The Riddle of the Gods

by Lyra Shanti

  Iliya made sure Jin was safe and buckled up first, then strapped herself in as well. Pei sighed as Reese buckled him in with a flirtatious smirk on her face. “This is ridiculous,” he grumbled, “We should be heading to Xen to save the slaves!”

  Reese buckled him harder and made him grunt. “We will do that, Pei,” she sternly said as she sat down and strapped herself in for the landing, “but first, we need rest... and a plan! It's no good trying to rescue people when you yourself are a damned mess. So be quiet, and do as I tell you. You know, you may not realize this, but I'm actually your superior Lirhan soldier, so shush!”

  Before Pei had a chance to respond, they all felt the strange, intense pulling of gravity as Hynfir shifted them back into regular flight speed. Hitting Kri's atmosphere, the ship slightly wobbled, then gathered itself, mostly with the help of Meddhi who was balancing the plasma shield with a deft hand.

  It was clear to everyone he had flown a ship or two in his lifetime. Hynfir was glad to have him there and wondered if Meddhi would eventually remember their first meeting. It was brief, when both of them were just out of their teens, but back then, Meddhi was Hynfir's idol. It wasn't something Hynfir thought he could bring up just yet, however, so he kept quiet, hoping they'd find the time later to catch up.

  Hynfir's thoughts strayed as he swallowed down his fears about returning to Kri, his long ago home. He had left it roughly ten years ago, just after the Xen war, soon after Leif's death. He hadn't even said goodbye to his mother, his aunt, or even to Reese. It was something he was ashamed of, and he didn't look forward to seeing the hurt on their faces.

  He also feared Atlar's response to his betrayal. If Hynfir hadn't left, Baran wouldn't have taken his place as head of the Lirhan. Baran's father and Atlar's brother, Raifar, was officially in charge, but in title only, for it was well-known by most in the kingdom that he never actually oversaw any missions, nor gave any real advice to the king. It was the Second General who led the Lirhan, and at the time, Atlar had depended on Hynfir to help guide him, much like Yol had later done. Hynfir wondered if Atlar would ever forgive him for his abandonment.

  Nervous about the future, Hynfir still managed to land the ship gently and carefully. He thanked Meddhi for helping him do it, then got up to stretch. “We're here,” he announced.

  “Yuck,” said Iliya, “I hate space travel! It's so disgusting when you go in and out of those wormhole thingies! I feel like I'm going to puke!”

  Reese gave a slight giggle. “Don't do that, princess. You'll ruin your dress,” she teased with a tickle to Iliya's waist.

  “Stop it,” the little girl protested, “I mean it! I'll vomit on you!”

  Reese laughed, warmed by Iliya's usual prissiness and because she and her brother were finally home. She'd soon see her adopted mother, returning Mair's son to where he belonged.

  She also couldn't wait to be in her own bed, and tomorrow, she'd tell Atlar everything she and Hynfir had discovered about Yol. She knew Atlar would be more than pleased, possibly giving her the title of General. Baran seemed to be minister of something now, whatever that meant. If he no longer was General, then she figured she more than deserved the title.

  Carefully, Reese helped Iliya with Jin, gently waking him with water.

  “Can you stand?” asked Iliya.

  “Yes,” he weakly replied, “I think so.”

  When he attempted to get up, however, he wobbled and almost fell.

  “I've got you,” said Reese as she caught him.

  “Let me help,” Pei commanded, taking Jin's arm and holding him up on the other side. Pei hated seeing his once fellow student in such a tender disposition. Jin had always been so fiery, and Pei wanted to see him that way again soon.

  Together, Reese and Pei slowly walked with Jin to the large hatch door.

  Hynfir looked at Meddhi and said, “Are you ready to face your past?”

  Meddhi cocked his head a little and replied, “I don't know. Are you?”

  Hynfir wondered how much Meddhi remembered about his former life as they opened the door using the plasma-activated side bars of the ship.

