The Wrath Of the Forgotten by Michael Ignacio

lower jaw clenched. “You know my name, creature.”
    “I don’t care to use it,” Tov replied. “If you’ve read the lore, then you know what I am. If you were half the devotee you claim to be, I’d think you’d be giving me more respect.”
    “I am being respectful. You need me, and the Celestial Ones can’t succeed without agents like myself. Respect goes both ways!”
    Tov reached into a side pouch and pulled out a slender scroll. “Onista has fallen. It’s now time for you to fulfill your part of the plan.”
    Her eyes opened wide. “The ogres are truly vanquished?”
    Tov leaned forward in his seat. A satisfied grin split apart his face. “I’m the one who led the charge against them. What have you done for the Masters lately?”
    She looked at the door, and then turned her attention back to him. “I keep them informed. I risk my life every day for them! Don’t you dare for a moment discount my sacrifices.”
    Tov tossed her the scroll. “Your sacrifices have not been forgotten, even by me. Can you blame me for hating your kind?”
    A long moment of silence lingered in the room before the woman’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not like my ancestors. I’m not like the others. I support you, and I support the Celestial Ones.”
    Tov advanced for the second door. “Good. They’re going to ask you to do something very difficult. I hope you’re ready.”
    The woman regarded him for a moment before she unrolled the scroll. She studied its contents and then winced. “I suspected they would ask this of me. When should I do it?”
    “Not yet,” Tov said. “Just be aware that you’ll be required to perform the act very soon. Within the month no doubt. What you can do now is destroy all the records containing lore about them.”
    The woman nodded. “I understand. It shall be done before the week’s end.”
    Tov opened the door. A gentle breeze caressed him. The azure sky stretched overhead. “Be careful, human. I may hate your kind, but you have done well in the many years that you have served the Masters. You are indeed highly valued.”
    The woman chortled. “I should hope so. After all, I’ve been promised so much for what I’ve given and what I intend to give.”
    Tov peeked back at her. “The end is coming. Be ready.” He summoned his wings and flew off.
     

     
    “THERE IT IS,” Apisa whispered. “The Kluflu Clan base.”
    For the last few blocks, the number of residential buildings had dropped considerably. An army of warehouses and various factories swarmed the roadsides. Odd, non- food related odors permeated the air. Consistent, distant, muffled noise resounded like thunder. The only people who moved on the street were factory or warehouse workers. Whenever someone else got closer to Nori, they averted their gaze and increased their pace. None of the girls mentioned anything.
    A large two story house sat in the middle of a ring of walls. The walls had been painted white, which matched the building. A brown tiled roof sat atop the structure. Two warehouses crowded the outer walls of the complex. A pair of men stood in front of a large circular opening in the wall. They both wore silk long-sleeved jackets and baggy slacks. One of the men had a shoddy spear in his hands while the other had a worn-looking hatchet hanging from his belt. They spoke in hushed tones, but laughed gruffly. In terms of age, they appeared to be slightly older than Nori. Both of the men could have benefited from a good shave.
    Nori gripped his war club in both hands. “I can probably get up to them and take them out before they could raise too much of a commotion.”
    “You’ll do nothing of the sort, you savage ruffian,” Rayko said. “Allow me to take care of the guards. I’ll do this with sophistication and grace.” She flourished her hands for a moment and stepped out in front of the others.
    Rayko closed her eyes. Her rainbow diamond tattoo glowed brilliantly for a moment. The air rippled with unseen