Tag: Supernatural

Mystical Companions

Early the next morning, the great Lords and Generals took leave from the Citadel to discuss critical strategic plans. They also shifted back into their celestial forms to travel at infinite velocity through the vastly enormous woods of mystical whispering willows. The vociferously chattering willows concealed any communication between them. In a flash, the multi-stoned clans of legionnaires were entrenched in the thick of the woods and meticulous deliberations.
Lord Bilal continued at a brisk pace in front of the unit before halting at a peculiar location. With heaviness in his voice, he began, “This recent turn of events has put the entire Emerald Kingdom in jeopardy. It is imperative at this moment that we align as many allies as possible. If you will not support our efforts, surely your Kingdom shall fall prey to the ruthless, unscrupulous enemies. What say you?” he demanded.
Lord Chimique was known for his glamorous appearances (with the present human form being his most extravagant). He inherited the status of Lordship over all the Diamond clan territories because of his ferocity on the battlefield. His beauty was a combination of intellect, calmness, and savagery. With a cool condescension, he teased, “Perhaps the Emerald clan should have chosen stronger alliances with superior beings, to begin with, and none of this would be happening.”
Lord Bilal roared back, “Our allies in Luab are perfectly skilled at war. They simply over-estimated their own strength!”
Vadiim passionately interjected, “A messenger should have been released at the first sign of being overtaken. My soldiers would have been dispatched without hesitation to terminate the vermin properly. We only come to you after the fact, not as a necessity.”
As rapid tension sifted in, General Aysha diplomatically joined the conversation before the entities brawled. “Your allies also under-estimated the tactics of an enemy who only recently upon attack became known to them. It is difficult to conquer an opponent that has not been thoroughly investigated successfully.”
“I must admit, it was quite a wretched scheme of the cursed Yellow Toad Ogres to affiliate themselves with our ancient rivaled Sapphire clan. Their poisonous secretions could melt through the thickest iron, let alone any entity in direct contact. I tremble to think of all who lost lives on this account,” Lord Chimique acknowledged. 
“We could not save them at all when we could not even defend ourselves,” Vadiim replied.
“In all the ages, the Sapphire clan has never stooped so low as to enlist a necromancer to wield weapons coated with particles of the Crystallization stones. Lord Bilal is correct; we are all in dire straits if there is no final resolution,” General Aysha whispered.
“The despicable works of the treacherous Sapphire clan must end,” Lord Bilal raged.
Vadiim became reinvigorated and rallied further. “Let us annihilate this troublesome bunch for once and for all.”
General Aysha also felt compelled to continue to persuade Lord Chimique. “It has been over 3,000 moons since the Diamond and Emerald clans joined forces to drive out the Sapphire clan. Our success brought on eras of longevity and fruitfulness for both clans that are unparalleled with any other living beings. The Emerald Kingdom’s discovery and adoption of the magnificent Princess Keinah has thrust their kinsmen into the dawn of new beings. How can we ever compare if we forfeit on the technicality that we are all obliterated?”
Lord Chimique had long remained restless over the ages, knowing full well that the Diamond clan ranked a close 2nd to the Emerald clan because of General Vadiiamonial. The solace was that General Aysha was the only celestial being to manage a near victory over Vadiim in a duel that ended in a draw during one of the last tournaments held by the imperial Diamond twins. The revelation of Princess Keinah’s legend drove Lord Chimique to utter madness because nothing could ever match to such a rare find.
Lord Chimique swallowed his pride to ensure that his kinsmen would survive this perceived apocalypse and held a slither of hope that there could be more humans like Keinah that the Diamond clan could possess for their own Kingdom. “It seems that this matter is settled, then. Generals; prepare to launch a full-scale attack on the region of Preluab where our enemies dwell,” he declared.
After the deliberations were over, the unit returned to the Citadel that evening. Keinah waited at the main entrance. None of her radiance had diminished since the night of their arrival. Lords Bilal and Chimique were doubled over in awe at her brilliant glow. Lord Chimique was unaccustomed to entertaining any other being more beautiful than him, but he could not compete with Princess Keinah’s subtle indifference to her appearance. General Aysha immediately took a knee to bow at Keinah’s feet humbly, and the rest followed suit.
Vadiim escorted Keinah back to the lavish royal chambers where she rested. Her illuminated glow caused the luxurious articles in the room seemed to dolefully pale compared to an entity of her stature. Once Vadiim closed the doors behind him, they stood silently, glowering at each other for several moments. The trance was broken when a foot soldier gently tapped on the door to announce that mealtime would be served in the great hall. Just as Vadiim was about to exit the room, Keinah called out his name with a heavy sigh of grief. Her voice coldly stopped him in his tracks, and he reluctantly turned to witness the pain in her eyes as she trembled. “What is it?” he asked calmly.
“Can you no longer stand the sight of me?” she belted between stifled tears.
Vadiim was shocked by her accusation and even more alarmed by her sense of panic. He remembered Queen Ordessa’s discerning report of Keinah’s traumatic life and death, so he chose his words carefully. “There is not one living being who could ever deny the splendor of your extraordinary transformation since the beginning of our relations. For Celestials, time passes slowly, and everything remains consistent over multiple centuries. It is beyond our stream of consciousness to fathom your precipitous butterfly-like existence. For me, this experience is baffling, amazing, and terrifying, all at once. I know you must be within the throes of an unbearable uncertainty as you continue to come to terms with the state of your afterlife. I commend you for taking it all in with a graceful stride. You have my unwavering allegiance and undying love to cover you,” he assured her.
Keinah rushed over to him and buried her face in his chest as she loudly wept. He gripped her and caressed her coiled black hair long after she finished crying. She looked into his eyes with certainty as he gently swept away the few remaining tears from her cheeks. Then he removed the amulet bangles from her wrists and feet, as they had been rendered useless since the attack at Luab. Keinah took this as a sign of good faith that her husband gave his full support and truly accepted who she had become. As she walked behind him towards the main hall, she whispered an incantation to serve as an oath to protect Vadiim and their bond above all else.

