Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The year was 750. The humans were a spec compared to the Gods above. She stood under the black velvet skies with hints of lights staring down from afar. Her eyes strained as she looked specifically at one bright star “What do you see Chow Siu Jei?” the leader of the Wah San clan asked. In his old age, he was still distinguished and well respected by the other clans.
Recently, there was an explosion in the sky that brightened even the darkest remote places of the world. The people scurried to safety even though there was no need for hiding. They were curious to know what was happening and were the Gods angry at them for something they have done terribly wrong? No one knew and they turned to the only person that was well deserved of the name Fortune Teller. She was the daughter of Chow Hoi, a man who built his fortune on telling the futures to noblemen and merchants and at times, the royal family. Maybe it was a punishment from the Gods when he told too many fortunes, he died at a ripe age of fourty. His daughter, Chow Yee was only twenty two. She had surpassed her father’s powers of seeing the future. So much that she would have nightmares every night after he passed away.
As she stood there calculating the time and day at the tip of her fingers, she remembered his last words. He told her to be careful and not to spill more secrets of the future, for the Gods would punish her. She didn’t believe it and refused to live in such fears. If she were to die, she would die her own person. He had told her to follow her heart and she was planning to do just that. A cough in the crowd startled her back to reality as she turned to the tall man looking at her with wondering eyes “The Gods are angry.” She sighed causing stirs and whispers throughout the crowd.
The leader held his hand up to silence his people “Please, explain.” He urged.
Chow Yee stepped towards the upper part of the hill “I cannot say.” Her words secretive yet it was obvious the people were not satisfied.
“That’s not an explanation!” one man yelled.
She turned to them swiftly “The Gods would not let me!” she argued pointing to the sky “They have already given us a warning days ago during a moonless night when the sky exploded with red fire!” she stepped closer to them, her eyes angry “We cannot disobey them.”
“Is the world ending?” a feeble voice from the crowd asked, she could tell it was a girl.
Chow Yee shook her head slowly, eyes drifting away “No. But there will be tough times. Our country will live in poverty and more deaths will occur.”
“Is there any way to stop them?” The clan leader asked. He was a sincere man, only worrying for his pupils and family.
“No. But you can help your karma by doing charity. Maybe when the Gods take you, they will be kind.” She turned to the sky and spotted a shooting star “Be good to others.” She seldom spoke but each time she did, a natural occurrence would happen “I must go.” She turned to the clan leader with a slight bow of the head.
“Where could we find you?” the answers were still hazy and he was even more curious.
Chow Yee shook her head “When it is time, we will meet again.” She did not say goodbye as she walked along the grass trails of the hills. It took her nowhere and she loved the freedom of traveling without an end. Her eyes again, moved up to the sky. Something eerie was happening in the heavens, she could feel it in the core of her bones. Something bad was going to happen.
*************
Azariah pointed into the crystal ball “Ahron! Come quick. She just looked directly at us again!”
He was busy practicing a power when she interrupted him “She does not know, fair lady. The girl is a but a mere mortal.”
“Do you accuse me of lying?” she asked with a straight face, but in truth she was teasing him.
He quickly paused his motioned hands as he stood up to look at her “I do not dare.” He said solemnly.
Her lips maneuvered into a smile at his serious expression “Silly Ahron. I was only teasing.” Her face frowned “But I have a feeling that she is not normal.”
Sighing, he finally pushed himself off the clouded seat and approached her from behind, his eyes tilting as he stared at the girl in the ball “She is a fortune teller.” He said at one glance and quickly returned to his studies.
“How do you know? And what does that mean?” Azariah asked with her chin on the palm of her hand, her elbow resting on her thigh “And why is these crystals called ‘The Quad’? I thought we could only control the current time?”
He smiled at the curious God “The Quad is the name of the four eras. Future, current, A.D. and an undiscovered dimension.”
“Undiscovered?” she asked, her eyes still glued to the crystal balls.
