“Definitely not.”
Sharvesa’s pillow was nothing more than a shaped rock, and like the rest of the bed, it had been smoothed. The stone was just large enough to fit the curve of her neck.
Alistar looked beyond the so-called bed. Hanging on a wire that had been tied between two columns were three outfits—all of which the goddess had been wearing over and over since her arrival on Ancients Sovereign.
“None of this will suffice,” Alistar admonished. “You deserve better than this devastation. You are the Goddess of War, not a common mortal. No god should live this way.”
Sharvesa leaned down and picked up the stone that served as her pillow. “I searched for many, many moments. This was the finest stone I laid my eyes upon.”
Alistar sneered, “This is not even a precious gem. How could you settle so?”
“This stone is far better than the one I laid my head upon on Dragonia,” Sharvesa defended, slapping the rock. A moment later, she sighed and started to roll the stone in her hands. As she did, a sense of frustration filled her being. “This cave is more pleasant than my old home. Where else would you have me live, and what other object would you have me use to support my head?” She released the stone and allowed it to fall to the floor.
The God of the Harvest shook his head in disgust. “I would not have you lay your head upon a stone at all.” Reaching down, he snatched the rock off the floor and crushed it between his hands as if it was an ordinary clod of dirt. He allowed the rubble to fall to the floor. “Stand back,” he ordered. “You must think like a god now. You are above discomfort.”
Once the demon was out of the way, Alistar closed his eyes and directed his hands toward the floor of the cave. The ground started to quake. A moment later, loud popping sounds echoed throughout as large cracks appeared and turned the floor into rubble as the earth opened. It was not long before the rubble was swallowed by emerging sand that shoved the chunks beneath the surface.
With a large mound of golden sand sitting in front of him, Alistar again used his power. He commanded the sand to melt, just as if it had been placed inside a burning caldron. The sand did as instructed. As the command was modified inside the god’s mind, the molten liquid began to move like it had a life of its own.
It was not long before the lava settled into a familiar shape. The God of the Harvest stepped forward and blew. A mighty wind filled the cave and when it dissipated, a bed frame made of glass was left behind. A simple snap of Alistar’s fingers was all that was necessary for a mattress and a pillow, filled with the softest of gazalian feathers, to appear.
Turning from his masterpiece, Alistar motioned for the goddess to lie down. He enjoyed the look on the demon’s face as her tall frame felt true relaxation for the first moments of her life. “Are you pleased?”
Sharvesa moaned, “More than pleased. Even my wings feel relaxed. How is it possible that my kind never thought to seek such comfort? I must depart immediately to speak with my daughter. I must create a place for her to lie her head.”
“A splendid idea,” Alistar encouraged. “But Dragonia still sits in stasis. You can meet with her once it has been lifted.”
Sharvesa frowned. “In my excitement, I almost forgot about the Hell her world is to become.”
Alistar nodded. “For now, you could tell me why you sought me? What can I do for you?”
The demon sat up and allowed her legs to drape over the side of the bed. The yellow of her gown and the back of her calves which were exposed because of the slits on each side, reflected off the glass frame. “I have many questions regarding Lasidious’ mind. Perhaps you can enlighten me on a few matters of interest.”
“I’d be happy to.” Alistar took a seat. “I’ll speak on what I can.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” The demon stood and moved a few paces away to admire her new bed. “Tell me, Alistar … why would Lasidious vote nay when the others gathered to discuss what was to become of Dragonia? Why would he desire to spare my homeworld and save it from the Hell it has become?”
Alistar smiled. “Like the others, Lasidious had his reasons. Perhaps you should ask him that question?”
Sharvesa shook her head. “No. I’ve chosen to burden you.”
“Why me?”
“Because you also voted nay.”
Caught off guard, the God of the Harvest stood from the bed. He walked over to the line that held Sharvesa’s gowns and then responded. “So … you must have spoken with the Book.”
“I did.”
“And what did Gabriel say?”
The demon-goddess frowned. “Why do you hesitate to answer? Do you have secrets that you wish to hold dear?”