The Far Side of Hereafter, Ch. 19


 
 
 
 
 
 

League of the Extraordinary

To fall under the mandated laws of the Emerald Queen, the entire Diamond Clan army assumed human forms in anticipation of receiving the Emerald Princess. High Chief Lord Chimique was well regarded as one of the most experienced adventurist, as his travels and conquests kept him along the Oriental trading posts. His attire was a regal white diamond-encrusted kimono and long, flowing black hair. He looked the opposite of what would be considered a great warrior; however, he was well revered in martial arts. General Aysha had spent several eons with the Amazonian Valkyries. Naturally, she presented herself in the same fashion, with long white dreadlocks that rested against her sable-black complexion. Her topaz-colored leotard and thigh-high diamond boots made her look like a flash of diamonds.
Vadiim safely led his team to the Citadel in no time. All were perplexed, in shock and awe to behold the Emerald Princess. She resembled nothing like the humans they had been for-warned about. Even Lord Bilal was amazed to see Keinah’s transition, but quickly signaled for everyone to bow to the Emerald Princess. They entered the Citadel and were treated to a great feast.
Keinah walked out to the balcony to get fresh air and enjoy the rest of the night sky. There stood the Diamond clan Valkyrie; General Aysha. They both remained in silent awe of each other. Then General Aysha broke their trance by bowing at Keinah’s feet. This startled Keinah, and she abruptly pleaded with the General to return to her feet. They continued to gaze at each other for at least thirty seconds before a fit of laughter came over them.
General Aysha quickly regained composure as she remembered she was addressing a member of the royal Emerald family. “Milady, please forgive my display of absurdity. There is no excuse for me to conduct myself in such an ill manner. I hope you do not find me to be in contempt of your station,” she said.
Keinah continued to smile and clasped her hands around Aysha’s face. “Great, General Aysha, do not fear me. I am glad to make your acquaintance. Please know that I have not found such a pleasant moment since I departed from my human life. It could not come to me at a better time.”
General Aysha proudly continued their embrace by clasping her hands on Keinah’s face, believing that this was a customary greeting among humans. “Your Grace, if I should be so bold to declare that your beauty and radiance are unmatched in all the realms that I have toured.”
Keinah humbly accepted the compliment before releasing her hold on General Aysha. “Many thanks to you, Great General Aysha. My mother, the Emerald Queen, has told me scores of inspiring details about your accomplishments and your knowledge of countless realms. I can only aspire to be like you,” she said.
General Aysha took her compliments in an equally humbling fashion, though it brought on a spell of inquisitiveness. “May I ask why you have accompanied the Emerald soldiers to the brink of a full-on war?”
Keinah was taken aback by the question but responded with absolute resolve. “I contribute my assistance. I am not an experienced warrior like you, but surely, I can bend a cross-bow and arrow to slay as many enemies that come against us.”
General Ayasha was mesmerized by the simple idea of the Emerald Princess desiring to become a warrior. No other royal member had ever taken such a brazen stance in defending their kingdoms. “What does the Emerald Queen have to say about this?” She further inquired.
Keinah continued, “As you already know, I am not from this realm. The Emerald Queen was gracious enough to adopt me after I perished in my human life. I am not of true royal blood, nor am I a real Emerald clansman. My human life was plagued with all kinds of restraints that kept me from living fully. It is my adoptive mother’s wish that my existence here is the opposite. For me to adapt to my surroundings, I must serve with purpose. If I cannot fight the enemy head-on, I will heal the sick and wounded so that they may do it for me in my stead.”
The light of dawn came bursting over the mountains as Keinah finished her statement. She no longer dazzled with starlight, but the sun’s radiance shined over her and sent beams throughout the Citadel. Everyone bowed in reverence to her latest transformation. Vadiim sent his foot soldiers to escort Keinah to her sleeping chambers. She kissed General Aysha on the cheeks and was whisked away.
At least a hundred dozen of the Diamond clan’s soldiers became disgruntled because of having to transform into a human form and noting that because of Keinah’s transcendent dazzling glow, she was unlike any other human they had heard tales of, let alone encountered. This put Vadiim in a defensive mode. His piercing emerald eyes darted across the room at everyone, as if to dare anyone to challenge him against the Princess’s attendance. The room was smoldering with tension.
General Aysha calmly approached him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “General Vadiiamonial, it is a great honor to see you once again. It has been far too long since we last stood side by side. I have revered the stories of your valor and strength. Everyone here is proud to be in your presence. So why are you in the least bit ill at ease?” she inquired.
Vadiim relaxed his position and spoke kindly to his comrade-in-arms. “General Aysha, it is always a pleasure to stand with you. On these occasions, I prefer no one else. Your courageous efforts to keep the Diamond clan primely advancing into the future have made you one of the finest legendary legionnaires ever to exist. Surely you know that the Emerald Princess is my main concern for various reasons. I simply cannot afford to allow her undoing. Since we know little to nothing of the state of her existence, I am finding it hard to understand how to keep her fully intact.”
General Aysha took a long pause before declaring, “General Vadiiamonial, you have my sworn oath that no harm shall befall her under my watch!” 
Vadiim embraced Aysha and sighed heavily. “I appreciate your aide, General Aysha, but even you might come to see that the Princess is more than a handful. She is hell-bent on lending her services, much like that of a lower-ranking soldier. I could not change her behavior, nor talk her into knowing her station.”
General Aysha wildly laughed before staring intently at her comrade. “I beg your forgiveness, Sir, but you sound mad at the very least. There is no greater honor than serving your fellows. The humans have been taught this, or at least something to that effect since the earliest days of their existence. We all can learn about the mysteries of your Princess just by observing her actions. She is unlike any human that is known to us. I heard tales of how even the Great Reaper proclaimed her excellence.”
The room fell deathly quiet as General Aysha continued to speak. “Princess Keinah is a divine entity and should not be hidden away from all to bear witness. Her desire to offer service is a part of her divine gifting. Her powerful incantations are passed down from her lineage. Who are we to deny her of her true nature just because she is so unique from any of us? I know she is your eternal mate, but her divine destiny hereafter is too important to squander.” She bowed to apologize for her bluntness.
Vadiim smiled with invigoration and relief. “Arise comrade! You have spoken nothing but the truth. Your candor and wisdom deeply move me. There is no mistake that you truly are the greatest legionnaire ever to exist!”
Every soldier in the room marveled at the exchange of the two legendary generals and applauded loudly for them.

