I shivered with the early morning cold and reached out for Alexis, but her bedroll was empty. She was proving to be a most vexing puzzle. One moment I felt like we had a connection and she was attracted to me; the next she was avoiding me and blushing about some little strumpet she met in another realm.
Perhaps if I told her.. I shook off such childish notions as I climbed out of my blankets. She seemed singularly devoted to Paz now. I had missed my chance. I lit the candles of my shrine and knelt down to pray to my goddess.
I gasped big lungfuls of air and took a trembling step to steady myself. I looked around and all I could see were stars and nebula and planets in every direction as the entire cosmos swirled around me. I was at the base of the Celestial Stairs. At the top of the stairs, I could see the now familiar twelve thrones of the primary gods; six Above and six Below. I moved forward and dropped to one knee. The slow click click click of her heels on the stairs filled the space and echoed off the Infinite surrounding me. With each step, she became slightly more corporeal, slowly fading into reality until she stopped on the first step just in front of me. My goddess.
"My Light!" I grasped my holy symbol and bowed my head before looking up to her.
"My champion." Her voice was warm and loving, and filled my entire soul with joy. "It has been far too long since we've had the opportunity for a good chat. Sadly, the affairs of the Divine keep me so very busy." A soft sigh escaped her perfect, pink lips.
"That you Graced me once, and several more times after that, is an honor beyond words."
Iridatha, the goddess of Life Above, tilted and inclined her head slightly. A polite acknowledgement of my humility and devotion while simultaneously dismissing the notion that I would be deserving of anything less.
"My champion, I have a Holy Mission for you." Her tone had lost some of that amused playfulness, but was no less loving and full of pride.
"Of course, my Light. Anything you need, just speak the words and it shall be done." I pounded my fist against my chest.
Her smile became.. weary; full of reservation. "I know. But, this is no simple task that I now must ask of you. I regret that the future of Illith Aranor, of the entire cosmos hangs in the balance; that it all rests on your shoulders."
I sucked in a breath, my mind racing. This was the greatest honor, the most prestigious moment of my life. And yet, I felt trepidation and self-doubt. I remained silent and awaited her Divine words to bless me with purpose beyond my meager mortal ways.
She continued, her voice growing quiet, conspiratorial. "The girl, your new friend, Alexis," She paused, letting the silence stretch out for dramatic effect, "She is valuable beyond words. Important beyond measure. Precious beyond the most delicate flower or rare metal."
I couldn't help the words that bubbled up and spilled out of me before I could stop them. "Truly, she is so remarkable?"
A teasing smile played at the goddess Above's lips. "You forget, my Champion, I can see into your heart. It sings for her. She is already that significant to you. Even in the short time you've known her, a strong bond has formed. I need you to understand this perfectly, without question or misunderstanding." Her voice grew quieter with every word as she leaned closer, and I couldn't help but match her movement until we were inches apart. She licked her lips. "Her safety, her journey, is paramount. She is the Elder God's counterpart. Where it is a force of raw, unmitigated Destruction, she is the purest form of absolute Creation. Without her, the Elder God will devour our many worlds and everything in them. The curse that she carries MUST NOT BE GIVEN BIRTH, AT ANY COST. You must shield her. She is yours to protect; body, soul, and heart."
My breath hitched, my cheeks burned, and my heart raced. I must protect her heart? Surely my Light couldn't possibly mean-
A knowing smirk settled on her lips as she interrupted and responded to my thoughts. "Yes, that is exactly what I mean. She is your Destiny. You must be hers, and she must be yours. Or else all will be lost."
My mind scattered in a thousand different directions, running this way and that faster than I could follow. And then my heart sank as realization dawned on me and I recalled the way Alexis talked about her new friend, Paz. "My Light.." My voice cracked and I felt tears blurring my vision. "I have already failed you. I have failed the Cosmos. Her heart sings for another."
Fury and hatred etched themselves onto my goddess Above's beautiful face, seemingly against her will as her always measured control faltered and slipped. My blood ran cold even though her ire was not aimed at me. "That other girl is-"
Our attention was drawn back to the top of the stairs as three shadowy silhouettes formed in front of their respective thrones, two Below and one Above, and took menacing steps toward us.
Iridatha viciously bit off the words she had been going to say and took a moment to collect herself, choosing her words more carefully as she considered me. The shadows paused, waiting to see what she would say. "What I mean to say is," she grit out between clenched teeth, "Alexis is not lost to you, though she spent more time in that other realm than even she realizes. Her heart still sings for you, however quietly. And it could rise to a full choir once more, if you fight for her."
I shook my head in confusion. "But we barely know each other."
My Light smiled once more. "It will not be easy, and you are not guaranteed of success, but though your current bodies have only just met, your souls are old acquaintances. That is why you have felt so drawn to each other; why you have found her company so alluring, she is your soulmate. But. IT. WILL. NOT. BE. EASY. She is a stubborn and strong-willed girl. If you speak to her of destiny and obligation, she will run from it out of spite. She is not one to do what is expected of her, simply because it is expected."
I nodded understanding. "I shall... accomplish this heavy task. She will be protected."
"Please, please remember this above all else," Her voice was soft and almost pleading, "The curse that she bears must not be given birth. At any cost." My Light's gaze suddenly flicked up and over my shoulder, focusing into the Infinite distance. "She is in trouble and she needs you. You must go help her. HURRY! RUN!"
I fell back from my shrine and my legs, weak from hours of kneeling, gave way as I landed on my butt with an unbecoming grunt. I had to find my beautiful blonde idiot!