After The End; Chapter 1/Prologue
This is the first chapter of my novel, After The End.
This story takes place in post-apocalyptic Mars, where humans have become anthromorphic and tauric animals who serve the Empire, ruled by a brutal king. As the last of the human's settled on Mars, the new world was consumed by crime and hunger. The God who abandoned them a millenium ago has returned, only to be captured by an imposter, a demon who poses as the Emperor so he can enslave the inhabitants of the galaxy...Only his plans are interrupted when a Eli the Fennec starts a rebellion against the Empire. The only issue being, how can man defeat a God?
No one ever really knew how it came to be. Maybe it was the carbon footprint, global warming, or the age of man maybe was just meant to end. But whatever the reason, the world came to an end in the year 2050. The sun somehow rocketed into the Earth, consuming it and engulfing our world in flames. The only ones to escape where those on the ships sent to explore other settlements and those lucky ones who had been chosen to test out life on planets other than our home. It was a tragedy.
The poor men and women in the ships could see the whole thing. Their tears and cries of misery were too much for me. I decided to leave the galaxy for a time. I hate myself even now for it. A God should never abandon their people, not even when he is sure they will be gone in a matter of days. I came back in the next millenium, it takes a while to get back...and I realized what a horrible mistake I'd made. Now the survivors of the human race were less than human. They were now literal animals, the only trace of humanity the fact that they walked on two legs. They argued, fought, and killed needlessly. I wanted to leave, but then, If I did, it would only become worse and worse...Maybe it's time I stop abandoning them and start helping...Wait, who is that? No, no, stop!!!
AAUUUGGGGHHH!!!!
_ Now, there is a new god. I am taking over. The universe is now under MY control. _
Eli lied down in the field, the only quiet place anywhere near the Capital. It was very different from the fields that they told him about. There was no grass, no trees, no little ponds, and very different wildlife. Well, it had been a long time and they lived on Mars. 3050 is a strange time, but it was all Eli knew. As a poor fox, he only had access to a basic education; how to work machinery and guns, the laws of the Capital (now left unused), and his place.
He winced, hearing the screams of another innocent man dying, probably ambushed by the thugs that infested the pearly white marble alleyways stained with the blood of innocent victims. Eli gritted his teeth. He hated the way this city was run, but without a pass from the Emperor, he was forbidden to leave. He dug his claws into the dusty ground.
Eli stood, grinding his teeth.
"I don't care about no fuckin' pass, I'm gonna leave this damn city, no matter what. Even if it kills me."
*
It was dark, the only time you had a chance of leaving. He rushed to pack his bag, tying a rag around the bottom of his face and headed over to the heart. Eli took a moment to admire the sword that sat above the altar before taking it down and slinging it across his body. Eli threw open the door and crept into the night, as silent as night in this city could be.
"Watch me, Emperor. I'm gonna get out. And then, someday, I'll kill you."
The pale-furred guards at the gate were tired, it was obviousy in their half-shut yellow eyes. Eli thanked his mother for his dark fur that allowed him to blend in. One guard blinked and scratched his head, hearing Eli unsheath his sword, but saw no one standing in front of him. He shrugged it off. A fatal mistake.
Eli jumped forward, slitting the throat of the first guard, slumping to the ground, blood gushing from his throat. The second guard ran foward, spear pointed at Eli. The fox grabbed the shaft of the spear, ducking under and stabbing the guard right through the heart. Eli snatched the keys from the corpse and thrust them into the lock. He sneaked out through the open gates and into the night.
*
As morning broke, Eli knew he had to put his plan into action now, or the soldiers that we inevitably searching for him would kill him. Eli snatched some of the cotton from the plants nearby and his sword under a rock in the reeds. He placed the cotton around his face to create a false beard and thick, white eyebrows.
He smiled as the soldiers tromped into the forest in their formation, halting as they spotted an old man sitting by the river.
"Ho, old hermit, did you see a suspicious figure pass by in the night?"
"Why, I saw a burly wolf pass meh hut las' night. E' had a big, bloody dagger."
"Might you point us in the proper direction?"
"E' went thatway," Eli replied, pointing West.
"Humble Hermit, we will pass by to pick you up. The Empire will be happy to give you hefty compensation for your help."
"No, thank ye. I'm happy out 'ere in teh woods, thank ye very muchly."
The soldiers nodded and marched West, tails held erect.
"Fools," Eli chuckled as they were out of sight. He brushed off the cotton, sneezing once as the fibers tickled his snout. Eli hurled the rock aside and snatched up his sword, rinsing it in the water. He headed North, zigging and zagging down the path to throw of the scent.
"Take that Emperor. I will avenge my dad, and you'll pay for what you did."
Far off in the city, I laughed.
"Foolish boy. You think you can take on God?"
I smile and pat the head of my prisoner, chained to my throne. As I look into his terrified eyes I chuckle.
*"You made humans fanciful didn't you? I'll love for you too see how it kills them all in the end." *