Author's Note: I do not own Stargate. Reviews are always welcome and always lovely. Leave a like or follow. many great things on the way.
Chapter Forty-One
Origin
"Charge to 360. Clear!" Dr. Lam hit Erin's body yet again with the deliberators. Nothing, "Still in V-Fib. Charging again. Clear!"
Erin's back arched up from the electric shock and fell back, limp.
Daniel was shaking so hard Cam was worried he'd fly apart. As more nurses rushed into the room Cam gently pushed the archeologist against the back wall out of the way. Up in the observation deck Vala, General Landry and Teal'c watched with rapt attention.
The heart monitor still read nothing. Dr. Lam shocked Erin one last time. Nothing.
Lam watched the readouts and hung her head. "I've got no pulse. She's gone into asystole." then directed up at the General "I'm calling it." She flipped off the blaring alarm, her patient's heart had stopped and there was no restarting it.
Daniel surged from the wall and planted himself in her path. "She's dead!?"
"I'm sorry." Dr. Lam threw her stethoscope over her neck and weaved around the distraught man to Skaara's stretcher. Taking his pulse, "His heart rate is still dangerously elevated. We have to find a way to disconnect the device before we lose him too."
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Her body continued to burn long after the screams stopped. The flames flew high into the air. They coiled around the blackened figure in their center like hungry serpents.
A few of the villagers appeared disturbed, but not enough to do anything.
Skaara new he would be next. He didn't much care. The men around him had gone from restraining him to holding him upright. His knees had given out. When? Skaara did not have a clue. Ineffectually he reached his arms towards where she still burned, but it was no use. She was already gone.
The wind howled, the only sound in the town square beyond the crackling of the flames.
How could they have done this? Skaara just could not fathom it. They all stood there and let a woman they thought they knew, even cared about, die. No one was even moving to put out the fire.
Skaara clenched his fists, imagining he was doing the same to the Administrator's neck. It wasn't enough that they executed her. They were going to make sure nothing was left to even bury.
She was gone. All this time. She had fought so hard for him and he had fought for her. Everything the two of them had been through had led to this.
The wind grew more powerful and blew though the town square. The people cried out, caught in a wind tunnel. Their clothes whipped around violently and they turned away from the onslaught.
Impossibly the flames burning upon the pedestal extinguished themselves.
A collective gasp carried into the air and then all was silent again. Not a single leave stirred. A lone figure stood apart from the villagers. Mist surrounded the man as if he'd been materialized from the vapors himself. The man was hooded and cloaked in grey, his face that of a specter and eyes a dull blind white. And in his hand he carried a staff that bore the same symbol as the monument.
None of the village could tear their gaze from the man. Then as one the people fell to their knees and prostrated themselves on the ground.
Skaara only had eyes for the woman on the pedestal. Rather, what was left. The charred body leaned forward held up only by the chains. Skaara stepped carefully over the uneven stone. Once at the center he collapsed before the blackened husk.
Skaara wanted to take Erin's body away from this place but he couldn't. Even in death she was still chained.
As if sensing his thoughts the shackles around her wrist fell away. Skaara looked over his shoulder at the cloaked man who nodded solemnly.
Slowly, afraid she would disintegrate he cradled her body in his lap. Skaara couldn't continue his rage anymore and shouted towards the heavens. He rocked back and forth like a child, soothing her charred hair.
Unseen by Skaara the cloaked man raised his staff which began to glow a faint sky blue.
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To Daniel the rush of nurses and techs around him barely registered as background noise. It felt like his head had been filled with cotton, or maybe he'd been hit with a Kull warrior tranq dart. He couldn't feel, anything. Looking down at his baby sister his mind refused to comprehend the truth. Her cheeks were still faintly flushed. A lock of her unruly blond hair had fallen across her face. He brushed it aside and jerked his hand back. She was still warm.
"Daniel Jackson." Teal'c gripped the smaller man's shoulder tightly.
Daniel hadn't noticed the Jaffa enter. He turned to his old friend, biting the inside of his mouth painfully. Daniel could feel his lungs beginning to hyperventilate, his hands went numb and he tasted something metallic. 'Panic attack' the still functioning part of Daniel's scientific mind mused.
Teal'c crushed his friend in an uncharacteristically emotional embrace. The archeologist stiffened for a moment. Then Daniel let himself loose it in a way he hadn't let himself since Sha're. Teal'c held his friend, his brother in arms. And the Jaffa wished there was a false god he could punish for this.
