Grim's Prodigies 2: The Halo Weighs Heavy

By Remmy Stourac

With the apocalypse terminated, mankind dances upon the ashes of fallen demons. As one battle ends, one far grander develops when the Sovereigns threaten war against the angel of Death, his prodigal children, and Heaven itself to dethrone The Divine. Chaos amasses around the prodigies as Grim attempts to equip them for the unforgiving life ahead

• Language: English
• Publisher: Remmy Stourac Books
• Release date: Nov 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9780228816423

Remmy Stourac

Remmy is a river-crossing, mountain-climbing, horseback-riding, story-crafting, cancer-surviving man of faith and action. He is dedicated to magnifying a world of gratitude and wholeheartedness in humanity at every turn. In honour of his upbringing with Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, 10% of all book proceeds are donated in hopes to pass on the opportunity to the next generation of young survivors. He intends to raise $1,000,000.00 over his lifetime and leave a legacy of paying it forward. Though, that’s only where the goal begins.Remmy also hopes to build a positive network ground through the hashtag #AnArsenalOfGratitude. He hopes for it to be a home of recovery stories, personal breakthrough, non-profits growing traction, selfless action, and all things gratitude.Come share your story and show the world all the good that is in motion.

Book preview

Promises

On my knees before The Divine, I howled in unholy anguish, my own scythe through my chest. I was in Heaven, where life is everlasting, and this pain felt the same way. The Divine had revealed to me my folly: I was bound to honour my promise to the man I hated the most in all of the Ohm—the head of its capital, King Valen of Ecclesia—to give him and his wife, Queen Kitava, a child, and I had fulfilled my vow. After quelling the apocalypse which I myself had brought upon this world and vanquishing my brother, The Unbound, and his demonic army, I had given my seed to the Queen. Unbeknownst to Valen, the child I promised him would be my first daughter.

The deal I had made with The Divine was to be granted immortal godhood over the world of Ohm after the Battle of the Billowing Storm. And now there I was, before my smoking throne and beside the true Creator himself, watching the abusive King Valen recovering from what I thought were fatal wounds. I had watched a molten sabretooth demon sink its great fangs into his chest and back and drag him to what should have been his demise. I had prayed to The Divine for such a fate, hoping for it to be a painful one. Now, after dying many deaths over my time upon the world of Ohm, I have felt no pain so sharp as having felt love and then being denied its ecstasy.

Smoke emanated from the wound—my scythe stuck through my heart and out my back. I was still alive, forever now. I pulled it out slowly and watched my body mend itself into its apparition form. Heaven was no place for the flesh. I caressed the blade of my scythe and gazed at its glowing runes, realizing it was only a phantasmal object in the spirit world.

You had made more than the promise that broke you, Death. The Divine rested His ghostly hand on my back. You promised to protect Kitava, too. I looked up to His ever-changing radiance, shining brightly down upon me. I wasn’t oblivious to His unlimited power to bend anything in existence. He could end my pain. He didn’t want to. I swatted away His ghostly sympathies.

Your promises are bound, He continued. Any harm to come to her shall meet you first. The same protection you shall give to the prodigal children. The meaning of the words sank slowly into my mind, brewing a maniacal hope.

I may return? I spoke with renewed energy.

Briefly. The Divine made the soft word sound like a threat. Your time will be swift. Too long away and the children would meet tragedy without your vigilance.

I threw my scythe at the stars to dematerialize it into the energy that was all of Heaven. I looked at my hands, trying to re-imagine the softness of Kitava’s skin. She had a way of culling my rage, and I craved it now. The four gifted children were no longer a thought in my mind. The sickening power of love and lust had twisted my mind with a vengeance, and I craved what wasn’t mine. It’s like stardust flutters in my chest with rage and affection simultaneously.

