“Gaghiel, the God Beast . Shamshel, the Ape Beast. And Ramiel, the Sky God. Locked in the eternal struggle for the rite to claim the title of Za’afiel, they ravage the great city of Roy’l. Sealed away in the realm of Chaos; The Between and Betwixt, the struggle between life and death. Until the great one can open the realm and destroy the gods and claim the title of Za’afiel.”

His voice crackled with fear and a sudden chill that braced his spine. His hair was disheveled and there were dark circles around his eyes. His eyes were a sad pale blue, but had the feeling of ecstasy in his eyes. His skin was pale, but an unnatural pale. A pale caused by time enclosed in a dark room. His lips were turning purple from the cold and his body quivered as it tried to gain heat. He breathed out and his breath covered his face. He was Paul Goldsboro. He was the young captain of the S.S. Behemoth.   “Adolf, get me the book.” Paul mumbled. His British accent was strong.

            A tall, blond haired, blue eyed German man picked up a large book with papers sticking out with it. Adolf was vastly older than any of the crew members. He had to be in his late fifties. Sadly, he was lower in rank, for he was just a deck hand with little English skills.  His face was long, his arms were long, and his entire body was long. He was a lanky fellow. Adolf had the stone cold face of emotional numbness. It was like he saw many horrors in his life and didn’t have enough room in his head for more.

“Danke.” Paul muttered as another quiver took over his body.

“Mr. Goldsboro, what are you getting at here?” asked one of the deck hands.

“Well, we’re out here looking for Roy’l, Tim.” Paul snapped out.

“But that is only a myth! It’s from a 3,000 old scripture from the middle east!” screamed Tim Burrell.

            Tim Burrell, thirty five years old, and five years Paul’s senior. Still, he referred to captain as “Mr. Goldsboro” out of respect. His hair was just starting to gray and the crow feet started to form around his eyes. Tim was the hot-head of the group and the skeptic. The last to believe, but the first to pick up on oddities, he was the Dana Scully of the group. His speech patterns were also the typical one for a New Yorker, from whence he came. 

“Tim, do you believe in the Christ?” ask Paul, with slight hint of madness in his voice.

“Hell, yeah!” he yelled back.

“Than you shall reunite with him at the end of this quest.” Paul said as he signaled to Adolf.

            The German man picked up the angry Tim, and dragged him away at Paul’s command, “To the brig.” Tim just about to be dragged away when the fourth member of the play put his hand on Adolf’s shoulder and told him to stop, “You’re going mad, Paul.” A taller man with a heavy British accent yelled from across the room. The boat rocked as the lights laid their heated shined upon him. A dark haired, blue eyed man stood there. His facial expression was of displeasure and his full beard shows his age was at least in his thirties.

“Thomas, I knew I shouldn’t have brought you on this voyage.” Paul exclaimed.

“Well, you did and I’m putting an end to this.” Thomas said as he approached the table Paul was sitting at. Paul slipped his hand under the table and a loud boom shattered through out the lower deck. Thomas backed up and screamed in pain. A .9 mm bullet was just shoved into his thigh by Paul’s gun hidden under the table.

“You’ll learn your lesson in the brig with Tim!” Paul exclaimed loudly.

            Adolf went to escort both of them when the ship rocked with extreme force. Paul stood up and rushed to the stairs to the surface deck. Adolf left the two down there and followed Paul up there. Tim ran to the door to the surface, but it was locked from the outside.

“What the hell is up with that man?” asked Tim.

“Paul use to be one of my childhood friends. He went to Israel and found that book on the table over there.” Thomas said as he ripped off some of his shirt and tied it around his leg.

“That book was found in Israel? And it’s 3,000 years old. How can it be that old and still be bound?” asked Tim.

“It’s not the original scriptures. It’s Paul’s translations. He dubbed it all ‘The Megadeii’” replied Thomas.

“The Great Gods…” Tim muttered.

Paul and Adolf stood on deck, and stared into the green and purple sky. It was like a perpetual, dancing aurora borealis. The water was black and reflected nothing, as if the atrocities above it were not to be seen. It was opaque, as if the horrors below it were never to be seen by human eyes. There were small chunks of ice floating in the water, bumping against the S.S. Behemoth. The sound made from the bumping just echoed, as if this place was empty. At least two miles away from the boat’s current position was an island; A lone island. It was the lost city of Roy’l. The ancient skyscrapers still stood high in the air. The city seemingly remained complete, as when it was lost. But, it was empty. Not a single being or living creature could be seen on its shores.

“We have arrived at our destination. Bring the two up here, Adolf” the mad man said.

            Adolf went to the lower deck and brought Tim and Thomas up to the surface. Their response to the Chaos was a combination of fear and awe. Adolf walked back over to Paul’s side and handed The Megadeus to him. Paul’s face was that pure look of madness, ecstasy, and sorrow all at once. His soul was screaming out in pain but his mind was twisted. He turned around to see if he was any closer to his destination. The island was closer.

