Dead Hand of the Past

The Amberfish and the God Cynthius

28

Parla and Azakia waited to see what would happen once the fairy disappeared. They saw the light from all four colors emanating from everywhere they walked. Instead of finding a fairy waiting, they were standing in the center of an island. The island was lush and green, orchards of trees filled the island, and the songs of the birds filled the air the sun shined brightly. In the center of this paradise stood the tallest apple tree either of them had ever seen. Around this tree was a mote and in it, Azakia and Parla could see a single fish who upon seeing them poked his head out of the water.

"What is it that ye seek?"

Azakia looked astonished at a talking fish.

"We seek the stone of the amber temple."

The fish responded.

"I am the amber fish, and I am the guardian of the Amber Tree. I give it its nourishment, and I alone can call forth the god Cynthius to see if your request is granted."

Azakia and Parla didn't know exactly how to respond and were glad when the fish went under the water. The water became turbulent and began to churn out of the moat. Soon it became a funnel of water than in front of them was the god Cynthius.

"You have reached the legendary island of Abalum the paradise of the gods. I am the god Cynthius in the world of Lantea but the Lady of the Pearl would know me as the god Apollo. Who asks after the amber apple?"

"It is I Azakia Takumi chosen one of Souzousha. And the Lady of the Pearl a maiden of Kirin. We seek the stone of the amber temple to call forth the god Vala who will in return defeat the god Leander who is threatening to take over the universe. Tell me what you are to Jaden the Maiden of Kirin."

Azakia, covered his mouth where had that thought come from?

Apollo laughed he seemed to think about answering the young man but didn't. Apollo opened his hand as if to catch something. One of the amber apples fell into his hand. He placed the apple before Azakia in his outstretched hand.

"This apple is given to the chosen one for no nobler reason can be given. Saving the universe from destruction. Only the chosen one can hold the amber apple. He alone possesses the purest of heart and will not fall to the powers of the apple. You may have also heard of it in stories as the apple of discord. No mere mortal can come upon it. It has even woven spells upon three goddesses, beware of its powers."

Azakia, reached out and retrieved the apple and felt the power of conflict coursing through him. He brought the feelings under control. Apollo turned to Parla; I have been asked to return this book. It is said only the rightful owner of this book can wield its powers." 

Parla took the book from the offered hand. Both she and Azakia were pulling away from the god Apollo and found themselves awake levitating in the chamber of the amber temple. They had finished their tasks.

Everyone noticed when Parla and Azakia had returned down to their original positions on the stone table. They were clutching something. Azakia held the apple and Parla a book. They had passed the temple's challenges it was now time to move on. Before they did, they had a visitor to the chamber. Azakia was going to get his answer. The one he really did not want to answer nor did he know why he asked the question.

Apollo walked over to Jaden and greeted her.

"It has been a few weeks my dear songbird. Is this why I have not heard from you? You are on a journey. I dear say life will be lonely without you for a while. You will come back to me quickly so we can take up where we left off in Greece."

Jaden blushed. She realized this had to be her imagination. Apollo could not be there, could he?

"You are a sight for sore eyes, but you can't be real."

He gave her the smile she loved so much that seemed to light up not only his face but the entire room. He unexpectedly pulled her to him there was no room between their bodies, and he kissed her passionately. Jaden responded she always responded to Apollo. She could hear the snakes going wild, and when he pulled away, he was still smiling.

"I am not a figment of your imagination. I am the real deal love. I wanted to tell you who I really was for a long time. but my son would not me."

He vanished, and they left the temple through another set of pillars and found the sun was beginning to rise time had once again slipped from them.