Teng P.O.V.
Master had prepared a lamb, salmon and a Zurian wine I had never seen before for the continuation of our little talk. Once more our interaction at the table restarted.
“When creation began before the worlds, the gods created us and we were one. An each grew as each could. The beauty and complexity of individuality inside a realm of dreams where everything was possible. All but one thing, there was no death. And the light, the Great Light was happy for He was not alone anymore. In time, ranks were formed, a hierarchy established and for a while it was good.”
Salmon, lamb and bread were eaten with the wine.
“As the eons passed things became entrenched. The growth of the creations continued at their known pace, the strong got stronger, the wise got wiser. The ones that were below them began working in cliques and groups, and at some point their efforts bore fruit. The strong ones saw their brothers and did the same. Creation working together to better themselves endlessly.”
I kept listening while eating. It was a long exposition, a little tiresome.
‘There are no short answers for the great questions Teng, you just want an easy way.’
Ikrei’s typical criticisms of the ways of Zur came back as I ate. I did wonder from time to time how burdensome the Andurin elders were to him.
“The ones at the pinnacle of growth had become leaders and one of them expressed what was in the hearts of many of his fellow supreme beings. If we continue growing, we can be gods! We can create realms, places, creatures. We can create life! Many of the would be future gods also agreed. Many of the superior beings also disagreed, we have everything here, eternal learning and joy under the Light! As you can tell Teng, as things went along, sides were created and the eternal conflict was born. Trillions upon trillions of beings brought forth dissension and restlessness into the serene rest of the Great Light.”
She ate the salmon with some bread and wine. The lamb was cut evenly and dipped in the wine before we ate it. She was giving me time to take things in.
“Quite a story master. Creation fell or something?”
“The one great mystery is the creation of the One, the Great Light. Before He was, darkness was, the Void. The birth of the Great Light brought the knowledge of creation. Whether the Void learned how to create I know not. The Void also has children. For the Void is also conscious, it is not just some random energy that’s floating around. But yes, the desire to be their own rulers and own gods caused it, creation was corrupted in one way or another. It’s not like I don’t understand them, a realm where there is no death, there is effort but no suffering. We all start wanting more, forever wanting more. Humans sacrifice plenty for far less.”
Master began acting out characters before me, an expressive outburst, just like a play in the theater.
“Why must things be as they are? Why can’t it be different?”
“We can search more knowledge and answers together!” “There is no need to do this!”
“This isn’t liberty, we are trapped!” “We are just playthings of and for the creator!”
“The first ever gathering of the great supreme beings came before the Great Light. And from this one event, the decision to create all realities and all worlds was made. The test.”
I clapped a little. It was a wild tale but not any wilder than magic and flying wyvern. I drank a little more.
“Let me get this straight master Alzra, are you saying we chose to descend into the worlds from our heavenly home and be tested?”
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Master’s cup rebounded on the table several times. She was smiling at me while accenting. And the petal of desire she had referred to previously wanted a touch. I slapped my own face just as hard as Ikrei’s counters.
“Many lives, many tries, eternal life is a high reward that requires a high price. But the real pearl of great price is the knowledge of the birth of The One. Thus, many decided to descend unto the worlds. Now my Ishun, let’s discuss how Zur does things for the ones that seek Him.”
“What?!?”
“Who is worthy of a crown? Fit to rule in the name of Zur? Only those that do not care for the power can have it, for they will never abuse it. Creation is the board; life is the teacher. The end lesson is given for us wayward sons. This is the test; the reason everything is so hard.”
“The people would rather follow other faiths or do something else. Your words are harder, Rohai.”
“The day will come when Zur puts all gods and all worlds under His foot.”
I drank, I drank a lot. I had so much that the wine ran out.
“The heavenly realm was filled with men? You have got to be joking!” I had to clear at least one doubt.
“Gods can be anything but yes, females are a creation for the material worlds. Females test males, women are a test, a great test. A test we give ourselves as many become women. You do not marry or are you given in marriage in the heavenly courts. Again, the Angaros descended upon Ladnahlayr. You know them as angels, fallen angels in this case. God’s scary isn’t He?”
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“What once was, will be again. For there is nothing new under the sun.”
I quoted King Erel’s words to my master. I had enough to ponder over for many days.
“Yes, many worlds give you many choices and yet many things repeat themselves across worlds.”
‘All the suffering and toil is something of our own making in the end?’
I wanted to ask about good and evil and the inner workings on the subject but master’s eyes told me that my curiosity was a conversation for another day. She wanted to teach on how to commune with Zur, my training was the most important matter.
“That smile of yours is going to kill me master.”
“A treasure that cannot be had, temptation. Where there is a great light there is also a great shadow.”
The great almost angarian smile appeared for the seventh time. My training had already begun. My heart was a mess but I knew that if I could endure my master’s presence, everything was going to be fine.
“We’ll go over the sixth, eleventh and twelfth commandments, Teng. I assume the others are clear. Recite them for me.”
“You shall not kill.” Master made a stop sign.
