“We praise Nazz Madame General Kuko Kiena, she who is the undisputed…”
Kuko’s head was swimming at the implications. She looked at Smigyl. Clearly, this was his idea, as not even Indra could have possibly been so bold as to do anything like this on one of Smigyl’s planets.
Smigyl’s eyes seared holes through High Exhaulted Pundit Bramrishi Devarat, who was not looking so terribly high or exhaulted. A shudder ran through Devarat’s entire body, finally coming to grips with what his God was demanding of him. He looked at Kuko. He bowed with a low and respectful bow, turned and faced his pundits, and chanted in his strong voice.
“We embrace our duties, and ask that she be merciful in forgiving us of our many shortcomings…”
The Children and all the pundits sat with their mouths hanging open. Finally, Devarat, their teacher and leader, got their attention with his powerful voice. As soon as he ensured everyone was chanting, he turned back, and as tradition demanded, looked at Kuko’s feet, which were now divine feet. He continued to chant.
Lord Smigyl fixed upon Rahu. Rahu immediately began to chant. Kuko thought he looked sad and found it impossible to not feel sorry for him. From there, Lord Smigyl’s searing attention flowed up his section. She looked for Patanjali who had finally been released from his torture. She could not locate him but had the impression he was stuck at the very back of the amphitheater.
Indra did not have to do anything; the Nazz instantly jumped to their feet and joined in, shouting at the top of their lungs so loudly the entire amphitheater shook when they reached the phrase, ‘May all within the Creation realize that whoever is the enemy of Kuko Kiena is now my enemy.’
They did not stop at one recitation. Smigyl and Indra led the assembly through the chant time after time. Kuko did not know what to do other than smile. It was surreal. It was ridiculous. Castor Mayhew was right at the front, shouting along with the rest of the Nazz, staring right into Kuko’s eyes. As good an actress as she was, nothing could stop her tears of joy as she saw the pure bliss on a million Nazz faces.
Lakshmi’s group of Pharisee priests did not seem quite so enthusiastic, until Lakshmi stood and faced her children. All she had to do was slightly cock her head, the way an impatient mother would do to a belligerent child. Because her children well knew they were about to get holes chopped through them, they quickly stood and chanted.
Lakshmi turned back to Kuko and nodded with a satisfied grin. For any of this to work, she needed Lakshmi’s full support. However, Kuko could tell that several Pharisees, particularly High Priest Caiaphas made no attempt to hide his displeasure. I wonder where Karolita is? Kuko thought as she continued to scan Lakshmi’s group.
Ved Vyasa’s and Narayana’s children knew their fathers were completely loyal to Lord Smigyl. Because Smigyl was singing, they needed no prodding to join in.
In contrast to those loyal to Lord Smigyl, Prince Satan’s Cardinals and Nuns of Durga were completely outraged by the whole affair.
Prince Caligastia and Queen Amphitrite, who typically were not shocked by anything, looked too paralyzed to do anything but stare, although some within their group thought it would be good fun to sing with the rest. Caligastia’s support did not really matter. He and his children worshiped only one thing — their own indulgences. If siding with Kuko would bring him an even wider variety of exotic indulgences, he would probably support her.
Mephistopheles, one of Caligastia’s Demigods and Eros’ father, was seated in the front row beside Prince Caligastia. He looked like he was having a great time singing along. The only thing Mephistopheles was interested in was perverted sex. He’s worse than Patanjali, Kuko thought to herself. Well, actually, Eros is the worst of all. But where is she/he/it? Oh right. Probably with Karolita. Wherever she is.
Behind Caligastia and Mephistopheles sat Sloot VanCaste and Golab Mastema. Yeah, I see you two. Already plotting against me. Golab was the leader of the Caligastian SA, the ultimate male Nephilim who needed women for nothing. You ain’t nothin’ but a bunch of bullies. My very existence must infuriate you. So be it.
Prince Daligastia wore a big, sparkling white-toothed grin on his big black face. He was as obstinate as he was dimwitted but still very powerful. His country of Frakfraka was rich with everything needed to support a war — gold for conductors, platinum for catalysts, uranium for nukes, diamonds for cutting, and oil for engines.
