GOB Chapter 4-!
Happy Halloween all! I hope you guys are enjoying the cooler weather wherever you are (I sure am!). Wanted to drop the next chapter of GOB here for ya. I haven't gotten much feedback on the story thus far, but its all good. I don't expect most people out there to be avid readers or anything lol. It's been fun just getting to flesh out the story for myself. (But a huge thank you to those who are sticking around to read!!)
In regards to the art, I haven't been able to do as much as I was hoping to, but I did get to work on this concept design for a skull altar. I captured some video footage on my phone
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA7ms3wRmAF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
I'm thinking of using the design for the story at some point - I just need to find a good part to place it in!
Chapter 4 - The Secret Behind the Temple Door!
The early morning sky was still dark as I quietly made my way down the dirt path. The temple was a fair distance away, but if I kept close to the trees, I’d reach it without being seen. It was a quiet night, almost peaceful—if I wasn’t sneaking around, this would’ve been the perfect time for staff practice. But not tonight. Before I could let my mind drift further into thoughts of training, I heard voices up ahead. I froze, crouching low behind a bush.
Two guards were approaching, their torches light up their silouettes. One was bulky and muscular, the other lean and skinny. Both had gold shields strapped to their backs and spears in hand—real weapons meant for a deadly battle. Between their gear and my flimsy, handmade weapons, the contrast felt silly. But That’s exactly why I’m here, I reminded myself, watching the guards pass by. I need what they have.
Once the coast was clear, I crept forward again until the entrance of the temple loomed ahead. It was a large ancient pillar. Its stone walls had seen centuries, and its surfaces were weathered by time. Nature had crept in, vines winding through cracks in the rock, but the temple itself remained sturdy. Though it wasn't as grand as the central temple in the city, it still commanded respect. Who knows how many people had come here, seeking the gods' favor?
At the temple entrance, I noticed a lone guard standing watch. He looked drowsy, and I could see him trying to fight off sleep, as his arm had covered a yawn. "I guess the Sun God wasn’t exaggerating about the guards being lax," I muttered under my breath. Still, I didn't want to take any chances. I needed another way in. Cautiously, I crept around to the back side of the temple through the trees and—bingo! No guards in sight over here. After a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching me, I ascended the cold stone steps and slipped inside. I gasped as I took in the sight before me.
A large sacred room illuminated by candles and the orange glow of torches lining the walls. Their flickering lights were dancing over a massive petroglyph on the ceiling - ancient drawings depicting the gods and the creation of the world. Ritual items were neatly arranged on the altar tables, with beautiful golden bowls resting above symbols dedicated to its corresponding deity. At the center stood a large stone platform, holding a stunning bowl—likely dedicated to our most powerful god, Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. A grand tapestry hung behind it, creating a divide between what I could see in front of me and what was beyond the other side.
“Wow...” I whispered, awestruck. “I’ve never seen this side of the temple before. It’s always been closed off to commoners.”
I approached the altar cautiously and put down my spear, as I eyed the offerings. “The Sun God said to drink his offering.” But which one was it? As I scanned the symbols on the altar, I could feel myself getting agitated. Damn it, I should’ve paid more attention during those boring history lessons. Then, I saw it. The sun symbol, carved into the stone beneath one of the bowls.
“This has to be it,” I murmured, trying to dispel my doubt. I lifted the bowl and hesitated. The red liquid shined in the dim light. No turning back now. I took a deep breath and starting drinking.
It was not fiery or spicy at all like I expected from an offering to the sun god..The taste was surprisingly sweet.“Huh…Its fruity” I frowned in confusion.
But before I could think too much about it, a gust of wind blew through the temple, snuffing out the candles one by one. The ground trembled beneath me.
“What the—?!”
A grinding sound echoed as the entrance wall slid shut, sealing me inside and plunging me into the darkness. The next thing I knew, I saw a spotlight shining down on me and the bowl in my hands. The bowl had started to shake and green smoke was billowing out, flooding the floor like slow-moving water. Next to me, a glowing red apple had materialized out of nowhere. It was floating in the air and had started to speak like a human.
“Introducing... the great and powerful...!”
I blinked. “What the—?”
Emerging from the smoke was a yellow figure with a banana-shaped head. He had a muscular body, dazzling jewelry, and an absurdly long nose. Instead of legs, a green, smoky tail trailed beneath him. His voice boomed in a deep, operatic tone.
“Loooord Kuzzahhhhh~!! MUAHAHAHAHAHA! I DID IT! I ACTUALLY DID IT! I HAVE... A CHAMPION~!!!”
