“I PLEDGE MY UNDYING LOYALTY, MY ETERNAL FEALTY, MY BLAZING AFFECTION, IN UTTER SERVITUDE TO HER, NO MATTER, WHETHER MINE BATTLE SHALL BE IN THE SWEET CONFINES OF LIFE OR THE BITTER FREEDOM OF DEATH. I SHALL, ANSWER HER CALL, WITHOUT QUESTION, WITHOUT DOUBT.
HER WILL UPON THIS HERETICAL UNIVERSE SHALL BE CARRIED OUT BY MINE SINFUL HANDS, MAY HER ENDLESS MERCY SHINE UPON OUR DAMNED SOULS.
MAY HER DIVINE SELF, LEAD ME TO THE SWEET CLUTCHES OF THE VERDANT PARADISE.
HAIL VIKTORIA!”
-MILITARY PLEDGE OF SERVITUDE TO GOD EMPRESS VIKTORIA, THE LAST OF HER NAME.
THE GARDEN OF A THOUSAND RIVERS//ANCHOR XI
Many claimed to know of God's existence– of how he…. rather, she came into existence. Many more claim to have seen Her in their dreams, heard Her inaudible voice whisper into their unworthy ears. Some, even claim to have seen Her birthing herself, giving form and shape to an unexplainable organism; an organism, that even the wisest of men and women, could seldom hope to explain.
But, he knew.. and so did, Pleiades, that such men and women were… for the lack of a better word, deceivers. Over glorified liars and cheats, that through the art of speech, spread fraudulent tales of a god which never existed and never will.
A false messiah, to be precise. Although, the word does not fit such humans. For a false messiah, does not spread word of a new god– of another religion, nay, a false messiah always claims to continue a dying religion. Preferably, ones that are defunct or, so deeply, caught up in their machinations that they are deluded into believing the forked tongue of these foul liars. Tis a pity.
Humanity, is meant to be an intelligent race. Yet, now, as he gazes.. upon this.. this embryo- or rather, this womb locked within these turbulently calm waters of an origin beyond man's grasp; he feels, that even in a thousand lives, he shall never be able to explain it.
The womb, or egg, or embryo– whatever, one may call it, was a vibrantly incomprehensible thing; shining with colors that he could not quite place, and at times, it would not shine at all. Sometimes, it would turn as dark as the night, and tis would make him feel as if something or someone was gazing at him from within it. And, at other times, which was more often than not, the womb would become a mirror; his haggard self being portrayed to him, as if an art piece to be admired. Or, more likely, something to be mocked at.
But, there were times, rare times, when the womb would turn translucent, although a cloud would persist within it– preventing him from truly gazing at the entity being nurtured within its hearty embrace.
It was, these times, that a fear so great that it made his heart falter and mind crumble, would take grave hold over the ailing faculties. For, within the motherly clouds of the eldritch womb, rested a woman.
A woman, too near identical to Viktoria, that he ought to suspect tis was her. But, something about this woman was off. Even though, she rested, turned over herself, locked in a fetal position– a malevolent aura hung around her, like an unwashed stench of festering blight.
It made, his mind tremble in disgust and horror. Such machinations, were never meant to be gazed upon. And, now that his eyes had wandered, tis was unlikely, that even in the next life or the one after that, he would ever forget this.
Witness the birth of a God, Pleiades had whispered then, when he had stood triumphantly over the carcass of the Cardinal.
Tis, only now, that he truly understands Pleiades' words. Now, as he gazed upon this unholy matrimony of mortality and immortality, he understands the depth behind those fleeting words.
Often, whenever the womb would reveal itself, Viktoria's body would toss and turn, her limbs loosening from their eternal slumber, her eyes growing ever more disturbed, as if preparing to awaken from a deep hibernation; this, and more, he would witness but before her eyes could open, before he could bear witness to the birth– the womb would close, losing its translucency, becoming entirely a voidlike opaque.
Once, before his untimely exit, the womb had begun pulsing unnaturally. Turning completely opaque and slowly, but surely, the clouds all but disappeared. Viktoria's rest became uneasy, her naked body thrashing within the womb, fighting an unseen war in the confines of her divine hubris.
It was as the womb, began collapsing in on itself, turning into materials unknown, shining colors incomprehensible, pulsing with the likeness of a heart– that something tugged at him. Immediately, and instinctually, his gaze snapped to the blooming Viktoria.
“It is time, for you to bid us adieu, dear Charles,” He saw Viktoria's awakening body whisper in a voice, entirely too loud and clear for a newborn creature.
