Eclipse: the Beginning

“What happened back there?” Celestial questioned the two flying beside her. “Where did this staff come from? How are you flying? I want answers from both of you! Now!”

“You’re welcome for rescuing you, Miss Celestial,” Samuel said in a dry tone. Taking a deep breath to collect himself, he started an explanation. “The staff you’re riding is named Cherub and belongs to Seraph – or Saraii. It’s enchanted. Saraii’s real name is Seraph, and he’s amazing with magic. Aren’t you, Seraph?” The Wind remained silent. He looked troubled.

“What? Wait. You still haven’t explained what happened back there, Saraii! What kind of magic was that?” Celestial wanted to reach out to grab the Wind, but her bound hands were busy gripping the staff. That was a far more important task in her mind.

“Today,” Seraph’s voice was soft and distant, “is my birthday.”

“Oh! Well, happy birthday, mate!” Neither Light nor Wind appeared excited. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Your twentieth?” Celestial asked in a dark tone.

Seraph nodded.

“Things make more sense,” she groaned, looking ahead at the white sands.

“What does? Your alien is confused right now!” The teenager waved a hand at them, trying to get in on the conversation.

“Did you realize?” The soldier continued ignoring the young man.

“No,” he replied with a disheartened voice.

Seraph found the window to their room. The Wind made it inside only to flop on his stomach. Samuel grunted at the fall, pinned beneath him. Celestial leapt off Cherub before landing.

“All right! Someone please tell me what the devil in going on! We’re supposed to be a team here, and you promised no more secrets, Seraph!”

The teen glared at the Wind with displeasure. Seraph hid his face, recoiling from the youth as he sat upright. Celestial kicked Samuel in the back of the head with her bare foot, killing the intensity in the room.

“Saraii, were your parents mortal or not?”

“I …” Seraph kept his voice high, “I never met my father. He served in the Wind army as a general. Mother told me of his arrest for supporting Lord Zion when I was young. He never learned she was carrying me. He was never heard from again, so ….”

“So you made it your personal quest to find him,” Samuel finished the statement for the other. The youth understood the Wind’s reluctance to halt his personal business. “Seraph, I didn’t realize.”

Seraph turned away from everyone. Celestial saw the Wind needed time to consider the new development, so she nudged the teenager to the other side of the room, herding him with her shin.

“Cut me loose.”

“With what?”

“You hold the sword, do you not?”

“Well, yes … oh.” He tried to hoist the blade upright. It was too heavy to hold off the ground, so he propped the blunt side against his shoulder. “What now?”

“Put it between my arms.” She extended her reach, leaving her arms apart with an exasperated sigh. “I’ll cut them myself.”

Samuel gave her a dirty look as he had struggled enough to hold it. She lifted her arms to go over the hilt, pushing Samuel aside. As the soldier freed herself, Samuel looked back at Seraph. He was still sat facing the corner of the room. His arms rested on his knees. The Nomad youth wished he saw what was rolling around his friend’s thoughts at the moment. Seraph seemed more lost than ever.

“Celestial, Samuel Watson,” Seraph said in his deep voice. “I have a request to ask of you.”

Celestial froze. She remembered hearing the man’s voice in the ceremonial court. At first she had dismissed it, since she was still awestruck by the rescue. It had come from Saraii though. Looking behind her, she stared at the Wind. She had no words, just a gaping mouth. Seraph turned inward. He sensed her gaze on his back.

“No! None of that! Seraph is our companion and friend!” Samuel stood between them, arms raised as if to shield them from one another. “Might I remind you he saved you today?”

“He? You called her ‘he’ again. Just what is going on? Saraii – whatever you call yourself – just what are you?”

“Seraph is his name,” Samuel said in a stern tone, surprising Seraph. “He’s intersexed. That just means his body is both male and female. It’s no curse, and he’s no monster. There are people just like him back in my world, and they are as normal as you or I. He’s a brave person who has been doing everything in his power to save you. The least you could do is thank him for putting his life on the line.”

Celestial turned her face to Samuel. She did not realize he possessed such passion. He had gained a point of respect from her. Still, the unrest in her chest was inescapable. If Seraph was considered male, she was out-numbered. She distrusted liars, and the Wind seemed comfortable creating fabrications. Her guard had returned against them once again.

