Thîm Elzi_Dell_Willz: Here's an fragment of Chasing Fears by Cualli...

What you are about to read is copyrighted and belongs to the Author.

@2013 by Danni (Ellie) Williams. All rights reserved.

Under no circumstances should this part of the book (A Broken Paradise Series: Chasing Fears) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, tampered with, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

. . . Cualli . . .

The Outward Realms of Earth*

I had not been here long. We do not wait long when we are summoned to a council. My mate and life partner called me and so I came, no questions asked, no explanations needed. I have not seen my love in almost twenty Earth years, my loyalty is unbreakable, and I am for her as she is for me; like light and dark we exist as equal. Frenzy begins in the pit of my stomach a yearning of completion to see her smile, embrace in her love; I have missed my woman. I never tire of the thought of when we will be together again, but until our quests are completed, we must be apart. But I simper in the thought that we will be reunited again soon. Footsteps are heard from the next room, I stand to attention as I am greeted by my love.
“Cualli” Tilix spoke softly. My arms extended for hers, she came to me in a warm embrace.
“My love” I whispered lovingly in her ear “Not a day passes when I do not hunger your touch” Her eyes into mine I kissed her softly on her Priestess crown.
Tilix smiled gently and smoothed my face “And I with you, my love.” I felt home again, her words always makes me feel her touch, it always makes me wanton. A clearing of a throat ended our embrace; intrusion from Councillor had entered the room. Tilix withdrew herself from me and composed well as the high Priestess of Bavola.
“You called for me, my love” I on the other hand did not forget my rank among these Councillors, just was not going to change my composure towards them nor my love Tilix.
The Councilman of Dolius stepped out from the shadow of the high arches and presented himself to me. “You were called on behalf of all the Ometeotl races, not just to her” He spoke of my love like she were nothing, it angered me so.
I raged in my eyes but Tilix calmed me with the wave of her hand. “You were called my love because the times have changed, rule has changed. The prophecy has not yet awoken.”
I frowned with no understanding “Awen is safe?”
Tilix smiled and smoothed my shoulder. “The Queen is safe yes, but now she holds the Origin Reservoir.”
Horror came over me “When” I said with haste
Dolius Council-man smirked “Not thirty-two EliLi minutes ago.”
I ignored him and looked to Tilix. “I must get back!” Tilix nodded with disagreement, I could not understand.
“You must first sit at Council so we may discuss your further involvement, when it is agreed, then you shall return.” Tilix acted out in her Council-role; I could not now disagree with her terms.
Here in Bavola she is the beginning and the end of conversations past, no living being here talks over her but the Queen; and the Queen is not here.
I stood apart from my love while we waited for the other Councilmen and women of the other SSCC to arrive. Not all Councils appear in person but pass ‘a mirror of truth’ that is placed in their stead. Of all Councillors that came in person I knew only one that would not; the cruel and feared Quetz, leader of Orithia and royal blood of ‘Our’ Lord, Ometeotl.
We were all here. Two Councils from each world. Dolius was present, Perma-Ca was present, and representing Bavola was of course Tilix and I, High Priest Tenoch. The ancient God himself, Quetz represented Orithia, and he accompanied by his follower and Councillor Patli; this would be the first time in ‘Two Suns’ that the cruel leader himself would be present. There were many wrongs about this meeting and it was not only the fact that it was short by three rulers, but it was being led by Quetz instead of our leader; Tezca.
The energy of unease in this room could cut-through an ocean, no one had trust in only one General of this Council and it was not anyone from Bavola. It was intimidating enough on its own that we were in the presence of our Leaders brother and our Lord’s son; leaving well alone the fact that he among the other brothers of the four Tezcatlipoca’s, banished our civilization to stand apart for eternity. And now he sits a head of our Council, held in our world, while he dictates to us how we deal with one out-cast of our World; it’s monstrous.
“No presence of my other brothers?” His words were blunt and agitated.
I turned to look to Tilix as she stepped forward. “No, I apologise. The other Overseers did not leave instruction to their absence.” Tilix turned to Councillors of Dolius and Perma-Ca, they just as stumped as anyone.
