The Prophecy of Rao - Season 1: Forbidden Verses


Disclaimer: Based on DC comics' characters and the mythology created in Smallville (i.e. property of the CW network), and created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster but the words are my own.


AU/SML: At the aftermath of Dark Thursday, Cor of the House of El, presumed dead, leaves the Phantom Zone. He arrives on Earth and hopes to begin a better life but mystery surrounds him quickly. He sets to unveil this mystery and find the answers he craves for, guided by the spirit crystal of his mother.


Note:

Rao - the Red Sun God of Krypton and creator of the universe

Krypton - home world of the Kryptonians

Kandor - capital of Krypton

The Phantom Zone - prison dimension created by Jor-El


Collaris - the Blue Giant of Eerie and co-creator of the universe

Eerie - home world of the Yllyan Empire

Lux Eternis - capital of Eerie

Ventu Collaris - Highguard of the Yllyan Royal Court


Chapter 4

The Dew of Gallean

The village as Cor noticed was bigger than that of Alicia's. It spread on a larger area with enormous trees. There were also houses on the ground, obviously, with strange fires burning in front. He has seen many strange things but pure purple, black and blue fires were a bit too much to handle.

"This time around, it seems many have come." – Ayla remarked as they got to the Goth like house readied for them. It was large enough to hold their delegation.

"The times are darker, Ayla." – Elder Valia said.

"Here, you are." – Their guide, Prestos said. "I hope it is satisfactory."

"Yes, that will do, thank you, Prestos." – Valia nodded.

"If there is anything you want, just send for me." – Prestos said, bowed and left.

"Ayla, you will set on the second floor with Alicia." – Valia said. "Mordin, Elleshar, Varos and Seyt, you will be on the next wing."

"Sure," – Mordin said and passed through.

"The others will settle where it's left." – Valia continued.

Cor followed the others to their side. Mordin, Elleshar and Varos were the best to represent the village. Every five years, the Forest Villages gathered together for a series of challenges and celebrations of the Forest Lord Gallean.

The result of these challenges however was not known to Cor but that's why he was here to find out. Of course, there was another reason he came along. The elders wanted to present him to the others – like a prize on display. But this did not bother him that much as long as Alicia was around.

Cor found his bunk and put down his things. He then left to explore. It is always good to know your environment. He took a path going around the village. The trees in this region were different from Alicia's birthplace. They were taller with solid trunks and almost dark brown bark. The aroma of the forest was also different. There was sense of ripe old age and hidden power.

Cor quickly located a waterfall with a small lake nearby. He had a weakness for them. The sunlight refracted on the surface producing a delight of rainbow colors. Cor put way his clothes and dived in. The water was pellucid and cool. The touch of it filled him with strength and energy.


Back at the village, many continued to arrive. Ayla had noticed justly – this convention was definitely the most attended. One of the new delegates to arrive was a beautiful young woman, maybe a year older than Alicia. She stood out in the crowd as she was all in silver lime mantle.

"We welcome you to our village of Greywood!" – A villager turned to her.

"Thank you! I bring the greetings of Elder Brianna of Celeste." – The young woman replied.

"Celeste?" – A village Elder approached. "We haven't heard anything of them for over a century."

"It is true." – The young woman confirmed. "It has been many years. Many things have changed since last a voice came."

"it is an honor to receive the voice of Celeste." – The Elder bowed and the woman bowed in return. "How shall we refer to you?"

"I'm Hekate Loki, voice of Celeste."

"Aterio!" – The Elder called and a young man appeared. "Take the Voice of Celeste to the Tree of Asteria." And then turned to Loki. "We humbly hope you accept setting down in the Ancestral Home!"

"I accept in the spirit it is presented." – Loki said bowing to the Elder.

Aterio led the way and Loki followed. The Tree of Asteria is usually reserved to the guests of highest honor. Loki smiled to herself. It was a good idea after all to get Brianna's blessing. This way no one will bother her or question her as she had really no desire telling them who she really is.

