The Curse of Immortality

Chapter 31

The days dragged by while the remaining Gods prepared for the fight. No one was quite aware of who they were facing. The most powerful God the Heavens has ever created. Moriya and Ketura worked on the truth/love potion where they planned to lure Gidoni and Salai away from Lucifer’s grasp.

Jeroham assisted them in locating their shelter on earth. On the final day of waiting, he handed the girls each a potion “If you find yourself in danger and no way out, drink this and it will bring you immediately back here.”

Moriya smiled gratefully “Do not worry, we will return without a scratch.”

“Yes.” Ketura chimed in. She quickly noticed the spark between the God of Life and God of Truth “Shall I leave you both alone?”

Shying away, he quickly declined “Of course not. We must not waste anymore time. Be careful.” He said to Moriya and Ketura cleared her throat making Jeroham hastily add “As the same for you Ketura.”

“Thank you, kind God of Life.” She grinned at her long time friend “It appears though the God of Truth cannot tear herself away from you.”

“It is not the time for teasing, Ketura.” Moriya scolded lightly. She nodded at Jeroham “Thank you for your concern. We shall return shortly.” Pulling her short friend along, they flew off towards the Crystal Ring where they entered the mortal realm. The female Gods were prepared for any situation. The worst that could happen was that they would be discovered by Lucifer. He did not need two more powers to add to his collection.

In the heavens, the Gods practiced their magic and powers for preparation. Ahron and Azariah were in a distant away from the chaotic Heavens “The people are suffering.” Azariah felt the pain and pressures tugging at her heart.

“For now.” Ahron sighed, “If we do not defeat Lucifer, there will be no mortals to dwell on earth. It is the least of our worries now.”

“Do you believe the plan will be executed properly?” she wondered, her eyes distant.

He shook his head “I do not know, my love. We can only hope. Has Moriya and Ketura began their journey yet?”

Azariah closed her eyes “They have.”

“How do you know?” he smiled curiously at her.

The God of Sun grinned, “You can thank Chou Yee. Apparently her powers are stronger than she thought. I only need to close my eyes and I can see the earth and anyone that I request to see. A combined power.”

Ahron placed a ready hand out to her as she took it and he gently pulled her into his chest. A soft hand stroked her long mane while she closed her eyes “Will you tell me when they return?” she did not answer, instead he felt her head nodding against his chest.

**************

Hours passed but the couple remained locked in each other’s arms “Are you scared?” Ahron asked, breaking the long silence.

Azariah shook her head “No. We all have faced death once. The second time should be easier.”

He laughed, even at a time like that she was still able to make him crack a smile “You are right.”

“They are back!” she said suddenly breaking away from his grasp “Come.” Taking his hand, they flew back to the castle where the Gods had piled inside to greet Moriya and Ketura where they returned with the God of Hatred and God of Power, weak beyond imagination.

“Your Highness, they are deteriorating.” Moriya acknowledged as she set Salai onto the clouds.

“Is it too late?” Cyrus asked, “Their powers appear to be dissolved.”

Serefina approached the two Gods “Jeroham, come.” She beckoned. The God of Life stepped closer until he saw the shade of green in their eyes.

“They have been subdued.” His quick perception in good use.

“Is there any way to save them?” Ketura asked.

“My power.” Serefina sighed.

“But you will lose your youth and strength! No, we mustn’t take the chance.” Jeroham exclaimed.

The Queen was determined “We have no choice. Bring them here!” she commanded and flew back to the thrown. Jeroham knew there was no talking her out of it, instead he lifted both hands to levitate the Gods and pushed them towards her. Serefina lifted one hand to stop them from running into her. Mumbling a few words, she turned them to a vertical stance and the palm of her hand extracted blue light splitting directly into the two Gods.

The group waited patiently while Serefina used her powers to recover Salai and Gidoni. Ahron turned to Azariah who looked unsettled “What is it?”

“He is coming.” She could feel Lucifer’s presence getting stronger with each second passing.

“He is early.” Ahron commented.

