Legacy Of The Gods Chapter 23

Legacy Of The Gods: Blood Ties

Chapter 23

With their eyes wide and bodies tense, Hazelynn and the others watched Shapona seeth in rage, gathering his powers. His muscular chest heaved with every deep breath he took, while a black, smokey cloud continued surrounding his tall body.

“W..what’s he doing?” Hazelynn asked nervously, backing up just slightly.

Kwame was the first to realize what the Sickness God was up to and he turned to give the others a panicked look. “He’s going to try and infect everything! We have to stop him!”

He looked around at the few people in the background, still curious and watching to see what was going on and how it would end. These were innocent people here. There was no way he could allow them to be harmed! He balled his dark hands into fists, ready to do whatever it took to defend the people and his second home.

Hazelynn and Antonio stood readily by him, but before either of them could say anything else, Shapona gave off a mighty roar, venting off his frustration and anger. He was a god! There was no way possible he would be humiliated, be defeated like this! His time in the physical plane was nearly up, but if he had to go, he would make their victory costly.

Sneering, he bent down on one knee and quickly smashed his fist into the ground before Hazelynn could make a move. The ground rumbled slightly, and immediately the black mist surrounding the god slowly began to move up on his body, starting from his legs to his arms, and finally down his fist into the ground. The blackened mist began to ripple and move out across the ground in a wave, like when a stone is dropped into a still pond or lake and the ripples spread out.

The three watched in horror as when the black ripple touched anything organic, like grass, flowers, or the medium-sized trees lining the sidewalks, it turned black and shriveled up before falling away into black dust. The people in the area once more began to scream and cry in terror, turning and running for their lives. Hazelynn gasped as she watched a woman, desperate to get away, fall down and get caught in the black ripple. As soon as it touched her, her body turned a sickly gray and her eyes rolled back. Her lips turned blue and foamed leaked out her mouth, followed by convulsions. Veins appeared all around her skin. She gave one short gasp for air before finally laying still.

More screams erupted as the people witnessed the woman’s fate as well as others caught in the ripple effect. Shaking herself out of her shock, Hazelynn thrust her hands forward gracefully and created a silvery shield before her and the other boys just in time before the diseased mist came upon them. The mist flashed and dissipated when it touched her shield, but within moments after she broadened the silvery dome to cover them and the immediate area, she began to pant heavily as she concentrated with all her might in destroying the poisoned smoke. Sweat began to form on her forehead, but still she held on, determined to keep the ripple from going any farther.

“You will NOT defeat me!” growled out Shapona, stepping closer and closer to them, fists closed with smoke emanating from them.

Still panting, Hazelynn looked around to see that the black ripple had finally dissipated, but leaving behind bodies and blackened ground and trees. With a gasp, she fell to her knees, taking large breaths and relief flooding through her. The large shield flashed brilliantly once before disappearing.

Inside her, she felt Oshun also beginning to get exhausted, doing all she could to give extra strength to Hazelynn and the shield to keep the smoke from going out of control and infecting the whole area. But still, she could feel the goddess smile bravely and in pride at her. You have done well, princess, the goddess said softly in her mind.

Suddenly, the woman gasped, feeling something awakening. It was a power and an essence she hadn’t felt in many years. It was familiar, and within moments, she knew who it was. The woman smiled, showing yellowed, rotten teeth.

Hazelynn barely ducked down in time to avoid the god’s smoking fist. Coming back up, she grunted as she swung forward her glowing fist hard, landing it on the side of Shapona’s face. He stumbled back clumsily with a disgruntled growl. Just as he was able to right himself before falling to the ground, Antonio next rushed up, his arms sparkling and giving off brilliant lightning flashes.

He threw forth and arm and shot out a large bolt, nearly blinding the others. As soon as it hit Shapona, it shocked the Sickness God for what seemed like the longest moments to Hazelynn, then he flew screaming a few feet away, finally landing hard against the side of a large building. The indent of his body was left behind as he slowly slid down and crumpled to the ground.

The very few people that were left after escaping the black mist screamed loudly and ran off, leaving the area finally empty. Blackened ooze dripped from Shapona’s mouth and nose as he quickly stood back up, but trembling. When Hazelynn and the other rushed up to him, he sneered scornfully at them. His thick body began to flicker in and out between solid and translucent.

“Admirable,” he grunted out, wiping the coagulated blood from his chin. “But can you be so brave in coming to the defense of your friends? Will you even reach them in time? I’m sure they’re having so much fun right now." Shapona gave one last smirk on his handsome face before raising a hand. In a darkened flash, the Disease God was gone.

