by Lyra Shanti
Flying backwards, the man with the red dragon tattoo grasped his neck, as if something was choking him. His nose was bleeding, and he looked like he had seen a ghost.
Ayn felt like a spirit and moved like one as well. Slowly getting to his feet, he pulled up his pants and gracefully walked over to where the other gang members had crowded over Zin's body.
They immediately felt the intense sensation of Ayn's aura and turned around to face him. Looking into his glowing blue eyes, they ran away like wild dogs, fleeing in fear.
After a few moments had passed, Ayn began feeling like himself again. He saw Zin's bloody and lifeless body lying on the street and bent down to hold his friend in his arms. He could tell the gang had beaten Zin while he was unconscious. Their depravity was beyond Ayn's comprehension.
“Please wake up,” he softly begged his soul-friend. After being met with a few seconds of silence, Ayn couldn't help but cry. “Please!” he shouted through his tears. “I can't go on without you, Zin! Please, wake up!”
Zin grunted with his eyes still shut and put his hand over Ayn's mouth. “Alright, alright,” he groaned, “I'm awake. Just stop yelling at me, will you? My head is killing me.”
Ayn gave a slight laugh, relieved, albeit mixed with a great deal of pain and sadness. “You're going to be fine,” Ayn softly replied through his tears. “I'm going to protect you.”
Zin opened his eyes and laughed, but quickly stopped when it hurt his ribs. “You're going to protect me, huh?” Zin teased with a smirk on his blood-stained face.
“That's right.” Ayn replied, gently smiling as he wiped his tears.
Zin smiled and reached for Ayn's hand. Their moment of calm was broken, however, when they heard a frightening, familiar sound: a low-pitched, resonant sound that only comes from plasma-powered machines.
Turning around, they stood up and saw that the man with the red dragon tattoo was in front of them with his plasma-gun cocked in his hand and aimed directly at Ayn's head.
“You're a freak!” he yelled at Ayn. “And this time, I've got my gun set to kill! You're gonna die for what you did to me!”
Instinctively, Ayn held up his hand. Please, Great Adin, he thought, help me once again.
A deep sense of calm grew inside Ayn's mind, unlike any other type of meditation he had ever experienced. He knew it was Adin's calm, and Ayn had no choice except to let Adin’s power take full control of his mind and spirit.
Ayn stood with his hand raised and blue eyes glowing. Within a matter of seconds, there was an explosion, followed by a deafening sound, and then a bright light refracting, displaying a prism of colors.
Between the loud, resonate sounds and the blinding lights, Zin could barely make out what was actually happening. All he knew was neither he nor Ayn were dead. Yet, the man with the red dragon tattoo had somehow completely disappeared.
Exhausted after Adin's power left him, Ayn swayed. He then passed out cold, falling backward. Just in time, Zin caught him and held his beloved friend tightly in his arms.
It's all my fault, thought Zin.
He then dropped to his knees with Ayn still in his arms, and felt the need to weep. Unfortunately, there wasn't any time to mourn or digest the horrific experience they had just gone through. Zin could hear the sirens of police cars in the distance, and though he was badly beaten and felt he would pass out any moment, he knew they needed to flee from the scene. He shuddered when thinking about what would happen if the police found them. Not only would his father be alerted to his whereabouts, but if the police were as corrupt as he had heard, Ayn might be sold to the very people who wanted The Bodanya dead: The Tah.
Zin didn't know if the gang that attacked them had anything to do with The Tah, but he wasn't taking any more chances by being found by the mafia-run police.
He took a deep breath, holding Ayn firmly in his arms and then tried his best to stand on his feet. The pain of his crushed ribs, however, was dragging him downward, against his will.
No! he yelled to himself. I MUST do this!
He slowly got back up, but then felt his back snap. The pain was entirely too intense as blood rushed to his head. Then, everything went white.