The Far Side of Hereafter, Ch. 18

 
 
 
 

Spirited Homage

By the eleventh day, Vadiim felt it was time to move the entourage to the Citadel of Velour, where Lord Bilal had arranged for them to meet. There were no stars that shined that night. Vadiim became frustrated that they could not move in the right direction and chastised the lead scouts as they were lost.
Even the moon was hidden behind the darkest clouds that had ever been seen. The group marched on in the dead of night in misery. Inconsolable suffering loomed over their heads as they trekked onward with no hope in sight. Countless minutes of agony encompassed them. The sickly and wounded honey badgers were picked off by imminent death. The entourage had no choice but to halt their journey to attend to the demands of aiding the helplessly afflicted.
A wicked drizzle of rain poured down from the sky. The seemingly impossible situation became dire by then, as six badgers perished right before their eyes. The remaining badgers grieved amongst each other as their kinsmen could no longer evade the reality of the situation.
The late Chieftain’s sole heir to the clan was a young honey badger called Breonas. He was overwhelmed with rage and grief, as he suddenly found himself thrust into leadership. The Honey Badger clan were merry folk who lived a peaceful way of life. Their world had been thrown into chaos because of the attack on their beloved city. They marched along with Vadiim’s men in somber silence.
Keinah suddenly became heartsick for the Honey Badger clan. She recalled the heaviness of despair that plagued her dreadful human existence. A tear rolled down her cheek as she went to comfort young Breonas and his remaining clan members. Along with the frustration of being lost, Vadiim’s soldiers scowled when she requested the party to halt and allow the Honey Badgers to grieve the loss of their elder chieftain and deceased families.
Vadiim instantly rebuked his men; “Stifle your protests and take heed! The Emerald Princess has commanded we reserve this moment to care for our wounded allies. Though it is not our customary tradition to memorialize those who have perished, we will honor the outstanding efforts of Elder Chieftain Cabrera and the Honey Badger fellows who laid down their lives. Sorrow is a sentiment that Celestials do not contend with, but who better to give testimony than the woman who successfully walked through the gates of Sheol of her own volition?”  
Keinah addressed the camp somberly; “When my grandmother was near the end of her suffering, she spent several days struggling bitterly between the living realm and the afterlife. Finally, the time came where death had won the battle. She took her last breath, and it was such a relief. She had been released from torment to transition into beautiful peace. I have hope in that place. We can all be grateful that our loved ones could depart in the same manner. Though our hearts are laid with heavy grief, we must carry on with eyes pressed towards the prize of victory over our persecutors,” she preached.
After her eulogy, Keinah spoke an eloquent incantation that brought on an enchantment over the entire camp. Suddenly, the moon shined brightly, breaking through the clouds. The North star appeared directly over Keinah’s head. She became a reflected illumination of the millions of dazzling stars in the sky. The scouts were no longer confused or lost. The party made haste towards the Citadel to meet with the awaiting battalions.

The Far Side of Hereafter, Ch. 17

 
 
 