And, suddenly, Charles was thrown back to whence he came.
His eyes snapped open, with a pained gasp, he clutched his mother's pendant hanging limply around his neck; he gripped it tighter than ever before, perhaps even more than, when he had borne witness to their murder firsthand.
Even now, as the restless hands wandered across his body bringing reassurance of existence– his fear addled mind quaked as it, ceaselessly and foolishly, recalled… that.. that sight.
The womb…. a chill of inexplicable fear shot through his spine, the body, the woman, oh god's, the woman; seldom, had he ever felt a fear so potent, so great, so intoxicating. The mind, ailing with horror, was unable to recall her face with the same clarity that he could remember recalling it. It was similar.. similar to Viktoria's. Yes. Yes, that was right. It was Viktoria in the womb.
But, ever treachous, his mind barked back, how are you, so sure? It asked, how, do you know, it is not, someone else? Why Viktoria?
And, truthfully, tis was right. Even though, his heart vehemently disapproved of her being anyone but the Godly Viktoria, the subconscious preferred the logical explanations and reasoning and proofs of his mind.
And, within the confines of his secretive heart, he could admit that thinking of Viktoria to have been born of anything but a humane womb would be foolish. She did not look.. inhumane. Rather, she looked quite enchanting. A woman with a thousand- nay, a million suitors.
Besides, this speculation ignored the similarities between Lilac and Viktoria; their appearances, to be precise. They were, hauntingly, identical. While, yes, there were differences between them, particularly the eye color– only one of Lilac's was Golden while each iris of Viktoria’s was Golden. Such… discrepancies, could be attributed simply to the father.
“Tis, a foolish endeavor, that thine mind pursues,” Pleiades said chidingly.
“Oh.. foolish, is it? How so?” He replied, near instantaneously.
Pleiades sighed, “Foolish, because, thine knowledge of the girl is, certainly, limited. We have no idea nor an inkling regarding her nature.. and, by extension… her origin. Or, well, birth- depending, on how you look at it.”
“Then? What, would you have me do?”
“Ohhh.. you fool,” Pleiades exhaled in disappointment, “Ask her, of course. She did say that any and all… queries, shall be taken up once Lilac was slain, did she not?”
“Well.. yes, she- she did,”
“Ah! There you go! Simply go and pester her, like you do me, and thou shall have answers,” With a pause, he added, “Although.. I do suspect, tis shall be an arduous task to find her, in this.. this maze of greenery and shrubbery,”
And, as always, he was right. This place.. this garden was, for lack of a better word- a maze.
Dense, denser than he had ever seen, forest surrounded him; everything and anything, within his sight was painted a muddy brown or a verdant green. An utopia, by any other name. Flowers, of the most curious kind, of the most curious and incomprehensible colors, bloomed all across the green horned ground, swaying in tandem with the wind’s resplendent tune.
He could spot, birds– majestic ones, with feathers of purity dipped within the divine waters of this… Garden. Amongst the, innumerable, birds that doth did gaze at him curiously, for verily, he was an outsider, a ruffian amongst these divine pastures; He could spot, hidden betwixt the young green leaves of a primordial tree, an Ayla. It gazed at him, something fierce. As if, the creature intended to pick apart his soul.
It was surreal. It gazed at him, for long, longer than he can recall, until, it's quad eye's grew tired. A serene call, and it flew away. Disappearing into its domain amidst the unreachable heavens.
A dream? His confounded mind questioned. A feeling of denial rushed over him; Pleiades had given his verdict. Not a dream, then. But, if tis do be reality, then, is this the much revered Garden of heaven?
Most likely.
Afterall, God had been born, a while back, had she not?.. Pleiades had said so. And, judging by the warmth of approval within his chest, the man stood by his words.
Surreal. All of it. Viktoria, The Garden, The Ayla.. even, The Womb.
A sweet melody floated leisurely through the air, drowning out the passive symphony of the forest, until all had been silenced. A strange want, an inexplicable lust, overtook the faculties of his mind. Something, bubbled within him. His legs, were the first to turn traitor, and soon the rest of the body, followed. The tune, the enigmatic symphony guiding and calling out to his soul.
Like a pilgrim, he trekked and followed.
Suddenly, akin to a burn, pain burst through his chest. His gaze, by some unknown influence, drifted towards a stag, standing proudly, observing the curious creature before it. There was a degree of intelligence within the beast's eyes, as it studied him, almost as if tis was a learned man.