Do you understand now, Death? How hope is a necessary evil to appreciate humanity? Love manifests a side of mankind that accounts for incredible and terrible deeds. How could you pretend to rule mankind without a sense of purpose? Right now, you believe your first purpose as a god is to resign your reign and return to the arms of a woman. He took the ghostly hand, wiped away the galaxy before us, and animated a projection of Queen Kitava smiling next to her golden mare. Pathetic. He wiped it away.

I found myself reaching for the projection as it drifted away. I closed my hands into fists so tightly my fingers should have broken through my palms.

Death is not the most dreadful thing I have ever created, hope is. A simple energy that builds moment by moment. Death is merely the idea that hope ceases to exist. Hope creates what isn’t real, what hasn’t yet come to pass. It allows mankind to live in a place beyond the present.

Why do you pester me with your riddles? I spat. I thought it was my lungs that were quaking, but here in the spirit realm I had none. The entirety of my being was a mass of disturbed energy wishing to explode with anger and sadness. I grieve! Be gone with your lectures! Stardust crawled up my body and levitated as a pulsing halo above my brow.

Does Death not appreciate his crown? His radiance beat down on me with disappointment. Fine, wallow. Let hope burden your soul for eternity. He animated the dark side of my thoughts before me. The stars formed the tallest balcony outside the royal chambers, where King Valen stood touching Kitava’s pregnant belly with a wholesome smile. Kitava smiled back to him with loving eyes. Valen’s scars were wide and jagged up his neck but fully healed.

Good riddance to The Reaper, said Valen. His presence was a blight upon the world, but here I am with child. Truly I am blessed, for if he is Death, he refused to come for me! Even he must fear me! Kitava’s eyes shifted to concern. King Valen’s expression turned devious.

He saved us—

"I saved you. He squeezed her cheeks roughly in his hand, making her stare submissively into his evil eyes. Is he here? She shook her head with dread. And Ohm will bend to the favoured King of Armageddon. Grim is but a memory." Valen pushed her face away and turned to the source of the projection as if staring into my eyes.

"Divine! I summoned my scythe back to me through the projection, splashing the view away, but his eyes remained staring at me. They reformed time and time again as I cast the scythe through the air to break apart the stardust that formed his face. Why?"

You asked for godhood, and never have you spent so long on your knees! He wiped away Valen’s face and began moulding a new vision with His ghostly hand. He gathered black stardust to create the dark fortress that was my armour. The black folds of impenetrable material that made me a domineering force in the young world of Ohm formed around me. He splashed bright blue stars across it to ignite my runic designs. My hood raised to form the shadow within. He continued splattering a rainbow of colours to portray my cosmic wings, stretching increasingly wide.

"Hope! He whipped more colours across the cosmic canvas. Do not wallow in what hasn’t yet come! Do not lose the vision of your prodigal children. Instead, mould them into your prophets of each corner of the world. The Age of the Reaper did not already pass. It has merely begun."

He formed an infant child playing with fire beneath the projection of my immensity. Arenthis. He then formed a larger infant with glowing blue veins illuminating his form. Xerxes. A young jaguar with violet eyes appeared next to him. BoeDri. Lastly, a flickering projection of a tanned infant phasing in and out of position appeared. Roqua. Their projections were set beneath my wings as my arms stretched wide above them.

First and foremost, you are the shepherd. The Divine finished with a wave of energy fanned behind my cosmic wings, settling their majesty over my spectral form. Go forth and grow the Grim arsenal. Your daughter is far from alone, Reaper.

2

The Pendulum of Balance

Kitava awoke in her bedchamber atop the citadel of Ecclesia in the middle of the night to bring herself closer to the man who was no longer there. In her semi-consciousness, she felt around for my body. Her eyes shot open when her hand met nothing but bedsheets. She slapped her face and pulled her hair to convince herself the nightmares were over. She confirmed her consciousness, scoured the room and called out for me.