Another thought crept in her mind though. She did wonder why Brianna accepted to give her passage to the convention. It was often said that Brianna is clairvoyant but she never really believed it. But what if she was? Did Brianna see her plans? And if she did, why would she let her go through with it? But Loki had no answer – no, she shook head, no one had any clue. The rumors around Brianna were nonexistent. She was safe or was she.

"Here we are." – Aterio announced.

"Thank you, Aterio."

Aterio left her. Loki looked around and nodded satisfied. Her room was simply in the perfect place. It was completely isolated from the others and it provided the perfect means to do what she was up to.

She ventured out as staying too much in her room will arise suspicion. The Voice of Celeste had certain duties and one required of her to walk around the people and so she stopped by people talking to them, exchanging news and blessing them. It was routine but tradition demanded it so she had to keep up her cover.


Walking around, she came upon a young man coming from the forest. He was bare chest and tiny drops shinned on his muscular body. Loki stood mesmerized. She has seen many but this one was different. She sensed in him strength and power like no other. He also noticed her but did not dwell much on it.

Her eyes followed him until he vanished inside a Goth house. She had a strange wish to go there but she had other things to do. She continued on her way around.

She reached the Shrine of the Village. She ventured in and performed the expect ritual but she stood surprised to find that what she looked for wasn't there yet. She cursed under breath.

Every village had a sacred totem. Greywood's was a gem in the form of a green leaf. It came from the forest of the Forest Lord and possessed supernatural powers, which made it the object of want to many. Of course, this rumor was only a rumor. It was not certain how much truth there was in it. Loki, however, believed in it. Brianna of Celeste was possibly crazy but she was an expert in power crystals and gems and she spoke with great respect of that particular gem.

Loki had the wish to have it. She did not want it for profit but for answers and recognition. She was the only one that did not fit back home. She knew that an object of power will give her the answers she sought. She came to believe that this gem will be the one but first she had to get her hands on it.

"Hekate Loki," – The Elder that greeted her called. "The ceremony begins."

"Of course," – She said and followed.

The opening ceremony was upon them. She took her place. The ceremony itself was not something special but everyone had to attend. It mostly consisted of the official greeting welcoming all to Greywood, and then announcing all guests. When her name came upon, she stood up, walked to the elder, offered a hand as a sign of friendship and trust, said the ceremonial greetings and returned to her seat.


Cor returned to the village. He did cross path with Loki but did not pay much attention as she was just one person among many but that changed during the announcement. His eyes locked on her. At first she did not seem that interesting but then he noticed the looks she threw around, and this intrigued him.

He set to see her. After the ceremony his eyes followed her everywhere without arousing anyone's suspicion. There was something definitely interesting about her. But Cor had to know more so he turned to Ayla.

"Who is this young woman, Ayla?"

"Did you not hear her name during the ceremony?"- Ayla asked surprised.

"I might have missed it."

"She is the Voice of Celeste. Her name is Hekate Loki." – Ayla replied.

"I don't want to seem insensitive but what is the Voice of Celeste?"

"The Voice is a person chosen to represent the Elders of the forest of Celeste. Their village fell long ago and their elders barely escaped. But as far as I know they have never formed another village."

"So they select others that are not of theirs?"

"Yes," – Ayla replied. "We haven't heard anything of them for over a century. And it is a relief to know that they are still around."

"Why are they so important?"

"They are the guardians of the Sacred Scrolls."

"But I thought that Valia is one of them too?"

"Of course, not all guardians live in the same place. It will be foolish but the ones of Celeste are the most respected, hence the reason they were the first to fall."

Cor had hard time believing Ayla the reasons of why the attack took place. It did not seem like a valid reason. There was something else behind it.

"I see." – He said. "Ah, during the ceremony, Elder Toscana mentioned something – ah, the Sign or something of the Forest…"

"No, it is not the sign," – Ayla chuckled amused. "It is the Dew of Gallean. It is their sacred gem – a green leaf of the forest of the Forest Lord."