“Time does not end in the mortal realm. It continues to eternity. But it circulates itself, that is why you are able to see the year 750 A.D. even though the current year is 2004. Humans do not know it exists. The fourth ball is a mystery to us all except for the powerful Serefina. No God has yet to learned of its secrets. I assume if anyone does discover the truth, they will be vanished from this world.”
Her eyes widened as she sat upright and waved the balls under the clouds “Why didn’t you warn me?” she asked fearfully “I do not want to be punished after only being anointed for six months!”
Ahron laughed giddily at the screech in her voice “How I adore you!” he flew over to her and swept her into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from losing her balance “Tell me more.” Her smile teasing and her voice singing.
“Must you two do that here?!!” Jeroham scolded as he entered his humble home.
Ahron placed Azariah onto the clouds with ease “It is the safest place in the heaven.” He pointed to the soundproof bubble “And you never explained how you learned that power!” he reminded the God of Life.
Jeroham stammered “I…uh…that…eh…is beside the point!” his arrogance returning as he lifted his chin haughtily.
“Jeroham, dear. You need to live a little.” Azariah teased. She had grown attached to him as well as Cyrus, both great friends of her beloved. Since the day Ahron saved her from Barak, they had an instant connection and were miserable without each other. The secret love affair was only known by four people and all of whom would be tortured and punished if Serefina were to ever discover the truth. Fortunately for them, the Queen adored them and trusted no other Gods. There were countless times Barak tried to frame them but the Queen would only dismiss the rumors.
“I have lived!” Jeroham reminded the naďve God “I was a boring farmer that married a fat and ugly wife who was horrid during pregnancies and we had ten children!!” Ahron and Azariah tried unsuccessfully to stifle their humorous laughs “That is NOT funny!” Jeroham exclaimed.
“What is?” Cyrus appeared behind Jeroham, a hand on his shoulder.
Jeroham jumped a feet after being startled by the unwarned arrival “You Gods are unbelievable!!” he cried.
“Why thank you.” Cyrus bowed politely. He turned to the two laughing love birds “What is the poor lad talking about?”
Azariah bounced her way over to Cyrus with a hand linked through his arms as she led him over to Ahron “We were only speaking of the truth. Don’t you agree that Jeroham does not know how to live happily?”
“Of course!” Cyrus agreed quickly causing the scowl on Jeroham’s face to grow.
“I am not a bore.” Jeroham said in his own defense “It is not a crime to live carefully, I do not want to be punished, that is all.”
Ahron’s smile slowly faded “I am sorry that you have to hide this for us.”
Guilt quickly took over “I didn’t mean that…” Jeroham began “It’s just…I fear for you two. If her highness decides to punish me, I will not fight. But I only worry for you and Azariah. Her majesty is known for her cold heart when a God disobeys her. Look at Ariel, she is a great example.”
Azariah smiled at her good friend “Don’t worry about us, Jeroham. No matter what happens, I will have known that my life was not dull with Ahron to love.” She said boldly. She was courageous by nature and too strong for a female. But that was a good trait that Ahron loved about her. Loved, it was an odd word for him to use but he adored using it and hearing it.
“Azariah is correct. We are not afraid.” Ahron replied with a wide grin.
“Let it be, Jeroham.” Cyrus urged “I have long ago given up trying to convince them otherwise. They are not to be discouraged. Anyways, it is different seeing Ahron being tamed.” A wicked grin grew on his face.
Jeroham nodded slowly “You’re right, Cyrus. He has been calmer.”
Ahron was not offended or felt the need to fight with them “As the humans would say… whatever!” the comment made Azariah chirped with laughter.
Suddenly, their bubble evaporated and the blue clouds began to wither along. The four turned to each other as the watched the home being blown away “Barak.” Azariah whispered.
He stood there with a smirk on his face “Four little rats hiding behind a magical bubble. Hmm, I wonder if Serefina would like to see this.”
“I beg to differ. If we are rats, then there are no existing rodents that could be named for you, a conniving beast amongst this world.” Ahron spat harshly.
But his insults only made Barak laugh louder “Imbeciles!! You are no match for me. Soon, you will grovel at my feet, so you might as well do that now.” He challenged.