“Men, can you imagine the power now?” proclaimed Paul.

“No, you’re mad.” Thomas snapped back with.

“Aw, come on, Thomas. I’m still the same ol’ Paul.”  The madness said, tauntingly.

“You are not the same Paul I knew from childhood!” screamed Thomas.

“What are you after? What is this power?” asked Tim.

“Mr. Burrell, I’m after the power of the Gods. That is all.” Paul said calmly.

“You are mad.” Tim mumbled, with a look of horror in his eyes.

“So, who will be the first to be sacrificed to the Great Ones?” Paul asked, with another stutter in his voice. His body shivered, trying to gain heat.

Tim charged, “You twisted little fu--.” A shot rang out and echoed in the abyss. Tim fell to his knees, with a gaping hole in his chest. He wheezed in his last couple of breaths and said one last sentence: “Damn you.” He landed on his face.

“You are with Christ now.” Paul said as she spat on Tim’s face.      

The black water exploded with such a force that the ship rocked back and forth, nearly tipping it over. A blue glow pierced the darkness and could be seen heading towards Roy’l. A massive creature set foot on the city, destroying anything that was on shore. It had to be at least 150 feet tall and resembled the dinosaurs of old art work. His massive, clawed mouth opened and closed, several times. It was getting used to being alive again. His was a solid gray, with a lighter gray underbelly. Its hands and feet were not clawed, almost amphibian like. His massive tail moved about and tapered to what seemed to be a double pointed paddle. Plates went down his back, over lapping each other.

“Gaghiel is revived! Hail the Great God Beast!” Paul screamed at the top of his lungs.

            Gaghiel looked up into the dancing sky and his mouth glowed with an eerie blue color. He swung his head downward and a stream of blue energy spawned forth from his mouth, incinerating everything it hit. The dinosaur roared out, as if he was calling something. A shrill scream pierced the sky. The call was answered.

            A massive bat-like creature came over the horizon at amazing speeds. It resembled a bat, but it was nearly as large of Gaghiel. The coloration of this God was black and would have blended in with the water. It had a row of spikes going down its back and ended at the huge club of spikes at the end of its tail. The bat’s green eyes made contact with Gaghiel’s pale, white eyes. It let out a battle cry.

“Ramiel! The Sky God has made her appearance!” the prophet proclaimed.

            A large explosion rocked Roy’l’s southern edge. As the dust and smoke settled, the final player in this game arrived. A massive creature, a nightmare, and more befitting for the title of “Behemoth” than the tiny fishing boat. It was massive with six limbs in total, excluding the lion-like tail it had. The upper torso was that of gorilla and the lower torso was that of a lion. It was nearly double the size of Gaghiel. The facial expression was that of anger. The eyes glowed red with a burning rage. It was angry and he wanted to find a relief to its rage.

“Shamshel, the lonely conqueror, the God Ape.” Paul shouted.

“My Lord, they are real.” Thomas dropped to his knees.

“Yes, they are. And when they murder themselves, I will gain the power.” Paul crackled.

            Terror boomed out from the boat as a loud scream. Paul swung around to witness the death of his childhood friend. One of those horrors from the black sea made its way onto the boat and grabbed Thomas. It was only a quick glimpse before the beast jumped overboard with the man. The demon had a head like an octopus and four clawed limbs. Small wings sprouted forth from its back and its body was green and was like gelatin, dripping with slime. It would be dubbed in the book of the great gods as the Ketlu.

Paul laughed, “Another sacrifice to the gods!”

            The battle of Roy’l raged on, setting the city ablaze. Gaghiel grappled with Ramiel. The bat bit into Gaghiel’s neck, but it did nothing to beast. The dinosaur god just got angry. He grabbed the bat’s wing and started to pull. The immense strength Gaghiel possessed ripped Ramiel’s left wing off. The appendage dropped to the ground as Ramiel tried to hover above the ground. But, it failed when Gaghiel sent a blast of searing energy through Ramiel’s chest. The bat god dropped to the ground, screaming out in pain. Gaghiel put his foot down on the chest of defeated opponent’s chest, roared into the air, than bit down and ripped off Ramiel’s head.

            Shamshel looked at Gaghiel, full of rage. He bashed his fists down and charged at the dinosaur. Gaghiel snapped at Shamshel, but his jaws were grabbed. The reptile’s teeth impaled Shamshel’s hands, but he paid no attention. The great ape let go and threw Gaghiel to the ground. The God Beast got back to his feet and hit the gorilla with his tail, sending Shamshel to the ground. Gaghiel’s mouth glowed with that same unnatural blue.

“Soon, Adolf soon. I shall have the power to mold the world as I see fit.” Paul rambled.

Adolf broke his silence, “Yes sire, you shall. What shall happen to me?”

“Well, you will be sacrificed or you will become my servant, either or.” commented Paul.

