CHAPTER EIGHT
THE EYES HAVE IT
(Hold your applause)
Not every day is another day or like any other day. Some are unlike anything that has come or gone before. These kinds of days are called a turning point. The thing is, you don’t see them coming. The best part is the way they sneak up on you when you least expect them. The results may not seem life altering at the time. But they will have a lasting effect. Most importantly, they create a trajectory, whether you are ready for takeoff or not. Some of these turning points are due to karmic debt incurred over time. While some are the course of destiny you inherit with each new life. We seldom know the web we weave as we go about our daily business. We cannot see the mark we make or the scar we inflict, since they are on the soul. Our purpose in each and every life along our chain of events that leads us to evolve and transcend is to be a soul survivor - as many times as possible. Each survival is a step upwards on the staircase to heaven. When you compromise your soul - this constitutes a setback or a step down. Too many of those in a row and I am sure you know the rest. This can start with the dawn of time or happen along the way. Each millenia has a Grotto filled to the brim to begin with. New lives are assigned while continuing lives will regenerate because Akasha believes in second chances.
That means every soul has up to two millenia to either be rising or fall away. As long as a soul is rising, this soul can carry on. If after two millenia, for any soul is in a state of decomposition, they join the downward spiral. There is no coming back from there. Some will haunt and others will become what we consider to be demons who will try to overtake an existing life for themselves. Most will ultimately descend to an underworld of one place or another. Eventually, there will need to be a purging of these underworlds prior to a new day dawning for All. Lucifer is nearing the end of his second millennium, but not out of turning points yet. Whether there is enough angelic energy still within him is anybody’s guess. He is fast losing the presence of mind for it to matter. So the madness is taking hold. Hence, the descent that is dragging the world down with it. Staying on the staircase is getting harder and harder for most people. The struggle to be a soul survivor in this day and age is real. So many people are missing the point - the turning point. More and more are crossing the line and facing the point of no return.
Santos is not one of those people. Today, he is getting off an elevator on the second floor of an older building that has store fronts on the bottom floor and private offices on the second. Above that are four floors of small apartments, either one or one-and-a-half bedrooms. This red brick building has stood the test of time for a while and through several redevelopment proposals and attempts that always seem to fall through at the last minute. He is heading down a worn carpeted hall and takes the turn going left at the end of it. There, he comes to the door he is looking for. The goldtone plate on the door reads Dr. Emmet Norton and underneath the name, Clinical Psychologist. Santos wants to turn around and head back out into the sunshine and call and cancel due to illness. He could reschedule but his freedom was at stake. He did not want to take any unnecessary chances with it. So he opened the door and went in. The reception room was small and had little to offer in the way of comfort or style. There was no desk or assistant. Just another door with a button next to it for him to press to let the doctor know he was in. So he pressed it, turned to take a seat, such as they were, and turned back around when the door abruptly opened and he came face to face with Dr. Norton.
He took in the appearance of him with a single glance. Tall, aging and non-descript beyond the thinning hair and the crows feet around the eyes. Nice suit though. The doctor reached his hand towards him and he took it. Firm handshake and manicured nail. No callouses though. Dr. Emmet showed no emotion as he welcomed his one and only patient.
“Mr. DelFeugo. Right on time. Welcome.” He made a sweeping gesture motioning Santos inside his office.
Santos looked for a couch but found a comfortable set of chairs and some tasteful but sparse decor instead. Clearly the good doctor did not do couples counselling. He continued to assess while he headed for the chair opposite the one with the notebook on it. As he turned to take his seat, he offered up a simple smile towards the guy with the degree on the wall.
“Santos is good enough.” He said.
Truer words were hardly ever spoken.
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Farther away than can be measured, and beyond what can be imagined, is an abstract that exists in theory. This is “where” the Aristocrats stem from. I will do my best to put in recognizable terms the story of Akasha. Bear in mind that this is a dumbed down version of events. Akasha was popular in theory and brilliant in his approach to most things. He was also excellent at campaigning. He was seeking the call to go forward and bring about further evolution in the vastness. He also had equals and others that he aligned himself with. His “best friend” was his equal from rearing. Side by side, he grew and accumulated and assimilated in like mindedness with Eros. This Eros precedes any other. This is the type of kinship that spurs each other on to greater heights. Bouncing ideas off of each other and comparing notes, they would conduct experiments and advance the theories their dominion relied upon. Like this is the Realm of Possibilities, theirs was more like one good theory begets another everywhere and all the time. Akasha and Eros were a formidable pair and enviable by many.