The temple echoed with his dramatic introduction. It was so loud, the whole jungle could’ve heard him. I stumbled backward, cringing as I glanced toward the now-sealed entrance. Unlike me, the Sun God wasn’t even trying to be discreet. If those guards were still close by, they’d definitely know something was up.
"Hey!" I whispered sharply, stepping out from the shadows, my eyes wide. "Keep it down! Someone could hear us!"
He threw his head back and laughed, his voice bouncing off the walls of the sacred space.
"Ah, don’t worry about it!" he said, waving his hand, like it was nothing. "I’ve already taken care of that. As long as I’m here, no one will ever know we’re in here!" His voice shifted back to that snappy, high-pitched tone—the same one I heard in my dream.
I hesitated. I guess that’s convincing enough, I thought. But still… this is weird. If this was supposed to be the Sun God, then he was nothing like I had imagined.
“Anywhos, congratulations, mortal!” he exclaimed, shaking my hands enthusiastically, his grin stretched ear to ear. “You’ve become my first-ever champion! And no refunds, returns, or take-backsies allowed!”
I blinked, taken aback by his sudden shift. “W-Wait, just who are you anywa—"
“Oh no need to thank me! But I do appreciate any admiration from a lowly worshipper,” he interrupted, flashing a smug smile.
Maybe he didn’t hear me. “Just who—”
“Say, did you happen to enjoy the fruit punch?” he continued, ignoring me.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" I finally shouted, frustration bursting out.
He paused, blinking in surprise. “Me?” He scoffed as he tried to brush off his disbelief with a laugh “Kid, didn’t you just see my second grand entrance? I am the almighty Lord Kuzzah!”
"Kuzzah?" I echoed, still confused. “But... you don’t look anything like the Sun God.”
“Ah, but I am!” he declared, puffing out his chest proudly. “I control fire and light, and I fight the darkness every day. I’m the one and only, little girl!”
I narrowed my eyes. “My name’s Chima, not ‘little girl.’”
Before I could get another word in, the cute looking apple floating beside him piped up cheerfully. “Nice to meet ya, Chima! I’m Apple, his loyal servant!”
Dumbfounded, I stared at the bizarre duo. This whole situation was crazy—talking fruits, banana-headed gods—what in the underworld was happening? I felt the need to rub the back of my neck as I tried to move things past the awkward moment, “Uh, yeah hi…A-Anyway... I get to become a warrior now, right?”
“In due time, in due time,” Kuzzah said with an air of dismissiveness.
“What?!” I erupted
He had flown over to some of the large statues of the temple gods and was examining their menacing expressions, attempting to imitate them. “Well first, I need to share the good news with the other gods! And then we need to find more followers like yourself who will shower me with gifts and offerings!”
“But I did everything you said! You promised!” I shouted as I followed after him. I was appalled that he would treat me like this.
Once he had his fun, Kuzzah floated back over to me nonchalantly. “Oh, come on, lighten up! You’ll get your wish soon enough! “Look, tell you what, since I’m such a benevolent god, I’ll be generous and ease your worries.” He snapped his fingers, and the bowl on the altar was replaced with more of that fruit punch stuff or whatever he called it. “I’ve just refilled the bowl with a new blessing. Like nothin’ had ever happened!!”
“And!” he added with a flourish, “If you ever find yourself in trouble, just eat a piece of fruit, like this banana here, and my power will protect ya!” A banana had instantly appeared in his hand, which he fastened to my belt sash with his magic. “Simple, right?”
I didn’t like the sound of where this was going “Trouble? What do you mean, trouble?” I asked.
“Well, we DID kind of interfere with a sacred ritual, and we DID tamper with holy offerings—one of the great sins against the gods, you know.
“SIN?” I exclaimed.
“So!” he clapped his hands together, “Just try to keep this a secret for as long as you can, and I’ll be back soon!” With that, the large temple doors creaked back open.
“Whoa, wait! So you’re just going to leave me here? Just like that?!” I yelled, panic creeping into my voice.
“Exactamente! Chao~! Chao~!” he called over his shoulder, waving lazily as he whooshed toward the exit, leaving without so much as a second thought.
“JUST LIKE THAT!?” I shouted in disbelief.
“S-Sorry, Chima!” Apple stammered, wringing his tiny arms nervously. “I’ll do my best to bring him back ASAP!” He said as he bolted after Kuzzah.
