Providence

Prologue

The Puppet Master

The Opifex, a white-haired man, stands before an aqueous image of the world he manages. “The Third World War has ended, but I shall ensure that a fourth is fought.  I am the writer. I have chosen Earth as the location. I have chosen my characters. My production of the play, called Earth, shall end and begin again.”

The man’s teeth refract the light that fills the hidden space. He waves his arm over the water, and the image changes. Ten animals are standing in a circle on the barren land known as Australia. The ground is wrinkled by the many years of stress it has endured. The only nutrients for the soil come from the bones of the fallen. The heat from the sun weighs heavily on the air, causing the breaths of the animals to be short and labored.

Bones from humans and animals create a jagged line that parts the animals into two sets of five. The leaders of the five kingdoms stand to the left of the line, while the five arbitrators stand to the right. The arbitrators are Ascendantian and consist of five birds: Thunderbird, Hawk, Eagle, Owl and Motmot. They were sent to Earth by the Ascendantian Elders to settle serious disputes between the leaders of the five kingdoms. The arbitrators are known to all earthly creatures as the United Committee.

“How long must we endure the sun’s rage? The water that surrounds me shall soon turn to steam,” Orca asked.

“Only for a few moments more,” Thunderbird replied.

Thunderbird closed its eyes and a yellow light that originated within it created a dome. This dome kept the sun’s anger at bay and produced cool air. The breaths of the animals could no longer be heard.

“Why have you sought our council?” Thunderbird asked.

“The Wolf Kingdom,” Shen replied.

“What of them?” Motmot asked.

“I have been informed of their plans to overthrow the councils of the kingdoms,” Shen replied.

“Who informed you?” Canis asked.

“That is irrelevant. I know of your plans and now, so do all those who are concerned,” Shen replied.

“I know how you were informed. Do you wish to tell the United Committee of your illegal activities or must I?” Canis asked.

“I know not what you speak of. Your words have no value, for you lead the deviants of the world,” Shen replied.

“My words carry enough value to arouse curiosity. I know of the spy you have sent to the Wolf Kingdom,” Canis said.

“Is there any truth to this statement?”  Hawk asked.

“Espionage is common practice. I have found many spies within my cities,” Shen replied.

“This practice is no longer common! Any kingdom caught violating this law shall lose one quarter of their land. I shall monitor each kingdom closely, so we shall hear every whisper and see every action,” Thunderbird said.

“What of the Wolf Kingdom?” Hyla asked.

“What of my kingdom? The worry of the leaders should be directed towards the Europaen Kingdom. You have many humans and could easily conquer all kingdoms. If land is to be taken away, it should be from you,” Canis replied.

“All kingdoms shall be under our watchful eyes. Nothing you do shall be hidden, so be wary of your actions, for it may result in a loss of a portion of your kingdom or banishment to the counter-planes,” Thunderbird said.

Thunderbird closed its eyes and the light that formed the dome returned to the bird. Canis began to howl. The howl triggered a barrage of arrows to pierce the heated air and graze the left wing of the Owl. Various shades of yellow light appeared in front of the five birds. The lights of the United Committee projected outward, creating a large beam of light. The light dispersed as quickly as it was created, and all who were present vanished. Canis had been sent to the border that divided the Raven and Wolf Kingdoms. The wolf stood on a hollowed-out portion of the earth. Near the wolf was a mountain composed mostly of rock. The mountain seemed to meet the clouds in the sky. In front of the wolf, there stood a man with short white hair. He wore brown beads around his neck and wrist. Light-blue robes covered his body.

“Why have you come, messenger?” Canis asked.

“Canis, you should be filled with joy. I come bearing a gift,” the Opifex said.

“What kind of gift?” Canis asked.

“I no longer wish to bestow it upon you. Remember, it was I who gave you the Ascendant,” the Opifex turned away from the wolf.

“If that is your wish, I shall leave you with your thoughts,” Canis said.

“You were foolish to attack them. You must wait until the balance shifts,” the Opifex said.

“You are no man. What are you?” Canis asked.

“A friend to the all-mighty Canis,” the Opifex faced Canis and bowed.

“I have no friends, only foes,” Canis said.

“Your plan of domination shall be foiled by an entity created by Deus,” the Opifex rose.

“What is this entity?” Canis asked

“Not what, but who. There are two warriors who form the Whole. They are fated to bring back life to the land and rid the world of all who wish to cover it in darkness,” the Opifex replied.

“Where can these warriors be found?” Canis asked.

“One is lost, and the other is hiding in plain sight,” the Opifex replied.

“I lack the patience for riddles!”

“Send the warrior you have named Number 666 to Twilight City. There he shall find one half of the Whole. The warrior has assumed the face of a courtier,” the Opifex said.

“Why Number 666?” Canis asked.

“For he is the other half. He would become truly evil, if he were to kill the half that was created to keep him in balance,” the Opifex replied.

“Why not kill him myself?” Canis asked.

“Without him, you cannot succeed. He shall bring death to all those who do not follow you. By killing the other half, he shall gain the power of the departed. His power shall be yours to wield,” the Opifex replied.

“Why can I not take his powers?” Canis asked.

“They would cause sudden death. I have seen what you shall accomplish together. You must go now and inform Number 666, so that he may carry out your plans,” the Opifex said.

Canis left the emptied lake and entered the dead forest that led to the Wolf Kingdom.

The Opifex looked to the sky and then Michael, a man with blonde hair, appeared beside him. A white robe covered his extremities.

“Master, your plans have begun to take shape,” Michael said.

“You shall be a crucial part of it,” the Opifex replied.

“Can Canis be trusted with the task of bringing the two warriors together?” Michael asked.

“Yes, he shall seize the opportunity for dominance,” the Opifex replied.

“Master, from what you have said, this warrior from the Wolf Kingdom shall follow his sovereign’s orders and kill his other half,” Michael said.

“You still care for Josephine,” the Opifex said.

“Yes, I wish for her to be at my side when the Earth is cleansed,” Michael replied.

“What of Michelle?” the Opifex asked.

“She is my shadow, so it is only natural for me to love her. But I care more for Josephine, the woman I left here,” Michael replied.

“There is no need to worry, for Number 666 will not hurt his other half,” the Opifex said.

“No good lives within his soul. I believe that he will kill her,” Michael said.

“He will not. While in her presence, many emotions shall take hold of him and slow his thoughts. The woman is his equator. He shall not harm her, for her presence shall stir the good within him and nurture it,” the Opifex replied.

“What of the kingdoms?” Michael asked.

“I shall go to the Europaen Kingdom and inform Hyla of the threat that is the Raven Kingdom. I shall tell her of Nya’s unborn child and the threat it poses to the survival of the Europaen Kingdom. The play must begin, and so must your rebellion,” the Opifex said.

“As you wish master,” Michael bowed his head.

Advertisement