Zohar looked thoroughly confused. He was very much like the Caligastians except he was more of a warrior than they were. Although he was a decent fighter, he had no capacity to command an army because he had a problem with keeping his own children in line as they tended to be just as self-worshipping and attention gathering as he was.
For some reason, Indra liked Zohar and even had occasional trysts with his daughter, Gonzagaz. Indra even gave the self-worshipping Zohar a generous space within Elysium for Zohar to call home, something Kuko strongly protested and even said it would eventually bring Elysium down. Still, if Indra supported Kuko and simply told Zohar to support her, maybe he would, or at least not be an obstacle. Kuko hoped she could figure out how to put some space between Zohar and Indra.
Unlike her brother Zohar, Goddess Isis admired Kuko for being such a strong woman, and had often told her in private how much she wished she had her strength. It took a few moments for Isis to catch up with what was happening, but when she chimed in, it was with a beautiful, rich voice. Even Hideous, Isis’ daughter, was able to tune her voice to her mother’s, actually sounding quite lovely for a change.
Isis had a great following on Eden. She was gorgeous, she loved sex, she loved beautiful things, and in many ways, she was like the Caligastians. Unlike the Caligastians, Isis was embarrassed by her strong gravitation to self-indulgences. She tended to be weak, taking on the qualities of whomever she was around at the time, which was the primary reason she was so loyal to brother Zohar and relied heavily on his strength. If Zohar supported Kuko, Isis would gladly do so. If Zohar told her not to support Kuko, even though Isis truly liked and admired Kuko, she would follow her brother’s wishes.
Worse yet, was Isis’ blind love of Prince Beliar, Lord Smigyl’s own delinquent son. There he was, sitting with his large entourage halfway up Smigyl’s section, right behind The Children of Luminosity, flanked by the Kshatriya Guard Brigade, the KGB. The Nazz said it stood for Kshatriyas Gone Bad.
Beliar loved the KGB but detested The Children of Luminosity, his own brothers and sisters. More than one silver-skinned Child had come to a sudden and violent end when giving even the slightest disparaging glance at his brown skin. Kuko knew Beliar hated that he had to sit behind them. Under different circumstances, he would have hurled his spit into their section. But he would have hated sitting in front of them even more, as their chants would drive directly into his ears, which was exactly what Smigyl had threatened him with if he did not behave himself.
Though actually a Demigod, Beliar considered himself an Overlord and always demanded to be worshiped as a God. Even when incarnated in the Material realm and not actually knowing his true identity, he demanded to be worshiped as a God. As long as Smigyl was on Eden, Beliar could be kept in check. But the very moment Smigyl departed for Salvington, Kuko knew Beliar would challenge her. He had tried his best to take the Dek islands since his arrival on Eden. No doubt he would try again.
For the next hour, they repeated the chant over and over. Finally, Lord Smigyl looked at Kuko with a small satisfied smile. He put a lightly closed right fist up against his heart, then gave a few quick flicks of his fingers. ‘I think that should just about do it.’
As they reached the end of the verse, right at the point, ‘whoever is the enemy of Kuko Kiena is now my enemy’, which the Nazz again eagerly screamed, she raised her right hand to signal everyone to stop. A few thousand absent-minded individuals resumed the beginning of the chant, but it did not take long to figure out that everyone else had stopped.
Smigyl and Indra dropped each other’s hands
. As they strolled toward Kuko, stage crew quietly carried the puja table off the stage. Smigyl reached forward with his left hand and Kuko naturally reached out with her right. Indra reached forward with his right and Kuko reached out with her left.
A shudder ran to the core of Kuko’s being when Lord Smigyl announced a new name for Eden’s Planetary Princess: “Lilith.”
Kuko had rehearsed several speeches. However, not in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would have been given such a strong and powerful mandate.
As a Nazz general, Kuko was accustomed to being in positions of command and authority. Many times, she had incarnated as a Dek queen. She knew how one in such a position must carry herself. It struck her that, indeed, she was Eden’s Planetary Princess and that her command and authority had just seriously expanded.
