Prompt: Whisper

The Bearded Idol

The name was spoken only in whispers, and even then it was usually followed by a hastily mumbled ward, to fend off whatever dark powers the name might hold. Nobody was quite sure if he (it?) was a man, a god, or something else – this knowledge belonged to an age long since in ruins. A few souls were dark enough to curry its favor. Their worship consisted a repeated litany of facts. These facts were often contradictory, and always unbelievable.

And yet, none doubted the kernel of truth: Whatever he or it was, The Norris was one tough motherf*cker.