It starts with a tingling sensation. Spreading from your chest to your limbs. The longer it lingers, the better it starts to feel. As if you could tear down this wretched place with one hand. Then your body follows that notion. Your muscles grow. Your eyes turn crimson as if they are set ablaze. The color of the world slowly fades to red. I can see Bastet’s bewilderment. But then she grins again. She understands. And opens her arms wide as if to embrace me.

“Sister.”

It is all I needed to hear. I grab the blade of one of the warriors. And dash right towards her. It happens so fast, they do not know what is happening and just get dragged along. I only realize now that it was easy to move. As if I no longer am bound. The blade pierces right through her womb, all the way up to her throat. No mercy. I look into her eyes. Raging. Even as she dies, she doesn’t stop grinning at me. She also grabs my face. Caresses it.

“I curse you,” she whispers. She goes limp. Just like my beloved Ptah. Nothing will hold me back. Nothing can hold me back. Everything seems as if in slow motion. I see they released Sobek. He attacks me. But in two sift moves, I slice him apart. The holder strikes me as well. No chance. Using the chains, I throw the warriors at the other attackers. They stumble back. Anhur appears. Seems shocked. Sends his love after me. She dies. He goes after me. He dies. Every body lying on the floor, bleeding, makes me feel stronger. More powerful. I wield two blades. Cut down all. I move to the pillars. Not far from here, she tossed his head away. I look down. It is steep. If I jump, I will break my bones. Behind me, more Ashurans arrive. I don’t care. I jump.

The impact is so strong that the ground is heavily dented. No bones are broken. I hear a commotion. I don’t care. I look for him. Birds could have picked up his head. But I am lucky. They only fed off it. Flutter away as I approach. I recognize his green locks. They are still clinging to his skull. Some skin remains. Dried up leather. I pick him up. Cradle him. Kiss his decayed forehead. I wish him a good night. I promise to join him soon. Watch me, beloved. I put him on a rocky ledge. He will bear witness to what I do. I hear them coming. They are finally here. I slash them. No mercy. They all fall. The rain mixes with the blood. The river it forms looks beautiful as a painting.

More are coming. I would not have stood a chance. But in the distance I see brother. With his army. He has disobeyed Geb. I grin. Sandwiched between them and me, the Ashura stand no chance. Everywhere is chaos. The slaves break free, even help us. Together we defeat them. All of them.

But it is not enough for me. I feel the fire. It is burning. This world has to burn. They took him away from me. They will pay. Who is friend? Who is foe? Who is this pale young man shouting at me? He fights well. I shall be his opponent. He keeps shouting. I do not hear any words. I see more familiar faces, but I do not know them. Something tells me I need to retreat. I copy that Ashura trick. I disappear. And reappear somewhere. It looks like a settlement. I can hear them running. Their screams. Hush now. The houses catch on fire. At least they are silent now. I repeat the trick. Again. Again. Blood. Screams. Beautiful. Your life. I want it. My weapon is blunt. I trade. This man does not need it anymore. I continue.

Familiar faces appear again. I fight a few. And disappear. Destination: wherever. Give me more. More! The voice in my head has not enough! Everything! Burn! Who are these who follow me? Why are they not bleeding yet? I see that pale man again. He is crying. For whom? I don’t care. I want his heart. But he fights well. I disappear. I fail. Something prevents me from going. I see a woman. She holds something glowing. I hiss. It’s too bright. I cover my eyes. A winged man pierces my heart with his blade. It still keeps on beating. I laugh. It hurts only a little. The moment he pulls the blade out, the wound closes. I can smell their despair. You won’t kill me. I get up. Want to smash that bright thing. Brother opens his eyes. Brother? What is ‘brother’? His eyes are black. I feel something pulling at me. I refuse. He closes his eyes. Tumbles back. They are bleeding. Shouts. You cannot hold me down forever. I swing my weapon. Nobody is hit. I am angry. An older man appears. He looks familiar. He is somebody I want to kill. I attack. He stops the blade with his bare hands. Sends me flying. Pins me to the ground with magic. Stupid man. I wrestle my way back up. What is this? I cannot move forward? I look at him again. He holds up both hands. He is sweating. It takes a lot of energy. I see a chance. I try to break free. I manage to take one step. And another. More join in. I feel their powers combined. But I fight. I won’t let them stop me. The chains on my wrists heat up. Hot. Hotter. Burn into my skin. I am angry. Kill. Blood. I roar. Pale man drags my chains. They burn his skin. He shouts in pain. He does not give up. Keeps dragging me. I fight back. But the forces are too strong. No progress.

Suddenly it is dark. Where is this? A cave. Magic cave. I can sense it everywhere. Even the water trickling from the ceiling is magic. They use it to bind me. Chain me to the wall. They are exhausted. So am I. I want to kill. But I am tired. Sleep. Good.

I wake up. Pale man is there. Washes my face. I sleep. I wake up. Nobody there. Silence. I sleep. I wake up. There is chanting far away. Magic intensifies. Chains hurt. Brother is here. He looks older. How much time has passed? I drift into sleep. Some noise wakes me up. It is not brother. A boy. He is lost. He seems special. He can sense me. I guide him. What’s this? A Retainer? He could be of use. I let him talk. Yes. He dislikes his world. I can use this. Let him warm up to me. Little by little. I pour my essence into him. He does not notice. Thinks he is becoming more powerful. Poor little boy. Just a tool. Good boy. Soon. Soon I will be free of this wretched chains. Why was I captured anyway? Aah. I remember now. So this is what it means to be Ashura. I am truly cursed. I cannot even join my beloved in the afterlife. But if I use several Retainers. Pour my essence into them. Until I become hollow. Maybe. Just maybe I can truly rest in peace. I shall start with this boy. He calls himself Rowan.