Sorry for the delay. I had a major writer's block with this chapter. I couldn't quite pin down what was wrong until I figured it out.
That said, with this chapter, we're back at the events that happened within my fanfic, The First World. The events of this fanfic are a bit expanded from the first time it was written. I hope it's good and the characters are good, too. So, yes, we'll see familiar faces with this part of the story.
So, with that said, let's continue. :)
Eru was stunned.
"The First World. Our world, my Lord?" Eru asked God, shocked.
"Why not? It'll be a crowning achievement, if all goes well with the creation of the First World," God stated, looking pleased. "Send for the Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea and his son, Aslan. I think its high time they had a world of their own and a Universe to call their own."
Eru looked at God in wonder. Something was wrong. "What if they don't accept it? Aslan is on his way to create Narnia—"
"Then instruct Aslan to help me build the First World," God said, mildly tempered, but calming down. God looked at Eru, telling him, "Surely, Aslan can spare creating another new world. Who knows? This First World may be Aslan's springboard into creating Narnia," God said, pleased. "Send for Aslan. It's time the Fictional Realms got themselves a new King."
"Yes, my Lord," Eru said, drifting away to warn Aslan of God's coming.
God waited in silence. It was in this moment that Aslan springboard his way towards Him, confident what he was doing was right. Aslan faced God, enamored by Him.
Aslan bowed before God, instructing Him:
"I am on my way to create Narnia. It'll be an experiment, before it'll be created. What is it? What do you need?" Aslan asked God, curious now.
"Yes, Narnia," God stated, enthralled at him. "Narnia can wait. I need your help."
~o~
Aslan's mouth gaped open. Surely, a Great Lion couldn't bear to bother with this information. "Narnia can wait? But, my Lord, you don't mean—?"
"I need to grant you a place from which to work on creating new worlds. Narnia can wait, but I need your help to create a home for the Fictional Characters. It'll be called the First World and it will need you to govern it. I will be overseeing everything that goes on in the First World, but you must govern that world," God paused to catch His breath. "Do I have your word on this? You are the Great Lion of Narnia, or soon will be, once we put your creation skills to the test."
Aslan bowed. "Whatever you need, I'll be there for you."
"Good. Good, then see to it that all goes well creating the First World. Let's do this!" God stated, pleased.
Aslan sighed, bowing a third time. "As you wish, my Lord. Let's go."
And so, the journey began with creating worlds. As God created the Earth, God oversaw Aslan's handiwork with creating the First World. The Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea and Eru Ilúvatar pitched in, too, but it was God who foresaw all that occurred with the First World's creation.
Together, this group created the planet. It was then followed by the creation of the First World's waters.
The First World's oceans swam to life, but what followed was an even bigger turn of events: the land. Two continents and an island rose up from the First World's oceans, by God's command. Plants and trees followed, as well as all manner of wild animals who roamed the Seas and the Land.
Next came the peoples of the First World, at which many of the beings found themselves overwhelmed with everything that was going on in the First World. But while the creatures and beings of the First World were created, the first group of Fallen Angels became souls and spirits, inhabiting these beings and creatures, in order to begin their long, hard work of returning to the High Heavens.
Among these Fallen Angels to be given new life was a female Dalmatian.
This Dalmatian was the first to speak. Aslan gave her, her Voice, at which she could begin to pronounce words and even stand on her hind legs, like a human. This female Dalmatian's name, the name that God would give her, was Janus.
~o~
Janus opened her eyes. She took one good look around with joy. The peacefulness and fresh, clean air that came from the First World overwhelmed her senses. She witnessed lush green leafy trees and bushes, lush green grass that seemed to be only in the purest color. The flowing, creaky stream that seemed to flow alive with fresh, crystal-clear water, reflecting off the sandy bed, filled up with all sorts of rocks and pebbles, in different shades and colors.
What more could Janus ask for?
And oh! There was God, Janus' Heavenly Father, come to greet her with His elderly masculine look, those sweet, kind eyes, and His silvery beard and flowing silvery hair, decked out in the reddest robes Janus ever saw! It was no wonder he was the Lord of this world, and the many worlds to come.
"My Lord, my Heavenly Father," Janus knew right away, "It's so good to see you!"
The Lord nodded to her, pleased to see her, "My child, welcome to the First World!" He smirked at her, pressing the matter further with her. "You have come a long way from your Heavenly days, and are now a new creature, seeking redemption."
He gestured with His hand the world around them. "Please, take in what you can find. But do be warned: not every creature will be friendly. There are some who still retain their wickedness." He added with sternness and grace, "Should you need my help, I will come. Good luck!"
He remembered something else, before Janus could take off, "Oh, there is one more thing: we are gathering at the Grand Pavilion for a meeting soon. Speak with the locals. If you need me, I will come. Remember that, I am everywhere. I will be watching you, very closely. Good luck!"
