Chapter One : The Prophet Entails

Disclaimer:

Novel written by Char-Charming

All Caricature and Character situations, confrontations and world plotting of places, are all fiction of my wild imagination.

Please refrain from making the mistake of stating in any way shape, or form that my imagination in these chapters refers to real persons, places or situations!

My warning to all new readers is to first take a look at the synopsis, tags and genre of my novel:

(Black Heart)

Before you read!

This novel covers a lot of disturbing imaginative circumstances and if you are in any way triggered or uncomfortable. Just stop reading!

If you choose to read then that is your responsibility.

On a happier note,

I hope you enjoy this tale.

Happy reading!

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Helios, the undying Sun of Sol, bathes the ancient celestial realm of Acaer in its relentless light, filtering through the sheer crystal dome that veils the sacred land from the vastness of the cosmos. Mavis finds solace amidst a sea of flowers, her gaze lost in the delicate dance of luminescence within the meadow, breathing life into the laughter of children as they dart through the grassy expanses and splatter into the crystal-clear lake nearby.

"Oh, to capture the essence of this serenity forever," she muses, her features softening into a smile as the fresh, aromatic air fills her lungs. Her eyes, drawn to a dark-haired boy hidden under an ancient oak tree —witness to the dawn of eons —find a kindred spirit in his solitude. Amidst the gleeful chaos of celestial youth, he seeks refuge in shadows, enraptured by the colossal guardians that tremble the earth at Acaer's borders.Ludachel was engrossed in sketching the towering Hollows that guarded the border of their realm. Each Hollow, standing twenty metres tall, exuded a wise allure and latent power that captivated the young boy's imagination.

As the boy sketched furiously in his worn notebook, the Hollows seemed to stir, their ethereal essence radiating a sense of guardianship over the sacred land of Acaer. The ground beneath them trembled ever so slightly, a testament to the dormant strength that lay within their formidable frames.

Each Hollow bore intricate patterns etched into its shimmering surface, a labyrinth of symbols and sigils that pulsed with an ancient energy. Faint whispers, like the rustling of leaves in the wind, emerge from their forms, hinting at untold secrets and forgotten prophecies that lay dormant within.

The Hollows stood as silent colossals, their presence a reminder of the delicate balance between creation and destruction, light and shadow. They watched over the borderlands with a vigilance born of aeons, their mysterious gaze piercing through the fabric of reality to the unseen realms beyond.

"My son, finding solace in guardians as if they were the finest troupe of entertainers," she whispers to the wind, a gentle reprimand for the boy who should be immersed in his studies.

The boy's hand, paused mid-sketch, betrays his awareness of her gaze. Turning, his eyes—vast and vibrant as nebulas, unlike the golden sclera of his kin—meet hers, widening in alarm. With his textbooks and scrolls scattered around him in a jumbled mess, noting that his attention was far from his studies and that he had thus been caught red-handed.

Mavis smiles, an unspoken conversation flowing between them as she memorises the contours of his face—a mirror of his father's elegance, softened by youth. Her son, Ludachel, tries to mask his unease with a veneer of indifference but fails with a comical expression of guilt, he scrambles to gather his scattered books, attempting to appear nonchalant in the face of impending reprimand.

Mavis couldn't contain her amusement as she watched her son's antics, the corner of her lips tugging into a sly smile. Ludachel, in a rush of guilty energy, frantically sought to hide the evidence of his distraction, casting furtive glances in her direction.

Seizing the opportunity to inject a dash of humour into the moment, Mavis beckoned Ludachel over with a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Ah, Ludachel, what have you been up to now? Come, my dear, let's have a little chat."

Caught off guard and trying to maintain his facade of innocence, Ludachel stumbled over his own feet in his rush to comply with his mother's summons, a look of feigned innocence plastered on his face. As he made his way towards her when a wayward butterfly fluttered past his nose, causing him to sneeze loudly and sending his carefully arranged papers flying into the air in a chaotic whirlwind.

Mavis couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter at the sight of her son's amusing predicament, the tension of the moment dissolving into a lighthearted exchange between a mischievous mother and her clever son.

His cheeks were aflame with effort and embarrassment alike as he picked up his belongings. Upon reaching her, his words bristle with mock indignation, "Escaped your duties again for flower sniffing, Mother, or just to pester me?"