Time seemed to slow down as Zin saw aqua-skinned Ohrian angels singing to him with white elenons in their rainbow-colored, scaly hands. There was a river of emerald-green cascading behind them, and everything felt serene and warm. It was the paradise Ohrians used to believe in... so long ago before the complete conversion to science, and it made Zin happy to know it indeed existed.
As the angels took his hands, he was sad about leaving his soul-friend behind, but at the same time, he felt ready to enter the ancient afterworld of his people.
“Zin,” whispered a voice that seemed to purr. “Zin, wake up. This isn't your time to cross over the river. Wake up.”
Then, there was a wetness upon his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes and thought he saw a cat of some kind, licking his face.
However, the image disappeared as he fully became conscious. Everything still felt hazy, but he felt much better. Miraculously, his cracked back and busted ribs had somehow been healed.
Zin then got up with the strength of a lion, running down the shadowed corners of the street, carrying Ayn in his arms. He didn't know where he was headed, but he felt guided somehow, as if the angels in his vision were telling him where to go.
“Hessen's Emergency Hospital,” read the sign up above.
As Zin ran inside, Axis knew he had done all he could to heal and guide him.
Watching from outside the hospital, under a parked hover-car, Axis felt consumed with guilt. He hated himself for not having the courage to face the evil he knew was coming into Ayn's path. He had sensed the terrible auras of the gang members all that afternoon, and it had made his paws quiver with fear.
It's too difficult being one of you! he shouted in his mind to his long-dead ancestors. How am I supposed to know when to warn him and when to let him make his own choices? I don't like watching him suffer! This isn't fair! I don't want my powers anymore! Take them back!
There was no response from his ancestors – there never was.
Axis cried, feeling full of doubt and shame. The only thought comforting him was the idea that Ayn would soon be healed and they'd be cuddled up in a bed, warm and safe, dreaming together about playing in the green fields of the gardens of ancient Sirin.
Looking upward at the night's starry sky, Axis prayed once more to his ancestors. “Can you hear me?” he whimpered. “Do you care at all if my soul lives or dies? What about Ayn? Don't you care about him?”
Again, there was only silence.
“Fine! Don't answer!” he shouted through his tears. “You give me no choice but to stop believing in any of you! Gods, or whatever you are, I deny that I even come from you! I am just a weird cat thing... and I'm all alone in the darkness. No one cares if I even exist!”
Sobbing, Axis wondered if he was actually just another side of Ayn's psyche. How strange that would be, he thought, weeping as he curled into a little ball under the car. He wondered if he would die there, and if anyone would even notice.
As his tears fell on his furry face, he felt his body rock gently back and forth. At first, he thought he was doing it instinctively to give himself comfort, but he soon realized it was not his own movement; it was something else rocking him.
Looking up, confused and tired from crying, Axis saw a sight that both amazed and frightened him. It was a cat-bird creature like he was, but much bigger. It was golden like him too, and it was holding him in its huge, but warm and loving hands.
“Wha... what are you?” sputtered Axis as he stood to his feet.
Smiling, the giant, golden God lifted Axis closer to his face and said, “I am... your ancestor. You called to me, did you not, little one?”
Amazed that his prayers actually worked, Axis giddily jumped up and licked his ancestor's paw, which was cradling around him like a warm bath of smooth fur.
; “Oh yes! I did indeed call you!” Axis said as he purred. “I just can't believe you're here! What took you so long to come to me? Don't you know I've been so alone?”
“I am sorry,” the giant cat-bird replied. “I have traveled through time to find you... and it wasn't very easy. I am here now though. Would you like me to take you to another time and dimension where you will be safe?”
Excited he might be reunited with his family, Axis jumped around in the God's paw and said, “Oh, yes, please! Are my parents there?”
“Yes, of course they are,” said the giant cat-bird, “as we all are when we are spirits.”
“Wait...” said Axis, confused. “Are you a spirit?”
“I am a spirit, yes, but I am also flesh. You see, Axis, this is not my time to be here, so I can only remain in this dimension for a few moments. It will cause a paradox if I stay too long.”
