Pillars and Brothers

The red sun was setting over the forest as a small cat like creature known to the locals as a Jarline was stalking its prey. The Jarline had a long tail with a slender black spike on the end, its fur was dark purple, and its left ear was badly scarred. Its green eyes were focused and unmoving as it watched a small flightless bird hop on the forest floor. The bird hopped and chirped every few feet, the Jarline knew it was calling it’s young. The Jarline crept along behind the bird ever cautious to not be heard or noticed.
In the distance a man’s voice could be heard. Upon hearing the voice the bird froze careful not to give its position away and the Jarline slinked closer to its unaware victim. The bird was still as a rock not even blinking an eye. The Jarline was a mere foot from its victim, when it the man walked up to them.
“Kolec?” said the man’s voice. The man wore only a loincloth and carried a large staff, his hair was dark purple and his eyes bright and alert.
The Jarline looked up at the man and hissed. The man stood his ground and stared at the creature. The bird took this as its chance to flee and disappeared under a bush.
“You owe me supper. Kovoo.” said the Jarline as it magically transformed into a man.
“I have no time for your games little brother. The elders are waiting and the spirits grow restless. It’s time”
Kovoo let his annoyance show too easily thought Kolec. His older brother often shared with anyone that he was an embarrassment to the throne. Kovoo frowned as Kolec began searching the area for his staff. Evidently he was making them late.
“You still haven’t explained to me why I’m needed at this ceremony. You’re the one, not me,” said Kolec as he climbed a tree.
“I don’t even know. What are you doing up there?”
“Getting my staff you’re lordship” mocked Kolec.
Kovoo greeted his little brother with a play punch to the chest as he landed beside him. The two brothers set off towards the temple. Clouds were gathering as they made their way thru the forest. Lightning flashed in the distance and the wind picked up speed kicking up leaves and dust around the brothers.
“The spirits are angry”
“You sure it isn’t the rainy season?” said Kolec with raised eyebrows and a grin.
“I pray that your mockery of the spirits will see slumber before the end of the night”
“Your prayers will be answered soon enough, for I’ve had a long day”
Three young women stood around a fire as the brothers approached the temple. The women were dressed in long white robes, the robes were as thin as air and see through. The young women’s long black hair was wild and moving as the wind blew. They were the temple prostitutes. Kolec much to the chagrin of Kovoo and his father spent a lot of time “paying” the tribute of flesh to the spirits. Kolec winked at the girls as they stopped in front of the fire.
“Your father and the elders request your presence on top of the hill you’re lordship” said the women in unison.
“We’ll that means you brother, I better stay here with them I’ve been feeling repentant…” said Kolec trying to suffocate a grin with his face.
“No. They need us both.”
Kovoo grabbed his brother and marched him passed the temple and up the hill.
“What’s going on? The top of the hill is forbidden. The gods will wake if they see us.”
“Since when do you have respect for the gods?” asked Kovoo frowning as he pulled his brother along.
The brothers finally made it to the top. The twelve elders stood around a large stone table. Their father stood behind the elders on a wooden platform. Behind their father, there were two pillars that reached well into the sky. The pillars were white as snow and stood about seven feet apart.
Kovoo and Kolec placed their staffs in front of them and bowed to their lord and elders.
“Rise my sons”
The chief elder walked up to the stone table. Kolec noticed that no one was looking at them. Even his father seemed to stare beyond them as if they weren’t there.
“The spirits are not pleased. Double births are cursed. They demand blood”
Kolec looked at his brother who returned a vacant expression. He looked at his father he still did not look at his sons.
“What of it?” interjected Kolec.
Kovoo closed his eyes. Kolec ignored him and rose to his feet. He looked at his father, who still avoided his eyes.
“One of you must die. The spirits demand it and we all shall honor them”
“You sure this doesn’t have anything to do with what happened with your daughter?” asked Kolec now stepping on the stone table moving closer to the chief elder with staff in hand.
“I think it does. You blessed our birth years ago. We violated nothing. I was ripped from my mothers belly, I didn’t follow my brother through her woman hole”
“She died as you were wrapped in your swaddling clothes” stated the elder as his face began to show color.
“This is cow dung. You’re mad because your daughter the temple harlot loves sleeping with me”
“Brother, stand down lest the gods awaken”
Kolec turned to his brother. Kovoo was standing now.
The Elder continued, “Your blessing has been revoked. Your wickedness made it so. One of you has to die”
“He’s right brother”
Kolec looked at his father. “And what does our lord have to say about this?”
“It is so because he commanded it,” said the Elder.
The brothers watched as the elders made a circle around them and the stone table.
“We will leave now. One must return with the others staff covered in its owners blood.”
The elders and their father walked down the hill. Thunder was heard in the distance and rain began to fall.
“You kill me. I refuse to kill my own brother,” said Kolec.
“No one is dying. I have a plan”
“What about the spirits?”
“I made a deal with the chief elder.” Kovoo walked over to some bushes and led a small calf to the stone table. “I kill this calf and cover your staff in its blood”
“Where am I to go?” asked Kolec as his brother pulled his staff from his hand.
“Isn’t it obvious brother? Through the pillars.”
“You’re mad,” said Kolec as emotions erupted in his face.
“You have nothing to fear. The portal is kind.”
“I have everything to fear without my staff”
“Kolec you’re a survivor. Your shape shifting powers will be of no use to you there. You can make things, not many of us can do that here”
“I’ll run away,” said Kolec.
“Sorry brother” Kovoo pointed his staff at Kolec and a beam of light hit Kolec in the chest and lifted him in the air. “You’re good at making things. Everything will be fine. The spirits will rest and soon I’ll be lord”
“You’re good at lying” spat Kolec suspended in the air.
“That I am”
With a flick of his staff Kovoo sent his brother hurtling between the white pillars. They turned black as his brother crossed between them. Kolec vanished as the pillars transported him far away to a savage land-a forbidden place.
Kovoo took out a knife and walked over to the calf and spilled the creatures ruby essence on the stone table. There was a crack of thunder as Kovoo rolled his brothers staff in the red pool of deceit. The wind howled and almost knocked Kovoo over. He turned to the pillars and noticed that they were still black. Kovoo stood trying to avoid the blood when he heard a growl.
Turning his head he saw large serpent like creatures slithering out of the portal. The creatures had bright red eyes and dark greenish brown skin. Kovoo began to run when they seized him and dragged him in the pillars. The gods woke up.