-7 Years Ago-

Vladya was burning. Some folks were screaming, plenty were crying, a few were mindlessly wandering the streets - staring into empty space. Chaos was looking for someone in particular. He knew of the attack to come. After all, he was not only the god of creation but destruction as well - and everything that followed with it.

The town was once beautiful. Not many lived here, which was the best part. It was quiet, peaceful, hidden somewhat in a grassy valley just on the border of Lindoria and Trinal. Chaos used to like it here. Despite what many may think, He enjoyed the silence. Tranquility could last for only so long, however. Chaos knew this most of all. Vladya was running low on gold. No gold meant no taxes to the king, and during wartime, something like this could not be forgotten.

So one day, without warning, the king sent an army to pillage the town. It was a massacre. Flames and smoke filled the night air and blood filled the streets. Homes were broken into and raided. Nothing of value was left behind. There had been nothing left when the fire began. The townspeople ran, they hid, they prayed…

The town was burning. And Chaos hated it. Though there was nothing to be done now. Now, he had one last thing to do here; make sure his son was alright. The boy was no older than eleven. Even though he was still young, he was already starting to look so much like his father. He had been watching his son, Talion, from a distance. In the shadows, off from a distance, or even down the road. Every part of Chaos wished he was a part of the boy’s life; a wish he knew he couldn’t have.

As He walked down the roads, a voice from his side piped up, and as if reading His mind, they said, “He’s still alive.” Chaos turned His attention to where the voice came from, only to come eye-to-eye with Death. Her dark, wolf-like eyes stared right back into His. The light of the reddish-orange flames reflected her raven-black hair and pale skin.

“And his step-father?”

Death shook Her head.

Chaos continued walking, and Death followed by His side. They could see each other, but no one could see them. That was probably a good thing.

“How many?” Chaos asked.

“187 as of now. 200 by sunrise.”

As they reached the end of the main street, they stopped in front of the house He had come here for.

Finally, Death broke the silence, breaking the spell between them, “You know the boy isn’t your only concern.”

“I know,” Chaos responded.

“He’ll be fine,” Death assured Him, “Talion has always been strong.”

He placed His hand on the door to push it open. Instead, however, the door fell off its hinges and slammed onto the ground. It didn’t take much searching to find the body of Talion’s stepfather. Or would it be better to call him his father? The man raised him and took care of him, even after his mother died. And for that, Chaos couldn’t be more grateful.

It also didn’t take much more searching to find out where Talion was hiding Under the bed. He was fast asleep, curled up to make himself seem as small as possible. Who could blame him? Chaos knelt, taking the blankets off the bed and placing them on the boy. He leaned in, whispering quiet words to His son before standing back up.

“Help’s coming this way,” Death called while still at the doorway.

“Good. I’ll see if I can lead them this way.”

Before Chaos could walk out of the doors, Death grabbed His arm.

“I know what You plan on doing,” she said softly. “If You ever need any help, don’t be afraid to ask.” With a smile, She let go of His arm and went to stand in the shadows. Death smiled at Him one final time.

“See You around, Chaos,” She said before disappearing into thin air.