She waited patiently while a stagehand set up a microphone. Even after the stagehand departed, she silently sat on her golden throne, casually scanning her new subjects for three full minutes. Then she began to speak.
“Lilith.”
Her new name completely filled the vast amphitheater, surprising her how amplified her words were. She glanced at Castor Mayhew who gave her a quick wink. Her surprise turned into a royal pause.
She turned fully to the left and addressed Lord Smigyl. “My dear Lord Smigyl. I am so delighted to receive such a beautiful name.” They exchanged a polite bow and a smile, and then she turned back to the audience.
“And I am honored that you have elected me as your Planetary Princess.”
Well, Smigyl elected me, but let’s seed the idea that it was all of them.
“With great humility, I accept this noble mandate.”
Good to remind them that I am now nobility.
“We have many things to accomplish while our beloved Lord Smigyl travels to Salvington to confront The Blind King.”
Sure. Point out the obvious. I’m doing this as an assistant to Lord Smigyl. That should help rally The Children of Luminosity.
“Our challenge is to crush the Azakamani and bring the rulership of Eden back to its rightful heir.”
Look directly at Rahu and give him a small nod. We’re doing this for you, you incompetent dick-head.
“All of us here assembled have our roles to play in this great endeavor.”
Okay, finish up. Not too hard, not too soft. Take your time to think.
“I will be counting on each of you to eagerly work together to secure Eden’s great future.”
Then it just came out without thinking.
“And if any of you stand in my way, I’ll chop your fucking heads off.”
Smile magnanimously. Finish up.
“Now, I will be honored for you to join me in The Grand Reception Hall of Elysium.” Kuko elegantly stood from her throne and spontaneously raised her elbows to her sides. Lord Smigyl supported her right elbow, Lord Indra supported her left, and all three gracefully walked off stage and into the dressing room.
Chapter 62
Difficult Transitions
It’s okay if you suddenly wake up, realize you are in Hell and have been worshiping demons. Happens all the time.
—Andria, Former Bodyguard for Karolita
Oceania
By the time Guard1 and Guard2 awoke, their cell was flooded with a warm, soothing light. Guard1 noticed the window was tinted with gold. Maybe they’re just softening us up for the kill.
Guard1 and Guard2 took their turns on the toilet. For the first time, they noticed a knob embedded in the wall above it. Guard2 slid the knob and a small door opened. Immediately, a suction of wind siphoned away the odors.
Guard2 gave Guard1 a curious expression. “Can this be real?”
Guard2 decided to test the water from the fountain. “Sweet and cool,” she said to Guard1, then continued to drink until she had her fill. Guard1 decided to try some as well. In the prisons on Glamoria, the water they fed to prisoners was essentially sewer. This water was as good as any she had had, even in Glamoria’s finest restaurants.
A half an hour passed and they still felt fine. If there had been any hidden parasites or poisons in the water, the symptoms would have appeared by now.
The outside door opened. A Valkyrie private entered, pushing a food cart. This pigeon was quite cute and very young. She pushed the cart to the small door in the bars.
“Good morning,” the Valkyrie private chirped. She reached in her pocket and pulled out a key. “Did you sleep well?” She opened the door, retrieved the old trays, and slid in the two new ones. This time, there was no aroma. Breakfast consisted of fresh fruit, nuts, granola, toast, jam, and juice.
“Yes, I slept very well, thank you,” Guard2 replied pleasantly.
The young Private smiled and nodded. She locked the small door, took a few steps back, shifted her attention to Guard1, and waited. Guard1 felt a wave of panic. She had seen this technique. She knew what was coming.
“Are you ill?” the young private asked, detecting Guard1’s angst. “Do you need to see the nurse?”
Guard2 stood and repeated last night’s routine, first taking a tray to Guard1, then getting her own. Guard1 took several deep breaths, blowing them out hard, preparing herself for the monsters that were sure to, at any moment, come through the door.