The graceful stag, remained steadfast in its gaze, until something satisfied it. A nod, almost humanlike, and the passive beast trotted away into the thick shrubbery that curtained the dark depths of the forest.
His legs, as the tune renewed itself, began carrying him to it's source, to the musician that laid the symphony, so exquisitely that his soul could not help but be enraptured; in a sense, tis was the same effect that Elena, so oft had on him. The thought incited a chuckle.
Unknown to him, the pain within his chest, disappeared at her name.
As his feet carried him past the tree before which the stag had stood, mere moments ago, something odd stuck out to him– a deep carving made on the bark.
A basilisk with a crown adorning its head; a smear of a sunset liquid covered the carving. It reminded him of the descriptions of Willow's hair. Weird.
“A Basilisk King. Hah,” Pleiades jested.
“Or, mayhaps.. A Basilisk Queen?”
“Perhaps,” Pleiades responded, curtly. Clearly, he had ruined the jest. A jest, that clearly, only Pleiades could appreciate and, by extension, understand.
Soon, once more, his feet paused, bringing him to rest infront of a lonesome clearing amidst the great forest. A serene stream flowed through the clearing, flowers of the most elegant kind, bloomed beside it, dancing underneath the open sky as the calming winds teased them.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
At the center of this clearing, rested a most queer structure– A Gazebo. Underneath its shade, was table covered with numerous trays of mouth watering dishes. His throat bobbed, unintentionally, mouth salivating at the thought of food.
However, something gave him pause.
Sitting at one end of the table, a cup of tea or mayhaps coffee, was Viktoria. Taking a sip, her eyes of molten gold lazily drifted towards him, a gracious smile bloomed upon her divine countenance.
“Ah! Charles! Come here, do assist me with this luscious meal!” Saying this, she downed her entire cup; flashing him a hungry grin… creepy. A shiver went up his spine. Whether, of arousal or fright? He was clueless.
Hastily, to prevent any more.. graceless gazes upon him, he rushed towards the gazebo.
Taking a seat at the table, his eyes couldn't help but wander… or rather, drown in the almost holistic beauty of Viktoria; or, well, her older self, of course.
A serene face, in truth- an hallmark of feminine beauty, framed gorgeously by a lustrous mane of hair darker than dark, almost like a moonless night devoid of even the ever twinkling stars. Her face, oh her divine face, was the very antonym of her hair. Pale, paler than pale, akin to a patch of fresh snow from the deep buried reaches of the north– a haunting reminder of Elena.
Come, to think of it, she did resemble her. Too much. Far more than ought to be comfortable; at least, for someone such as him.
It was her dress– a black loose fitting gown, adorned by an equally enigmatic black shawl and a small yet brightly shining tiara resting comfortably atop her head– that jogged his memory. With a gasp, he remembered.
The woman at the end of time. The Empress, or Goddess? who had so callously, called him a sweet ignorant boy. One whose gaze had sent shivers crawling down his spine, one whose gaze still yet doth had the same effect; and, mayhaps, a much greater effect.
A small smirk danced upon her face, the golden irises twinkling with mirth. With a laugh, she spoke, “Oh. Doth do remember me, afterall? I had been, momentarily, afeared that thine mind had been… harmed,”
“Har- harmed.. harmed?!” He sputtered, until a sudden realization took hold, “Wait. Wait, wait, did.. did you just mindread?”
Viktoria lifted an unimpressed eyebrow, “Really, sweet boy?.. As far as I remember, and I do remember clearly, tis was you that helped mine ascension,” She sighed, “And, to think that mine knight has already forgotten the debt owed to him,”
“Huh?”
A sigh. “Well, you did make me God, Charles. You did, truly. Without you, there would be no paradise. Merci, for that, from the bottom of my heart. Truly. And, besides that.. Godhood does come with its perks; Mind Reading, just happens to be one,” With a wink, Viktoria poured coffee into a cup, passing it towards him. Tis was by instinct, that he took hold of it. She continued, as he sipped, “..And that, my sweetling, is worthy of a reward,”
“A.. a reward?”
“Mhm, a reward, sweetling. A debt owed to you, in a manner of speaking. A debt that thine self can claim at any moment and, no matter the request, I shall accept it.” She spoke and took a sip of her refilled cup; something that he failed to notice, had even occurred. Understandable surely, it had been happening a lot, he blames this.. realm, a cesspit of everything and anything incomprehensible and confusing.
It made him wish, of something simpler, of something more mundane. Something homely.