Grim? she said, then tried again with a choked voice, "Grim? Tears welled in her eyes and her teeth gritted to the worries consuming her mind. It’s not funny." She grabbed a nightdress to cover her nakedness and search for me. She pushed the doors open to the balcony overlooking the Oceans of Alamat. A heavy blanket of stars reflected off the calm waters. The beauty would not calm her, for I wasn’t there.

Grim! she shouted weakly, fearing what I had warned her about. The night had no response. You promised you’d protect me … she whispered into the open air. She looked over the balcony to see a promised death if she were to fall. Live or die, I would come for her, and that’s exactly what she wanted. She climbed the rail and took the opportunity. She barely hesitated. Air stole from her lungs as she plummeted with tremendous speed.

The ground drew closer. She refused to scream. If I didn’t come, she wouldn’t regret leaving this life. But stardust gathered before her descent. Quickly it thickened to create the galaxy portal that I flew through to catch her before she hit the earth below. I cradled her back through the air and onto her balcony. She gripped me as hard as she could hold the folds of my abyssal armour.

I planted my feet on the balcony and let her stand. She barely touched the ground before she wrapped around my waist. You promised. My wings lit up our skin with radiant colours, igniting the moment. She tried to accuse and thank me at the same time. Must I be in constant danger to keep you? She held back grief but feared to let go. If I hold on, would you still vanish?

Kitava … She lifted her head to look into my eyes, making it harder for me to bear the bad news. Valen survived.

Kill him, she responded, swiftly and confidently as if it was so simple. Go on Shepherd, lead him home. She demanded this as if I had failed to do my duty.

I promised to protect you. I didn’t want to bury it in her mind how dire it truly was.

Then I’ll kill him myself. She spoke so confidently.

"Kitava."

Did The Unbound win then? Did he set something in place you cannot fix? she ridiculed me. A worse fate awaits you, he said … I nearly clawed my eyes out! What kind of all-powerful are you?

I promised to protect you. But I also promised him a child the day he struck you in front of me. I cupped her cheek in my hand. She let it sink in for a second. I handed away my privilege with those words. I could not cure his infertility. So, my words were wind until my promise was fulfilled. You pricked at the immaturity of the emotions in this body, and I was blinded by our ecstasy. Now I am unable to interfere with the opportunity I have granted.

Her eyes went glassy, and in them I saw my reflection with the stars above. Euphoria had transformed into a nightmare overnight. She slowly pulled my hand away from her face to collect her thoughts.

Grim? She leaned over the balcony, breathing deeply. Will … will the child be human?

Of course. She—

"She? Kitava bit her lip and tried to read it as a joke. You already know? What do you know and do not say? She slapped my arm aggressively in hope of hearing a happy ending. Death! He who sees all ends. So what is the end? Will she be mortal? Will she be happy?" She wanted a better fate for her child than herself.

I am new to beginnings. I had no straight answers. No ill will come to my blood. She will have but one life, but I cannot free her from pain. I wouldn’t wish that curse upon any creature. Pain is necessary to understand joy. I would not have understood that I love you if I didn’t realize I could lose you. I turned to lean over the balcony and gaze at the stars.

"You love me?" She reached to grab my chin to make me look her in the eyes.

You made the world worth saving. I made her blink first for once. Faith can move mountains. And your faith in me allowed me to tear my mountain down. My mountain being The Devil himself. She didn’t say she loved me back. She had no words to say. Do me one favour and keep faith in me, and our mountains will crumble.

As if on cue, the waves of the ocean changed direction. A deep grumbling came from beneath the water as Savathün’s great scaled body rose out of the waters. The dragon’s casual movement stirred the ocean, sending great waves out with each motion. Taller and taller he drew near, and Kitava clenched close to me. I must keep him from the city if he means ill.

I’ll go, I said. I will meet him in his own domain. The city cannot handle another assault. I spread my celestial wings, showering stardust on Kitava before taking flight toward the battered titan.

