A giant jolt shot through the Fathers being, forcing him awake. It was the pain Tej felt for completing the task. The Father had viewed all of Tej's memories in the time he was asleep and when Tej finally regained consciousness, the first thing he could hear was his beloved Father.
"My dear Tej, this is my fault, not yours. Please let me speak with you," the Father gently said as he could hear the Phoenix crying.
"If we speak I wish for you to end my existence, please shatter my soul. I can't bear to exist knowing what I've done," Tej cried telepathically to the Father.
"Remember when you and Earth were young and went through all the trials, tribulations and struggles? You were always the shining light that kept everyone hopeful. What about those souls in Eden that love you dearly? Do you think the children wish to see you punished? No, I can hear them all, they all blame Theo and not you. I can however grant you the family Theo falsely promised," the Father lovingly said to Tej.
"Father, let me come to you. I'm sure you know where I am but I will teleport to your throne room shortly. Please bring Luna there. Let Leo handle the souls while we three chat and we can catch up with Leo after," Tej said and with that he was by the Fathers side.
Meanwhile, while all the souls were stunned and confused, Luna and Leo knew their Father was awake. His presence was so strong and vast all the souls knew.
"The Father has returned! Let us be grateful that our Father has unexpectedly awakened early," the souls bowed and excitedly exclaimed.
Just then, Luna and Leo both received a message from her Father, "Leo, escort the souls to a new, temporary place I've created adjacent to Limbo. Explain this is temporary due to an unforeseen circumstance and make sure to keep them calm. Let them know I will be there to let them know what's to come after I've talked with your sister and Tej."
"Good luck sis, give Tej a big hug for me," Leo wasted no time and teleported to Limbo and found the space.
"Luna, please immediately come to my throne room. You have done well while I rested. I know Tej cares for you dearly," read Luna's message.
"You too brother. I'm guessing Father is sending you to the souls. You're the best fit for this and I pray you'll do well as you always do," Luna messaged her brother, who already left.
"She does know how to cheer me up. I just hope Father isn't angry. I don't expect him to be, he never has been and always thinks of a plan that works," Leo thought.
Upon arriving in the new space, Leo couldn't help but smile at how beautiful it was.
"He wakes up to a full betrayal but still cares so much for humankind that he creates this so quickly," Leo thought and his confidence began to rise.
As Leo approached the center, he opened a system screen only the Blessed Five could use and started a voice message to his Father, Luna and Tej so they would all be on the same page after hearing his speech.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of the Blessed Five! Because our Father has awakened from his peaceful slumber, all the souls of Earth were transported here today to celebrate his return. As you know from scriptures, it was said that the Father would rest when Earth finally achieved harmony. Unfortunately, it seems our Father awakened early, and summoned everyone here today to make a great announcement about the Kingdom of the Blessed Five. I assure you all your loved ones are here and safe. Earth is still perfectly constructed and all medicines, technologies and structures remain untouched. The Father will bless the lands while you are here to ensure an even better quality of life through nature and the atmosphere. No questions about the matter please. I'm sure you have many, but I assure you my Father will be here shortly. Feel free to mingle and you're welcome to come meet me," Leo clicked send a message and finished his speech.
Quite the line formed to meet Leo, as the believers were grateful to meet a child of the Father of humankind. Most of them asked about Tej, who Leo would reassure them was very real and the scriptures were true. The excitement in the room made all the human souls forget about their massive demise, which is what Father and Leo wanted.
"That boy is quite clever and my children never cease to amaze me. Oh, I should delete Theo's system," the Father stated.
"I'm sure he's already rebuilt a new system for himself, Father but yes it would be wise to remove him from what will now be known as the Blessed Four," Luna politely chimed in.
"Indeed he has succeeded and maybe I should have given you and Leo magical abilities as well," the Father pondered.