Ignoring his tone, she stands, affectionately berating him with a flick to his forehead. "Impudent child, even in the presence of a deity, and I'm not the one that claims to hear the whispers that hollows speak when he should be engrossed in his studies." she teases, her grin betraying no hint of offence.

Ludachel's retort is cut short by

Admeris as he materialised amidst the tranquil meadow, his entrance disrupted the serenity like a thunderclap in a clear sky. The vibrant colours of the flowers seemed to dim in deference to his arrival, the very air vibrating with an unspoken command. His golden eyes, alight with the essence of creation, cast a radiant glow that danced with the shadows cast by the ancient oak trees.

There was a playful gleam in his gaze, a reminder of his eternal youth and mischievous spirit, yet the weight of his presence bore the gravity of his divine lineage. Every movement he made carried the weight of worlds being born and stars being extinguished, a reminder of the delicate balance between chaos and order in the tapestry of existence.

As he approached Mavis and Ludachel, the boundary between mortal and immortal blurred, their familial ties intertwining with the cosmic responsibility that rested on his broad shoulders. The air crackled with latent power, the very essence of creation pulsating in harmony with his every step. At that moment, the meadow was not just a place of beauty and peace but a stage for the dance of gods and mortals, where destinies shifted with the whisper of a word and the touch of his palm on Ludachel's shoulder.

"Respect, little brother," he chides, a playful glint in his gaze, though a simmering tension underscores his words.

Mavis's laughter is short-lived as Admeris's concern pulls her thoughts to weightier matters. The divine trio navigates a dance of wit and wisdom, their exchange a blend of familial ribbing and cosmic duty.

Ushering his mother toward the gates, Admeris insists on a retreat to the capital, his touch on her shoulder a mix of reverence and urgency. Mavis, ever defiant, pushes back, her every breath a testament to her dominion over life, her bond with her sons both her grounding and her greatest challenge.

The concern in Admeris's eyes prompts a softer inquiry from Mavis, her intuition piercing through his guarded exterior. "What turmoil beckons, my son?" The air between them thickens with unspoken fears as they stand on the cusp of revelation, the sacred and the familial intertwining in their shared gaze.

Noting his little brother's curiosity and concern because of Admeris's presence which holds a dual purpose, he subtly conveys to Mavis the urgency of Theron the god of prophecy summoning without alarming Ludachel. His words and demeanour carefully mask the gravity of the situation from the young boy, shielding him from the weight of divine revelations.

Realising the gravity of the situation, Mavis bids Ludachel farewell as she tucks a strand of hair behind his ear, and instructing him to head home before the Helios sets behind the dome and heads towards the gates with Admeris. Concerned is not lost on Ludachel as he watches them leave, pondering the mysteries they failed to conceal.

Reluctantly, Ludachel complies with his mother's instructions, storing away his art pad and scrolls as he reflects on the events that transpired. heading home, his mind buzzes with unanswered questions and a sense of foreboding only to stop in his tracks when he hears a vibration of hollows whisper sending pickles upon his skin at their words aimed solely at him.

"It begins."

As the gates close behind Mavis and Admeris, Ludachel is left to contemplate the unknown future that awaits his family and the words that now plague him.

——— ——— ——— ——— ———

Mavis approached Theron's Temple with a mix of determination and apprehension, her mind weighed down by unresolved mysteries. As she neared the imposing Entrance of Exchange, the significance of its title became clearer to her – within this sacred space, the god Theron offered glimpses into fate itself, but not without a price.

The ancient stones of the temple seemed to whisper long-forgotten prophecies, their messages veiled by time's shroud. An ethereal energy permeated the atmosphere, hinting at unseen forces dancing within the temple's confines, ready to reveal or conceal as they desired. Cryptic inscriptions in unfamiliar tongues adorned the architecture, their meanings obscured by the ebb and flow of ages past. At the heart of it all, the Entrance of Exchange stood as a gateway to the unknown, a portal of light and shadow daring the brave to seek truths beyond.