“I don't understand,” said Axis. “Where is my family? Are they in another time? Are they alive or dead? Why did they leave me here all alone?”
Smiling at Axis, the God purred and said, “All your questions will be answered, little one... in time. The only question you need to ask yourself right now is if you wish to stay here with your friends or if you wish to come with me. You cannot do both. You must choose what your path is, and then, you must accept whatever consequences come from your choice. That is the way it has always been and always will be.”
Axis shook his head and felt utterly conflicted. He wanted nothing more than to be with his own kind, but he also couldn't imagine leaving Ayn's side.
“What will happen to Ayn if I go with you?”
The golden God sighed and said, “The power of The Bodanya has yet to awaken within him, and I fear he never will without you as his guide.”
Axis felt sad, but also a twinge of pride. “You mean…” said Axis as he looked up to his ancestor with bright eyes, “Ayn needs me?”
Nodding his giant head in the folds of the starry sky, the golden God smiled and said, “Yes, Axis, he needs you, more than you know.”
Axis smiled, despite his aching heart. “I can't leave him then!” he shouted. “If he needs me, then I must stay and help! He is a part of me, and I am a part of him. I see that now.”
“Yes,” said the giant God in the sky, “and you will guide each other on a journey that is full of adventure and pain, light and dark, happy and sad. Do not lose hope, my little one. It is your destiny to become great alongside your bonded friend. You may not remember having chosen this path before now, but you did. Time and time again, you have chosen to stay with him. It is your undeniable destiny to help each other find the light within the darkness so that you may spread that light amongst the universe, and it is a destiny you should be proud of, just as it has made your family proud, watching you from the stars.”
Axis burst into tears and gently pawed against the giant God's furry face. Purring loudly, Axis looked up into the bright blue eyes of the God who held him, and then smiled.
“You're right,” replied Axis. “I need to stay and help Ayn no matter what! He will live through this, and I will help him from now on! I will be strong, I promise! I won't give up! I won't lose hope! I will be his guide, and I will make sure that he becomes The Bodanya!”
Smiling and nodding, the great cat-bird said, “Yes you will, my little one, but first, you must become great yourself.”
“Oh, I will!” said Axis, jumping in place. “You'll see! All of my family will see too from the stars... or wherever it is you watch from. I will become a great being of light, like you are, and I will help Ayn to become strong too! He will be even greater than Adin was! I promise!”
“I believe in you,” said the giant cat-bird as he slowly placed Axis back onto the ground. “Now, all you have to do is believe in yourself... and nothing will be impossible.”
“Right!” Axis replied in a cat-like yelp.
“I will always be with you,” said the golden God as he levitated up into the clouds.
“Wait! Where are you going? Can't you stay a little longer?” Axis begged.
“No,” he replied as he drifted further away, becoming one with the plasma in the stars. “I must return to my time. Goodbye, my little one... and remember, you are very important, and you are very loved. Until we see each other again...”
Axis felt sad watching his ancestor drift into the stars, but at the same time, he felt stronger than ever, full of new-found confidence and hope.
Hang on, Ayn. I'm coming! he thought as he ran to the hospital. I won't give up, so you can't either!
Knowing now that he was connected to his family within the universe, Axis beamed with the energy of an ancient being of light, and he was determined more than ever before to share that light with Ayn and the whole galaxy.
Axis felt his soul flying inside of the hospital through walls and even through people. He felt he could go in and out of time, though he wasn't quite sure how he was doing it. All he knew was he was going to heal Ayn, even if it took his entire soul to do it.
Finding himself hovering over Ayn's sleeping body, he made a silent vow. You will become The Bodanya, Ayn! I swear to all the Gods of The Un, you will!
With those words, he curled up next to his beloved friend and quietly promised to face the future with him for all time, for good or bad, come what may.
