The Riddle of the Gods

by Lyra Shanti

  “Do what? What did Adin do? What are you talking about?”

  Just then, Axis’s head began to throb and his stomach felt queasy. He wanted to be strong for Ayn, but he was forced to sit down on the floor.

  After noticing Axis’ sudden illness, Ayn too became a little light-headed.

  “So you haven’t read the book in its entirety yet?” asked Thotwa with a sarcastic grin.

  “No…” said Ayn, rubbing his now throbbing forehead, “only the beginning.”

  “I see, well, after one gets passed the rather simple, yet informative introduction, the book tells the story of Adin’s failure to unify the planets. He tried, yes, but because of his obsession with knowledge, and with plasma, he and his ambitious lover, Sri Unda, brought down a rain of opposition. Now, Siri, his brother, stood alongside the priests who were against Adin’s bonding with the plasma-enriched creature known as Siya. She was a terrifying monster... and when Adin bonded himself to her by use of unholy methods, the priests were forced to end Adin’s physical life. Of course, that is probably not the story that The Dei have told you, but it is the story within that ancient book which is buried in Adin’s coffin. So... which story are you more inclined to believe, young Bodanya?”

  Ayn shook his head, unfocused and weary. He heard what Thotwa said, but it sounded wrong.

  “Neither story is true,” said Ayn, unable to breathe correctly. He had no idea what was happening to him, but he couldn’t allow himself to pass out on the floor like Axis had done.

  “Really?” said Thotwa as he approached Ayn closer, “Please, go on.”

  Ayn focused his eyes and saw the trident that Thotwa held was glowing red, as was Ayn’s medallion. They seemed to Ayn completely in sync with each other.

  “I… don’t fully remember, but I don’t think anyone really recorded the truth. No one knew except Sri and Adin. All other sources are lies or exaggerated distortions. But why do you care? I don’t understand why you’re here… and holding that… thing!”

  “Oh, this? This is The Vortex Rod, and it supposedly can suck the life out of anyone… or any creature in existence. Well, if used by The Bodanya, that is. Ironically, it also has the power to destroy the source of The Bodanya’s plasma, which seems to be working.”

  Looking down at Axis and smirking, Thotwa added, “As for why I am here, well… when I send you and your abomination of a pet back to the hell you come from, you will understand why I did this, and you will cry tears that will finally make up for your crimes.”

  “My crimes?” Ayn yelped as he clutched his medallion, feeling it burn into his skin with negatively-charged plasma. “What are you talking about?”

  “I told you!” Thotwa snapped. “You thought yourself above all others! You used this trident to rule The Un for yourself, denying their freedom! And here you are, about to do it again!”

  “No! That’s not what I...” Ayn sputtered in physical and mental pain. “I mean, that’s not what I’m doing! You don’t understand!”

  “I understand all too well! I must have been there too, for I feel it in my bones. When Adin lost his conscience, making himself an all-powerful God, we had no choice but to stop him. Yes! I remember now. I remember it all! I was once the High Priest! And I even helped Adin become wise through spiritual and mental arts! I showed him the knowledge of sky-stones and ancient Dei magic! But what did you do? You chose to embrace evil sciences that changed you into a power hungry demon! And now I must stop you once again or you would make all bow to your knees! I have been chosen by Siri! I am your death, Adin! Look at my face and remember I was the one to end your ego once again!”

  As Thotwa leaned in toward Ayn, he held the trident directly to Ayn’s medallion, which created a crackling spark of light, igniting it from within. The power of it seared Ayn’s skin as the plasma coursed through his veins.

  Ayn screamed in agony as Thotwa held fast, determined to end Ayn’s life.

  However, Axis was not dead, as Thotwa assumed. He was merely passed out, and subconsciously changing his physical form. Axis was now a golden owl with black-tipped wings. As Axis opened his eyes, he saw what was happening, and with his remaining energy, he flew toward the trident, then nicked it away from Thotwa’s hand, taking it in his talons.

  It was too late, unfortunately. Ayn’s mind was about to explode with plasma. Wailing, Ayn grabbed onto Thotwa’s neck with his free hand and squeezed. There was no fighting Adin’s rage. He was now fully in control, and Ayn was asleep.