"We're all unique in our own way, Father. Just listen to Leo's message and address. You blessed him with the ability to handle almost any situation, a perfect temperament for any situation and a voice people want to follow," Luna said with a smile.
"And what ability would you say I've granted you, I wonder my dear Luna," as her Father embraced her with a giant hug.
She hadn't realized how much she missed him, and at this moment, with tears, which were quite literally water with silver strands swirling in them, "You gave me everything a daughter could ask for and if I had to answer I'd say intuition, wisdom, a keen eye and a special bond with Tej are my abilities," Luna managed to say.
"You and your brother do possess those great traits, but I would not call them abilities. Rather personality traits you received from being my actual children and growing and learning through experience. It's time to change the lack of magical abilities however," the Father praised his daughter.
"Are you sure Father? Aren't you worried I'll do something like Theo did or aren't you worried I'm secretly working for him," Luna countered.
"My dear girl, I will let you and Leo in on a secret I've kept from all of you. A secret I should have never kept. You see, Tej and I are linked as one. He sees what I see and I see what he sees. We can speak to each other telepathically and his cries are what jolted me awake," the Father stated and Tej gave a graceful nod and now laid in a pool of his tears, which started to slow down and the cries had long since stopped.
Before Luna could say anything her Father continued, "Please keep in mind this is in the time our realm flows, not the Earth so this stems back about a billion Earth years. After Theo was born, about 300 Eden years later a young Tej came to me with a dream he had. In the dream, one of my children betrayed me, but it was a dream and I was too naive to believe such a thing. As time went on, it became increasingly less likely someone would betray me, so I selfishly took rest. I should have been the only one to bind Tej's commands. That was my great mistake," her Father said with a single Golden tear.
"None of us could have ever expected a dream, especially that long ago would come to fruition father but why do you want to give Leo and me magical abilities?" Luna questioned.
"Tej, you and Luna, please go look out of my window, behind my throne, in my garden and tell me what you see," her Father said as he enthusiastically guided them to the window.
To their bewilderment, there were three, young adult phoenixes playing in the backyard. One was blue with red flames, one was yellow with green flames, and one was red with golden flames.
Tej immediately gasped and noticed the most beautiful being he had ever laid his eyes on, the red phoenix with the golden flames, who was teasing the other two about being "love birds."
"Before I took my slumber, I set up this area unbeknownst to all in case one day Tej's dream came to fruition. Zephyr, the large yellow beauty is male and mated with Nixie, the gorgeous blue female. That brings us to the red queen, Soraya," and before the Father could finish his sentence, Tej had flown out so fast and cast a spell with light roses, made of light magic pouring from the sky all over Zephyr, Nixie and Soraya.
"Thank you so much Father and thank you for not accepting me ending my existence. I will need to get Soraya to fall for me so we can create the most beautiful phoenixes," Tej spoke to the Father.
"You always have a secret back up plan, Father. I only ask if you are to give me magic that you will fully entrust me with everything moving forward," Luna stated proudly.
"My dear, you've always been blessed for being my creation. Why do you think you do so well in Eden? For you, I feel Earth, wind and lightning based magical abilities, like Zephyr over there, will suit you well. Your magic just needs a little 'push," the Father stated while gently pushing Luna outside.
She politely walked up to Zephyr, bowed and gave him gentle scratches, like one would do on a puppy on his head. Suddenly, she felt a giant burst of energy like she had never felt before. She immediately felt the link with Zephyr, like her Father had with Tej.
"Well it looks like you get the best Phoenix to be bonded with. If I wasn't already taken with Nixie here, I'd have to ask you out on a date, my beautiful lady," Zephyr communicated to Luna with a laugh.
Blushing a little, Luna said, "You better make sure the three of you are nice to Tej or I'll have to tell Nixie about that date you proposed," Luna communicated to Zephyr with a wink.
"It looks like our Father picked a great match and I'm excited to start your magical training after you complete your Father's request," Zephyr said to Luna.