However, whereas Akasha was popular and dynamic, (outgoing) Eros was measured and introspective. While Akasha was brilliant and beautiful, Eros was intellectually curious and handsome. While Akasha drew people in naturally, Eros charmed them into compliance. Many thought when Akasha got the call he rallied for so effectively, Eros would go alongside him as his Second in Command. The thing is, Eros never considered himself to be second place in their kinship, but equal to in every respect. Eros had also wanted to be called, but had somehow missed the mark. His charm only went so far. It paled slightly in comparison to Akasha’s ability to persuade. Akasha was quick to ask Eros to accompany him beyond, but Eros declined. He would await his own call. Since it takes two Aristocrats in Standing to secure a universe in Space/Time for All, Akasha turned to his much beloved in kin and in keeping with, (his sister) Lumina to be his Second.
The problem there was that Eros and Lumina were beloved and beholden at the time. This created the crux of a dilemma that resulted in much thought and discussion between the respective parties. Either way, Lumina would be a Second. Like any Aristocrat in standing, she would have preferred to be a First in her own right, but unlike Akasha or Eros, she did understand the integral importance of a Second opinion. Everything should be subject to a second look from a fresh pair of eyes who sees things differently enough to be of utmost necessity. After deep and thorough consideration and contemplation, Lumina chose her loyalty to Akasha as paramount to her love for Eros. This was the second time Eros’ charm had failed him in recent memory. This could have been devastating for any being other than an Aristocrat. For them it is just another challenge that requires further consideration. While Akasha and Lumina considered it no further, having arrived at their decision, Eros had only begun to consider, in theory, what his next move should be. While he waited for his own call, what else was he capable of in the interim.
Akasha had been called primarily on his ability to persuade over his submitted design, which, while outstanding, might have paled slightly in comparison to the one Eros had in mind theoretically. Akasha’s brilliance versus Eros’s intellect put them on par, but Akasha’s gravitational pull outshone Eros’ influence. Eros knew Akasha’s plan as well as he did his own. He was confident that his was better. He saw a flaw or two in his friend’s that could be its undoing but rather than say anything or point them out so that they could be accounted for, he wondered what would happen if just let them go instead as it were. And then he could swoop in if the distress transpired, and save the day, as well as his dear friend and beloved no longer beholden. But since the undoing was only a possibility, he wondered then, if a bit of sabotage might be in order.
This may seem underhanded, but it behooves the Aristocrats to always challenge themselves and each other to be the best. Totally acceptable behavior on his part. So Eros surreptitiously added the essence of sabotage to the design of Akasha’s plan for his own good. At least then, he would be there in part. He would be incorporated into the design with just a touch of his essence in the right place. Hardly detectable. He was just along for the ride, just in case. Albeit, Anonymously. And as for Lumina, while the loss to him was profound, he had bigger fish to fry. This wasn’t personal. This was absolute. Kindred and friendship notwithstanding, Eros was a preeminent survivor.
Before setting out on their mission to expand and enhance existence and ascension, Akasha and Lumina went over the design together, with her taking a second look on his behalf. Unfortunately, they did this prior to Eros supplanting his essence of sabotage, which he was well aware of. In her opinion, everything did seem to be in order. That is because while Lumina is every bit as much an Aristocrat in Standing in her own right, she did not possess the brilliance of Akasha or the intellect of Eros. She did, however, possess in and of herself, her own attribute. Her instincts, which were unmatched by either of them. This being the case, she took it upon herself to include a touch of essence of her own in Akasha’s plan. Serendipity - just in case.
For Lumina, leaving Eros by design was profoundly painful. What they shared was deep and meaningful. Had they been at odds with one another over the course of their relationship? Yes. That is the challenge. Because relationships between Aristocrats are a huge undertaking at times. They bring much more to the table. There are much fewer rights and wrongs between them when theoretically, you can defend yourself on any front. To be beholden can be as horrendous as it can be magnificent. It depends on your intent. They had not made it that far. And now, she was leaving. She would have to struggle to let him go. She plunged the depths of her being to relinquish him for his own good and hers. They would have to go their separate ways for the future of All.
