Dark Passions at Death's Door

Prologue Part II

The funeral went forward with invitations sent far and wide. Not only from their pantheon, but over half a dozen others had arrived.

Many hundreds of deities and demideities appeared via astral projection to pay their respects. They apologized for being unable to attend personally.

For a ‘mere’ mortal, Zahra was renowned not only for her beauty, but also for her compassion, her wisdom, and her love of learning and teaching. She had tutored some of the greatest among the children within the pantheons’ numbers. Heroes and heroines foretold to become renowned.

All counted themselves blessed to be numbered among her students. They celebrated fond memories. They drank deeply. It was the first time that Phenїx was granted a taste of the liquid ambrosia.

It was the best thing she had ever had pass through her lips. And it didn’t quench the pain in her heart.

Eventually, the pyre was finished, the final celebration passed. The outpouring of love left emptiness. After several days, the numbness and shock had worn off.

Reality reared its head. She would never meet her mortal mother again.

A week after the funeral had finished, Nїx settled herself on one of Valhalla’s great cliffs. Gazing over the realm’s massive ocean. From there, she could peer on the sea dragons and whales roiling through the waves. It was where she and her mother had spent many an hour, existing side by side.

Her heart wrenched.

The presence of Freya joining her was enough to make her feel like she was a child again. She sniffed back a tear. But when she began bowing her head, her second mother held up a hand.

“Child. Never bow to me here. Here we are family, always.”

Nїx smiled up at her, “Yes, Mom.”

Her goddess mother sat beside her, staring upon the sight before them. For a time, the two of them didn't speak. Then the goddess of Valhalla leaned to her, whispering, “I sent one of your Father’s ravens after her.”

Phenїx looked at her goddess mother in astonishment. “Mother?!”

Even Wóden might give his wife a punishment for taking command of his beloved flock! Freya’s visage was without fear of reprisal.

She laughed, “Oh child, your Father might spank me, but that is hardly a punishment between the two of us.” The goddess hummed. “Merely foreplay.”

Phenїx tilted her head. “What is this word?”

Freya snickered through her nose with an indulgent smile. “Ah.” She waved her hand off to the distant horizon. “Go ahead… three thousand years.”

Nїx sifted forward, and then her eyes flashed gold. Comprehension took hold, and her face widened with audacity. She was flabbergasted and delighted in equal measure. “Mother!”

“Being a soothsayer has its advantages, yes?” Freya winked.

Phenїx snickered behind her hand, winking, then blinked back her power of foreknowledge. Her lips curled, wistful. “The times seem good, but there is so much in between. And much evil lurking.”

Freya hummed an affirmation. All that was hers to know, she was intimately aware of how powerful her first among Valkyries was. As well as the pivotal role she would play in the future of the Lore.

“This is why we need you. You must hold the line, my first.”

Her daughter straightened her shoulders to attention, nodding, “Always, Mother.”