"Okay," Janus didn't understand why God was repeating Himself, but maybe that was the way of it. Still, she waved to God, before she departed in search of adventure. She just had no idea where that adventure was.
~o~
Not far from where Janus was approached by God, she found herself in front of a massive cave entrance. The entrance was pitch black, with the stone walls ominous and dreary. Before Janus had the chance to explore the cave, the hairs on the back of her neck pricked up. Someone was close.
Janus spun around, catching sight of a pointy-eared dog snarling at her with a menacing, playful manner.
"Hello! Are you lost?" the pointy-eared dog asked, curious.
"Well, no. I was just looking," Janus stated, as the pointy-eared dog sniffed her. Janus moved out of his way, as she proceeded to explain things. "Listen, the Lord is planning to meet with us at the Grand Pavilion. He says its urgent. At least, I think that's what he said. I was wondering if you knew anything about this meeting. Maybe you could give me some tips, if it would please you."
The pointy-eared dog smirked, admitting to her, "God? A meeting? I'm not sure what you mean." He chirped, telling her, "I'm Maximus. You're new here, aren't you? I was created minutes before you."
Janus smirked. This dog seemed friendly, right? "Oh! Well, that's exciting, isn't it?"
The pointy-eared dog laughed. "What? Do you think I trust God?" He laughed even more. "Oh please! God is the one who created me, but God has done some things I wouldn't condone."
"Like what?" Janus asked, curiously.
Maximus shook his head. "Listen lady, before we came to this… world, we were Angels. All of us here are Angels. Then God strikes up a Plan, and Lucifer refuses. He became Satan! Don't know what that's about though. Then Lucifer rebels and God sends us all down here. The one-third Heavenly host!"
Maximus laughed again. "Oh please! We're Fallen Angels down here. Don't you think our journeys are going to take us back up to the Heavens, where we belong? Please! I know something, and its us fending for ourselves. Why should I listen to God?"
Janus stared at Maximus as though he'd gone mad. "Are you kidding? God created us from the start. He's the one who sprang life into us." Something stirred in Janus. Like old memories resurfacing. She could hardly remember them. In fact, she was losing those memories. But then, she wondered why she was forgetting all of this.
Janus looked at Maximus, who started yapping on about ducks and how he would catch one for his next meal. Janus was stunned at Maximus and his behavior towards God! Janus was a good dog, loyal to God. She wouldn't betray him.
No, instead she would back out of this quickly, before Maximus had something else to say.
"I've got to go. I'll see you later," Janus stated, plainly.
Maximus smirked in her direction. "I'll see you at the meeting. We should go there now." He said, charging away from the cave. All at once, he whimpered. He felt a strong tug to head towards the cave. Somehow, he wanted to, but he couldn't. He looked at Janus in intrigue, as she stared at him in confusion:
"What's wrong?" Janus asked, cautious now.
Maximus shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go." He darted off towards a massive pavilion, the likes of which Janus hadn't expected to find here.
Janus looked at Maximus with confusion in her eyes. "Okay." She didn't understand. Why did Maximus laugh at God? Why did Maximus act like he didn't want to be a part of God's Plan? What was God's Plan again?
Oh no! The memories! They whooshed out of her mind, keeping her from learning more about the situation.
She shook her head, darting after Maximus towards the Grand Pavilion, where God and the citizens of the First World awaited them.
~o~
God waited for everyone to be seated inside the pavilion. The Grand Pavilion had a roof with thatched panels for cover. The interior of the pavilion had plenty of tables and chairs to go around. God noticed Janus and Maximus together. God smirked at them, knowing Maximus' fate would take him places he had yet to see and do.
It was convincing Maximus of doing this deed that would be tricky.
"Everyone, please be seated!" God announced. He turned to Aslan, who nodded to him. God looked at the crowd, telling them all, "Now, I know many of you are surprised you are here. Believe me, I am, too. We have a lot of work to do. Those who remember who they are now need to come with me. Those who still have some work to do need to join me, so we—"
"I'll not join you!" Maximus cried, snapping at God.
Janus looked at Maximus in shock. Tears nearly filled her eyes, but she fought them off as best she could. "Maximus, sit down! You're going to get us into trouble."
Maximus growled at her. "So what? You're joining God? The one who sent us all down here? I'm not welcome here anyway! Isn't that right, God?"
God glared at him. "Maximus, your role on this world is very important. Now please, I'll—"
"You'll what? I don't have time for this. I'm outta here," Maximus said, darting out of the pavilion at top speed.
Janus feared for Maximus' safety and whether or not he would return to God with his head held high. Janus faced God, a tear trickling down her face. This was not good. "He will come back, won't he, Lord?" Janus asked God, worried for Maximus.
God sighed. "I do hope so. Don't worry, Janus. I am with him."