“What the......? Where did he go?” Antonio looked around in puzzlement.

Hazelynn blinked her eyes before a horrifying thought came to her. “Oh no! Billie and the others! We have to find them!” she gasped. She turned and rushed off, hoping she would make it in time.

All she knew was that they were somewhere near The Moon Walk Promenade by the river. She prayed she wasn’t too late.

Antonio and Kwame looked at each other in realization, their eyes wide, then rushed off after Hazelynn, hoping in their hearts that they would make it in time as well.

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Down in the depths of the Mississippi River, Keisha’s body jerked, and her mind was suddenly awake in the darkness. Slowly her eyes opened and panic entered her heart as she saw she was floating in dark waters. All around her, fish and other fresh water creatures swam serenely around her. What was she doing here? What happened? Was she dead?

She gasped, tiny bubbles escaping her mouth. That was it! She was fighting Samedi with her new friends, and she was somehow killed. Sadness replaced the panic in the albino girl’s heart as her eyes drooped. Was this how it really ended for her? She thought about everything she had gone through when she was living in Nigeria; the bullying, being ostracized because of her looks, and basically living in near hiding because of fear of her being kidnapped and hacked by people who actually believed that body parts from those like her would bring them luck. Was it really to end like this? Growing up, she shuddered when she listened to the story about how one of her great-grandmother's teen-aged sisters mysteriously disappeared while coming home from washing clothes by the river one day. The poor girl’s body was found days later with hands and feet missing, all because she too was albino.

When she was born, Keisha’s parents were shocked, but despite the taboo of albinos, they grew to love her and vowed no harm would come to her. When they moved back to Nigeria, Keisha was basically secluded from everyone else until her parents were sure she would be in no real danger from ignorant folks that still believed in that myth. But that still didn’t stop the strange looks, the cold treatment of others. Some even from her own family members.

And now, here she was, dead by simply drowning in a river after all that. Keisha could feel the tears forming in her eyes, but they immediately mixed in with the river water as she allowed the despair to grow.

Then, as she was just accepting that all was over, a soft voice tickled at the back of Keisha’s mind. At first she almost didn’t acknowledge it, just one of her memories, but it became louder and louder as Keisha’s eyes widened.

Keisha! Can you hear me? We have to go back and help your friends! Keisha, let me in!

Hmmm? Keisha looked around curiously, wondering if she was finally being guided to Heaven. Who’s there? Her heart beat faster as she felt a comforting presence shimmer in her mind.

It’s me, Yemaja, the one you have bonded with!

Keisha thought hard on that name, and almost immediately the image of the Ocean Goddess flash in her mind. Her beautiful sea-green eyes were wide with worry and her curly, corkscrew hair with seashells braided in waved gently in a wind that was only felt by her. The albino girl’s eyes immediately flew open and more bubbles escaped her mouth as it opened slightly in recognition.

Yemaja! Yes, it’s you! I…I’m not sure what happened, but I died, and…

The beautiful dark-skinned goddess shook her head as she smiled gently. No Keisha, you are not dead. I am here with you, as I will always be. But your friends need you now, and if you let me in, we can save them. Please Keisha, I know you can do this if you have faith in yourself and faith in me. Please.

At first Keisha was hesitant. Did she really want to be a “descendant” and fight against an evil resurrection god anymore? Shouldn’t she say she just wanted to be a regular girl, worried about regular teen girl things? Like school, clothes, shoes, and even boys? Didn’t she deserve to have those things to worry about? To be just being a regular, American teen girl?

But then she thought back to the new friends she made, how welcomed they made her feel at her new school. Finding out she was a descendant of a regal African king or queen gave her a special meaning that she could barely put into words, and it was made even better knowing she could share that secret and pride with others like Billie. She smiled shyly at that thought.

You see, you’re not alone in this, Yemaja nodded, smiling more. Your friends will always be there for you, just as you need to be there for them now.  The smile faded from the goddess as she looked at Keisha in concern. They’re in trouble now and might not make it without you.

Determination like none other entered the albino girl’s heart then, and she nodded at the shining goddess, her blonde hair waving in the water. Within a second, her light eyes began to glow and power flowed through her floating body, filling her with confidence and strength like she’d never known.

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Billie blinked her eyes in disbelief at where the albino girl disappeared under the waters. How could she have been so careless with the young girl? She had only just joined the fight, and now she was probably… she was probably…

Billie angrily wiped at the tears gathering in her eyes, unable to finish that sentence. It was her fault, all her fault! What was she to tell the girl’s parents? How were they supposed to cope? So many questions swirled around her head that Billie barely saw Dante rushing towards her, his arm reaching out.

