Legacy Of The Gods Chapter 22

Legacy Of The Gods: Blood Ties

Chapter 22


The trio of Kwame, Hazelynn, and Antonio quietly continued to walk down the lively and world-renowned neighborhood of The French Quarter. Kwame wracked his brain trying to find some way to engage in conversation with the light-skinned girl Hazelynn. He was totally striking out! He mentally slapped himself and sighed. How could he even begin to think she was interested in him? She had all the boys she wanted, she could choose any of them to go out with. So what made him think he had a chance? Still, something in him told him he shouldn’t give up. She was actually softening up to him. Well,  a little at least. She no longer rolled her eyes every time he said something or looked at her, and he actually caught her giving a soft smile whenever he gave an off-handed joke. But she would hide it so quickly, Kwame could have sworn it was just his imagination and wishful thinking.

But it wasn’t just that. The Nigerian boy could also see a hint of loneliness in the slightly taller girl’s eyes. Could it be that perhaps she wasn’t as popular with the boys as he had thought? Why did she look wistfully at Billie and Dante whenever they were together? Kwame had no true answer to those questions, but that only gave him more determination to break through that “popular girl” wall Hazelynn  put up. He wanted to show her that life can be amusing and full of joy. Growing up, Kwame had his fair share of tragedies, loneliness, and uncertainties, being dropped in an over-crowded, dilapidated orphanage in his country nearly the moment his birth parents died. But even at that young age, he had refused to let that hardship dim his humorous nature. He was the one who made the many other children smile and laugh when things got rough, when there was barely enough food to go around and they had to go to bed starving. He had gotten in trouble many times for being the “class clown”, but it was worth it. To see the other children smile and forget their troubles for just a moment because of hiim, it was definitely worth it.  

Now, he wondered if any of his jokes and smiles were enough to impress the beautiful Hazelynn. Would she bother to go on at least one date with him? Would she be embarrassed to be seen with him? The dark-skinned boy could only mentally cross his fingers and hope for the best. Sure, he had seen other pretty girls in his new school, but with Hazelynn, there was just something so special about her that left him breathless sometimes. His heart sank just a bit when he realized then she probably didn’t feel the same way about him. But he still held on to his resolve to get to know her more. Even if she didn't feel the same way and nothing romantic came out of it, then at least he would let her know he’d be there for her no matter what. He smiled a little at that thought, giving himself hope.  

He looked over at his friend Antonio, noticing how quiet he was. Just as he was about to ask if something was wrong, if he saw any clues on Samedi, the half-Latino boy jerked his head towards Hazelynn, who was now standing in front of a boutique store a little ways behind them and staring at beautiful debutante dress. At Kwame's unsure look, Antonio walked up to his friend and gently nudged him towards Hazelynn, despite Kwame’s silent protest. When the dark-skinned boy was standing right by Hazelynn, Antonio pretended to be interested in some sneakers in a window front nearby.

Kwame cleared his throat and crossed his arms over his chest. “So you like fashion a lot, hmm?” he asked nervously, trying not to blush too much.

Hazelynn turned to look at him in a slight surprise, just noticing he was there, then sighed and turned back to the dress. “Yeah, but my mom would kill me if I got this right now. I’m sort of, well, banned from shopping right now.” She sighed again, running a delicate hand through her hair.

The two stood quietly next to each other while Kwame desperately searched for something to say. Sighing in defeat, he was just about to turn away when Antonio loudly cleared his throat from nearby. When Kwame looked over to him, the boy made a laughing gesture as if he just heard something very funny. It took a moment, but Kwame finally got what his friend was trying to say. He took a deep breath, trying to gather his courage, and turned back to Hazelynn.  

“So..ummm, what do you think goes “ha ha ha..plonk..?” He looked at Hazelynn with an expectant smile.

Hazelynn stared at him and she blinked her eyes, not expecting such a question. When she shrugged her shoulders and shook her head to indicate she had no clue, Kwame grinned even wider.

“A skeleton laughing his head off!” He laughed loudly and slapped his knee, barely aware that others nearby were chuckling.

At first, Hazelynn just stared at him, not believing how he could make a joke at a time like this. Kwame stopped and looked at her, the look on his face suggesting he immediately knew he had made a fool of himself and wanted nothing more than to climb down in a hole.