It went quiet for a moment and we were addressed by Quetz “And what of the ‘banished one’?”
Tilix nodded apologetically “The leader of Bavola is yet to be enrolled, Lord Quetz.”
A thunderous rumble suddenly emerged within the hall, it was almost impossible that we would have some sort of eruption, but it became clear where it was coming from. “You will address me as, Great One.” Quetz said with an evil tongue.
Tilix was as accommodating as she possibly could be. “Yes, I apologise, Great One. How discourteous of me” Tilix was too apologetic for my liking.
We all feared his wrath there is no mistaking it. But we could not help but remember what he did to EliLi, what he did to our world and our leader. We were just passing the time before we had a strong enough legion, only then did we have a better chance of overthrowing Quetz and his civilization of brutish, heavy-hearted combatants.
Quetz was angry, but he pushed his anger aside for the moment while he began this Council. “I give you one age span to suit a leader of Bavola, to continue this forsaken remnant of this once valued world. I take disgust in speaking to a Priestess of tainted lineage instead of royal blood; speak only now when you are spoken too.” I snarled at him from across the hall, his disrespect towards the only and best leader since Tezca, he pissed me off and it was not just because she is my woman but because of that fact.
“And I mean that to you all.” He looked to every Council in present.
A clearing of throats were a known activity here, a habit no one lost over eras of how repulsive it sounded. Quetz began his rant again. “Among you, who knows the truth in these tidings brought from my masses on the world now called Earth?” Each Councillor looked to the other, until they had all exchanged looks of alarm and torment. I looked to Tilix and she gave me a nod of warning not to expose myself to ‘His Madness’.
“No one will speak?” He added with disdain “No one at all among you would share your knowledge of ‘the prophecy’?”
It fell quiet until one… Dolius Chieftain, Mazatl spoke up. “It is but a Myth, Great One.” Before we knew it, Councillor Mazatl flew across the hall and hit the four wall of the sanctum, to install fear among the rest. Quetz divulged his anger with this action.
“Misinformation will be dealt with publicly and no mercy will you find in me” His words made the whole room quiver with fear we were powerless to help ourselves and no one, not even the other Overseers would help us and stand against their brother as they once did.
It was silent again and only the heavy breathe of Quetz echoed the hall walls, no one spoke or dared to breathe any louder than he. I feared all our lives, I feared for Tilix, I feared none of us would leave here let alone I leave to get back to Awen before its too late. Just as Quetz was about to speak again, a gust of wind bellowed through the Sanctum of Council, two figures, both alike, the same in height and stature appeared before us.
Tilix grabbed my hand and squeezed tightly, a worrying concern from her and one for me, as we are not, ever, permitted to show emotion while in the presence of the Overseers. The wind dissipated and left the two figures standing side by side at the arch entrance.
“We are late!” One voice echoed.
“Have we missed much?” The other spoke in the same (what Earth people would call ‘a simulated’ voice). A smoky face appeared over the ‘mirror of truth’, a face only a small selection has seen up close.
“The gathering has started, as leaders of a Sanctum Civilization and My Brothers; you above all else should be present when summoned to a Council. Primarily one that involves EliLi born B’akab.” I had not heard that name in a long time, it was what we called Earthlings like Awen, children of royal blood, first kind, given life of Heaven and Earth, the true people of EliLi. “There be no averment to support any Myth of B’akab beings on EliLi, Brother?” Totec the third oldest brother of four stepped forward out of the shadows, his pale complexion was not what identified his being but his boldness.
“Nor have there been any significant sightings of one.” Huitzil followed Totec in support, standing ever so closely behind him. Huitzil was the simple youngest of four, identified by his inadequacy to lead and only to follow among the four.
Councillors all looked to the ‘mirror of truth’ for a reply from Quetz; only a sigh was received “If I may, Brother” Totec walked before the mirror “Even if there were B’akab beings among the EliLi people, what threat do you see?” Everyone remained silent, anticipation rung among curious leaders.
