“They adore him,” Lib began, he reclined in his seat and gazed out the tinted windows. “You see he is our greatest hero, our greatest legend. He was there when it all began and everyone believes he will be there when this all ends.”
“When what ends?” She asked.
“Our immortality, our existence.”
“But you’re immortal, as long as you don’t go to war or anything what’s the worst that can happen?”
Lib smirked, and swirled the contents of his glass. “We’re still human.” He took another sip. “Up to five percent of our population dies every decade from civil war, partially from your Commander’s incessant conflict with his brother—”
She interjected, “Wait, his brother?”
“You didn’t know?” He asked, he laid both his feet on the ground and looked at her deeply for a moment. “That’s what this whole war is about. He’s a man plagued by his brother’s rebellion.”
“What happened?”
“That, will lead you to more questions than you will answers,” He took a long sip this time, waiting for her reply, “But I suppose you’d want to know what happened.”
Many kilometers off the coast of Greece
Approximately 10,000 BCE
Sheppard had led them this far. For years he ruled his people and brought them from the brink of extinction to achieving cultural and militaristic global domination. Mortals told tales of their glorious sea-faring empires and of other wondrous technologies. They were called Atlantians by many mortal tribes, though the word varied in many different mortal tongues.
When they arrived in South-Asia they were referred to as vimanas, while in the northern Arabian steppes the tribes had called them the Nephilim; associating them with their giant stature. But regardless of their name, they bore their status proudly. For once, their people felt invincible.
The salty sea air tingled his nostrils, the smell was nostalgic. As he stared into the rocky shores of their artificial island he could not help but feel that his time in this world would finally be over. He grew weary of the responsibility and stress of leadership. To know the pains of loss and sacrifice for his entire people, it was becoming too much.
When the time came for them to leave this world behind, he too would leave for the stars by himself. His legacy eternally forged in their hearts as a savior.
Sheppard turned around as another man approached him. The man’s spiky hair and bulky stature was visible across the platform they were on.
“Hey, bro?” Their language was different from the ancient days. It had become more pidgin in form as it absorbed the local mortal population’s words.
“Hello, friend,” Sheppard responded as they locked hands and vigorously shook. They had not seen one another since the construction of their last colony vessel in orbit.
“Our people are ready to leave this rock as soon as you are.” The man said.
His demeanor hid much of his character. Many knew the man as deceitful and placed little trust in him. Yet Sheppard saw in him the chance for redemption.
“Dom I can’t be more proud.” He smacked him beside the head playfully, “I like the haircut.”
Dom cackled and grappled Sheppard to the ground, he tried to wrest Sheppard into submission. They fought voraciously until another familiar face interrupted them.
“Sorry to interrupt your little bonding session,” It was Dar, “but we have business to attend to.”
She grabbed Sheppard by the collar, “You specifically.”
Dom stood up and brushed off the dust on his clothes, “Damn, girl. We’re just messing around, but when are you and me gonna have some alone time?” He winked at her.
She grunted, disgusted at him. “When you’re dead, I’ll think about it.”
“That’s hot,” Dom said as he crudely gestured to her.
She ignored him and pushed Sheppard into the hallway separating the two, “I have absolutely no idea what you see in him.”
“He has good in him, I’m trying to foster it.” Sheppard replied.
“Well, be careful, you’re the one who taught me not to trust everyone.”
“It’s a new age, Dar.” He kept pace with her and pushed her aside playfully, “I think our people can finally learn to trust others.”
Sheppard’s final vision was to leave a mortal empire that would lead the rest of the world to greatness. Immortal kind’s final legacy to this world. But it would begin with these people, aboard this artificial island. The locals had called the island a Menokin Toini in their native tongue, a floating bastion.
When he first encountered these people Sheppard sought the love of a woman, a mortal woman. The daughter of the Magistrate.
After thousands of years of grieving he felt he could finally love again. She kept to herself in Sheppard’s presence, initially ignoring his futile courting attempts.
But Sheppard remained persistent. After realizing who she truly cared for in this world, he knew he could never look at her the same way again. Her brother left a painful scar on Sheppard’s pride, and he realized that she may never see him the same way again. But over time she grew closer to him. Knowing how close he was to her brother, she had forgiven him.
After months of meetings and social festivities they began an affair in secret. He yearned to bring her with him to the stars as his people would leave this world.
But at the moment, Sheppard was summoned for a proceeding to update the local gentry on their progress. After an hour, he stood up and left promptly. The Magistrate’s daughter had left much earlier, making her way toward the river where they had first met many moons ago.
The woman knelt by the stream plucking the cultivated plant leaves and brushing their silken surface. Her hair was tucked neatly underneath her ornate headdress. Sheppard appeared out of the foliage behind her, causing the leaves to rustle.
“So you’re leaving soon.” She said, staring at the moving water.
He sat by her side and comforted her, “Anur, I want you to come with me.”