A black haired beauty with a starry smile, bloomed up within his imagination. A warmth spreading within him, inciting love- lust- desire- greed, and oh so much more, to rear their devious heads.
Elena..
The name, itself, sent shivers of untold pleasure down his spine. The one individual who had seen beyond his power- beyond his connection with Pleiades- beyond the tarnished name of Arvell. Truly, she had seen him and only him. To her, there was only Charles; No Arvell, no Anchor.
Elena, oh by God, he misses her. Tis was, as if, he was a man, a desperate sort of man who was dying of thirst– the water, oh so close to his grasp, he merely had to reach out and take it. But, but, he could not. His hand remained frozen. His hand betrayed him, fouly.
But, there is hope, his mind whispered, eyes lingering on Viktoria's eternally divine form- a curiosity brewing in her molten gaze, a curiosity which made him fear of the worst-, You, merely, ought to convince her, its whispers continued.
The mind, treacherous as it had been, was right. There was, but, one way to leave this damned realm of divinity and confounded nonsense; Even, if it had to be through Viktoria, he'd still do it. For home, for freedom, for Elena..
His mind made, Charles made to speak. Viktoria, however in all her divine glory, was faster. “You desire to leave,” She spoke, in all her factualness and surety that only God could possess.
“Ah, uhh, well- you see–,”
“It was a statement, Charles.. Not, a question.” She sipped her coffee, the divine gaze burrowing into him- judging him- measuring him. It reminded him, in a most aggressive manner, that this woman was the same as the one who had so hauntingly gazed upon him from her Throne at the End of Time.
“I had, known of this-,” She began, “-desire, of yours to depart this realm. I had known of it, ever since your arrival,” Her mouth twisted unnaturally, a sour look forming upon her face depriving it of the, otherwise, divine grace, “Each and everytime, I had thought that mine goals had appealed to you.. thine mind would deviate to that girl. Elena, Elena, Elena. And, for so long in our, albeit short journey, I stewed over this name; Elena, Elena.. it seemed so familiar yet soo unplaceable. But now… now and only now, have I realized whom thy desire, so desperately for,”
“Oh. And, whom might that be?” He questioned, intrigued by the implications behind her words.
Viktoria, in an act that seemed so unlike her, smiled in cheekiness, “Nuh uh, that would be spoiling it, my dear boy~” To further enunciate her point, she tutted at him- as if, he were naught but a little babe still learning the ways of the world.
“Well, you are a little boy~,” She spoke, suddenly. Clearly glancing at his thoughts.
“Huh.. A little boy?! I am, no little boy! I'm a man of seventeen!”
“Last, I checked, a seventeen year old is a green boy,” At his sour look, Viktoria bellowed with laughter.
As her laughing fit calmed down, Viktoria sighed, a curious emotion taking rise within her golden eyes of knowledge immortal. She raised a finger, pointing it towards a door that had appeared at one of the clearing’s exits, “That, is your way home, Charles. Through that door, is your life and, your, oh so, precious Elena,” She uttered the name with the same venom and revulsion, in which she had invoked the name of Lilac.
It was obvious, far too obvious, yet, he did not dare question her. For, what could come of it? Perhaps, an answer to her irrational hatred of Elena- something, he hopes is another illusion constructed by this treacherous realm, for he could not stomach the thought of allowing such hatred of his beau to pass-, or mayhaps, tis would incite a zealous reaction; In truth, the latter was more likely or rather, according to him and Pleiades, the latter was the only plausible reaction.
Carefully, with as much grace as he could muster, Charles got off the chair and began to make his way towards the doorway.
A feeling of dread passed through him.
Golden eyes of burning desire gazed back at him. He paused, fear- the ever irrational force, freezing the very instincts of survival. Then again, running away might have led to a worse outcome.
There was no stating, as to how long Viktoria held his gaze; suddenly, struck with unexplainable enlightenment, she nodded in consent. Her mouth opened, and through her divine breath, were delivered words that he ought to have forgotten, for they were vile, viler than any ought to be.
“Stay, Charles. Stay, my sweet boy; Why, must you desire her, so greatly? Hmm? There is much.. much more, to be earned in mine company,” The words were lined with the same vile and evil desire that churned in her eyes. He did not know of how it came, neither did he know for whom this desire flamed. Him or Pleiades? There was no telling. And, to be quite honest, a larger part of the subconscious, begged not to investigate.
Ever the swayable man, he obeyed.
For, he too feared it's source.
Unconsciously, driven by instinct, his body took a step backwards towards the door. Taking notice of it, Viktoria raised a brow, the emotion within her gaze tightening.