Alistar sighed. “No. My mind is open to you.”
“Good. Then tell me why you chose to vote nay as Lasidious did? What were your reasons for agreeing with him?”
Alistar frowned. “This isn’t a short conversation.”
Sharvesa crossed her arms. “I have the moments necessary at my disposal.”
The God of the Harvest moved beyond the gowns and stopped at the back wall of the cave. “Allow me to make one last improvement while I collect my thoughts.”
The demon nodded. “Do as you wish. Your tastes are better than mine.”
Alistar smirked. “You could say that on 500 occasions and it would be true on each.” Laughing, he lifted his hands and commanded the wall to reform.
Unamused, Sharvesa stood stone-faced as she watched the wall begin to crack and crumble. During this series of moments, no sand emerged. Instead, the rubble that fell to the floor was gathered for later use. Each piece lifted and floated to the far side of the cave and settled into a pile as the wall continued to open. It was not long before an expansive, 15 by 25 pace walk-in-closet was left behind with an opening large enough for the demon-goddess to enter.
With Sharvesa on his heels, Alistar walked through the opening and studied his surroundings. He lifted his hands and placed them against each wall and used his power to command the walls to smooth over. Further, he commanded the crystallizations hidden within the rock to surface, but during this series of moments, he only allowed the soft blue crystals to glow. They began to emanate a peaceful light that added an ambiance to the closet.
Stepping back into the main section of the cave, Alistar turned the pile of rubble into another molten mound of magma. Like before, the liquid began to move. It separated into 90 different piles of various sizes and then took the shape of shelves, rods and supports. Satisfied with their design, the god stepped forward and blew to cool them down. One by one, each piece lifted off the floor and floated past the gods on its way into the closet.
The sounds of the pieces joining could be heard as they echoed throughout the cave. When Sharvesa and Alistar entered, a room fit for the goddess’ clothes and more greeted them.
Alistar turned to Sharvesa and studied her figure before he pointed at the rods. He snapped his fingers. Rows of elegant dresses, gowns, blouses, shirts and pants appeared on hangers. Again, he snapped, and now the shelves were filled with 100 pairs of shoes, 7 sets of sheets, 12 blankets, 40 towels, 7 sets of pillow cases and 20 table cloths, all of assorted colors.
Alistar’s brows furrowed as he pondered. “Something is missing. This will not suffice.”
Sharvesa giggled. “What could possibly be missing? I’ve never had such comforts.”
Without responding, Alistar pointed at the floor at the center of the closet. Like before, the earth opened and allowed sand to emerge. Once a substantial pile existed, the god commanded the sand to melt, reform and settle into an oversized, four-sided dresser before blowing. He filled the 24 drawers, 6 on each side, with seductive undergarments of many colors.
Further, he created seven, large jewelry boxes and placed them across the top of the dresser. Each was filled with various rings, earrings, toe rings, necklaces, head pieces, bracelets and arm cuffs that had been made out of an assortment of gems and precious metals. To put the final touch
on the room, Alistar laced the floor with exotic throw rugs to comfort Sharvesa’s feet as she dressed.
Without wasting another moment, Alistar looked up and found Sharvesa’s eyes. He continued with their earlier conversation just as if there was nothing for the demon to marvel at. “As I was saying, this conversation will take many moments. There is much you don’t know. But first … before I utter another word … I’m invoking the Rule of Fromalla.”
The demon’s demeanor changed. “Fromalla?” she barked.
“Yes. What I have to say must stay between you, Lasidious and myself. I invoke Fromalla only to ensure this happens.”
Sharvesa studied Alistar’s expression. “Why can’t you speak as openly as I can? I have nothing to hide.”
Alistar chuckled, “But I do … as does Lasidious. Make no mistake. If you want to learn that which you do not know, you’ll profess your understanding of the rule, and agree to enter a conversation that Fromalla protects.”
The demon’s eyes narrowed. “This feels like trickery.”
“Feelings are irrelevant,” Alistar rebutted. “You seek knowledge. I seek protection … protection from the others … not from you.”
