--- Aphrodite POV

Middle of the day sunlight streams down upon the funeral ceremony like a blessing from the world. Six Stone Giants surround the chest high stone platform their arms able to reach over Nasim’s prone body. The gurgling river running alongside providing a serenade of sorts, while my High Priestess croons words of comfort and reassurance. Moisture wells in my eyes, many others in attendance doing likewise.

“We return our Priest to stone …” chants Alasse.

The honour guard of six lay their hands upon Nasim, his body bathes in the fluid stone beneath, settling as easily as another would settle in a tub of water. They halt the descent, his profile remaining proud above the smooth liquid stone of the platform, which is a signal of some sort, his flesh hardening, returning to the material of his creation. His perfect visage now on display for evermore as they fold stone around his genitals forming a loin cloth.

[Worshipper Base exceeds 6240 Souls +10% Divine Dominate. Total Divine Dominate 77%]

Those around Nasim’s stone tomb and others filing pass fade from my vision. My Spirit and Soul fly free from my Living Flesh body, touch, warmth of the sun, the smell of the sorrow and the lapping water are no more. I doubt any of my worshippers witness my departure.

[Total Divine Dominate equals 77% or more: Greater Goddess Aphrodite promoted to Ruler Goddess Elect Aphrodite.]

Another journey awaits me …

{Congratulations you are now in the hands of your faithful worshippers. Your Priesthood must extoll your worth and necessity to exist in the lives of others. During your absence you can only be awakened when your Divine Dominate is at least 100% and able to begin the Ruler God Quest.}

My heart cannot pound, my pulse cannot rise so my mind contemplates my possible end. Do my worshippers genuinely believe in me? Will the Minor Gods now sense my absence and seize the opportunity to rise and diminish my worship? There is another more of an immediate concern … Zeus. I am helpless. The closest to this present feeling being a Neophyte Goddess, easy to extinguish and grateful my stay at that stage brief. I can only hope the same for this next stage and my worshippers remain faithful.

--- Alasse, High Priestess POV

Screams, full of panic reverberate around me. Many arms point at their object of horror as I swivel in slow motion, tearing my eyes from Nasim’s Shrine to gaze upon the Temple. Under the eaves, their shade blending with and obscuring the ebony flesh of her prone body. A body laying as if strings holding it upright suddenly cut.

None approach, hands in mouths now, their heads shaking side to side – denial. They wait for me, my assessment, my assurance. My stomach flutters and I clasp my hands together at my waist to disguise the tremble building within them as I advance upon this doom.

There is no majesty to the body, arms and legs laying in independent directions and poses. Taking in a deep breath, I know the faithful await my words and nothing of worth comes to mind, so I decide to occupy my body. I straighten and align her limbs and then notice her wide-open eyes. I resist the urge to close them. Better to keep a look of surprise then give up to the alternative, the close lidded death gaze.

{Your Goddess attempts to rise and take her place as the mightiest upon this world. As her representative your task is to continue the spread and adoption of her worship, for she is powerless to do so while Spirit and Soul prepare.}

I read the system message three times. It seems I am now privy to them, at least this one, being my Goddess’ highest representative. I climb to my feet, while my eyes remain upon her body. I know they gather behind me, soft words floating to my ears a mixture of fearful wonder and inquisitive questioning.

My body snaps around to face them, my shoulders rise square and proud while I school my face to exude confidence and a knowing they now desperately need.

“Our Goddess now rises beyond the need of a body.” I pause to allow my words to sink in, cementing their attention. “She is depending upon every one of us to proclaim her greatness and extend her faith further upon this world. Every additional worshipper will empower our Goddess until she completes the necessary preparation. We cannot fail our Goddess in this holy quest.”

My eyes scan the crowd, an occasional subtle pause trying to single out the leaders, Priests, Councillors and the influential. A swelling of oneness grows, as all the voices join the early calls from the leaders resulting in a crescendo of fervent shouting.

“Aphrodite! Aphrodite! …”

I don’t ask them to halt the exultation until I am certain of their utter obedience.