"Oh!" – Cor exclaimed. "And it is kept within the Shrine if I understood correctly?"

"No," – Ayla shook head. "The scared gem will be in the shrine when then announce the winners."

"Why?"

"The gem will approve of the winners. A test of their skills will decide their worth until then the gem will remain outside sacred grounds."

"How can a gem approve of someone? It is not alive?"

"There are many things about our culture that you do not understand Seyt, which is why I'll overlook this question." – Ayla suddenly said seriously.

"I did not mean to offend." – Cor apologized quickly.

"Apology accepted." – Ayla said. "Every village however has different places where they keep their most precious."

"Look, I'm just curious how would the gem approve?"

"The gem will shine just like sunlight goes through a leaf." – Ayla explained.

"Oh, I see. Thank you, Ayla. I really meant no offense."

"I know, Seyt. You are new to all this." – Ayla said warmly.

"How does one know to recognize the Voices of Celeste? I mean you must have a way."

"There is yes. The voice of Celeste is chosen and…"

"And?"

"And it is then sent to a challenge where the chosen must prove itself."

"And the challenge is?"

"That only Celeste would know."

"Yes, but how would you know, if the voice is really the one if it hadn't passed its challenge yet?"

"Every Elder of Celeste has its own way. They place two symbols on the chosen ones – one before and one after. The first is common used by all Elders – a star. Every elder however molds it in a different way. Loki's for instance wears hers as an earring."

"Really I did not see it?"

"You weren't looking. It is under the others." – Ayla said. "We should go to prepare now."

"Of course," – Cor nodded. "I just need to go get my things. In the hurry, I forgot them in the forest."

"Hurry then."

Cor understood one thing for sure – truth was not a premium in the forest villages especially to strangers. There was more to them that met the eye. It was like they existed outside the perimeter of the world.


He did not really need anything in the forest but had a good feeling Ms. Loki was after the sacred gem of Greywood. It was logical to assume it was out there somewhere. Having observed the Greywood's customs Cor was certain where the gem was.

The gem stayed hidden in plain sight and it was. He found it pretty quickly. It was beautiful. He was to return when he saw Loki. He hid behind the bushes and waited.

Loki chose her way carefully. She passed by Cor's hiding pace and continued further into the forest. It seemed she hadn't figured it out but Cor remained as he wanted to know what her interest in the gem was. Having observed her, he was certain she wanted the gem but stealing it was not part of her plan. But then, he asked himself what could be her motives.

Hekate reached the point she was certain the gem would be but remained disappointed when she did not find it. She got down to her knees cursing time and space. Where was it? She was so close and yet so far away.

"It is not there, Voice of Serpent."

A voice had spoken taking her off her thoughts. She was up on her feet but she wasn't fast enough. She found herself bound to a tree. Iron hotness passed by her cheek leaving a blood mark.

"This is what befalls thieves and false pretenders in our village. Did you really think that we are blind?"

The speaker was the very same elder that had greeted her. The gentleness in his eyes was now gone.

"We do not like your kind. We will punish you properly for deceiving us. You are not certainly the last thief trying to get its hands on the sacred gem and you won't be the last."

The Elder was no longer hiding who he is. Cor knew something was wrong but never expected this. A fireball formed in his hands and he directed it at Loki and he would have succeeded if Cor did not stand in its way. The fireball passed through him though it was not the only thing that did. The elder may have succeded in surpring Loki the first time but she was not about to let the Elder barbeque her either. She responded in kind but that man was not supposed to get in between.

Cor was certainly not ready for the agonizing effect that coerced through his body. It appeared he was susceptible to magic after all. And magic it was. It was a very different experience from the fireballs of Sean.

The Elder and Loki however stood baffled when Cor managed to stand his ground. The sheer power of two spells would have put down anyone especially those without any of the talent.