A loud beep suddenly shattered the silence. Daniel broke away from Teal'c and grasped Erin's limp hand. No, it wasn't possible. Teal'c clenched his jaw and glared at the monitor as if by sheer force of will the sound would continue.
Another beep.
And another.
Dr. Lam rushed to Erin's side. To back up the monitor's readings she yanked out her stethoscope and pressed it to the dead woman's chest. And nearly fell backwards, "She has a heartbeat."
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Skaara pressed his face into the crook of her neck. If he ever got back to Earth he would bury her on Abydos. Right beside his beloved sister at the base of the great pyramid. There she and Sha're could watch the sun rise and the moon set forever. If he couldn't return Skaara was comforted knowing that at least Dan-yell would take her home.
Thump-thump.
His eyes shot open. The sound came from within her chest. It couldn't be. Skaara pressed hand to her breast and listened closely.
Thump-thump.
Inexplicably her clothes began to knit themselves back together. Blackened hair transformed into golden stands. Bit by bit ruined skin healed, going from black, to an irritated red and finally creamy white.
Skaara was speechless. How? Neither the doctors of earth nor a Goa'uld hand-held healing device could have repaired the damage. In fact, he doubted even a sarcophagus would have been strong enough to restore her.
"Airen." Skaara gently shook her face as the last patch of burned skin healed across her forehead.
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I was swimming through water. Below me and above me was an endless abyss. No matter how far or how long I swam I saw nothing. I needed to breathe, and I didn't. I was drowning and I was not.
I knew not where I was. Who was I?
For years I swam and yet I was only there for a few seconds.
But I wasn't alone. If I could just keep swimming. If I could reach the end of this I would be alright.
I heard voices, familiar although I had not heard them in a long time.
From below a blue light rose upwards.
I swam faster. My destination was awfully close now. The voices were stronger, urging me onwards. I saw a form, a woman bathed in bright white robes reaching for me. She seemed to know me. Her auburn hair and bright smile were beautiful. I knew if I could only reach her, I would be safe. I was so close our fingers almost touched.
And the blue light enveloped me.
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I felt air in my lungs.
Feeling slammed into my body. It was not pleasant. I struggled against the arms around me. No, I had to get away.
"Airen." The arms were firm but caring, not at all like my last memory of being shackled.
The being holding me coalesced into a person I recognized, "Skaara?" I trembled, speaking hurt my raw throat.
"I'm here." Skaara tucked my head under his chin.
"What happened?" I my voice cracked.
"Thank the Ori." A man spoke, face white as a ghost and voice as cold and distant as one already dead. His staff glowed a faint blue. "Stand. You will come with me."
"Skaara," I breathed, "Please take me away from here."
"I've got you." Skaara stood and hooked his arms around my back and knees. I turned my face into his neck as we followed the man out so I wouldn't have to look at the villagers. My murders.
The man stopped, "Hallowed are the children of the Ori." He then led us on.
"Hallowed are we." The bowing people droned back, "Hallowed are the Ori." They stood and saw what had become of their sacrifice. Whispers of disbelief followed us out of town.
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A set of rings nearly identical to the ones in our home galaxy deposited the three of us on a wide plain. Water a few inches deep covered the flat earth as far as the eye could see. The clouds were tinted a strange green and even the air smelled different. Maybe we have been transported to another planet. And there, high up on a cliff was a great golden city with high reach spires and domes.
"I'm alright Skaara," I said still feeling a bit weak. Tingles that felt like electricity snapped across my skin. "I can stand now."
Skaara, who had been gazing at the city in the distance, tightened his grip. "I'm not putting you down."
I nodded and allowed my head to rest on his shoulder, "Ok."
"Where are we?" Skaara asked the man.
"The Plains of Celestis." He spoke unemotionally.
"And what it that?" I pointed at the city.
"City of the Gods."
"And who are you?" Skaara asked of the man.
"I am a Prior of the Ori."
"What does that mean?" Skaara furrowed his brows, growing more and more uncomfortable.
"In time," The Prior began walking towards the city, "all in due time."
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The Prior left us in alone in a room for many hours. He had locked us in. We were in a dinning or banquet hall of sorts. A long gold enameled table ran the length of the room. Dozens of pillars holding candles and torches ran from floor to the ceiling high above. The walls bore religious murals of flames and fire that sent a shiver down my spine. Strange. There were no depictions of people on any of the paintings. Only masses of bright light bathed in fire.
"Ascended beings." Skaara noted.
