--- Adolescent Stone Giant Dulra POV

“What is that?” Her arm springs forth directing my eyes towards a prone body lying amongst the green grasses on the far side of a clearing opening up before us.

A sniff of my nose into the oncoming breeze detects neither blood nor decay, is mother testing me? I bound forward …

“I didn’t say go closer foolish child …”

I stop in an instant. There is a tut-tutting to her voice so yet again I have disappointed, and my head bows until my chin rests upon my chest, my arms dangling loose. As try as I might I am unable to satisfy her, every effort to interpret or predict fruitless. At our journey start, a youth, now of age and yet she still calls me child.

I jump as she wraps an arm around my shoulders.

“Lift your head, I speak to protect, I don’t mean to belittle.”

Her arm squeezes me in an effort to comfort yet I doubt the sincerity.

“You are my son, and our journey will be a long one and if I fail, I will see you live and learn until you succeed.”

Her soft, caressing words familiar, the message a frequent one even if the words are different each time. I lift my head.

“Now son what does your five senses tell you and what does your mind conclude?”

I stare at the body for a time and take another sniff. “Silence in the clearing could mean we are the first to discover the body, no predators howling or skulking about. Lack of putrid smell suggests the body isn’t a corpse, clothes in good order suggests a lack of violence to the body, although a blow to the head is a possibility to explain the lack of reaction due to my careless approach.”

Her hot breath wafts by my ear and how I wish she wouldn’t do that as I am no longer a child to be coddled. I prepare to receive more soothing words.

“I prefer enthusiastic approach son, there will be plenty of others in this world trying to bring you low without you doing the same to yourself. Maintain a respectful confidence until the facts reveal the full truth. Let us approach closer, the grass here is low, the clearing large and our size offers some deterrence to attack even in this part of the world.”

“You have some magic don’t you mother?” I ask.

She chuckles while releasing me from her motherly embrace. “You know do you?”

“I waited with my sister and baby brother outside many a Temple long enough to know you were pleading for more than just food and water …”

“An occasional success … the Goddess Dilia, one Adept, in particular, a surprise …”

My mother’s eyes drift off then, skyward. I touch her forearm and she looks back. I study her face; eye to eye, we are about the same height. When did this occur?

“Son?”

I recover. “Why the surprise mother?”

Another smile. “You have been growing, soon you will tower over your mother as you should.” Entwining her long fingers, both hands comb over my smooth head. “The Goddess Dilia wishes to see a corpse’s Spirit and Soul separated and carried skyward, to the Spirit Plane and the Soul Stream, respectively. We prefer the opposite.”

“I see, why would she tolerate the opposite?” My reply quiet, trying to comprehend the generosity of the Funeral Rights Goddess.

“Her answer enlightening, she believed if there is no other choice then her way was best …”

“So, she didn’t begrudge you finding another way?”

“The Adept didn’t, I am not so sure about her Goddess. And to answer your first question, my two spells of Faith Magic are [Sense Life] and [Sense Corpse]. Which do you think I should choose?”

“They are the same opposite … their respective name suggests confirmation of one state or the other and yet I suspect there is more?” I raise my brow.

My mother’s spontaneous light hand claps warm my heart. “Oh yes, with subtle understanding they can reveal more, Life nearer to Death or peak of health, Corpse recent or days at rest and yet in this instance we forgo both as physical inspection could reveal more than either.”

I follow in the footsteps of my mother; my sister follows in mine. Mother’s arm waves me to the other side of the prone, pale pink hairless or near enough, body. White robes of expensive cloth and quality cut wrap around our object of interest.

“Examine the body and report.”

I glance once at mother and clear my throat, the skin colour of the body off-putting to say the least. “The chest rises and falls … steady,” I place a small mirror under the creature’s nostrils. “It breathes.” I pull back the eyelids and the pupils remain open under sunlight. “Possibly unconscious, almost conclusive proof.” With two fingers I press against the body’s neck and after several attempts, I find the tell-tale throbbing. “Blood flows.” Meticulously I comb through her head of short hair, no congealed blood, no blood, or bumps on the head at all in fact. “No blow to the head.” While I don't tell mother why I assume the twin mounds upon her chest indicate a female of whatever race she is. I am not willing to confirm beyond that causal observation given my respect for the defenceless.

