She smiled at him. “I can’t take all the credit. There’s just something about you that puts me at ease, Ev Bannen.”
“We should do this more often.”
“Yes,” she said, “We should.”
He couldn’t be certain, but he thought he detected a faintly melancholy tone in her voice.
* * *
Later that day, Ev returned to the Prayer Chamber with Freya. He was somewhat confident he would be able to narrow down a prayer to its anguished source.
This time, Freya sat knelt beside him on another pillow. When asked why, she explained, “It’s so I can guide you when you finally settle on a prayer to answer. In the past, we used to leave students unattended while they did it. But because of…certain issues…we had to develop a way to link telepathically with you during the process. We now require that a faculty member be present during every prayer answering session.”
“But you left me alone last time.”
“That’s because it was your first time, and you had never done it before. Thus, it wasn’t a true prayer answering session.”
“Oh. OK. So how does this work?”
“Close your eyes, like last time,” she said. “Only this time, make a lot of noise within your head. That will allow me to home in on your specific psychic frequency.”
“‘Make a lot of noise’ inside my head? How do I do that?”
“Just yell or scream mentally.”
“All right…” Ev closed his eyes and proceeded to make an awful racket inside his mind. RAAAAAAARGH! YAAAAAAAAAAH! WOOOOOOOOOO!
Suddenly he heard Freya’s voice. Only he didn’t actually hear it. It was more like he felt it. All right, I think we’re linked up now. Can you hear me?
“Yes,” he replied.
You don’t need to speak. For the purpose of this session, it’s better if you communicate telepathically.
Oh. Uh…how’s this?
Good. I’m impressed by how quickly you pick up on these things.
Well, when you think about it, it’s no different than talking to myself inside my head.
You’re right. OK, let’s begin. Remember not to force it. Let the prayers come to you.
Ev once again focused on the multitude of voices around him. It didn’t take him long to find a familiar one. It’s that crying person.
Yes. I hear it. They’re clearly in anguish.
It’s not an actual prayer, though.
No. They’re simply crying.
I still can’t find out whey they are.
They seem to be nearby, but it’s hard to tell. It almost feels like they don’t want to be found.
I wish I could help them.
We can’t help someone unless they ask for it. Until this person says an actual prayer, we must respect their privacy. Let’s move on.
The thoughts continued to swirl all around him. He managed to corner a particular prayer and trace it back to its source. I’ve got one.
Good job. Can you tell what the person wants?
Let’s see… Ev concentrated harder. It’s a man. He wants help with…hmmm….ah! He wants us to help him find a job.
That’s a common prayer. People everywhere need work. Is that something you would be interested in helping with.
Ev thought about it for a moment. Not really. I mean, a job is important, of course. But I want to help people who are truly desperate, like I was growing up.
I understand. Let’s keep looking.
Let’s see…here’s another person. It’s a woman. She wants…help…with her love life. I think that’s more your specialty.
Freya laughed. Yes, it is. Shall we try someone else?
OK. There were so many voices, it was hard to pin down just one. It felt as though they were at a major sporting event. It took him quite some time to chase down another prayer. Every time he would go after one, he would get sidetracked by another, seemingly more promising lead.
Eventually, though, he found one that seemed important enough to focus his attention on. This woman is praying for a cure to her son’s cancer, he announced.
It’s a very heartfelt prayer, Freya noted. It’s definitely one someone should answer.
Well, then, let’s do it. Suddenly, though, a problem occurred to him. Just how do we go about it? He didn’t see any actual person. It was just a voice in the darkness. He had no idea how to interact with it.
But Freya said, I’ll use my powers to astral-project us to her location. Without any further warning, Ev was blinded by a white light. He then felt like he was flying away at great speed. Within moments his vision returned, and he found himself speeding across the surface of the ocean. The wind whipped through his hair, and he could smell the saltwater mere feet below him. The sun beamed down upon him.
Freya was flying next to him. Pretty great, isn’t it?
It feels like we’re going a lot faster than when we flew in your sleigh.
That’s because there’s no need for safety here. Our bodies are still in the Prayer Chamber.
Cool. But how do you know where to go?
I have a lot more experience answering prayers than you do. Tracking down their sources is second nature to me. It will be second nature to you as well one day.
They flew over the Murnau Islands and eventually back to Seraphim City. They floated down through the roof of Seraphim City General Hospital until they ended up in one of the patient rooms.
A woman knelt beside the bed. She was obviously in a great deal of emotional turmoil. Fresh tears flowed from her eyes. It wasn’t hard to see why. A child lay unconscious on the bed, his arm hooked up to an IV. He was emaciated, a mere shell of a human. Obviously the chemo had devastated his body.
No one should have to go through this, Ev said.
Freya stared at the tragic scene in front of them. You’re so right, Ev.
So what do we do here? Do we just…lay our hands on the kid and heal him?
She shook her head. Direct intervention is forbidden. Rather, what we do is we move others to act. We help mortals to help themselves.
It didn’t take a genius to see the problem with that. But if they could’ve cured this kid, wouldn’t they have done it already?
They just need a little help, which we are going to provide.