I thought his ascension was a gesture of rage, but Savathün was limping. The punches he put into the water with each step compensated for the weight of his damaged limb. The reflection of stars danced off his blue scales in the moonlight, showing the gashes riddled across his body from brawling with The Unbound. My wings were their own source of light, revealing fleshy wounds along with broken teeth on the side of his face that The Unbound had stomped on.

Pestilence. I heard Savathün speak quietly for the first time, and no rock slides were set off this time. You fall. From the clouds. And so. You go to war. With the one. Who climbed from below. Bring your battle. Back to the stars. Warrior.

I was sent here, I answered. I did not intend to waver the balance.

"Ah … The Divine. Yet lives. Savathün bashed a webbed claw into the ocean with anger. The force sent water crashing as tall as the mountains with ease, luckily back to the open sea rather than the citadel. The dragon spoke in bits like he was always short of breath. Must He. Send one. Of His own. To unrest. The Sovereigns?"

You … you know of The Divine? I asked.

He brought. Us together. In open space. And formed. Ohm before our eyes, Savathün said. "We were. Not born. With a yearning. For war. He made. A kingdom. For each of us. And we loved it. With all we are. So much. That we. Sowed our blood. And our hearts. In our homes.

"The dragon Sovereign, Saaros. Loved his wintered land. So much. He dared war. Upon the Neutral Kingdom. The unruled land. That is now. Kingdom of man. Only to have. More to love. We had. To kill our own kin. To suppress his greed. Mistaken for passion.

"When the world. Was calm. The Divine. Planted the seed of man. Upon Ohm. With no explanation. Man tinkers. With our balance. We were given. No order to love. So we all saw. Them. Under different light. The Jackal Sovereign Goddess, Soluna. Tried to love them. Love them too much. And buried herself. In her own grave. To get away. When she realized. They took her. For granted.

"He left us. These scum. And we treated them. Like any other gift. Of His creation. But man. Is no gift. They rip. And tear. At the land. Making it their own. Like an ant hill. Of Sovereigns. All assuming. They are glorious. And deserving. Of a wondrous life. As they slay. And make slaves. Of each other. To gain the upper hand. They are. A pestilence. And now you. A winged champion. Of pestilence. Does that. Make you. The worst of all?"

I am Death. Dragon or not, I would not be spoken down to. I come as the shepherd of man. The right hand of The Divine. I came to show The Divine what a god among men could mean. I’m beginning to understand the burden, though I bring Heaven wherever I go. The Unbound was simply a statement that the power of Heaven walks the land. Now you look at Heaven’s very own face. I spread my wings as wide as I could, making an example of my magnitude, though I was barely a bug before Savathün’s enormousness.

"Heaven? Savathün’s laugh equalled the quake of a volcano threatening to blast. I spat out a child. That was riddled. With cursed blood. In the North. He must be plagued. With Heaven as well."

Xerxes, I confirmed. The Divine had me twist the forms of a child in each corner of Ohm.

Then war. It is. Savathün took it as a challenge. If The Unbound. Was an example. Then please. Grow your children. When they are grown. Heaven means to. Wage war on Ohm. So be it. They fight. Against the very land. They walk upon. We shall not falter.

That’s not—

Send my regards. To my creator. Savathün smiled. The Sovereigns. Will rise again.

Savathün retreated to the depths of Alamat. He howled a burst of blue fire into the sky before diving down. He continued to spit fire under the water, lighting the ocean up with light blue vibrancy.

I retreated to Kitava on the balcony and saw her expression riddled with fear. I held her in my arms with my own sense of dread expectancy.

What happened out there? she asked.

Nothing, Kitava. Savathün is gravely wounded. The kingdom of man will not crumble as long as I exist.

3

Unmistakably Human

Scour the fields, Reign commanded. Brynnvolr is no place for Viking bones. The rest of you return home. Prepare gear for a venture to Godrelm. The black storm must have brought hell to the wall. Vikings don’t falter. We march upon hell’s doorstep before they march upon ours!