"Stand aside boy. She'll get what she deserves." – The elder spoke.

"And…who…" – Cor fell down on a knee. "Who will give you what you deserve?"

"Uh?"

"All things…" – Cor said barely holding it together. The pain was overwhelming. He was not going to last much more. "…have one side turned to the sun and one to the ground. Which one are you exploring – the one that you can see or the one facing the ground? And which…which one are you – the one to the light or the one to the shadow? Sometimes…rare times…we can see both sides on a glimpse…and…we decide…which of both we like…though often…we see only…one…" Cor fell. He couldn't resist it any longer. His eyes closed.

Hekate had seen many standing where they don't belong but neither of them was as strong or as well spoken as the one before her. She knew she had met someone special the moment she laid her eyes on him.

The Elder did not understand the meaning of Cor's words. He has also never seen anyone outside the forest villages withstand power spells before. The thief Loki however did indeed deserve the punishment. He doubted her name was even real. Thieves never used their own.

"Crumble you will thief." – The Elder raised a hand and unleashed another spell but to his surprise Loki blocked it. She stood tied down but she was certainly not powerless to respond.

"Surprised old man?" – Loki's eyes flickered. The ropes fell and she stood her ground.

The Elder was truly caught off guard.

"Impossible, you are one of us! And yet you've come to steal? Cursed be your name for deceiving the Elders of Celeste but the Dew of Gallean shall not be yours."

"Neither is it yours Elder Xenix."

Hekate was about to attack the elder but a silver arrow fell before his feet. Soon, the archer came into view. It was Alicia and Ayla was right behind her.

"He who attacks Seyt defies the will of Rao."

"He stood in the way of justice."

"Justice?" – Ayla raised an eyebrow. "You have no concept of what that is Xenix. You never had."

"How dare you?"

"The Sylvans are protectors of the prophecy of Rao. Any attack on Seyt, the Sylvan consider as an attack on them." – Ayla replied. Her hand-held a single, tiny branch that momentarily transformed into a staff wrapped with scarlet leaves.

Hekate watched stunned. She had heard of Seyt, the Herald of Rao the Red Sun God. She had no idea however it was the man who saved her life and the one she almost killed with her block spell when Xenix fired at her.

"Greywood will answer with the sheer power of Gallean, the Forest Lord himself." – Xenix replied.

"You do not speak on his behalf, Xenix." – Another voice interrupted.

All turned around. Before them came into view a silhouette that soon took shape. It belonged to a man all in pale lime green and a long silver mantle. His eyes were vivid green and his hair black.

Hekate knelt at once. She recognized the profile although she served another.

"My lord,"

"Rise, Hekate, daughter of Blackshire." – The man whispered as he got to her.

Xenix expected resistance but this had gone beyond. He also recognized the man before him. He was the leader of the Knights of Gallean. He tended to appear and disappear without any warning. He was also the Porte parole of Gallean himself. Xenix had no choice but to show respect and bow down but he couldn't. The Gallean Knight was not letting him.

The Gallean Knight knelt and placed his hand on Cor's forehead. A gust of wind sped through the forest. Cor regained color at once. The Knight smiled then stood up.

"It is not up to you to decide fate, Xenix. The will of the Forest Lord is beyond contention."

"I do not understand, my lord." – Xenix replied.

"I know. You have always had problems with that which is why you have never proven yourself worthy of the Dew." – The knight said and vanished.


Cor opened his eyes. He felt free of all pain even his own. It was a strange feeling of liberation. He saw the last moments of the knight's presence before he disappeared before everyone's eyes. Cor closed his eyes and opened them again. It was difficult to wrap his mind around all that has transpired.

For some reason, his mind wandered to the shrine of Greywood. He remembered a phrase written with tiny shrift though he did not understand it, yet.

"Why have you come to Greywood, Loki?" – Ayla asked.

