The Rise to Godhood
Chapter 44: Dark Clouds on the Horizon.

Thorax Zelinkom was studying his massive member in his bedroom mirror. It was full of thorny spikes and lizard scales, and he looked at it with a sense of hatred and pride. He looked remarkably different from the rest of the Zetans, which didn’t help his love life. Other Zetans had smooth genitalia, which was more suitable for gentle lovemaking than the rough sadistic sessions Thorax dreamt about with his future mates.

His sex drive was problematic for several reasons. First, he was still a minor, 87 years too young to legally have sex on Zetani Nova. Seeing how he had developed compared to other Zetans, he didn’t even know whether he would live that long. A more significant issue was his looks. He knew that he acted as a repellent to all the Zetan women on the planet, so how would he replace a mate?

‘I’ll show them; I’ll take them by force if they reject me.’ Thorax grumbled and smiled wickedly to himself. Yet, as tempting as the thought was, it was also a dumb idea. His looks stood out from the rest of the Zetans, so the first rape he committed would be his last, as an angry mob would hunt him down.

‘Hmm, what if I become the master of the Xenos on Xenora, as True Maker once prophesized?’ Thorax reflected. Thorax recalled his visions of Xenora years ago when the True Maker still guided him. The Xenos were strong, and their women were much like him, thorny and scaly with lizard-like skin. Would it be possible for him to entice Xeno females with his raging violent dreams?

There was an obvious problem with the plan. Despite Thorax being larger than the other Zetans, he was small and weak compared to the Xenos. As a hybrid between Xeno and Zetan species, his physical inadequacy would cause him issues in the Xeno society, where physical strength was the law of the land.

‘The Xenora Zeto Crystal… If I can use it against the other Xenos, I can control their weak minds,’ Thorax thought. Although the Xeno species were far more aggressive and bloodthirsty than Zetans, their intelligence level was on par with those of a boar. If he found a way to control the Xenos, he could have as much rough sex as he wanted and seek something far more important. He could seek revenge against his mother for abandoning him and against Gaia for stealing his rightful place as the herald of the True Maker. How glorious it would be to retake what was his.

But to reach Xenora and dominate the galaxy, he needed to get away from Zetani Nova. He knew that to be extremely powerful, he needed to acquire the primordial Zeto crystals around the galaxy, and the first one to acquire should be the Zetani Nova Crystal.

Thorax realised that he could make a deal with Podixa. If she allowed him access to the Zetani Nova Crystal, he could charge a bunch of sapphires with it and have a plentiful supply of charged sapphires. He could offer to make her the strongest Zetan in the universe by teaming up with him once he becomes the Master of the Xenos.

Feeling excited by the prospects of his future revenge, Thorax got horny and relieved himself in front of the mirror while laughing and fantasising about how mighty he would become.

***

King Kailow Voltrom and his young son prince Mellron Kailom watched the double eclipse while on a boat and munching on an expensive delicacy, as Elvonia’s two moons merged in the sky and covered Elvonia’s sunlike star, showing traces of lights in the shape of a moonflower. It was the first time in Kailow’s thirteen years on the planet that he experienced the legendary Double Moonflower Eclipse, and he wished he could share the moment with Queen Imogen. Queen Imogen longed to witness the double eclipse before facing her unfortunate death three months earlier during child labour.

Kailow didn’t know what bothered him the most, the loss of his wife Imogen and his unborn child or the fact that he could have saved them if he had access to Zetan lifesaving technologies. Why did Imogen have to die so young?

On this occasion, Prince Mellron gave a speech to his Elven subjects to commemorate his darling mother and celebrate the Double Moonflower Eclipse. The address impressed Kailow. Despite his young age, Prince Mellron had given a magnificent speech, and he remained very composed despite his mother’s recent death. The Elven prophecy was correct; Mellron would lead the Elves to a Golden Age.

After giving the formal speech, Prince Mellron walked off the podium, hugged his father and spoke, “How did you replace my speech, father?”

“It was amazing. I am so impressed that you pulled yourself together after the tragedy.” Kailow replied.

“I did it for our people. Fíordhéantóir gives and takes. It is the way of our law. She took my mother too early, but she gave us this marvellous double eclipse, which marks the start of a new era.” Prince Mellron replied.

Kailow reflected on Mellron’s statement. He was confident that the True Maker had nothing to do with Queen Imogen’s death. Instead, the supreme deity only manipulated crucial events for the timeline. Gaia had explained that to him before he left her for Imogen.

