Gutts asks with suspicion.

‘Actually, I haven’t.’

‘How come?’, asks Falcon.

‘A messenger gave me the great master’s message because I knew you and I was in the nearby. That was what really happened. Please, you have to trust me.’

‘You’re nothing but a...’, but Falcon is interrupted by Gutts.  

‘Listen, you’re going to trust you for now...but, if you’re playing the fool with us, WE’LL KILL YOU!’

‘You can trust me!’, he promises staring at the other two.

‘Give me that map!’ Gutts grabs the map from Bambim’s hand.

‘No,Gutts! This map came along with master Osiris’s letter; it must very useful!’

‘Ok, if you insist...!’ Gutts gives the map back to Bambim. ‘Let’s move forward!’

‘Got it, Bambim? If you’re playing a trick on us, we’ll kill you!’Falcon threatens him, and with his finger he pretends he’s cutting Bambim’s throat.  

‘We’ve already wasted a lot of time with this conversation. Let’s move on!’, Bambim protests.

‘Ok, let’s go! Me and Falcon know the way. You may keep that map of yours.’

And, the three riders continue their way through the forest. But, this time they are walking and pulling their horses by the reins. They didn’t want their horses to get tired too soon. They knew that passing through the forest would be very difficult and stressful.

When they were in their way, suddenly Falcon feels a chill down his spine. ‘Something strange is happening!’ Falcon looks back.

‘What’s the matter, Falcon? We only have little time. Why did you stop?’, asks Gutts.

‘Yeah, right. We don’t have much time’, Bambim adds.

In spite of their mates’ complaints, Falcon remains still, whereas the horses become strangely agitated.

‘What’s happening?’, asks Bambim, in trouble with holding his horse’s reins.

‘Someone is following us’, says Falcon in a serious tone of voice.  

‘Look!’,and Gutts points his finger.

Deep in the back, a figure can be seen in the middle of the thick grass. He walks slowly with short steps; as he comes closer, the horses become more and more agitated. Nevertheless, they manage to tie their horses to a tree. The mysterious creature is coming closer and closer...

Falcon grabs his sword. A beautiful straight thin sword, whose blade and grip were made of silver. Gutts grabs his sword as well. A big and thick sword, hardened along the cutting-edge, which made Gutts famous for being the only mercenary to be able to cut a hard diamond in half. They were soon followed by Bambim, who also grabs his sword. 

Then, they can see a  human figure with a pale face and long black hair. His clothes are dark, and he’s holding his sword which is still in its sheathon his backs.

The horses, formerly nervous, are now confused and quiet when faced by the strange and pale creature who stands about four meters away from the riders. He’s totally silent. Not does a single word come out from his mouth. Falcon, who has moved on a bit closer, wonders who the pale figure with sharp-pointed ears might be.

‘Who are you?’ But, the strange and pale creature keeps his black lips sealed.

Then, he starts pulling his sword from its sheath, as slowly as his  peculiar way of walking. The grip and the blade of his sword have an unusual black color.

Suddenly...

A blaring sound is heard followed by a scream. As fast as a lightening, the creature hits Falcon’s chest on the side, and Falcon falls to the ground covered with blood. After having attacked Falcon, the creature runs quickly after Bambim. But, Gutts freaks out and confronts the creature by waving his sword with both hands. When he prepares to attack... his opponent, who is much faster, hits his belly violently. It ´s such a strong impact that Gutts hits his head on a tree and falls to the ground unconscious. The whitish creature keeps standing, his arms down and holding his black sword just in front of Bambim, who, absolutely terrified, had watched the whole scene without making a move. Meanwhile, kicking around and neighing loudly, the horses got even more nervous than they were before.

‘Who are you?’

Not a single word. The whitish creature holds Bambim on and ties him up. Then, he punches Bambim, who falls on his backs. Bambim’s sword also falls to the ground and the creature kicks it far and wide.

‘You, wretch! Who are you?’

Once again, total silence. Then the creature picks Bambim’s papyrus up and starts walking without looking back. Slowly, the creature vanishes into the forest.

Bambim, who wasn’t worried with the strange creature anymore, approaches Falcon, still lying painfully on the ground. He tears his own clothes and binds the wound. Next, he does the same with Gutts. 

‘Ah... ham... Is Gutts ok? You, c-coward!’, stammers Falcon, making a big effort to talk.

Bambim picks his sword up. It had been kicked by the mysterious creature and was right next to Gutts.

‘Not even wounded can you stop talking rubbish!’, Gutts replies.

With a rope, Bambim ties Gutts and Falcon to the saddles of their horses, and starts walking pulling them along. .

Bambim had never been in that place; so, he was lost and confused. Meanwhile, despite being hurt, Falcon grumbles, and Gutts hallucinates:

‘No! No! Please, not my parents!’

Bambim walked in the middle of the group, and pulled the horses along the way. However, the more he tried to avoid the dangers of the swamp, the more he realized he was completely lost. Even worse, he was aware that it would be very difficult to find any help in that thick forest. Exhausted, Bambim decides to stop for a while and drink some water from his canteen. When he was about to do it, he hears Falcon’s voice.

‘Water...water!’

Bambim realizes that there’s only little water in the canteen.

‘Damn! This isn’t enough for both of us!’

Falcon claimed for water as if he was about to die.

