Power, absolute and undeterred was the description that came to Alexander when he felt A'rathèl's presence. His only thought was to do anything this entity told him to do or die where he stood.
A'rathèl's aura exuded dominance, and pulsed with the might of a god. She was the first created under the heavens of the universe, and she would be the last alive. When she moved her stride was light, yet had a dignified air behind every step and turn. Something no mortal rotalty could exude.
"You have some nerve, boy!" She boomed from what seemed like every side of the room as she sat comfortably. Underneath her harsh words were even warmer tones of worry. "The sheer gall of mortals to defy me has continued to be historically, appalling. Well, speak. What do you have to say for yourself?" A'rathèl demanded, her all encompassing aura lessening around him, allowing him breathe.
"I..I don't know what what you mean.. Y..you're. Oh, gods! I dont want to die." Alexander stumbled over his words at the meaning of seeing A'rathèl. Only those who were dying or already dead ever saw her. Anyone could understand why someone wouldn't want to see her to early. But, she was godly to behold.
"Are you a bumbling idiot, or can you take mind of your senses to have a conversation? You mortals see me once and loose control of your sanity. I understand completely. I am a Goddess. I have made ample reservations to have this meeting you unceremoniously denied. So here I am, and the universe stands still so talk we shall."
Alexander sat down on a sofa placed for him. His dazed attention wandered to his mind racing about the things he had yet to do, and his family that would be left alone. Then he looked up from where he sat to see Naomi.
"Do not worry yourself, Childe. This mortal will not die here. Her final hours will be spent drinking wine with her fourth paltry mate, somewhere on another Island. Nevertheless, I am here for thee." The room faded to the darkest of black Alexander had ever experienced. He felt nothing change, nore heard anything move but the beat of his heart untill an emerald flame brightened the room from a lit fireplace. The darkness faded, revealing a different room from the one he was just in.
The room had a single light source shung brightly from the grand fireplace.
A black throne, where A'rathèl sat behind a desk of white bone replaced the other side.
'Just, breathe. Breathe d*** it.' Alexander calmed himself. He was panicking at the moment, but knew he had to face her. Had to face death herself.
"Why are you here to see me? I'm not dying and I've never felt healthier. There must be a mistake somewhere. There's a reason why you are here to visit me after all I've been through in the last few days. I would like to know before... whatever happens. "
A'rathèl sat on her throne with the elegance of a monarch and about as much patience. She had heard the same things that numerous others had pleaded for before.
Her hand waved over the table and three cards appeared before the both of them. The back dide was ingraved with a beautiful golden sun and white moon.
A'rathèl flipped over the first of the cards on her right. "This is the Ring of the firstborn, it represents a godly pact made and the bargain struck. It will protect you from most things as you go about your days.
The ring was made of the smoothest silver with the finest detailed etchings of a city around the band. It held a power like an endless wave of space, empty and void. For the slimmest of seconds he felt a warmth and comfort in the nothingness before A'rathèl sealed the ring off with powerful Aether.
"You were on my doorstep when you pleaded for the first time for my mercy, and I gave it to you at a price. I spared taking you from your world cause it served a purpose for all souls. Now it is time to repay that debt."
The scene of him played, echoing his desperation in the water.
Alexander rubbed his neck as the heat got unbearable and yet his hands were cold as ice. 'She's right, I gave my word. I should fulfill my promise.'
The second card that she flipped over was an elegant Lantern lit with two flames of white and black incased in a dark silver case carved in the likeness of a black cathedral. Much like old fashioned lanterns in the steampunk era.
"This is the Primordial Lantern. It has numerous powers you will find useful in your new role as my Guardian. There is a rising tide of shadow even I can not see. You will need to find anything you can about this darkness. I cannot tear myself away from the souls throughout the cosmos to do a detailed search of one planet, unplanned. So you can and shall act in my stead for the time being."
"Why Guardian then? You could probably have brought me back as a mindless zombie that obeys your every command. Told me to find these things and that would be the end of it. Why get my assistance?"
The room was heavy and tense with even the green fire flickering in fear of A'rathèl's wrath.
"I have tried that already. I have honestly sent spectors for some time to your planet, none have come back. So I will be going with a different approach." A'rathèl acknowledged. Her eyes as poised as if she was addressing another dignitarie. "With all my wisdom I still can not understand. When Eons of my messages were headed by Kings, Empire's, and conglomerates, those significantly above you in station. You, my sweet child, ignore my summons. Civilizations have prayed for my words in the leaves of plants for generations with sacrifices and gifts at my alters just for a sigh from my lips. Lets not keep me waiting next time, Childe. Death waits for no one." A'rathèl spoke with an absolute authority of a god and a mother. One frightened him more than the other as she gave a stern warning.
"Please, forgive me. In my humble defense, I thought why would the actual Dark Mother send me a message. Humans get what's called spam and I figured that a random message from an actual God was suspicious enough as it was. I swear from now on to always answer your calls and messages, even if it looks fishy." Alexander promised.
A'rathèl leaned back and clicked her tongue. Her hands going to her temples and bridge of her nose. The soft fabric of her robes rustling with the jingling of small bells.
"Sorry. I ramble when I'm nervous. What's the third card?" Alexander nervously laughed, seeing as she wasn't going to smite him.
The third card flipped in mid air, revealing a crown of dark metal.
"The crown represents a guide for all mortals, as which you shall be for the souls on earth. A light to lead them through their darkest time, a Guardian. I chose you, Alexander Mortem, as you have a darkness about you and yet you choose to be a light."
A'rathèl waved her hand and the Ring of the Firstborn appeared on Alexanders' right hand. The Lantern, shrunk to the size of a key chain, appeared around his waist thruming with his heart beat. The crown was never there, but it was implied as the guardian ship.
"I don't mean to be rude, to an all powerful being, such as yourself, but I'm weak by any standard. Too weak to be a Guardian. I have a family and the Hunters trial are soon, and I'm just 16. I can't become a Guardian." Alexander felt the weight of responsibility set on his shoulders, but something nudged his mind. A familiar warmth he had begun to get used to feeling in the coldness of his mind.
'Im worried. She hasn't told me what this job really entails. If there's a threat to my family then I should atleast know about it. Also, it doesn't seem like I have a choice in the matter. If shes a god, then she could just obliterate me.'
"Forgive me for my outburst. What are these things in the darkness that I must face?"
"Hmm, very good, Guardian. I see your senses have returned to you. I can't say the things you will hunt. But they are abominations. When they show their themselves, your Lantern will light your path, both in darkness and light. Continue your life as normal, but beware as my first Guardian, the bar is set high. If I call upon you again, do not disappoint me."
A'rathèl dismissed Alexander with a warning and advice. He tried to ask many more questions but she responded with a finger for silence and one sentence, "The dead await, and I have paused death for long enough."a flick of the same finger brought him back infront of the assistant.
His mind had blanked but he felt a sense of longing to go back, strangely at peace.
"Sir? Did you need anything else?" She asked, unknowingly concerned. She was just thinking if she had a Dimension crystal, the amount of walking would be cut in half when Alexanders face turned blank as if something was horrible wrong.
"No.. I'm good. Thanks," he spoke while dealing with all that had transpired.
A screen that poped up after she left held Alexander even more concerned. It was definitely sent by A'rathèl aa the border was coprate black and casket white.
//First Mission: Absorb a soul!//
'Mother, take me!'