The Chimera (Legends of the Dark Creatures Book 2)
Chapter Five: My Greatest Sin

Before returning to the surface, Ethan decided to visit a certain place. With his immense speed underwater, it took him only a few minutes to reach a part of the ocean unknown to most terrestrials. He began swimming further downwards. Not even the most advanced human marine vehicles could withstand the pressure of these depths. It was no wonder merpeople were naturally stronger the humans and it was also why humans could never replace any mer-cities or kingdoms.

It was still extraordinary he thought. Creatures of different kinds inhabited this place. Like the Pathowax, a canning yet peaceful monster that was as large as a full-grown whale and had a body like a coiled spring. To his right, Ethan saw a school of what in his native tongue was known as the Nijathe. They were tiny, glowed green, and could devour even the most enormous creature in seconds. Nijathe could even gather and camouflage themselves; turning themselves into the shape of any sea creature.

The water here was warm and the natural magic allowed most of the sun’s light to reach this place. This light was absorbed by the many tharogan crystals in the area and the crystals would glow whenever the sun went down, illuminating the mighty depths.

There, he thought, facing forward.

Every underwater city, nation, or kingdom had a magic barrier surrounding it. Barriers were invisible and served many purposes; one of which was keeping intruders or dangerous animals or beasts away. Barriers were usually well-guarded; however, this one wasn’t going to be a problem.

Ethan felt his heartache when he entered the threshold of the barrier. Fallen buildings, a castle destroyed beyond recognition, no sign of life anywhere. A once-great kingdom... a place Ethan once called home. This was Arianis; Ethan’s homeland.

Ethan slowly walked through the rubble. It was now a ruin; a place whose marvel was now only read about in historical achieves found in other underwater nations. Ethan was born here, he had family, friends, teachers... he once had everything. Now, the only structure left standing was where he was heading; a graveyard.

He quickened his pace as he walked through the empty streets and arrived at his destination. His body always shook when he stepped on these grounds. He stopped when he arrived at the center of the graveyard and stared at the huge crystalline statue in front of him; a statue of a mermaid. She had long hair, was dressed in fine armor, had a crown on her head, and held a beautiful long scepter in her right hand.

“Mother,” he whispered.

His eyes were burning hot but no matter what he wasn’t going to shed any tears. Ethan had made a vow. Until he had fulfilled his purpose, until it was all over; he would never shed any tears. Regardless of the pain he felt, or that which he caused... no tears.

Ethan raised his right hand and touched the smooth crystal statue of his mother.

"Thirek Vanan Foresia Mailic Acot Mela,” he chanted.

A red glow emanated from the statue and everything around him. The glow disappeared almost instantly. Every century or millennia, Ethan would come and cast a preservation spell on this place. That’s how every structure around stood and survived the harsh changes time threw upon them. Also, this served as a reminder of what Ethan did.

Over hundred eighty thousand merfolk once lived in this place and almost all of them were slain by Ethan’s hands. Today, it was known as the greatest massacre in mer history. For millennia, Ethan could still hear the screams of that day; he could still smell the scent of burning flesh and could see the red blood he spilled whenever he closed his eyes.

Ethan clenched his fists as he began walking away. The unfortunate thing was there were more kingdoms like this one all around the ocean. Ethan’s greatest sin was his very existence and if it were up to him, he would have ended it a long time ago.

He shook his head. Self-pity wasn’t going to save him. What was done was done. It was too late, even now, to live in regret and even later to think of redeeming himself.

His fingers curled around the blue crystal on his necklace. This necklace was the only reason for his existence... the only thing that kept him going.

He swam out of the ruins and went past the barrier. He sensed some powerful leylines crisscrossing each other underneath the ground nearby and opened a portal; one that led him to Ravenhill.

Ethan found himself in the woods when he stepped out of the portal. He raised his body temperature and vaporized all the water on him.

He had barely taken a step when a warm, electric sensation coursed through his body.

After reaching for the right pocket of his jacket, Ethan pulled out a high-quality paper envelope; the likes of which couldn’t be produced on Earth. Witches and Mages could magically send messages this way.

Ethan tore off the top of the envelope. He smiled when he pulled out and read the letter inside.

It read:

Ethan,

Word of your return is spreading, even reaching me here in Lideth.

A hundred years Ethan, that’s what you said. For a hundred, I was not supposed to do anything about that dagger. I guess even the great Chimera couldn’t foresee Sebastian doing what he did.