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Except, they didn’t. Because unbeknownst to them, they were, in essence, heading out together as Sabotage and Serendipity. They may go hand in hand though they seldom see eye to eye. But their love for one another would continue down through time. His intellect and her instincts would have undue influence in the grand scheme of things and Akasha would need to rely on them to secure his Universe. But he only needed one of them. Eros had been his first choice for second and Lumina had been his Second in Command. This would have to be his decision when the time came and it would not be an easy call. Indeed, it hasn’t been from the beginning.
So while Santos sought the justice for All, including himself, that he felt was deserved Rhe relied on her instincts, which sometimes upset the apple cart of the Gods. And still, whether they knew it or not, they continued to work together. And Akasha continued to work in his own right, sticking to his master plan.
Metatron was privy to none of this as he sat across from Santos on behalf of that fateful day. Nobody was.
That’s the gist of it All.
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Blaze was feeling cautiously optimistic about today’s Counsel and his later meeting with Apollo to report on the results. There was, indeed, going to be an unveiling of the new Olympic Gold Medal courtesy of Forge, who was very pleased with the final result. For Forge to be pleased, it must be good. By his own determination, he had to agree, even though he had yet to actually see it. The impression he had of it was enough to raise his spirits. Everybody had been instructed to have their weapon of choice at the ready for the enhancement. He knew Rhe had been recently given a blade made for her by Forge that she reluctantly considered to be her own. Of course, she had to embellish it herself since that was her job. For the Life of him, he could not personally understand their relationship. Given their right to privacy, he had to leave it there.
Before him on his desk lay his favorite sword and his iron ball. He had a choice to make. He could only adorn one of them. The sword would be the obvious choice for a weapon but the shotput was his claim to fame. He loved to heave a cannon ball with power, force and precision. When it found its mark, he felt the most satisfied. They all had swords to bear. That was a tradition they were known for. The other was for sport in keeping with what he understood to be the tradition in the world they were trying to appeal to now in going for the gold. But as head of Counsel, the sword made more sense. And he certainly could swing it with flourish. It should be the sword he tried hard to convince himself of, as he picked up the ball.
Just then, he was interrupted in thought by the arrival of his best friend, Orestes. The news was not good. He had not been expecting this in the slightest. Or told him about Maggie wanting a divorce. No specific grounds. She had been vague as to her change of heart where he was concerned. He had not done anything he could think of to warrant this. (They never do, do they?) Straight out of the blue. Blaze ran his hands over his face in despair. Gone was the optimism and replacing it was disappointment. They were so good together. He tried to find the sense in it but got nothing. He did promise Or he would try reasoning with her. (I deliberately did not mention earlier that Maggie was Blaze’s sister, a generation apart, but they were very close. Blaze was the one that recommended Maggie for Counsel when the need arose. She had not been the first choice for her seat. She had been the second by necessity.)
Blaze and Or joined with the Counsel in session. Hovering above them in the middle of the room was a silk scarf covering what would be revealed when everyone had arrived and taken their seat. Which they did. Weapons included. The convening was called to order and they proceeded straight away to the discussion at hand. The medal was named Prestige by consensus. With little fanfare, Forge vanished the scarf to show his finest work. Each and everyone of them leaned forward in the chairs and looked upon it in awe. They each saw it differently, and yet, the same. It spoke to each of them in their own way. Marnie gasped, smiled at Blaze because she credited him with everything. Rhe, annoyed when she saw this, pulled her blade from her sheath, and offered it up immediately to be the first to be anointed with the veiled threat, because that is what it was in her mind. That is how she saw it. The kind of threat you don’t see coming until it hits you right between the eyes. Forged bestowed his craftsmanship on her dagger after he adorned his own weapon first. His hammer sang out in approval. Her knife grew sharper than ever. And just like that, they had turned the tables. Everyone knew this was not in order. No one said anything. Some were reminded why they had reservations regarding his appointment. Even Blaze was second guessing himself. However, so as not to create a distraction or another heated discussion, he set the order of attachment to follow from there and up to him finally. Because First and Foremost, Blaze was not about to be messed with. On his turn, he stood tall, at his most tallest, being taller than the others. While they waited for him to pull his sword at his side, instead, he brought from behind his back, the cannon ball and held it forward. Blaze had discerned that picking up the ball was the only choice. They don’t call him Blaze of Glory for no reason. The moment The Prestige hit the Iron of the cannon ball, it was like a shot heard round the world reaction.
