Deathtouched - Chapter 25 "I am no mere anything."
Rocky crags rose all around the trail she was on, which was minimal, barely wide enough for her to walk on. The ground uneven with the occasional sharp rock that sliced into her feet, making her leave bloody footprints behind. It was dark from the ever present clouds overhead that blocked the sun and the wind in the mountains was cold and bitter. But it was there, just around the bend, the reason she'd come to this inhospitable place to begin with. The journey had been long, but with her goal in sight she felt a great weight lift from her shoulders.
That was when the mountain fought back. A great stone fist swung down, barely missing her, the impact knocking her off her feet. Zoe screamed in defiance, she was too close now to finishing her quest to give up. Moving forward swiftly, far quicker than a rabbit should be able to, she swung her paw and hit the monolith in the shin, cracking the limb.
You are stronger than you know.
She heard in her mind. Clasping both paws together, she swung them as hard as she could hitting the stone golem where the Achille's tendon would be in a mammal, knocking the giant off of it's feet. Leaping high in the air, the wind catching her and lifting her higher, she suddenly had the Spear of Ares in her paws. Grabbing it tightly with both paws, she stabbed her adversary in the chest, using all of her falling weight behind it. The spear sank into the stone like an arrow into water and the creature bellowed before dissolving into sand.
You are The Chosen, find your power.
Zoe's eyes snapped awake and found that her husband and all of her wives were gone but for Abby. Zoe snuggled closer to her wife and wrapped her tightly in her embrace. Was the dream a normal dream or another prophetic dream send by Lord Apollo, or a dream of a different sort?
Then her mind switched gears, remembering how she had to pump during her vigil, but the milk was wasted as there was no way to refrigerate it. Zoe was missing her children so much and couldn't wait to see them again, especially since her breasts were tingling letting her know it was time to pump again.
Zoe groaned quietly, not wanting to wake her wife. Today wasn't a day she was looking forward to either, it being another life changing event. Forcing herself up and out the door, she smelt the wonderful odor of cooking food. Gabriel stood at the stove, humming to himself as he flipped pancakes in the air using just the pan. Blueberries, she could smell blueberries! Blueberry pancakes!
She started forward to hug Gabriel and fill her belly when she remembered that her husband and wives all slept nude and she hadn't put any clothes on yet. Quickly, but quietly, Zoe crept back into the bedroom and put on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt. This time when she came out the door, Gabriel was facing the door and lifted his muzzle to see Zoe in the doorway. The look that settled over his features made Zoe's pulse quicken, it was such a look of adoration.
Zoe walked up to him, grabbed him by his shirt, and pulled him down for a kiss that started off as chaste, but became more when Zoe insisted on sticking her tongue into Gabriel's muzzle. He hesitated before opening his mouth and meeting her tongue with his own.
"I love you Gabriel." Zoe said after they'd pulled away from each other.
"You still do?" He asked in a worried tone. That was not the answer she'd been expecting.
"Why wouldn't I Gabriel? Why do you seem so... hesitant?"
"You're going to be a High Priestess."
"So? You already knew that, why is it affecting you now?"
"Because now it's real." Zoe stepped back, crushed. Her ears drooped and her face fell. "It's okay, you have your free will. I need to get dressed to go to the temple."
"What about your breakfast?" Gabriel asked, trying to latch onto something so that he could explain to Zoe how he truly felt.
"I'm not hungry." She stated in a flat tone and then returned to the bedroom. She ignored him when he tried to say something before the door shut, as well as when he knocked on her door trying to get her attention through it. She could hear him easily, being a rabbit, but wouldn't let his words sink in. Why it affected her so much she wasn't sure. She knew she loved him already, maybe that was it. He said he loved her, but maybe it was the her from before, before her elevation to High Priestess was staring them all in the face.
