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I stand there lost in my thoughts. I have been through Hell and faced every sin. I have known the love of my mother once more, and I never thought I would have ever gotten that chance. I have seen parts of existence that no mortal being has ever had the privilege of knowing existed. My life feels like it’s just a footnote of a story far greater than myself. The idea of what I am, or what self is has been challenged, reconstructed even. The only thing I can be sure of at this point in my life, is there is no turning back. Turning back would be death. Not because I fear I will be killed, but the life I knew, I can never truly return to. At this point I no longer desire to return to it. I need to know more. I need to know the truth.
“Behold mortal for Eld Water graces us with her presence,” Death bellows.
Water drips from above us landing on the throne of ice. The ceilings are too high for me to tell if the water is dripping off of them. The water looks like it would just appear mid air one drip at a time, landing on the throne shortly after. The speed in which the water drips onto the throne grows in pace making a large puddle upon the throne.
I find myself leaning in, looking into the puddle of pristine water that has been forming on the throne. Within it I can see an image. I thought it was my reflection, but the image is moving when I’m holding still. I want to take a closer look, but I didn't dare approach the throne. Death made it clear that the Eld can be angered easily if they feel disrespected in any way, shape, or form.
The image swims around on the surface of the pool drawing my attention in with more focus with each passing second. I'm sure the image is of Eld Water, but not being able to see the image clearly causes a feeling of anxiety in the pit of my stomach. Right as my patience reaches its apex, the water begins to move violently.
A hand shoots up out of the water reaching upward splashing water all over Eld Earth's throne adjacent to the ice throne. A second hand shoots through the water's surface splashing even more water on Eld Earth. Eld Earth didn’t react to the water splashing him at all like it’s imaginary, and I’m the only one seeing it. The hands reaching out of the puddle grab at the arm rests of the throne and start to pull the rest of her body out slowly. I watch closely as dark hair floats to the surface of the water contrasting the pale white skin of her hands and forearms. Beautiful green eyes peer out of the water directly towards me, her face bearing no expression. I turn my head away from her, noticing that as her body comes out of the puddle she’s completely nude. Unlike the other Eld her body is very human in appearance. I didn't want to offend her if my gaze wandered even if just briefly so I thought it would be best to look away.
“Mortal, you turn your gaze away from me. Can you not control the beast within yourself and look upon me without feeling the pangs of sexual energies?” Eld Water comments stoically.
“Eld Water, I don't look away to avoid feelings of arousal for there are none. I look away out of respect.” I say cautiously.
“I don’t understand humanity then. So respect is given only when no feelings of sexuality are present in mortals?” Eld Water states.
“Eld Water, the process of sexualization is really upon the viewer's perception. Some human beings have more control than others and can choose to feel otherwise, or act according to the feelings they wish to acknowledge. You’re beautiful and showing you respect just because you're beautiful would be just as pointless as showing you respect because I find you unattractive. I show you respect because it’s the right thing to do, and that respect can be further defined through coming into an understanding of each other's perspectives in any given situation.” I state just as stoically as Eld Water.
“A mortal with an open perspective is most likely to be misunderstood by its own kind before meeting an open mind. Feelings tend to confuse and put mortals at each other's throats. Accusing others of emotions that they can't feel for they’re not the being they're accusing . Is it worth it to save beings that treat feelings like facts? Beings that allow imagination to dictate action? Beings that would choose to sit in silence instead of communicating because they don't want to take the effort to find words that will make sense to those they want to understand? Beings that seek out the companionship of others who echo them, and discard them as soon as they speak against their perspective? How does respect fit into any of it?” Eld Water declares with an unchanging tone.
“Respect is something that should always be given until someone does something to lose it. Humanity is very emotional and those emotions can cause us to hurt others. To villainize the innocent just so we don't have to face the truth of our own selfish nature. On one hand, emotions cause us to play victim, run from responsibility, and deny the truth just so we don't have to face it. On the other hand, emotions take the positive experiences in life and elevate them. They can be used to guide us. When we feel fear and we can choose to face it, Growing verses running away from it desperately, looking for that feeling of being safe because we choose to hide over growing as a person...”
“What’s your point mortal?”Eld Water asks abruptly.
“My point, my point is that it all starts with respect. Respect for others, respect for the unknown, and respect for ourselves. If you don't have enough respect for yourself to keep your mind open, to challenge yourself. You can never truly show respect for others. Eld Water I looked away from you for it is the respect I would hope others would show me if I found myself in a similar situation.”
Eld Water sits there looking statuesque upon hearing my words. She just stares at the cold floor, lost in someplace inside of her head. After a few minutes, she tucks her hair behind her ears and sits up straight. Staring at me she clicks her fingers and ice begins to form, covering the exposed parts of her body. The ice reaches out like vines trying to reclaim a secret as it trails across her skin.
“I can see I have returned your focus mortal. Maybe there is something to what you have said and I will take it into consideration in the future. Mortal, do you feel your creator has treated you with the same sort of respect you speak of?” Says Eld Water.
I wasn't expecting such a direct question of that nature. Eld Water’s words feel like they cut into me with their directness. My heart wants to say yes to Eld Water’s question, but my mind stammers in its commitment to my heart. I have questions that need answers. Answers that are going to take time to find. In a moment of conflict between my heart and my mind, I choose to speak the truth.
“Eld Water I don’t know. That's not an answer I like giving at all, but I need time to find out what the truth is. Speaking in absolutes with nothing to draw from is like running away when there is nothing to fear. What I can tell you is I am dedicated to solidifying that answer, through gaining a deeper knowledge of all that is going on even if it takes me a lifetime to find it.” I say feeling a tinge of remorse
“I see mortal. If your dedication is to find out the truth then you’re dedicated to the cause even if it hurts you in the process. You seem to be a glutton for pain in general and your god will most definitely give you an abundance of it as you discover the truth. Your god has created so much, I have lost track of everything he has done. All we can do is sit back and hope a solution presents itself and mortal, I feel you will play a part in creating that solution. We can see you love your creator, but you love humanity more than your creator. That tells me you will be willing to do what it takes to bring order to this all. I don't necessarily believe you’re the answer to this issue mortal, but I do believe you’re what we have available to us now and we can’t wait any longer to weigh out our options.
You have already made your choice to become Death. Take the mantle but know that if you even consider betraying us that the Eld will bring all the laws of the universe crashing down around you. We will find a way to reset what the faceless one has done and in the moment you will have to make the choice of being part of the problem, or being part of the solution. I have nothing else to say to you.” Eld Water says with no fluctuations in her voice.
The Eld all rise from their seats and walk away fading like ash unto the wind. The room that was once so alive now is only filled with the sound of my breathing and the presence of Death.
“David, I know Eld Water uncentered you with her lack of emotion. Know that before God came into existence her waters were the only thing that could bring forth life. She played a vital role in creation and she feels God took that away from her. She has been jaded ever since he showed his ability to create life. Since God's existence, her womb has sat empty. She lived to be a mother and now she just waits looking for purpose. She is in pain. She has lost so much and God promised to help her find her place in his world. She feels he did not uphold that promise. Please try to understand where her heart is and show forgiveness for her lack of emotion David.” Death speaks with sorrow in his words.
I can understand a mothers loss. I grew up seeing it on a daily basis of how a mothers love can heal but also leave a longing for something better, something whole. Thinking of my mother smiling with tears in her eyes makes me think of the lack of expression on Eld Water’s face. She is in pain and needs to heal but has no idea where to start. I may not have words that will sooth her pain, but I hope my actions in balancing the universe will bring her some peace.
“David, follow me for we have work to do and not much time to do it in.” Death says hastily.