“Celestial,” Seraph turned on his knees to face them, his face solemn and humbled. He bowed, making Samuel gape in dismay. “I realize what you must think of me, but I beg your understanding. With my chest, I am not considered a man in society. I didn’t intend to deceive you both. For the past three years, it was necessary to live this lie. My appearance caused … problems, and I feared this was the only way to avoid disturbances for us. Forgive me.”

“Seraph …!”

Celestial covered the Nomad’s mouth before he finished.

“You said you had a request,” she said in a stoic voice, trying not to let her distrust show. “What was it?”

A chill ran through her as she watched the Wind so humbled. She felt guilty for Seraph’s demeanor. As cold as she came across, she was not inhumane. A familiar sting of remembrance of someone else begging her made her wish Seraph would get up. She looked down at Samuel. He was staring at her with a hopeful gaze. The metallic eyes in the morning light seemed familiar. They compelled her to do as he asked.

“Sa … Seraph,” she mumbled, “I apologize. You deserved more than the reaction I gave. You have saved me twice now. I am indebted to you, not the other way around.”

Seraph looked up in surprise. When she dropped the stern expression, the Light’s visage was enchanting to look upon, but there was also a sadness that made him want to take whatever burden she carried from her. She was far too regal to look so grim. He gulped at the conclusion. Who was he kidding? It was miraculous enough she was being civil and not barking orders.

“Spit it out!” Her face hardened once again.

Seraph jumped at the mood swing. The moment passed so quickly.

“Right!” He gathered his wits before speaking, “I recognize how important our quest is, and we are most likely fugitives at this point. Still, with this new development, I must return to my home. There are questions I, and you both, must have answered. There is only one person who could answer them, and I trust him with Samuel Watson’s secret. Would it trouble us to return west?”

“Not at all!” Samuel’s answer made them both blink. He had pulled Celestial’s hand down when her guard had lessened. “I say we go there now. We are following my lead, right?” Seraph smiled with relief as Celestial made an annoyed face. “Let’s be on our way then. The innkeeper might run into some trouble if we stay much longer.”

“Agreed.”

Seraph and Samuel had paid their fare when they arrived, so they waited for Celestial to finish changing. When she was ready, the trio snuck out of town from the rooftops. From that point, they were walking the white sands to the plains back in Western Wind.

“We should set up camp here,” the soldier said when she noticed the Sun. “Sunset will begin soon. We don’t want nightfall to catch us unprepared. Are the blankets still with us?”

“I have them,” Seraph replied, taking the sack off his shoulder.

“Why must we make camp so early? Seraph and I walked all night to get to Heaven,” Samuel said as he glanced between the Light and Wind. The soldier gave Seraph a vicious look, making him cringe. “Have I spoken of something I shouldn’t, again?”

“You dim fool!” Celestial snapped at Seraph. “Did you learn nothing traveling for three years? You both could have been killed!”

“We were trying to beat the escort,” Seraph replied in a quiet voice. “Samuel Watson didn’t want to harm the Wind soldiers, so he told me we should spring when they handed you off to the Light soldiers.”

“Before I critique the dim-wittedness of that plan,” the captain growled, locking the Wind’s gaze, “how could you be so reckless? Didn’t you promise you would protect him? What if the Darkness caught him?”

“Only Heaven fears the dark, Celestial,” the Wind said in a bored tone. “I took precautions. We carried a torch, and I was on guard at all times.”

“You assume the Darkness can be warded off so easily?” Celestial’s dark tone echoed her emotions on the topic. A chill of fear brush over Samuel at the word “Darkness.” He wondered what had caused such an event. Perhaps Celestial had frightened him too much.

“Just what is this Darkness you’re so worried about?”

Both Aurorans looked back at the teenager. They blinked before remembering Samuel was not from their world. Their faces looked grim. The Brit recognized this was yet another important part of this world he needed to learn. He gave his full attention, putting down the bag he had to show them.

The Light and Wind glanced at one another for a moment, considering their words.

“The Darkness is more of a Heaven superstition,” Seraph replied with a delicate tone. There was a Light present. “Celestial would know more than I.” He glanced toward her, letting her have the floor, so to speak.