“No threat” Was all Quetz replied
Totec turned to Huitzil for direction, playing their part as the ever-supportive, trusted brothers. Huitzil came forward offering his allegiance. “Should we speak of better terms, Brother? What of your appointee Casius?”
Everyone looked to us; we were now the targets at hand. Tilix’s heart was pounding to the rhythm of a bongo drum, steady as she took hold of her authority. “May I speak?” Tilix asked with a graceful bow of respect, Totec and Huitzil looked to her with intrigue and granted her permission. Quetz sighed at her presence but remain silent.
Tilix cleared her throat, preparing herself to execute this plead admirably, just as a leader should. “As High Priestess of Bavola, I and my unified ministry held a conclave of order . . .”
Before Tilix could continue Huitzil stepped in. “You conspired against your Queen?” Totec chuckled with amusement, Huitzil followed in unison.
Tilix tried to explain. “No, no, Great Ones. That was not our intention. We . . .” Totec and Huitzil ignored her plead and looked to Quetz for charge, but he did nothing.
“Let her speak” Quetz ordered. Totec and Huitzil found this rather amusing, but we knew this was a serious matter.
“Queen Casius became insane; she slaughtered many in her quest for domination.” Tilix pleaded.
“The Queen executed her people?” Totec asked with disgust, Tilix gave a nod of agreement.
Huitzil stepped forward towards Quetz ‘mirror of truth’. “Unforgivable” He protested his peace.
Quetz cast a shadow of smoky hands from his mirror, dampening the outrage that suddenly occurred throughout the Council. “Where did you cast her out?” If there was ever a lie to be told, it would be right here at this moment, but it would have to be good, good enough so as not to be caught.
Tilix suddenly spoke “She cast herself, Great One. She left Bavola with no instruction” I was shocked and scared for her, off the top of her head she came up with such deceit; I prayed he would believe her.
Totec tutted with anger “Good riddens” He believed Tilix.
“It would be for the best I should think” Huitzil followed with his support and then it was only Quetz to convince. He remained quiet but I knew he was examining Tilix from where she stood, and then Tenoch spoke out.
“She cursed your ruling Sire, her words were simple; she repulsed your ruling and vowed the day to overthrow you.” I was not sure what Tenoch was doing was the right thing; he was so powerful in his words it was as though he believed them himself.
Quetz was outraged “Overthrow!” it was as though they were the only words he heard “Overthrow! Had she surrendered all sense?”
“What do you wish to do, Brother?” Huitzil asked with a grin on his face.
“Find her!” He screamed with rage that the whole room once again shook. I looked to Tilix, horror run amuck on her face it was clear to see. Totec disappeared within an instant and so Huitzil followed in the same fashion, Quetz rained down with his anger.
“This Council is forfeit. I shall return.” His words were frightening, what did we get ourselves into? The hall emptied within minutes; all Councillors had retired back to their Worlds and left us alone to ours. Tilix marched both Tenoch and I to her quarters immediately, her most trusted advisor Yolotli met us there. I knew that what had happened was not the best of ideas, but it bought us some time. Tilix stopped dead on the balcony of our room with her back to us, we three moved towards her when we stopped she turned and smacked Tenoch across the face in anger.
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?”
Tenoch stood to attention no actions were needed. Yolotli looked behind Tenoch over to me, but I did not make eye contact.
“YOU’VE KILLED US ALL, TENOCH!” She screamed.
Tilix tried steadying herself, lowering her tone so as not to alert eavesdroppers of this discussion. “We don’t have anything to protect us now; we have one cycle to get Awen here” I’d never seen Tilix so scared in my many Suns I’ve known her, not even when Casius was in power did I see Tilix lose form, she was always well composed, but now she was trembling.
Yolotli spoke out, trying to calm things. “We have time Tilix, one Bavolian life cycle is three of EliLi years, don’t lose faith Priestess.” “Faith” Tilix repeated with not much conviction.
I moved forward and put my warm embrace over her shoulder. “It is not yet hopeless, my love.” Tilix looked to me; tears fell from her eyes like amazing sunrays.
