Night Of A Thousand Deaths & One - Episode 2

Travelling above twenty-seven kilometers, at an average speed of fifty-five kilometers per minute, the two demigod leaders used their hypersonic capabilities to catch what Brahma called a 'little welcoming party'. There wasn't much to see during the night but Arcadeus understood his new friend was serious when he said it would be quite a spectacle to visit his home town. Their descent allowed them to see brilliant fireworks from an angle Arcadeus had never experienced before. The rest of his family would have appreciated it more than he did but to put aside his brash and sometimes monotone part of his brain that couldn't enjoy the little things in life, it was a sight to behold after enduring war and carnage for so long.

Brahma signaled him to keep going further down. They nose dived to the center of where the bulk of city lights resided. With each second descending the volume in which they could hear oriental music increased. Soon enough the smell of the air changed and it grew warmer. The two demigods slowed down and safely landed on a grand stage. Before Arcadeus knew exactly where he had landed, fireworks set off and more colors were invited to an already spectacular scene. Live music was being played at full volume. Rows of women dressed in the same red attire were dancing choreographically. Signs and posters were welcoming Arcadeus as if he were a hero coming back from war. Crowds were cheering and chanting his name. They had landed in the middle of an enormous stadium of sorts. It was a closed off location but cameras had panned to the General and his visage was being broadcasted live on several titantrons. He could feel the ground beneath rumble as the people got more excited when Brahma finally spread his arms wide open.

A little boy dressed sharply in traditional clothing ran towards them on the stage with a microphone too big for his hands. Brahma turned to greet the boy and grabbed him from under his arms and lifted him. After kissing the boy on both his cheeks and being handed the microphone, Brahma quickly returned his attention to the crowds.

"I have delivered once again!" he bellowed. The crowd went wild at the sound of his voice. "I have delivered for the tenth time! Eleventh! Twelfth! Over and over again." Each time he paused the crowd grew unimaginably louder to Arcadeus's surprise. "The greatest General the world has ever seen has blessed us with his presence!" Brahma gazed at his guest with a big smile and very visibly readied up for his next line as he slightly bent his knees. "India! I give you General... Arcadeus... MARA!!"

And all of a sudden it was silent. Nothing moved. As if a movie had been paused. Before he could study the anomaly he heard marching footsteps. At first he took notice of their golden masks, each showing a different expression, then silver chest, arm and leg armor on top of red robes. No part of their skin was showing with the robe covering every part of their body with a hood over their heads.

Unable to determine whether or not they were foe Arcadeus clenched his fists but one of the masked, a sad face, instantly teleported to him and held his wrist. "Calm yourself, General." A female voice spoke. "We mean no harm." This time a male with a smirking mask. "We are simply here to welcome you to our fine empire." He performed a small bow, one hand on his chest and the other behind him. "Who are you?" asked Arcadeus. "We are Lord Brahma's personal royal guard." the smirk answered. "Alright. What's the meaning of all of this?" Arcadeus waved around him to point out the frozen time. "We are but humble servants." The sad mask spoke. "We do not wish to take time off our lord's schedule. Therefore we simply stop it. To make time, so to speak." The sad mask giggled.

"You can freely move because we made the exception." said the smirk. "To warn me, I suppose." Arcadeus made eye contact with the mask that seemed to be the leader. "Because an introduction could have been done more civil than this." Arcadeus whipped his arm away from the grasp of the sad mask. "I know a threat when I see one. You showing off your powers like this... It is impressive." Arcadeus turned his back to the guards and peered into the crowds. "Stopping time at this scale tells me you lot are indeed powerful." He turned around the face the leader once more. "Is it a smirk you truly wear under that mask? Or do all of you wear a one to hide your true emotions... your fears." "Our lord allowed us to introduce ourselves in any way we'd enjoy. We are a force to be reckoned with, General, and you ought to know it before you find out in some ugly manner." "I came here as a sign of good will and in hopes for an allegiance." "No... You came here to find out how powerful Lord Brahma is... and if he's trustworthy." The smirk walked closer to the General. "Your plan to execute him should you find you do not share the same desideratum will not end pleasant. His Grace is always three steps ahead." "That's a bold accusation." "No. We simply read your mind. Enjoy your stay, General."

The Royal Guard vanished without a trace and everything came back to life. The people cheered with an almost forged energy. Arcadeus looked at Brahma and studied him. Was he frozen in time as the rest of them were... or was he acting? How much did he know? "Come, we must dine and drink. The festivities will continue for several hours. We must enjoy ourselves before we embrace tomorrow's duties." Brahma ushered Arcadeus playfully off the stage.

After several hours of drinking and sharing stories of war, Arcadeus was finally shown his room. He released his coat onto the floor, threw his boots to the side and only took off his shirt before falling onto his bed. A groan followed by a heavy chuckle, he embraced his pillow and duvet like long lost comrades but something wasn't right. He hadn't turned on the lights and he didn't really know his room all that well and yet, something that shouldn't have been in the room was there.

From within the darkness a woman made herself known. She walked slowly towards the General. "Who are you?" he asked. "General Mara, I am Adyren, and your life is in grave danger."