Will and Purity

A side story of Sword

By Manuel Sieunarine

888

Here is a tale of the Mekor-u, Will Riser. The Cursed of Sword, having defeated the nine other Kajin-u and receiving the goddess Sheath’s blessing, sought out Sheath’s counterpart, the Supreme Being called Sword. On Riser’s journey to the divine Forge, where Sword hammered through the ages, it is said that none opposed him, but not all stories are reliable, and not all storytellers divulge the whole truth. Although Observer is, without question, the oldest and best recorder of history, he has his own little scruples when it comes to epic tales.

“I did not think that part pertained to the story!” was his excuse, and a poor one at that. After all, the majority of the galaxy is mortal, and for the sake of mortals, here is the tale of the only mortal who defeated Will Riser.

The one planet to never suffer the Law of Sword, the one planet that never knew the tread of Instructors or Emissaries of the selfsame god, was visited by Will Riser. Before his betrayal, he went to Darshan, that serene green planet nestled between its twin moons, to seek out a power greater than Sword, for if that planet never needed the Law, surely its people knew what Sword did not! Indeed, their Healer, Tyrshan, directed Riser to the goddess Sheath, who dwelt outside the galaxy. There Riser first learnt of Sword’s anger against Sheath and her subsequent exile. So trivial their quarrel seemed, over such a backward planet as Terra! Returning to the galaxy with the awful knowledge that his god was not perfect, Will Riser argued with his fellow Masters of Sword, finding each Kajin-u guilty, taking their swords for his own purpose of overthrowing their god.

Now Will Riser was traveling to the galactic core to confront Sword, thinking upon the galaxy he desired to liberate from tyranny. Being one of three gods remaining, he heard the galaxy’s thoughts. The majority accused him of arrogance, of doing all this for self alone. Riser wondered that if the majority believed it, was it true? Was he a curse because others believed him to be? Moving away from troubling issues, his thoughts fell upon Darshan. He had not expressed gratitude towards the only planet, among the ten thousand, that aided him and did not condemn his actions. It was fitting that it should be the last dwelling of mortals he visited before his mighty task. Riser changed direction through the Psycho-Void, following the psychic emanations of the Darshani through that enigmatic plane between space and pure thought.

Emerging beside that system’s star, Will decided to play a game. It had been too long since his last walk among mortals, and now, nearing the climax of his life’s work, it would be a waste to deny himself this one, last stint as a human. He released his sword, leaving it to sleep in the heart of the star while he passed through the Psycho-Void a second time, appearing upon the sacred green earth. The five tall, golden spikes of his hair were slicked back, though the single bang still protruded above his forehead. His Kajin-u garb, tailored by the god, morphed into something more becoming of Darshani custom. Out of the dark blue manifestation of the void emerged sleeveless robes whose cloth-like material reflected the green surroundings. Even the light in his eyes dimmed to black. Disguised as a human visitor, he moved through unmarred fields and forests to the dwelling of the Healer, Tyrshan, who had guided him to Sheath.

There was no need for gates, or guards, or even a building to contain the religious leader of the Darshani race. For that matter, they boasted no army, no planetary defense, simply because nothing with harmful intent had ever set foot upon their soil. The historical defeat of the Firambo army ensured the galaxy left the Darshani well enough alone. A few thousand years ago, the Firambo learnt of this verdant world, and how good it would be to colonize somewhere free of technology’s ravage. To the cheers of their government and their people, a few million soldiers and their fleet of warships passed through the Psycho-Void. Seconds later the soldiers reappeared on their planet, without their ships and without their minds.

The only one to withstand the collective psychic power of the Darshani was the one who stood before their Healer now.

“Greetings, you who plough the void as you would the soil.”

Tyrshan lifted his head, his arms sunk deep into the fertile ground. It was how the Darshani communed with their planet, a physical presence.

“Greetings, child of Terra who knows me, yet I know you not.”

“I am here to ask of our species’ blessing and abomination.”

