CHAPTER 3

Date: February 8th, 110 P.A. / 2114 C.E.

As Arei would learn in time, the Temple was full of varied folk. Occupations and attitudes differed between sects, and at times only blind faith held them all together. In some cases, those that seemed innocent were notoriously guilt. The opposite might also hold true, and the frightening were no more than giant pacifists.

Such held true for the person of Orobus, the Master Chef of the Temple's kitchens. At 6"8' and three-hundred-some pounds, he rivaled Abaddon in height and size, behind bluff instead of sleek and slender. His loud voice boomed over the clatter of pots and silverware, over hissing palates and roaring flames, ordered his apprentices and staff about with accommodating presence that could rival any military man's. He had long, curly red hair and eyes the color of amber, his fingers spider-webbed with pale scars from past burns and knife slips. His left eyebrow was non-existent, appearing to have been permanently singed off some time ago. As he saw the god and his priestess enter, he bowed, before roaring at the other cooks to cease their staring and get on with their work. Even though it was no every day that they were blessed with seraphic presence, the food to be made was imperative. There were many mouths to feed in the holy structure.

Wiping his hands on a dishrag, his apron already stained at the early hour, he inquired as to what he could do for them.

"Tell Master Chef Orobus to fetch us today's soup to the Emerald Room, along with some herbal tea. He may feel free to add what he will to balance the meal for yourself."

Arei shyly repeated the words, each one coming out with more strength. The chef, seeming used to this impression, smiled as kindly as Byron had, soothing her instinctual fear, and called out the order for them. He then gazed at Abaddon, addressing him directly. He had spent most of his life in the Temple, and was well acquainted with the feline. Abaddon always knew when his tea had been prepared by Orobus. The man knew his preferences well.

"You've chosen a cute young 'ne this time, God Abaddon! She reminds me of my own little girl down in the capital. I think I'll add some honey-drops for you both this morning. You don't mind, I take it?"

Abaddon merely seemed amused, and gave a curt shake of his head. Beckoning Arei along, away from the kitchens. The smell there haunted her stomach as the rose up stairways, turning down halls, back up to the higher floors from when they'd come. Eventually they came to level with entrances into four rooms at each corner. Abaddon chose the one to their right, closest to them. As they entered, the smells of spices and heavenly aromas of flowers and newly pruned plants. The air was thick and steamy. The only light came from above them, the ceiling made of a thin sheet of dark glass, the glare of the sun dulled to a comfortable level. Tiny tropical trees, flowering cacti, ivy snaking around statues, all clustered about the walls, the rug beneath their bare feet woven from long grass from the delta, dyed with deep pine and golden hues.

Decorating the walls were tapestries depicting the spring and summer months, with brilliant jewel-like birds darting among the exotic flowers. They suckled nectar lustfully. There were tiny fountains about the room, providing moisture to the vegetation. Abaddon sat them down at the center table, the furniture made of white metal bands and wire, so thin and delicate as to be almost tender. They were crafted delicately, with tiny insect forms seeming to crawl up the legs and back. Arei studied them with interest, only realizing after several minutes that her God seemed to have fallen into a doze. The cushions beneath him appeared to be quite warm and comfortable. She leaned forward curiously, watching his chest rise and fall, hearing a faint rumble coming from his throat. It sounded like a purr…but then it came to her—he was snoring! He—

Someone was coming up the steps, multiple feet plodding towards them, dishes clinking together as the servants approached. His eyes shot open, and he sat up straight, thanking them. After they left, Arei gazed wide-eyes at what they had brought. Fresh white bread with butter and honey, cubes of sharp cheddar, icy drinks, the latter of which tasted citrusy sweet. Her mind scrambled to put a name to the delicious beverage. What…what was it?

Seeing her expression, God Abaddon answered her silent question. "Pineapple. A gift from the God of the Sea, Lugia. He manages what are called the Orange Islands. The juice is for you, High Priestess, truth be told. When he heard you were instated, he sent the fruits as a present." He ate a spoonful of his soup.

