Destiny Unbonded

Chapter 16

It is the destiny of the Gods to rule forever in power and justice.

- The Canon

[Cyril]

No one greeted us when we passed into the Realm of Gods, and that was a good thing. We transformed our forms of smoke and myst back to human.

The realm had a surreal feel to it, devoid of natural disorder. The cloudless blue sky seemed too blue, and light came from everywhere, casting no shadows. The air held a pleasant coolness, with not a hint of a breeze. Boulders on the mountainside conformed to set geometric shapes, and even the trees and grasses took on unvaried artistic designs. The order of this place was unnatural, even deviant, a fitting home for the Gods.

A path of interlocking smooth stones wound far up the mountain to the top, where stood huge white mansions and a grand hall surrounded by carved columns. The Moirai Chamber across the white stone terrace from the Gateway was not so grandiose, but had a style of its own. A large half-oval opening led into a domed structure of clear glass, reminding me of a gigantic drop of morning dew.

My mother pointed up the mountain with a sly grin. "I think I will pay my old friends a visit. They will be so surprised."

"Is that wise?" I asked. "Would they not try to harm you?"

She put a hand on my shoulder. "Oh, they will try, but all I must do is to blind them to the true threat. I have a few tricks to keep them entertained." She stepped back, allowing black smoke to emerge from her hands and swirl around her body. Before converting fully to the Chaos form, Mother said, "Be quick with your task. We have not much time. If I am not here when you return, go home. Do not wait for me." Before I could respond, she drifted away like a dark puff of smoke.

My mother's instructions sent a chill down my spine. Would she sacrifice herself?

Ophelia grabbed my hand and flashed me a confident smile. "This way."

She dissolved into Moirai form, and following her lead, I transformed into Chaos. Together, white myst and black smoke, we entered the Chamber. Just inside, the empty foyer led to three arched open doorways, all made of the same glass-like material as the outer dome. The thick glass bent the light coming in from the outside, distorting the view of Mt. Olympus.

At Ophelia's direction, we took the center doorway and floated down a hallway with curved transparent walls, shaped like a flattened tube. Through the thick walls, I could make out the distorted image of Moirai engaged in some sort of activity and apparently unaware of our passing. Making our way, we passed several small arched doorways. Within one, two Moirai laid horizontally on crystal platforms, resembling white clouds atop a mesa.

A voice came from within my mind. "A sleeping room." My smoke form pulsed at the unexpected communication, one not audible, coming directly into my mind. But I recognized it as Ophelia. She turned to me, a grin on her vaporous face. "I had not told you of thought-speech. In these forms, we may communicate by directed thoughts. Try it."

I focused my mind on Ophelia, concentrating. "LIKE THIS?"

Her myst body trembled, pulling back. "Not so loud! Just think of it as a normal conversation."

"Is this better?" I said, visualizing a quieter voice.

"Better." Ophelia turned ahead to a larger doorway. "We are nearly at the loom."

The Moirai Chamber contained many doorways but no doors, except for this one. A shimmering translucent curtain spanned the tall arched opening. The curtain stroked me as we passed, as if a thin waterfall, although we did not get wet.