            Adolf did not like that response at all. A sudden feeling rage washed over the old German’s body. He noticed the gun was still in Paul’s hand, going seemingly unnoticed. He thought about taking it for a second since the holder was enthralled with the ensuing battle. He decided to wait because he noticed the ship was heading towards a large ice berg. If they were to get stuck there, he would have more of a chance to grab the gun in the sudden landing.

“What ever you will is.” Adolf’s accent was heavier than Paul’s.

            Shamshel stumbled back as his chest was smoking, patting out what ever flame was on his chest. He roared out in anger at Gaghiel and punched the dinosaur in the face. He started to pummel the God Beast with a barrage of punches. Gaghiel fell to the ground, bleeding from his mouth, nose and plenty of cuts and bruises. But, when he got back up, those wounds were gone. Shamshel was distraught. He had thrown everything he could physically muster and still couldn’t affect him. The ape beast could only do one thing now: use his godly powers.

            Shamshel took in a massive breath of air and he made a rumbling sound in his chest. He let it all go in one massive roar that was like a large sonic boom. It struck Gaghiel in the chest and sent him back a few hundred feet. The Lizard God got back up on his feet, chest gaping. That wound became nothing, just like the ones before it. Gaghiel was mad now. He grappled with the ape, trying to gain an upper hand in physical strength that he lacked.

            The Behemoth had just rammed into the iceberg. Chunks of ice fell onto the surface and Paul was startled. Adolf took this as his chance and grabbed the gun from his master’s hand.

“So, the tables have turned. I’m putting an end to this.” Adolf said.

“Oh, and I was going to let you live.” Paul taunted, “Well, just another sacrifice.”

“You ain’t sacrificing anyone or anything. Too many lives have been ruined because you wanted some otherworldly power! It ends here and now!” Adolf shouted.

“Well, do as you please.” Paul slipped out.

            Adolf’s finger shook on the trigger. He watched as his former master just stood there, looking him in the eye. The expressionless face put terror into the old Prussian’s heart. He closed his eyes and scream: “I’ll see you in hell!” Adolf attempted to pull the trigger, but he could not. Paul was not in his eyesight, and he had a sharp, mind-splintering pain in his stomach. He looked down and there was a dagger in his belly, and the madman was there with his hand on the handle.

“Wh-Why? Why must my fate be sealed this way” Adolf muttered out before he dropped to the ground.

“Poor, old man. He would have made a good servant.” Paul said, as he wiped the blood of his dagger with his coat.

            Roy’l was annihilated by the Gods. The once great skyscrapers where reduced to rubble and the smaller ones to ash. To imagine this city was once the greatest and largest city on earth is a far stretch. Buildings made of marble and gold. Precious metals and gemstones for sale on the markets on the lowest of streets meant there was no poverty. Of course, those statements were only in the translation of The Megadeus by Paul Goldsboro. Whether this is true or not is something that to be debated at such time, the ensuing battle of the Gods is something more important.

            Shamshel had Gaghiel over his head, subdued. The ape beast threw the dinosaur into the flames. Gaghiel roared out in pain, but still got up from the attack. The dinosaur crouched and jumped into the air. Shamshel turned around and use his back legs to kick the God Beast in mid-air. Gaghiel was once again thrown on his back, but he still got up. The dinosaur reared his head back and let out another burst of energy. This one hit the front left leg of Shamshel and severed it from the main host. The ape was now lopsided for the most part and was easy prey.

            Gaghiel ran up and went to bite Shamshel in the neck, but he was greeted with a sonic roar that was more powerful than before. This sent Gaghiel into the water, just off the coast of Roy’l. But, once again, he got back up and walked over to the disabled Shamshel. Gaghiel grabbed both arms of the Ape God so he couldn’t struggle and bit down on his neck. Shamshel screamed out in sheer pain. Gaghiel was annoyed, and jerked his head, resulting in a loud snap emanating from Shamshel’s neck. That sound reverberated from the walls of the Chaos Realm. Shamshel’s body went limp, and Gaghiel let Ape God go. It suddenly grew silent as Gaghiel returned to the sea.

            Gaghiel white eyes locked with the S.S. Behemoth. He saw the mad Paul Goldsboro reciting some line from the Megadeus scripture and made his way to the trapped craft. Gaghiel’s roar splintered the silent air in the Chaos realm. Paul finally reached the point sheer madness and began to scream at the top of his lungs.

            “Let me enlighten you! This is the way I pray. I want the juicy, glowing power. The power of life, death, and the betwixt! I want to model my own world. To mold it as I see fit. Look in my face, step in my soul!  I can feel the blood in my veins, emptying my soul! I don’t want a little taste of It; I want the whole damn thing. I want that white hot meaning of life!”

            Paul looked up at the massive dinosaur that was coming his way. He stated laughing as his boat started to crumble as Gaghiel walked straight through it. The S.S. Behemoth, her crew, and the Scripture now rest at the bottom of the black sea.