Zoe dressed in a black and white stripped skirt and a white blouse, carrying her priestess garb over her arm. She wouldn't put it on until after her ritual cleansing at the temple. Gabriel tried to speak to her as she left the bedroom, but she ignored him until she got to the front door, where she turned and addressed him. "Gabriel, it's okay. I told you, you have a choice. It hurts, gods it hurts, but I'll get over it. If you'd like to stay and be our nanny I'd consider it a blessing."
Then she turned and closed the door behind her. She walked slowly down the hall to the entrance, waiting for Gabriel to follow her and apologize before professing his love, but it didn't happen. Getting into her car, her blouse wet with tears, she drove to the parking area for Temple Square and got out. She was still crying but she didn't care, let the others make of it what they would.
This early in the morning everything was quiet, most of the priesthood not having shown up yet save for the Acolytes and Priestesses of Artemis, Goddess of the hunt and the moon. She went through the door to the font and lay her garb out on the shelf there before returning to the main part of the temple itself. There she knelt in front of the statue of her goddess and prayed.
When Dan and Wendy entered about an hour later, that is where they found her, in silent communion with their goddess. They looked at each other before parting and, as quietly as possible, began setting up to invest Zoe as High Priestess. Zoe, for her part, was praying to Melinoe, pledging herself once more to her goddess, to be her hand and her voice on this physical plane. She prayed for guidance so that she may serve her and follow her will.
Of course Daughter. You have always served me and I couldn't be prouder of you.
Hearing Melinoe speak to her filled her with relief and love for her goddess. She vowed to do the best she could so that she would never disappoint Melinoe in any way.
So Daughter, are you ready to step into my shoes?
"Hah! Was that supposed to be a joke Father? Given the size of my foot, I probably could wear your shoes."
Hearing Aaron laugh made her feel even better.
"Metaphorically? I don't know if I'll ever be able to fill your shoes, much less wear them any better than you did Father. As for being ready? Only somewhat. Being elevated into your position means the last time I'll be able to see and talk to you."
Dying is the one truth that touches all life Daughter. And I'm sure that, at some point in time, we'll meet again at some spot on the Wheel.
Zoe chuckled a little. "Maybe then I could be your daughter for real."
You're already my daughter for real Zoe Darkwater. Physically? That would bring me untold pleasure and honor when it happens.
Zoe was crying again. "I will miss you, you old wolf. I wish you a swift and easy journey to your next life and may some part of your spirit remember me."
As if I could forget you Zoe Bree Darkwater-Hopps, High Priestess of Melinoe, Oracle, favored of the gods... The Chosen.
Zoe sighed. "So many titles, my life is no longer my own."
It never was child, even in your previous life you followed the will of Melinoe. Here you have your religious responsibilities, those of your chosen career, as well as those of a wife and mother. But is that so bad?
"No Father, it's not so bad. Although I will probably decline attending the ZPD Academy. At least for a while."
And why would you do that?
"Because of the demands on my time. Not just being a wife, that wouldn't be too bad, but as a mother, High Priestess, Oracle, and whatever duties come with being The Chosen, I don't know if I can fit my schedule around the shifts that the ZPD require. I may just work as a consultant."
What's a consultant?
"There was a TV show in my previous life that I loved about a psychic woman that could see and talk to ghosts that would be called in on cases that they needed her help with. I think that wouldn't be a major draw on my time, it's basically what I'm doing right now anyway."
Ah, then I think that would be a very wise use of your time Daughter. Now, Dan and Wendy are waiting to begin preparing you for your investiture. I wish you a long and happy life Daughter.
"Thank you Father." Zoe rose and turned to see Aaron's aides, her's now, standing about ten feet behind her, watching her with wide eyes. Wendy was the first to find her voice.
"Mother, it's time to begin."
"I understand Wendy, thank you." Wendy nodded, guiding Zoe back to the font, already filled to a level where it would be level with her hips when she stood in the water.
"Dan will seat the other High Priests and Priestesses as well as the guests while we prepare you Mother."
"Thank you Wendy, I appreciate everything that you and Dan are doing, especially in this somber time."
"Thank you Mother."