Ensnared by Passion

The party set out for the region of Luab, where their allies awaited relief. This place was the pentacle of a violent war that erupted between supernatural and immortal beings. The battle raged on for months. Faulty intel led Vadiim and his soldiers to believe that most of the enemies fled, and only a few insurgents remained. It could not be any further from the truth. The following days brought on a chain of events that would change the course of everyone’s existence.
At first sight upon arrival, the coast appeared to be clear. Vadiim dismounted his horse and had several soldiers scan the area, looking for any survivors of the attack. They heard a cry not far away, in what was an old fort. As they reached the entrance, the enemies ambushed them with a full-on assault. The goblins were armed with weapons that had shards of the same stone as the crystallization sword embedded inside. There were fighters on both sides who were injured, dead, or turned to stone. Through the melee, Vadiim searched for Keinah. 
She entered the fortress nearly unscathed and released the hostages, which were a band of golden honey badgers standing at the height of an average human. As they emerged to join the fight, Keinah could see that Vadiim was in an intense sword duel with at least five opponents. She quickly picked up a cross-bow and nine arrows off the ground. Her clothes were torn from crawling under barbed wire. She tied a piece of her ripped skirt to a few arrows, lit them in a fire pit, and struck three of the enemies down. Vadiim was briefly startled at the sight of his wife having the fortitude to handle a weapon with such mastery before he reentered in his match with the remaining two adversaries.
In no time after he defeated his foes, he led the surviving allies across a long bridge. He viciously fought off any opponent to clear the way. Keinah and a few legionnaires pulled up at the rear. The bridge was made of a thick rope with wooden slabs as the walkway. A wounded goblin cut the rope with a machete. Since Keinah was in the rear near the edge of a cliff, she held on to one side of the line, and a soldier held on to the other. The lingering soldiers pulled them back with all their might. They kept the bridge from collapsing.
Suddenly, treacherous rainstorm wailed against them. The soldier holding the other end helped Keinah to tie the ropes to a tree stump, and then they made their way across the bridge. A bolt of lightning struck the stump, severing the rope once more. Vadiim rushed back across the bridge to collect Keinah, but they all fell as the bridge was destroyed. Vadiim morphed into a cloud to cover Keinah as they plummeted several thousand feet. The troupe crashed hard and descended into a pitch-black cave. Vadiim called out to Keinah and all his soldiers to see if they were alright.
Suddenly a dazzling light appeared, as Keinah stood boldly before them. She had removed the bangles on her wrist to shine a light in the darkness. She led the way for the surviving allies, as Vadiim ordered his soldiers to shift into their protective emerald shields to cover them. He had a recurrence of the chilling moments as he helplessly guided Keinah across the brimstone pathway in Sheol.
After what seemed like several hours, the entourage escaped the cave and found a safe sight to bed down for the night. Vadiim took some soldiers to set up a secure border and surveillance of the surrounding area to ensure that they would not come under attack soon. Many within the group needed rest and medical attention after such a confrontation.
A junior ranking soldier made haste to report the whereabouts of Keinah. “General; the Princess took leave to bathe over by a waterfall next to the camp.”
 Vadiim left his soldiers in charge of security and headed towards a great waterfall. There he could see Keinah bathing in a carefree manner. He dashed behind her and drove her inside a cave that was hidden behind the waterfall. She stood before him, completely naked in shock.
“Vadiim, what in the devil has gotten into you?” She asked in astonishment.
Vadiim tried to conceal his wrath but could not hold his tongue. “Tell me, Keinah, what in the devil has gotten into you? Aside from the point that you disobeyed my orders to return to the castle, you deliberately put yourself in harm’s way by stealing away into the depths of a hazardous zone. Not to mention holding a military-style weapon that you could have easily hurt yourself with. To make matters worse, you unleashed your light in a dark cave, which could have caused calamity on all of us, given the gravity of the situation!”
Keinah was struck to her core at his cutting words. “I was… I was only trying to help.” She said in a somber tone.
“You are a Princess of the Emerald kingdom! You should not even be here! From now on, refrain from any other precipitous behavior, and know your place,” he barked, as she winced.
Keinah turned away from him, but he could see the flash of pain in her eyes caused by his scorn. He exited the cave, only to stand beneath the waterfall and contemplate his actions. “Why do I do this? Why have I dealt with her harshly by treating her as if she is one of my common foot soldiers instead of my wife?” He thought to himself.
After a few minutes, he reentered the cave and slowly went over to Keinah to console her from behind. She flinched at his touch, so he kept his arms by his side. In a gentler voice, he said, “You showed an expert amount of skill and discipline with the cross-bow. Where did you learn?”
Keinah inhaled and exhaled a deep breath before she revealed, “Edytheos taught me. I forced him into it, even though we knew no one would approve.”
“But why?” he asked in confusion.
Tearfully, she confessed, “When I was assailed by the robbers in the alley that night, it cost me my life. I never want to be that pathetic and helpless again. I trained hard every day while you were gone. It made me feel strong and gave me peace enough to sleep at night.”
She looked up at him and said, “Your weapons are not the only behind the bedpost.”
Vadiim was overwhelmed at her profound admission and silently rested his forehead against hers. He cautiously cuffed her face with his hands and attempted to kiss her. She resisted, but he would not turn her loose. Again, he moved in for a kiss, only to be met in surprise as she countered by slapping his face as hard as she could. When he let go, she backed herself against the cave wall in fright. Vadiim paused in shock for a moment, then remorsefully bowed on one knee in front of her. His advancements did not cease as he maneuvered himself close enough to kiss her left knee gently. Leisurely, his lips grazed the inside of her thigh. Eventually, he rested his mouth between her legs. Keinah was paralyzed in pleasure and did not resist.

The Far Side of Hereafter, Ch. 16

Discontent

After dozens of briefings between the General and all the Lords had convened, it was late in the afternoon. Vadiim returned to the palace, this time with much ado and a proper welcome for a kinsman of his stature. The Queen ordered an elegant banquet to be held with all the nobles in attendance. Vadiim quickly searched the grounds for his wife, but could find her nowhere.
He anxiously approached the Queen and humbly bowed. “My Queen, this is quite fine of a production you have put on in my honor. I am much obliged,” he said.
Queen Ordessa let out a hearty laugh and retorted, “Thank you, General, this is one of my best banquets, if I say so myself.”
He did not know how to reply, so he remained quiet with a half-grin.
“General, I know you did not come over here to discuss with me the fine art of banqueting. I suppose you’d like to know the whereabouts of Princess Keinah.” She teased.
He coyly replied, “Forgive me, my Queen, but she has not been in attendance to my arrival banquet. Am I right?”
The Queen giggled as she went to take a sip of wine from her vial, then said, “You are true. My youngest daughter has forgone the celebration of her courageous husband’s return. She was not the least bit interested in leaving her plants unattended in the garden. I could not persuade her to come, so I left her there on her own devices. She is probably still in the garden in efforts to avoid you, or this circus as she called it.”
Vadiim grew irritated at the Queen’s amusement. Without saying a word, he stormed off to Keinah’s garden. Just as the Queen predicted, she was still inside the botanical dome. Vadiim eagerly went to greet her, but she pushed him aside to retrieve a vial to water her plants. He could sense she was infused with anger. He commanded her to speak. She remained quiet and ignored his calls to her. When she went to walk by him again, he swiftly grabbed her by the shoulders to pin her against a wall.
“Keinah, I have returned from a year-long voyage, and did not know how long it would be before I could see you again. I am grateful for our time together. Please speak to me,” he demanded.
Keinah tried to conceal her rage by avoiding eye contact. “What’s the big deal? You don’t even like going to the Queen’s banquets,” she answered with ire.
Surprised at her tone, he replied, “I do not care about the banquet. All I wanted is to see you.”
Keinah scoffed, “You see me now, as you saw me earlier.” She pushed him off and turned to walk away, and Vadiim abruptly grabbed her wrist.
“My love, apathy does not suit you,” he cautioned.
Keinah tried to snatch away, but he would not release her. For several minutes, they were grid locked in a struggle, until she gave in. “I am just preparing myself for my lot in the afterlife!” she exclaimed.
He turned her loose and asked, “What do you mean?”
She looked him square in the eyes and revealed the source of her anger. “You have been gone a whole year after our vows. The one vow that you made to stay by my side has been dismissed. Upon your return, you roused me long after dusk to make love, only to leave me alone once again.”
Anguished by her accusation, Vadiim reminded her of his position. “Keinah, that is not fair! You know the terms of the condition that I must abide to keep you with me will always involve my continuation in protecting the Emerald kingdom.”
She drew in a deep breath and sharply replied, “Yes, my dear husband, I know you are the great General of the Emerald clan. You are who you are. Except, this is NOT who you were to me on the beach.”
Vadiim became furious and squeezed her by the shoulders. “If I recall correctly, it was YOU who always left me alone on the beach,” he said.
Keinah was cut to her core by his words. The wrath in her eyes turned to pure water, as she recalled each time she had to leave him on the beach. Her body went limp, and she cried, “Vadiim, you know that was not my fault. It could not be helped.”
Vadiim quickly regained composure and immediately regretted his statement. He pulled Keinah into his embrace to console her. Softly he said, “What would you have me do, my love? It is not as if I could steal you away in the night to carry you off to a remote island. We can never live as we did before.”