  “You dare to end my life once more?!” Adin inside of Ayn yelled. “I will END YOURS! And you will be the one crying for mercy in hell!”

  “Ayn!” yelled Meddhi who came running into the tomb. “What is happening?! What are you doing?!”

  Turning to face his father, Ayn levitated above the ground with his eyes glowing as red as the medallion he wore. He was choking Thotwa in the air and smiling while doing it.

  Meddhi quickly surmised Ayn had indeed been charged with Adin’s great power, but in a negative, unholy way.

  “Please…” said Meddhi, slowly approaching his son, “Ayn… Adin… please, do not let the first thing you do with your full power be murder. You are not meant to become a force of darkness!”

  Adin laughed and threw Thotwa across the tomb. He then levitated to Meddhi and said, “What do you know of darkness, Father? You run from it in fear! But I know its true meaning, and I am unafraid! I am the dark and the light combined! I am death and birth all at once! I am the void that sparks creation into being, and I do not run from its power! I am no coward like you!!”

  Meddhi, not knowing how to reach Ayn or talk down Adin from his anger, bowed low to the floor and said, “You are right, my brave son, my great child of The Un! I do not truly understand the universe the way you do, but I merely wish you to remember your heart and what it is you have come here to do.”

  Blinking his red eyes for a moment, Adin reached for his owl who perched on top his shoulder. “Yes…” he replied, “I am here to save Deius from despair. It is my kingdom, and no one else’s! I shall go to my people, for they call my name in their hearts. Come with me, my mortal father, and look upon my power in awe!”

  “I shall, my son. It will be my honor and pride.”

  --

  The black void had sucked in all those who stood in its path. Those who had somehow escaped found themselves running in sheer panic as they tried desperately to avoid, not only the shooting vortex coming from the huge, squid-like monster’s mouth, but also its wild, pounding tentacles.

  Reese, Pei, and Kren had seen how those who dared fight against the creature had been smashed into pieces, or seemed to disintegrate inside the vortex. Against Reese’s usual inclination to fight, she commanded they huddle together under the biggest piece of debris they could find. She had no idea what that vortex was doing to its victims exactly, but it looked to her as if the entirety of the creature was plasma-enriched to the point of having the properties of a mini black hole. The only plan she could muster was to hide inside one of the pieces of the Ohrian ships and pray it was strong enough to stave off the creature’s power.

  No one expected a miracle. Most were expecting death, yet hoping for a quick one. Some prayed to the Gods, those who still believed in them, but most had lost all hope.

  When Ayn reached the front of the temple with trident in hand, levitating about ten feet above the ground, his eyes glowed red from Adin’s power, filled with rage and ready for a fight.

  Those who first saw him were Tah soldiers, and they couldn’t believe their eyes. Even though they had chosen not to believe, they had all grown up with the stories about The Bodanya and how he would fly down from the heavens to save Deius from sickness and death. Seeing Ayn levitating with glowing eyes, fulfilling the legend, shocked their doubtful minds. Even more shocking was the golden owl on his shoulder when it suddenly transformed into a twenty foot Sarax.

  “It’s Adin and his sphinx!” yelled one of The Tah soldiers who had been hi
ding behind the palace gates. His proclamation turned other heads in the direction of Ayn and Axis as they both flew fearlessly toward the creature.

  “Oh, my Gods!” shouted Pei who dared to peek out from under their hiding spot. “It’s Ayn! He’s been to Adin’s tomb, and has his full power now! Meddhi’s plan worked!”

  Peeking up to see what Pei was talking about, Kren yelled, “What?! Where?!”

  “There! See him and Axis in the sky!”

  “Gods be praised!” Kren exclaimed.

  Reese couldn’t ignore them and sat up to take a look as well. “What the hell is he doing?!” she yelled. “He’s gonna get himself and Axis killed!”

  “No,” replied Pei, “he is The Bodanya now. Have faith, my love.”

  “Yeah… sure,” said Reese as she pulled both Pei and Kren back down, just barely avoiding one of the creature’s flailing tentacles. “I tell ya what,” she said under the piece of ship, “I’ll have common sense and survival. You can keep your faith!”