Zoe took off her clothes and stood before Wendy naked. There was nothing flirtatious or sexual about it, simply a duty that needed to be performed. If Zoe had been male, it would have been Dan's duty to bathe her. Wendy helped Zoe climb the steps into the font and then down until Zoe was standing waist deep in the warm water. Wendy winced when she realized that she'd misjudged the depth, but Zoe just smiled and patted the tigress's paw. It wasn't a quick bath; it was a ritual cleansing.
Wendy gently, but thoroughly, washed every square inch of Zoe with the sacred oil impregnated water of the font. For Zoe, she stood there going over everything in her mind trying to prepare herself mentally for what was going to occur within the hour. When the cleansing was completed, Wendy once again helped Zoe get out of the water and then dried her, brushing her fur afterwards, leaving her fur almost glowing as it reflected the subdued lighting.
Wendy then reverently clothed Zoe in her priestess garb for the last time and then escorted her to the door where they were met by Dan. Wendy and Dan flanked her, staying one of their mammal sized steps behind her as she turned and approached the front of the temple where Aaron's body had so recently lain in state.
Zoe was peripherally aware of the crowded temple, too small to accommodate all of the High Priests and Priestesses of all the orders. Thus, only those of the Major Gods and family were allowed to attend in the temple. All others were forced to wait outside in the Hall or watch on their TV's or phones as it was televised. Much like the first time when Aaron had elevated her to the rank of priestess, her right side would be facing the attendees.
Zoe smiled at the mammal she'd picked to conduct the investiture. Oscar smiled back. Zoe approached Oscar until they were about a pace apart, and then she knelt down on one knee before him.
"You had to pick me didn't you?" Oscar asked her humorously.
"I couldn't think of anyone better than my first mentor, the one who introduced me to the mysteries of serving our goddess."
Seriously now, Oscar bowed and told her, "I'm honored... Mother."
Zoe could have used a hug right about then, but she would have to wait. Everyone quieted as Oscar began.
"Zoe Bree Hopps, Priestess of Melinoe, you have been chosen to succeed our late father, Aaron Darkwater, as High Priestess in the order of Melinoe. Your connection with our goddess is the strongest seen in memory yet we must ask you, do you swear on your immortal soul that you will follow our goddesses' wisdom in guiding our order? Will you be her defender in all things? Will you care for those under your auspices? And will you do your best for the people of Zootopia?"
"I so swear." Zoe answered solemnly. She felt her old priestess mantle removed and kept her arms raised, allowing Wendy and Dan to place the mantle showing her new rank as High Priestess.
"As you have sworn, so shall you be. Rise, Zoe Hopps, High Priestess of Melinoe."
Before she could move, she felt a gentle kiss between her ears and heard her goddess say, My blessings on you my High Priestess. Zoe wondered if the assembled mammals could see it happen since there was a collective gasp and a susurrus of sound in the crowd. Zoe lifted her gaze to Oscar to see his eyes wide and an awed expression on his face.
"Oscar! What is it?" Zoe whispered, confused as to what had happened.
" M...Mother... Uh... maybe you should see for yourself." He gestured toward Wendy who stood behind her and Zoe turned, just to hear and see the same things on the faces of her two aides. Wendy shakily handed Zoe a mirror from the inside of her mantle pocket. Zoe took the rather large mirror and looked.
She, herself, mimicked the other's expression when she saw that her fur had turned white in the shape of a raven, the head where she had felt the kiss, facing to her right. There was a dot of her fur that was still black making an eye, and the wings spread underneath her ears with the tips of the wings touching the outside edge of the bottom part of her ear. The tail fanned out, the ends of those feathers just touching the tops of her eyebrows.
Zoe was stunned. She hadn't noticed that her jaw had dropped and she turned to where Aaron stood at the front of the throng. He stood there with a huge grin on his face, chuckling as he slowly faded, allowing himself to travel to the afterlife. She turned back to Oscar who helped her to her feet before he knelt in front of her, followed by all the adherents of Melinoe.