I instinctively reached for my spear,“Wait!” I called out, my feet carrying me toward the door. “You’re the one who roped me into this! You need to stay here and help me out of this mess!” But it was too late. I stopped at the threshold, helplessly watching as the sun god and the apple disappeared into the sky.
Letting out a long, exasperated sigh, I turned back toward the altar. In my hands, I wasn’t carrying some magical sacred offering. Just some stupid fruit juice. “Oh boy…What do I do now?” I muttered under my breath, staring at my reflection with utter disappointment.
Right as I was starting to consider heading back home and giving up on this whole idea, a guard suddenly entered the room from behind the tapestry. The moment his gaze fell upon me, I froze.
“YOU THERE! HALT!”
I stumbled back from the shock and accidentlly dropped both my spear and the bowl onto the stone floor. It shattered into pieces, spilling the liquid everywhere.
“Oh… no, no, no!” I dreaded.
As the warrior advanced, I knew I had to make a move. I quickly grabbed my spear and bolted toward the exit.
“Damn it! He saw me!” I screamed aloud to myself as I fled into the trees.
Unbeknownst to me, the warrior came over to the altar and knelt to inspect the shattered bowl and the liquid. Realizing what had just happened, he immediately returned behind the tapestry, running down a long passageway of stairs into a dark private room. The atmosphere was thick with an unsettling energy. A shadowy figure cloaked in a hood sat on the floor, praying to the gods within a circle of flickering candles.
“Sir! A girl—a girl just stole a blessing from the altar!” the warrior shouted as he burst into the room. Silence followed.
The figure shifted slightly in the dim light, the hood obscuring his features. "A girl? Where is she now?" His voice was calm and smooth but it had carried an eerie emptiness.
“She’s fled into the forest! Though, she’s probably too far for me to catch up…”
The cloaked man did not speak for a few seconds more deciding on what actions to pursue next.
“Your orders?” the soldier pressed
Turning to him, the man extends his hand. A Green magic launched forth from his fingertips, binding the warrior like a serpent. “Make haste with this and bring her back to me.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
“And do not fail me” The voice warned menacingly.
***
As I tore deeper into the jungle, my breath came in ragged gasps. I could barely see where I was going and all I could feel were the branches scraping against my arms. Do I dare to glance back? I half-expected to see him on my heels but I didn’t hear the sound of footsteps behind me. Had it already been a minute or two? Was he still following me?
I decided to take the opportunity to catch my breath. I leaned against the closest tree and tried to let my body relax a little. The whole encounter left my hands shaking. What do I do now? I thought, staring at my trembling hands.
Suddenly, I heard something whiz through the leaves—nothing that sounded natural. I whipped around, every muscle tensing back up.
“You there!” a voice called, cutting through the forest stillness. “You're coming with me!”
My heart dropped. He was unbelievingly fast and his footsteps were pounding through the undergrowth.
“Wait! You’ve got it all wrong!” I attempted, backing up as fast as I could. My feet felt heavy, like they were sinking into the ground before an overwhelming predator. “I’m just—”
The warrior’s eyes narrowed as he drew a dagger from his side, its blade gleaming in the moonlight. “Don’t try and run, girl!” he growled. “Or you’ll get hurt!”
There was no way I could outrun him now. I needed to think, and fast. Then, out of nowhere, I remembered the banana Kuzzah had tossed at me—his so-called “power.”
No way… I thought. But what choice did I have?
Desperation clawed at me. My hand darted to my belt sash, and in one swift motion, I yanked the banana free. My eyes locked on the approaching warrior, his blade raised as he closed the distance. This had better work!
I peeled the banana and stuffed it into my mouth without a second thought, swallowing the last bit in a single gulp.
For a second, nothing happened. I blinked, confused, my heart hammering. Was this all just another lie? But then, suddenly, my body lurched forward. I doubled over, feeling a strange energy surge through me, making my skin tingle and my limbs even more heavy. Before I knew it, my entire form began to shift, rapidly expanding as if something inside me was inflating.
“What the—?!” I gasped. My arms—no, my entire body—had transformed into a giant banana!
The warrior stopped dead in his tracks, eyes wide with shock as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. But before he could react, the top part of my new banana-shaped form shot out—too fast for either of us to process—and smacked him square in the chest.
"UGH!" he grunted, stumbling backward as the impact knocked the wind out of him.
He was completely unprepared and fell hard to the ground. I teetered, struggling to maintain my balance as my banana body felt both heavy and awkward.
The warrior, looked up at me, dazed and confused, as I loomed over him like some strange, yellow monster.
What had I done?!
END
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