'Once in the deep skies at the very dawn of the galaxy, a rage unfettered, wreaked havoc on itself. God’s children squabbling at one another of petty differences and jealous struggle. “I believe it so, in mind’s eye that some amongst the clouds here will not ever deserve their strength over mortal men.” Starkly white of skin, flowing lengths of black swaying in the gentle breeze– no one would doubt her unending youth. 

“I need not have to think so vainly when truth proves presently, some here like the sound of their voice too much in idle days of speculation and scrutiny.” A man, tall and wiry whose hand is hidden in sleeve, eyes in judgement and tongue whetted. 

“I heed no offence at blows below caliber, we all know if grounds were fair many who dance with planets are fools to mortals who would otherwise outwit them.” Her eyes lowered down, staring beyond the cloudscape and visions touching those mortals who she loved so fondly. A child throwing rocks on the lake face with their father, a family eating their mothers homemade bread and stew together, an old man sat happy next to his wifes stone and fresh flowers. “What a beautiful day today.” the old man said. 

“What a beautiful day it is indeed.” Smiling softly, as if she was there next to him in banter. 

The sharp tongued man changed his side, his fan whirring clouds out from his pocket. He wandered slowly over to her, “Would you trade for mortality?” 

“I wouldn’t be such a fool to write trades with you. One whose contracts always fall to your own profit, such oblivity is impossible.” Her eyes did not stray, she continued watching. “It was in jest dear. It would suit you well to not take me so seriously.” Like a toying cat he began frolicking around her, giggling and sneering. “It will not be long till our mothers rearrange the furniture. Do you feel yourself so comfortable as to ignore it?”

She looked up, past him towards Tho, the cold planet, viciously blue and swirling yet controlled and serene. “They will make their judgement fairer than dealings with you.” 

The man rolled his eyes over the eclipsing of his fan. “Always the bore. But I must be grateful to mother, I need only see you every 30 or so years.” His comments fell on silence. “Well, it seems my time to pass is nigh, so I must be going forth. Any partings sister?” He bowed playfully. The pale lady stood, with hands joined and polite. “Every 30 years you pass and I endure the day. Upon leave I celebrate and enjoy another 3 decades peace. I pleaded with mother that she spare me your lunacy, may this coming rearrangement heed so.” “I too look forward to seeing you again soon my dearest sister.” ...

'“Who’s lurking in my shadows?” A firm but croaking voice yelled out. “Do not fret Godfrid, it is business approaching your door.” The lady of Lamin steps out of the fog and trees, with a long glowing chain in her hand trailing behind her. “J’adi…What had happened? Where have you been all these years?” Godfrid mindlessly gravitated towards the lady only to stop and realise his carelessness when a large figure rustled the tops of the trees behind her. On her right, a giant wolf pranced out without hesitation, and a second moments later. They waited in the clearing quite relaxed but still aware and alert. “The dog’s of Radia? Here?” Godfrid began to worry. Then, as if his worries weren't enough, two more figures made their approach; Massive in stature and forceful as stone they pushed themselves out into view. The wolves now with their masters, the giants of Radia, The Whole. “Godfrid.” They acknowledged, as if a single voice. Godfrid began to realise the severity of the situation and decided to send out his whistle to call for his sons. It rang high in pitch across the whole surface of his planet. He hoped desperately they would arrive soon, for he now realised he will need them. In the silence between gusts brushing the leaves, the subtle twinkle of the chain beated, and as it did, so did the ground. Louder did it feel, the chain turning a clank, a shudder, a pulse of ferocious energy down its length unseen. It began to warp, to slink looser and creep towards the floor. J’adi’s grip tightened, her chin raised as she took a deep breath in and straightened her shoulders back. Godfrid’s sons had not arrived but a moment too soon, leaping out from behind him, the three in perfect coordination landing and facing their ghostly spears towards all. He raised his hand in anticipation for his next command.

It emerged.

A figure of shadow, muscle and machine built explicitly for its own horror. Stunned, Godfrid knew not what to say or do. Its eyes glared into Godfrid’s, terrifying and awesome it sent him still. “What…What is this horrid creature– this atrocity you have brought to my doors?” They remained silent, still looking towards the forest. It was then Godfrid noticed the chain had not ended, that it yet glowed into the distance of the covering.

Another being emerged. 