“All Adepts must return to their childhood lodge, village, town, city or lands and preach the worship of Aphrodite. All Priests must in earnest train suitable Initiates until proficient to be anointed Adepts. All Initiates must look to those they know and encourage them to become Lay Members with an ambition to rise higher. You are not to exhaust yourselves, yet your dedication to this task should never be in doubt.”

Arms intertwining, shoulder slapping on display, best yet wide smiles crest under eyes full of devotion.

“Prepare now! When ready go forth and serve your Goddess!” Raising my arms high I flick my hands out. Permission.

All pay their respects to Nasim and then hasten to their duty.

Leading with her bulging belly, a child’s hands in each of hers, Fabia approaches me head down.

“Priestess, what would you have me, and my children do now we have already sacrificed our husband and father to your Goddess?”

Fabia only wished for a quiet freedom, Nasim the devoted one. What could I say?

“Your sacrifice will be forever remembered.” I sweep an open hand in the direction of the stone platform. “I am certain, like many before you, given the choice you would prefer your dead loved one alive instead, alas Aphrodite creates life she is unable to bring the dead back to us …”

Her eyes blink wide with hope. “Is there a God or Goddess who can?”

I close my open mouth when I realise, I hang it open. Why wouldn’t there be such a God or Goddess? Each has an affinity for one or more realms, is there one which can reunite the Soul and Spirit with a corpse and rekindle the spark of life within?

“I cannot say for certain there is or there isn’t, yet Aphrodite serves as a reminder that each God or Goddess embraces Realms and worshippers empower the Divine within them …”

She nods, drags her children around and hurries off. Could there be such a God or Goddess? Would it be as simple as gathering many of a like mind and trying to summon such a being into existence or promoting another into Godhead? Raising a Kin perhaps to Neophyte God?

The Temple grounds are empty except for the six, holding vigil over Nasim’s Shrine when I finally kneel before my Goddess’ body and scope her up into my arms. Both of us returning to the room behind the alter. I lay her upon a lounge while I decide to pray in earnest.

--- Aphrodite POV

I have no sense of time passing. I exist above the world of the living, yet unable to discern clouds from mountains from streams. There are beacons though, my places of worship. My High Priestess prays to me and I hear her words although unable to speak, direct communication impossible. I find after much trial and error I can impart agreement or disagreement by exercising my will for example, although I am uncertain how she perceives this. My worshippers empower me with their worship, and I reward them with Divine and Faith Magic. As my awareness grows other places shine through the fog, such as Dungeons. I imagine my view of the world is like looking into a house through peak holes, or small windows, mostly though the interior is blank.

Being mischievous I try to influence Azizos, suggesting he needs to explore beyond – find others. I try to impart a need to venture outside his Dungeon and search for non-Quester Groups. I have in mind him accidently intercepting worshippers of Zeus and Hera … Am I too late in this? I don’t know.

While not marking time, the addition of places of worship mark progress. Additional worshippers also weigh upon me and although I don’t receive any system messages regarding Divine Dominate increases, I believe this is happening all the same. The reason simple. The Spirit Plane surrounds me, as it surrounds the world of the living. My attempts to view the detail within fruitless. I attempt to push through the layer, initially utter rejection and after a while there is give, I never pierce the boundary with any attempt for now. Thanaron though, I note passes freely through, although he doesn’t seem to be able to perceive me.

I am in a state of limbo, a bodiless presence without real influence or perception caught between the real world and the Spirit Plane.

--- Nami Prophet of Aphrodite

The eyes. Black, small, and wide open. Countless numbers spy upon me as I amble down the main thoroughfare of the Snake Kin City.

“You seem to be well known …” says Taha, my big sister and constant companion.

“Hardly. Perhaps the sight of two Stone Giants walking their streets the mystery,” I offer.

A Snake Kin child breaks from the thin crowd lining the street, holding her hands high one nestling in the other, palms up. I peer into them.

In a sweet pleading voice, she asks, “Please Prophet bless my idol of the Goddess.”