Zoe's hearing could pick up the phrases like, 'it's a miracle!' from multiple mammals, including the heads of the other orders. She'd been visibly blessed by her goddess and she wondered what ripples this would cause. No matter what had happened, she needed to finish the ritual and then start worrying about other things.
"We wish to thank the other Father's and Mother's of the orders as well as the guests that have attended. This ceremony was, admittedly, unusual, however we will continue to follow our goddess's will as we continue to lead our order. May the blessings of Melinoe fall upon you all."
Then she turned and headed to her new office, Oscar and her aides trailing behind her. Dan, the last one through, shut the door. Zoe looked around, everything the same, the only thing missing was Aaron and her heart dropped into her stomach at the familiar feeling of the office. The tea set still sat on the table between their two chairs, his dest still sitting in the same place.
"We've left the office the same until you could let us know your wishes Mother." Wendy said.
Zoe nodded as she walked around, her paw running over the various pieces of furniture, memories of her time spend here flooding her mind. Finally, with a heavy sigh, she turned to face the other mammals with her.
"Well, I'll need a new desk. While I might be able to fill his shoes, his chair is a little large for me." Zoe said with a wan smile.
Wendy and Dan nodded in understanding, having overheard her conversation with the spirit of Aaron, however one sided it was for them. Oscar seemed a little confused until Zoe explained the conversation she'd had earlier with her predecessor. Dan went to the desk and picked up an envelope that had been placed atop it.
"I found Father's remains slumped over his desk, the only thing atop it was this, and envelope with your name on it." Dan said. Zoe took the envelope and could see her name in elegant cursive letters, obviously written by Aaron's hand.
"How?" she asked Wendy and Dan, knowing that Aaron was blind.
"We don't know, it seems to be another miracle for our order."
"Yeah, about that. Any ideas about this?" Zoe asked, waving at her forehead.
"Well Mother, as High Priestess, we'd have to ask you that." Oscar answered, smiling slightly.
Zoe took this opportunity to hug her former mentor who, with no hesitation, hugged her back. Stepping back, Zoe sighed and informed them of what she knew.
"I met our goddess in a vision, and when it was time for me to leave, I felt her kiss me in the spot where the ravens head is. After you," and here Zoe pointed to Oscar, "announced me as High Priestess, I felt her kiss again in the same spot and her voice giving me a blessing."
"Then I'd say it was a mark of special favor from Melinoe. I knew you'd be a perfect fit for our order when I met you Mother, I just didn't know that you were destined to lead us to where we can walk closer with our goddess." Oscar told her.
Zoe pointed to the couch where there was enough room for Wendy and Oscar to sit, Dan pulling up a chair from in front of the desk while Zoe pulled her normal seat she would sit at while having tea with Aaron. They all sat facing each other while Zoe got her thoughts in order.
"Okay, first, how is this," she waved at her forehead, "likely to affect our order and the people of Zootopia."
"Mother, most will see it for the miracle it is, and we should see an upswelling of support and offerings from the general populace." Wendy told her.
"The council on the other hand might view it as favoritism, especially Eric, the High Priest of Zeus. That priesthood has always been a little arrogant, trying to lord it over the rest of the orders that their patron is the king of the gods. Especially since our goddess is considered to be only a minor member of the pantheon." Dan explained.
"I'll handle the flak from the council this afternoon. Meanwhile, there are things that need to be done. While we normally don't have that heavy an onus on our duties, I need help with something more personal. Oscar, you're here already but Wendy and Dan, I'll need you to get in contact with the other priests and priestesses and see if they've ever heard of someone called The Chosen."
"Who is this 'Chosen' person?" Dan asked her.
Oscar was looking right at Zoe with a knowing expression when she said, "Me. And no, I don't know what it means."
Zoe then explained everything from the time she had the dream sent by Lord Apollo, to where she discovered that she was now an Oracle, to her nightmares and her vision of the different gods naming her The Chosen, and finally, to the dream she'd had last night.
"Were they the mountains to the east of Bunnyburrow?" Oscar asked her.