  It was bright - too bright for Jin's liking. He immediately passed out, causing Pei to catch him. He then pick Jin up fully in his arms. It made Reese smile. Despite how much she teased him, she didn't really see a priest anymore when she looked at Pei. Instead, she saw a newly born warrior on the verge of greatness. She knew it was only a matter of time before Pei realized it too.

  Meeting them at the landing area was Ona and Baran, both wearing sad, serious expressions. It made everyone uneasy.

  “Where's Atlar?” asked Reese.

  “I'm sorry to say,” Baran replied, grimacing, “the king was abducted about eight months ago, and though we have searched extensively, he is still missing.”

  “What?!” Reese exclaimed, practically jumping in front of Baran. “What are you talking about, Minister – or whatever you're called now?! Where is Atlar? Why can't you find him? Damn it, I leave for a little while, and everything goes to hell!”

  “Calm down, Reese,” Baran replied. “I'll explain it all when we get inside and can talk somewhere private.”

  “You better explain your ass off!” she demanded, nearly growling.

  “It's not his fault,” said Ona. Turning to Hynfir with pointed green eyes, she added, “It's no one's fault, except perhaps Yol Notama's.”

  “You may be more right than you know,” Hynfir replied. Suddenly, he bent down to his knees and bowed his head to the princess. “I know I have betrayed your trust, Your Highness,” he said with his hand on his heart, “but I swear, I will make it up to you by helping you find your father. I did not wish for your king to be harmed, or for any pain to be brought upon you and your family. I vow, here and now, that my loyalty is Kri's once again. I am completely at your disposal.”

  Ona sneered, not knowing how to trust his words. “We shall see,” she coldly replied. “Come, all of you. We have much to discuss.”

  Baran nodded and gestured for them all to follow him and Ona. For a moment, he caught the sight of the Deiusian man with them and thought he looked eerily like Meddhi-Lan. That was impossible, of course, and so Baran walked onward, dismissing the idea.

  Pei was in denial about many things as well. He didn't look forward to making eye contact with the princess, for he felt utterly confused about his feelings for her and didn't want her to notice. Yet, he couldn't help but hope she might seek a private audience with him later on. If she did, he planned on telling her everything about his feelings, and about Pira being their mother. He hoped she would understand how confused he felt, and perhaps, in time, his strong desire for her would turn into something less romantic, and more familial.

  Pei yearned for family now more than ever. However, it dawned on him that if he told Ona the truth, she might proclaim him the prince of Kri, and he wasn't sure if he wanted that title or not.

  Sighing, Pei decided not to think about any of it just yet. Instead, he followed Reese's orders to relax for the moment. As he gave Jin to the healers, he could feel his joints and muscles aching with strain. He realized he was actually mentally and physically exhausted, and if he didn't rest soon, he'd not be able to help anyone.

  As they walked into Kri's famous marble palace, their hearts were heavy, wanting nothing more than to sleep. Baran sensed this, and quickly assigned them rooms, giving them each a servant to attend their needs.

  “We can meet later to discuss all that has happened,” said Baran, glancing at Reese knowingly. She knew by his eyes that he wanted to see her first, before the others. Nodding at Baran, she held Hynfir's hand, then Iliya's as well.

  “We're going to stay with Mother,” she said to Baran, so we don't need a room, or a servant for that matter. We're family, we'll be fine.”

  “Good, I am relieved you are well and have returned home as a family,” said Baran, quietly elated that Reese had survived her mission. He almost felt silly about doubting her. As he looked
over to Ona, expecting her to say something to Reese as well, he saw the princess wearing a somber, far off expression – one that she wore quite often these days.

  Baran couldn't stand seeing Ona so sad. Despite himself, he had fallen a little in love with the princess, and he desperately wanted to see her smile again. He hoped she would be happy again soon since he knew they were close to finding Atlar – he could feel it - and he hoped with all his might that Reese and the others would help him locate their missing king.

  “You should all rest,” he addressed his guests. “Then, we will meet later tonight to discuss the past, present, and future.”

  Baran's words haunted Pei and Meddhi as they walked together down the hall to their adjacent rooms. Both of them felt as though their pasts were akin to bottomless voids – out of their reach, yet still able to sting them in brief moments of memory. Their present wasn't much clearer... and their future seemed a world away.