Anyway, in the event that things didn’t go according to plan, you had instructed me to relay this message to you:

Yifeve Detirek Milarka

You said that you would understand once you saw it.

As happy as I am of your return, I can’t come to the Earth realm; at least not just yet.

And one other thing, I hope that you were right when you said you had found her. Ethan, the Order is ever watching and I shouldn’t remind you to be careful.

Remember, when you truly need me I will be there.

Your best friend... and ONLY BEST FRIEND,

Kyla.

Ethan chuckled at that last part and burnt the letter in his hand. Well, it was true. Kyla was the only one Ethan could ever call a best friend. She was the person he trusted the most and the only one that knew most of his secrets. He and Kyla hadn’t seen each other for exactly one hundred and fifty-five years.

He walked through and out of the woods. When he reached the main road, he began to see some humans going about their business. The town wasn’t far from here, he thought.

Reaching the town, Ethan decided that if he was growing to dwell among the humans for a while he should at least appear to be one.

As he was walking past an electronic shop two people inside caught his attention.

“You sure this is the one she wants, Leah”

Fortune must have been smiling upon him because he saw the half-breed’s mother and non-biological sister in the store.

“Of course I am sure, Mom,” the blonde-haired girl said. She was much livelier now than she was in the illusion Ethan had created for Ashley. Ethan smirked when he remembered the rage he had seen in the half-breed’s eyes when she thought she had lost her family. He wondered if she truly knew how much potent power she had inside of her.

In hopes of not raising too much suspicion, Ethan walked to the counter and stared at the shopkeeper who was wearing a white shirt and black trousers. He was probably in his early seventies; judging from his gray hair, slightly wrinkled skin, and sunken eyes.

“Excuse me,” Ethan said. “Do forgive my prejudice, but you seem like someone who knows just about everyone in this town.”

“I don’t like to brag but I have been living in this town for over forty years,” the old man said.

“So then you know someone named Richard Thane,” Ethan asked.

“The name does sound familiar,” the man said, scratching his head. “Now where oh where have I heard it from? Richard... Thane... Hmmm”

“Why do you ask?”

Ethan’s lip curved into a smirk when he heard Ashley’s mother’s voice behind him.

“He’s my brother... well, half-brother to be precise,” said Ethan.

Both the eyes of Ashley’s mother and her daughter opened wide in amazement.

“Ah, that’s right! Richard Thane,” the old man exclaimed. “Rina, ain't he the young fella I have been seeing hanging around Ashley and her friends?”

“Richard never told us he had a brother,” Ashley’s mother said. “You are new to Ravenhill?”

“Fairly,” Ethan replied. “I have been here once before but the last time I came here, things between Richard and I weren’t exactly pleasant. I ended up not staying for very long.”

“You see, he has his birthday coming up next month and I thought I’d use that as one excuse to see him. I do not even know where he lives now.”

“I have a sister in New York and boy did we get into fights when we were young... Wait, did you say his birthday? Richard is a close friend of my daughter. They both go to school at Ravenhill High so I am sure you can meet them... oh wait, there won’t be any school today. Why don’t you come over to our house? I am sure Ashley knows where Richard lives.”

She’s invited me into her home, Ethan thought.

“It would be my pleasure,” Ethan replied. “I have a few things to take care of right now but I will be free in the evening.”

“Then come over for dinner,” said Ashley’s mother. “I’ll make sure Ashley invites Richard over.”

“Many thanks, Mrs...” Ethan said.

“Please, call me Rina,” Rina replied.

Rina pulled out a small notebook from her handbag, wrote something, and tore off a paper from the book. She handed the piece of paper to Ethan.

“Here’s the address,” she said.

Ethan quickly gazed upon it and put it in his pocket.

“I’ll be sure not to get lost,” Ethan said.

“You have a very strange accent,” Leah blurted out. “Where are you from?”

“Leah,” Rina reprimanded.

“It’s quite alright,” Ethan said smiling. “Besides I am sure you’ve probably never heard of the place.”

Immediately after he finished that last sentence, Leah eyed Ethan suspiciously. Ethan studied the girl for a while. Interesting, he thought when he felt the child’s aura. It was certainly... almost human.

“Hi, old man Sam,” Leah said, waving at the man at the counter.

“Hey, I am not that old,” the shopkeeper replied.

Ethan watched as the two left and went about their business. He chose a phone and went over to the counter.

“That will be eighty-five dollars,” ‘Old man Sam’ said.