“Why? Why, my sweet boy, do you desire to abandon this chance?” She questioned with an intensity, she had displayed, only, in front of Lilac.
“Because, she is the woman, I love. Why, must I abandon her for.. for you?” He paused and continued, “You, whom, I knew not of till this day, till this treacherous realm swallowed me whole. You, whom, I have all the reason to suspect,”
Viktoria jeered, yet, he could spy intrigue brewing within that eternal gaze, “Suspect?.. ohh, my sweet boy, isn't that just so foolish. What, have you to suspect me, for? For, saving your life? For, assisting you against Agony? For, guiding you here? For, for.. For, opening that gate?!”
“Nay, for them, I do not suspect you. For them, you have naught but my gratitude. But, but, there are.. suspicions within my mind that doth do make much clear sense now,”
Viktoria rose from her seat, “Suspicions?” She questioned as she began making her way towards him, “Pray tell, what are these…. suspicions?”
Even though, cold chilling fear raced and tore through his soul, he continued with the gait of a victor, “Of you, having played a part in my arrival here,” To his shock, there was no swift retribution, nay, there was naught but hearty laughter. Yet, tis was not the kind, one would join in rhythm with; tis, was one that a sensible individual would steer clear of.
Viktoria answered his words, in between bouts of her laughter, “Hahahaha.. of course, I did! Hahahaha! Ohhhh, you fool, did you think that this was a coincidence?” She continued laughing uproariously, and in truth, he wished to join her upon the realization of his own stupidity. “Hahah.. oh dear, I saved you! Without me, you wouldn't be here!”
Her laughing fit subsided as her rage, no doubt, mounted, “Besides, foolish boy, this.. this exchange of ours was predestined. The words you speak are put into thine mind by me,”
Charles took a step back out of shock.
Was.. was this true? If it was, then.. then, what was the point of denying her? Would she, even allow his return or would she keep him trapped? Yes. Yes. Perhaps, no most likely, that door was a trap. This had been her plan, all along.
He was, well and truly, fucked.
“She is bluffing,” Pleiades spoke, almost frightening him. “Ask her, the same question that was posed before you. It shall put her godly mind to a twist, no doubt,” He nodded in agreement. Tis was a master plan.
“Then.. well, then, how are you so sure as to being a god?” He asked.
“Huh?” Her brow scrunched up in confusion.
“I ask the same question, if you were a God, destroying Lilac should have been a mere thought to you. Yet, yet, it was not, not to mention, you required my assistance to carry your will out,” Viktoria tilted her head in curiosity as he continued, “That, would mean, thine excellent self is no god but a mere godling like the one in my head–”
His words were cut short as Viktoria's hand shot out and took hold of him by the neck. A squeeze, and with his wheezing, she spoke, “Cogito, ergo sum.”
“Wha-.. what?” He wheezed out. Her hold tightened, and she spoke slowly in a manner in which, one speaks to a bumbling little child, “Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. I think, therefore I exist. There is no one above me, and I am, certainly, not someone's little house pet like that godling of yours.”
Her piece said, releasing the vice grip, she let his body crumble onto the ground. A part of him, nay, a majority within wanted revenge, vengeance, retribution. Yet, he knew. He knew that such acting upon this ravenous and all consuming desire would lead only, and only, to his ruination.
Extending a hand, she offered, her mood apparently having shifted to a more pleasant one- for, there was no trace of the earlier rage-, “I give you an accord- a gift of unimaginable fortune. You need only take mine hand and join me in this journey of a gloriously pleasurable eternity,” By the Gods- or, whomsoever may preside over this damned reality of theirs, he was tempted to take hold of it. So, soo tempted; if not out of infallible loyalty or undyingly pure love, then out of all devouring fear and sinful greed.
Elena, something within the depths and confines of the soul whispered. A blaze had been set loose. Elena, it repeated.
Yes. Elena.
Elena was his priority. His only reason for existence.
Dragging himself off the ground, he ran like a rabid coward towards the door. If this, were to be a trap, then, may it take his life. For, to live an eternity without love to embrace or family to cherish, was something inconceivable and quite utterly undesirable!
Taking one last glance, he spied Viktoria frozen at the same spot, her hand still extended towards him, bidding him to embrace her. Yet, he never did. And, never will. Not in this life, nor, in the many to come. More's the pity!
Pitying brown eyes of freedom locked with the ever numbing golden eyes of solitude, one last time.
The door swished open, and all was black…