Page 36 of Total Lunar Eclipse
“Damn, you’ve been blinded, too. I’m so sorry, but don’t panic, my other senses have grown exponentially. It’s from being in Sunny’s domicile without being a Luminary.”
I realize he thinks I fell down because I can’t see. . . I can’t decide if I’m offended or not. I mean, it does seem like something I would do, but fuck if I need to admit that out loud.
“I. . .I can see, Arawn.”
He seizes my upper arms and lifts me up to him. It’s unnerving to look into his sightless eyes because he looks at me with such intensity upon his face, I swear he can see me.
“You are pure luminescence. How did this happen?”
“How do you know this?”
“I told you, my other senses have become stronger. That includes my powers. As God of Death and Darkness, the shadows speak to me. They have become my eyes. Now, please explain what has happened. I can feel Death. I am its Lord and Master and I know something is amiss.”
CHAPTER 17
PLUTO
Being the God of Death and Renewal, as well as secrets, has its upsides. And of course, its downsides, like fighting off a curse made from darkness. The material of space and time from which Lina wove her binding magic is of the same essence from where all shadows and secrets reside and in that quiet, Death sits and waits.
But death is not the end.
This is what humans do not understand. Death is just the beginning. It is the phoenix, rising from the ashes to create new life again. And I am this creator, but Lina has robbed me of this lightness, this purpose. Her curse has only drawn me closer to the darker side. Zahra has done much to alleviate the progression of the curse, but upon my entering the twelfth dimension, it halted completely.
Of course, someone as dark as myself is not meant for a kingdom of light. My own domicile is a place of muted light; the sun there is weak in comparison to other realms. Being one with Death and the shadows, I already knew Lina’s intent when she enacted her powers to split us up. Her hope was to weaken us; to make us rethink our decision to be with Zahra. Her other intent was to kill our Venus.
What Lina didn’t realize, and never has realized, is that even split up, my brothers will always find a way to come back together. We are bonded together in a way that’s even stronger than our soul bonds with Lina. Also, her attempt to weaken us failed, individually speaking. She sent me to Sunny’s realm because it’s the complete opposite of mine, but it’s also made of pure energy.
Anyone who enters this dimension forfeits their sight, but gainsinsightin exchange. Unless they are a Luminary being, no one can behold the beauty of this realm; but the toll you pay to enter is little compared to the wisdom and strength bestowed upon the visitor. Even when I still resided in my own domicile, I never felt this fortified. Every skill, every attribute of my godhood, has been enhanced.
The shadows do not even need to whisper to me anymore, which is fortunate since there are none in this dimension. I told Zahra that the shadows whispered to me of her light, but in reality, I can feel it in her presence. I wait for Zahra to tell me more, though. Unfortunately, the twelfth realm does not grant omniscience.
“Nyam and Kane gave me their Luminary powers, and those mixed with Kane’s expansion powers, have made me even more powerful than when Nyam was the only Luminary.”
“Why did Jupiter have Luminary powers?” I ask in confusion.
“He stole them from Lina,” Zahra says with a shrug in her voice.
“What are you doing?” I ask the distracted sounding woman.
“Trying to make myself teal,” is the crazy response I get.
I don’t bother asking for an explanation as to how Jupiter took Lina’s Luminary energies. I can guess well enough. Just as I don’t need to Zahra to tell me my expansive brother is gone, as is my light brother. I felt their god-forms cease to be the second they dissolved into essence. What I cannot figure out, though, is why Zahra is trying to make herself teal.
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why are you making yourself teal?” I ask in vexation, wishing I could see.
“Because Pallas is rockin’ magenta and it’s not fair.”
I struggle to understand.
“If you’re jealous that Pallas is pink, then why are you trying to make yourself teal?”
“Because I’m already pink. Duh.”
I sigh deeply and comment out loud, “I wish you came with a handbook.”