“The Darkness is no myth. I have fought it myself.” She crossed her arms as she recalled her first encounter. “It preys at night, when light vanishes from the land. No one is safe. You must stay near a large source of light, so travelers make camp at night. Fire is one of few ways to protect yourself. Otherwise ….”

“Otherwise?” Samuel thought he was listening to a ghost story. Celestial’s voice was so serious that he could not shake the terror in his chest.

“You die before you have time to feel threatened.”

“The Darkness usually only attacks Lights,” Seraph explained, as Samuel’s face looked terrified from that last comment. “My mentor told me this was to extinguish light in the night. That’s why I wasn’t worried. But there are rumors that the Darkness can attack others.”

“It can, and it does,” the Light retorted. “When I was young, I lost an escort from Eastern Earth to the Darkness. If it had not been for my commanding officer, I would not be here today.”

“I see, then.” Samuel hung his head. His stomach tightened at this new discovery. He had not expected something this intense when he resolved to being in Aurora. “How do we make a fire in this desert?”

“I’ll collect brush to burn. The West always blows something toward Heaven. You two can prepare for the night,” Celestial said in her commanding voice.

The other two just nodded obediently as she walked away. Nothing to gain arguing with the captain.

“Seraph,” the teen spoke up as he pulled the blankets out, “Celestial asked if your parents were mortal. What did she mean by that, and why is your twentieth birthday so significant?” He figured a subject change would help distract him.

The Wind paused his search for the night’s meal. Recalling what had happened that morning, he lost his desire to eat. He was not positive what Celestial had implied about the connection to him, but he figured he should at least inform his friend of what he had asked.

“In Aurora,” he began, “there are mortals and immortals. Mortals live to be around a hundred years old before returning to their element to await being reborn. Immortals don’t die from age or illness, but they age the same as mortals, stopping when they reach a point of maturity. Then … there are the gods.”

“Gods? As in divine beings?” Samuel had been skeptical of the whole Sun god thing, and even after witnessing a sunrise, he did not truly accept it. It challenged far too many things for him. The idea was irrational in his mind to trust in “gods.”

“Yes, why do you sound surprised? Are there no gods in your world?”

“Well …” Samuel stared at the rolled-up blanket in his hands. How could he explain this to his friend without insulting him? “I suppose, on Earth, people don’t share the same gods. Some feel there is only one god while others consider many gods. Others don’t even consider gods exist.” Samuel was one such individual. He did not condemn others for their faith, but he had never accepted any of the religions of Earth.

“Why don’t your gods just reveal the truth?”

“Gods aren’t among the people. They supposedly exist somewhere we cannot reach.”

“Why would they do that?” Seraph sounded shocked. “Is it not the purpose of a god to protect their people? To lead and keep order among them? How could a god just leave their people alone? It must be lonely, not knowing their presence or voice. No wonder the people don’t share gods. They don’t even realize what gods they have.”

Samuel glanced up at Seraph. He had never envisioned such a perspective. Earth was on a constant cycle of strife and calm. There was no absolute truth accepted by the world, so everyone made their own, which led to clashing ideals. In that light, Earth seemed so bleak. He understood how people could behave like the gunman at the gallery or Philip with his torment. He pitied his former home, but that would change nothing here in Aurora or back on Earth.

“I never considered that back home, Seraph,” he said with a sad smile. “I guess I can find out what it’s like here, now, in my new home. Sorry for interrupting. You were about to talk about gods?”

“Yes,” Seraph nodded in reply. He was still stunned learning more about this place called Earth. The goddess of Eastern Earth would never hide from her people. He had hoped one day he might see Samuel’s world, but now, he was glad he was Auroran.

“The gods hold divine power over the world. They are immortal, and only powerful magic can harm them. My mentor told me a god can be hurt by another as easily as a mortal though. Gods and immortals can use magic, yet gods hold a unique connection to their magic, as if it’s part of them. This cannot be attained until their twentieth birthday, when they awaken …”

“So, you’re … a god?” Samuel swallowed the lump in his throat. The topic had become more complicated than he expected.

“Well, if you are even part god, a taboo god, you’ll have an awakening, but it’s nothing too impressive, I suppose. That might explain why Celestial’s concerned. You saw what I did in the ceremonial court.”

“So … is your mother a god? Maybe she never told you?”