She was not as tall as him, and the difference was apparent even when they sat. She picked up her royal robes and stood before him on the sloped hill. Her eyes at his level, she looked at him and hung her head.
“I go to all of your gatherings, every time. I’m always there you know.” She began. “And all I hear is you promising your men that you will leave on a grand journey through the stars.”
He nodded, “And it’s true, but I want you to be there with me.”
“You have them give you grand accolades every time you return home.”
He nodded, “For morale, to let them know their leader is of great health, always.”
“Why?” She removed her headdress and unbound her hair, allowing it to drop over her shoulders. “I know so little of you, why would you want me to accompany you?”
“Because you are the most beautiful…” He choked somewhat on those words before finishing them, memories of women he had known flashed before his eyes but one hovered above them all. “And you are a strong woman, who would proudly break tradition to show your people that there is no barrier between races... So why not make it with me? To break this forbidden boundary there is between us mortals and immortals, would you not make that leap with me?”
“Sheppard, I—” She thought of the words to say. At first she realized she was dodging the true subject, she trusted him but she was preoccupied with other thoughts, “I think…I think I’m having your child.”
He rose promptly, a glorious smile cut across his rugged face. “Anur that is the greatest news I have had since we arrived here, I am elated!”
She kneeled in front of him and pushed him onto the grass, he leaned back flat on the ground as she crawled onto his chest. Her lips hovered mere inches from his. She closed her eyes partially as she closed in but stopped. He opened his eyes, taking a look into hers. She kept her palms on his chest ready to push off of him.
“I need to know. Do you wish for everyone to adore
you… or are I, and this child’s love enough?” She pushed off of him and picked up her things as she left the stony brook.
She knew him better than he knew himself, as an immortal he did not understand the concept of a commitment. Such a thing was absent in his people. But for once, he thought he could leave everything behind for someone.
The next few months passed quickly. Immortals slowly boarded shuttles to the stars with each passing night. Less than ten-thousand remained on the island, Sheppard himself would be among the last to leave. He would instead oversee the completion of their people’s grand exodus.
But thoughts continued to plague his mind. He knew he had to ask the Magistrate for his daughter’s hand, but he was afraid. Afraid not only of the commitment, but of his reputation and status. He would forever be known as the immortal that loved the mortal, a love bound apart by eventual death and grief; but a love nonetheless.
Each day he saw the child grow inside of her, and he wondered if this love would truly transcend time. The child would be immortal, but the mother would not.
I care little for what they think of it, he told himself.
But in reality the thought of the union plagued him. Others soon caught on to the child growing within his daughter’s body and demanded her to come forward with the father. In secret she begged Sheppard to come forward but he always responded, It is not the right time. Her father grew fitful at the bastard child, cursing it to the soil.
Anur watched over herself and cared for it effeminately, she whispered to it at night of how great its life would be being born into such nobility. She spoke of how they would all travel to the skies and see what was beyond this world. But as her stories grew grander, her hope dwindled in Sheppard’s promises.
By her eighth month of the pregnancy Sheppard finally mustered the courage to confront her father. He explained to him that the child was his own.
The Magistrate grew bitter at the union he had little power against the aged immortal and his grand armies. For hours they argued, Anur stood outside the door listening to them blast one another at every opportunity.
She returned outside, sitting amidst the courtyard garden looking to the trees. Very few birds had been brought to this artificial island, but the ones that were present sang the most beautiful lullabies. She sang to the unborn child as best she could, her body grew weaker each month. Birthing an immortal child took a heavy toll on her.
Sheppard burst into the courtyard in fitful anger. He approached the bench where his love sat and he paused to collect himself. “The last of our people will leave tomorrow, will you come with me?”
“And leave my father?” Her brother had long since passed from the world and Sheppard remembered that day well. It had taken her a long time to forgive Sheppard for his ambition.
“I know I ask for much, but I would rather be with you than any of my closest companions across the cosmos. Those who question our union need not worry us for the ages to come… let us finally make a statement to our peoples!”
A number of immortals entered the courtyard. Sheppard’s closest friends were all amongst them watching in silent awe. He looked at Dar and nodded. She out of all of them knew of their secret love and aided Sheppard in keeping it secret.
But now everything had been blown out into the open. Dar turned to disperse the gathering crowd, “Come on you fools! Get back to work, we leave tomorrow and you’re all standing by idly.”
Some of those present in the crowd made their way back to the docks. Jo walked up to the couple and sat opposite of Sheppard. “May I?” Jo asked.
Anur nodded and placed Jo’s hand on her belly. The warmth and motion of the child made Jo tear in happiness, “Congratulations Sheppard… I am proud of both of you.” The rest of his companions nodded. Sheppard looked at Dom who stood staring rather blankly.
“Dom, we leave tomorrow. I trust everything is ready?”
Dom licked his lips as he looked at the two, “Yeah,” he said, “Just give the word.”
“Tomorrow, dawn.” He said hastily as he and Jo helped Anur up.