And just like that, order was restored. Rhe swore under her breath that if Marnie doted on him for it, she would say something, but she didn’t. Marnie was studying the medal on her dreaded hook with wonder and amazement and a far off look in her eyes. That was Marnie though. She had gone deep. Rhe glanced at Forge who was surprisingly pleased at the end result. She breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. The unveiling had been everything he desired it to be. She decided to be happy for him. It would be easier for her that way. She also decided that she was going to fuck Blaze the first chance she got. And she knew she would get one. Rhe was playing with fire. That’s okay. She’s been burned before.
She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of SOZ speaking. He was motioning for a call to advance the cause. This was a motion to take up arms and further the charge forward with a battle plan. There was a ripple of anticipation through the Counsel. They were getting antsy and anxious to get moving. A discussion might have ensured, had Dione not spoken up within seconds of this.
Firmly, he decreed. “Not just yet.”
In all fairness, they tend to forget that it is Dione who is the one to rally the troops. Dion does not go around reminding anyone. Maybe he should.
SOZ did his best to hide his disappointment and put his hand on the shoulder of his betrothed, his beloved, his Dione, in an “act” of solidarity. With his best smile painted on and his eyes shining brightly like the sky, he confirmed Dione’s position.
“So be it then. I withdraw my motion.”
Blaze, not wanting to see another of his favorite couples come apart at the seams in record time, suggested they table the motion instead. Today had raised their spirits and they should take the opportunity to relish the moment for a time first, and come back together in further discourse prepared to plan ahead. Everyone agreed. The Counsel was adjourned.
They began to disperse. Rhe hitched her sheath to her belt and headed straight towards Forge, who was being congratulated by Cain. Orestes looked over at Maggie who was avoiding his attention. Nyx and Tory were comparing weapons and Marianas slipped away, but not unnoticed. Blaze shot Maggie a glance she could not avoid because she felt it more than she saw it and she was expecting this. SOZ and Dione left hand in hand. Once departed, SOZ turned on him, but decided not to say anything at the moment. Blaze left for his meeting with Apollo while Maggie dreaded her visit with her brother later, but not really. Rhe, seeing Forge engaged otherwise, decided to go get her steps in and without meaning to, followed Blaze towards the door, which he opened for her.
“Ladies first.” He said with a knowing smile that both annoyed her and landed.
“Always.” She replied out of nowhere as she rushed out and on her way. Now she was having second thoughts.
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Later, alone in her room, Marnie removed the medal from her hook, and replaced it with a replica. She had studied it closely to make certain to devise one to its likeness that she believed would fool even the most discerning eyes. Satisfied that nothing linked amiss, she took to the sea, tail propelling her to the depths of the waters where she sought out her true weapon of choice. At the bottom of the trench, she parted the sands and sighed. There was a stirring, She reached her hand down, and began to stroke the rigid, leathery skin and spiny back of her most beloved pet. She whispered sweet nothing in his ear, reminding him of what a good boy he was and always had been. He raised his head in response, his mighty face coming towards her. He licked her in response and she smiled - as she placed The Prestige where she really wanted it. Right between the serpentine eyes of the Kraken.
“Fuck Forge and him trying to steal the thunder of our one and only Lord Blaze.” She murmured to him. “There can be only one Lord of Olympus in Charge. Right baby?”
The Kraken nodded, smiling. He would do anything for her.
She thought she was alone with him. Zeus knew otherwise. He had taken to following her out of concern after watching her destroy the trail of maggots with what looked to him like glee on her face. He had grave concern for her. He stayed a safe distance so as not to alert her to his presence. But he could hear and see what she was up to. After spending as much time as she could allow herself with her beast, Marnie departed and swept away towards the surface. Zeus stayed, and pondered the situation for a moment. Before The Kraken could slip back under the blanket of sands that protected him, Zeus put a stern thought in its head.
“Remember who created you. I brought you into this world. I can take you out.”
The Kraken visibly shook.
Now that is the Zeus we know and love.
The Kraken slithered back into its resting place.
Zeus looked up to the surface where Marianas had returned. He knew he was right to keep his eyes on her.
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