Adventures of the Chaotic Goddess: Chaotic Universe, #2

By Cheyenne Bennett

 

Is this the end of life as we know it?

 

The Goddess of Chaos is transforming. When her son is stolen from her, Victoria decides to shed her identity in an effort of rescuing her child. During her journey, she learns that her immortal soul has been fractured and the God of Chaos was created. In order to save herself and the world, she must locate the new God in order to reunite her soul or risk losing everything she has ever known and loved.

As the Universe teeters on the brink of destruction, a new villain arises. Balphomest is determined to capture the new chaotic soul before Victoria does. With pure chaotic energy, he will be able to gain control and bring the world and the Universe itself under a new devastating order. Will Victoria be able to rescue her son and find this new God to save the Universe before Balphomest achieves his wicked desires?

 

See the Goddess in ways never seen before. Follow Victoria as she embarks on an epic journey. Magic, deception, and chaos bring this story to life in captivating detail.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheyenne Bennett
• Release date: May 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393232537

Book preview

Chapter 1

Bargain

The night wind whistled through the wooden planks of the door. Victoria sat in the chair by the fireplace, the warmth was suffocating, but she dared not move from her place.

I have no time to deal with a witch or a sorceress. Those who deal with magic get the cleansing flame. I am tired of dealing with you vermin. It’s like an infestation. It makes me sick to my stomach. Decent folks live here, understand? Give me a reason I shouldn’t string you up now or place you on the pyre for the town to see? The lord smiled malevolently as he strolled to Victoria. He circled slowly around her like a wolf playing with its prey. The flames of the fire threw his shadow against the stone wall as the light flickered nervously. Victoria remained motionless with the exception of a small smile playing on her lips.

I am neither witch nor sorceress. Who I am is of no concern to you. I am here only to fulfill this. Victoria reached into her leather pouch and pulled out a worn and ripped parchment. A combination of runic and swirling letters bled into the fibers of the parchment. The lord snatched the contract out of her hand, beads of sweat built up on his thick furrowed brows.

Your accent. Leverian, is it not? His beady eyes narrowed suspiciously at her. Victoria thought it to be ironic that he compared others as vermin when he himself looked to be a rat.

Correct.

Do they make all their women fools over there or are you a special breed? He sneered as he slammed the old parchment on to his desk.

The reward says a thousand olven, but for this, I’m going to need two and a half. Victoria unperturbed with his response, remained seated, watching the man take out a stained cloth to wipe his massive brow with. The lord laughed in disbelief and shook his head, his white hair breaking free from the hold of his band and fell around his face in a tangled mess. He walked back over to Victoria and placing one oversized hand on each of the armrests, he leaned in close to her. His breath smelling of beer and rotten fish, but Victoria did not wince or back down.

This is no fauchan or gloucher. This is a multivika. A bloodthirsty beast. It has slaughtered countless soldiers. Villagers have been found with their skin peeled from their bodies, blood completely drained from them. Three years has this beast thrived on our people. Brave knights and even the occasional wizard have tried their hand in stopping this beast, only to be devoured. What makes you think you can succeed where hundreds have failed? He asked as a spray of spittle flew into Victoria’s face. She clenched her jaw but continued to meet his gaze, unwavering.

How I will do it is my business and my business alone. All you need to know is that it will be successful. Now, are we in agreement with the price? She narrowed her eyes as her fingers began to stroke the hilt of her dagger.

Get out of my sight. I will not waste my time with a petty thief. He growled as he shoved himself off her chair. Anger rose in Victoria, but she controlled herself so that her face would not betray her emotions.

You know, Thornburrow just got rid of an arachnicadia infestation. Marshes, like the ones that surround your lovely village of Chigrad, are favorite breeding grounds of arachnicadias. I wonder how the villagers would feel if they knew their lord could not protect them from such an infestation? Victoria stood from her chair and slowly walked towards the door.

Are you threatening me? He demanded behind her. Victoria’s fingertips hovered above the doorknob, her lips curled into a wicked smile.

Do you feel threatened? I was merely saying what a shame such a situation would be if it ever came to fruition. Victoria turned her head slightly, so she could see the lord’s bewildered expression in her peripheral.

What is your name? He demanded as he collapsed in the chair she was previously sitting in.