"Request?" Luna questioned.
"Go spend some time with your Father. It's been ages, we'll talk and spend time later and I'll introduce you to everyone," Zephyr said and went off flying around with Tej.
Luna couldn't help but smile but then wondered about her brother.
"What about Leo? Isn't he waiting for you in the new space," Luna asked.
"Yes but I have a quite daunting task for you to complete with Leo and Tej. I need you to create a phoenix system, sort of like those rpg games on Earth, for the time for a chosen one is needed."
"I will place Tej and Soraya's first born into that soul's heart to protect him or her. The system, like the Phoenix, will be attached to his soul."
"The system should be complex and something only the user can see. Also, it needs a leveling system to keep the child safe as he grows. He'll also need the skill or ability to see the Phoenix in his soul when he looks deep within and the power to eventually fully turn into a Phoenix," the Father stated.
"I actually know of three perfect souls for this, they have been in Eden their entire after life and they were all brilliant with computers, technologies and one of them created the most famous RPG games to ever exist," Luna stated excitedly.
"Use who you must but this must be discreet. Have them make a bond with you, similar to what Theo did, but don't shatter their souls. Just remove their ability to speak of it to anyone other than you, Leo or Tej," the Father stated.
From the second Tej flew out of the rear window, Soraya took an immediate liking to him. She admired how brave he was, for the Father showed all of Tej's best moments and memories to her. He figured he was helping his oldest child and knew in a few hundred years he may need to create a planet near the sun for the Phoenix race.
"Luna, your brother, like you, will gain water, healing and ice magical abilities. When he meets Nixie, the bond will be formed like you and Zephyr. Speaking of which, this is what I am going to show all the souls that Earth lost today. I will then send them all back to their original bodies. It won't be easy, but it's the least I can do. I will also introduce magic to the most dedicated family line of souls during their time on Earth just to be safe. I'm afraid your brother's planets will be more difficult to deal with but by sending everyone back at once, it will cause him to pause to attack Earth with three billion souls and the Blessed," the Father stated.
"Well, it is time Luna. I am going to have a meeting with the humans and I trust you will bring your brother up to speed on everything," the father smiled as he began to prepare to teleport.
"Wait," Luna shouted. "I think we should change the name from the Blessed Five to the Blessed Four and have our lands known as, 'The Kingdom of Solace. Have some of the souls start a new chapter of the scripture and a new time period, like AE for "after enlightenment," Luna suggested.
"That's a great idea Luna. Now, the non believers will know I do exist, so that will be interesting, wouldn't you say," and with that the Father and Leo had swapped.
Leo was even more surprised than Luna and rather than using the door, he opened and jumped out of the throne room kingdom's grand window and sprinted out toward Nixie.
Just then, Zephyr flew in front and said, with a giant smirk, "Now why is this perfectly handsome fellow sprinting toward my beloved. You know you have to fight me to get near her right?"
"Wait, what?" Leo asked. "I needed to initiate my bond with Nixie like you did with Luna. I don't want to fight you, Father would send me into nothingness if I accidentally hurt one of his phoenixes," Leo said as he scratched his head with confusion.
"You are a funny one Zephy, as much as I'd love to watch you keep messing with my brother, time is of the essence as my Father gave Leo, Tej and I a highly important, top secret mission," Luna giggled as she talked to Zephyr.
"We share a bond and vision link and I may or may not have eavesdropped on you and our Father. Let us help, or at the very least let Tej have some time with us and his wife to be first. Also, is Zephy some kind of nickname like Looney," Zephyr asked.
"Who are you calling looney? I'm going to have to tell Nixie about that date," Luna joked.
"Hey, hey now I was just imitating your flattery. I see how that would be offensive. I like the nickname! You may call me either or and I'll remember to not call you looney," Zephyr laughed.
