Night had fallen on the secluded temple hours ago. I sat for at least half an hour attempting to get comfortable. The small, dark, circular shaped room was lite only by several small candles. A gentle summer night's breeze blew in from the partly cloth covered window near by. The slight wind played with the flames from the candles, causing shadows to be cast in odd places around the room. I always have troubles finding my center in mediation on days Zail-Ren takes full command of my body. Thought Ky-Ren Zan. Let's face it old boy, you may only be 44 years old but you feel like 100 easy, Zan thought to himself. Maybe it's time for the mighty god Zail-Ren to pick a new 'Ky-Ren' or at least allow Zan to pick some candidates for the position. Zan mentally sighed.
38 years I've held the title of, 'Ky-Ren', "The Voice, and Hand of the Mighty God Zail-Ren" and with my lords guidance we have forged the strongest and largest faith the world has ever known. Zail-Ren's followers have always been around since the time of the World Forging, as Zail-Ren is one of the old gods. But it took naming me his prophet to put true order and direction into the faithful. To bring us onto the 'path' that Zail-Ren often speaks of to me and thru me during his sermons. One of the seven gods who forged our great world, And the last of those old gods. I often find myself wondering what kind of being could endure so long. To be the sole god to come through the many wars of the Golden Age of the New Gods.
Zan was starting to feel restless sitting there. I should really get up soon, thought Zan. I don't like to waste time. Time it seemed like there is always less and less of it for me. I wish to see this journey to it's end. I pray to Zail-Ren that I will have time or that he allows me to at least bear witness to the fruits of our labors. I've never asked my lord for anything and followed his will in all things. To see the entire world united in one faith under my god, that is my true dream. That is what I spent my life struggling for. I hope he at least grants me this one wish. Again that foreboding feeling crept up on Zan from the dark depths somewhere inside him. Zan furrowed his brow at that.
"Hmm, I think a hot bath instead." Zan said aloud.
"Pardon Ky-Ren, Did you say something?" asked one of the two Holy Monk Guardsmen standing behind Zan guarding the doorway.
"Kosa Arjure, I was just finishing up my prayers for the evening. And thought a nice hot bath was in order to end the day. Ask one of the Temple servants to see to the mater would you?" Zan replied.
The senor of the two guardsmen came to attention and said "As you will Ky-Ren." Then he steps outside the room. Zan had spent most of his life surrounded by guards of the faith, ever since he became Zail-Ren's prophet, he was a marked man. Many would love to see Zan's head on a pike. After all under his leadership and his gods guidance most of the known world fell under the power of Zan and his god. Making him de facto the 2nd most powerful being in the world. It's not that Zan sought out the role of ruler of the world. The contrary in fact, Zan didn't care one bit about titles and power, control over the masses. Ironically Zail-Ren was the god of Power and Wealth, Zan smiled to himself. No, Zan only truly loved two things. His Family and his god. His god demanded of him to take the world in his name. His family demanded of him to provide a world in which they would know safety and peace. I have tried my best for both, Zan thought. Let's hope in the end it will be enough, he mused.
"Kosa Henkern, When Kosa Arjure returns please step out and locate 'The First Mother' for me." Said Zan
"By your will Ky-Ren." The younger guardsmen replied.
It's been sometime since I had any real meaningful time with Nyee. 20 plus years we've been married and she is as beautiful now as the day we meet. I truly am a blessed man thought Zan, with a big smile on his face. All the hard years and the endless wars with the unfaithful and there petty kingdoms. All to bring peace and order to the world. And my beloved wife by my side for the better part of it. She really is a gem, who has born me 3 children, each in there own way unique and gifted.
In a moment the elder guardsmen stepped back inside bowed and said in a respectful tone "The servants said they will go prepare the baths nearest your sleep chambers immediately Ky-Ren."
"Good." said Zan. Looking at the other guard and nodding Zan sent him about his task.
