Love's Realm

What would one expect to find in an area of Heaven dedicated to and used by the Goddess of Love and Lust? Imagine, if you would, an island. Though Heaven has no true sense of direction, we will momentarily suspend this notion for our purpose of envisioning such a realm. Turquoise waters that lap lazily against white sandy shores and as we proceed further north the white sandy beaches turn to sparse, then more richly, dense grasses which fade from view as they approach the large forest to the north. Between such extravagantly beautiful landscapes stands a massive temple fashioned from the purest white marble. Large, ornate Corinthian columns support an overhanging ceiling which extends out past the steps leading into the temple. The entrance itself is adorned on all sides with bas-relief sculptures, depicting a myriad of stories if one were to pay close enough attention. Yet, most visitors to this realm seem to find their attention drawn away from such details when they enter the sanctuary for Ai, Goddess of Love.

Upon entering, the eye is drawn not to the large braziers lighting the path to the enormous staircase which leads to the Goddess’ quarters. Neither is it drawn to the myriad of gifts, flowers and artwork adorning the entryway. After they had climbed the steps revealing a large four-poster bed centered squarely in the center of the uppermost floor with dazzling details fashioned from gold and swaths of pink fabric creating a sense of privacy they would notice one thing. Ai, the Goddess of Love, would be posed regally on her snow-white chaise lounge. Looking every bit the part of a Goddess, she wears a Grecian-style ivory dress tied to fit her womanly figure with golden ropes. The front of her hair is pulled away from her face, braided and secured with golden and pink lacing so that your gaze can fall upon her face. In her Realm of Heaven, in this place that she calls her home, she is her most radiant and if the visitor is mortal and does not immediately collapse to the ground at her feet in awe then the Goddess’ temper will flare. Vain and easily angered, the Goddess has been known to do wretchedly horrible deeds to anyone that offends her. Like the two sides of a coin, her temperament can either be that of a dream, or a nightmare. For hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

It was for this reason that the man climbing the steps whispered soft words of prayer for another God, the God of Luck and Chance. The man, Caius, was a messenger from the Priestesses in the temple who had recently discovered a dastardly plot among the Gods. They knew this uncovered plan would upset their Goddess so the Priestesses dared not deliver the message themselves. Caius stumbled upon the last step, immediately righting himself as he fumbled with the sealed scroll that the Priestesses had given him. Dropping to one knee and lowering his eyes to the ground, the messenger stammered his message. He hoped that she would simply take the scroll and allow him to leave without first reading its contents.

“Mi…. M-M-Mis…” he took a deep breath and tried again, “M-Mistress Ai, fair one, I bear news from your Priestesses.” He held the parchment aloft, eyes still cast downward as he waited for her to accept it from him.

Ai arched her eyebrow gracefully, curious at his delivery and she took the rolled-up scroll from his hand even as she noted how he shook. “Caius, what do you bring me, love?” her rose-colored lips curved into a smile as she leaned forward, using the pointer finger from her free hand to lift the man’s chin up until his eyes met her own. “What news is so important that they would send…” she paused as her fingertip traced upwards along the curve of his face until she reached a loose lock of hair. Pushing it behind his ear, she continued, “You.” Her last word she tinged with her magic, making his heart beat more quickly from her mere touch.

“I-I do not know, Mi-Mistress…” he stuttered again, feeling as if his heart was in his throat. Another long breath drawn in to help him calm his nerves. “They said there was a plot. A plot between the Gods themselves.” He looked away for a moment, nervous about the revelation then looked back at her. “They wish to replace you, Mistress.” He cringed as soon as the words left his mouth and he cast his head down, afraid of the consequences. Instead, he heard her snap the seal on the scroll and unroll it. Silence hung in the air as she quickly red over its contents, followed by… Laughter?

Caius looked up, astonished at her reaction. The Priestesses had discovered that five of the Gods were unhappy with the ways of the remaining five Gods. So, they would replace them. Find mortals that would do better. This revelation made the Goddess of Love, laugh? The messenger kneeled there, motionless, still afraid to attract her attention. Afraid she would snap at any moment. Instead, she reached for his hand and drew him to his feet. Even though she was a few inches shorter than him, he couldn’t help but feel threatened by the Goddess with a tiny frame and an enormous temper.

“We will see how far these…. Chosen get in their quest.”