Zephyr and Luna completely missed the fact that Leo had already made the bond. After the bond was made, Nixie gently grabbed Leo with her mouth, and tossed him on her back. She took off flying and Leo's cheering finally broke Zephyr and Luna's conversation.
"Dang it now I owe Soraya a favor. I made her a bet there was no chance Nixie would actually go through with taking Leo flying," Zephyr laughed.
Tej just seemed to be in awe at everything and taking in this new life, one he thought he'd never dream of before Theo's promise. It seemed the Father was right and not a single soul blamed Tej.
Just then, Tej noticed Soraya had cuddled up next to him, on his giant left wing and dozed off for a nap. As Leo crash landed into the ground with a smile so big the universe could probably see it, Soraya gently laughed and thought "looks like Zephyr owes me a favor."
Tej awkwardly asked, "did I wake you or do something wrong?"
Soraya responded with "Tej, I've seen humans meet, start dating, get married, have kids and they call it love at first sight. Do you believe in something like that?"
Tej took a second, looked over at how much fun Leo, Zephyr, Nixie and Luna were having and Luna gave him a smile and a wave, gesturing to get closer to Soraya, as if she was reading his mind.
"It happens here as well, look right in front of us. Of course I do," and with that Tej invited Soraya for a tour of his place, which she gladly accepted.
The Father welcomed the souls and explained he just finished up replenishing Earth with blessed energy and giving it some improvements. He explained that Theo should no longer be prayed to, stating that he chose his own path and left and broke his bond with the Blessed Five.
He next explained the gift of magical abilities he would be giving to 500,000 souls in hopes of keeping harmony and preparing for the worst, while ensuring everyone that the new scripture states Earth is still safe.
This came to quite a shock to the souls, and no one knew who was picked. The Father of the Universe ensures those not blessed by magic would be blessed by strong chi, the lifeforce inside all humans and those not blessed by magic would be gifted natural talents for essential and vital human roles, ensuring that this way, every soul gained a positive blessing and no one was left out.
This came as quite a shock to everyone, who all stood at the Father of the Universe but everyone was very grateful. They thanked the Father and around 50 souls asked for the duty of writing the new scripture. He stated he would make his decision on that shortly, but moving forward, prayers should be made to The Kingdom of Solace, Eden, himself, Leo, Luna Tej, or the Phoenix race as he opened a portal which showed Zephyr and Nixie playing with Leo and Luna and Tej and Soraya watching. The Father told them their names and everyone of the human souls stood in awe of their beauty and the realization Tej really did exist.
After he thanked the souls for their visit, the Father reminded humankind of the harmony they lived in and encouraged it to continue. He was very hopeful it would, because he distributed gifts evenly to all of humankind, based on the characteristics of the person.
Not a single non believer or soul trending toward the Underworld were given magical abilities. That was the only big difference between the three groups.
He explained they would teleport back to the time right before the Light, as if nothing happened. The only change would be the date. "When you return, it will be March 28th After Enlightenment, aka March 28th 0 AE.
With that, humankind went back To Earth and returned in awe. They also noticed all their phones, calendars, anything with a date had changed to March 28th 0 AE.
After sending the souls back and creating their original bodies, the Father was exhausted but told himself he had slept enough for these last 50 years.
The Father then teleported back to the area Luna and company were in, and despite looking tired, stayed and listened about Zephyr's pranks on Leo and Leo gleefully flying with Nixie only to crash land every time, until he finally figured it out. They all shared a good laugh and smile as Tej and Soraya flew back over.
"Who would have thought? How terrible today started, how great it's finishing?" Luna said with a faint smile.
"Father, I don't mean to be needy but I heard Tej has his own house, do you think Nixie and I could have a nest of our own. We have some big news," Zephyr said as Nixie gave him a good whack upside the head with her wing.
After a moment of silence and concentration, a very large mansion appeared, blue in color with yellow trim, curtains with marble throughout and a giant top floor for the master bedroom.