  “Where is Meddhi?” asked Kren. “I didn’t see him. Do you think he’s alive?”

  “I know he is,” said Pei with a smile. “I can feel it.”

  Meddhi was indeed alive, but rather fearful as he watched Ayn fly to the monster’s mouth. Meddhi believed in Adin’s power, but he wasn’t sure if Ayn was truly ready to handle it. Not knowing what else to do, and feeling helpless, Meddhi bent to his knees by the front of the temple and prayed to the oldest Gods he knew of: the old ones such as the Siri-Star and Matana, the warrior moon. Please give my son strength, he silently prayed, and guide his anger toward the light.

  It was not the light, however, guiding Ayn. It was his passion and power, long suppressed by Adin’s guilt and humility. None of that held him back any longer though as he jumped onto Axis’ back. Completely consumed by Adin’s thoughts and feelings, Ayn felt nothing but plasma and pride-filled rage.

  Flipping the trident slightly so he could grab it tighter, Adin inside of Ayn shouted, “Vrah Invey Opax Un!”

  Only Axis understood the meaning behind the ancient words. Axis didn’t consciously know the old, forgotten Deiusian language, but he sensed Ayn told the creature to go back to the hell inside the universe which it belonged. With those words, Adin ignited the trident with his soul’s plasma and caused the Vortex Rod to come alive in a way it hadn’t in hundreds of years.

  Like his plasma-filled eyes and medallion, the trident’s handle glowed a vibrant red while the prongs at the top became as blue as Ayn’s usual eye color. The trident began to shake in Ayn’s hand and vibrated with a power, strange, yet familiar to him.

  The squid-like creature seemed to detect Ayn and turned its giant mouth to face him. Meddhi cringed as he anticipated what would happen when the monster’s dark vortex met up with the trident’s own vortex of plasma. He still had faith, but he feared for Ayn’s life.

  Much to his surprise, however, when the black vortex hit Ayn and Axis, the trident shone a beam of red light, sheltering them from the obliteration of the creature’s black hole. It not only protected them, but reflected the creature’s dark vortex back into its mouth. The enormous monster vibrated and shook with unworldly plasma, which coursed through its entire body. In that moment, for only seconds, the creature's inner circuitry was exposed, and revealed to Meddhi and the onlookers it was somehow both biological and mechanized.

  After a few more seconds of being rattled by the trident’s plasma, the creature exploded into a billion particles, then suddenly disappeared from view. Meddhi assumed Adin's trident had its own kind of black hole, which forced whatever lay in its path to disintegrate.

  The monster’s demise was instantly celebrated by everyone who had survived its attack - Tah and Krian alike.

  Ayn and Axis would have cheered along with the people on the ground if they hadn’t been distracted by a strange, burning sensation in Ayn’s right hand and arm.

  It started off as a slight pain, but soon escalated into a kind of maddening burning feeling, which forced Ayn to drop the trident to the ground. Axis would have flown down to catch it, but he too experienced the pain through Ayn and couldn't think straight.

  “What happened?!” Axis yelled to Ayn.

  “I don’t know,” Ayn replied, rubbing his arm to numb the pain, “but I think the Vortex Rod is done with us.”

  “Are you alright, Ayn?”

  “I think so… I just need some water.”

  “No problem. I’ll land right by the palace and get you some!”

  As soon as they landed, Axis rushed to the palace while swarms of Krians, and even some Tah soldiers, greeted their savior with hugs and cheers. Ayn was a bit overwhelmed by their cries of gratitude and their hands on his arms and back. He was still rather weak from the trident and felt exceedingly dehydrated.

  Swooning, Ayn tried to control Adin’s temper, but the weaker he felt, the more Adin’s power took over as a form of self preservation.

  “What are they all doing?” asked Pei as he and Reese joined Kren and Meddhi. “They’re over-crowding him! We’ve got to help him!”

  Meddhi nodded as he and Pei tried their best to clamor past the throngs of people. It was difficult, however, and by the time they reached Ayn, they could see Adin had already taken control.

  With his eyes glowing red, Ayn levitated up from the ground and roared, “ENOUGH!”