‘Damn! Besides having to listen to Gutts’s hallucinations, now I have to hear your claims for water!’

Bambim is about to drink when, suddenly, he nods and says:

‘Damn it! I can’t believe it! I must be going kind-hearted! Take the water, you slimy pig!’ And Bambim gives the canteen to Falcon, who chokes and spits the water on Bambim.

‘What the hell? Not only do I have to carry you, but I also have to bear your vomiting! I don’t deserve this, I don’t deser...’

Tbuuummm!

A loud roar shook the water. Bambim’s anger transforms into surprise. To his astonishment, a tremendous noise is heard and the murky water in the swamp starts waving.

Tbuuummm!

Another loud roar, and Bambim falls to the ground. Then, a strange monster covered with white fur ,a flatened snout , and two huge wings, comes out of the water...

The filthy monster looks at Bambim, who had just stood up. He jumps onto his horse and tries to escape... but not for long. The monster swoops down and, with incredible strength, knocks down the three horses, and, consequently, Gutts, Falcon and Bambim.

The beast starts hovering and then, swoops down again. Promptly, Bambim jumps onto the huge monster’s back. It flies fast towards the thick underbrush. Bambim gets scratched, but keeps firm on the back of the animal.  Then, he manages to take his sword out of its sheath, and cuts the monster’s left wing. Next, he loses balance and falls freely onto the branches of a very big tree, which cushions the impact of his fall. Some minutes later, however, the huge animal falls on him, and the branches break down to the ground. Bambim is crushed by the monster and gets seriously wounded. Eventually, he can’t resist anymore, and collapses...  

The animal figure begins to transform into something different. First, its wings vanish; then, its white fur, and, finally,  the creature transforms into a whole human being, a beautiful lady .

She was actually gorgeous! The complete opposite of the previous horrendous creature. She had a beautiful complexion, as white as milk. Her hair was incredibly fair, almost white. This beautiful woman was semi-naked ; she only had a thin white cloak covering her body, which enhanced her voluptuous hips. Her arms are hurt; then, this lovely woman, who once was a disgusting creature, starts opening her eyes very slowly...she looks around, from side to side, as if she was lost until the moment she realizes she’s standing on a half-elf. Totally shocked, she collapses onto the ground. Then, she realizes that the being underneath is seriously hurt.  

She starts touching him; his belly was purple and swollen. As if by magic, the swell and equimose disappear... With the other hand, she touches Bambim’s arms and the deep scratches also disappear. In a gentle way, she finally touches his face, which had a deep and profound cut on the right side.

The woman doesn’t notice when Bambim opens his eyes, just a little bit, in order to see the beautiful young woman who was touching his injured face.   He just can’t believe his eyes: a gorgeous woman with a splendorous body and a face of an angel. So, he thinks he’s just having hallucinations. Maybe, it was actually an angel helping him go to heaven. But, then he wonders: "No, no way, I’m making a fool of myself! With all the crimes I committed, hell is the only place I can go to!

As if by magic, the young woman heals Bambim’s wound, leaving nothing but a very small scar on his face. Then, her hands off his face, she faints.

Totally cured, Bambim takes her into his arms and sees the injury he himself had caused when this beautiful woman was a horrible monster; then, he uses a piece of cloth to stop the bleeding.

The mercenary takes the woman on his arms, without knowing where to go and where they were. Then, Bambim recalls some trees he saw when he was flying on the monster’s back. The outlaw didn’t know that the beast had transformed into the beautiful woman he was carrying on his arms.  

In a hurry, he walks towards his two partners. The horses were stuck in the swam and neighed from time to time. Actually, due to their neighs, Bambim was able to find his mates. The horses were exhausted; hardly could they rise their heads above the dark water of the swamp.

The half-elf leans the woman against a tree, and unties his companions; then, he pulls the horses out of the swap. They were still alive, but not for long.

‘THIS PLACE IS HELL!’, Bambim shouts and starts crying overwhelmed by desolation and despair.  

Bambim stands on his knees in the middle of the swamp when he realizes his mates are dying. Then, he thinks he is about to die too. At this point, the scaring forest seemed much more terrifying than ever. Bambim feels as an animal going to the slaughterhouse. However, unlike any animal, he doesn’t show any resistance to what he thinks to be his dull fate...

Lost and confused, Bambim takes his sword out of the sheath and holds it against his chest....Terrible thoughts come up to his mind - killing himself seems to be the only way. While he hesitates in anguish, a lot of memories arose  from the past : a life of crime, of robbery...

Finally, he makes up his mind, but, just when he was about to do it...

‘Stop! Please, don’t do it!’, asked the young woman who had just recovered her senses.

Bambim stares at the woman.

‘There’s always a solution. Don’t worry; your friends will be ok.’

‘They are not my friends! And, who are you after all? Can’t you see we’re completely alone in this horrible forest? Nobody can help us!’

‘There’s always something we can do....I healed your wound, and I believe I’m strong enough to heal your friends.’

Bambim looks at her completely astonished. ‘It’s not possible. She was that angel!’

‘Wait a moment. Did you heal my wounds?’

‘Yes, I did.’

‘Do you think you can heal them too?’ She nods her head yes.

‘Then, do it now, because if you take too much time, it’ll be too late for them! They’ll die like their horses.’ Bambim points at the dead animals lying on the ground.