“Your conclusion?”

Lifting my head to face mother, I ponder a moment. “Alive body and yet no life?”

A spark of joy fires through my mother’s eyes. “Yes, indeed, a very thorough examination and as you say there seems to be an unexplained absence within the being.”

Mother climbs to her feet, brushing both hands upon her thighs. I slowly rise to match and her stony face wrinkles, greeting me.

“Watas take your baby brother.” Mother unslings the haversack from her back, Issa swaddled within and helps my sister hitch the bundle onto her back. Once done she settles back down beside the body, legs crossed, Tiger Kin style.

“I will need to meditate …” she mumbles, her mind no longer with us … the contradiction within the body capturing her attention.

My sister and I glance at each other and a moment after mother’s eyes flick open. We flinch.

“Remain alert, watch out for each other and me …”

Her eyes close and low chanting issues from her … nothing she says makes sense; no clear words spoken in any language I comprehend at least.

Scanning the edges of the clearing the sinking sun glints off something across the far side of the clearing. Should I investigate? The body remains motionless, mother deep in a trance … a quick look and then back again …? Watas can call out …

--- Cardinal Pex POV

Quill in hand I try to scrawl the necessary words on the thin strip of parchment held between thumb and fingers of my other hand to create a message which will be tethered to a homing pigeon denouncing Arch Priest Allene Corser as a traitor; not to be approached but to be refused entry onto any holy place or otherwise given help. Dipping my quill into an inkpot routine, forcing my hand to start the task, hoovering over the parchment a contest, drops of ink, blot the parchment while my mind fights to comply and resist in equal measure.

The inner battle produces beads of sweat upon my brow and like several previous attempts, I surrender, rolling the parchment and securing an ink blotted blank note to the leg of another pigeon and release. The bird dips and then snapping its wings the creature flies towards its homing Temple roost. My final failure, I throw the quill across the desk and wipe my forehead with the back of a hand while leaning my body against a nearby wall in the Cathedral Roost. I am willing yet not permitted …

“Are you done …”

My eyes flit open catching the radiant purple hue of Ralora’s snakeskin, the stark contrast to my lacklustre skin not lost on me. Her arms wrap around my torso providing support.

“You need more rest sister Cardinal …”

I try to resist. My arms heavy, the dungeon ordeal not done with as my body lacks any real energy and then Ralora’s tongue flicks about me shortly after licking my pitiful snakeskin. Am I a snake fingerling, unable to care for myself …? I want to shake free, slither away to prove I am well, yet my body lacks the strength to obey my mind. She wrestles me to a lower floor, the Cardinal Rooms, four private chambers opening upon a common eatery area. The aroma of sizzled pork rests upon my forked tongue well before we pass through the entrance and my body responds producing the necessary saliva.

Entering, I realise we head to my Private Room, and I shake my body. “The common table will be sufficient …”

“No, to bed and I will serve you portions myself, you need rest and seeing you now, I can’t believe I agreed to let you help … I am sorry, I should have been strong then. I will make up for that lack of judgement now, off to bed no protests.”

Is this the same petulant sister of a Matriarch the Prophet described? More likely time and responsibility have provided her with a wider worldview and a sense of purpose.

Taha’s voice rumbles out, “Need assistance with the patient?”

I feel Ralora’s head swish from side to side as she places me upon my bed, a round mattress of feathers, upon a low platform with one side proud. My tail curls upon the feathers while my torso lays back against and within the soft cushion of the one high side catching my tired body.

The smell of the pork forces open my mouth and I forgo a decent amount of chewing to hurry the swallowing.

“Cardinal Pex, you need to chew.” The voice of Cardinal Vestan, she has returned already from sending missives by the commercial pigeon messenger services? Why does this concern me? I knew of this plan, is it the efficiency of the Cardinal which pings my mind, irritates?

After several helpings, I wave my hand. My stomach bloats a nice bubble.

“Thank you for your help Cardinal.” Ralora’s voice, the words not for me though as my eyes close and I drift off attempting sleep.

“Delegation my dear sister Cardinal, I was the Matriarch of Servants and such a trivial undertaking to send missives on behalf of those who I serve easily completed.”

“You did worry me, considering your quick return …” answers Ralora.