But then, unable to help herself, the pretty girl began to smile, actually getting the joke. Then she started to laugh. Soft at first, then louder and louder until she began to hold her side. Seeing her and unable to help himself as well, Kwame laughed along, Antonio smiling knowingly at them.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity of laughing, Hazelynn calmed herself. She turned to Kwame, wiping away mirthful tears from her eyes. “You really are something!” she said, catching her breath. “No boy has ever really thought about just making me laugh like that!”

Kwame quieted as well and gave her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, I just thought -”

“No, it’s okay, really. It was…..it was nice. And funny.” Hazelynn smiled gently at him, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

The two shyly regarded each other until Antonio finally came up to them, shaking his head. “You guys, we should get going. Billie and the others might have found something already.”

“Oh, right!" She looked at the purse she was carrying and sighed in annoyance. "Darn! If I just had my purse with my cell phone in it, I could have texted her!” If only she hadn't been in such a rush to leave her house, picking up the wrong purse and not even noticing! Hazelynn sighed and looked around, but just as she was about to suggest finding a store and asking to use the phone, Antonio stood in front of her and Kwame protectively, looking around.

“Did you guys see that?” the curly-haired boy asked, his eyes narrowed. Just a moment ago, he saw some sort of shadowy figure literally jump into view not too far from where they stood. It disappeared as quickly as it came, and what puzzled him more was that no one else seemed to notice it.

“What is it?” Kwame asked, also looking around and standing near Hazelynn. He went into a slightly fighting stance, ready to defend her if necessary. Even with the sun high in the sky, Kwame couldn’t help but shiver just slightly right then.

“I don’t know, it’s just….it's just that something doesn’t seem right.” Antonio shook his head to clear it. Perhaps it was just his nerves. He hoped it was nothing more than that.

“Come on, let’s move, maybe we’ll bump into Billie and the others near Jackson Square,” Hazelynn also looked around, feeling just a bit of a chill herself. They cautiously walked on. But the more they tried to shake off that feeling, weaving through the crowds of people walking around, the more that feeling of coldness and dread followed.

The crowds had just about thinned out when Hazelynn breathed out a sigh of relief, glad that there was no incident. But just as she was about to let her guard down, Oshun’s concerned voice filled her mind.

Hazelynn, watch out! There’s someone there, but I can’t tell who it is!

Immediately Hazelynn when into a fighting stance, and from the looks of the boys, she knew that they got warnings as well. “Get ready!” she said, balling her hands into fists. In an instant, she felt the beautiful Goddess of Love bond with her, ready to defend all she loved and cared about.

The three stood back to back, and only just a few seconds later, a black, inky shadow materialized out of the air just above them. It resembled the dark, blotchy effects of ink dropped into a glass of water, with no shape, no form whatsoever. Slowly the blotch began to solidify and form arms and legs as it lowered down to stand before them. After one final swirl, there was a flash of dark light, and a handsome, dark-skinned man with vine tattoos across his face and chest stood before them, grinning widely. A thick, black turban was wrapped around his head, with just a bit of red hair showing. He wore a very long, black masculine kilt and his nails were painted a shining black.

He stood before the trio, regarding them carefully. In the bright sunlight, Hazelynn could see that like Samedi, he was not transparent and was even muscular. He was very handsome, she had to admit, but that didn’t lessen the feeling of coldness emanating from him. “Ahh, I was finally able to find you. The others will be pleased,” the man said, putting his fingertips together in a steeple.

Hazelynn blinked at him in confusion until finally finding her voice. “Who…who are you?”

“I am Shapona, an ally, and I have come to help you in your quest.” The god’s voice was deep yet smooth, as if trying to put them at ease and lulling them in a sleep. “I believe I have found what you are looking for. Come with me, and all will be well.” He put out a hand out towards them.

“Shapona?” Antonio narrowed his eyes in wariness. “If you’re here to help us, why haven’t you come before now? Why haven’t the other gods mentioned you?” Even though he was cautious, Antonio couldn’t help by feel soothed by the god’s voice.  

“I am ashamed to admit that I have seen the error of my ways too late. I once thought mortals too weak, but I have learned better. You mortals are not weak. At least not like before. Come, and together we’ll do what we can to stop Samedi. Come.” He stepped closer to them, his hand still out.