I go by many, but you may call me Victoria. She turned and walked over to him, her footsteps creaking the old worn floorboards under her weight.

The contract is yours if you want, Victoria of Leveria. It is a fool’s mission anyway. He hunched himself over and rubbed his thick knuckle in his eye.

At two and a half thousand, Victoria stated. A large pop of wood burning inside the fireplace startled the lord causing him to sit straight up. His round plump face was turning red from the heat, but he refused to move.

A thousand and a half. That’s all we can afford. The war with Dulvan nearly wiped us out. But you have to kill the beast by the end of the week. Each day after in which you delay, the reward drops by three hundred. He stared into her eyes, silently challenging her to refuse the offer.

I won’t need that long. Now tell me, when do the attacks occur? Victoria asked. The lord stood up and strolled over to his desk to a peculiarly placed pile of parchments and books, his massive dancing shadow looming over Victoria’s own.

Here. He pulled out a gold and green book that had loose parchments sticking out at odd angles, threatening to fall out. He opened the book and shuffled through the loose parchments until he finally found the one he was looking for. This is the report we have gathered on the beast. It does, but rarely so, attack during noonday. Its favorite hunting time is before the rooster does its first crow before daybreak. Right when people start their days and the air is still calm.

Any surviving victims? She asked as she took the report from the lord. She scanned the swirling and runic letters as they did an endless dance on the parchment.

Two. He replied in a huff. The first one had witnessed the beast slaughter his entire herd. He was powerless to stop it. Slaughtered them all in less than an hourglass turn. The second one is a survivor, herself. It lured her into the marshes in the morn’ by the sound of a young child weeping. It attacked on sight and would have finished her off if it were not for the sudden appearance of a spriggan. 

A spriggan? That’s unusual for a multivika to be warded off by a spriggan. Has there been any other odd occurrences with the two? She furrowed her brow in confusion. Spriggans were nasty, they loved to bludgeon people to death, but they were no match for a multivika. Even the method the multivika used to lure the victim was unusual.

Just the fact that they need to be eradicated. We’ve had our issues with the spriggans before, but a monster slayer had helped with the infestation. A few still pop up, but nothing like before. This multivika is the first of its kind in this region and no one seems to be able to rid us of this evil. My people fear for their lives and hide behind locked doors and shuttered windows. It is time for peace to finally be delivered to this village. He sat on his desk and folded his hands. The desk groaned, threatening to break under his massive weight.

That’s because this is not a multivika. I’m not positive, but I have my suspicions that this seems to be the work of a vrkolak. Did your village suffer any werewolves in the past? She asked as she continued to scan the parchment.

Nay, not us. But Kingsdon did nearly a decade ago. The very same slayer took care of that one. He took out the soiled cloth and rubbed his face again, sweat forming large stains on his tunic.

Why do you suffer this heat? You look miserable. Open the door for crying out loud. Is there any way to contact this monster slayer? Victoria looked at him in disgust, the pungent odor of the man stayed in the back of her throat.

I’d rather suffer from the heat than to suffer at the hands of the multivika or vrkolak or any other manner this beast may appear. He waved his hands wildly in the air as if to defend himself from an unseen creature. Nay, he did not leave his name, you know how they are. Very finicky with their code and all. I’m guessing he has since met his demise seeing as he never answered the contract.

Well, they are travelers. I imagine he hasn’t been in the area since the last time you had business with him. I need to talk to this Ms. Levinston, where shall I find her? Victoria folded the report in half and stuck it in the leather pouch that once held the contract.

She’s the old ferryman’s widow. She’ll be in the cottage at the end of the village near the entrance to the marsh. A fair warning, she seems to have been struck with a case of hysterics since the attack. The lord stood, the old desk heaving a sigh of relief, and opened the door for Victoria. Unless you want to defeat the beast in a few hours, I suggest finding yourself a room for the night.

The cold night air was a shocking relief from the humid heat from inside. Victoria took in a deep breath, thankful for the fresh air that was in sharp contrast to the stench that was inside. She jumped slightly as the door behind her slammed shut, blowing her hair in front of her. Giggling to herself, she tucked a piece of silken hair behind her ear. As tough as these warlords tried to project themselves as being, they were all the same. Terrified mortals who were only acting as if they knew what they were doing, but in reality, they were floundering like fish that washed ashore.

