As some of you may know, I have written a series folowing a god named Zatl. There are three threads of the main series: The Returning, The Legend of Parsh and now The Inner Realms. All three will be compiled within this thread, alterations made wherever necessary. The Inner Realms story, however, will only be posted when it is complete.

   So, to start, the chapter that started it off:

The Returning: Chapter 1

   It was a time of war, and Zatl loved it. People fighting for him, dying for him, though he could easily crush the invaders myself. There was, of course, one problem. and that was Hajjina, the city by the sea.

   It had once been the capital, when Zatl was a god of mercy and love, but as he grew in strength he had left it in order to find a better location. He hadn't abandoned them, but they were furious. For years they had been the focus of his attention, but now he was gone. They should have counted themselves fortunate; he had become , and the people of his new city were his victims. But they wanted him back. Had they not heard about what had happened? Did they not know of his change of heart? Fine. If they wanted him, they could have him. Summoning all his strength, Zatl launched wave after wave of death upon them. Volcanoes, earthquakes, even a hurricane. The city was destroyed. As he stood by and watched, pleased with his efforts, Zatl noticed something. One building had survived the wreckage. He moved closer, eager to get a look at what building he could focus my hatred on. Startled, he saw it was a nursery, with five children in. Zatl had been hoping for a temple, or an altar, how could a nursery possibly survive? Gathering his power, he decided a meteor strike would be best. But then, that would be too quick. 

   He had lots of time, though the war was still waging the immortal troops could not be beaten by mere humans. He decided to let their suffering drag on. How long? A day? A week? A year? All too short. He wanted something grand, that would show his enemies how heartless he was. Fifty. He would let them remain as children for fifty years, but then when they turned adults he would know, and their slow, painful death would begin. Proud, he returned to the front line, where the troops were engaged in battle. He just watched for years, watched the enemy get crushed, watched his units grow in strength and watched myself take steps closer to world leader. But then he saw the impossible. The remains of his troops were scattered on the ground, and the enemy was inside Zatl's capital. Quickly, he made a shield around them, trapping them. How did they, pitiful human mortals, defeat the troops? Zatl stared at them, hoping for some clue. They were struggling, pushing against the semi-transparent, black barrier that was their prison. They would remain there, he decided, until he released them, and the power of lightning as well. This, however, was not to be. With a loud smashing sound, the soldiers broke free of the shield. But how? Not even Creatures could escape from a prison of . Only something with incredible power, equal to that of gods, or someone with a completely kind soul could break that. But the troops were not gods, clearly, and they were not completely . After all, they were part of an army, and they had killed. So how? There was a way, but that was impossible. If what Zatl thought was happening actually was happening, it could prove to be his downfall.

The Returning: Chapter 2

 

   They had a god. Zatl was enraged, but terrified at the same time. This god had the ability to put divine power into humans. Either that, or make new armies from scratch the way Zatl had, only these troops were stronger. First, he had to find out whether the god was or . This god was powerful, and if he was an alliance would be the best option. But if this god was , then he only had one hope, and that was a very dangerous option. Hesitating, Zatl gazed at his burning city and travelled to the enemy's base. What Zatl saw was surprising. There was not one god, but three, all . Their city was a land of happiness, with everything a citizen could wish for. Baths, taverns, luxury homes, these people were pampered beyond belief. It reminded him of when he was himself, except these gods had each other. They didn't need to start new cities, to try to make the race more efficient, just to take their minds off the aching loneliness. However, these gods were at war with him, and he had to confront them. Gathering power from his city, he realised how weak he was. The troops must have reached the temples, but an altar must have been surviving. He had just enough power to cast a meteor miracle. Raising his fist, Zatl brought rocks flying down onto the walls. This was a mistake. The meteors hung in mid air near the walls, then flew towards him with ferocious force. Fortunately, his power was strong enough to create a shield, strong enough to hold off the meteors. Vanishing the shield, he noticed the gates opening. Three figures approached him, laughing.

"Welcome, I am Luic." shouted the one in the middle. Luic was tall, and had white hair on his head, but no beard. The other two introduced themselves. Their names were Reiz and Pien. They were tall, but Luic was still about a foot taller than them. "

Please, come in!" Pien invited. Zatl was suspicious. Why were they inviting him in? Of course they were , but could he trust them? He felt like he could, but they were at war. Was this some sort of trick? But then again, the three gods were obviously more powerful than him on their own, so all three of them could destroy him easily, whether he ran away or not. Bravely, Zatl joined them, and together they stepped through the gates.

The Returning: Chapter 3

 

   "As I'm sure you will have noticed, we have a beating of you." Reiz informed Zatl, though he didn't need to because Zatl could already feel himself falling into the deep darkness of the void. They had taken more cities, when they had taken them all he would vanish for ever.