The Far Side of Hereafter, Ch. 15

The Emerald Princess

Early one morning, Lord Bilal took leave from the capital to rendezvous with Vadiim and his soldiers at the southern cross, a region near to Imuiir. There, he was briefed on the latest reports about the recovery of several captured citizens. After the briefing, Lord Bilal and Vadiim descended over a river to fetch some drinkable water.
“General, you have outdone yourself on this mission. It will be completed in no time,” Lord Bilal boasted.
Vadiim remained silent as he took a drink. He never relished in compliments, but his silence seemed troubling to Lord Bilal.
“Is there something the matter with you?” Lord Bilal pried.
“You warned me, but I did not listen. Now I feel everything is wrong.” Vadiim confessed solemnly.
Surprised, Lord Bilal queried, “General; in our entire span, I have never known you to be so full of despair or self-doubt. Not to mention, you have never once agreed with anything I said. What in the devil is this babble about?”
Vadiim landed beside the river bank and dazed past the surrounding treeline. “This is about Keinah. You said that I had no business meddling in the human realm. You were right. Now my actions have brought upon eternal damnation to her. She was robbed of the opportunity to visit the heavenly realm and reunite with her grandmother and mother, for that matter,” he said.
Lord Bilal chuckled, then took a sharp tone. “If I remember correctly, it was you who infiltrated the gates of Sheol, guided her past the menacing ghouls, and brought her safely to the paradise side. Let us not forget that because of your worth to our kinsmen, the Queen had mercy and released you to rejoin us in the Emerald Kingdom. Not only that, but she also adopted your lover as her daughter, made her a princess, and gave her permanent residence in the palace. Princess Keinah is highly revered among our clan and worshipped as a national treasure. I know little about humans, but I’d say her outcome in the afterlife comprises the stuff that they fervently pray to their deities for.”
Vadiim glanced with a half-smile. “I am sure you are a right old friend. It’s just that I still can’t help but feel responsible for ruining her in some ways, because I wanted her for myself,” he said.
Lord Bilal looked him in the eyes and said, “There is nothing you can do to change the course of the way things played out. Keinah came with you and became your eternal mate. Do not exhaust yourself with worry, when everything turned out very well in the end. You are probably just getting anxious because you will see her shortly after this mission concludes.”
A reinvigorated Vadiim rose and said, “You must be on a streak, as we agree once again. I will be reunited with Keinah within a short while.”
Lord Bilal corrected him, “You will join her as soon as we conference with all the other Lords at the Capital.”
When the year-long excursion successfully ended, Vadiim made haste to the Emerald palace to Keinah’s estate. It was stark of the night when he arrived. One of the lead manservants called Edytheos, came to greet him at the entrance. 
With a deep bow, he said, “Great General, please forgive me. We were unaware of or prepared for your arrival this late evening.”
Vadiim prompted him to stop bowing and eagerly asked, “Where is Keinah?”
A flabbergasted Edytheos quickly answered back, “Why at this late hour, she is fast asleep in the royal chambers. Shall I rouse her for you?”
Vadiim interrupted, “No, do not wake her. Do not alert anyone to my presence. I assure you, this visit will be brief.”
Edytheos bowed again as Vadiim entered the house. In human form, he freshened himself with a bath in the hot springs. Upon entering their bedroom, he stood over Keinah, watching her sleep. Her long tresses of unruly coils spread about the pillows and even covered most of her face.
“She has been granted the status of a Princess, yet she still sleeps like a wild child in the village,” he chuckled to himself.
Within a moment, he quietly slid onto the bed beside her. As he removed the covers, her tousled sleeping position revealed that her nightgown was hiked up, exposing a healthy portion of her bare buttock. This sight instantly aroused him. Of all the species he had known, only she could provoke such overwhelming emotions from him. He leaned further over her to inhale the sweet fragrance from her hair. Even though her aroma drifted throughout the estate, being that close to her caused him to become drunkenly mesmerized. His tender caress over the succulent cheek of her rump caused her to stir with fret. She opened her eyes to see Vadiim lying next to her. She yawned and rubbed her eyes to awaken.
He softly whispered to her, “There is no need to fret, my sweet love. Tis I, your husband, who has come home from yet another long journey.” With all the valiant titles and honors he had gained in his lifetime, being called and acknowledged as Keinah’s husband was equally cherished and important to him as being a General.
In a disappointed tone, she said, “My dear, why did no one inform me of your arrival? I could have waited outside to greet you properly, or at the very least have a hot meal prep….”
Vadiim silenced her by gently placing a finger over her mouth. Then he slowly traced the outline of her full lips with his tongue before kissing her. She knew there was nothing left to say, so surrendered to his lust. He could feel her body trembling as if to be feverishly aching for him, so he agilely eased himself between the warmth of her thighs. She graciously guided him into position before they vigorously romped about the large bed in ecstasy throughout the night.

