Immediately, Cronos and the other Titans dropped to single knees, heads bowed under their mother’s primal wrath. A dark armored figure with luminescent red swirls for eyes in the otherwise empty space of his black helmet appeared at Gaia’s side. The thick shaft of a quad-pronged short spear was ready in his doubled grip. Seeing no threats, the tall dark figure moved to stand behind Gaia in overwatch. Josh couldn’t help but notice that the newly arrived looked remarkably like the spiritual enforcer who had been scourging Gaia in her underground temple where he and Sen had first met her. Eying him through narrowed eyes, Josh sensed a lesser, but to him and Sen, an equally as formidable aura of dread emitting from the newcomer. Josh had no doubt that he was prepared for anything.
Tilting his head to Sen, ~Doesn’t he look like the guy who was whipping—~
Sen gave a brisk nod as he tensed slightly at the combined power of Gaia the enforcer coming at them in waves . ~Yes brother, and it does confirm a few things– But it is never the time for clever observations while you are standing in the shadow of an oncoming apocalypse!~
Awash in the periphery of the two figures’ elemental power, which fortunately was directly at the V-formation of kneeling titans, Josh agreed with an accepting expression.
Cronos spoke. “. . . Forgiveness mother. These two are welcome and accepted in accordance with your will. When there is a spare moment, Theia will get them up to speed with our purposes here.” Chronos raised his head and attempted a puppy-dog smile at his mother.
Gaia’s gaze narrowed as if staring into his soul to confirm his words. A flock of birds that had been unfortunate enough to be flying overhead, and then frozen stiff as they were caught up in Gaia’s wrath had neared a point of no return in their plummet from above. Gaia blinked and waved a hand that wiped away the terrible stillness all around them, apparently seeing what she needed in Cronos’ contrition. Able to breathe again, Josh was glad to see the paralyzed birds regain flight an instant above the ground. Amongst a cacophony of startled squawks, they hurriedly flapped their wings and sped away from the cluster of beings that had almost been their doom.
Her fury now ebbed, Gaia returned to her usual nurturing demeanor without missing a beat. The diminutive once again the all-forgiving mother of the world. Josh could hear the sincerity of her loving smile in her words, “. . . Ah, that look! I’ve always been a sucker for that look!” A gap-step brought her next to Cronos and she pulled her muscle-bound son into a hug.“ . . . You need to be more gentle with your mother. I’m not as young as I used to be. Do you want to give me a brainstorm or a heart seize — Of course, you don’t!”
Forgiven, the six Titans rose to their feet with amicable smiles of affection for their mother. Chronos pivoted his cantaloupe-sized shoulders and waved an almost casual hand at Josh and Sen, who were still standing in mild shock to the side. Still, Josh’s hackles rose in unconscious defense as Cronos’ smile widened to reveal the cusps of his canines in an expression that reminded his human nature of a pack of jackals about to feed on downed prey.
“...As these two champions will be joining our efforts. It is my duty to inform them that the time for the first choosing is upon us.” Gaia’s face brightened at the news as she turned to Josh and Sen. “Glad we got you here when we did. If you missed the first choosing, you would have been disqualified–”
Cronos slightly wavering voice cut over his mother. It was obvious from his pleading tone that he felt he should have led with what he said next. “By lot…the honor of first game’s choice has fallen to Shiva–”
“Curse the fates and their six saggy tits!” Gaia inturn interrupted her son’s interruption with hot words and an angry scowl. She shifted her gaze to Josh and Sen with an expression that looked suspiciously like concern. Enough so that Josh started to feel some himself. She then spoke, pointing at Cronos who stood erect, seemingly eager for guidance. “Shiva is trying to again eliminate our youngest two members and put us at a numerical disadvantage in the later events.”
Through the tension in their frames, Josh could see that their Mother held the attention of the six Titan’s present as she swept a penetrating stare over them all. Her elegant fingers pointed to Josh and Sen with a short, brisk gesture, “Get these two ready to stand as the pursued in Tafl.” She spit out as if the words left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Chronos nodded to the end of the line of impossibly tall, lean, and well muscled youths. “Hyperion, Theia. See to Mother’s command.” With no interval, the two perfectly fit specimens grabbed him and Sen by the elbows and led them to the left and in the direction of a complex of white marble pillars marked off several large open air structures in the near distance.
Josh’s thoughts were whirling again. By the time his sense of self preservation had kicked back in and reengaged his power of coherent speech, Gaia had already done a quick about face top depart. Her Enforcer, Mr. Tall-Dark and Ominous followed a half step behind and looming over her right shoulder.
“...Gaia!?” Josh finally called. The tone of his voice, half exasperation, half toddler frightened of unknown noises coming from his closet in the middle of the night. He ineffectually struggled in the female Titan’s iron grip. And, not unlike an unruly toddler, he continued trying to resist his minder’s gentle but firm will. “--What is Tafvl–” Josh stumbled over the proper pronunciation of the ancient word. “...and what exactly do you mean ‘eliminate your two youngest– again!?’”
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Gaia held up a hand that halted everyone as she turned back to Josh with a not completely unsympathetic expression. “Tafl is…” she paused and looked up to the left. Her hand’s open fingers seemed to be plucking a ripe eggplant as she literally reached gracefully for the least fearsome words. “...Well let’s just call it ‘a blast from my past that I must…Yes absolutely must, ask you and Senyak for help with. Everything rides on my regaining the Sol Throne. There is not time to fully explain it to you both now. But I, we,” She speak her hands and arms wide, “…the entire iteration needs you to believe me when I say that everything you care about, rides in the balance of our success here. Are there risks? Yes. Your life may be forfeit following my commands. But this is no sacrifice I am not asking of any one else here and willing to make myself–”
“YES, MOTHER!” Machitis and the Titans yelled loudly in unison. All seven of them having dropped to a single knee. Machitis proffering his spear to Gaia. It balanced before him between both of his open palms.