Confusion flowed through Hazelynn, feeling herself almost hypnotized by the god’s dark eyes and smooth as chocolate voice. Did she dare trust him? She tried to reach deep inside herself and ask Oshun, but somehow she couldn’t quite feel the goddess just then. It was like looking for her in muddy waters. She could barely see anything.

Almost in a trance, she allowed the god to come right before her and reach for her hand. Then, just as he nearly touched her hand, feeling unable to move, the tall, imposing figure was roughly pushed out the way. The god fell clumsily to the ground, grunting in frustration. When he looked up, Kwame stood above him with an enraged look on his face.

Hazelynn shook her head to clear it and stared angrily at Shapona as he quickly got back up. “Who the hell are you?” she demanded again, going into a fighting stance.

“Don’t let him touch you!” Kwame turned to them and warned, balling his hands into fists. “He’s not with the other gods. He’s Shapona, the God of Diseases!”  He looked back at the immense figure. “I remember now, from the stories I heard in my country! He’s always hated humans and killed countless people with his diseases! He’s the one siding with Baron Samedi, the traitor!” His eyes clouded just a little with sadness. “And I remember the look of that shadowy figure that almost killed Dante’s grandmother. It’s him, I know it!”

Antonio and Hazelynn gave the god an outraged look, their hearts pounding in their chests. “Is this true?” the caramel-skinned boy demanded, narrowing his eyes as Hazelynn looked on in anger.

At first, the Disease God was silent, staring at them with his dark, fathomless eyes. Then he threw his head back and began laughing. It was a deep, booming laugh that sent chills all the way down to their toes. All over, people were beginning to gather around to see what was going on.

When he finished, he looked at Hazelynn, Antonio, and Kwame with complete contempt, his eyes fully black now. “You think I am going to allow you foolish mortal children destroy what I've worked so hard on? For many millennia, you mortals bowed to Samedi and I. You feared us and gave us your worship and respect. Now you mortals are like the many viruses I so lovingly created. You’re an infestation, a nuisance that no longer respects us.”

He sneered and stepped closer to them. “The other gods might think you are special and something to be coddled, but not I. Despite your silly sciences and modern contraptions, I will show you that disease will always be your undoing. You will all worship me as you once did, or I will make sure your bodies disintegrate with but a touch of my breath. No matter what you do, disease will always rule humans!” With that, the Sickness God gave a rageful roar and dashed forward. Black smoke began to emanate from his body, showing just how infectious he was.

“Look out!” yelled Kwame, ducking out of the way. He dropped and rolled on the ground. When he stopped, he looked up from where he landed and saw that Hazelynn was frozen on the spot, her eyes wide. Shapona was nearly upon her!  He watched in horror as Shapona opened his mouth and a thick, smokey substance flowed out.

“No!” Frustration and fear coursed through Kwame, but he still quickly got up and made a mad dash for Hazelynn. At first the connection with Eshu was muddled, like something was trying to cover it up. But his concern and growing feelings for Hazelynn was so strong, it instantly smashed through whatever was trying to block him off from the god. Like an explosion, he felt the god envelope him with his speed powers.  

Like before, the world zipped by and began to slow, then everything went into a pause. Breathing hard, Kwame reached out and grabbed the frozen Hazelynn around her waist just before the black smoke would have settled over her and entered her body through her nose and mouth. Right after, he forced himself to skid to a halt, digging his heels into the ground.

Instantly the world started moving again. The people watching gasped in shock when the smokey substance flew past where Hazelynn was just standing and quickly flew into the face of a man standing not too far behind her. The man gagged and choked right after the substance traveled up his nostrils and his open mouth. Seconds later, the man’s skin paled drastically and he fell convulsing to the floor. Foam and spittle erupted from his mouth and his veins began to show under his skin. Immediately people began to scream and run away. No more than moment later, the man lay still.  

As soon as Kwame put her down, Hazelynn looked at him in wonder. He saved her…he actually saved her, knowing he was putting himself in danger! Oh how she wanted to thank him, to say that despite his corny jokes, he was actually a cool guy she wouldn’t mind getting to know more. But even she knew there wouldn’t be time for that. She quickly snapped herself out of her stupor, hearing the screams of the people as they fled.