"No, there was no greenery anywhere and the weather was much more chaotic and violent than any I've seen in that area, it also felt different. I have no idea what my destiny is or what this power I'm supposed to have consists of, but I have a feeling that I'm going to need to find out."
"We'll see what we can find out Mother. Maybe look in the Temple Archive, the one for all the temples?" Wendy suggested.
"You know, that would be a great idea. Aaron told me to look for clues where all journeys begin, and I was thinking of a specific place. Then my wife, Abby, said that all journey's start at the beginning. Exactly what beginning I don't know but we'll figure it out."
Wendy sat a little straighter at the praise Zoe gave her and Dan nodded.
"It's time for the council Mother. Mostly it's a formality, welcoming you to the rank of High Priestess, but with what occurred during your elevation, it may become more than that." Dan warned her.
"Like I said, I'll handle the council. Wendy, if you could start notifying the other priests and priestesses. Oscar, I know you're busy, but if you could get a start looking at whatever records you have back in the Tri-Burrows area I'd appreciate it. And Dan, if you'll escort me to the council chamber."
Both her aides nodded to her and Oscar said, "It would be an honor to help you Mother, The Chosen of the gods." The last was said with a smile, poking a little fun at his friend.
Zoe laughed and pulled Oscar in for a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Oh, by the way, how's Kevin doing?"
"I think you broke him Mother, he'd be constantly jumping whenever someone would walk through the door. He quit about three months later and moved back in with his parents. Jack told me he hid in his room for two weeks before he came out for anything other than dinner."
Zoe just grinned and shook her head.
Zoe walked into the council room for the first time ever. There was a single stone chair, more like a throne carved with clouds and lightning bolts, in the center of the far wall, with much smaller stone chairs on either side. The chairs on the sides were much less ostentatious, usually only carved with a single symbol at the base, representing the god of the High Priest or Priestess served. All the chairs were on a raised dais raising them above the amphitheater style tiered benches reserved for the representatives of the minor gods.
The benches themselves were in a 'U' shape in front of the dais with a center aisle running through the bottom of the 'U' to allow them to be filled. Zoe found her seat quickly thanks to Larry, High Priest of Tyche, pointing it out to her. She was close to the last to enter and she nodded at Zeke, Selene, Baron, and Wendy when she caught their eye. Zoe sat quietly talking to a tiny mouse named Tanya who turned out to be the High Priestess of Lady Hebe.
At some pre-arranged signal, a vixen stood from the chair with the symbols of Hermes and announced that the council was in session. A jaguar stood from the throne chair and began to speak. "I call this council to order!"
"I welcome our new sister, Zoe, to our council and would like her to know that she is welcome here, no matter how minor a goddess she represents." Eric announced in a haughty tone. At this Zoe bristled, her fur beginning to stand on end. She'd heard of the arrogance of Zues's order, but this was really the first time she'd encountered such as they tended to keep themselves apart from the rest of the pantheon.
Those closest to her began to feel cold and the few that decided to view her with their astral sight were surprised to see how large her astral form was there as well as how she was armed and armored. They could also see a mist rising from her and beginning to fill the room. Eric looked at her expectantly. After a minute he continued.
"It's customary to acknowledge the greeting Zoe."
Zoe stood angrily. Her goddess had been slighted and she was pissed off. "I would happily acknowledge the greeting Eric, if it had been given in the spirit of acceptance instead of disrespecting my goddess."
More mammals were shifting away from her, those on the dais assuming that it was to get away from any possible reprisals that would be aimed her way. Those that were affected, moved because they couldn't stand the waves of freezing cold that emanated from her. It wasn't a physical cold, but a spiritual one, the cold of the grave.
"Come now," Eric continued in that same haughty tone, "you have to admit that you serve a minor goddess."
"I freely admit that my goddess is considered a minor goddess in regard to some of the other powers, but it was not your words that you spoke, but the tone of the words spoken that were disrespectful, not her status."
"Be that as it may, you must admit that you are merely the High Priestess of a minor goddess."