“Billie, look out!” he screamed, eyes wide.

She looked up just in time to see one of the grotesque creatures nearly upon her, its mouth open with spittle dripping from its sharp teeth. But as it came down from the air with a paw raised to slice her, Billie felt an arm wrap around her middle and jerk her away just in time. She and Dante rolled on the ground out of the way just as the monster landed in the spot she was standing in.

Quickly the two stood up, but there was no time for her to say “thank you” as they both turned and faced more of the overwhelming spiritual beasts surrounding them.

As they stood back to back, Maybelle hurriedly joined them, her hands raised and ready to blast with deadly wind. “Are you two okay?” She looked them over to see if they had any injuries.

“Yeah, but Keisha, she…she’s…” Billie could barely bring herself to say the words as once more, tears formed in her dark eyes.

“I know, I saw.” The Jamaican girl sadly looked towards the river. Her heart nearly broke in two as she realized she was really enjoying getting to know to the albino girl and her culture. She was just as laid back and quiet as she herself was. But Maybelle shook her head to clear it. No, she couldn’t possibly think that. Keisha had to be okay. She just had to be!

From above, Baron Samedi threw back his head and laughed loudly, his baritone voice booming over them. “One down, and just three more of you little brats for me to eliminate!” the Baron said as he floated down not too far from them, watching the kpelekpe beasts surround them. Dried blood crackled over his white face painting as he grinned gleefully. He held out a hand to halt the advancing spiritual beings for the moment, giving the teens a hard look.

“And so, it has come down to this. I finally beat you interlopers. I told you I would make you pay, that you would come to regret crossing me. I will have pleasure watching these beasts rip you to shreds, and it would be all the more gratifying to let those mortal-loving gods watch it all. Everything you’ve fought for, everything you believed in what those gods told you have come to nothing.” He grinned wider. “Or perhaps you can surrender to me and you might live the day out. You decide.”

Dante narrowed his eyes at the god, hands clenched into fist. “No Samedi, it hasn’t come to nothing. Even if it means our deaths, we’ll fight you to the very end. We’ll never surrender to you Samedi, never!” Beside him, Maybelle and Billie stood in a fighting stance, determined to stand by him.

The very tall, intimidating god scuffed at them. “Très bien, ainsi soit-il puis,” The God of Resurrection turned to the waiting beasts and raised a hand. He made ready to bring his hand down, to signal the hundreds of kpelekpe to rush in and finish the young friends as they stared around them wide-eyed.

But just as he was about to do so, there was a strange rumbling coming from the river just a few feet away. Furrowing his brow, the god turned towards the waters and stared at it curiously along with the creatures. At first, nothing happened, then the river where Keisha fell began to churn, soon turning white with foam.

Then suddenly, something burst heavily out of the world-famous river, going up higher and higher. With a gasp, Billie realized it was Keisha, soaring up high into the air on top of a geyser made from the river. When it was high up enough, the geyser curved down, broadened, and turned into a magnificent wave, with Keisha riding on top of it with her knees bent and arms spread out, just like a professional surfer riding a strong wave in Hawaii or California. But the young girl had no need of a board as she smoothly rode on top.

The friends watched slack-jawed as the wave got closer and closer, but Billie was the first to snap out of it and realize what was about to happen. “Heads up!” she yelled, raising her arms. Immediately a high circular wall of earth and concrete from the sidewalk surrounded herself, Dante, and Maybelle. Barely a moment later, the giant wave struck with incredible power and vengeance.

Just before it hit, Keisha did an impressive somersault into the air from the tall wave and landed on top of the wall Billie made in a crouch. Samedi screamed in frustration as he and the large crowd of the creatures, as well as everything that wasn’t bolted down, were swept away by the churning waters, their arms and legs kicking and waving desperately. Keisha stood and crossed her arms over her chest, watching with a small smile as Samedi was washed away.

Moments later, the water receded, leaving wet land behind. One by one in quick successions, the werehyenas flashed and disappeared, Samedi's control of them gone and unable to sustain themselves any longer from such a powerful onslaught.

With a slight rumble, the circular wall began to lower and Keisha quickly jumped off before it sank back into the ground, leaving no indication it was there in the first place. When it was gone, Billie looked at the shorter girl with wide eyes. “Keisha, you’re okay!” She rushed over and grabbed the girl in a grateful hug, relief flooding through her.

“Yeah! I couldn’t believe it at first!” She grinned widely, feeling relief as well. “But the gods, they’re always with us. I know that now." But before she could say anything else, a voice yelled out to them.

“You guys!” They all turned to see Hazelynn, Antonio, and Kwame running up to them from the side, the taller girl waving her hand.