She turned to give Shapona an enraged look. “Sicko! How dare you come to MY city and do that!” Anger coursed through her, thinking about the many people this deadbeat god was about to infect and kill. There was no way she was going to allow that to happen! She loved this city, she grew up here, and she would defend it to the end. Inside, she felt Oshun struggling to keep the bond between them going. Hazelynn felt her anger grow and grow, and with it, she felt the love of her home and her caring for her friends increase as well.

Suddenly, the connection she shared with the goddess just about blast into existence and she felt her hands glow with the silvery energy of love when they smoothly bonded right then. The muddy blockage was now gone. I’m here, my princess, as I will always be, she felt the goddess say in her heart and mind.

With a loud yell, Hazelynn threw forth her hand and blasted forth her powerful silver energy beams. The Sickness God barely had time to throw up his hands in protection before they slammed into him. He flew back a good few feet, landing heavily on the ground. More people scrambled away in fright.

But instead of celebrating, a shocked Hazelynn watched Shapona quickly get back on his feet, sneering and baring his perfect, white teeth. He balled his fist and made another dash forward, intending to pummel them with his bare hands before rotting their flesh.

He jumped high into the air and was just about to reach them when Antonio next stepped up, electricity flowing up and down his arms. He too first felt the confusion of not being able to feel the Thunder God Shango when Shapona first showed up, but now, with his anger and outrage growing, he felt him like never before! The half Latino boy gladly welcomed the bonding, feeling the power of electricity flow all through him. With a yell, he threw forth bolt after bolt of the white-hot lightning, slamming them into Shapona and bringing him to his knees.

For a few seconds, the dark, imposing god took on the deadly electric bolts, then he threw his head back and gave off a powerful, rageful scream, spreading his arms wide. Hazelynn and the others were thrown back heavily when the electric power bounced back to them, slamming them to the ground and making them scream in pain.

Gritting her teeth, Hazelynn painfully stood back up, feeling her resolve grow. No, she wouldn’t give up! She had so many people counting on her; her friends, her parents, even her annoying little brother! She wouldn’t let them down.

Breathing hard, she went into a shaky fight stance before Shapona, her eyes narrowed. The imposing god turned to her, grinning widely. With almost inhuman speed, he opened his mouth and breath out another puff of the deadly black smoke.

She barely heard Kwame scream out her name, watching the substance rush towards her. Then, thinking fast, she expertly did a series of back-flips, remembering her many hours of dance class and cheerleading practices. When she landed after the last flip, she shot out a quick flash of the energy power at the black smoke, disintegrating it before it reached her or anyone else.

Barely a moment passed after she did that when Antonio and Kwame moved in for the attack. Enhanced by his speed, the Nigerian boy somersaulted in the air, landed in a crouch in front of Shapona, then quickly straightened up and expertly did a smooth side kick to the god’s head, knocking him hard to the ground.

Grunting, Antonio next threw forth a bolt of the white lightning and held it when it struck the god. He then lifted him high up, his eyes narrowed in concentration. When Shapona was high enough, he moved his hand away, cutting off the bolt. The God of Ailments fell towards the ground, and just before he hit it, Antonio dashed forward and did an expert spin kick, smashing the bottom of his foot in the middle of his chest.

Shapona was flung back a few feet, yelling in rage and pain all the way. When he landed, his body created a deep groove in the ground, scaring off what little people remained in the area.

Black, coagulated blood began to seep out from his nose and the side of his mouth. He shakily stood up and sneered when Hazelynn, Kwame, and Antonio walked up to him, their faces filled with determination. Already he could feel himself weakening. He was spending too much time in the mortal realm!

But he would not be defeated like this, not like Samedi! He would make them pay for this insolence, even if it meant expending all of his energy. Rage filling his ancient heart, Shapona growled deep in this throat and balled his large hands into fists. An instant later, his body was surrounded by a black, cloudy smoke, nearly cutting him off from view.

The cold chill Hazelynn felt right before Shapona appeared returned, this time chillier and more ominous than ever. What was he planning? Hazelynn stepped back and prayed that Billie and the others were having better luck than they were, wherever they are.

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To Be Continued….