The breath of the mammals closest to Zoe began to fog in the air. The other representatives in the room, including the others on the dais, began to notice that something unusual was occurring.
"I do not!" Zoe exclaimed. "I am the High Priestess of Melinoe, I am also the Oracle of Apollo, and I am The Chosen! I am no mere anything."
"Hah! Oracle?! I don't need a rabbit with delusions of grandeur to preach to me!"
"There's nothing delusional about it Eric, if you could look past your arrogance to see it."
Eric was about to speak again when Zeke stood, drawing Eric's attention to him. Everyone could see that Eric and Zoe were butting heads and were developing an intense dislike for each other.
"I must interject here Eric. What Zoe said about being an Oracle is true. Lord Apollo sent me a dream showing Zoe coming to our temple. I watched as she asked to have the ability lifted from her, not wanting it. My Lord Apollo took offense and admonished her. Gently though, as she was still pregnant at the time. Apollo has spoken, Zoe is an Oracle. And everyone saw the miracle that occurred when she was elevated to High Priestess. I can't recall any mention in the records of that having happened before."
"Nonsense! It takes all the gods together to choose an Oracle and Zeus would never grant the ability to be an Oracle to any mammal other than those in our order. Especially to one as low as..."
And that was as far as he got. Zoe's anger was peaking when she suddenly felt herself being pulled backward, once again being a spectator inside her own body.
"ENOUGH!" Sounded her voice but overlaid by a vastly more powerful male voice that spoke with the force of thunder. At the same time, Eric screamed out "GYAHHHH!" as there was a crackling sound and his body jerked in place for several seconds before falling to the floor, wisps of smoke rising from his garb.
"I am severely disappointed in you Eric Swiftpaw. You have ignored my promptings for too long and I will tolerate your unearned arrogance no more. You will listen to our Oracle, or I will break you."
With that said, Zoe found herself back in control of her own body, swaying slightly from the residual effect of being possessed by the king of the gods. Yet, she could feel the love and pride her goddess had for her and it steadied her. Every other mammal stared at Zoe in awe. As Eric's body still twitched from the admonishment given by his god, Zoe spoke.
"My fellow High Priest and Priestesses, I apologize for disrupting this council, but I couldn't stand aside as my goddess was disrespected any more than you would be able to if the god or goddess you represent was treated in this same manner. I never asked to be High Priestess, much less an Oracle. As Zeke said, I tried to ask Lord Apollo to take it from me and was refused rather... enthusiastically. But I am these things, and I will serve my goddess to the best of my ability.
As for being an Oracle, when I was told that the gods would speak through me, I had assumed that it meant I would receive a nudge or get sudden knowledge similar to what I've always been given even in my previous life. I never expected it to be literal. I would ask the members of this council to treat each other with respect, as the domains of our gods and goddesses cover the entire spectrum of life and death for all mammals.
I would also ask a boon of this council that they let me know of any information on The Chosen. I feel that the knowledge will be important in the near future. Thank you."
Zoe sat down, the mammals that had been nearest to her slowly resumed their seats, no longer feeling the eerie chill that had been emanating from Zoe.
"You can be right spooky, you know that?" Tanya told her. Zoe smiled.
"Well, my goddess is the Goddess of Ghosts."
Tanya giggled at that. She liked this new High Priestess already. A hippo rose from the chair with the symbol of Poseidon, looked down at the slightly twitching form of Eric before turning to the assembled council. "Since it seems that our esteemed brother is otherwise unable to continue. Allow me to properly greet our new member Zoe, High Priestess of Melinoe, Oracle of the gods, and The Chosen, whatever that may be, and welcome her to our council. Helen will inform everyone when the next council meeting occurs and, as for myself, I will happily assist Zoe in her request. Until then, I call this meeting closed."