My mind pings me again, I should have stopped this somehow, I have failed to fulfil his wishes, no orders, he explained … I search through the torment of my mind now … orders would assume he knows the moves and actions of those who oppose him, while wishes decree I should work against anything which imperils him. My skin crawls. The blank messages for the pigeons … not me, him. I finally drift off into sleep, my mind and body exhausted.

---

[… Worship Hierarchy of Goddess Aphrodite incomplete. Vacancy: Arch Priest.]

The announcement wakes me in an instant. Darkness surrounds me, the door to my room closed and then a burst of light, the outline of Cardinal Taha fills the doorway. Before I can raise a question, the Stone Giant reaches in and carries me into the common room, seating me between Cardinal Ralora and Cardinal Vestan my eyes still blinking trying to adjust to the light.

“I wish to nominate for Arch Priest, my organisational skills as a Matriarch is far superior to all other possible candidates and my first task will be putting the Cathedral in order and then tracking down of our former Arch Priest,” says Cardinal Vestan stunning all to silence, the conversation previously concerning the how and why, which with a certain degree of effort I struggled to follow.

My mind ticks.

“We are Cardinals, an election of one of us would force a secondary election of a replacement and I sense a great urgency,” rumbles Taha, crossing her arms.

My mind screams as I endure a painful mind assault, closing my eyes to resist the pain.

“I am with Taha, this needs to be quick,” hisses Cardinal Ralora, her snakeskin rasps against the stone of the floor and only a Snake Kin knows this tell – irritation.

I hear a snake tongue flick out like a whip and then Cardinal Vestan retorts, “We are best placed for a quick election, we four. There isn’t time to gather High Priests …”

I fail to hear my own words until spoken, “What about me, yes Cardinal Pex wishes to nominate!” Immediately after the pain in my mind subsides; I am following his wishes … I shouldn’t, I know I shouldn’t and yet I seem to have no choice, the alternative being never-ending pain.

Opening my eyes all face me. Sympathy in the eyes of Taha and Ralora.

“You are in no condition Cardinal Pex for the heavy burden,” says Cardinal Vestan, flipping her hand in my direction and then turning back to Taha and Ralora.

Pushing my hands down upon the table, the wood strong enough to resist our Stone Giant Cardinal, I fail to stand. My protest dies there and then.

A voice enters my mind and I also suspect my fellow Cardinals as we all fall to silence.

“You dither about petty claims, time is of the essence, your Goddess on the brink of failure. There is only one Candidate, High Priestess Alasse. You know it, I know it,” screams Thanaron, Prophet of Aphrodite.

Cardinal Vestan responds first, “The High Priestess isn’t among us and what of High Priest Mateus if we are considering those not present, I am the ideal choice …”

[One Mind] is cast. I suspect Prophet Thanaron as the magic behind the casting calls all Cardinals, Prophets and High Priests, the high hierarchy of the Goddess Aphrodite. Prophet Nami joins, along with High Priest Alasse.

“Due to urgency, I nominate High Priestess Alasse for Arch Priest and based upon previous deeds and loyal service wave the need for the customary tests,” declares Thanaron.

“This is irregular, and I protest the unseemly haste …” retorts Cardinal Vestan.

My mind nudges me to contribute. “We were in haste with our previous Arch Priest and look how that turned out.” Once the response flees my mind there is relief and yet now my heart bleeds, my love Alasse, I speak against her. I am sorry, but this is all beyond my control, how can I tell her, apologise, make amends and yet I know to do so is against his wishes …

“Good point Cardinal Pex,” shouts Vestan.

“I second High Priestess Alasse’s nomination,” says Cardinal Ralora.

A moment passes, the pain in my mind builds and yet the pain in my heart counters. I know exactly what he wishes, my bid is lost, yet seconding another will confuse the contest, cause delay.

“There being no other nominations, please voice your support or not,” states Cardinal Ralora.

“I support the nomination.” Prophet Thanaron the first and then he leaves the [One Mind] and we sense he is called to his other duty.

Cardinal Ralora supports, Cardinal Vestan declines, Prophet Nami supports, Cardinal Taha supports and by then the pain spike relents. Confident, I try to utter support and in my mind’s eye a stabbing pain results. “I abstain …” I am weak and yet to share this with another impossible … I break free of the [One Mind] and rush to my room, slamming the door behind me to take comfort in the dark, my mind finding solace by remembering the past, returning to the dungeon prison where I can only hurt myself and no others.