Kailow thought about what had become of Gaia and his sister Areela. Had they arrived on Earth, and had they saved humanity? When thinking about his first love, Kailow felt a desire to leave Elvonia. He was an outsider on this planet, and without Imogen, he didn’t want to stay. Yet, his son needed him. Mellron was only 12 years old. He was too young to rule without his father’s wisdom and guidance.

Kailow woke up from daydreaming when Mellron looked at him with glowing blue eyes while murmuring words silently. Kailow gasped in shock, this was the third time he saw the mark of possession by True Maker, and it was as impressive as it was terrifying. “Your sister Areela and your true love Gaia will fulfil their mission of saving humankind, while your destiny and Mellron’s lie on Elvonia.”

After saying this, Prince Mellron reverted to his usual green eyes, and he spoke with a groggy voice. “Uhm, my head hurts… what happened?”

“Nothing, everything will be alright,” Kailow said as he watched the sunset and reflected on what changes life would bring.

***

“Ava, come here, my daughter.”

Ava Gaian was sitting down at the local herb garden and was educating the primitive humans about medicinal herbs when she heard her mother’s voice. She approached her dear mother, who was sipping tea by the garden shed. The humans revered her mother as a goddess, as she and the Zetans had built the Garden of Eden. Ava knew that people saw her the same way, making her uneasy. She didn’t strive for high status in life; she wanted to be like everyone else, albeit her pastel blue skin and half Zetan heritage made that impossible.

“Yes, mother, you asked for me,” Ava said and smiled politely.

“You are now 12 years old, and you’ll soon be a woman. Thus, you need to start thinking about replaceing yourself a suitable husband.” Gaia said.

“But I don’t want a husband. I want to be like you and Aunty Areela. You love each other, and you don’t yearn for any annoying males.” Ava said.

Gaia sighed. She wanted her daughter to copulate and spread her genes, and True Maker had instructed her on suitable mates for Ava when she turned 16. Yet, she hadn’t been leading by example, and she could face an uphill battle in convincing her daughter to seek male companionship.

“Before Areela and I found each other, I was in love with your father, Kailow. I thought he was the love of my life, but he abandoned me for an elven princess. Since then, I couldn’t see myself with another man.” Gaia revealed.

“So, why did father abandon us?” Ava said.

“He never abandoned you and your brother. He didn’t know about my pregnancy when he left me.” Gaia replied.

“So, then it’s your fault I don’t have a father? You were too prideful to return to him and tell him about us?” Ava exclaimed and rushed off in anger.

Gaia watched as her daughter walked away, and she couldn’t make herself run after the dear child. She had prioritised saving humanity, but the ice age period had slowly faded after the Mount Toba eruption, and she didn’t need to be on Earth all the time. So what had stopped her from visiting Kailow in the last few years? Was now a suitable time to visit Elvonia so her children could finally meet their father?

Gaia felt a cold breeze, and she saw dark thunderclouds on the horizon. ‘Hmm, I better turn on the forcefield to protect my people from the thunderstorm,’ Gaia thought and sent a voice command to the AI. “AI, turn on the forcefield in all sectors. Authorisation code, ZZ6B.”

“AI, please ignore that request, authorisation code ZZ12.”

Gaia turned around and looked at the person in front of her. It was the True Maker again, taking the form of Ellen Hines.

“Why are you here, and what happened to Keila?” Gaia asked.

True Maker snapped her fingers, changed her body to Keila Eisenstein, and replied, “I wanted to change it up, but I can use this form to appease you; it is all the same.”

“So, why did you turn off the forcefield?” Gaia asked.

“Because you cannot protect them forever; they’ll need to weather this storm,” True Maker replied.

“Why now, though? They are still young.” Gaia protested.

“Most of the humans in your ward are no longer children. They have reached adulthood, and they need to face a trial. Besides, Ava is correct. It is time for her and Adan to meet their father and stepbrother.” True Maker instructed.

“Stepbrother?” Gaia asked.

“Yes, Kailow had a son with Queen Imogen before her passing,” True Maker replied.

Hearing about Imogen’s passing filled Gaia with mixed feelings. One part of her wanted to reignite the flame with Kailow, but another really hated him. However, she knew that her children needed to see their father, and Areela would be happy to see her brother.

“Don’t even think about rekindling the flame with Kailow Voltrom. The two of you are not meant to be.” True Maker warned.

“I guess you are right. If I leave, will I ever return to Earth?” Gaia asked.

“Your spirit will never abandon this planet,” True Maker said and evaporated.

Gaia shivered as the icy rain soaked her, and she had an ominous feeling that her death was drawing closer.