That seemed to end the official meeting, leaving the rest of the time as an informal meet and greet amongst everyone else. They all avoided the area around Eric, who slowly recovered and slunk off to try and make amends to Zeus for having offended him. Many of the mammals were curious about how she generated the cold and Zoe had to tell them that she hadn't been aware of it. As for how it felt to channel the king of the gods, she explained how awkward it felt to essentially be taking a back seat in your own body.
Most of the talk just seemed to be the 'getting to know you' kind and Zoe seemed to make friends amongst her contemporaries pretty easily. Then Selene sought her out.
"Zoe Love! When are you going to come over and let me have my way with you." She said as she bit her lower lip. Zoe took a shuddering breath before answering.
"Selene, you know I have to ask permission first. I'm still kinda down since Gabriel has pretty much shut down our relationship."
"And who, pray tell, is Gabriel?" Selene asked, her whiskers quivering. She saw Zoe's ears droop quite a bit.
"He was the coyote who appeared in my first dream sent by Lord Apollo. In it we were married, and I was carrying his cubs."
"And this idiot shut you down? Why would he do that?"
"It seems to be because I'm a High Priestess now."
"Well, his loss is my gain then. See when you can come over and I'll make it up to you and see if that foxy husband of yours would like to join us." Selene said, stroking Zoe's fur where her mark showed up. Then she kissed Zoe full on the lips and left, leaving Zoe feeling herself growing moist.
Zoe exited the council chambers to find Abby and her parents waiting for her. She looked around but failed to see Gabriel anywhere. Saddened, she still greeted her family, all of whom were in awe of her new mark. Zoe led them back to the temple and into her office, sat and talked with them for a while. Finally, her parents had to excuse themselves for the trip back to Bunnyburrow.
Abby left not long after, saying that she was making plans for both of them to go get their kits and bring them home. The ache of missing her kits was like a tidal wave that flowed over and through her. She didn't just want to see her kits again, she needed to. After she left, Zoe sat in her chair and opened the letter.
Daughter, I can feel my time approaching and I wanted to pen this letter to you. I know you are wondering how a blind old wolf such as myself can write such a letter and I could play it off as being wise and mysterious, but I won't. I know that if you think about it, you'll realize how I was able to do this.
Zoe set the letter in her lap as she leaned back in her seat. The paper was once a living thing, so it would have a presence on the astral plane, but there had to be something in the ink that allowed someone to see it there also, it had to have been alive at one point or another as well. She raised the letter and began to read it again.
Yes, you're right. The ink is actually squid ink, so it is visible to those of us who have astral sight. Had you going there for a second, didn't I? Please don't be mad at me for not telling you when you were here heading to Bunnyburrow that we'd probably never see each other again while in our physical bodies. Goodbyes are painful enough but saying a final goodbye to you was too painful. I felt it was better to let you think that it was only for a little while. Of course, in the great scheme of things, it will actually be a little while.
I've told you that you are my daughter many times, I have to confess that those words were never truer than now. I've been in contact with your parents, Bonnie and Stu, and they've let me legally adopt you. While you still remain a Hopps by marriage, you are now, legally, my daughter, Zoe Darkwater, the last of the Darkwater clan. There are reasons for this other than the great love I have for you as you will discover shortly, but in the main, you inherit all that I have.
As you've probably already found out, your aides will be invaluable. Dan is gifted when dealing with the political side of things and Wendy has a knack for handling people. Together, they are devastating. I know that, with their help, you will lead our order even better than I could. It is nearly time my daughter. Know that I am immensely proud of you, and I love you as if you sprung from my own loins. Until the next time we meet on the Great Wheel of Life, I remain... Your Father, Aaron Darkwater
When Wendy walked in she saw Zoe sitting in her chair, crying. Zoe's ears were down completely, and she looked at Wendy with such sadness that Wendy's heart went out to her Mother. When she approached Zoe, Zoe held her hands up and Wendy didn't even have to think about picking the rabbit up and gently hug her, making them both feel better.
While she loved Aaron as the father of their order, there was a difference between that feeling and this one. This love seemed more personal, and Wendy swore to do whatever she could to keep that feeling. Wendy sat Zoe back down in her chair and pulled the one that Dan had been using earlier close. Then she took the table with the tea set and put it near the two chairs before starting tea.