When she reached them, Hazelynn looked Billie, Keisha, Dante, and Maybelle over. “Are you guys okay? We tried to get here as fast as we could! You wouldn’t believe it, but we were ambushed by -”

She never got to finish as just as Antonio and Kwame ran up beside her, Samedi suddenly jumped down  from the sky and landed heavily in front of them all, causing a rumbling that nearly made them fall as they backed away.

When he straightened up, he gave them all a deep look of hatred. His eyes glowed a bright orange, fueled by the seething. His body shuddered just a bit before he coughed and water sputtered from out of his mouth. After taking a breath, he lifted his head and glared at them.

“I will make sure your bodies will be ripped to pieces!” the god rasped out, water dripping from his black clothes. He swung his scythe in an elaborate twirl around him before slamming the butt end of it to the ground.

“Not today, ugly!” yelled out Billie. She raised her arms, but just as she was about to call forth a boulder from deep in the earth to aide her, a black, smokey, mist suddenly began to form right by her, nearly covering her. But it was Hazelynn who quickly dashed forward and tackled her out of the way before the smoke could engulf her. They both rolled away as the enormous cloud of smoke whisked from where Billie just stood and formed into a more solid form near Samedi.

When they both stood back up, Billie looked at Hazelynn in gratitude.

“Thanks..Barbie,” she said, giving a small smile. Hazelynn shrugged, as if to say "Sure,". They then turned in surprise to see another god standing with Samedi with dead vine tattoos all over his muscular chest and face.

“Who the heck is that? “ Billie stepped back with wide eyes as the god’s black lips twisted in a sneer.

“That’s Shapona, the God of Diseases! He’s the one who ambushed us, and the one who infected Dante’s grandmother. He’s been working with Samedi the whole time!” Hazelynn went into a fight stance along with Kwame.

“What? It was him?” Dante turned to raise a burning, flaming fist at the tall god. His eyes narrowed in anger as the two gods stepped closer to them. Their own eyes burning with hate at the young friends.

We should have known! How foolish we’ve been! Billie heard Aja say in her mind. Princess, this HAS to end now before many lives are destroyed! Quickly, you all have to join forces and focus your powers together, it’s the only way to stop them!

“Focus our powers together?” Billie whispered, looking around her to the others. From the looks on their faces, Billie knew they were being told the same thing. Yes, it was true. They had to combine their powers and put an end to Samedi and Shapona once and for all. Taking a deep breath, she nodded her agreement, and with a happy and relieved heart, she saw the others nod as well. They knew what they had to do.

They were all together now, joined by a powerful destiny and fate that began long before they were even born. They were here because of the sacrifices their ancestors made, and she would not make what they died for go in vain. As she looked into the eyes of her friends gathering around her, she knew they felt the same way.

The seven of them stood side by side in a line, determination on their faces and in their hearts. They bravely took the hand of the one standing beside them. At the end of the line, Billie took Dante’s strong hand in her own and she immediately felt his strength as well as faith and trust in her. She smiled at that, feeling her heart beat stronger.

“You will not succeed!” screamed out Samedi, racing his scythe high and rushing forth with Shapona. But it was too late. As they all took each other’s hands, they were suddenly filled with a power, a confidence that was unlike anything they had ever felt in their young lives. They felt the determination, the vows and the full emotions of their royal ancestors as if it were their own. They would protect all those that were living in their city. They would protect their land they so loved and cherished, just as their royal ancestors did in Nigeria so long ago. Billie and the others opened themselves up to the spirits of those regal kings and queens, where they got their blood and heritage they were so proud of now.

Almost immediately a white light surrounded the seven friends, brightening the area with a nearly blinding light despite the afternoon sun. Samedi and Shapona stopped dead in their tracks, raising their hands to shield their eyes from the harsh light. Within moments the light began to dim, and the friends stood before the black-hearted gods in the royal dresses and robes of their ancestors.

Keisha, Hazelynn, Billie, and Maybelle were dressed a in beautifully designed and brightly colored off-the shoulder dress that accented their shapes perfectly. On their feet were beautiful and exquisite sandals, just as their ancestors wore. On their heads were bright, colorful head turbans that matched their dresses. Their eyes glowed white as they stared down Samedi and his partner.

For Kwame, Antonio, and Dante, they were dressed in form-fitting robes that were just as colorful and elaborately designed as the girls, but with a thick sash around the middle, giving evidence to their royal titles and social standing. On their feet were sandals that no one in this time would be able to make, as it was from so long ago, just as the girls' were. And just like the girls, their eyes glowed white and were filled with a fierce determination. The light dissipated then, leaving the group of young people feeling new strength and confidence.