Sighing, she looked up at the stars that twinkled in sharp contrast against the dark void of the night sky. She could pretend all she wanted, but the fact stayed the same, she too was floundering. Her lips curled into a small smile as she pushed the wooden door of the village’s Inn. Her brows furrowed in confusion as her hands met with resistance. It was locked. Her jaw clenched tight as her hands curled into fists. The old wood shuddered under her fist as she banged.

I am not the beast! I simply seek shelter for the night! She called.

Be gone with you! We will not shelter you with the beast roaming free! A voice called from behind the door before a loud bang from the Innkeeper shuddered the door.

Fine, it’s not like I wanted to sleep tonight, Victoria grumbled as she turned on her heel and walked away.

Chapter  2

Swamp Gas

Victoria’s stomach rumbled loudly, but she tried her best to push the distraction aside. The morning dew sparkled like jewels on the vibrant glasswort and the Spanish moss hung from the trees as if they were made from delicate lace draped over the rough branches. She approached the old ferryman’s cottage and knocked. Several seconds ticked by slowly without response. She rapped on the door louder.

Ms. Levinston! Are you there? She called as she tried to peer inside a shuttered window. I promise I am only here to speak to you as a friend! Victoria crouched down and examined the bottom of the door. She could see the faint imprint of small feet. She groaned as she followed the footprints leading away from the cottage into the marsh.

There better not be a swamp hag, here, Victoria grumbled as she walked over a fallen branch. Ms. Levinston! Please don’t make me come in here further. I’m not a marsh person. She groaned as she aggressively swatted at a mosquito that was trying to make her blood its next meal. She reached into her pouch and withdrew a small vial of yellow liquid and promptly took a swig of it. The bitter floral taste of lemon balm, lavender, and bitterskunk weed made Victoria gag, but at least she had the comfort of looking for Ms. Levinston without the small nuisances that the insects made.

Too bad this stuff doesn’t work against arachnicadias or scorphlixes. She said quietly as she shoved the vial back into her leather pouch. The sound of movement in the water nearby made Victoria drop to her knee to camouflage herself in some reeds. The resounding sound of crunching bone reverberated against the low hanging branches and bounced off the murky water.

A terrifying screech emitted from the creature. Through the reeds, Victoria could see it lift its bulbous head and sniffed the air, searching for the source of Victoria’s scent. The presence of a rotfield feasting could only mean it had found a corpse. Victoria had a sinking feeling she knew who the corpse had to be. She crouched as low as she could and slowly withdrew her silver sword. Power buzzed in her veins as her heart began to pound with adrenaline. The rotfield snapped its repulsive head in her direction, finally finding her. It let out an ear-piercing screech, rows of teeth made to shred meat glittered in the midmorning sun.

Without hesitation, it leaped towards her with frightening speed. Victoria twisted as fast as she could, but it’s dagger-like claws cut open the sleeve on her tunic. Blood began to quickly stain the canvas, the metallic smell only fueling the beast’s fury. She whipped around with her sword hoping to slice it in the abdomen, but it was too quick for her as it jumped to the side, baring its teeth at her. It leaped for her again, but Victoria was able to drop to the ground, causing it to miss her by inches. It quickly spun around, its nimble but powerful limbs made it formidable. It bounded towards her for the third time, its claws digging into Victoria’s shoulders causing her to let out a yelp of pain and release her sword.

It reeked of a rotting corpse as its jaws gnashed the air violently, trying to get a chunk of Victoria’s neck. She violently threw herself against the tree beside her. The rotfield let out its inhuman screech as it dug into her flesh deeper. Victoria didn’t wait for it to continue its assault and slammed it into the tree again, this time causing it to finally lose its grip on her. She quickly grabbed the silver sword out of the muck and in one clean sweep, decapitated the beast. Breathing heavily with her heart still racing, Victoria wiped the rotfields blood off on her pant leg before returning it to its sheath. She ripped the bloodied sleeve off into a long strip. Cursing slightly to herself, she placed it over her wound and using her left hand and her teeth, pulled it tight to stop the bleeding.

You better have some answers Ms. Levinston, Victoria muttered irritably as she