Zan let out a small sigh, and stepped up to the window and brushed aside the cloth to get a better view. Kena hung high in the night sky blocking out a vast portion of the night stars in her full phase. Zan could see for miles in Zena's light. Below was the temple yards, several guards, priests, and followers could be made out in the night. The slight breeze felt refreshing on Zan's face. Today was really tiring Zan thought. More so then normal. Zan looked farther into the distance and caught sight of the city lights from the port town of Kenren in the shallow valley just below the temple grounds. From here Zan thought he could smell the ocean just beyond the city. Overall it was a quite, peaceful night Zan thought. I should sleep well after a nice bath.
Several minutes had past and the younger guardsmen finally returned and informed Zan that Nyee was in the Temple's Small library. No doubt there speaking to Cambrine. I swear that boy wont be happy until he has read every book in the world thought Zan. I should have known there was a library here when he begged me to bring him along this week. Yet again Zan sighed, feeling more restless then ever. "Very well let's be off then." Zan said to the guards.
Zan and his two guardsmen passed thru hallways on there way to the library. Zan took note of the several pieces of fine artwork adorning the walls of this out of the way temple. Zail-Ren had confirmed a rumor about this being one of the oldest temples left in existence. Zail-Ren claimed he and his followers at the time successfully took the temple from a long dead rival god and had been in possession of it ever since. Zan had visited this temple in the past and liked to use it as a special retreat. Zan heard loud talking ahead as he and the guards approached to library doors.
Zan entered the doors to the Library to find his wife and second oldest son Cambrine in a heated debate. "Cambrine, dear, your father and I came here in hopes of getting a way from the daily demands of his work . A vacation Cambrine. You know how hard he works. Please don't bother him right now over these matters. He needs his rest!" said Nyee in a slightly annoyed voice.
"Mother," replied Cambrine in a calm and reasonable tone of voice. "I know the stress father is under with the war winding down, but these discoverers are not a coincidence. All my research points to some sort Celestial event occurring around the time that this current war will end."
"And Cambrine my dear boy what do you know of this war ending?" Zan steps into the room and asks his son. "Not all my Ministers and High Priests know about the peace talks that are currently taking place. I'd be rather interested in knowing who has the lose lips around here?" said Zan.
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"It's not that at all father. I have ears, I listen. Reading isn't my only skill you know. I have a mind and can piece together the bits I pick up here and there around the castle, city, and temples. Give me some credit." Cambrine implored.
"Fair enough son. But it would be wise to keep speculations about the war ending anytime soon to yourself for now. There are always plenty of eyes and ears willing to make a bit of gold off such information. And we still have plenty of enemy's left in the world even after we finish negotiating the end to this current war." warned Zan.
"But farther the important thing is the discovery I've made in the old texts here in the library about coming events that may bring great peril to the world if we don't act soon. Cambrine indicated with more excitement.
"Hmm." Said Zan as he walked up to his son and placed a hand on the boys shoulder to calm him. Zan had never seen his son look so worried and excited in his life. Normally Cambrine was the quite one of his children. The bookworm, the shadow in the room avoiding all attention. But not at this moment and that alone did worry Zan greatly. Yet Zan was human and had reached his limits for one day. Zail-Ren possession of his body for tonight sermons had really worn Zan out. It has been taking a greater toll on Zan lately whenever he surrender his will and body to god. All the more reason to speak with Zail-Ren soon about finding disciplines who could take over for him if he should falter before the holy task set before him is finished.
"Son," Zan said in a soft tired voice. "I promise you that come tomorrow I will hear you out about these discovery's of yours." Zan really was having trouble keeping on his feet as if all the years where in this moment finally catching up to him.
"But Dad this could be very urgent, the longer we ignore this to more.." Zan raised his other hand and cut Cambrine off.
"Cambrine, Believe me when I say this. I will address this with you first thing tomorrow, son. Not as the Emperor, Not as Ky-Ren of the one true Faith, but as your father. I will sit down and talk this over with you and take your warnings to heart and act upon them in all earnest. This my dear son I promise you.. But you see son tonight, tonight I am the most exhausted man in the world. Or so I feel like it. And I promised your Mother days ago we would spend some time together here. So for the rest of the night please allow this old man some peace." Zan said mustering all the energy he could.