The Far Side of Hereafter, Ch. 14


 
 
 
 
 

Queen’s Move

In the meantime, Lords Bilal and Orcel made haste towards the Emerald castle to request an appointment with the Queen. Upon entering the royal throne room, they both were beside themselves with frantic angst. They were reprimanded by the Queen’s advisors for acting so unbecoming in her presence. Queen Ordessa herself was beaming with satisfaction that her designs were coming to fruition as she desired.
“Lords Bilal and Orcel, to what do I owe this unexpected call?” she inquired with an unmasked smirk.
The Lords bowed reverently, then rose indignantly. “My Queen, please forgive our bold nature at this most perilous time. There have been reports that General Vadiiamonial has once again abandoned his post, only this time, his whereabouts are unknown,” Lord Bilal stated soberly.Lord Orcel anxiously interjected, “It appears that the General has vanished into thin air!”
The Queen paused for what seemed like a long time, while haphazardly concealing a contemptuous smirk. She did not want to tip her hand just yet. “This is a rather odd development, but not at all surprising given the General’s passionate performance at the courthouse,” she boasted.
The Lords were dumbfounded into a stupor by her words and simultaneously asked her to further expound.
She continued, “We witnessed together as The Reaper delivered the human girl to the gates of Sheol. Now, let us do something that has never been done before; use our imagination. It is no coincidence that General Vadiiamonial is inaccessible at this very hour. I suppose it is likely that he infiltrated the gates to be with his lover.”
“Impossible!” Lord Bilal retorted in disappointment. “This makes the most sense. Perhaps he intends to use his excellent navigational skills to guide her. There is no doubt that she will reach the paradise side swiftly, with the General’s help,” Lord Orcel optimistically proposed.
“He should not be there in the first place! Celestials have no business meddling in human affairs.” Lord Bilal huffed.Queen Ordessa ordered the servers to bring calming incenses and tea bombs. The entire room was instantly filled with smoke and a fragrance similar to Keinah’s scent. Then, the Queen was ready to reveal her move. “There is a much greater problematic issue at hand; He has already offered his eternal commitment to this woman. Suppose his true intentions are to remain there with her to dwell for all times,” she stated.For the first time, grief descendent over the Lords. Lord Orcel erupted in panic. “This is unimaginable and could cause all types of calamity, if that is the case!” Lord Bilal became overwhelmed in defeat. “If the Emerald kingdom and all our provinces are left unprotected, there will be a vast majority of entities to wage massive campaigns to dismantle our homelands. This human girl has ultimately become our undoing,” he concluded. The Queen allowed the Lords to wallow in their stupor. They mumbled amongst themselves to sort out the next play. “We have to release him at once and convince him to come back to his natural senses,” Lord Orcel declared aloud.
Queen Ordessa was delighted that it did not take eons to arrive at the desired conclusion. “The only way to achieve that goal is to bring the girl out with him,” she chimed with faux thoughtfulness.
A vexed Lord Bilal immediately disagreed, but stifled his complaint. “My Queen, that is not even remotely a possibility. Not to mention that we would have to contend with The Reaper all over again,” he protested.
Queen Ordessa had lost all patience with her attempt to persuade the Lords that her idea was plausible. “It is of no consequence, and the Reaper would have no such reason to return. As far as he is concerned, the human girl was successfully delivered to the gates of Sheol. Whatever should become of her within the realm of the afterlife is not a matter of issue for him,” she rebuked sternly.
Lord Orcel surrendered to the calming effect of the incenses. He took a softer tone and replied, “My Queen, please inform us of your plans? Would you keep her here as a detainee or a palace pet?”
Queen Ordessa called for her royal scribes and decreed, “None of the above! Keinah is a rare priceless jewel, not only to the General but us as well. Think about it; her wellbeing will benefit the entire kingdom and keep him at peace. She will reside with me inside the palace grounds and shall want for nothing. This way, General Vadiiamonial’s utmost desire will be fulfilled. Nothing will come between him and his eternal mate, and he will continue to proudly serve and protect the Emerald kingdom wholeheartedly.” This measure did not sit well with Lord Bilal. Flabbergasted, he interjected, “Absurd! What if other Celestials seek to find and bring humans here? We would become overrun to the brink of ruin!”
Queen Ordessa found humor in Lord Bilal’s resistance to the incenses. She chuckled before stating, “It is evident that this particular human girl is a rare find. None of our ancient elders had the fortune to come across one in her likeness, whose soul radiantly illuminated with such fragrant pureness. The Reaper himself identified her essence as unique.”
The Lords determined they could not sway the Queen from her resolution. An unheard of initiative was created to retrieve both Vadiim and Keinah from the paradise side of Sheol. To some citizens, Queen Ordessa’s motives appeared to lean more into the politics of protecting the kingdom. To others, it became clear that she had developed a genuine affection towards Keinah.
Queen Ordessa adopted Keinah as her daughter, declaring her an Emerald Princess with a status similar to her other 12,434 offspring. The entire west wing within the sprawling palace grounds was sectioned off for Keinah’s living quarters. A domed botanical garden, planetarium, library, and regal manor were all gifted to her estate. The Queen enlisted a host of volunteer Celestials to serve as the Princess’s attendants. All 1900 were ordered to take on only human forms. It was intended to ensure that Keinah would live in comfort while Vadiim protected the kingdom. Keinah’s servants underwent meticulous training to prepare for suitably working while continuously existing under the direct influence of Keinah’s overwhelmingly intoxicating aroma.
Along with being bestowed the royal title, Keinah was tattooed beneath her left breast with the official Emerald clan seal. The Queen took a step further by declaring Keinah’s coronation, not only her new birthday but a nationally celebrated holiday. To fall in accordance with human customs, far more frequent seasonal banquets and festivals were held in her honor. The Emerald kingdom entered an era of exuberant exhilaration that had been long-awaited.
For Keinah, it was a time of bewilderment and wonder. While traveling through the provinces outside the palace, she noted all the lavish mansions that laid stacked on top of each other. She realized that there was a level of upper crest living that she had been denied in her natural life. She was not used to being celebrated, let alone being waited on. Keinah often respectfully declined to accept any other gifts that her new mother offered. Queen Ordessa knew Vadiim held the key to Keinah’s heart, so she researched human betrothments and planned an outrageously lavish wedding for them.
Keinah’s wedding dress was a spectacular satin black ballgown embellished with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. Attached to her tiara was a lace veil. Vadiim wore a military-styled tuxedo with most of his notable medals decorated on his jacket. The Emerald High Priest studied human ceremonial practices so that he could officiate for them. Inside the majestic throne room, they declared their vows in front of the Queen’s court. Two days later, Vadiim was called away as an envoy for another expedition. By sunset, Keinah listlessly stood on her balcony, watching her new husband and his party ascend into the clouds.