How?
Follow me.
They sort of floated out of the room and down the corridor. They soon came to the office of one of the hospital physicians.
What are we doing in here? Ev asked.
This is the doctor in charge of treating that child. I saw his name on the chart in the room.
OK…I still don’t see how we’re going to help.
Just watch. Freya held up her palm. Before Ev’s eyes it began to glow.
What the…?
She floated over to the desk where the balding doctor was sitting and gently placed her palm on his forehead. A moment passed, and his eyes suddenly went wide. He jumped out of his seat and rushed out of the room.
Ev was thoroughly confused. What just happened?
I imparted a bit of knowledge to him. More specifically, I temporarily opened up new pathways in his brain, allowing him to know the cure for cancer.
Didn’t you just say it was forbidden?
She gave him one of her sheepish grins. Not really. He’ll forget it very soon. It’s just long enough to cure that child.
But wouldn’t it be better to let them have the cure permanently?
That would be interfering too much. We can’t play god with mortals.
But…we are gods. I mean, you are, at least.
True, but we are not all-knowing. There was a time when we thought we were. But once we realized the destructive influence we had on mankind, we vowed to never again wield it. Only a blessing here and there is allowed now.
But wouldn’t everyone being cured of cancer be a good thing?
She had an answer for that as well. Remember this, Ev: There is mercy even in death. If we didn’t have disease and illness, the
world’s population would swell to unsustainable levels. It may sound cruel, but the things we hate most are actually our salvation.
Then, by that logic, shouldn’t we just let people die?
Her expression was now melancholy. Alas, I am still a goddess of love. I cannot turn my back on those who are suffering. We are gods because we can grant miracles. A god that does not grant miracles has no reason to exist.
Ev was disheartened. So…we save a few people, and let the rest die?
It sounds cruel when you put it that way. But essentially, yes; we let people die because we have to. As I said, we are not all-powerful or all-knowing. We cannot save everyone, or even the majority of the world. As a god, you will have to learn to recognize who should be saved and whose suffering you should put a permanent end to. Just remember that that call is ultimately yours to make.
They returned to the sick boy’s room. The doctor was in there, frantic and ecstatic. He was trying to explain the cure that had just now been revealed to him. While the boy’s mother obviously didn’t understand in the slightest—nor Ev for that matter—they all agreed the sudden enlightenment was divine intervention. The mother wrung her hands in joy. “Praise Bethos! It is His love that has given my son a second chance at life. He answered my prayers!”
Ev and Freya exchanged a knowing look. They knew, of course, that Bethos hadn’t imparted the knowledge necessary to heal the boy—at least, not directly. It was the school he set up that had done it. Nevertheless, according to Freya, that family would now be even more faithful Holoists. They will go home and devote even more time to prayer to our president. Their lives will be richer as a result.
So their religion will make people happy?
In a manner of speaking. It makes them feel fulfilled.
Growing up, I never had much use for religion.
I know. And as I said, I’m sorry about that. But you will have the power to save others from that same fate.
He clenched his fist resolutely. I will save them.
Suddenly, they were back in the Prayer Chamber. Freya rose to her feet. “Hopefully now you have an idea about how to answer prayers.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Her voice took on a stern tone. “Always keep in mind the influence you could potentially wield over mortals. This isn’t a video game. These are real people with real lives, and if you aren’t careful, you could end up destroying them.”
He nodded solemnly. “I understand.”
Once again taking on her carefree persona, she said, “Good.” She looked at her watch. “I didn’t realize how late it was. The Prayer Chamber can do that to you. Anyway, I have a meeting to get to, so I will see you later.”
* * *
Back in the dorm, he talked with Jaysin about the experience he had just has. “It’s pretty wicked, isn’t it?” Jaysin said. “Wicked” was Chrichton slang for something amazing or unforgettable.
“You’re right about that. The things you could potentially do…it’s unbelievable. And…”
“And just a bit scary?”
“Yeah. I mean…what if I screw up and destroy someone’s life? I don’t think I could live with myself if I did something like that.”
Jaysin tried to reassure him. “No worries there. They’ll teach you to use the power responsibly. You’ll know the difference between right and seriously wrong.”
“I hope so,” Ev said. “Say, you’ve done it, right?”
“Yeah, several times.”
“Who did you help?”
“I helped a guy who had lost his job and gotten his ass handed to him in his divorce. He had no money left, was out on the street, and in desperate need of help. I persuaded a local business owner to hire him. Now he’s back on his feet and eternally grateful.”
“Ah. Of course. You want to be the god of money.”
Jaysin grinned proudly. “What else would I do?”
Chapter IX
The next day (the day before they would leave for the Murnau Islands), Ev and his class met in the gym for Physical Training class. They each wore a plain white shirt and blue shorts—the school’s basic exercise clothing.
“All right, listen up,” Atlas said when they had gathered around him. “Today we’re going to be sparring. That means punches, kicks, and grapples only. No low blows, no thumb to the eyes¸ no hair pulling, and no other dirty moves I may have forgotten to mention.”