“Why would the others care about our conversation?” the demon-goddess sneered.
“Agree to Fromalla, and you’ll find out.” Emulating Sharvesa, Alistar crossed his arms and shifted his weight onto his left leg. “I’ll say nothing more until the pact is entered.”
A long series of moments passed before Sharvesa responded. “Fine! I agree to Fromalla. I’ll speak of nothing we discuss with anyone but you and Lasidious.”
Alistar walked out of the closet and stopped next to Sharvesa’s bed. Once the goddess had followed, he said, “Do you remember the argument you had in Lasidious’ home?”
“I do. But what does that have to do with the way you and Lasidious voted?”
The God of the Harvest smiled. His eyes turned red, and his teeth turned to sharp points as he began his transformation. “It has everything to do with it,” he chuckled. His laugh was booming, and it echoed throughout the cave as every muscle began to swell.
Sharvesa’s eyes widened as she took a step back.
It did not take long for Alistar to finish his transformation into a form the goddess was familiar with. His skin turned burnt red and ivory horns protruded from his head and shot upward.
“You are demon!” Sharvesa exclaimed.
Alistar’s voice was deep, and it exuded power. “I am more than demon. I’m your brother … as is Lasidious. This is what we became after being cast from grace.”
Aghast, Sharvesa lowered to the bed as Alistar allowed her the moments to digest. The demon-goddess’ head fell into the palms of her hands. She did not look up when she finally responded. “I remember only pieces of a past once lived. Why is it that I have forgotten and you remember? How can I be sure you’re my brother?”
Alistar extended his wings and stretched. After folding them to his back, he responded as he knelt in front of Sharvesa. “What reason would I have to lie? What benefit would be gained by deceiving you?”
Another period of silence passed before Sharvesa responded. “Tell me more.”
Nodding, Alistar continued. “After we were cast from Heaven, you became what you are now. Like me, you became an abomination. We had no choice. To survive, we assumed new identities … as did Lasidious.
“You, sister, took the identity of a goddess who influenced many worlds, not just Earth. On each, a lineage of pharaohs worshipped you throughout many seasons. This cult of beings and the people they ruled knew you by the name Sekhmet. You were depicted as a lion-headed woman … often being portrayed with a sun disc on your head. You were worshipped as the destroyer, and your followers served you out of fear. Yet you associated with Hathor, your friend and goddess of joy, music, dance, sexual love, pregnancy and birth.”
Alistar stopped talking and took a seat on the bed next to Sharvesa. “Do you remember any of this?”
Sharvesa dropped her palms away from her face and looked up. “My mind is broken. I remember only fragments. I cannot fathom being cruel.”
“Yet something tells you it’s the truth.” Alistar did not comment further. Instead, he allowed Sharvesa to think.
The goddess looked up. “Tell me, Alistar … what identity did you assume after falling?”
Alistar pushed himself back onto the bed and crossed his legs. “I became known by many names. Like you, I created my own history and had followers on many worlds. I allowed these beings to believe I was the all-father of creation. By morning, they knew me as Khepera. By mid Peak, they knew me as Ra. And when the sun was setting, they knew me as Tem or Temu.
“Those who worshipped believed that I was the father of Tefnut and Shu, but in reality, these were alternate identities I assumed only when it pleased me.” Alistar chuckled. “I even allowed the people to believe these identities married one another … despite the fact that I led the masses to believe that Tefnut and Shu were brother and sister.” He grinned and shrugged. “I was bored.”
Sharvesa shook her head. “What identity did Lasidious assume?”
The goddess’ question caused Alistar to laugh. Once he managed to calm himself, he responded. “Lasidious has always had an affection for mischief. After he fell, he assumed the name Loki, and he ruled a different culture of beings on a great number of worlds.
“Like me … and like you … Loki answered to only one. It was our love for this being that caused us to follow him from Heaven. To this Peak, Lasidious and I exist only to serve him.”