 
 
 

Paradise Side of Hell

The day of judgment arrived far more swiftly for Keinah than she expected. The Queen sent her ladies-in-waiting to bathe and dress her in a thin, light silk green tunic hidden under a golden cloak. Keinah was terrified but refused to cry anymore. She felt tears no longer served a purpose. She held her head high when the guards came to bring her to The Reaper. Upon leaving the courthouse, she observed several thousand construction workers rebuilding all that Vadiim had destroyed in his wrath.
The Reaper was relieved that he could now deliver Keinah to the gates of Sheol. Though her halo had been detached, she still radiated a brilliant light, and her fragrance was evermore sweeter.
The Reaper looked at her with great remorse and said, “Know this child; I take no pleasure in this event. You are the rarest of souls that I have ever retrieved. Surely there was a vast appointment waiting for you in the Heavenly realm. I have done nothing like this and am certain to never repeat this heartbreaking misfortune.”
Queen Ordessa set her plan in place by ordering all the Chiefs and Lords in the entire Emerald region to serve as witnesses. The total was 92,387 that was in attendance. No one could detect Vadiim’s presence, as he shifted into a speck of dust and floated inside the gates after they slowly opened. Once the gates unbolted, the Reaper removed Keinah’s cloak. Along with the tunic, she wore an elegant golden necklace that hung Vadiim’s stone between her heaving bosom.
Vadiim watched as the heat from the flames caused Keinah to faint. The Reaper held her until she regained composure. When she regained consciousness, he gave her an abrupt shove and quickly slammed the gates behind her. She was overwhelmed by the inner grief that caused her to freeze in her tracks. Gut-wrenching moans could be heard all around, and it pained her to dare take a breath. Though darkness and hell flames surrounded the entire vicinity, her light could not be diminished. Her soul did not belong there, and it was clear. She remembered how her grandmother prayed over her when she could hardly be roused from slipping out of her lifeless body.
“Who would think to pray in Sheol? Since I am condemned to reside here, will my prayers even be heard?” she thought to herself.
Keinah knelt to pray for deliverance. Vadiim was moved by her actions and decided it was time to reveal himself.
“Keinah, I am here,” he said.
She could not see him and was still too frightened to move.
Keinah stood and answered with a quiver, “Vadiim, is that you?”
“Yes. I have come to guide you safely to the other side,” he calmly explained.
Vadiim transformed himself into a magnificent giant fiery phoenix as he stood before her. Between the two of them, their illuminations lit the entire area. A long brimstone pathway nestled across a lake of fire appeared. As Keinah began her trek across the path, Vadiim flew above to absorb as much of the sweltering heat.
Sounds of dreadful moaning increased as a hoard of deformed child-like menacing spirits attacked Keinah. The spirits scratched, bit, and pulled her hair. She was blocked from advancing across the path.
Vadiim quickly called out, “Keinah; do not let them despair you to where you are fixed in the same spot! Keep moving forward and not over-exert your strength, for we have a long way to go to the other side.”
Keinah felt her strength falter as her spirit became heavier from grief. She reached a level of exhaustion that was never experienced in the living realm. Each tiny step forward was a struggle. At one point, the spirits pounced on top of her. Their enormous weight made it impossible to move. She screamed in agony and fell back to her knees. Vadiim lamented in frustration, remembering that he could not interfere with her trial. Guilt that her punishment was all of his doing plagued his heart. This sense of helplessness was the harm the Celestial elders warned of. He knew she would be confined for eternity to this hellish prison if she could not persevere.
He called to her again, “Keinah, do not focus on your surroundings. Try to think about your happiest memories. Please remember the times that you felt sheer joy.”
Keinah shuffled through her thoughts. At first, her mind was so frazzled that she could not properly concentrate. Suddenly, an image appeared before her. She recalled the time on the beach that Vadiim told her he was a fisherman, and she laughed wildly. Vadiim could see the image crystal clear for himself as well.
He marveled at the moment and asked, “Why did you laugh back then?”
Keinah pressed her fingers to her mouth to conceal her grin. “I have no way of speculating on how the human mind works. For some strange reason, this peculiar memory displayed to me. I laughed because you claimed to be a fisherman, yet never had a hook or net. I knew you had to be something more. Some things are not as true as they present themselves. It is only up to me to uncover their real purpose and permit how it affects me. My soul was not meant to become a permanent fixture on this path,” she replied.
Keinah found solace in that experience, which gave her the courage to press on forward. The weight that had bound her lessened with each bold step. The spirits were still in assault mode, but Keinah resolved in her heart that she would not remain fixed on the brimstone pathway and fought back. Suddenly, the spirits vanished for a long period.
For 37,000 days, Keinah traveled across the path. Her journey took a drastic turn when she nearly plummeted off a narrow bridge that a swarm of spirits occupied. Vadiim continuously shook the urge to intervene, since he could not catch her when she fell. It was his consistent encouragement that served as a guide through those obstacles.
Eventually, Keinah subdued the spirits, and the path was clear to cross. Within the final stretch, Keinah and Vadiim could see the entryway of a heavenly oasis at the end of the path. Lush palm trees bearing a variety of fruit and a mystical waterfall rested beneath a starry sky. They made haste towards paradise as the spirits no longer could claim hold to Keinah’s soul. Vadiim transformed into his human form. He was both proud and relieved that Keinah endured through her trial. The pair triumphantly entered hand-in-hand to begin their eternity together.