"But we're offering you a way out." Luic told him.

"What do you mean?" asked Zatl.

"Well, we know of the business Hajjina." He replied.

"Those brats deserve it, it's thanks to them that I've become !"

"I don't mean that. You abondened it, and as you did you forgot ness, kindness and love. Is that right?" Zatl thought for a moment.

Of course, they were right. But what did that have to do with anything?

"I didn't abandon them, I just chose a more suitable capital." Zatl defended.

"Then tell us this. When did you go back and make sure they were all right? Did you really care for them still?" Pien questioned.

"No, I never went back. What has this got to do with anything anyway?" Zatl said, beginning to become annoyed.

"Well, we want you to return there, rebuild it and become like us. Become like yourself. This cruel god isn't really you. You're not happy. We shall destroy all your cities except Hajjina, and then we shall see what you have done with the city. If we're not happy, you know what will happen." Luic answered. Zatl was about to speak, when he felt the force of the wind pushing him.

"Do not worry about your citizens, we shall bring them to our city so they can live a peaceful life. The only citizens you must worry about now are the ones of Hajjina." Luic said, then rasied his hand, and blackness. Zatl looked round. Complete nothingness. What had happened? Had they tricked him, lured him into their city so they could take all his towns, and banish him to the void? That was it. They'd tricked him. So many things he had yet to learn about them, and now it was all over. Were they really ? What would have made them happy about Hajjina? Could he ever have returned to the path of , where his heart still remained? So many things he could have done, none of them possible anymore.

Well then, first visit to the Inner Relams is mentioned! By the way, that whole idea was mine originally if anyone ever saw MadLunatic's stories. He even used my computer to post his stories anyway! Cheeky sod .

 

The Returning: Chapter 4

   Zatl was confused. What was happening? Nothingness, choking him. But then there was a flash of light. He sat up, and looked around. The god rose, and started surveying the area. There were creatures everywhere, and people. He walked up to one of them.

"Where am I?" He inquired. The woman looked around. "Enchart, of course... why?" she replied.

"Where is this place then?" He said.

"Erm... what?"

"Tell me, mortal." He ordered.

"What? You really have no idea, do you? This is Enchart, of the Inner Realm... here, we're all gods. Oh, and creatures." she smiled.

   Zatl gasped. The Inner Realm... "I'm home. At last." He said simply, then ran off as fast as he could. He remembered the last time he'd been in the Inner Realm, when he first became a god. He hadn't lived in Enchart, he lived somewhere different, another city all together. He'd lived in Bulja, the second largest city in the Inner Realm. Enchart was the largest. He knew the way, his creature would still be there, waiting, delivering a telepathic link to him. He ran at a pace of lightning, jumping across gentle rivers and scaling mighty mountains. Within half an hour he reached his home, a massive manor.

The Returning: Chapter 5

 

   He entered the manor, slowly, examing every detail. Nothing had changed. Would his creature still be there? He hoped so, and was fairly sure since the telepathic link was still there. He moved towards the door, silently. He turned the handle, and stepped in. There was a hiss, and in the corner was his young creature, Gallia.

   Gallia had been abandoned by an god and Zatl had taken him in, looked after him and cared for him when no one else would. Gallia was a long snake, about twenty feet long and a few metres thick. He had poison spikes all over his body, and three heads. No ordinary heads though, the heads of lions. The heads were dark, almost completely black, and both had long fangs, dripping with lethal poison. Gallia had been created to be and, try as he had, Zatl couldn't lead him towards .

   But now Zatl wasn't . He was . In fact,  in its purest form. He didn't care what Luic, Reiz and Pien said, he could beat them. He just needed some allies... if a god had another god's loyalty, and that god returned that loyalty with some of his own, then the gods became much stronger, especially if a thrid god was added. So, he needed two allies, gods who would follow the path of destruction.

   "Come Gallia" He chuckled darkly. "We have work to do!"

   Zatl and Gallia wandered the streets of his old home, Bulja. Whenever another god or creature came near, Zatl would stare at them darkly and Gallia would hiss, and spit venom if anyone wanted a fight. So, who could he ally with? He'd have to find another god first... a new one perhaps. Yes... find two newborn gods, fill their mind with , then go down to Eden and take control of the world. He looked around, and there was a god walking nearby. As Zatl approached the god started to run.

"Gallia!" Ordered Zatl, and the snake quickly slithered in front of the god, blocking his path. Quivering, he turned to face Zatl.

"Now, I have some questions for you..." He breathed onto the god, an smirk on his face.