Kractapus, Ethan swore in his mind. He had forgotten.

He sighed and looked into the man’s gray eyes and began compelling him.

“This is embarrassing, even for me, but I would like you to forget that I even came here,” Ethan said. “Don’t worry, I pay you the next time I come here. I hate owing people.”

Ethan walked out of the store, holding the box that contained the phone in his hands.

Okay, now to his next objective...

Suddenly two very large arms grabbed him. Everything around Ethan began to change; the sun was now blood red, the area around him was mostly desert with large metallic towers everywhere and the stench of death filled the dry air. Ethan had been dragged into a Pocket Dimension; an Hakim’s Pocket Dimension.

With a loud grunt, his attacker toasted Ethan into the air. Ethan crushed into a tower and clenched his teeth when he felt his spine snap in half. He fell to the ground and stood up as his back healed.

Before he could even think, Ethan received a blow in the face and was sent flying into the air yet again.

He landed in the sand and shook his head as he slowly stood up.

The Hakim was walking towards him. Hakim were one of the few creatures on earth that, in a way, carried Pocket Dimensions with them. With just a touch, they would send their prey in the Pocket Dimension and devour them. They were very large with green fur-covered skin, had big red glowing eyes, and wide mouths with long razor-sharp teeth. They also had incredible strength, speed and wielded deadly weapons; this one, in particular, carried a large hammer sheathed on its back and was wearing tough-looking armor.

Ethan had just gotten up when the Hakim quickly unsheathed its hammer and swung it at him. He raised his left hand and blocked the hammer.

The Hakim caught Ethan by his neck and tightened his grip.

“I-I don’t suppose you’d care to reconsider your actions,” Ethan said, blood flowing out of his mouth.

“The Order is wise. The Order is just. The Order is absolute. I, Gandor The Born Crusher, will destroy you today Chimera,” the Hakim said. A strong and hot stench of rotting flesh was coming from his mouth as he spoke.

“I see,” Ethan said. “So it’s the Order who sent you.”

Shock filled Gandor’s eyes when Ethan grabbed his huge arm. Ethan’s hard grip shuttered the bones inside. Gandor used his good arm to launch an attack with his hammer. Ethan punched the large weapon and flung it out of Gandor’s hand.

The tables had turned. Gandor dashed behind Ethan and tried to land a kick in his back but Ethan just stood still when a sharp rocky spike shot out of the ground below and pierced the Hakim’s thigh.

Dark blue blood spattered out of the torn flesh and Gandor began growling in pain. Ethan turned to face his defeated opponent. Two more rocky spikes came out of the ground and tore through Gandor’s shoulder.

“S-So, you can bend nature’s elements with your mind,” Gandor said.

“How about we talk about the Order,” Ethan replied.

The Order... As their name suggested, they were a group of beings that so to it that the laws and principles of magic were obeyed. Anyone who broke their rules was seriously punished. To them, and everyone else, Ethan was an abomination that should have never existed, and for as long as he could remember the Order had been trying to get rid of him.

Gandor was simply an unfortunate bounty hunter sent by them.

“The Order sent you, didn’t they?” Ethan said. “What did they offer you? Riches, immortality, power...”

“They offered me a quick death... A chance to escape that place,” Gandor interrupted. “Neither power nor wealth can save me.”

“When you say that place... do you mean...”

“Ah, you have heard of it... you know the stories... But they almost sent me there... I felt it; my entire existence fading away, my very soul being ripped to shreds...”

Gandor was shaking to his very bones.

“Oblivion,” Ethan said. “And you say you’ve faced it. How much does the Order know? Do they know why I am here?”

“I was only instructed to bring your head,” Gandor replied. “...as were many others. More are coming, Chimera. I don’t know what it is you did but the Order wants you dead... no... they want you gone... forgotten.”

“Then I want you to deliver a message to them,” Ethan said. “It doesn’t matter how many they send. I am the Chimera and I will always be. Would you tell them that?”

“So you will spare me?” Gandor asked.

“Hmmm... I think your head alone will relay a clear enough message,” Ethan replied.

He gathered a gust of wind around his hand and slashed it across the Hakim’s neck. The air sliced through Gandor’s neck and the beast’s head fell to the ground.

Ethan sighed as he looked around him and said, “I should have at least gotten the spell to get out of this place first before killing him.”

Now Ethan would have to override the spell in order to get out.

It appears I might be late for dinner he thought.

...

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter guys

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