The Council's Conclusion

*Back in the council chamber.*

Head Priestess Meera returns to her normal state and addresses everyone again.

"My prophecy and proclamation are complete. You may all return to how you were." Chief Archon Zariah, Zemyna, Mordecai, and the council members all relax and return to their places at Meera's words.

As Zemyna attempted to process what her mother had said to her, she had a foreboding feeling that she may have brought Elijah into something more dangerous than she originally intended. Zemyna wanted to ask for clarification on her mother's words, but she knew she would not receive any. In that state, the Head Priestess is just a vessel. Even she could not illuminate all the hidden meanings behind her prophecy. And knowing would not really help. So, Zemyna decided to continue believing that her and Elijah would make it through this.

When everyone was settled again, the Head Priestess felt it was about time to adjourn this council meeting. So much had happened and the nine heavens needed to be ready for whatever was coming. Luckily, the more dire parts of her vision still felt afar off.

"Mordecai, come to the floor." The Head Priestess beckoned her eldest son.

He stood at the right hand of Zemyna and bowed. "How may I be of service, Head Priestess?" Mordecai asked.

"Since you were the one who discovered Zemyna and the mortal, your fate is connected to theirs. Guide Zemyna to the Gate of True Ascension. And when the rite has commenced, return to the palace for further instruction." Meera commanded.

"Consider it done, Head Priestess." Mordecai acknowledged his mother's command and waited for her to dismiss them. But before doing so she said one final thing to Zemyna.

"Even with all my powers of prophecy, intuition, and insight I have been unable to discern why you were blessed with such heaven-defying power. I could only trust that your strength had to have been given to you for a reason because everything the Creator does has a purpose. Now, it is becoming clear to me that dark times lie ahead for us all and your actions will be key in deciding if we all see the light again once darkness descends."

These ominous words stirred the hearts of everyone in the council, but before anyone could say anything, the Head Priestess dismissed them.

"Now go and begin your journey. There is no more time to discuss, debate, or delay. This council is adjourned." The Head Priestess and Chief Archon banged their staffs and the doors to the council chamber opened. After bowing one last time, everyone began to leave and return to their respective heavens to deliver the heavy news of what had transpired during what they thought would be a routine council meeting.

Mordecai and Zemyna waited outside the council chamber for their siblings to come and join them. Before they arrived, Mordecai wanted to say something to lift Zemyna's spirits, but he couldn't think of anything. Consoling or cheering up people was not his area of expertise. He felt terribly useless in this moment.

Zemyna smiled as she sensed how Mordecai was feeling and said, "You're communicating your care for me just fine as is, brother. You were always the least social of us, but I knew better than to think that meant you didn't care. In fact, I think you care the most."

Mordecai's eyes widened in shock when he heard Zemyna's words. He thought he had been invisible to her and almost everyone else until recent events. But she saw him. He nearly cried from embarrassment and shame. He offered his sister his hand and Zemyna happily held it. "Maybe we will be a real family when all this is done."

His sister's faith bewildered Mordecai. He had read about the rites her and Elijah would be attempting. They were immeasurably difficult. No being had passed either of them in hundreds of thousands of years! And failure for either of them was not an option. If Zemyna failed, she wouldn't just return home to the ninth heaven where she could train and wait for another attempt like if she had failed the rite of Godhood. The punishment for missing the mark in the Rite of True Ascension was more severe. She would be stuck in limbo for an entire aeon before she could attempt it again. During which time, Elijah would surely perish and the ninth heaven would certainly begin to crumble with its rightful heir absent. And if Elijah failed, he would prove the heavens right and all of this would have been for naught.

Mordecai let out a deep sigh as he was pondering all this. But then, Zemyna squeezed his hand a little tighter and he felt better. He couldn't see how all this would end. No one could. But he knew that if anyone could beat these unfathomable odds it was this goddess who possessed unfathomable strength. Zemyna.