“You must get Awen here. You must not let her be consumed by Casius’ trickery, shield her from harm, she cannot stray away from her destiny.” She paused as if she was choosing her words carefully. “Like the child we never had, Cualli. Must you guide her home to me?”
Pain sickened my essence. “A child we never had you says, the child we still could, I say” Her words hurt like a dagger to my heart; I hoped that mine would ease her suffering “It is never too late to have life, my love, nor to hopeless to save it.” Tilix kissed my lips so softly, I could lose myself in her charm, the warmth of her breath still paralyses me to a halt; helpless to reject even one that tries to distract me.
She turned her eyes towards Tenoch. “Now we speak in private, it is time for our conclave to take place.”
I frowned and looked to Tenoch and Yolotli. “What conclave?”
Tilix smiled gently to me “I did not just bring you here for that little botched fiasco, my love. I brought you here because we have much to discuss.” So cunning is my Tilix, she brings a smile upon my face. How I love her passion, her deceit, her power, how I love her so. Yolotli and Tenoch turned their backs to me and began walking towards the laid out stone bench, Tilix took my hand and led me to the bench where we would begin. Tenoch sat in front of me and Yolotli to my right, Tilix would present herself at my side.
“You must tell us everything that Awen knows. We need to begin on preparing her for her destiny.” Tilix said as she sat down.
I shrugged. “She knows very little. Her father, Rhys, never aimed to spoil her; he kept her in the dark about everything.”
Tilix nodded with understanding. “I’m sure she knows little now.
As you know, when she was given to them in conception they knew very little themselves. And you yourself know that they were told not to tell her anything that would sway her. The father did a good job.” Yolotli said with praise.
Tilix took an opal stone from her dress and placed it down on the bench, a jaded light flickered. “Hope fades among the people of EliLi; many lose faith, many who try to find logic among truth. Awen is lost in a world that lacks love, why is this so?” Tilix said with sorrowful eyes, she has only once left Bavola; she has never been able to understand Earth people and their ways.
“I believe that over time, my love, people just got fed up of waiting.” I offered a suggestion. Tilix looked to me and sighed. “They have a saying that ‘seeing is believing” My chuckle was weak. “They get science mixed with belief, their scientist tell them they were created by Earth, their Pastors and Monks tell them God put them here, but both don’t realise how right they are. They were put here by god, but they were also created within the Earth.” Tilix smiled gently, she always did love hearing the old stories about how Earth came to be, we all love that story; it’s because it’s the days of love and loss of our leader Tezca.
“The Earth people are so very much confused.” Yolotli said to himself. Tilix and I turned and nodded with agreement. “I found many are followers in almost every way and you only have a small majority that are leaders and again you have a very, very small group of people who just want something to believe in; Awen is one of those people, her family are not believers. But the thought of the truth is far more worth believing in.” I explained. I felt they were beginning to understand, Tenoch understood me anyway, he too had been allowed to roam the free-lands of Earth as I have. Our goals are the same; we are their protectors, their guides, preservers of human B’akab on Earth. We are the guardian deity of B’akab, a sworn oath of allegiance, honour and eternal guardianship. I guard the royal heiress of the throne, Tenoch guards the chosen king; for both we would forfeit our lives to protect.
Tenoch sighed deeply. “Tenoch, is there something you want to say?” Tilix spoke to him.
He shrugged. “No. Everything Cualli says is true. The human race is broken, so broken I find it difficult to believe that as a stronger unit between Awen and My King, even then they will not be able to save Earth alone.”
Tilix refused to have it. “This is why you and Cualli have to work together. Together you can make her see, together you can make him believe, and we can make this happen.”
Tenoch looked to me. “Will is losing hope; it’s become increasingly hard to convince him she’s coming. It’s even harder to convince him of his destiny.” I felt my heart twinge. “It was too early for him to get to the gates alone, he longs for her.” Tenoch continued his pain. “I feel responsible. I feel that if he did something stupid it would be my fault, he has not yet found his muse, his essence dwindles in the wind.”