[Worship Hierarchy of Goddess Aphrodite restored. Arch Priest Alasse elected.]

--- Allene POV

“Do you wish to be male again?” he asks.

There is an unspoken snicker behind his words as I know he mocks my original and now present female form. Aphrodite’s blessing succeeding, while contrary to my lies in her presence, Magus Drexel Marner never truly attempted to break the curse, too busy researching other more important things.

“Well?” he prompts again.

“No … thank you for the offer of course …”

The Spirit Plane is wonderous and all, but static, the Spirits unable to grow, even though the Magus obsesses about defying this status quo because the Spirits from his end of the world were capable of change. The original plan called for Aphrodite’s ignominious return after Quest failure and me joining her. Once returned she would, with her Divine power reunite my Spirit and Body and then I would ask for a boon for services rendered. After all her loyal Arch Priest assumed Spirit form to guide her, painting the Spirit Plane from Quest Town to her Cathedral and of course subtly gaining her absolute trust while in her company. With her trust secured I would find ways to syphon off Divine Dominate and/or Existence securing her inevitable failure, instead, she found her own way, so my plans changed, and I needed to be more direct to least try to make her Quest fail. The next step would have been a mystery, much like I am at a loss now while in the company of an ally with his own agenda, one which may not weave into mine.

“Where is your mind?” His fingers snap in front of my face without making a sound.

“Trying to plan our next step …” My words, fragile as I contemplate the Magus storming off charting his own course.

A shake of his head. “We have discussed this, we must be Spirit summoned by name, enter into Spirit Combat and possess the summoner. Since none know my name, our only hope is with you my boy … err girl.”

Again, his derisive tone. “I have tried …” I whisper. This singular failure devaluing my side of the partnership, I await the moment he loses his patience and leaves me to flail about impotent on the Spirit Plane.

“Keep trying, on the Spirit Plane we have plenty of time, no aging, just boredom.” He does some sort of somersault by way of celebration or possibly madness.

The next attempt didn’t succeed either, in fact, we endured a great deal of nothing time before I finally made contact. My pet finally leaving Aphrodite’s sanctified ground, in her case the Cathedral I sense.

The [Dominate Snake Kin] spell my finest work, yet the spell would end, my mind not free enough to extend [Duration] beyond two years. Using the spell’s connection, master to dominated I contact Cardinal Pex.

“Report your efforts in my favour, Cardinal,” I demand.

I feel her mind startle then panic. She begins to breathe again returning to a nervous level of calm.

“I ensured certain Temples would not receive courier pigeon tidings that you were no longer Arch Priest. I delayed as long as possible the election of the new Arch Priest, trying to promote Cardinal Vestan over High Priest Alasse to sow dissent, yet ultimately the Prophet Thanaron pushed through the appointment. I have tried to nominate myself to become High Priest of the Great Temple near Quest Town, yet all question my health …”

The spell is powerful in its machinations …

“None suspect your duplicity?”

A moment of hesitation. “Any inconsistencies are blamed on my health and effects from my dungeon capture …”

Her fear is very real and hums across the [Dominate Snake Kin] spell connection. A living being lives in fear of me … at first, I don’t know how to consume this new empowerment … the Lizard Kin of the fool Tor endured my rule under an implied threat, this though rests deep within her bones. I like it. I want more. I need more.

With an unbreakable strength to my words, I order her to do my bidding. “You will find the Rune Circle in my former room. Feed mana and transport yourself to the Dungeon. Walk the hallway, go past the usual doorway and in the darkness of the dead-end you will find another Rune Circle. Feed mana and you will be transported to the Temple of Aphrodite amongst the Frost Giants. Once you arrive step outside on occasion so I can dictate further orders. Do you understand?”

“Yes … yes,” she replies, two frail words the limit of response, not capable of more and I saviour her absolute obeyance driven by fear ...

“Return to the Cathedral immediately!”

Time passes quickly because shortly after, my link with her is broken, she must have entered the Cathedral. Fortunate, as the magical effort to maintain the link, arduous and draining, yet this time a learning opportunity in case I need to know my limits at some future point in time if I need to take a direct hand in her instruction.