I know my sister holds back a smirk, proven right once again. How could a City of Snake Kin recognise me? Yes, I am a Stone Giant, which is unusual, although the High Priestess has sent many of my race afar in the past couple of years to spread the word of our Goddess. My simple black robe is non-descript, deliberately so.

“What makes you believe I am the Goddess Aphrodite’s Prophet?”

Her thin tongue darts out as her eyes quickly dart back into the crowd. I catch the sight of an adult Snake Kin, the child’s parent most likely, nodding and waving her hands forward.

“It is what everyone is saying …” Her eyes are downcast now, yet her offering hands remain high.

“What do you say?”

“Me? M me …”

“Just because others say, does that mean what they say is true? Shouldn’t you investigate and make up your own mind?”

My sister nudges me slightly. A warning. I need to pay attention to my surrounds, yet in a city, what could be the danger?

She juts her chin out slightly. “Well, the Grey Pilgrim travels in the company of her sister and your faces are close enough to be sisters. You are both Stone Giants of course and while tall for Kin you are young, some say still a child with a youthful light still in your eyes.”

Her eyes now search into the depths of mine, I guess searching for my youthful light … I can’t help displaying a crease of a smile.

“There … I see it … you are her!”

I guess the joy in my heart spreads to my eyes.

I also notice the reason for my sister’s warning. Even the city has predators.

My hands circle the child’s and I cast [Sanctify Area (Aphrodite)] upon her idol.

[Consecration of Site +0% Divine Dominate. Total Divine Dominate 76%]

She stares at me.

I smile and pat her head. Perhaps my surprise obvious, even to a child. I didn’t expect her depth of devotion, the only explanation for such a result.

“Go now, I need to speak with others …” My eyes glance behind her.

Her head swivels and then spotting what I see she swallows and slithers off in haste. I follow her retreat until she is safely in her mother’s embrace. Our eyes meeting in mutual relief.

“Prophet Nami your arrival an honour and yet you deny the city fathers the opportunity to celebrate the occasion in a style which equals the occasion.”

My eyes break from the joyful sight of mother and child union and pay attention to the owner of the announcement. A two leg Snake Kin male. His clothes made from an expensive cloth, cut, and sewn to fit perfectly. Ten guards at attention behind him, gawking until my eyes fall upon them. I am a head height above them all, travelling and spreading the Goddess’ word developing my body and if I judge correctly, my mind also.

“Tell the city fathers I appreciate their want, yet I need to meet the people first and when done visit the Cathedral. Perhaps after then …”

The jaws on his snake head open and close several times. Possibly no one has ever denied him. How important could he be?

“The Mayor of the City will be … disappointed to say the least.”

Not the Mayor then, likely the Mayor’s assistant so the best he can do is ask, which I can then politely decline. He takes my brief moment of reflection to assume his words cause me to reconsider.

“My escort is your escort, we can arrive at City Hall where preparations are already underway, all the Matriarchs will be in attendance as will others of influence … a grand welcome,” he finishes.

“Does your Mayor not serve the residents of the city? I am certain he would support me meeting the people, assuring them of his concern for their welfare while I check upon the health of their faith. The many being more important than the few?” I raise my eyebrows.

His snake head swivels about. The reasoning I pose flummoxes many an urban dignity because while some are self-centred and selfish, they can never deny they serve their people even if in truth they do not.

“Of course, Prophet, yet … they wait …” The wringing of his hands made easier by the growing amount of nervous sweat.

“Suggest they relocate my civic reception to the Cathedral,” I offer.

His eyes are a sight to behold. Salvation beyond hope and fading desperation flash through them.

“Yes Prophet, most wise, you can meet the people and at days end meet the Mayor under the roof of your Goddess’ place of worship, the meeting of civil authority with divine authority. Yes, I can sell this … um make this work.” His head bobs before me.

In a flourish he and his escort march off, disappearing into the depths of the city proper.

“You are so conniving,” says my faithful supportive sister.

I place a hand upon my heart. “What? Sister you misjudge me, I am encouraging the civil authority of the city to meet the divine … I mean divine authority.” I chuckle.