Dom turned to his side making way for the forbidden couple. Onlookers made way as they stared at the woman carrying the immortal seed of mankind’s greatest soldier. Many looked at Anur with disgusted looks, while others smiled and bowed in reverence. Sheppard clasped her hand into his as they returned to the camps by the docks.
The Magistrate barged into the courtyard yelling at the crowd gathering in front of his residence, “Disperse immediately, all of you!” He screamed, “And you!” He yelled to his daughter, “You are not welcome in this home, do you hear me!?” She did not look back. Her father’s words alone caused tears to well in her eyes.
In spite of Sheppard’s best efforts to create a union and show mankind that its people were all one there would always be opposition. The world no longer needed immortals to watch over it. He would choose instead to take his place amongst the stars, with his new family.
The night fell suddenly while rumors spread amongst the denizens of the ancient city. There was much dissent and rioting as mortals and immortals argued over inane hatreds. Riots consumed the city, but it had been quelled until at least the moment the immortals would take to the stars.
Before he slept, Sheppard saw her silhouette against the curtains. He did not want to disturb her, but he could not help but look. She was pouring warm water over herself to help sleep before departure. He could tell by the silhouette that was she was wearing nothing, but strangely he felt drawn almost entirely to the child.
He was content watching her as she soothed the child to rest. She stood only to collect more warm water from a nearby steam reservoir. As her abdomen silhouetted against the backdrop of the curtain he felt pacified. Years of anger, war, famine and death faded from his thoughts.
He had a family to look forward to now. And a future that would benefit both worlds. Tears welled in his eyes as he thought of the future ahead of them all.
For a brief instant he recalled all the women he had ever known. At any other time he would have avoided such thoughts. But leaving this world meant he had to leave behind his memories as well. He wanted to believe that he had never loved another woman, every one of them had met a fate he wished he had met instead.
Eternal life only granted him time to contemplate his darkest memories.
Sheppard himself was once a lost soul. A man so distraught with his reality he could deign to live so destructively with it anymore. But women kept him sane. He had slept with countless women in his eternal existence, bearing little consequence of their lives or their feelings. Or of their future with him.
But now, at the end of his time in this world he suddenly became absorbed in answers to everything he had never bothered with before. And it all led him to this. Anur, the woman who restored his faith in mankind, and himself.
He would become this child’s guardian and source of answersto the world. Something he had been deprived of in his life.
He would not let this child suffer being utterly lost in this undy-ing universe like he was. He returned to his bed knowing that his destiny had been secured.
The amber morning sky glistened across the waters. The day felt like a morning of a thousand years. It would be the last time he was able to see the sun from the Earth. Now he would see new horizons, wherever they may be in the cosmos.
Sheppard awoke before Anur to prepare for their departure. He packed what was left of her belongings. Her servants had secretly brought them to him the night before. He rushed through the camps, the fires from the previous night’s riots had slowly billowed black smoke into the air.
He heard soldiers rushing their families to the shuttles. It was time for the last fleet to leave the planet. Less than two thousand remained, impatient to leave this hate filled world.
Sheppard dropped their bags onto the loading carts and ordered the personnel to rush the evacuation. Immortals slowly transferred control of the city to the Magistrate’s personal guard.
Immortal women and children, soldiers and civilians boarded the shuttles on the launch pads in droves.
The ground was chaos. It was as if people were screaming to run away from fires or floods. But the screaming did little to halt the departure. Ground technicians scrambled to launch the first shuttle on the far end of the lower dock. The massive ship was nearly a kilometer from Sheppard’s position, it was given permission to launch and was detached from its platform. The rocket’s thrusters launched the large shuttle into the great beyond, destroying the platform it stood on in the process.
All of the ground equipment that remained on the platform self-destructed in a fiery blaze. The town was uproariously in chaos itself as well.
Another two-hundred to the stars…
Eight shuttles remained.
Sheppard rushed back through the camp at breakneck speed hoping to be there before his wife awoke.
He threw aside the curtains of his tent revealing Anur awake and half-dressed. She was donning her ornate earrings and brushing her hair. He smiled and she smiled back.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning…” He took a moment to sit by her side, he put his hand on her belly, “How is…”
“She.” She said, “It’s a girl.”
He laughed as if short on breath but in reality he was too proud to do anything else. “That is wonderful…” He collected himself, “Our ship is almost ready, I want you to leave before me, there is much unrest here. Jo is leaving with her legion soon and she will welcome you aboard.”
Anur smiled and nodded, “As you wish,” She paused putting her fingers on his lips, she wanted him to prove he was serious. “Our child and I will see you again will we not?” He nodded and tried to smile as much as he could with his lips pressed shut. He grabbed her cheeks and kissed her, the feeling gave him the renewed strength he would need to deal with the remaining interlopers.
“Commander Sheppard,” he heard a familiar voice outside.
Origin: Eternity's End Page 23