I observe the Magus and decide he will also become dependent upon me or remain on the Spirit Plane for all eternity. He turns from his frolicking and stares at me. I don’t look away, I don’t try to make myself smaller, instead, I hold my ground as his equal. For a moment, his eyebrows flick up. I take the initiative while he hesitates. Perhaps he is distracted or perhaps he is surprised by my change of attitude.

“We have success, my puppet is following my orders.”

“Good my … partner.”

I nod, his response respectful and therefore message received.

--- Adolescent Stone Giant Dulra POV

Unable to resist, my fingers now withdraw from the guilty indulgence, one hand rubbing within the other while I draw in a deep breath. Snake Kin skin, smooth, dazzling, the subtle shades of orange under sunlight a wonder to behold. My physical examination of the body lingering longer than necessary. The stark contrast between Beast Kin fur and Snake Kin skin a wonder. Two years of observation from a polite distance inadequate compared to this. I remember standing out of touch behind my mother while she greeted, offering a handshake and occasionally welcoming an embrace to all manner of Beast Kin extolling her views. None of my examinations strayed into forbidden areas ...

Wetness wraps around my ankle and I jump back, a short sharp yelp escaping my lips. My heart beats thump in my chest. The long Snake Kin tongue withdraws in front of my eyes. Her eyes, dull black beads. The saliva upon my leg thick and I hitch a quick breath. Then I chance a glance at my sister. She chuckles, my yelp not entirely a mature adult response. Her initial objection to my investigation only overcome when I agreed not to leave her sight.

Holding her lolling head, I pour water across the parched lips from my waterskin, ignoring the spilling until a dark light returns to her eyes, the head shortly after moving with purpose free from my cradling arm. A languid forked tongue stretches out to caress my face. I close my eyes, fighting the urge to flee this strangeness and yet I stay, wishing to fly by jumping off this cliff of temptation and savour the exotic attention.

“I will not eat you young Stone Giant, after all, I should be grateful you didn’t confuse my lifeless body for a corpse …” she hisses.

Strange word speak and yet entrancing … when younger the mystery of them always too far away, my mother resenting father’s dedication, fighting to ensure her children wouldn’t be drawn in. Worse and better after his funeral … I don’t dwell on those traumatic memories; I can’t reconcile that part of my past. Instead, I recall the regret of lost opportunity, plenty of Snake Kin attended the Temple slithering to and fro, none of them including myself game enough to act contrary to my mother’s wishes. Yet now she sings a different tune, her dedication and drive exceeding anything she accused her husband of by many magnitudes. Over two years, nearly three of wandering the land, searching, always the strangers, the freaks ... turned away more often than welcomed only changing somewhat when we were mistaken for Prophets of Aphrodite.

“Dulra El Nasim!”

I jump away from the Snake Kin, arms shooting out trying to catch my carelessness. The sharp teeth of the Snake Kin glisten into a smile as her head floats before me supporting itself. I release a breath, no harm done and yet my mother probably disagrees given the authority in her voice.

“Mother?” I take backward steps towards her, my eyes remain upon the amazing Snake Kin creature at my feet.

“Why is my guardian away from his post?”

Her quiet words are within earshot, did she advance towards me? The Snake Kin doesn’t appear to be dangerous …

I straighten my shoulders and stretch to stand tall, my voice even. “Watas stood alert for both of us and after our travels, she is more mature than most for her age.”

There is no gentle hand upon my shoulder announcing motherly advice, verbal enquiry only.

“Report, I assume you did an examination?”

“Alive, unconscious during initial contact. Dehydration the cause.”

“Eyes front Dulra. Introduce us please.”

I nod and return my attention to the Snake Kin, needing to look up. I gulp. Her Snake head towers above me. Her torso now upright upon an uncoiling tapering snake tail.

“My mother, Fabia. I am her son Dulra.”

Her forked tongue flicks out. “Initiate Cyran of Aphrodite, far from her Temple I would think given the Mountains are just yonder and grateful, you happen to find me first.”

My mother stands beside me now. “Why are you far from your Temple?”

Initiate Cyran shakes her head. “I don’t know, yet perhaps the other body in this clearing knows more …”

“Who me?”