"Where are the new gods born? Is it only Enchart or across the Inner Realm? Tell me, or suffer a painful fate..." As if on cue, Gallia raised to his full height and started hissing, louder than anything.

"Calm down Gallia. There is no need to take this god's life. As long as he answers our question, that is."

"Well, it's in Enchart, of course. Surely you knew that? Everyone does!"The god replied, shakily. Then he realised his mistake.

"What?! How dare you make out the others are more knowlegable than me! Gallia!" The snake started circling the god, all three heads ready to bite.

"No, don't kill him. He answered our questions. A small terror is enough. But mark my words, Forat." Zatl said, somehow knowing the other god's name. "If you cross my path again, do not expect to survive.".

The Returning: Chapter 6

 

   It had been days since Zatl had taken his information from the man, so Zatl and Gallia were both next to the creation pad, awaiting a god to be born. Gods were born every few hours, but Zatl didn't want just any god. He'd follow the god for a bit. If they seemed powerful, great. If they seemed , an added bonus. If not, they were left alone. Zatl was growing impatient. No gods were arriving. But then one did, and Zatl was pleased. This god had a pack of muscles, and had a sneer on his face that seemed to show . But this was bully boy , the coward's , not true . But it was probably the best he'd get for a while, so he'd have to do.

"Gallia, get him!" He whispered, and the snake moved lightning fast to the god. The god yelled and started to run, but before he even managed one step Gallia swallowed him whole. The god was still alive, and would soon pass out. then Gallia would spit him out again. Zatl would have to tie him up and carry him back to his underground lair as well though.

They'd created a cave not far from the creation pad, where they would take any prisoners he needed.

The Returning: Chapter 7

   Zatl had taken two god, one a goddess. Neither had names. They were still unconscious, but that was a thing. At least they'd both probably wake at the same time. He walked up to one of them. They'd be out for another few days. Zatl turned to Gallia, angry.

"We will have to wait. For a long time, maybe a week. Well done, fool." He whispered angrily. What could he do for the next few days? Make plans, of course! He'd need a creature for these two, each with the ability to do , but weaker than Gallia. He wanted them to share characteristics, so that the power share would run more smoothly, but Gallia was to be supreme; Zatl wanted to be on the throne of Eden with the other two gods by his side. He stood on one of Gallia heads, and they made their way to the castle.

The Returning: Chapter 8

 

   The quickest way for them to move around Enchart was for Zatl to ride on Gallia. Zatl stood on the strongest head, the middle one, and ordered Gallia to raise it higher than the rest. Gods and creatures alike stared as they powered their way through crowds of people. Even the massive creatures couldn't stare at Zatl and Gallia without getting a twinge of fear.

   They made their way to the castle. The last time he'd been there there was an orb which allowed a person to see into Eden. Zatl wanted to find this orb, and steal it. If he could, he might find a way to see everything in Eden, and the Inner Realm. A priceless object, and could be the key to his supremacy. They burst through the doors. Zatl jumped off Gallia and strode confidently towards a god who was telling people were to go.

"Where is the orb of Eden please? I need to... examine it." He smiled darkly, pretending to be a god. No one would suspect a god who said please, would they?

"Oh, just to your left. Follow the corridor until you reach the golden doors. It's behind there. Why do you want to use it?" The god asked.

"I would very much like to choose a location for where I shall start my city."

"Very well." The god smiled.

"But you might not get sent there, remember. It's perfectly possible that you can get a small settlement that can move there, though."

"Thankyou. You have been very helpful. Gallia! Come, we must go." Gallia slithered up to him.

"Oh, what a... lovely creature you have." the god said, shocked.

"Quite. And now we must be off." Zatl and Gallia made their way towards the orb. The doors were made of gold, not just painted gold. They burst in, and looked around. There was a god there, obviously . There was a goddess as well. They were both talking. They too had creatures, and not the pitiful creatures that were made by the first gods. The goddess had a creature that looked like a wolf, just had six arms with massive claws on the end, and the legs had spikes all around the sides. The wolf was about twent feet tall. There was another creature, about the same size, which belonged to the god. This creature was like the cow, just it had four horns on its head and massive teeth. It had retractable claws like a cat too.

" day, my friends. My name is Zatl. And you are?" He introduced himself.  gods always got along. Two gods fighting meant that in the end there would be less gods, meaning more peace and happiness.

"My name is Zallia, and this is my wolf, Zharg." The goddess told him. "And this is my friend, Lor.".

"Yes. And my creature is called Karr. What is the name of yours?"Lor asked him.

"His name is Gallia." Zatl said. "But why are you here? I suspect it's for the same reason as I am."

"That depends. why are you here?" Asked Zallia.

"Why, to steal the orb, of course!"

"Why would you do that?" asked Lor.