In this convergence of past, present, and future, Mavis stood on the edge of destiny, poised to navigate the path awaiting her within the temple's hallowed halls. Admeirs, her son, stood before her with concern etched on his features, offering to take her place at the Entrance of Exchange. His hand enveloped hers, a gesture of filial love and unwavering determination. "Mother, let me enter in your stead. I can witness the visions, share the burdens that weigh upon your spirit," he implored, his eyes seeking reassurance.

Mavis regarded Admeirs with a tenderness and firm resolve, her gaze reflecting ancient wisdom and unspoken truths. With a gentle smile, she declined his offer, knowing that the path ahead was hers alone to tread. The ties binding her to this exchange were woven in threads beyond mere vision-sharing. Theron's prophecies required the presence of the one it was meant for.

Perplexed by Theron's conspicuous absence and the nature of the exchange, Admeirs voiced his confusion, brow furrowed in contemplation. "But where is Theron in all of this? Should he not guide us, especially in matters so intertwined with our family? He is your brother, after all."

Mavis placed a reassuring hand on Admeirs' shoulder, saying, "Theron's ways are as intricate as the shifting winds. His physical absence is but one facet of the tests he lays before us. Trust in the process, my son, for even in the shadows of uncertainty, light may yet be found."

As Mavis prepared to approach the shimmering portal, Admeirs nodded, a mix of worry and faith in his eyes. "I will await your return, Mother, with hope as my torch in uncertainty's darkness. May the celestial land guide your path and illuminate the shadows of the unknown."

With a final smile rich with unspoken truths and a timeless bond, Mavis took resolute steps towards the swirling portal, leaving Admeirs to contemplate the whispered echoes of fate lingering as he stepped out of the temple and into the tranquil garden's air.

Upon crossing the portal's threshold, Mavis felt a profound shift in reality's fabric. Time lost its meaning as she was engulfed in a swirling maelstrom of magic, the essence of existence flowing around her. Steadying herself, she dared to address the ethereal void. "I am Mavis, child of Sol, the God of Life. I stand before you to make an exchange," she declared, her voice resonating with clarity defying the chaos surrounding her.

From the portal's depths, a chorus of disembodied voices echoed back at her, twisting into a cacophony of sound. The unsettling words seemed to emanate from within her, sending a shiver down her spine. Undeterred, Mavis presented her offering with a mix of trepidation and resolve. "I offer you my tears, Theron, child of Sol and God of Prophet. Grant me knowledge, and in return, I shall relinquish the release of pain or joy that tears bring. Will you accept this trade?"

The portal surged and pulsed, conveying her plea to Theron himself. In a moment of clarity, the voices pronounced, "Theron accepts your trade," before casting her back into the temple's physical realm.

Mavis found herself standing before her mysterious brother, Theron, in the Room of Stars. The celestial panorama spread out around them, galaxies swirling in a cosmic dance, illuminating the god's features with a glow beyond the world.

"You know, this is the reason why you don't get many visitors." Mavis laughs as she steadies her posture and smooths back her golden locks. "What is this place?"

Their reunion bore a hint of bittersweet humour as Mavis teased and Theron intricately shared the temple's secrets that ever changed.

"Quite the entrance indeed, This here my lovely sister, is the Room of Stars. It's a blueprint print of every Galaxy made and will be made by Admeirs." Theron Elates as he zooms in on a rather large star, giving her space to step into the void to take a closer look.

"I feel the last time I visited centuries ago, this room was just a shrine."

Mavis marvelled.

"The temple shows only what you are allowed to see. I have many rooms in this temple."

He smiles, pulling his sister into a tight hug as she scrunches her nose, trying to pull away from his golden scruff that tickles her cheek. "It's good to see you, Mavis."

Filled with haste and impatience, Mavis delved further into the surrounding mysteries, keen to uncover the truths that brought her to this place. Pulling away and locking eyes with Theron, a sense of urgency gripped her, driving her to demand the revelations she sought, regardless of the cost.

Theron, with a mix of sorrow and resignation, extended his hand to her, offering a glimpse of the visions she had paid dearly to witness. As Mavis grasped his hand, the world dissolved into a tapestry of vivid images and emotions, a chaotic blend of destiny and doom.

Amongst the visions' chaos, a name echoed in Mavis's mind like a haunting refrain, stirring both dread and recognition deep within her soul -

'Ludachel.'