Jeroham over heard as he turned to the two with a shaking head “No, he is on time.” He flew towards the door and turned to the group “Do not exit no matter what you hear.”

“Jeroham!!” Cyrus cried at the same Ahron flew towards the closing door. The two turned to each other and prepared to break down the door.

“No!” Serefina stopped them. Her eyes closed “Jeroham will not be harmed.”

Moriya let out a sigh of relief “What shall we do now?”

“I need a few more minutes.” Serefina replied.

Azariah returned to Ahron’s side “She is weakening. We must do something.”

He nodded in agreement “Come.” He waved to the Gods. Lifting a hand towards Gidoni and Salai, he extracted the gray light and slowly the other Gods followed along until the room filled with rainbow light shooting from the palm of their hands.

With their help, the two Gods woke up from the trance within seconds and Serefina was relieved from losing all her powers. When the colors disappeared, a few Gods gasped after seeing Serefina’s white hair. Her legs grew limp and she fell into the clouds tiredly “Your Highness!!” Azariah cried when she noticed the Queen falling. The Gods raced over to help her.

Before they had a chance to revive their Queen, the doors burst open with Jeroham’s body used as a door opener “Jeroham!” Moriya cried as she rushed back to help him up. He was internally injured.

“We must move away!” he instructed while allowing her to help him to his feet. They stumbled over to where Serefina and the rest stood.

Lucifer in Barak’s body was relentless as he moved the Gods away with ease at a wave of a hand. When he succeeded in moving the majority away, he was faced with the group that he wanted demolished “The Power of Nine…” he growled followed by an evil laugh.

Ahron turned to him with anger “Do you mean the Power of Ten?”

“Ahh…yes…the Power of Ten. Jeroham, that was a smart addition. Putting the last power into a human so I would not be able to find her? It’s a shame she is dead. I wanted to take her power too but it occurred to me, the Power of Nine is much more powerful. After all I created it.” His voice dripped of sarcasm.

“I am not dead.” Azariah spoke up as she stood up and stepped closer to Lucifer “Thanks to the Queen, I was saved as well as the Fortune Teller’s body. The Power was etched in her body, not soul.”

“Why must you defy me?!!” he growled at Serefina, who was coming to. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed “You have aged.”

“Father…” Serefina whispered, “It is never too late to turn back.”

He snickered with a turned head “You are wrong. It has been centuries too late when you condemned the only God that created you to eternal hell. But you are forgetting, it was I that created the Power of Nine. I can and will destroy the Gods in Heaven.”

“Barak is innocent, please…leave his body.” The Queen begged.

Lucifer was thoughtful for a few seconds and he casually nodded “Very well, I do enjoy my body much better.” Closing his eyes, he lifted his soul out of Barak making him topple to the ground. Using his powers, he pushed Barak flying into the group. Ketura yelped out, startled by the flying body.

Ahron stepped up with a hand raised as he stopped Barak from cascading into them. Lowering his hand, Barak was safely on the ground “Is that any way to treat a helpless God?” he mocked.

Lucifer’s handsome smile emerged “Ahron, I have waited for centuries to meet you. My daughter has taught you well. It’s a shame Jeroham has not caught up to your level.”

“He is beyond me.” Ahron stood up for his friend “If you are trying to turn us against one another, I beg you to stop. It will not work.”

The red eyed God growled with laughter “You are on to me.” He nodded like a mad man on drugs. His eyes landed on Serefina “Tell me, faithful daughter, why did you make up that ridiculous test of greed, loyalty, lust and courage? To distract me? You forget that I know everything. I was once the King of Heavens, after all.” He said egotistically.

“Distraction, yes. And it worked. You were too busy trying to retrieve the Power of Nine that you did not figure out the Power of Ten until Ahron’s third test. By that time, our plan was well under way.” The queen had regained her strength to stand on her own. She was able to walk towards her once father “You see, I knew we could not defeat you, even with the Power of Nine. I was too afraid that history would repeat itself that I did not realize the only way to defeat you was to have it all happen again.”