"Roo-ah!" The people of the Viking stronghold of Yawuld raised their fists in salute and mounted to return home. The avalanche from the Impassable Peaks was still gently flowing in Brynnvolr before them. The elementals had retreated into their realm—Bannavegr, the forbidden lands—but their message was heard. Their numbers were staggering, and their potential was far beyond what the Vikings had thought.

The avalanche’s cloud of sparkling snow was settling as the chief, Jarl Reign, watched the mammoths, the caribou, and the brumak returning to graze casually. The beasts of bone and fire, the malevorogs, fled deeper east back to their home now that the Billowing Storm was dispersed.

Who wants to trade? Barde was hoping to pawn off the black behemoth of a horse that he was forced to flee with. Any ya youngins want your manhood today? They laughed at his gesture, all refusing to consider the task of taming the wild stallion on the way home.

I’ll do it! A slim teenage boy dismounted for the task. He just needs a real man with confidence to ride him smoothly, he boasted before his whole village. Barde let out a hearty laugh as they exchanged reins. The boy now realized the black stallion’s immensity: its withers were as tall as the boy’s head.

Barde slapped the boy’s back playfully. Up you go, beast charmer! The stallion looked back at the boy, snorting mist at him, chipping away at his confident jest.

He took a handful of mane and launched himself onto it bareback. Barde took a large step back with the lad’s saddled horse to watch the show. The stallion began bucking, and snow kicked up as the village watched the boy being whipped back and forth relentlessly. Laughter and worry spread as each moment passed, but the lad held firm. Barde and Yawuld began clapping along as the stallion refused to let up.

Nearly twenty seconds went by until the stallion slowed to still and submitted to the boy. They were both gasping for air while Yawuld’s people hollered approval. He snickered a smile to Barde, to his own surprise.

I did all the groundwork, Barde joked. Tame a brumak or mammoth, and you can be Reign’s new right hand! What’s your name?

I plan on it! The lad cockily kicked the horse forward. My name is Kolu.

Well, Kolu. Jarl Reign approached. You have my blessing to humble Barde any day you please. But we best be off. Well done, lad. The black beast is yours if you don’t mind the trouble. You have a gift.

Kolu grinned ear to ear and accepted the challenge. Reign nodded to his wife, Saxi, to lead them home. Xerxes bobbed along happily in Saxi’s back harness. Reign took a handful of volunteers to search for the person who took the scythe from the last resort’s tree line.

Jarl Reign, Barde and four others mounted to sweep Brynnvolr for the missing weapon. Wildlife herds mingled deeper into the mountain valleys. The six men trotted to the cliffline to see how the weapon was prised from the tree. It had made a clean exit, not roughly tugged at by a curious beast, and the wood had dried and partially healed over. The scythe had been gone for quite some time.

The snow left no memory of tracks by man in the immediate surroundings. They looked to each other, shrugging shoulders with nowhere to begin.

What’s that rut? Barde pointed to a sunken part of the land not far off. They sped off to circle a sizable indent in the land. Reign dismounted and swept away the snow with his boot to see that the grass underneath was burned within the sunken area.

A tussle with a malevorog to scorch the ground? he thought out loud. They all helped sweep away snow to show that the burned area fit the sunken circle perfectly. It’s not the shape of struggle … the fiery innards do not burn so immensely to scorch as much as this.

No firewood or timber for a mile either, Barde said. This is no resting place.

Closest shelter is east to the base of those mountains, said one of the hunters, joining them. Brumak herds travel back and forth between those two valleys. Occasionally malevorogs chase the dumb beasts out into these fields, but that’s the closest surefire place to hunt a last-resort brumy.

It’s not far. Worth a gander. Reign led on to the beaten path of brumak migration. They came upon fresh sign of brumak. Then fresh mammoth, caribou,