The Far Side of Hereafter, Ch. 12

Death’s Demand

 
Lord Bilal attempted to deflect any blame towards Vadiim by stating, “If anyone, I lay blame on The Reaper! The girl should not have been allowed to drift in a state of limbo for so long in the first place.” He clasped his mighty hands together, loud enough to echo throughout the room. “Great Reaper, why did you not come for her until now?”
The court gasped in excitement at this excellent question.
A fresh wave of fury descended on The Reaper. “How dare you insult my position? I beseech you to take up a role in my station for a millennium to see how you compare. Between all the wars and famine, there are scores of human souls waiting to be guided to the other side. Not to mention, it was the girl’s late grandmother who cast powerful incantations that kept her bound in the living realm. When I came to claim her soul two years ago, I praised her for her efforts.”
Keinah took a deep breath and interjected, “Your laws supposedly protect you from intermingling with humans because you deem us weak. In some instances, we are. At the very least, there is value placed within our brief existence. Love is the most precious element in our lives and has been the driving force that has kept all of mankind in the world. Your kind values nothing and takes as you please without consideration. You change your desires on a whim. You imply Vadiim should not love me. He is my soulmate. You might disagree and even say he cannot be my soulmate because we are not alike. Perhaps he has no soul. It is his actual desire to express love for me that binds us for eternity. There is value in that simple fact. No matter where I go or how far we are separated, he will always love me.”
Queen Ordessa walked over to Keinah, affectionately took her hand, and said, “Keinah has made a valid assessment. Let us remember the Ruby clan. For example, their kinsmen became so apathetic from such a futile existence that their High Chief sent the entire population to the crystal sword to turn them all to stone. That, too, could become the fate of the Emerald clan without care. The plight of the human condition is that they appear fragile—fretful. Fear comes from attachment or the loss thereof. Perhaps the humans are far more courageous for continuously being prone to take risks, even in the event of total failure. Love is risky. There are no guarantees that it will last. This human fell in love with a Celestial being because it was in her nature to do so. She showed him a path that he never imagined to even travel. For that, she is fearless.”
The agreeing murmurs from the courtroom caused The Reaper’s temper rattled through his core. “Enough of this talk of love and bravery. The matter at hand is where I need to deliver this child and must be settled immediately,” he stammered.
Queen Ordessa calmly replied, “What say you, great Reaper?”
The Reaper addressed the courtroom, “The Emerald clan champions and praises this war mongered fiend you call your General. His bloodlust and tenacity for brutality have kept your clan at the top of the chain. It is unjust, but fine by me, if you will discard your own elders’ sacred laws decreed. Because of the offense of your kinsmen, I am permanently bruised. Since you have declared that he mustn’t be punished, I recommend the girl take his place as an example to all.”
“Go on!” Lord Orcel shouted in satisfaction.The Reaper continued, “For the offense, the child mustn’t enter the blessed realm of the heavenlies. She will instead be delivered to Sheol!”
All the attendants of the court gasped in disbelief. Despair caused Keinah to drop to her knees, and Vadiim wept silently. No Emerald clan member had ever seen their kinsmen grief-stricken, so they were stunned at his fallen state.
Queen Ordessa interrupted the hysteria with a regal calmness. Her voice rose above the noise, and she said, “In the spiritual realm, there is no use for natural elements such as food or drink. Keinah’s body had long suffered from starvation. The wee babe was malnourished at the time she met with Vadiim. The articles that she brought with her were merely symbols of her sincerest desires. She was hungry and thirsty, so she brought breadcrumbs and tea. The book of fables represented her desire for affection. The old sleeping mat was her only connection to her lineage. So Vadiim was never bound to her in a physical sense. Though they are lovers, Vadiim never laid touch to her flesh. He never even attempted to pose as an imposter in the human living realm to seduce her. Therefore, no laws have been violated. If she cannot reach the heavenlies due to misconduct, she shall dwell on Sheol’s paradise side, where the ancient Saints resided before the divine prophecy was fulfilled.”
The Reaper scoffed in disgust. “Well, at least she will enter the gates on the eastern side of Sheol, that is the side furthest away from the paradise chambers.”
Lord Bilal cried out, “It shall take her a thousand lifetimes to reach her destination.”
“Exactly,” The Reaper answered as he reached over to Keinah to remove her halo.
The fiery crimson halo burned his boney hands upon contact. The Reaper hollered out in pain. Then he ordered two guards to take her out to the courtyard. They whisked her away and led her to a large emerald stone. The Reaper instructed them to place her head across the stone. Within moments, he raised his large scythe to strike.
This sent Vadiim into a blinding fit of fury. He leaped over a hundred rows of seated attendants inside the courtroom and made his way directly towards The Reaper. A thousand guards held him back as The Reaper struck his scythe to dislocate the halo. Keinah panicked and fainted on the stone. Vadiim broke away from the guards, snatched the scythe away from The Reaper, and shattered it into millions of pieces. The Queen ordered ten thousand guards to hold Vadiim down as The Reaper was swiftly escorted out of the courtyard.

The Far Side of Hereafter, Ch. 11