Meet 'Him'.
He watched her rapid decent to the golem, through the prism of the ruby she held. He grinned as she dropped from the zip-line, felt her young, strong heart race as she brought the climbing axe down as she fell upon the unwary creation. Then he gasped aloud as the creature filled the elemental within the jem with it's terror... oh how he liked this girl. He had always had an eye for talent - ask anyone.
The ruby had fed on a woman's soul for millenia - and liked it. The pain, rage, sorrow; it was what gave her power over the storm, the ability to transcend unchanged through time, and take over the minds of her chosen. And it was what betrayed her, and bound her precious Hoshi's soul to her soul: transforming both her and her innocent toy's ensnared eternal life forces into the star phenominon. She had always been a good provider for him. Till she threatened his other interests... her brothers.
His 'children' were as far flung as were their desires; and his 'gifts' to them all were as well received as they were varried. Some wanted immortality, some forgiveness for unforgivible sins, others lost love... idiots. (This one wanted answers... promising.)
Centuries on end their crimes, wars, terrors fed him unending power, unending life. Their enslaved souls granting him god-like abilities, and further converts. He held dominion. His slaves had infiltrated every room, every hall, every facet of all kingdoms of man... and none knew. And yet all knew - on some level. They all gave him a name: Loki, Lucifer, Trinity... The Wizard of Oz. He never cared for name calling, but he ate up the fear they generated.
He was a man. A creation. A salesman... nothing more. Or so he understood. He mearly dealt in souls, and empty promises. The weak were his clientel, the fearful... business was sooo very good. However, Oddly, he always found the most pious, and well intentioned to be as anxious as the most terrified to make a deal... all but one. That annoying 'love thy enemy' spouting carpenter from Galalee. With those eyes that gazed at him during their irritating time in the desert as if he knew him... madman.
He had made his offer. The fool rejected it... but he was generous, patient - frustrated. He went to the fools execution. The man had to crack! The things he could accomplish; the world he could rule; the souls he could save!
He looked in that battered, blood covered face as the broken body succumbed to the agony, the eyes lifting toward the empty sky...(now he would ask. They all break at death's door) he met those eyes once more. (kneel... king of the chosen) yet all he saw issuing from that face... was pity.
That had been almost two thousand years ago; almost all of it spent in seclusion. Ever wary of the vision... of 'her': a woman who would come to wield elemental power; throwing fire from her hands; tearing his minions from their immortal bonds; ending his...
He knew it had to be Himiko. She had been in his servitude for a few hundred years. Still, a traitor most be made an example of - even if she hadn't moved against him... yet. Still, his visions were never ignored.
He had felt better when this 'enemy' was trapped. Still, he was cautious. He had his minions do 'God's work' for endless centuries. Zelots became his all too anxious army. Then the dreams ended. Even now he was calm. Hell, even free, Himiko held no physical form to directly attack him... he was safe. So good to feel safe. He smiled as he turned to this girl once more... so much potential.
Questions? Reader input can only help.