Tilix stood and moved to his side. “He will make it, he will make it because he has too Tenoch. Awen’s life and everyone here depends on him. The children of EliLi depends on him, he must not lose focus. Without him, Awen cannot be. Surely he must know this?” Tilix explained. Tenoch nodded with understanding. “His emotions are strong, he is lonely out there. He lost his friends to death, all he has is me. He cannot help but long for her. He has always had this problem, he was such a wild adolescent, he’s tried other women, he swindled but a few and it still never curbed the hunger; you know as well as I Cualli, how bad the hunger is, how bad it gets.”
Tilix turned herself to me and glimpsed back to Tenoch. “He will make it.” Tilix was firm.
I understood how he felt. Many a times I witnessed Awen’s longing, the tears and the pain. I have been away from Tilix for so long, but I have had the pleasure of her, Awen and Will have not met, have not enjoyed each other like they can; they have never touched, they have never experienced, their just in love. All their lives they have dreamt and breathed one another in trance REM, astral as it is. Their muse, the connection, their paths were discovered and now they cannot function without it. Before they were even born, both chose each other perfectly, a destiny unmatched that not even Tezca himself could have made. Their souls so paradisiac that neither one nor the other can live without and apart they can endure, but together they are unrivalled; ’tis why there can be only one for either of them.
Tilix returned to me. “Cualli, I want you to return to Awen. Find out everything she knows and report to me. The prophecy is clouded; under no uncertain terms do you allow Awen to fall off the path.”
“If the prophecy is unsure how do I know which path to take?” I asked.
Tilix looked to Yolotli and Tenoch for guidance, Yolotli took position. “The girl is young Cualli, her first instinct will be to live a life she never had, and her downfall will be if she gets too involved with someone that he or she may distract her from her destiny.” I frowned, I did not understand at first.
Tenoch took position to clarify. “Awen must not find a man, Cualli. If she feels she must stay she will never leave EliLi, you have three years to get Awen to the gates or all our lives will pay for it.” I felt the sense of floodlights rain down on me; just now, everyone was relying on Will Solely, they are all relying on me.
Tilix smoothed the nape of my neck, diverting my attention to her. “If you can get her to the gates earlier then do so, my love, but you cannot fail, timing is of great importance but so is the survival of all four B’akab.” I knew my importance and the importance of Awen, but it never crossed my mind that either Will or Awen would even look at another lover or even spare a little time to give what we Bavolian’s cherish so deeply . . . .love.
Tenoch stood to his feet. “I must get back to him, he will be wondering where I have gone.”
Tilix agreed. “Remind him always Tenoch; remind him of his love, he must not lose hope.” Tenoch nodded with agreement and headed for the arches.
Yolotli was next on his feet. “I will go and make preparations, contact the others of our movement and see my Prophet.” Tilix agreed with a nod and he left for the arches.
Alone at last, I stood to welcome her in my arms once more. “When you leave this fine day, take this as a token of my longing for you.” Tilix said as she embraced me in her loving kiss. Our tongues met and like always a rush of pure ecstasy warmed our essence. My hands felt for hers and we were one again, a bittersweet goodbye.
When our lips parted but our eyes still connect, she said to me. “Time is ticking Cualli; the necklace has already begun its count down.” I nodded with understanding. “Take pity on her, my love. The necklace will become a distraction, her attention should always be on her journey never the necklace and never another.”
I smoothed her forearm. “What do I do about Casius?”
“Allow Awen to know the dangers of giving Casius power, remind her how deceptive Casius can be and all she wants is her to lose focus so she can gain control. Introduce another passage into the life of Anne Fletcher, she will soon ask you about Goskaboriau. In the meantime, we will all be looking for him as should you.”
I nodded with understanding. “What about the other B’akabs?”
Tilix broke away from me and stepped towards the balcony, deep in thought I waited for a response. I was about to suggest an alliance but my love already had an answer. “Maybe it’s a good idea she finds them now, but warn her of the possibilities that they may not have fondness of her just yet, and remind the people are clouded with doubt. She must earn their willingness not demand it.” Tilix turned to face me.