Arc 1 – Paradisus Immaculatus
The air wrapped around her, thrusting itself deep into any openings it could find. She gasped, scrambling out of the mud and to her knees. The woman scanned her surroundings. Beside her, a man also stirs, rising from a similar, mirey pool. Presiding before them, a brilliant four-pointed star pulses and glimmers.
“Go, you two, baptize yourselves in that spring and wash away the mud.” Somehow, they understand the sounds the star makes.
A flare erupts from the star, pointing to a secluded pool that rests at the base of a small cliff. Water cascades from a ledge at the apex of the wall. Trees and shrubbery form a veil from most ground-level angles.
As the water rinsed them clean, it revealed her soft, milky form and his swarthier, sharper figure. Her throat shrank with every glimpse she stole. As time passed, she couldn’t help but notice his long, shameless stares. Looking down, she found the gentle curves of her body beautiful beyond words—an artisan’s masterpiece. Her healthy breasts parted her wet, scaldingly colored hair. Gleaming reds, magentas and lavenders: wavy lines trace the surface of her chest. Further beneath her, she found her reflection, and it mesmerized her. She studied the shapes of her little nose, round jaw and innocent, slightly down-turned eyes. Her irises blaze with a soft glow, comparable to her hair.
Splash! She’d become so absorbed as she stooped that she toppled facefirst into the water. Two large hands interlock around her waist and fish her up. She coughs as the man carries her to the edge of the basin.
“T-thanks. I don’t know how, but I know my name is Lilith. I’m like you... but not.” She takes a shaky breath. “I want to—there’s still dirt on your back. Let me help you with that to show my appreciation.”
She felt a strange way while investigating his body, but not the same as with her own. He repaid the touches she snuck in kind. If she places her hand on his, her fingers just barely reach where his jut from his palm. The attention and affection dizzied her mind, sending her heart racing. She could get used to being worshiped by this man. She could get used to being worshiped.
When they return from their bath, the star addresses them again. “You are my finest creations, man and woa. All of this is for you: the scurrying creatures are your friends to care for, the land is your home, and the fruit of the trees and bushes are your food. You are to be equal, perfect partners for each other. Lilith, support, temper, respect and humble yourself to this man, and in turn, he should humble himself to protect, provide for and treasure you. Neither of you will want for anything.”
Those last few sentences give Lilith pause. Sure, the man is the second most beautiful thing she’s seen, but she’s more beautiful. Why else would he stare at her so much more? Plus, her tastes agreed; therefore, she’s objectively more beautiful. Why should she assist him or humble herself? She figures she’s smarter than him, too. He speaks fewer words; surely he thinks fewer thoughts. Surely, she could have righted herself in the spring without him. That was an empty gesture.
The star continues, “I believe you have already seen him seek to protect you, Lilith. You each have strengths and weaknesses, but together you will be strong and happy. Give all your effort to each other. Now, I’m going to step away for a bit and allow you some privacy to become more familiar. By the way, the glowing beasts and fantastical creatures you might see are servants to me and you, by extension.” The star collapses in upon itself, vanishing into a dot.
The man takes off running, clambering up a tree and plucking some hard balls from the branches. He turns one over in his hands before giving it a quick bite to no avail. He squeezes two of the spheres together in annoyance, and the shells crack. Inside, the two find wrinkly ovals split in two. He bites into one and, when he verifies it’s soft and savory, hands her the other half. They feast a while longer before picking up where they left off in the bath.
Their lips eventually meet, filling them with a desire to close the remaining distance and connect in an even deeper way. Yet, her objections to her role bubble up and douse her flames of passion. She pulls away, wrapping her arms around herself. He caresses her, and she likes it, resenting that she can’t help this uncomfortable fact.
“No. Stop,” she says.