“Only in your dreams.” Azariah dared say. She smiled shortly “Actually, we do not sleep therefore even then you could not see it happening.”
Cyrus chuckled “Spited by a female God…tsk, tsk, tsk…Barak, you should be ashamed.”
His face turning red as he nodded at them “I warned you. Once I learn the Power of Nine, you four will be the first to die!!”
Jeroham exchanged glances with the others “How do you know about the Power of Nine?”
“Just because you are the God of Life, does not make you powerful enough to control what the other Gods learn as well as not learn.” Barak placed his hands confidently behind his back “I know you have tampered with the special power to block out Serefina’s powerful hearing.” He looked above his head “This is quite interesting…” Barak said while admiring the bubble. Suddenly, his eyes fired as he waved a hand swiftly bringing down the bubble.
“How did you do that?!” Jeroham demanded.
“Practice.” Barak snickered shortly. His eyes softened as he stared at Azariah with human lust. It made her uncomfortable as she backed away behind Ahron, who in turned glared at Barak “Tomorrow is the Heaven’s day off. Serefina has announced that we are to do whatever we please. I would love to escort to the Garden of Plums, I hear they are heavenly to devour.” Seduction filling his eyes as he tried to lure her in.
“Should I be the one to wake him from the day dream?” Cyrus asked sarcastically.
“Come with me, my lady.” Barak said with his hands sprawled out, beckoning her near. He had long ago practiced the power of love and it seemed to be working with charm as Azariah slowly stepped over and towards Barak “That’s it…” he cooed while Ahron and the other stared in shock. It was the same power he used on Moriya and Ketura to gain their powers.
“Azariah!” Ahron glared at Barak evilly “Release her this instant!”
A crooked smile planted on his lips as he continued to call Azariah with his mind. Jeroham closed his eyes as he said a silent spell, he opened his eyes and a surging blue light streamed towards Barak, who then stumbled back in pain. Azariah was quickly released from the love spell as she shook her head and returned to Ahron’s side. Barak clutched his chest “You will pay for this!”
Jeroham snickered “I shall await.” With that Barak disappeared across the skies, leaving a trail of gray clouds behind.
“Are you alright?” Ahron asked his love with such sincerity.
She shook her head “No…I do not know what happened?” the two turned to Jeroham for an answer.
“He has been practicing the power of love.” He sighed as he stepped over to the two “There will be more curses along the way. If I’m not mistaken, he knows the secrets of the Power of Nine. Made up of only nine of the most powerful Gods in the Heaven Kingdom. Rain, Sun, War, Truth, Love, Power, Life, Hatred and Fortune; all of which can give one God magnificent powers if he is to conquer them all. This power will surpass Serefina and even then no one could stop him.”
“I swore it was a rumor.” Cyrus shook his head in disbelief.
“I wish it were, my friend.” Jeroham was worried “But this power was developed by a God by the name of Lucifer where he is now condemned to hell. Unfortunately, the power still remains and Serefina has no way of destroying it.”
“Who is he?” Azariah has never heard of this story.
“Her father.” Cyrus nodded solemnly “She took over the kingdom after his fall. The rise of the heavens were in her hands. But at that time, the mortal world was nearly destroyed. Ice covered most of the land and it took years for Serefina to bring light and clean air to the world.”
“We must stop him.” Azariah said.
“I’m afraid it is only four of us left.” Jeroham sighed as he circled his palm into the air and showed them through a hazy picture that appeared in mid air “He’s already got five out of nine.” In the scene, they saw Ketura and Moriya being slaved by Barak.
Ahron’s eyes hardened “The scoundrel!”
“Indeed. But we mustn’t be discouraged. He will be stopped, as long as the four of us do not leave each other’s side.” Jeroham turned to Azariah “I know you are comfortable living far from the Heaven’s Palace, but I believe it is for the best if we move the homes near each other and closer to Serefina.”
Azariah quickly agreed, “You are right. I will move this instant.”
“Ahron, go with her.” Cyrus instructed.
“You need not tell me.” Ahron smiled as he ushered Azariah away.