Zoe smiled at the familiarity of it and, as the hot water hit the tea bags, the smell caused her to relax. While Wendy made tea, Zoe let her in on what had happened in the council chamber, making Wendy smirk at the chastisement that arrogant Eric had received. He'd repeatedly hit on Wendy using his position as the High Priest of the king of the gods as the reason he should be able to have her in his bed. That Eric was married meant nothing to him, similar to how Lord Zeus was said to behave, to the ire of Hera.
She was also a bit in awe of Zoe and the power that she seemed to be able to wield, something no other member of any order had been reported to be able to do in almost a millennium and she seemed so humble and personable at the same time. As they sat and drank their tea, Zoe asked, "Wendy, how did Zootopia start?"
"I'm not sure Mother, it was so very long ago. I could research it but it will take some time away from my efforts to locate anything dealing with The Chosen."
"Wendy, will you do me a favor?"
"Of course, Mother, anything you need."
"When we're here drinking tea and talking, could you call me Zoe? It would give me pleasure to sit and talk with a friend rather than a follower."
A wide grin appeared on Wendy's features; her heart felt light. Mother wanted her as a friend! "I would be most honored to be your friend... Zoe."
Zoe grinned back and continued their conversation. "Now, back to Zootopia. None of the courses I had in school or college so far mention how Zootopia was formed, just that it was about 700 years ago."
"That's true M... Zoe. We do know that we're the only city state that is so inclusive, where all mammals can live and get along with each other. I don't think that anywhere else exists where you could have married your husband."
"That's sad. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else, but Zootopia if that were the case. What about you Wendy? Married?"
"Oh no Zoe, not yet at any rate. Eric hit on me several times, but he's married and that's not the kind of relationship I want."
"I don't blame you. Is there anyone you're interested in?" Wendy seemed to blush, at least from the way she was acting.
"Well, there is this one tiger I like, he's a dancer for Gazelle. I've written him, but he hasn't answered me back. I still hold out hope but..." She shrugged, showing that nothing may come of it.
"There's always hope Wendy."
Zoe and Wendy finished their tea and conversation, the two females bonding over tea and talking about guys. Wendy insisted that Zoe go ahead and go home while she cleaned up, saying that Zoe had been through a very trying day and needed to get some sleep. Zoe agreed and wished Wendy a good night.
When she got home, Zoe was overjoyed to find that her parents had brought her and Abby's kits with them. Zoe spent several hours loving up on them, not having even seen them in almost a week. Happily, she fed them all, uncaring that Gabriel was present. Zoe was trying hard to build a wall around her feelings for Gabriel. If he couldn't reciprocate the love she had for him, the better off she'd be by doing that. Her husband and wives looked between the two and wondered what had happened.
Gabriel looked at Zoe, she'd been a great beauty, exotic before her mark appeared, but even more so now. He just couldn't seem to overcome the gulf that seemed to separate them as far as social levels went, at least he realized it was his fault and not Zoe's. He still wanted her, but how could he span the chasm of his own making?
A/N: This story is now, officially, the longest story I've written yet. YAY ME!
Now it's starting to get exciting. More action and less lemon, sorry. Yes, there will be more lemons in the future, but maybe not for a few more chapters. Or so, maybe. Then again, I should stop making predictions. Let's say I want to cut back on the lemons, but we'll see.
Zoe's spiritual growth seems to have put Gabriel back on his heels. He seemed to be so confident at first but now looks to be rethinking his position. The dream Zoe had showing them together still feels to be true, but the characters may have plans of their own. We'll see as the story progresses.
I've thought about it for a while, and I think I'm going to steal an idea from one of the fanfic's I follow and start naming the chapter for a word or phrase from the chapter.
Also, I'm having issues with Project Gateway, while I want to write more on it, and have, my muse is refusing to put this story on hold until some, as yet to be determined future point.
Speaks With Spirits