“There’s a technique used in Glamoria prisons,” Guard1 began. “The warden sends in their youngest, most innocent looking, cutest jailer, who asks a trick question. The question sounds innocent enough, but irrespective of the answer, the jailer finds something about the answer offensive and asks another question, which becomes increasingly trickier and more and more aggressive until the prisoner is backed into a corner. Eventually, they find themselves asking for their own punishment, at which time a few brutes show up, chain them to a wall, and administer that punishment, a punishment they were tricked into asking for. And as the punishment proceeds, the same young jailer, looking naïve and confused, continues to ask more and more questions, the answers to which mount heavier and heavier levels of torture.”
The young private turned her head sideways and studied Guard1. “You couldn’t possibly be serious?”
“Quite serious,” Guard2 said as she chewed. “It’s Prince Beliar’s favorite sport.”
The young private looked back and forth from one to the other. “That’s got to be the most messed up thing I’ve ever heard.” She turned, shoulders slumped, and slowly pushed the cart out the door.
Five seconds later, the door opened again. The young private stuck her head in and looked at Guard1. “Does that mean you think I’m the cutest Valkyrie you’ve ever seen?”
Guard1 could not help but smile, shaking her head. “Yes, you are very cute.”
“Thanks,” the young private chirped, then disappeared.
Guard1 and Guard2 stared at each other, speechless. After breakfast, they spent the rest of the morning relaxing in bed, walking around the room, or stretching. Lunch came and went without incident. Then, moments after finishing, they began to feel tired again — lying down and falling into a heavy, dreamless sleep.
“How are you feeling?”
The question came through a haze. Guard1, unsure how long she had been asleep, sat up. On the other side of the room, Guard2 was already sitting up. She was staring at someone on the other side of the bars.
“Marije,” Guard1 exclaimed, shocked to see a familiar face sitting on the other side of the bars. “I thought you were the only one who got away. I was counting on you to tell Lakshmi what happened. So now, we really are trapped.”
“You must be joking,” Marije chuckled. “You think I’d go to Lakshmi alone and tell her I got away safely while Karol is still trapped on Oceania? Do I look crazy to you?”
Guard1 thought for a second. “Guess you’re right. Endless punishment for abandoning your Goddess.” Guard1 walked to the bars. “But I guess you’re good at abandoning your Goddess, aren’t you? And how dare you insult her by calling her Karol?”
“Stop being stupid. Do you r
eally think you owe that monster anything?”
Guard1 opened her mouth to reply, but Marije cut her off. “Who knows better than you what Karol is? She’s self-absorbed, greedy, vain, narcissistic… The only thing Karol loves is Karol, and the only thing she will ever love is Karol.”
“How dare…”
“You’ll find these days I dare a lot,” Marije barked, rising to her feet. “The only thing I truly don’t understand is why it took me so long to figure it out. Karol said I was stupid, and I guess she was right. When I lived on Soddom, I saw all these beautiful images of the wonderful, famous, elegant Demigoddess of Lakshmi. She seemed so phenomenal, someone I wanted to follow. Someone I wanted to be like. Someone I wanted to call friend. But you know what? I did become a friend to Karol. The only problem? She never became a friend to me.”
“It is our honor to serve the gods,” Guard1 boasted.
“No, it’s not. It’s the honor of the gods to serve us. Any God that needs our service is not truly a God. That’s a parasite. Lakshmi and all her ilk are nothing but parasites…”
Marije sat down. “I hope, my friend, you too will soon come to realize that.”
“So when did they catch you?” Guard2 asked.
“The day I went the other way after Karol got thrown out of Josie’s boutique. I spent the afternoon and evening with the Valkyrie. For the first hours, I was too panicked to even think straight, but I started watching their interactions. They were so straightforward and respectful to each other regardless of rank. There was one young girl, a barmaid, who showed me such kindness. Here I was, a perfect stranger, and she treated me like an old friend. She even held my hand while I threw up. I took a leap of faith and trusted her. And she took me under her wing. She showed me more friendship than I had felt since I was a child.”
“So you did betray us. What did she give you as your reward for identifying Karolita?”
Marije stared at Guard1 for a moment. “You’re being stupid again,” she said, shaking her head. “They knew who Karol was the moment we stepped ashore on Carolina Isle. They’ve been following us every step since.”
Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess (The Michael Archives Book 1) Page 49