  In absolute awe, the crowd was unable to stand in his presence, causing them to fall to their knees. Ayn’s power had once again completely merged with Adin’s, and further energized by his medallion, he had the power to bend them to his will.

  Even Meddhi and Pei, Reese and Kren, all felt the need to lower to their knees and beg for Ayn’s forgiveness. It was an uncontrollable urge. Even The Tah wished for nothing more than to follow their holy savior and serve him well.

  As Axis came out of the palace in his Sirini form with a flask of water in his hands, he saw the strange sight in front of him: hundreds of people all slowly bowing down before Ayn who was floating in the air with his arms extended toward them, as if they were his puppets and their master. The sight frightened and bewildered Axis.

  Just then, and to everyone's surprise, Thotwa came through the crowds and yelled, “No! I will not allow you to rule over us once again! Death to Adin! Death to The Bodanya!”

  After his battle cry, Thotwa raced to where Ayn stood and held a long, glowing object in his hand.

  Axis focused his eyes and couldn’t believe what he saw. It was the trident. Somehow, Thotwa had gotten hold of it and was about to use it against Ayn. In a matter of mere seconds, Axis flew to Ayn to protect him.

  Trying to aim only for The Bodanya, Thotwa could no longer stand the heat of the trident’s plasma, so he threw it as hard as he could, aimed at Ayn’s heart.

  There was a collective gasp among the crowds when they realized what happened. They couldn’t immediately understand the situation, but everyone saw Axis floating in the air in front of Ayn with his hands grasping the trident. It had pierced through Axis’ heart, and not Thotwa’s intended target.

  Ayn’s eyes widened and he screamed with his soul's fury. It was deafening for all nearby. Even Axis could no longer hold himself up, forcing Ayn to catch his beloved, mortally wounded Sarax. Together, they levitated down to the ground, just outside the palace.

  Immediately, Ayn drew the trident out of Axis's heart, causing Axis to wail in pain. Golden plasma oozed out of the wound, shocking Ayn to his core. Adin had now given control back to him, and all he cared about was his best friend’s life.

  “Axis?! Axis, please… tell me you’re alright,” begged Ayn through tears.

  Axis couldn’t answer his bonded friend. He had no energy to speak. He could only send his last thoughts to him.

  “I… may not live through this, Ayn. I feel as though I’m fading. Please tell Srah I love her… and I hope our children carry me in their dreams.”

  “NO!” Ayn screeched. Panicked, he searched for a way to control Axis’ bleed
ing. Ayn tried to heal him the way that he had done with Atlar, but to no avail. The plasma kept oozing through his bloody wound. “No, Axis… you can’t leave me! You just can’t! What about our bond? I can’t do this alone!”

  Axis faintly smiled and thought to him, “You’ll never be alone, my friend… my brother… my Bodanya. I will always be your guide… in this life, or the next. Goodbye...”

  Watching Axis slip away in his arms, Ayn felt the storm return to his heart. With tears streaming down his face, he locked eyes with Thotwa, who stood among the crowd, seemingly shocked at what he had done.

  Grabbing the trident, Ayn strode directly to where Thotwa stood, then shoved the trident into his enemy’s quivering hands while keeping it there with his own.

  “You want power?! You want to take me down and kill all that I love so that you can rule with your perfect, infinite wisdom? Think yourself a God better than I, do you?! Well, fine! Do it! But not without my gift to you first!”

  Ayn suddenly spoke in the old Deiusian tongue once again: “Vrey Siriney amon dei abinhas Un-vi!”

  The trident then glowed bright blue and burned hotter than anything Thotwa had ever known or imagined. Screaming in agony, Thotwa felt the plasma from the trident burn through his entire being.

  Ayn felt it too, but refused to let go. It wasn’t even Adin controlling his rage this time, it was Ayn’s grief, now unbridled by Axis’ moral guidance.

  “Ayn!” screamed Meddhi. “Let it go!”

  Unable or unwilling to hear him, Ayn sternly held onto the trident and burned along with Thotwa. It was an internal heat, and he sensed if it went on for too much longer, he would perish into the void.

  “No!” Meddhi yelled as he rushed forward. Yanking his son away from the trident as hard as he could, Meddhi felt the heat through Ayn as he wrapped his arms around him.