“Wrong, you shall not murder. Study your Zurian with care, my boy.”
“We don’t tolerate whores nor fornicators among us. Nor wizards, nor warlocks nor witches, they all must die. Continue.”
“You shall not envy your brother in your heart.”
“You have heard it said that the love of money is the root of evil, have you not?”
“Yes master, it is a popular saying around the moads.”
“Incomplete and incorrect, the root of all evil is desire and envy. Magic words have power. Don’t use that word too often, the word money comes from the word moon, the eternal moon, Malgrun. Say Ucra from now on. Once a follower of Zur killed another because one found favor while the other did not. Riches are just the means towards the ends. To put it simply, one man’s win is another one’s frenzy.”
‘Master is amazing. Ever since her blessing through the oath, every talk is like this.’
Another motion of her hand and drinks came.
“You shall not come before your Lord Zur unclean.”
“Do you think the last commandment has anything to do with submersion under running waters or clean clothes?”
“No master, they are all just representations of a pure soul.”
“Good, my Ishun. If you have a problem and have wronged the people, do acts worthy of repentance. Make peace with your brothers as the law dictates. Clean your spots, for prayers are incense before the Lord. A Zurian must be clean, the Lord does not appreciate putrefaction. Actions must be the reflections of the heart. Do as you say, say as you do. Be wise with your words. This is the Zurian way.”
“Master, other faiths say that our God is a crazy butcher with an attitude.”
“There are reasons as to why certain tribes have been targeted for complete destruction. They all have to do with the Angaros, they just don’t want to accept that. However, they do have a point. There are creatures that their whole purpose is centered around eating humans. Others cry to the heavens not understanding why their children suffer under circumstances beyond their control.”
We drank even more wine.
“Many lives, many tries. We all carry the cumulative effect of all of our choices. Zur calls for all but only receives those who are willing. Should a mass murderer be easily forgiven? What about an unborn child that dies? There are answers for all these questions my boy and you will know them. But above all remember this, the commandments are there for you to show your love for Him. In return, He will answer if what you want is the truth not comfort and riches. The other rules and writings are there to tell you how to live, how to repent and how to navigate this world without having it swallow you whole.”
Master stood up, teaching was over.
“A man can become immortal but man can never become a god unless it is given. Ask the great cultivators that have reached the highest level in their paths. But in time, throughout the worlds the divine order will be twisted as it has been before. And then, the end will come.”
She went away into her room, not before a final word.
“Clean up here my boy. Ready all your supplies for a trip, a long trip. We need to leave Orlum for your training. Knock on my door when you are done.”
I went around doing all the chores. My mind was going over every single word from my master. I had some answers and I had new questions. The master and disciple dance, I was glad that my master wasn’t just anyone but a Great Rohai, my great teacher, of the Zurian kingdom.
It took me several hours to have all things prepared and placed into artifact pouches and rings. I washed and had my traveling gear on that included armor, blades, sword, daggers and a handy special haversack.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
The door swung open and there stood my master with a purple cloak with sigils. We couldn’t travel wearing our official cloths of the Dodekors for non-official related matters. Her runic tattoos were visible on her neck. She was wearing an artifact necklace.
Zurian Law forbids tattoos of any kind. The ones on my master were placed by the blessing. A mark for all Zurians indicating that she was a set apart being under the wings of the Almighty. Zurian men are prohibited from marrying women with these symbols. Yet these symbols are an irresistible calling card for all other men.
‘Great Zur, thank you for my Rohai. I will not let anyone defile you, master!!’
“Well thank you my Ishun, I will take you up on that when you are powerful enough.”
I was glowing like the Temple lights. I had forgotten that master could enter my mind with ease. A grandmaster soul healer and fighter trained under the guidance of the King himself.
A man forgets many things when standing before true beauty.
‘A jewel among jewels. A blessed awakened virgin blood of Zur.’
And it also was the dawn of love in my little heart.
“Worry not, do well and your wife will not be too shabby.”
We headed out towards the garden.
“Say master, what about those who never hear the word of Zur?”
“God will find those that must be found. The elect are those who find his true teachings and they are not many. This is the way it has always been and it will continue to be until the end of time.”
We walked up to the middle of the feast of aromas and energy. I had trained in the garden for many days learning the subtleties of flow control. I had produced a kinetic blast that didn’t destroy the flowers only once. I was praised for it and then spent three days fixing everything.
“I hope you have learned something.” My master’s colored eyes were shining.
She stretched out a hand and I grabbed it.
“I feel like you are talking to somebody else master?”
“Sorcery, esoteric, craftsman, royal, emblem, trans-human.”
I couldn’t make sense of my master’s words.
“Let me show you the true path of Zur, Elohai. What do we say about pearls Teng?”
“Never place pearls before swine least they turn and tear you apart.”
“For light is conscious acceptance while darkness is subconscious manipulation, my successor.”
The angelic smile merged with a gust of wind and we were sucked in.
Dodekor Rohai Alzra and Ishun Teng were no more as the petals I cared for dispersed everywhere.