I jumped slightly but luckily he didn't notice, "That's what they look like?"
"Yes." He nodded, "I've only seen one once or twice. That is how they appear when they choose not to look human."
"Strange." I reached up and touched the painting. This is how Daniel looked when he was ascended.
In the center of the grand table was a large bowl of fruit. I should probably eat something. There had to be something there that resembled earth fruit. I looked into the bowl for anything familiar. My hand found a maroon fruit, just like the one the old woman from the village gave me.
-Smoke choked me. A woman's kind face had turned impassive. She watched while I burned.-
"Urh." I gasped at the flash of memory. The fruit slipped through my fingers. I stumbled away from the table.
"I've got you." Skaara was suddenly there. He caught me before I hit the floor.
"I'm ok." I said as he helped me into one of the intricately carved chairs circling the table. Once safely seated I pulled my knees to my chest.
A copy of the book all the villagers had was left upon the table. I pushed it away. Under other circumstances I would already be several chapters deep in the tome.
"We have to get back home Skaara." I said.
"WE will. Dan-yell has to be working on disconnecting us."
The locked doors swung wide of seemingly their own power. The Prior stepped through and planted his staff firmly against the floor, "The village of Ver Ager has been corrupted."
Skaara moved to stand protectively behind me and gripped to top of my chair, "We are peaceful explorers. Please understand. We mean no harm."
The Prior didn't react.
This didn't seem to be getting anywhere. The technology in his staff was advanced and he clearly knew how to use it. My beating heart was proof of that. Maybe I could appeal to tchno9logical aspect of his culture. "I am grateful for what you did. We would like to understand how. How is your technology constructed? Did it come from the Ori? We are connected to these people by a device built by the Ancients. A race we believe is related to your Ori. We are only here to learn."
The Prior wasn't even looking at us. Not for the first time I wondered if he could even see out of his white eyes, "You know of others in Ver Ager?"
"What?" Skaara tensed.
"Unbelievers." The Prior elaborated.
"You wish for us to tell you of others who do not believe in the Ori? Is it not their choice to decide for themselves what they believe?" Skaara was angry. A distant look took over his face. No doubt he was reliving his youth when he was forced to worship his enslaver. Ra.
"The Ori gave all men and women free will," Again the Prior was unmoved. "Devotion is rewarded. Those who stray must be guided back to the path."
"And how do they do that?" Skaara said through clenched teeth.
For the first time since we encountered the Prior's eyes moved. The white orbs met my own in an eerie staring contest, "You have already seen the work of the faithful."
I swallowed hard.
Skaara looked ready to jump across the table. "Don't." I warned, lightly holding his arm in place.
"Fear not," The Prior began, "for the Ori will show you the way. As Amica was forgiven his transgression and found his way back to the path. So shall you when you witness their power."
"Forgive us, but we are not wanting for a religion," Skaara interrupted him. And regardless of his words, Skaara didn't appear to care one bit if the Prior forgave us, "We understand what ascended beings are. They are powerful but they are not gods. They were once people just like you and me."
The Prior seemed to think for a moment, "Come with me."
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The wall of fire was the first thing I saw. This new chamber we were taken to was dark. Very few candles graced the walls. The main source of light was the wall of fire behind wrought iron gates. At the far end of the room was the symbol of the Ori that ran floor to ceiling and before it a person stood.
"Doci." The Prior bowed his head upon entering.
The figure in the far corner turned around, long white robes billowed outward where they skimmed the floor.
Skaara pushed me behind him.
It was a man, pale in appearance just like the Prior. He stalked forward. Around his head curved the Ori symbol which ran the length of his collar and connected down to a point on his chest. In the center of his chest he bore a blue stone, his version of the Prior's staff. As he got closer the light from the fire brought his face into focus. One eye was milky white and the other was a clear blue. It was disconcerting.
"Leave us." The Doci snapped. His voice had emotion. Frustration? It was a marked difference from the emotionless Prior.
Skaara lifted his chin, refusing to show weakness. However, his hand I grasped was shaking, "I am…" He started.
"Skaara son of Kasuf of Abydos." The Doci spoke in a clipped tone.
I felt Skaara's body jerk at the mention of his father.
If my jaw could have hit the floor it would have. It was reasonable to think this Doci would have heard of the names Skaara and Abydos from the village, but Kasuf. "How did you know…?" I tried to ask.
The Doci tiled his head in my direction, "Erin Clark."
"Yes." I gulped.
"Of Earth." He finished.
