SENTINEL WARRIORS 5: LAND OF H’RIS

Part 1: Best Destiny

Oshay sat under a tree, her eyes closed in meditation. She’d been living off the land in a makeshift shelter in the woods ever since she’d left Mia’s house about a year before (see SW2: Children of Nyx). She’d needed the time alone in order to find her true self again. And now, at last, after so long, she could honestly say she felt like Oshay again. The unnatural anger and hatred the Children of Nyx had fomented in her had finally dissipated. Oshay opened her eyes to look up at the light streaming down through the trees. She was whole again. She leaned back against the tree and wrapped her arms around herself, knowing that whatever feelings she had now were completely her own. The soothing sounds and sensations of nature made Oshay so relaxed that she soon fell asleep.

She was dreaming of sunny fields with lush grass and bright flowers. The thundering sound of birds in flight suddenly broke the stillness. She turned to see two figures with great wings, their backs to the light. Eerie halos outlined their bodies. They seemed familiar.

One of them stepped forward and bowed. “Oshay of Clan Kataran. You have endured much and grown stronger. Your spirit glows brightly once again. Forgive us for not doing more to help you in the past.”

The other shook with anger. “When our cursed brother and sisters wreaked havoc upon the mortal world, we did not have the power to stop them. However, we were able to guide your friend Mia to other, more powerful gods who could help.”

Oshay stared at these mysterious twins. “I’ve seen one of you before…somewhere. The Palace of Voids! I was dying. You came to me and healed my injuries, gave me my life back.” She lowered her eyes. “I am in your debt.”

“There are no more debts between us. But there is unfinished business. We have been waiting for you.”

“I don’t understand.”

The melancholy one spread his arms in welcome. “We have been waiting for you to come to us in this part of the dream realm. Only those who have courage and strength of spirit can come here. You needed healing before you could make the journey. Now you are here. The time is right for you to move on to the next phase of your life.”

“I’ve been so preoccupied with just living day to day that I haven’t thought much about the future.”

The more animated of the two shook his head. “Ah, but you’ve dreamed about it, haven’t you? Dreamed of a world defended from evil and injustice. Imagined yourself protecting others from dark forces like the ones that tortured and used you.”

Oshay took a step back. How could they know so much about her?

“Because I am Hypnos, master of the land of dreams. I see all that transpires here.”

The other being’s voice was calmer, more remote. “And I am Thanatos, god of death. I know you because Death has been close to you for a long time. You have even passed through my realm. Do not be afraid. We do not come to force anything on you. We offer choices. We ask that you take up the mantle of Nemesis once more.”

“NO! I won’t be anyone’s puppet again! Never!” She turned to leave, but they both now stood in front of her. How had they moved so fast?

“Please let us explain! Then if you wish to go, we will not bother you again. Please.”

He seemed so sincere, so earnest, that Oshay decided to at least listen. She doubted she’d be able to outrun them anyway. She didn’t say anything, just folded her arms and waited.

Thanatos looked back at the hillside covered with flowers. As he spoke, his story turned into scenes played out around them like ghostly visions. Oshay saw the lives of all the other women who’d ever worn the Mask of Nemesis--some fighting for good, some for evil. “The Nemesis was never intended to be a scourge of mankind or a tool of petty, temperamental gods. It was an ancient office--meant for someone who had experienced pain and suffering and would be compassionate to others. The Nemesis was to be the champion of the weak, punishing evildoers that escaped mortal justice because they were too rich, too powerful, or too crafty. But the Greco-Roman gods twisted that, turning the Nemesis into an enforcer who would punish humans that offended or defied them. You no longer serve the Children of Nyx, but I would ask you to serve the cause of justice. Will you become the Nemesis again? Only this time as a warrior against evil, a defender of the weak and abused.”

Oshay was suddenly seized by a flash of memory of the time she’d died. Thanatos had taken her to a beautiful place to rest. Her whole family had been there waiting for her. Time seemed to go on forever, and yet her stay with them felt so short. And her recent dreams had been so peaceful—untouched by the horrible things that used to give her nightmares. She thought maybe Hypnos had something to do with that. Thanatos and his brother had only ever tried to help her. She could trust them. But was this what she wanted? She’d dreamed of a chance like this, a chance to atone. A part of her was still afraid. She watched the scenes changing and flowing around her, saw the terror and chaos that some of her predecessors had caused. Ordinary people had no defense against such madness. It was within her grasp to fight the waves of evil that always threatened mankind. Should she accept? Could she live with herself if she didn’t? It would be such a lonely, thankless job. After her time spent alone in the woods, she’d been ready to join the human race again. Would becoming the Nemesis once more forever isolate her from the rest of the world?

Hypnos laughed gently. “Where is it written that the forces of good must travel alone? Many others battle together. You have met several warriors already who fight as one. You need never be alone unless that is what you wish. In fact, there is someone who thinks himself very alone at this moment who could use your aide. Will you go to him?”

The scenes around her changed to show a man with wild green hair and beady eyes. He sat in a darkened room, eyes closed as if in pain. He jumped up to pace angrily. Oshay’s heart raced. She felt a connection to this man--the mystical connection of blood and spirit shared by all members of her clan. This man was related to her! How was that possible? Her whole family had been destroyed by Anubis (see Cruel Fate: the story of Anubis, from SW6: Ghosts to Rest). Who was he?

“His name is Sekhmet. He, too, was once in the grip of evil. A horror from his youth now beckons him. Already he senses its presence. Sekhmet will try to fight it by himself, even though there are others who would readily go with him. He will keep this secret from them. Will you go to your kinsman? You need not accept our offer in order to assist him. Go as only Oshay of Clan Kataran or also go as Oshay the Nemesis. It is your choice.”

A kinsman! A relative when she thought she had lost them all! She looked at the pinched lines of his face. He was worried about something. Maybe she could help him. It was her duty as a warrior and a blood relative. And there were many more people out there who could use her help. Maybe she had found her purpose after all. She bowed her head to Thanatos and Hypnos. “I accept the job.”

Hypnos took her hand. “Then come. We have much to do to make you ready. You will meet up with Sekhmet on his journey.”