Jeroham nodded in agreement “You were angry with her highness when she snuck down to earth without permission and in the end fell in love with a male. You could not accept the fact that the only person you created had their own feelings and defied your every rule. You were the God of Vengeance. Am I correct?” he asked.

“I knew I should have destroyed you while I could!” he barked with anger. Lifting a hand, he pointed it at Jeroham who in turned raised two hands to block the power surging from Lucifer’s hands.

“Stop him!” Serefina pointed.

“Barak…” Ahron reminded her.

“I will save him.” she reacted quickly at the same time retrieving the unconscious Barak towards the thrown where she began her healing powers.

The eight worked together as they pushed their powers on the great Lucifer, trying hard to bring him down. They somersaulted and flew around him to change directions each time Lucifer was able to push off a God with his powers. Jeroham took the lead as he crossed around to Lucifer’s back “Surround him!” at his command, the Gods jumped to their locations until they created a circle around Lucifer.

“The Power of Nine…” he snorted “IT is nothing without me!”

Barak was awakening from his long sleep and the first person he saw was Serefina “Your Highness! What are you doing?” he asked, startled to see the Queen looking old and fragile.

“Do not speak.” Her voice croaky as she continued to give him all her powers. A minute was like an eternity as she concentrated on the last ounce of power to stop after Barak was fully cured “There is no time…you must…help them…” she was having a hard time speaking and breathing. A wrinkled finger pointed to the battle unfolding, he nodded in response and quickly rushed off to join the others.

“Barak!” Gidoni and Salai called after their ally “You are back!”

“And ready to fight.” He stepped closer to complete the circle “You have taken over my body for too long.”

Lucifer smiled “It should be your pleasure to have been chosen by the King of Gods.”

“Spare me the details!” he barked angrily “Prepare to die!” his arm raise slowly. As if on cue, the rest did the same as they pointed to Lucifer.

The God stood his ground while thunderous clouds surrounded them, disagreeing to the battle. Ahron turned to check on his love when he caught her dazing off “Azariah, you must not think of the humans!” he warned.

“I cannot help it.” She shook her head, her eyes tearful “I can feel their pain.”

“And pain it is…” Lucifer worked on the soft hearted God of Sun “Do you feel it? The children crying…” His voice hypnotic as it began to work on Azariah.

“No!” Ahron barked but she was weakening “Azariah, we need you!” he cried in pain when they lost a power and was pushed back by Lucifer.

She shook her head “No…that is what he wants.” She turned to her team “Drop your hands this instant! He is soaking up your powers!!” she warned.

Ahron was the first to pull away and then Cyrus and Jeroham. The rest followed while Lucifer glared dangerously at Azariah “You are not as naïve as you appear.” He pushed past them as he flew over to Serefina and picked her up in his arms.

“Where are you taking her?” Jeroham demanded as they stood together to block his exit.

“She was my creation and will always belong to me.” He replied solemnly.

Ahron was suspicious by his sudden care “Let her go.” He stepped closer to the God daringly.

Lucifer’s eyes reddened “Move away.”

The God of Rain took a wild guess as he pointed his power at Serefina but it was Lucifer that blocked the power “Ahron!” Barak cried in shock “What are you doing?”

“He will not let anyone harm her!” Ahron replied to the group at his discovery “We have to attack the Queen!” Lucifer widened his eyes, stunned that Ahron had figured it out “She is the key to his existence.” Ahron spun back to the evil God “If she dies, you die.”

“Congratulations, you have uncovered the mystery.” Lucifer said with sarcasm. Without further notice, he swiftly flew off and out of the blue cloud castle.

“Do not let him escape!!” Ahron commanded the remainder of the Gods. The door immediately closed as they surrounded Lucifer. The Nine Gods flew into the inner circle, raising their hands in unison, their powers aimed at Serefina.

Lucifer began to wave away each power while trying still to hold onto his daughter. He knew it was a battle he would lose if he did not move her away. The minute he elevated her body, Jeroham used his powers to beckon the Queen. She teleported with ease at his request “Your highness!”