“My mother was a servant in my father’s home. He took her as his lover. Apparently, he longed for companionship. They weren’t ‘in love,’ but Mother said he was a caring man.”

“I suppose a god wouldn’t be a servant. It has to be your father then,” Samuel sighed. That made things difficult. He blinked, turning his head toward Seraph again. “Seraph, you said your mother was a servant. Is she no longer?”

“She became the lady of the estate by my father’s will. She died six years ago.”

“Seraph …! Forgive me! I didn’t intend to bring up painful memories!”

“It’s all right,” the Wind said, smiling. “You must miss your mother and father, being barred from your home.”

“I … never knew either of my birth parents. They abandoned me at a church as an infant. I was a ward of the state until Earl Watson adopted me.”

The two paused. Seraph gaped, regretting his words. Samuel stared awkwardly at the ground. Celestial had walked up within hearing range to overhear him. She froze in place.

It had never bothered Samuel that his parents left him. He had just wanted to learn why. The woman at the church told him his parents could not care for him, but they wanted the best for him. It was at the orphanage he learned he was left in a blanket in front of their door. He had reasoned that his mother was unable take care for a child alone and she left him to God’s mercy. At least, he had had Mother, but he had not seen her in his dreams once since he had come to Aurora. He missed her.

“Though I never met my real mother, there was always a woman in my dreams.” The Nomad hugged himself, trying to remember how her embrace felt. “I always considered her my mother. She would sing to me, hold me, talk about my troubles, and encourage me. I imagine mothers do things like that.”

“They do,” Seraph smiled when the teen looked at him.

Celestial looked down at the brush in her arms, reflecting to herself.

“What’s say we make camp now? Eh, Samuel Watson?”

“Um, Seraph,” Samuel rose an eyebrow at hearing his full name again, “you don’t have to keep calling me by my full name. We’re friends. There’s no need to be formal.”

“What do you mean formal?” Celestial dumped an armful of what appeared to be tumbleweeds on the ground. “Samuel Watson is your name, is it not?”

“Well, yes, it’s my first and last name, but friends normally don’t say both when speaking … back home at least.”

“What is a first and last name?” Seraph got comfortable, leaning back on his hands. He was confused again, but Samuel seemed to appreciate explaining things.

“A first name is your given name at birth,” the teen sighed with a smile, realizing he had found another difference between their worlds. “A last name is a surname you inherit from your family.”

“Which is which?” the Wind’s curiosity piqued.

“Samuel is my given name from when I lived in the church before living at the orphanage. I was named after a figured from a religious text. Watson is the name they gave me when I was adopted into the Watson family. It was Doe before that.”

“In Aurora,” Celestial explained, “we only use our name and province of birth. When we reach adulthood, we can earn titles for achievements or merit. We have no such family names.”

“Well, that makes things easier, doesn’t it?” Samuel smiled at his companions. “From now on, you can call me Samuel, or Sam for short.”

“Short?” Seraph looked confused again.

“Never mind,” the teen sighed, rubbing his temples. “Samuel will do.”

After eating a meal of dried meat and fruit, the three sat around the fire Celestial had built. It was so quiet. Samuel assumed Celestial was watching for the Darkness … however that worked. Seraph appeared deep in thought. Samuel stared at the fire, watching the tongues of flame crackle and sway. It did not seem as vibrant as it should be, but perhaps fire acted differently in Aurora than Earth. There were already so many differences. He was getting anxious remembering them. Turning his face toward the heavens, he gaped with a sharp gasp.

“What is it?” Celestial asked. “Did something touch you?”

“No …!” The youth’s voice was tremulous.

“What’s wrong, Samuel?” Seraph looked over at him. “You seem upset. Are you all right?”

“The Moon …! Where is the Moon …?! And the stars …?! Where are they?! The sky is pitch black!”

“Now what nonsense are you sputtering?” The Light was on edge, so her nerves spoke more than her nature.

“Celestial, please.” Seraph shushed her as he stood to sit next to the young man. The Wind recalled Samuel had always seemed intimidated at night, and he had asked if something was missing. Placing a hand on the Nomad’s shoulder, the Wind asked in a calm tone, “What are moons and stars, Samuel? Tell me about them.”

“How can you not have a moon?!”