“They know the Cathedral is finished of course yet they don’t know the consecration hasn’t been …”

I lean across and wrap an arm around my sister’s waist. “It isn’t often such an opportunity is available so I for one am glad to be able to offer them the possibility to attend a holy consecration.”

“Look at me sister.” When I do, she continues. “You manipulated the poor functionary.”

“No sister, I am a Prophet, I provide opportunity for the unfaithful to become enlightened, which is my sworn duty.”

Her eyes smile at me. We are both grown after two years of travel and while the younger I match my sister’s height now, her equal yet she will always be my supportive big sister.

--- Aphrodite POV

In a single leap of change I gain shape. From a nebulous flowing, shifting blob of awareness I am now an apparition, a shadow of my former self, my Living Flesh self. I swim through the ether, my eyes able to stare and concentrate whereas before the best I could accomplish a sense of shape or presence, which is why my holy sites and large constructs like Dungeons could draw my attention.

Now though my places of worship upon the world shine bright, the detail of the buildings and places clear as if flying above them. The Dungeons also visible, rooms, passageways and if I concentrate, I am able to discern the different levels. The mystery around me clears also. The Spirit Plane covers the Northern hemisphere of the world, the Soul Stream skirts around the middle, splitting and then joining again to continue into the beyond. I am drawn to observe the Soul Stream, only now being able to discern the difference and within is an unexpected sight. Souls shine with a hue, the meaning of which a mystery, without body shape, a blob of sorts. More unusual though is the fact all the souls don’t just float by, some cling to the edges of the stream and without eyes still seem to look longingly at the world. One or two while under my gaze release and quickly join the main flow in the stream, none replace them. A Spirit Plane exists in the Southern hemisphere although under the ground … the realisation a momentary shock and yet without Dilia showing them an alternative to be expected.

{Congratulations your worshippers have proven faithful. Begin your Ruler God Quest upon the Spirit Plane to recover the Divine Sparks and earn your Title of Ruler God or find nothing and gradually be worn down to nothing.}

The system message causing me to focus, the wonders around me secondary to completing my Quest and yet there is one I need to contact.

“High Priestess Alasse, your Goddess demands your attention.”

“Goddess, Goddess to hear your call a pleasure beyond words. Command me …”

She deliberates, why? “Explain your concern.”

“Goddess, while I am your High Priestess, I am no longer the absolute Authority over your worshippers. I … announce … with much rejoicing your Cathedral's Arch Priest is Allene Corser …”

The human? The female now male? My love pretender? My mind swirls, I can’t reply unable to form any thought words.

To my relief High Priestess Alasse continues, “After much shock all accepted your decision given the anointment of Cardinals Taha the Stone Giantess, Vestan the Snake Kin Matriarch, Ralora Snake Kin sister to Matriarch Yinrel and … and um Cardinal Pex who will be able to guide him.”

“Cardinal Pex …” My thought word slips out, my confusion complete. How did this happen? How can I fix this?

“Each Temple thought to send a representative and before I knew, all but I chose Cardinal Pex and she didn’t have the strength to deny them …”

“I will fix this …” I reply.

“Goddess …” Her first thought word sounding as if speaking to a child. “You are beyond Temple machinations now and you have your Quest before you … I am, recovering from my loss, be assured your Temple is well tendered by those who remain.”

“How much time has passed?”

“Many months Goddess, during this time all your Priests have felt your call for worship and only now has that demand ebbed. Are you now more than before?”

Examining my translucent shadow form, perhaps this shape qualifies as more.

“More yes, complete no.” If my worshippers have suffered to grant me a modicum of shape, then I need to honour their sacrifice. Her tearful sorrow drips across our holy link. I realise then I have unintentionally dismissed their effort, their suffering.

“You misunderstand High Priestess. Worship has granted me form and I am now able to complete the Ruler God Quest. Before, nothing. Please pass on my blessing.” The thought words tumble out from my mind trying to repair the damage.

“Thank you, Goddess, … you … must commune with Arch Priest Allene Corser … it is proper.” Her mind shuts off.

I could command, no demand her attention and yet I respect my High Priestess too much to do so. Her advice sound and proper, regardless of her personal wishes.