“Kill me now…the Power of Nine.” she murmured in a state of unconsciousness.

“No!” he shook his head vehemently.

“Jeroham, you must…it is the only way. You have known this for a long time. It is time for you to face the truth.” She whispered.

Tears in his eyes as he knew she was right. But how were they to destroy their Queen, their mother? Saddened, he turned to his fellow Gods “The Power of Nine!!” he cried and they quickly circled around Serefina. Jeroham set her on the cloud gently while retrieving into the circle.

“NO!!!” Lucifer growled as he attacked them but the Power of Nine was more powerful when they were not fighting off Lucifer. He was thrown back by the invisible bubble.

The group knelt down and bowed one last time at their Queen before raising their hands “I’m sorry…” Azariah whispered with dripping tears.

Serefina smiled contently as the powers slowly demolished her body. Ahron closed his eyes, unable to watch as the Queen was destroyed by their hands “Your Highness, please forgive us.”

With each second passing that Serefina was dying, Lucifer too was in pain. Groaning while grasping his head, which was aching like a pounding headache “STOP!!!” he cried painfully “NO!!…” he raised his hands to stop them but quickly retrieved it due to the rising pain in his head and body.

Within minutes, the Queen was no more. Her spirit disappeared into the clouds, not a sign was left of her. The nine Gods turned to each other tearfully and then back at Lucifer “Eternal hell is not your punishment.” Ahron said darkly “You will suffer like a human, the pain of losing your only daughter.” The curse began to eat him alive as his skin began smoking and melting slowly into the clouds. The odor was unbearable as the younger Gods opened the doors to let the smell escape.

“She is really gone?” Moriya asked feebly.

“I’m afraid so.” Jeroham sighed.

Cyrus looked around at the damage the Kingdom has just received “Who will rule us now?”

Suddenly, the sky opened up to a brighter blue where Serefina’s silhouette flew into the air and turned to them with a warm smile “My dear Gods. It is not the end, rather it is the beginning of a new Heaven. Lucifer has been vanished and the Power of Nine is controlled for good instead of evil. I have long ago known my conclusion. Jeroham, thank you for your wisdom and help throughout these centuries. Ahron and Azariah, please step up.”

The two Gods exchanged glances but reach for each other hands and approached Serefina’s floating figure “Your Highness.” Ahron nodded with respect.

“The God of Rain and Sun goes hand in hand. Without rain, the sun will not appear. Ahron is quick at perceptions and Azariah, your love for the people is beyond a mother. The future of the Heavens remains in your hands. For years I drowned myself with rules and thought by developing the Forbidden rule of Love, the Heavens would be a calmer place to live. But I have forgotten that the strongest power to a human is love, we were all humans once and by leaving out love, we are forgetting our roots. Without a beginning there will be no ending. So from this day forth, I leave the heavens in your hands. Every Queen has a King, remember love is the key.” Her final words ended with a swift wind hollowing away the silhouette.

Ahron turned to Azariah with a content smile “What do you think, Jeroham…” as he said it and turned to the Gods. His eyes widened as the witnessed the wave of Gods who all kneeled down at their new rulers.

“Your Majesties!” the group said in unison.

“I suppose that is a good thing?” Azariah smiled “Please, there is no need for customs.” She raised them up with a wave of a hand.

“I could get use to this.” Ahron teased the group.

‘…The world was once again safe in the hands of the new King and Queen of the Heavens. Rules were broken and new laws were formed. All of which had to be agreed by the Nine Gods. They became Ahron and Azariah’s trusty nobles and controlled all the new Gods. The mortal world was once again a safe place to live and all the humans had long ago forgotten the day the Heavens erupted in thunderous rain and dark skies would not go away. Azariah continued to look through the crystal balls. Ahron had to change his playful ways and began to work hard at ruling. But together, they made the perfect team. Proudly respected and honored for all the work they did. Heaven’s history books were filled with stories of their accomplishments.’ Jeroham lowered his finger, he had finally finished the first Book of Gods.

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