"You are , aren't you?" Zatl asked him.

"Yes. Obviously we are."

"Well, don't you agree that something that lets you examine the world will be of incredible value? Imagine if it could be taken to Eden... " Zatl smiled. So did Lor and Zallia.

"Listen, you two. I am in need of two allies to go to Eden with. I already have an enemy. Three, to be precise. If we three could take on these gods... we could take their cities."

"You propose an alliance?"Zallia enquired, "If so... I accept."

"Me too." Lor added.

"Excellent. Now to deal with the other two." Zatl hadn't forgotten about the two gods he had prisoner.

"We must go there, now. We can return for the orb later." The three gods climbed on their cretures. Surprisingly, Gallia was as fast as they were. When they reached the cave the goddess was awake, just tightly bound and gagged. Zatl walked over to her and untied the gag.

"Let me go! Now!" She screamed.

"No. you can stay here for a while. A few millenia until someone digs here and find you ought to do it." Zatl smiled darkly. He waved his arm in the direction of the two trapped gods, and filled the whole cave with lava. Lava wouldn't kill a god, but it would hurt it as much as it would a human. Suffocation would't kill a god, but that would also be quite painful. When it was filled with molten rock, Zatl addressed the two gods.

"Now. Let us be off."

The Returning: Chapter 9

 

   The three gods, riding their creatures, made their way back to the orb. They made their way through the golden gates, and went inside. They all jumped down off their pets and stared at the orb. It could be used for so many things... spying, communication, anything. Perhaps, Zatl thought, he could use it for teleportation. It would be difficult, but perfectly possible.

"Right. I'll get the orb, then you two use your creatures to stop anyone who tries to get us." Zatl ordered them, and Lor and Zallia nodded in agreement. He reached forward, with Gallia right behind him. Zatl put his arms round it, and pulled. Nothing happened. He frowned. The stand it was on must be held down by somthing.

"Gallia... you know what you must do." The snake moved towards it and bit into it with all three heads. For a while, it just creaked a little, but then it broke free.

"Yes!" He roared, and made his way to the doors. He gasped as the golden doors slammed shut, leaving him in total darkness. He pushed on them. They were locked! He was caught!

"Gallia, get these gates open!" He bellowed, and he heard thuds as the creature smashed into the doors again and again. Nothing was happening. But then he heard a roar, and there was Zharg, pulling them open.

"Hurry!" Zallia shouted, and the six of them tried to escape. Guards were coming from all sides, but Lor, Zallia and their creatures were fending them off. But then a powerful guard appeared. He breezed oast the two gods and put his arms out. "Give me the orb, and we'll let you -" He never finshed, since one of Gallia's heads bit him in two and all three of them ate the remains. The other guards just stared for a few seconds, then ran away, screaming.

The Returning: Chapter 10

   The three gods and their creatures had escaped, and were as far away as they possibly could be. Gallia had the orb in his mouth, and everything was going to plan. when they reached Zatl's old home, they started making plans.

"Right. Zallia, Lor, it's impossible that we will all get to the same place on Eden by doing this by the book, so we're going to have to do it a little differently. This orb." He held it up. "I'm sure we can use it to teleport to Eden. The question is, how? I'll need you two to try and figure it out while I practice my island making skills." Zatl had the ability to create islands in the sea. He went and got a bowl, and filled it with water. Lor and Zallia stared at him, and the creatures were in the pen, fighting. Zatl lay his hand on the water, and suddenly the pottery the bowl was made from started to grow from the bottom of the bowl, creating a small island.

 

"Well, get on with it." Zatl told them. They'd done it. It was all figured out and they only had to cast the incantation. Zallia started to say it, and the orb shook and heated up.

"It's working... we'll be there soon..." Zatl murmured. They felt themselves being pulled, and everything went dark. Then there was a flash of lighht and they were falling. They made themselves float and looked down. Zallia and Lor had chosen a spot of empty sea for Zatl to make the island. Waving his arms, the ground started to rise. It was a massive land, filled with mountains. There was one massive one, many miles high, and at the top was a flat surface with a lake.

"That mountain" He said, gesturing to the tallest mountain "Is our home." They drifted down onto it, then Lor cast a spell and the creatures suddenly appeared, along with the orb. They had to stay in the Inner Realm while there was no island since they couldn't levitate like the gods.

"Now, we just need some people." Zatl announced.

I read the first two chapters so far, this is going along very well.

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Thanks. It's really just my other fanfics in the series put together, so feel to free to read them if you like . I doubt I'll be updating this, since whenever I have the time I'll more likely want to write up a new one instead of put all the old ones together.

I finished reading the rest of the chapters and I'm happy to say its coming along very well.

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