End of Book One
Book Two: The Veil of Truth
available on Amazon
Book Three: The Riddle of the Gods
available November 14th 2016
Glossary
Adin / ə - din'/ : The very first Shiva Bodanya. He was supposedly murdered by his brother, Siri.
Ahluhana / ä - lü - hä' - nä/ : The ancient name for the Sirini universe Goddess. It is also the original name for the planet.
Amun-Lan / ä' - mün - län /: The high priest who taught Meddhi-Lan.
Amya / äm' - yə / : The Queen of Deius and mother of Ayn. She died from plasma illness when he was very young.
Anko bird / änk' - ō / : A large bird that stands upright on two feet and has large feathers that are usually black and white. It is indigenous to Sirin, but was brought over to Deius in the time of The Great Adin.
Api / ä' - pee / : The beginning month of harvest season on Deius.
Atlar / at'- lär / : King of Kri and father to Ona.
Atlaris / at - lär'- is /: The sun God of Krian mythology.
Axis / ak' - sis / : Ayn’s “pet," though he is much more. He is a cross between a cat and a bird in appearance.
Ayn / īn / : The boy-king and “Bodanya” of Deius. He is the supposed reincarnation of Adin.
Baran / ber' - ən / : Second general to King Atlar. He is the leader of The Lirhan, Kri's specialized army.
Bodanya / bō - dan' - yə /: "The chosen one" or the prophesied spiritual leader of Deius.
Darvis / där' - vis / : A young Krian who is an apprentice councilman to Octian.
Day of Seed: A Deiusian holiday that celebrates the harvest season.
Delma / del' - mə /: Krian Goddess of Mercy and love.
Deius / dā' - üs / : The planet where Ayn was born. It is part of the five remaining planets that inhabit the Un-Ahm galaxy.
Dini / dē' - nē /: A dog-like animal that is usually domesticated. It has furry, short wings.
Duna / dü' - nə / : Ayn’s childhood pet. It is a Dini and is something like a dog, but with furry, short wings.
Dru-Ahm /drü äm / : A complex galaxy with intelligent life. It neighbors the Un-Ahm galaxy.
Elenon / el' - le - nän / : An eight stringed musical instrument originally created on the planet Ohr.
Frey / frā / : Ona's personal handmaid, best friend, and younger sister to Mair.
The Great Paradox: The Deiusian term for the slow decay of the atmospheres of the known planets near Deius. Also the term for the depletion of plasma within the Un-Ahm galaxy.
Holy Order of The Dei / dā / : The council of priests in the Dei Kingdom. They h
ave guided the Royal line of Shiva for many years.
Jin / jin / : The youngest student of The Holy Dei.
King Rummund / rəm' - mənd / : Atlar's father and previous king of Kri.
Konaka / kō - nä - kä / : A dark brew made from Konaka beans and usually swerved hot.
Kri / krē / : The planet that is nearest to Deius as well as being their closest ally.
Lan / län / : The formal Deiusian name for a teacher.
Leif / lēf / : The only son of Octian who died in the Xen and Krian War.
The Lirhan / lēr' - ən / : The elite unit of soldiers under Atlar’s command. Their fighting style is of ancient origin and known as one of the most dangerous within the galaxy.
Lod Enra / läd en' - rə / : The King of Ohr. He is father to Zin Ra and has had many disagreements with the priests of Deius for many years.
Loda La / lō' - də lä / : Queen of Ohr and wife to Lod Enra. She is the mother of Zin Ra.
Luceon / lü' - sē - ən / : Owner of the lounge that Zin plays at. His sister, Velna, calls him "Luc."
Magna Screen: Similar to a flat computer screen, but powered with plasma-energy.
MahMah stew / mä' - mä / : A traditional, Deiusian stew, mildly spiced and usually made with root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots.
Mair / mer / : Royal handmaid, adopted mother of Reese, and older sister to Frey.
Meddhi-Lan / me' - dē län / : The high priest who teaches Ayn as a child.