When it was done, Shapona and Samedi stared down the Billie and the others. “Those flashy tricks aren’t going to save you brats!” Samedi sneered, “You’re mine!”

He and Shapona dashed forth again, yelling with rage. But as they ran towards them, Billie raised her hands high above her and clapped them. Before her, a ball of powerful energy appeared. It was a dark, swirling brown, symbolizing the Earth, and she brought her hands down before her to hold it gently. Beside her, Hazelynn also clapped her hand above her to summon her power. The ball appeared before her in a silvery and pink color, symbolizing love and beauty. For Maybelle it was a soft and wispy blue, symbolizing air, for Keisha, it was deep sea-green, signifying water. In front of Antonio, his powerful ball glowed a crisp yellow, symbolizing the powerful element of electricity. Dante called forth the powerful and destructive red, blazing ball of fire, and lastly, Kwame called forth a purple ball of swirling power, symbolizing travel, fortune, and speed.

The two evil gods were nearly upon them when they all threw forth their hands, sending their balls of powers careening out and slamming into Samedi and Shapona. At once the gods were stopped in their tracks and their bodies convulsing as the powers overtook them. The friends continued to concentrate with their arms outstretched, drawing on the powers of the gods they have bonded with. They would not give up, they would defend their homes and their families with everything they had!

Soon, smoke began to emerge from Samedi and Shapona as they were quickly overwhelmed. They screamed and yelled, but it did no good. Their skin began to peel and burn away, almost showing bone underneath. Shapona was the first to quickly disintegrate, as his body was just about done on the physical plane anyway. Right after that, Samedi screamed loudly as burns ran all along his face, leaving nasty blisters.

It was then that Billie and the others felt the gods pull back on the powers, keeping her and the other from being overwhelmed and getting out of control. Dimmer and dimmer the powers came, until finally, the group lowered their arms, stopping it all together.

When it was done, Samedi slowly fell to his knees, his body smoking heavily. He shook once before he finally keeled over.  His scythe fell with a clang besides him and turned back into the cane. Blood and ooze leaked out from the hideous burns over his face. His suit was almost completely burnt-away, and the blisters and burns bled and oozed all over his chest, arms, and legs. A heartbeat later, a black smoke flashed over the god’s body, and he disappeared in a dark flash, leaving nothing behind.

Right then, a flash of white light surrounded Billie and the others, and they were suddenly back in their regular clothes, much to their surprise. Blinking her eyes, she looked around the area and then back to her friends. A big grin spread across her face, realizing what they had just done.

“You guys…we did it, we really did it!” She brushed tears from her eyes before turning and looking into Dante’s eyes. “We did it, we fought Samedi and Shapona, and we survived! We’re alive!”

The others looked at each other in disbelief, hardly believing it. Then, they all gave a yell of victory and rushed towards each other in a big group hug, tears streaming down their faces. They really did it! They were alive and they defeated Samedi and his cohort. Despite feeling Aja with her the whole time, Billie still couldn’t help feel the fear of not surviving the fight. But they made it, they really made it! Billie couldn’t have been happier at that revelation as she felt their arms wrap around her.

Yes, you did it, my princess, Aja said proudly to her. Just as I knew you would. You have made me and everyone else proud! Billie smiled, feeling the goddess’s pride flow through her. Looking at the others, she knew they felt the same pride from the gods they bonded with.

A nagging thought came to her right then. Were Shapona and Samedi really dead? Would the ever come back? Billie’s heart beat faster at that, but she felt Aja reassure her. No god is ever truly dead unless he is completely forgotten, when no one remembers him. The essence of Shapona and Samedi have gone back to the Ile-Ife, where careful measures will be taken to ensure they cannot reform. We promise you this, princess, they will be taken care of. In her heart, Billie knew that the other gods were whispering the same words to Dante and the others, assuring them as well.

At those comforting words, Billie and the others slowly fell to their knees, still hugging each other in a big group. She didn’t care if she was crying like a baby now. Their battle for now was over, they could go home and be with their families and friends. Perhaps even begin something a little more than friendship. Billie smiled softly at that thought before looking up to see Dante standing before her, a little smile on his own face. She nodded at him, feeling the tears continue to stream down.

Above them, the Louisiana sun shined down on them, burning as brightly as ever and giving them hope and a sense of a future. Yes, the battle was over for now. She didn’t know if it meant the war was over. But if it wasn’t, she knew she had Dante and the others by her side, and that filled her with more hope and determination than ever before as birds flew majestically across in the New Orleans sapphire sky.

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NEXT: Epilogue