  In different rooms, yet close by, the ex-priests had the urge to pray. They didn't really believe in Gods anymore, but they couldn't stop themselves from bending down and clasping their hands together in prayer.

  Almost in sync, they uttered an old chant from their life with The Dei:

  “Bodanya, please give me light.

  Bodanya, please give me truth.

  I will chase the demons of my past,

  And I will hunt them for their knowledge.

  Bodanya, please give me light.

  Bodanya, please give me truth,

  I will chase the demons of my future

  And I will make peace with them for oneness.

  Bodanya, I give myself to your power,

  And I will trust in your light to guide me.

  Adin, Adin...

  Amen.”

  In Pei's room, it was lovely and comfortable, adorned with Krian paintings on the walls that depicted romantic scenes of lovers, old sailing ships, and lush orchards, rich with grapes and other enticing fruits for which Kri was famous.

  Unfortunately, Pei couldn't enjoy any of it. His mind was far away, filled with thoughts that threatened to kill his soul. Not only did he feel the immense despair and confusion having to do with Yol being his biological father, but seeing his Lan alive again brought back old wounds, most of all losing Ayn. To make it sting even worse, Ayn's death was caused by Pei's father, simply because he sought revenge against The Dei.

  Pei had often questioned his elder priests and their strict ways, but now, he almost wished they were still in power. They didn't help the people much, it was true, but at least they weren't murderers.

  “Ayn,” he quietly prayed, “if you can hear me... I am so, so, sorry!”

  Unable to take the guilt that came with finally being safe and free enough to feel his emotions, Pei shed tears without restraint. Covering his face with his hands, he wailed against fate, wishing he could change every event of his life. No longer thinking clearly, he wished he had never been born.

  Finally, when Pei had no more tears to give, he lay still on the bed and went numb, then cold – so very cold.

  Unexpectedly, there came a gentle knock at the door.

  He didn't want to get up to see who it is, so he ignored it.

  Again, the knock interrupted his self-pity.

  Finally, Pei got up and wiped his face with the sleeve of his black robe.

  “Alright!” he said, annoyed as he opened the door.

  It was Reese, dressed in a long, peach-colored silk nightgown and holding a red rose in her hand.

  “Hey...” she said gently as she handed him the rose, “I thought you might want some company.”

  He sighed as he held the rose, then looked at her with glum eyes.

  “Sure,” he said with a shrug. “Come in.”

  She didn't like how unresponsive he sounded, but she was not one to give up. Determined, she planned to do whatever it took to cheer him, and to make him understand how much she felt for him, even if it took all night long to do it.

  Putting the rose down on his night table, Pei sat down on the bed and folded his arms. “So...” he said, almost scowling, “what can I do for you, Lieutenant?”

  She immediately frowned, then sat down next to him as she unfolded his arms.

  “Look,” she said sternly while holding his hands, “I know you're upset. You've been through so much, and I can understand why you'd feel-”

  “No, you don't understand!” he snapped, cutting her off and taking back his hands so that he could rub his forehead.

  Confused, Reese looked at him for a moment. “Alright, then,” she softly replied, trying not to snap back at him, “tell me what I don't understand. I'm here, Pei,” she sweetly assured him, gently pulling his hands from his forehead. “You're not alone, honey. Just tell me what's wrong.”

  Pei looked at her with his watery gray-blue eyes, unable to stop himself from needing her. He didn't want to tell her about his father and about Ona being his sister, but the words just started rambling out.

  She had already known about Meddhi-Lan being regenerated by Yol. Hynfir had told her what he had found out about that, but she had no idea that Pei was the love child of Notama and Queen Pira. It amazed her, and yet, she wasn't entirely shocked.

  She had heard stories from Atlar about how Pira had been brought to Kri against her will when she was only sixteen. It was an arranged marriage to Atlar, though she had eventually fallen in love with him, according to the king at least.