Shortly after, the second one appeared about a mile next to it, white in color with red trim and furnishings to match the first.
"You're too kind," Soraya said with a bow.
"Well, you didn't have to make it that obvious Father, I only felt a link for a second and it was disconnected. How did you know we hit it off," Tej communicated to his Father.
"Treat her well for the future of humankind relies on it. There will come a time I will ask you two to make a great sacrifice for me. Just know that you can say no."
"Tej, you're one of my children, you may look different, but ever since my other three children were created, you were always a big brother to them. I know how much you love Luna. Just know we all share that same love for you, as does all of Eden," the Father communicated with a golden tear or two coming from his eyes.
"So what's this big news my pretty blue bonded buddy has to share with us?" Leo asked after noticing his Father and Tej needing to come back to the conversation.
Nixie mustered up the courage and said, "I laid an egg this morning, we're going to be parents," she embarrassingly yet excitedly said.
Everyone cheered and gave their congratulations and Tej used his light magic to decorate the sky in the form of a baby phoenix.
Soraya nudged Tej and asked, "would you ever consider having children?"
Without hesitation Tej proudly stated, "absolutely, even though we live forever we can choose to pass on one day but I'd love to have generations of phoenixes before I ever considered passing on."
"That's great to hear, because I would love to have a nice, big happy family, with you, Tej," Soraya blushed as she spoke those words.
Tej smiled with excitement and couldn't wait to give the other phoenixes a proper tour of The Kingdom of Solace. He had to ask his Father one thing that had been burning at him all day now and finally mustered up the courage to ask.
"Father, are the phoenixes and I related or are they your children as well ? Are they something different," Tej communicated to Father.
"To put it simply, you, Leo, Luna and Theo are my direct children. The other phoenixes, although created by me, were not given any parts of my soul so that a healthy new existence could naturally form," Father communicated back.
"That makes sense. Again, I can't thank you enough and I'm sorry about Theo. I'm guessing what you are asking of me earlier about a great sacrifice entails a war with Theo," Tej said.
"You are a wise one, but your sacrifice won't be a sacrifice if everything works out as it should. Do not dwell on the past, nor the future. Enjoy your time with your new family and make Soraya happy. I have released the bond between you and Luna and Leo. You can always link with me but I am essentially allowing you to start a new life without having to fulfill any duties, unless urgent," Father said with great joy in his voice.
"You can always link with me Father, you deserve to see how happy you've made me," Tej said with tears filling up his eyes.
"Well Leo and Luna, I am awfully tired and am going to my manor to rest. Care to accompany your Father and stay in one of the guest rooms, it's been a bittersweet day" Father stated.
With that, Leo and Luna said their congratulations again to Zephyr and Nixie and were walking back to the manor. The Phoenix couples said goodnight and went to their mansions.
To Nixie's surprise, Zephyr was quite excited and wanted to go to one specific room before all the rest. He made her close her eyes, which was silly because they had yet to see much of the home, but when she opened them she cried tears of joy.
She was staring at a room painted in blue and yellow, a fresh breeze blowing through the open window and in the middle, a large egg, wrapped in blankets covered in a warm, white glow.
"How? When? I knew you had a sweet side but this, this is just absolutely breathtaking. I'm speechless. Thank you so much my love," as Nixie gave Zephyr a kiss.
"Leo kept insisting you taught him how to properly ride you and Luna suggested I ask Tej and their Father for help. The Father instantly changed the colors, keeping it safe for the egg and Tej used one of his abilities to keep the egg at the perfect temperature without the flame able to spread or harm anyone," Zephyr said with a puffy chest.
With that, they went ahead and fell asleep cuddled by the egg.
Soraya and Tej joked about having a lot of tours today and more tomorrow before making their way to the master bedroom for rest.
Tej told Soraya about his Fathers request for a sacrifice but neither of them had any idea what it could be but Soraya agreed to do it no matter what.