It was to be men against men, and women against women. Each fall was worth a point. The first person to get to five points would be the winner. Ev’s opponent was Daryn Anders, a ginger with a few inches on him but pretty even in terms of weight. Ev knew him only by reputation; they had never really talked to each other. Daryn had Ashbury’s Syndrome, a developmental disorder characterized by difficulty in social interactions. Ashees (as they were called) also frequently engaged in ritualistic behavior; they insisted on doing specific things on specific days. Rumor had it they were prone to anger as well, though Ev had yet to see Daryn angry.
On the flip side, Ashees also exhibited heightened intelligence. In the case of Daryn Anders, this could not be argued. He was the top student in their class, and no one came close to taking that honor from him.
Ev felt more confident than he had in his entire life, but he was also nervous. He had less experience in using his powers than the other students, and that might put him at a significant disadvantage this day.
Ev and Daryn faced each other while the other students looked on. Ev didn’t like having two dozen people staring at him while he was under pressure, but nothing could be done except grit his teeth and go with it.
Atlas blew his whistle—the signal to begin—and almost immediately Daryn disappeared in a blur. Arms locked around Ev from behind, and fell backwards, the victim of a suplex.
Atlas blew his whistle again. “One point! Wow, Bannen; that might just be a new record for fastest takedown. A record, of course, that you don’t want.”
Ev got back to his feet. He couldn’t help but marvel at Daryn’s speed. The guy seemed to have everything going for him. He was smart and athletic. Ev had never been much of either.
He worked to shake the doubts from his mind. He’s getting into your head, Ev. If you get psyched out, you’re screwed. And Maya is watching! You have to put in a decent showing here.
Atlas blew his whistle again. This time Daryn appeared mere inches from Ev. The red-headed Ashee put one arm under Ev’s groin, and with the other he grabbed his collar. He lifted Ev off the ground and swiftly slammed him to the mat.
“Two points. Come on, Bannen; you can do better than this!”
After that, Ev went down again, this time as the result of a leg sweep.
In the fourth round, he quickly transferred energy to his legs and leapt out of Daryn’s reach. Unfortunately, that sent him clear to the other side of the gym. He went out of bounds, and so Daryn got his fourth point.
Atlas shook his head in disappointment. “You haven’t gotten a single point yet, Bannen. Only one more loss and Anders makes a clean sweep.”
“I’ll get it this time,” Ev said, with no confidence whatsoever.
Focus, Ev! You can do this!
That was not his inner voice. Miss Freya?
That’s right, Ev. I still have your frequency. I hope you don’t mind me dropping in to offer encouragement. You have everything you need to overcome this challenge. Believe in yourself!
And with that, she was gone. Nevertheless, her brief encouragement renewed his confidence. All right, Ev. Concentrate. Only put as much energy into your limbs as you need to.
Yet again, Atlas blew his whistle. Yet again, Daryn disappeared. This time, he grabbed Ev from behind and put him in a headlock. The difference now was that Ev actually had experience with this situation. He had been put in more than a few headlocks throughout grade school. He knew how to get out of them.
Remembering his previous encounters with this situation, he took hold of Daryn’s arm with both hands and shifted
his weight forward. He extended one leg as he did so. Daryn sailed over his shoulder and onto the mat. It was one point for Ev.
Atlas looked pleased. “About time, Bannen!” Daryn’s eyes registered shock; clearly he had expected an easy victory.
See? What did I tell you? said Freya in his head.
Ev smiled. Looks like you were right.
He and Daryn once again faced each other for the sixth round. Once Atlas blew the whistle, Daryn carried out his customary disappearing act. This time, however, Ev could follow his movements. Daryn went for his leg, but Ev pivoted around him. Now it was Ev who went for his leg. He grabbed it and pulled it out from under him. Daryn lost his balance and went down. Another point for Ev.
In the seventh round, Ev went on the attack. He rushed Daryn, but the latter maneuvered behind him and tried to grapple him. Ev intercepted his hands, and the two remained in a fierce standoff for several moments, each man channeling energy into his various limbs to gain an advantage. Eventually, Ev managed to suplex Daryn. Another point was his.
Ev’s confidence was at an all-time high. Unfortunately, his string of victories had triggered a transformation in his opponent. Daryn’s face contorted in rage, and he tackled Ev to the ground. He rained down thunderous blows upon Ev, and it was all the latter could do to defend himself. He could feel the bones in his arms breaking as the ginger continued his vicious assault. Pretty soon they would fall to the ground useless.
Fortunately, Atlas managed to pull Daryn off of him. The youth was still fuming and trying to get back to Ev for another beat down. “That’s enough!” Atlas yelled. Daryn took one more look at Ev before storming out of the gymnasium.
Jaysin and Maya rushed to Ev’s aid. “Are you all right?” Maya asked him.
Ev used his energy to heal his arms. “I am now.”
“I’m sorry, Ev,” Jaysin said. “I should’ve warned you about his temper.”
Ev got to his feet. “Is he always like that?”
Jaysin replied, “Not usually. Most of the time he’s pretty tame, though from time to time he’s been known to explode on people.”
God School Page 7