“Arch Priest Allene, your Goddess demands your attention.”

“Goddess, I am ready to serve.” His thoughts words deep, masculine and I am immediately reminded of Azizos. I steal myself to accept what has been done in my name.

“Please congratulate the faithful for their sacrifice I hold a shape and can now embark upon my Ruler God Quest.”

“We are always at your service Goddess.”

Utter compliance, he is willing to not only bend, but also break to do my bidding.

“Cardinal Pex …” I begin.

His reply instantaneous. “She is my right and left hands, the Cathedral and I both benefit from her presence your decision to appoint her bewildering to some, a deep blessing to me. I thank-you Goddess.”

“I am glad … I am uncertain when I will be able to commune with you again.”

“There is a strength of faith from being able to witness your God walk by, there is a greater strength when you can’t witness such a miracle – your faith must be so strong, enough to believe what can no longer be proven. Many of fickle heart drifted away failing this test, while many more ardent hearts joined.”

I break our commune. A timely action as my form now hurtles towards the Spirit Plane. In the nothingness moving or not isn’t discernible, no wind to whistle past your ears, no sense of falling. I try to will myself to the centre, my thought being I will be equidistant from any Divine Spark hiding place. There is no deviation.

--- Cardinal Pex POV

Darkness, the absence of light. I shift one wrist and then the other to relocate the shackles yet again certain the snakeskin underneath is raw along the entire length of my forearm by now and the small amount of healing over the many weeks or possibly months forming calluses. The shackle around my waist more an ornament than a restraint and difficult to understand the purpose, while the narrow well my tail rests in to ensure I can’t manoeuvre the appendage in any way to assist me.

The door to my prison squeaks open. After weeks of auto-response, my heart remains steady, I expect only him.

“Good to see you are still here.”

His voice is cheerful, smug … perhaps if I ask now …

“Why do you keep me imprisoned? What are you plans for me?” I don’t scream like I did in the early days, I am calm, accepting my current condition as normal. A slave accepts the conditions their Master permits them and while he isn’t my Master, he controls my environment – for now.

His breathing reaches my ears, deep, hasty.

“The Goddess Aphrodite begins her God Quest!”

The words burst from his lips, a secret he holds, yet eager to release to me. I did consider staving myself until death so Thanaron would fetch my spirit and perhaps in that moment, even if I couldn’t speak to him, my death would be message enough, yet my jailor kept his secrets to himself and always force feeds me. As a Priest he knows as much as I do about Thanaron’s association with our Goddess and therefore mitigates the risk, curse him.

“She will notice me now, especially when on her knees before me. Such a shame most of the magic sacrificed by her faithful never reached her, as you suspected, you nosy bitch …”

His iron strong hand grabs my jaw and I know from past futile efforts my strength is pitiful as he force feeds me water by shoving a hollow wooden tube down my throat. Shortly after a flowing gruel and then he withdraws his flesh lock on my jaw.

I force the words, my sore throat now another normal. “How could our Goddess ignore one as powerful and deserving as yourself …”

He laughs, loud, deep from within. “I will play your game, you seek to flatter … know Cardinal Pex, Aphrodite’s presence on the Spirit Plane will weaken her, the Spirit Plane belongs to Spirits all others need to pay a toll and given she is from living mortal body her cost is great and yet her faithful could only supply her with so little magic to pay …”

“You lie! What of the New Gods, they would be nothing by now by your reckoning,” I shout, I can’t hold back my tears, he is insane, he must be.

He steps, I hear each footfall once I regain my composure. I must remain calm; he is willing to speak and I must listen. Remember I chide myself, endure as a slave, the joy of freedom … and love has weakened you and your Goddess is at risk.

“Now, now, my dear let me explain …” His words drip of mockery and yet I endure.

“The New Gods ascended from Spirits so their toll is a pittance, convenient wouldn’t you say since they don’t have the adoration, which a Goddess like Aphrodite has to support them. They also wait upon Aphrodite’s arrival …”

A sinister confident laugh escapes his lips, and I can’t dismiss the fear creeping into my heart …