Surprise was evident on her face. "What? Why would—?"

The sound of fleetly approaching footsteps interrupted her words, and their gazes fell onto the entryway. A man in his early thirties stood in the doorway, and he smiled, approaching them. His long raven hair swung behind him, in a loose ponytail, his dark robes the color of a thunderstorm before it unleashed its fury onto the shores of a temperamental sea. He was rather lanky, with a lonely, if long face, his hands slender and stained slightly at the fingertips, as if from ink. Yet other than that, he seemed immaculate, pristine. His eyes were clear, but within them held at sharpness, a slyness which gave him an edge of distaste…no, something else, but Arei could not define it, nor could she his somehow cold smile, so unlike what Orobus had given her.

It made her feel edgy, as if a cube of ice had slid down her back. She gripped the edge of her chair tightly, repressing a shower, wishing he would look away. She knew that expression, but the meaning fled her searching mind.

A seed of primal fear formed in her belly…this man….

He bowed and said, "Good evening my lord…my lady. I have already heard much about you, my High Priestess."

Abaddon did not like the inference, or the possibility of the rumors that might already be spreading around his chosen vessel. "Arei, tell him that I have given you rebirth. That any sins that you may have committed in your previous life had been lifted from you."

She obeyed him, the words coming with a little difficulty, but the message was conveyed all the same. This act of hers would be foremost out of her own defense in the coming days, and then habit as time progressed. His words cut through the fearful fog in her mind, and so she did as she had been told, though it would take her some time to understand some key words—"rebirth" being the main one.

Abaddon gave her the most basic definition he could. "In a past life, you lived in the capital, Nocturne, outside of this Temple. However, once my previous priestess was poisoned, I chose to lift you from that world, and so you began life again here. You have been cleansed, given a fresh start, a new path to take…your old life ended in the same night as Priestess Kara's. You, however, awoke to a new dawn…and the Messenger before us is not a Priest, so the impact of that has yet to enter his mind."

The full truth would take months to come to her. But for now, she accepted the confusion explanation, and allowed her mind to focus on the one before them. The Messenger.

He smirked at Arei's message, and said with false innocence, "Well, my God, she should prove to be rather amusing for you at any rate, I dare say?"

This statement bewildered the teenager and caused the seraph to mutter something unintelligible, before ordering louder, "Tell the man to deliver his message."

She nodded minutely and said, "God Abaddon…he says for you to—"

"Do my task, yes, I know, Priestess…Arei, was it? Yes?" The last word came out as a playful hiss as he stepped closer, one which the girl did not know how to precisely interpret. But she did not believe the man should interrupt her. The seraph did not look pleased at the impolite gesture, his pupil narrowing to slits, the fingers of one paw drumming on the table.

Of course, he might have had a premonition of what the message was of, and so grew aggravated at that.

"Goddess Mew of the Essence of Life and Light would like to remind you of the meeting between you two three months from now, one week prior to the Day of Life's Celebration. She states that if she cannot speak to you in that time, she will come in force within days."

For a few moments, the god contemplated that in silence…before giving a short growl. "I suppose I cannot avoid the kitten forever. Tell him 'very well,' my priestess, and convey that Mew need not be accompanied either. I will keep to our Mew need not be accompanied, either. I will keep to our agreement…she had my word on that. Then tell that human to leave us. Messenger Craven's company had over-extended itself."

She repeated back his words, minus the god's unofficial murmuring, though some part of her did find it amusing. Still, she was grateful to order him to leave, for she did not like the man as much as Abaddon apparently disliked the goddess.

Afterwards, her God's mood was considerably sullener…so they ate in silence in the Emerald Room. Eventually, like the messenger, they left as well…and thinking of him, Arei hoped she could somehow avoid the creepy human if she could.

Unfortunately, this would be easier thought than accomplished.