  Ona had told her some of it as well when they were young, though the princess chose to believe her parents had always been in love. Of course, Reese now knew the truth, though she had no intention of telling Ona. The princess seemed like she had enough to worry about with Atlar missing and The Council scheming behind his back all the while.

  Holding him tenderly, Reese let him cry into her bosom. It felt calming and good for them both. Pei didn't know how to trust her fully, but her chest felt like a warm bath, filled with motherly kindness and sensuality. His body soon responded to her warmth in a way he wasn't expecting. Nervously, he sat up and looked hungrily at her, caught in the spell of her loving, green eyes.

  “I love you, Pei,” she said without thinking.

  “I... love you too,” he replied, also without forethought.

  His hands felt his way to her waist, then to her chest. Moaning softly, Reese felt as if she hadn't said enough, and yet, she had expressed everything. She decided to let her body speak for her heart as Pei kissed her passionately without reservation.

  Allowing him to slowly push her down on his bed, Reese opened her legs and wrapped them around his hips while he gently rubbed her thighs. It didn't take long before he had taken off her nightgown and his own robe. She put her arms around his neck and said, “Oh, my handsome, lovely man... please be inside me, and make me whole.”

  It was music to Pei's aching heart, so he let himself feel her breasts with a firm squeeze. He loved her full, womanly chest; it made his head spin.

  Unable to wait any longer, he slowly went inside her as she moaned with ecstasy. Looking into each other's eyes, it was suddenly clear to them both how much they wanted and needed each other, now and forever.

  Slowly rocking back and forth, they soon came to the moment of euphoria, blessing them in giant waves of pleasure.

  “Oh, Pei...” said Reese with tears in her eyes, “thank you, my love.”

  “For what?” he replied, still breathing sporadically from the intensity of their climax.

  “For making me feel pure again,” she said, sniffling back her tears of joy.

  “Oh, my sweet woman!' he said as he grabbed her right hip. He then kissed her with all his soul. He didn't know what he'd done to deserve such a beautiful, strong woman, but he came to the realization he'd been so utterly stupid, and only a few hours ago.

  “I promise you,” he said while looking deeply into her fiery green eyes, “I will always protect your heart's purity from now on, and I won't ever give up... for you, for the people of
The Un, and most of all, for myself.”

  Reese smiled with pride, then held his head to her breasts. She was in bliss and never wanted to forget the feeling. It was something she thought she'd never have, and was deeply grateful to the Gods for having been proven wrong.

  “I believe you, my sweet prince,” she said, her soul purring with love.

  At first, he didn't understand why she had called him a prince instead of priest, but he quickly remembered the fact that he technically was a prince. It made him smile as he rested in her arms, feeling at peace.

  Almost immediately, Pei was inside a dream. It was familiar, and yet not. There was a shining door, as if on fire, and he knew Ayn was on the other side, burning alive and unable to escape!

  “I'm coming, Ayn! Hold on!” he shouted as he prepared to kick down the door of fire. Just then, as he was about to kick it in, he heard a woman crying. It was Reese, and she seemed to be coming from somewhere else in the void of his dream. Her voice sounded terrified, and he knew he had to save her!

  Not able to decide who to save first, Pei found himself standing in the darkness, looking at the door. He then looked back the other direction where Reese's voice seemed to come from. He felt as if the gods were watching him, testing his stamina and choices.

  “Which way do I go?!” he yelled to the God above whose face was nothing but a giant sun bursting through the darkness.

  “You must go to whomever needs you the most,” it replied.

  Pei shook his head, frustrated and confused. “What if they both need me equally?”

  “Then you must choose the path you feel is right,” it said with a bellowing, stern voice.

  As Pei focused his eyes, he realized the sun God was not The Great Adin, but was Meddhi-Lan, and his face looked at Pei with disappointed, dark blue eyes.

  “I'm so sorry!” Pei yelled as he ran back toward the flaming door that had held Ayn shut.

  “It's too late!” scolded Meddhi-Lan. “The Bodanya is dead!”

  “No!” shouted Pei as he woke with tears and sweat. “I won't let that happen!”