Sharvesa’s face was smothered in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“Of course, you don’t. How could you? Many of your memories were lost when the war on this plane was fought. This explains why you feel your memory is broken. The truth is … you weren’t strong enough to survive the war. Of those who followed the Morning Star from Heaven, only Lasidious and I managed to live on.”
“Are you saying I perished?”
“I am.”
“Then ... how am I here now?”
“You were recreated. Lasidious saw to that. His love for you is undying … as is mine. We wanted to be able to look upon you and know we did what we could. Providing you a peaceful existence is the main reason why we voted nay.”
The demon goddess lowered her eyes to the floor. “I understand.” Another long series of moments passed before Sharvesa spoke again. “I remember the name Morning Star. I remember loving him and being willing to perish for him. He was so beautiful and glorious to look upon.” Sharvesa turned quiet.
“What is it?” Alistar questioned.
Sharvesa stood and stormed away from the bed. Her response was grim. “I remember loving Beelzebub … up until the moment I was cast into Hell. It was then I realized the error of my ways. After that, I hated him.”
With her memories flooding to the forefront of her mind, Sharvesa placed one hand over her mouth and the other across her belly. She returned to the bed and took a seat. “I cannot believe I followed him to my own destruction. How could I be so foolish and abandon the Almighty’s love?” She gave Alistar a solemn look. “How could you continue to serve the Morning Star after what he convinced us to do?”
Alistar pushed himself to the edge of the bed and allowed his legs to drape over the side. “Be careful, Sharvesa. The one you claim to hate is the one who saved you. The Morning Star found a way to escape damnation. And when he did, he took us with him.”
Yet another moment of silence passed before Sharvesa responded. “I don’t remember his heroics. I only remember the suffering, the torment and the agony.”
“How could you not?” Alistar responded.
Reconciling events in her mind, another long series of moments passed before Sharvesa spoke. “If Beelzebub found a way to save us, then why don’t I remember?”
Alistar stood from the bed and walked toward the opening of the closet. “Hmmm … something is still missing. A cl
oset isn’t complete without a looking glass.” A simple wave of his hand was all it took for a full length mirror with an ornate frame to appear on the wall left of the door. Satisfied with its design, the Demon-god of the Harvest spun around. “Do you approve?”
Sharvesa did not take the moments to enjoy Alistar’s creation. Instead, she chastised, “I asked you a question.”
Disappointed, Alistar walked back to the bed and took a seat. “After the Morning Star saved us from Hell, opposition was waiting for us on this plane. Many of those who were pulled from the torment were powerful and had agendas of their own. Because of this, two sides formed, and a series of wars began. They fought for the right to rule this plane, and the side they fought on was determined by whether or not they believed in free will. In the end, only 14 beings abandoned the foolishness and set aside their differences. We created the Collective and agreed upon rules to live by. We fought side by side against all others until they were vanquished.”
Sharvesa cut in. “What of Beelzebub? What happened to him? Is he still alive?”
Alistar’s head dropped. “The Morning Star perished. He was defeated by Bassorine after he refused to allow Bassorine to head the Collective.”
“Bassorine? How could Bassorine defeat Beelzebub? Wasn’t it Lasidious who was able to manipulate Bassorine’s destruction? Lasidious is a far weaker being than Beelzebub was … isn’t he?”
Though his head remained lowered, a smile appeared on Alistar’s face. “Manipulation can be a strong weapon, and if wielded correctly, it can be more powerful than the sword. In the end, Bassorine was unable to swallow his pride. He could not see beyond the manipulation that caused his destruction. It was Lasidious’ mind that destroyed him.”
Placing his right hand on Sharvesa’s back, Alistar continued. “Those of us who survived the wars created the Book. In it, sits the laws we abide by, and as you know, the Book has the power to govern us all. And as you also know, we have been gathering the devastation from the wars and using it to create the worlds that exist on this plane.
“As I have said before, it was our love for you that forced us to vote nay. You’re our sister, and I will say it again. It is for this reason that we wanted the best for your world. We did not want you to suffer in Hell again.”
The Tear of Gramal Page 32
