Chapter 1 - Life's Successor
“Get out. Right now!” An awfully cold voice spat, a woman, her voice holding a strange rasp that made my blood freeze.
“W...What is...” I stopped as innumerable swaths of knowledge hit my head unchecked by the wisdom of experience, all coalescing into what felt like a spear jammed through my ear, deep into my skull. A sudden urge to scream was only blocked by my throat being flooded by bile, my stomach seizing as I heaved.
“It’s okay, dear.” The cold voice said, I felt a set of icy fingers pull my hair back gently as I vomited. “It will pass. Everyone has different reactions to creation.”
“T-To creation?” I gasped, trying to assert my will against my rebellious stomach. “You’re Morgaine...”
“Yes. I don’t know your name, sister.”
“My Name?” The pain in my head vanished. What was my name? “I don’t have one.”
“You have the honor of self-naming.”
“Huh.” I thought, the vast library of mortal and divine names right at my fingertips. So many... too many. “Isabella.”
“You’re quite decisive, Isabella.” Morgaine’s voice said from behind me. I turned to face it, met by bright red eyes, pale-white skin, and raven black hair.
“You’re beautiful.” I declared, a sudden outburst from my lips that I would have to impose discipline over.
“You’re the first to think so.” Morgaine’s blood-red lips curved into an unpracticed smile. A smile suddenly distraught by grief. She snapped her fingers, before slinging a black hooded-cloth over me. The warm robes clung tightly to me by my cold hands. “My apologies. I only have reaper garments. And I must reopen my domain.”
“T-Thanks... I didn’t realize I was...”
“That is why when Life dies, the new one is reformed here.” Her lips delicate but rapidly turning to disgruntlement. “If I die, you’ll be brought back to care for my successor.”
“You’re death.”
“And you’re Isabella, Goddess of Life.” Her lips were brought back up to that same smile.
“A gorgeous Goddess of Life, at that.” A new female said. I turned to face the voice, a blonde woman. No. A blonde goddess.
“Constance?” I said, a familiar name on my unfamiliar tongue.
“Sister.” She hugged me tightly. “Have you selected your name yet?”
“Isabella.”
“Aw. How sweet!” Constance’s eyes narrowed as she glared at Morgaine. “You let her name herself without me.”
“It is her choice.” Morgaine replied.
“You must have so many questions.” Constance looked me over.
“Why am I here?”
“I wondered that myself.” Constance scowled at Morgaine.
“No... why am I here?”
“Oh.” Constance’s scowl faded,
“You died.” Morgaine informed me.
“How?”
“I do not know.”
“Who was I before?”
“You don’t know?” Constance asked, her eyes widening.
“No...”
“Palona. Middle Sister.” Constance answered, before grinning. “Now you’re the youngest.”
“We should keep her here for now.” Morgaine said. “She isn’t safe on High.”
“It won’t be our choice. She’s a council woman.”
“Council?”
“Yes, the Council of Greater Gods?”
“Are you both on it?” I asked,
“I am, she is not.” Constance noted
“Why not?’
“She’s classified as one of the six supreme deities.”
“D-Didn’t my predecessor make mankind?”
“Yes.” Morgaine nodded.
“You’ve got lots to learn. So glad our plague problem is over, though.” Constance looked at Morgaine.
“Palona!” A male appeared. I knew him… I think?
“Kane.” Constance informed me. He started towards me.
“Palona, oh my goodness you are alive, and you look…”
“She is not Palona.” Morgaine blocked him with her scythe. “You will do well not to lay a finger on her unless she permits it.”
“She is my wife.” Kane snarled.
“No, Palona was.” Morgaine shot him a cold look.
“Palona… Please tell her.”
“I am Isabella, not Palona.” I declared, Kane’s face fell. “Now stop, water god.”
“You… you bi…”
“Back off Kane.” A voice growled. It was an intense and calculated calm.
“Make me… Oh; Hey Rowie.” Kane’s expression turning more jovial.
“My lady, I was ordered to bring you to On High.” The man said.
“You’re Rowan, God of War, right?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“I am Isabella, not my lady.”
“Sorry, Isabella.” Rowan bowed his head, his voice a stoic breeze. “Our father is insistent.”
“Uo?’
“No, Father…” Constance paused. “Who is Uo?”
“What is father’s name?”
“Gwaz.” Constance murmured.
“Just call him Father.” Kane murmured.
“O-Okay.” I grumbled. “Gwaz, the god of Order?”
“Yes.” Morgaine nodded
“Who is going to be there?” I asked,
“Just father.” Rowan replied,
“Not even you?’
“No.” Rowan shook his head,
“I’ll wait for you outside,” Constance said.
“Shall we go?” Rowan asked,
“Yes, let’s go.”