Same in its terror and glory it slowly strided its path. “No…” Godfrid whispered to himself. He recognised a face briefly in its smokey grin. Unsure he looked back at the first, its eyes never strayed from him, a constant draining stare. A stabbing pain through Godfrid’s heart, he had realised who they were, looking back towards the forest in expectancy.

Two, followed out.

The four stood a great but pitiful sight, “You sorry sod’s, what have you done.”

The last to emerge was the first embodiment of Pitel, massive, covered in scale and charred like a log he slowly slithered and stretched himself out, covering the potential escape. He did not look well, he did not look long to live. “Pitel has sacrificed his very being to entwine these savages. These golden chains only hold because of him, and when his task is done, he too soon will become our stardust.” Radia eulogized sorrowfully. Pitel exhaled weakly from his pits, a dirtied steam hardly worth his honour and might. “Tho, the mother has rearranged the gods, these four are to be sentenced to Kiya and all their disgraces will follow to Locas.” She furthered. As it was announced, two shooting stars travelled above and into the inner spheres. “Two new moons are born, Marri and Judus.” 

“I see.” Godfrid relinquished, lowering his hand finally to which his three guards marched into their roles as gatekeepers. From his hip a key caught the light, “I have no boat big enough for us all.” 

But then, interrupted by the very sound of the earth cracking and dirt falling booming behind him. “I will be thy vessel.” Pitel in his deep, echoing telepathy blew a fine breeze over them all as he, broken and battered– raised himself up. Solemn, not one opposed, they knew it was impossible for him to drown till beyond journey's end. The gate creaked open. “Well, let us end this then.” Godfrid turned with arm outstretched. 

Both he, his returning wife J’adi, and Radia with his wolves grieved together for Pitel. For he was wise, humble and truly too magnificent to meet his end so soon. '

'With a gentle, low swooshing, the waters of space parted as Pitel slunk and slithered his way down the river out to the planet of Locas. As he swam one by one scales broke off under the pressure of space, dissipating first into rock, and then dust, then further into faint glints of stardust fading into the milky void around them. Though huge he was, from his vintage, this would be Pitel’s final journey. The giants of Radia stood at either end of his back, the gold chains wrapped firmly in their hands as it connected the four disgraced beings between them. Godfrid sat at Pitel's head, helping guide his way as he deteriorated. As he did, so too could he feel a malicious burning upon his neck; the gaze of the one who feeds upon fear. Of all who have been signed to this fated journey, he is of weakest constitute; that, the one knows. Despite the chains of magick that restrict them so, even the faintest trickle of power could break them under Pitel's slow decline. Godfrid so far had resisted all urge to turn and satiate that anxious curiosity welling up in his throat. But that burning persisted, the heat dripping nervous sweat against his back. Before long his feet had numbed, his legs steering a mind of their own and his hands stinging like nettle. Of all temptation for it to end he resisted no more…He turned.

What had awaited was exact, as if shifted in time back to the gate when his eyes had first met that spiralling vortex of malice and corruption– a concentrated compaction of hundreds upon thousands of fearful moments, all ripped from the beings of The Saphet. With that gaze those moments were forced upon him, through the eyes of even the largest of mammals as they faced their match looking in the same vortex. One of human youth at the dead of night looking out, certain of a face looking back. Another of blue, so deep and vast such as, distant forms creeping below was enough to strike the heart. As almost a hundred moments had passed with time unchanged J’adi had finally interrupted his view. Lucky so, as such a brief a stint of misery incurred had already returned twice over with the power of fear gained. An intense fatigue swept over Godfrid, feeling his regret and shame in failing his duty to be wise and strong. Surely he felt, he was not fit to be the gatekeeper. J’adi stroked his forehead gently with her thumb and she lowered herself to meet his sight. “No man is infallible Godfrid. Your humble thoughts are proof of strength in match of your humility.” Godfrid had missed his wife J’adi’s tender kindness terribly. The fraction of power from Lamin bestowed upon her to heal and comfort. That which fills his heart with warmth and nostalgia and revitalises down to the very core of his bones. The deep wrinkles of his face begin to shallow and the marks of age on his skin sink away to a day hundreds of years prior, such is the power of Lamin. With no words spoken he had thanked her in accepting her gift, or else such effects on him would never have occurred. J’adi’s image is not of eternal youth, lest bare no grace or wisdom, but instead of eternal maturity such is to represent with learn-ed respect and most pure impartiality. ...