The Rise to Godhood

As Kailow approached the sick ward where the elves kept Gaia, guilt struck him. He should have been there for her. It was unfair that Gaia was unconscious while the rest were in good health. Why had this happened?

“I am sorry about your friend.”

Kailow turned around, and he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. It was awful to feel this way when his partner was at death’s door, yet he couldn’t deny his instant attraction toward this auburn beauty.

“Thank you. I am Kailow, her partner. What happened?” Kailow asked.

“I am Princess Imogen, the heir to the Elvonian throne. Gaia failed our initiation rite. The snake of truth didn’t allow her passage to our inner sanctum.” Imogen replied.

“So, is this your doing?” Kailow retorted.

“My doing? She chose to partake in the rite. We must be cautious to not allow enemies near our sacred crystal, don’t we?” Imogen replied.

“I guess. So, what happens now?” Kailow asked.

“Fíordhéantóir will decide her fate; all we can do is pray for Gaia’s soul. Come with me to the temple.” Imogen replied.

Kailow looked at Gaia and hesitated. He should stay with his love in this dire time of need, yet there was nothing he could do for her. Even if the antidote synthesiser could develop a suitable antidote against the snake poison, that antidote was unlikely to work on a human.

‘Go with Imogen; it is your destiny.’ A faint voice whispered into Kailow’s head.

Kailow looked around in fright. Who had uttered these mean-spirited words into his ears? Was he losing himself when he needed to be strong? His panic made the room feel stuffy, and what better way to get fresh air than following Imogen to the Elvonian temple?

“Okay. I am coming with you.” Kailow said.

“I am happy that you are,” Imogen replied, took his hand, and led him out of the medical ward.

***

*Hiss*

Kailow felt how his heart was racing as Imogen approached him with a hissing Snake of Truth. The prospect of being bitten by a venomous snake was terrifying, and yet Kailow couldn’t get past the erotic feelings he experienced. Imogen’s perfect symmetry, waist-long auburn hair, and emerald-green eyes made her the most erotic creature Kailow had ever seen.

As the snake bit him, he shivered from sensations of pure pleasure. The Snake of Truth didn’t make him ill; it made him horny.

‘Snap out of it! You cannot cheat on Gaia when she is fighting for her life.’ Kailow thought and fought to regain control of his urges. “I can’t do this,” Kailow mumbled.

“Do what? I thought you guys came to see the Zeto Crystal. You’ll be the first Zetan to see it.” Imogen said and smiled.

“What about the others?” Kailow asked.

“Your friends are currently enjoying our royal hospitality at the palace. However, they cannot see the crystal since the Snake of Truth marked Gaia. Such is our laws.” Imogen replied.

“What about me?” Kailow asked.

“You are different. Can’t you feel how Fíordhéantóir destines us to be together?” Imogen asked. Kailow nodded and said with an afterthought. “I see. It would be an honour if you show me the inner sanctum of your temple.”

“Come with me,” Imogen said, took Kailow’s hand, and led him past the temple guards to the most important shrine of the temple.

The turquoise colour coming from the Elvonian Zeto Crystal illuminated the shrine, and Imogen’s eyes glowed as they reflected the crystal’s light. Kailow stared at her in awe. He desired Imogen more than anything, yet guilt was tearing him apart.

“This is where we are destined to make love. The fruit of our lovemaking will be King Mellron, the greatest king ever to rule Elvonia.”

Kailow stared at Imogen as she dropped her gown to the floor and revealed her ample bosom, accompanied by a slender and tall physique. She was like an electromagnet, which was impossible for the iron in his girdle to resist. Kailow grabbed Imogen’s bum and kissed her.

*shock**Pow*

Guilt struck Kailow like a stroke, and he felt sick. Finally, his conflicted feelings broke him apart, and he could not stay any longer.

“I can’t do this,” Kailow exclaimed.

“I understand. You’ll find me here when you can.”

Kailow turned around and sprinted away from the temple area.

***

“I am sorry, Gaia. I don’t know what flew into me. I would never do anything to hurt you.”

Kailow sobbed as he grabbed Gaia’s clammy cold hand. She had a weak pulse, and it seemed unlikely that she would make it through the night.

‘Hmm, Gaia saved Nayanika with a Zeto-charged sapphire. I can save Gaia the same way,’ Kailow thought and touched Gaia’s temple with the sapphire. A bright blue light filled the room for a few seconds, and when it subsided, Gaia was still unconscious.

“It’s pointless. You cannot save my daughter with a Zeto-charged sapphire. A part of me dwells in her, so she doesn’t need the extra energy.”

Kailow turned around, and he saw True Maker posing as Gaia’s future mother, Ellen Hines.

“True Maker? I am so sorry for almost cheating on your daughter. I don’t know what happened to me. I love her.” Kailow cried.

True Maker looked at the pathetic Kailow. It wasn’t ideal that she intervened. She would have preferred it if the fated romance between Kailow and Imogen happened on its own. For a moment, True Maker felt guilty. Could she envision a timeline where Gaia and Kailow remained together?

True Maker shook off the notion. Heartache was part of the human experience, and she could not shield her daughter from this against the greater good. “Don’t be sorry, Kailow. Your romance with Imogen will give birth to King Mellron, the greatest king ever to rule Elvonia.” True Maker stated.

“I don’t care about prophecy. I love Gaia. I want to be with her.” Kailow said.

“And yet you have had doubts for a long time,” True Maker replied.

“I felt terrified in your presence. I am a mortal; imagine loving someone who is a goddess. How can I ever be good enough?” Kailow whimpered.

“You can be good enough by fulfilling your purpose. Gaia knew about your purpose. She lied to you by telling you to stay on the ship to change the path of destiny. Yet these things tend to happen anyway. As the snake bite injected her with a poison that is lethal to humans, you are the only one who can save her life.” True Maker revealed.

“So, what can I do to save her?” Kailow asked.

“Make love to Imogen tonight. As your seed fills her, you’ll fulfil your purpose. I will reward you by saving Gaia’s life. Everyone wins.” True Maker replied.

‘Not everyone,’ Kailow thought and reflected on how terrible True Maker treated Gaia. Why would the supreme deity act like this? Kailow wasn’t going to question the True Maker, so he replied, “I will do your bidding, True Maker.”

“Call me Fíordhéantóir. That is what the elves call me, and Elvonia will be your new home.” True Maker said, smiled, and evaporated into thin air.

Kailow nodded and left the medical ward. Through a cruel twist of fate, the only way of saving the woman he loved was to abandon her.

***

“Kailow, I worried that you wouldn’t return.”

Kailow looked at Princess Imogen, who had been sleeping next to the Zeto Crystal. Her eyes were teary.

“I had to return to save the woman I adore. Fíordhéantóir told me that the only way to save her life was to make love to you.” Kailow replied.

“Did you speak to Fíordhéantóir?” Imogen said in amazement.

“Yes. Let’s talk more later. We both know what we need to do to fulfil our destiny.”

Imogen nodded and approached Kailow. As Kailow caressed her naked body, he realised that carrying out his destiny did not feel bad at all!