Samuel’s voice cracked as he tried not to cry. He had convinced himself he was imagining the emptiness, but after so long, he could not deny the absence. It was a never-ending New Moon. He felt he had lost a dear friend, first Mother and now the Moon and stars. He understood why people feared the night so greatly in Aurora. The youth tore his eyes away to look at his lap. His hands covered his face as he wept.

“Oh good gods, you are not in your world anymore! Things will not be the same! Grow a spine!”

“Celestial! Enough!” the Wind rebuked the soldier. “You’ve lost your tongue in your fright. Stop before you say anymore.” He gripped the young man’s slim shoulder. “You haven’t told us what they were yet. I’d like to learn about them. Please, Samuel, could you tell me?”

Samuel sniffled a moment, wiping his face with his sleeve. Looking at Seraph, the black eyes held gentleness and empathy. Nodding, he cleared his throat before explaining. Maybe talking would calm him down.

“The Moon is a sort of sun. The Sun presides over the day, while the Moon governs the night. It reflects light down to the world, and yet, its gentle glow can lull people to sleep. The stars are smaller suns that form shapes in the night sky. If you connect the dots between them, they look like gods, heroes, and other beings.” He figured the complex details would confuse them, so he ran with the more native explanation. They seemed to understand.

“That’s something I’d visit Earth to see,” Seraph said in a faraway voice. He dropped his hand from Samuel’s shoulder, and leaned back on his hands to look at the void above them. “A gentle glow? Aurora could use that here. Almost everyone feels uneasy when night falls. It would keep the Darkness away, too. Don’t you think, Celestial?”

Both Samuel and Seraph looked in her direction. She was also looking at the sky, hugging her legs close to her chest. Her usual stern face had softened. She almost looked childlike.

“Tell me more about your Moon and stars.” She sounded like a nervous little girl. Perhaps she was ashamed of her behavior, or maybe she had grown curious.

“All right,” Samuel agreed with a small smile, wiping away another tear. He continued with differences between the Sun and Moon. He recited stories from around the globe he had heard or read about the satellite. His friends looked impressed, and Celestial’s nerves seemed to relax at last.

“I wonder what a Moon god or goddess would be like?” Samuel mused aloud. “Since King Zemnas rose the Sun, I assume he is its incarnation. Am I wrong?”

“Incarnation?” Seraph stared back at Samuel, questioning his foreign word. Celestial just smirked, shaking her head.

“King Zemnas is the son of the Land Goddess. She began all life that exists here, including the five guardian gods. King Zemnas’ spirit is the Sun itself, so he wills it to rise above the edge of the world. If he willed it so, the Sun would not rise, and the entire land would be left in the dark, where the shadows could ensnare us all.”

“Is that why you feared rebellion against him?” Samuel never imagined how dependent the people were on the king. He seemed more like a tyrant, holding the entire world hostage at his whim.

“Yes,” she replied, throwing more brush on the fire, “if we were to anger him enough, he could make all of Aurora suffer. With the Great Mage at his side, countless innocent Aurorans could die just to get to us. No one could touch him under Namas’ protection.”

“Then what are we even doing?!” the Nomad exclaimed, “We’re supposed to be restoring this world, not tearing it apart! How do we oppose such a force?!”

“That’s why Grandmother Wingie told us to protect you. This task was never simple, Samuel, but we have to try, right? You are the key to something wonderful.” The Wind smiled down at the gawking teenager from where he was leaning on his hands still. “Try to remember your goal. It should make things clearer. The more you learn about Aurora, the clearer that will become for you.” Or more muddied, he considered to himself.

“King Zemnas is not a cruel king.” The two young men stared at the solemn soldier in disbelief. “I recognize it’s hard for someone outside the palace to understand. He rules as best he can. He never had his mother or her guidance. The king looks to others for advice on what is best for Aurora as he has never traveled her surface. It was a wish he confided in me to ask his mother if he has been a good king as she was a queen. It is why I served him as faithfully as I could.”

“Then there is hope in the dawn after all.” Samuel gave no explanation when Celestial and Seraph gave him questioning looks. “I’m off to bed, mates. Someone will have to wake me. I’ll be a heavy sleeper here in Aurora. Night!” He crawled into his blanket at that point, leaving the Wind and Light to wonder what he had meant.