59. The Champion | Beyond the Firmament: Tales From the Cosmos

Beyond The Firmament

Tales From The Cosmos

59. The Champion

- Written by Gift C Enyadike Jr

Sevaasi did not relent. He sent wave after wave of Paadlan to Morcadia. Though the Titaness, Fari Hasira, whom we called Ta'ani, drove most back, some would still get past her and down to the planet's surface, threatening the already delicate balance of the five-point star, but more than that, the very planet itself.

For all the flaws of my people, most of us share our creator's unrelenting hatred for all demon kind, even- no, especially in ignorance. As a result, we also share her trademark hubris in such matters. Believing we could face them hand-to-hand. 

Fortunately, the elders at the time, with whom she had fellowshipped, called Wanufa (Lords), were forewarned to fight back with their faith, calling upon the name of Da Vaada, when the Paadlan came for them and their congregations. 

"It is not enough!" claimed Yenaak, a leader amongst the Wanufa, who one night had climbed the tallest peak in all the land, Be'emot, to speak to her, "Our people are of weak mind and brittle faith. We need a champion for them to rally!"

"Am I not enough?" She asked of him, appearing as twin balls of glorious golden light and brilliant blue flame, an ode to her parents, Kibet and Kallor, "Is the Father, far greater than I, than all of the fallen, than any among you, not enough?" 

"They do not see you, Ta'ani," he said, "Though you are here, always. They do not feel Taa Feda', though he is here. The ti'oker are even more vulnerable to such blindness."

"Ti'oker?" She asked.

"The other races, Ta'ani," he corrected himself, "They do not commune with you, as we do. They do not appreciate the gift of life that you have given to us, through Taa Feda'. I have seen it. In fact, they welcome the demons, even breed with them. The dogs and fleas, especially."

He was, of course, referring to the Pakwitu and the Zad Doo.

She did not respond at first. She was not unsurprised by this, only by the boldness of using the term ti'oker, or "lessers" as we say in Da'ila'u, in her presence. It was that pride that I spoke of, here manifesting from being the first and "true" children of the Titaness. Though it was indeed a badge of honour. 

"Who will this champion be?"

"We believe Mo'epa would be perfectly suited. He is a man of deep faith, diligent study, of great standing within my congregation and, for his age, his prowess is unmatched. We had previously considered him for joining our own ranks."

"Very well."

"Da'ak gra, Ta'ani (Thank you, Titaness)," said Yenaak, beaming as he bowed, "I will bring him-"

"Send him."

"Ta'ani?"

"Send. Him."

"... Beeni, Ta'ani." (Yes, Titaness).

It had taken Yenaak five days to ascend that mountain and three to descend. It had taken Mo'epa only two. When he reached the summit, he saw her, but not as Yenaak and the other Wanufa had always seen her, but in her true form, and a great fear came over him. For to lay eyes on the divine is to meet death, or so it was believed, and he fell to the ground, cracking it with sheer force.

"Raise your head, my son."

"I cannot, you are..."

He felt the warm touch of her hands on his face and heard her firm command, "Stand."

He did so and looked upon her again, and she now resembled one of his own kind, though of far greater size.

"Have you knowledge of why you are here, son of Cataag?"

"No... Ta'ani," stated Mo'epa, "The Wanufa told me to climb. That you were calling for me."

"And you trusted him?"

"I trusted... Taa Feda'."

She smiled and turned from him, looking down at the world below, "Your people cry out for a champion against the Fallen. Is that you?"

"I do not know of such cries, Ta'ani," he admitted, before kneeling, "But if you would bestow me this honour, I will wear it until my final breath."

She looked down at him in study, "There is a pledge written in your heart. Speak it and live by it."

He closed his eyes and said the following:

"Kas 'o Fi'oran lo Ta'ani. Kas 'o belet lo Taa Feda'. Yi fatsi 'o makasma 'a dabu. 'a kil dit, gra wot kil ji!"

(I am the Apostle of the Titaness. I am the servant of the Father. This world is mine to protect. To kill it, you must kill me!)

At once, he was engulfed in white flame, which seeped into his flesh, his bones, his very soul. He let out a scream that was heard by all. When the pain subsided, he rose to his feet with an unfamiliar weightlessness.

"Apostle Mo'epa," said Fari Hasira, "You will go out into the far corners of the world, fighting and exorcising the Fallen wherever they are found. You will be a leader and teacher to all."

"Beeni, Ta'ani."

"You will also be tested, by me, by the Father, by those same Fallen, by the people, by the planet itself," She held his face once again, "Lean on your faith."

"I swear. Da'ak gra, Ta'ani."

"Then go," She said, turning from him once again

"What do I tell the Wanufa?" he asked.

"Your pledge."

He bowed once more and descended from the moment in a single leap, the first ever Fi'oran lo Ta'ani (Apostle of the Titaness).