"It is obvious is it not?" – Xenix barked. He was now on the offensive. The Gallean Knight was no longer there to obstruct him. "She has come to steal our sacred gem seeking its power like so may before her. They are all seduced by its power and the promise of greatness."

"I came for answers, Sylvan." – Hekate replied ignoring Xenix's remarks.

"Rubbish." – Xenix spat.

"The rubbish is yours to carry, Xenix." – Cor replied standing up. He finally understood the looks Hekate threw on the ceremony and the pain in them whilst talking to the people around the village. One of Cor's greatest strengths was the gift of observation. His people taught him to see truth in the smallest, tiniest gesture. He couldn't always see it but in times of clarity he could see further than anyone. And somehow through the Gallean Knight's intervention he had clarity like never before. He knew now things he could not possibly have. "It is you who seeks the power of the Dew but you could never have it. You need someone to steal it for you, to win it but no one has. No one has won it for the past three generations."

"How could you possibly know that?" – Ayla asked stunned.

"Loki, daughter of Xander, Sentry of Mortis – Goddess of Death, came to seek the wisdom and the tear of the Forest, answers hidden and whispered by the leaves of past. Whoever understands it shall share it and the answers will flow by the shroud of truth."

Hekate listened baffled to this stranger called Seyt. She could not possibly see how he has seen through her and found out her name and roots. He has obviously observed her but to learn as much about her anyone would need a lifetime and yet he did in no time at all.

Who was this stranger? Where did he come from? – 'The herald of Rao will fall for you and thus give you the answers you seek.' – Those were the words of Brianna. She told her that when Hekate asked to go and be the one, the chosen one. Maybe the clairvoyant one has seen more than Hekate expected and seen truthfully.

And then a miracle happened. The leaves of the Forest ignited with the sheer power of the sun. They became lime green just when sunrays cross through a green leaf. The forest around had changed. The colors were fuller, more intense than ever and yet more real than usually seen.

Leaves started to fall and on one of them shinned the Dew. The Dew of Gallean was never a gem in the form of leaf. It was always literally a dew. And all saw it fall on the hand of Cor then everything darkened. Cor and Hekate vanished out of view.


The Forest Lord himself appeared before the two – Cor and Hekate. They stood mesmerized before this silhouette made of pure light.

"The Dew shall present itself only to the one who seeks it not for power, not for knowledge, not for gain but to help a stranger in need." – Gallean spoke. "Cor of the House of El, your heart and compassion have led you far in lands of sorrow and in lands of joy. Two by two they always will follow you. And though escape from the former you never will you will lead them from the shroud.

Two beacons came to the Earth – one the voice of Rao and the other its heart. The voice will be visible to all – giving them hope while finding his way. The heart will stay hidden haunted by its own past, troubled by its results and tempted to overwrite all. He will need you, all of you, even the voice. When his attempt succeeds he will need to see that there is more to everything despite the ugliness, despite the crudeness of truth.

Loki, witch of Blackshire, path filled with darkness, anger and sorrow, your light comes from within. Never forget it. You have always known where to go and only mistrust and fear were in your way. Follow the signs and you will reach your destination step by step. Never seek everything in one step otherwise you will not understand, the reasons behind it.

Once more appear I shall before you until then carry with you the Dew, daughter of Xander, loyal follower of Mortis. When it shines, you have to turn around and pursue no longer however tempting it will be. Truth seeking is a journey worth pursuing only when it fills your heart. Do not leave desire guide your steps.

Cor, your journey is difficult one. You will fall more times even than the voice. You'll stand in its way when the balance breaks and the voice have lost its way. You will face decisions like none before you. You have already been where the voice hasn't but you need to open your eyes and see beyond the walls, beyond the boundaries. Good luck son of Rao."

Lord Gallean vanished and all could see them again. Cor held in his hand the Dew.

Bewilderment was visible in their eyes. For three generations the Dew has never presented itself and now a stranger from another world held it in its palm. Cor walked to Loki and placed it on her forehead, then walked away.


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Lordheaven