Gaia continued as if the offering of a life sacrifice from seven individuals, each powerful enough to duct tape him and Sen and throw them in a closet without a thought, was a matter of fact. “There are rewards to be had here, certainly…” The Mother of the Star Children trailed off, and a hard glare came to her eyes. “... But I’m not ordering you to follow me for treasure or power. I am requiring you to obey me without question because it is the right thing to do for all living spirit beings in this iteration. Including that unexpectedly delightful daughter of yours…Perhaps especially for her.”
Josh did a double-take.
Placed on every syllable of Gaia’s last words were the unmistakable Karmic chimes of cosmic completeness Josh and Sen had heard at least three times before when the brown stuff was about to hit the fan. The unfathomable universal force that, for some reason, had backed him and Sen on numerous occasions in the past, was in agreement with Gaia’s edicts. He and Sen had no chance but to do what she was asking of them as Karma was demanding it. The both knew that obedience of Karma’s wishes was mandatory if they wanted to continue on the fast track of growth they were currently on that led Josh back to Sophie.
Gaia finished what she was saying and lingered for a moment as she stared directly into Josh’s eyes. He realized that her words, her demeanor, and the entire situation bore such an intensity that he had absolutely no doubt she was being completely honest in what she was saying, Karmic agreement or no Karmic agreement. He and Sen were no longer only talking with the gentle mannered Mother of Earth who had given him and Sen the respite of home, hearth, and safety. Feeding, clothing and even straightening out their chlamys on the first night they had been cultivators, so long ago. No. The curtain had been pulled back and behind Gaia’s nurturing exterior was the eternal force that drove one of the most powerful beings in the universe. This short statured, slim-framed woman of timeless elegance and familiar comforts was more than just the friend who had helped them in a time of need. Presently, her words, tone, and demeanor carried a regal legitimacy that Josh couldn’t refute or deny. They were standing in the presence of a queen. Maybe the Queen of Queens.
Josh dry swallowed past a lump that had freshly formed in his throat during the sudden detour across the municipal lines of Serious City. Only partially surprising to him, his eyes were wide in acceptance with everything that Gaia had just said and what Karama was demanding of them. Whatever that was, it would bring them that much closer to Sophie that much faster. Knowing this to be true, he and Sen were down… The would succeed, or kill them both flat out. Regardless of which, they were going down this road.
There was no way he would back out of this even if the Mother of the Universe, her spiritual Enforcer. and the six Titan children standing all around them were willing and able to give him and Sen a pass on this Tavl thing– Which they aren’t! Josh needlessly pointed out to himself.
Josh had no doubt that Sen would back his play. But he deserved to vocally weigh in on Josh’s decision to throw them into the grinder— again. Josh glanced furtively under his brows at Sen. ~Did you hear the chimes~
Sen made a fractional nod of his head that was barely perceivable ~Yes, I feel the pull of our Karmic ties. We have to do this. But beyond that, I believe her, brother. Despite not sharing the details with us, she is telling us the truth.~
~Ya…You’re right Sen. I believe her too– Don’t get me wrong! We are still being thrown directly under the bus…But I agree, the only way out of this is through.~
Apparently seeing the expressions of acceptance on their faces, an impish smile appeared on Gaia’s lips and she was once again the sweet natured Matron of all. She continued as if everything that was about to happen was in their best interest. “...When there’s more time I’ll have to explain the intricacies of Tavl and its historical meaning for us Star Children and the Iteration as a whole.” She winked at Josh. “Despite your first experience being so…umm… up close and personal, I’m certain that analytical mind of yours will love the nitty gritty details.”
A flash of what Josh could only describe as good natured deviance lit up Gaia’s eyes as she spoke through a smile of curious conspiracy. “... Besides, how terrific is it that we’re all going to get a chance to see how doted on by Karma you both really are. It’s really all the Clone and Intelligence can talk about when you both come up.” Her voice then dropped to a tone of genuine sincerity that flowed through her next words. “... For the sake of everything in this iteration, I’m hoping that you are.”
Then the Mother, or Queen, or Timeless Goddess of Bizarre Family Stories (Josh had to admit he was losing track of a way to keep Gaia’s infinite variety compartmentalized in a single definitional moniker) stretched her arms out near her thighs with her palms facing forward. Her posture genuinely reminded Josh of the pictures of Jesus’ Transfiguration he had seen depicted in stained glass windows in the Chicago archdiocese he had been raised as a boy. Before Josh could dwell overly long on this remembrance, a growing oval sphere of intense white light rapidly formed over Gaia’s core and quickly swelled to encompass all present. “Το φως του αστεριού να μας ευλογεί όλους.” her voice seemed to intone from the atoms and subatomic matrix all around them. Josh again experienced the feeling of immersion in ancient primal forces he had when they’d arrived. For the briefest of moments a tingling shot through his entire body and he thought he saw all around them the emission of a pulse of golden bioluminescence that traced the outlines of their bodies.
The suddenly quiet moment was broken by the cawing of a distant formation of birds. “Star’s light bless us all.” Gaia spoke with raised brows helpfully translating what she knew would otherwise remain unknown to him and Sen. She then snapped her thin fist shut and everyone was once again moving. By the time Josh had shaken his head back to full awareness, Gaia was walking away conferring over her shoulder with her towering armored Enforcer. The Titans had also once again restarted moving him and Sen in the opposite direction toward the complex of structures outlined in white marble pillars and stretching off into the distance.
Having accepted their fate…whatever Tavl really was, Josh lead Sen and they went along with the program. Not resisting in any way to continue on with the two Titans.