"Alright father.." Cambrine said biting off any further words he had planned to say. "Father I am sorry, forgive me only now had I noticed how truly tired you do look. Please father get some rest." Cambrine said with heart felt honesty.
"And now my dear wife." Zan said as he dropped his hand from his sons shoulder looking over to Nyee. "Would you care to join me an a nice hot bath before bed? I know its not much but at our age we must seek out the smallest of pleasures where and when we can find them. Don't you agree?" Zan said with a weak but gentle smile on his face.
"Oh dear me, Speak for yourself I plan to live forever husband! And yes I will join you in that bath. A perfect end to a warm wonderful summer day. Don't you think?" Zan noticed how Nyee tried to cover her look of concern for him when she spoke. But he knew better. He knew she was aware of his growing wariness and how tasking Zail-Ren possession and even demands on him have become in resent years. This was one of the few things between them that they had to pretend wasn't a problem. For the safety of the family Zan must never show weakness less his enemy's close in for the kill. So much left unfinished so little time, Zan thought yet again.
Zan had somehow manged to remain awake during the hot bath session with Nyee. And had even planned to be a little romantic with her before bed. But Zan finally hit the wall as they were making there way back to there sleeping chambers. Zan without warning slumped against a table nearby in the hallway next to the door beside his chambers. Nyee and the two guardsmen helped walk him to the bed and gently laid him down. Just then Zan finally fell into a deep sleep.
Zan saw Cambrine standing in the center of the temples small library reading a book he held. Cambrine noticed Zan standing there and said something. Yet no words came, while his lips moved. "Son what is it you have to say? I can't hear you." Cambrine spoke again but like before no sound came. "I'm sorry son I really can't hear you.." Zan started to panic a familiar dread rose up with in him. Then suddenly stop. A sound of a book slapping close.. Zan looked again to his son. "I said go forth and do my bidding." The voice came from Cambrines mouth but it wasn't his sons voice. No it belonged to Zail-Ren. An evil smile spread over Cambrine face. "Your destiny awaits you, my most loyal of disciples." Said the voice in a mocking tone.. Cambrine pointed to a bleached white stone archway behind him as if to indicate Zan to walk into it. The archway contained nothing but a solid blackness. A cold chill ran down Zans spine. Fear a total sense of fear and dread overcame Zan. He could not take eyes off the archway. Shaking his head as if to clear it Zan managed to look away long enough to see the library was on fire. And Cambrine was laying in a pool of blood on the floor his body badly mangled. Zan tried to scream and lifted his hands to help his son only to notice his hands where covered in blood. Looking down Zan saw he was totally covered in blood. Zan felt like he was about to lose his mind to the madness of it all. Then the Archway moved at him at a blinding speed that he could not avoid. It consumed him. Zan Saw the end of the world. Madness and despair.. Burning cites.. A world ripped apart.. Fields of Ash.. the blood on Zan's hands eat into him like acid.. He tried to scream but no sound came.. A silent darkened place void of all sound... A white moon bright in a starless sky shinning down.. A valley with a floating disc and a distant source of light... A child crying.. Small blobish creatures.. A being cloaked in shadows holding out a small white hand to Zan.. "No you can't stay here ether.." said a haunt beautiful voice..
Zan sat up with a start. The sound of thunder and heavy rain could be heard. Wind blew into the room from the storm outside from the large walkway leading to a small balcony outside. Zan thought he saw a human shaped shadow against the wall during a lighting flash for a moment. And blinked his eyes but it was gone.. Sweat poured down his body and he slowly came to realize where he was. Laying in bed next to him was Nyee soundly asleep. All around him the bed was deeply soaked with his sweat. The bedding was tangled around his legs as if he had be trashing in his sleep. Zan noticed his heart was racing. And he had an overwhelming fear of pending doom but didn't know why. I must see Cambrine right now Zan thought to himself but again didn't know why.