As Leo and Luna accompanied their Father back to his manor, they couldn't help but notice a few guards surrounding and patrolling the place. Neither of them said anything but it explained why guards were heading out to the Phoenix's living area as well.
Leo and Luna made preparations to the research lab once they got to the manor and discussed which souls they would need the help of. They agreed to the original three Luna suggested and with that they had one more question for their Father before they rested.
"How soon would you like this system complete," they asked.
"Do not rush as getting it safe, functional and ready without a trial is mandatory," their Father responded with a gentle smile he set off for bed.
While walking to his actual bedroom, not the room of deep rest, he couldn't help but think.
"Theo, I know you're out there plotting against me in some way, but it's a shame you're not here enjoying this moment with your siblings and Soraya was a perfect gift for my youngest son. A close bond she will never feel with the soul of my children; although I must admit, I never thought you would be the one to betray me," the Father thought.
At that moment, both Erebos and Theo sneezed and felt a strange sensation.
"Hm, I guess someone's thinking about me, probably that fool of a Father. I didn't expect him to essentially reverse the purifying blaze, but slowly but surely werewolves, demons and vampires will be integrated into the population on Earth undetected," Theo thought with an evil grin, as he teleported to Erebos on Baxus, leaving the Kingdom of Solace, for good.
That night Tej and the Father had the same dream.
The first portion of the dream showed that Earth had been divided into four territories, the land of the knights, "Nalthis," the land of the ability users, "Silvercrest," the land of the rich and technological savvy, who also housed the regular population, including the poor, "Harmonia," and finally the land Theo ruled, "Phantom's keep." Thankfully, the three kingdoms aligned against Phantoms Keep.
Next there was a flash to a meeting table with three great leaders and a date could be seen 269 AE with no month or day.
Next, the birth of a young boy, to parents who were both barren.
After that, a scene of Luna and Leo teleporting to the boy to introduce themselves, after something happened that was not shown.
Another flash and a man in his early twenties, stood with Luna with a ping heard, "quest complete."
Finally, the last scene showed Luna and the same young man talking about something, but it was silent and they could not hear anything.
Both Tej and the Father awoke at the same time and linked.
"Tej was that similar to the dream you had all those years ago," the Father frantically asked.
"No, this was much clearer and phased between scenes. This feels like more of a prophecy. You saw the date right? 269 AE. If the chosen one is that boy, he would need to be born around 245-250, meaning we have 20 years to successfully create the Phoenix system," Tej communicated back, ensuring not to wake Soraya.
"I guess I must decide to find the perfect human couple around this time who were both born without the ability to give birth. Tej, again I must ask too much of you. When you have your first child, I will need to input the infant Phoenix into the baby boy's heart in order for the Phoenix system to work," Father stated.
Soraya had woken up and only pretended to be asleep but when she could see Tej was shaking, she pretended to wake up and asked what's wrong?
"My Father and I are bonded like Nixie and Leo and Zephyr and Luna but have been for billions of years. This is the first time we've ever had the same dream at the same time. It was a prophecy. Remember when I asked if you were willing to make that sacrifice? Well, I now know what it is. We have to give our first child to my Father to put inside a human's heart for protection to initiate the Phoenix system. My Father had mentioned originally that if all went well it wouldn't be a sacrifice. My guess is that means we get to spend time with him. Are you willing to do that? We have 20 years to decide," Tej spoke calmly, keeping his link active.
Soraya, without hesitation, said "we're in this together. Always. We will fight no matter how many times we die and are reborn. I trust the man you call Father and Leo and Luna, as well as the other phoenixes"l.
With that, Tej slid in for the first kiss of his life, the link was deactivated and afterwards he looked at her and said "well, the good news is we're the parents to the chosen one."
Soraya thumped Tej gently and said "you kiss me and say that"
They both laughed and cuddled up and fell back asleep.
The Kingdom of Solace and Earth would change forever that day.