“Ah,” Tyrshan nodded, lifting his arms and his body. Dirt sloughed off his skin and reflective robes as though it were water, so holy was this man. Will inclined his head, averting his eyes as was custom.

“I knew him,” spoke the Healer to the bowed golden mane, “As his name suggested, very headstrong, very stubborn. I have lived fifty times his lifespan and could not resist him. I deferred him to the goddess…”

“You could not handle him yourself?” Will asked, hiding a smile.

“Petulant human, what do you know of the gods?” was Tyrshan’s irritated reply, serving to amuse Will all the more, “Only she could deal with one has strong-willed as he. Though an arrogant fool, he was greatly wronged for what he learnt from her.”

“Wronged? You mean when he killed Flesh Render in self-defense?”

Tyrshan opened his eyes anew at this human.

“I have heard their battle described in many fashions, but never as self-defense. Only that galactic sector knows the whole truth, and they dare not speak out as long as Sword reigns.”

“I agree,” Will lifted his head and stared directly at the Healer, “What do people say of him?”

“You are a human,” Tyrshan reminded his guest, who was breaking custom and sacred tradition with his stare, “Your race produced the Cursed One. He is said to be a demon given flesh. They call him a nemesis of all life, mortal and divine.”

“What do you say of him?” Will challenged, causing Tyrshan to flinch.

“Why… why do you affect me so, human?” demanded the Healer, “Who are you? I have tried several times as we talked to see your mind, yet it remains as closed as… his…”

The Healer took several steps backward, revulsion flooding his features.

“You.”

Riser’s hair arched upward, his whole visage bristling with energy. Tyrshan flung an arm over his face against the light that shone from the fallen Kajin-u’s eyes.

“Why have you returned here?”

“You are hiding something from me, old friend,” said the Mekor-u, “Something you do not want me to know.”

“I will not… permit…”

Tyrshan sunk to his knees under the blazing fire in Riser’s eyes.

“I have broken every law, mortal and divine. What is hidden from me?” Riser’s voice boomed over the holy man, “What is your race concealing, and why do I feel fear stirring in your heart?”

“She is our hope!” Tyrshan protested, “You will not kill our one hope!”

“Hope?” Riser jeered.

“You will fail!” Tyrshan prophesied, “I have seen it! You will stand before Sword and melt in his presence! How far and how terrible will be your fall, Will Riser! How the galaxy will tremble at the horrors visited upon your body and soul!”

“Do you think the future worries me? I AM THE FUTURE!” Riser thundered, shaking Darshan to its foundations, “I will not permit a god insane with wrath and vengeance to rule this galaxy!”

“And how will you be any different, should you succeed?” Tyrshan retorted, “Are you fit for the responsibility of godhood, or have you just seized it to further your own power?”

One would expect such words to be met with death, but the Mekor-u displayed forbearance.

“Now I know your mind,” Riser nodded, “Though you wished me well at the start, you have turned against me, like everyone else. It is good to know the truth.”

“How could I act any differently?” rejoined the bitter Healer, “I am mortal; limited! I do not understand the gods. I only desire to worship Sheath, and Sheath alone, yet here you are, speaking of slaying Sword!”

“No weapon will prevail against the Supreme Weapon,” Riser responded, “Especially not those made in his Forge. But there is always another way. Even gods die.”

“You speak the truth; for we shall see your death soon,” Tyrshan plunged his arms into the soil, “Now leave me. I have nothing to say to you.”

Riser glared at Tyrshan several moments more, taking what he wanted from the most formidable mind in the galaxy, whose only weakness was its mortality.

“Ah. So her name is Purity. Is she your countermeasure to me, oh great and powerful Healer?”

But Tyrshan was silent, enduring this mental violation with the knowledge of his antagonist’s inevitable demise. Riser took to the sky, ignoring the fundamental laws of gravity without a second thought. She was not far from here, as this was the holy land of Darshan. The other Darshani on the planet had heard his recent episode with their Healer, and had turned their minds away from him, but she had been provoked by his sacrilegious actions, and purity does not stir unless provoked.