"Yes." I confirmed, "How did you know that?"
"The Ori see all," was his only answer.
I shivered, "If you know our names then you must know how we came to be here though Ancient technology. We were searching for any survivors of their race to learn about their technology and culture."
"A Prior has been dispatched to the place from whence you come." The Doci announced.
My blood ran cold. "What?!" I exclaimed, "How? I thought we were in another galaxy?"
The Doci explained as if to children, "It is the will of the Ori that we should spread Origin to all those blessed by their creation."
Skaara was disturbed, "You should know our galaxy has just come out of a great war against false gods. Few people will want to yoke themselves under new ones."
"They shall find the path to enlightenment." He responded non-plussed.
Oh no. I did not like where this was going. We had seen it over and over on Goa'uld controlled worlds where regardless of proof the people were unwavering in their beliefs. Often to the point of violence.
"The people of our home believe in many, many things, "Skaara continued. "My people used to believe in a sun god. Now we choose to seek meaning in our hard work and honest labor." When the Doci remained silent Skaara kept trying, "What I am trying to say is that if enlightenment is the end goal, we choose to find it in many different ways."
"The power and the greatness of the Ori cannot be denied." The shadows around the Doci seemed to grow darker, "Those who reject the path must be destroyed."
My stomach dropped.
"I was afraid you were going to say that." I muttered, pressing my face into Skaara's sleeve. We needed to get out of here fast.
As if sensing my thoughts the Doci fixed me with his uneven gaze, "The Book of Origin says: "those who seek the path to enlightenment must not be led astray."
"You command your followers to kill in the name of the Ori?" I couldn't believe that ascended beings would require any of this, "I just don't accept that interpretation of their message. They are powerful. Yes. But they are not gods."
"What is a god, but a being that is worshiped by those beneath? Is great knowledge, power, understanding not enough for you to revere the Ori?"
"I respect their power." I said, "But I respect how they use their power more. If enlightenment is the end goal, then surely you must know there are many paths in how to get there? And everyone should be allowed to get there or not on their own. There are many ways to interpret, 'must not be led astray." And I won't believe that murder is what ascended beings meant."
The Doci's face was unreadable, "Come." He unlatched the iron gates and beckoned us forwards.
My heart skipped at the idea of getting close to fire again. I leaned on Skaara for support. I was grateful when he held me close.
A small, rail-less balcony was all that separated us from the flames. Right before the floor connected with the fire it dropped off. I peered over the edge. As far as I my eyes could see there was no bottom.
Then I realized something. There was no heat.
Was it a hologram? Perhaps an invisible shield protected us from the heat. Or a new type of fire that didn't burn hot?
"The Ori hear you." The Doci announced with reverence and held his arms wide.
A bright white light momentarily blinded us. I held my arm up to shield my eyes. Skaara did the same. Strings of flames shot out of the wall and passed right threw the Doci! It crackled in air near us, forcing Skaara to press our backs against the gates. Finally, the flamed pulled back and settled inside the Doci.
When he face us his eyes glowed. Not the way Goa'uld could make their host eyes glow. This was different. Fire seemed to be burning this man from the inside out causing his eyes to burn with the heat like coals.
"WE ARE ORI." He, or rather they, spoke with many voices.
"Oh my god." I hissed out between my teeth, "You are the ascended beings these people worship." And that wall. It was the physical manifestation of their forms.
"We do not require blind faith. Only that you believe what you see and know to be true." Their words filled the entire chamber.
"See what?" Skaara asked.
"We returned the woman to you so you would turn to the divine path."
I winced at the memory of the flames.
"Do you truly want these people to kill for you?" I feared the answer to my question.
"We are their creators. Their path must not be pitted by unbelievers." They were cold.
"What of the Ancients?" Skaara backed us away from the possessed Doci.
"Evil ones who abandoned the path."
"Why do you say they are evil?" I wondered.
Their lips grew thin with anger, "They shielded you from our sight."
"I did not think they did much for us at all." Skaara said bitterly. If what he said before was true, the Ancients would have been fine letting Abydos be obliterated by Anubis. If not for Daniel it would have been.
Their voices grew louder, "The truth of the universe has been obstructed. All will know the power of the Ori."
The Doci arched his back. Glowing tendrils flew out of him and rejoined the wall of fire. He appeared deeply moved by the experience. When he spoke he was full of reverence, "Hallowed are the Ori."
Author's note: A virtual cookie to who can guess correctly who the identity of the woman Erin saw when she died.