My hands reach for my knees. When did the pale skin one recover? There is a chuckle, the voice new, not my mother, sister or one containing the underlying hissing of a Snake Kin. I straighten and peer beyond my mother. The pale skin one bares white teeth, yet her lips curl upwards. Now she is upright I also notice the fine robes drape over the body, loose and shapeless. Why wouldn’t a tailor fit them to match the body?

She bows. “Alba, Priestess of Aphrodite, thankful for the foresight and courage of the Stone Giantess Fabia.”

Priestess Alba and my mother share a meaningful look while Initiate Cyran drops low, the palms of her hands upon the grass-covered ground, head down.

--- Aphrodite POV

An irritation interrupts my labours, a buzz to start and I shake my head, shortly after a fleeting caress, which I swipe at and yet I sight nothing. Instead, my Divine Dominate rescues me identifying these signs as a heralding, a ripple of change seeking to infiltrate the lore of my Pantheon. These irritants are surges of worship calling for my attention in different ways, yet not for me, they advocate on behalf of another. Do I reject this attempt to add, this plea for my consideration? I sigh, my hands are full of creation, attempting to fashion a suitable God Plane starting with a proper seat to hold my position and demonstrate my power over those who would follow me.

As a Ruler Goddess though aren’t hearing petitions my duty?

My hands rest and the instant after I accept, the details of the petition infuse with my mind.

A mortal is trying to exert her will … she calls upon her worshippers, of which there are few … their prayers are private yet full of hope powered by loss, the death of loved ones, husbands, wives, grandparents, and children …

She seeks to unite a Spirit with a Body, not a Corpse … how is such a circumstance possible? The rarity, what could be the harm? Dilia can separate a Spirit and a Soul from a Body to allow their delivery … the Body in question contains a soul, yet the Spirit has somehow come adrift, perhaps like those of the Path of Tears deciding not to abandon the Body. This rarity, what could be the harm?

I fertilise the world with new life and offer absolute death, with some application of disorder could I conjure and grant this petition? There is no creation, Body, Soul and Spirit exist. There is no destruction, so I am placated. There is no separation of Soul and Spirit from the body required, hence the Goddess of Funeral Rites, Dilia shouldn’t feel affronted. This is a reunion, Spirit to Soulful Body … what could be the harm?

Gathering the tendrils of their worship I concentrate their faith into power, magical will containing splashes of Fertility and Death, an influence of Disorder to thwart the creation of new life and prevent the destruction of soul and spirit to fill the void of the remainder – reunion. Not any reunion, I am not that careless! Unite Spirit to Soul within the one body.

[Life Realm Magic created: Reincarnation enables the caster to return a Spirit to a body containing a soul (the creature is therefore by definition alive). If the target creature isn’t sentient (no Spirit); for example, an animal, then the creature is awakened and can accumulate knowledge and skills beyond instinct and genetic memory. If the target creature is sentient, then the resident Spirit must defeat the invading Spirit or lose possession of its body and soul. The Spirit must be present with the caster (not on the Spirit Plane for example) when the spell is cast.]

[Miracle performed – followers of the Life Realm are instilled with enlightenment; their faith has been rewarded. Divine Dominate generated.]

What could be the harm … those words come back to me as the System messages scroll by.

[Dominion Healing God candidate identified: Stone Giantess Fabia – Realm alignment Life. Missing Realm alignment Harmony. Pantheon established, therefore, System unable to bridge any anomalies or deficiencies. Divine Dominate not attached to candidate’s soul.]

[Ruler God adjudicates: Utilise Divine Spark to grant Realm alignment Harmony? (Y/N)]

I will N. If Nasim’s wife truly yearns to rise she can discover the missing Realm and genuinely earn her place.

[Ruler God adjudicates: Attached Divine Dominate to candidate’s soul? (Y/N) Note if you answer N the candidate will lose alignment to the Life Realm, returning to mortality. If you answer Y the candidate will rise to at least Neophyte Goddess and be able to accrue Divine Dominate and possibly acquire alignment to the Harmony Realm via actions and deeds.]

I will Y. If she genuinely believes; she will achieve enlightenment and succeed like me.

[Anointing incomplete Neophyte God. Realm: Life. A physical body, therefore, the God will reside on the Physical Plane until conditions are met to reside upon the God Plane. Warning: May be banished from the Pantheon and destroyed by Knowledge God if/when appointed or banished only from the Pantheon at any time by the Ruler God. Offering role …]