Who else would have thought to imbue commonplace objects with the Creator’s powers? The idea unlocked a font of possibilities.
“Soon, I hope,” Hadri continued, “I’m going to build these into every communal space. Fountains of overflowing drink! Can you imagine?!”
Present Aeon
When Luc returned to his home, a shimmering golden barrier, like the one that separated Heaven from the Void, had wrapped itself around the perimeter from top to bottom in the shape of a dome. Luc stopped, but scarcely had time to take it in before two hands at his back shoved him. He stumbled through the barrier, then whirled around.
The two guards had followed him there—he’d known that, but they’d been trailing far behind him. Suddenly, they stood an arm’s length away.
Luc lunged for one, ready to sock him in the jaw, but with a brush of his fingertip, the barrier sparked and sent him hurtling into his front door with athump!The impact rattled Luc’s bones.
“What new madness is this?!” he demanded, brushing himself off, but the guards were not forthcoming. Silent as the aether, one of them stepped through the intangible barrier, opened Luc’s front door, and gestured for Luc to go inside. The guard stepped back through the barrier just as easily. Whatever sort of madness this was, it only worked on Luc.
But how? Luc thought he’d known about all advancements in technology.
Apparently not.
He scowled and refused to budge, but the guards marched away. They headed up the path leading to the Great Hall and disappeared, unconcerned with his questions. Unconcerned that he might escape.
Luc’s spine prickled with unease. But with nothing else to do, he took one last look at the barrier, then swept inside. In his study, he surveyed anew the wreckage of his work, then sat down on his burgundy chaise, steepled his fingers beneath his chin, braced his elbows on his knees, and began to formulate a plan.
After some time had passed, he decided to send for Braun, but fortuitously, the young warrior offered himself up.
“I brought you cakes from the feast,” he informed Luc as he entered the ruined study.
“Feast?” Luc cocked his head as he lounged back on the chaise.
“For the creation of Earth,” Braun noted sheepishly. He swept some glass aside, then set the plate down on a worktable.
“Oh. I see.”
“Although…this doesn’t feel right. You being here…when Earth was your idea.”
Luc smiled bitterly. The innocence of youth.
“Do you know what would make me feel better?”
“Cakes?” Braun asked hopefully.
Luc chuckled.
“No, I was hoping you could go to Earth and”—Luc chose his words carefully—“report back how it is. There’s one place in particular I want to see. It’s called The Garden. And there are these new creatures in it. Humans, they’re called. I didn’t design them, and I’m interested to know what they’re like. Do you think that’s something you can manage?”
“Oh, um…”
“It’d be like a scouting mission. You can consider it practice for your chosen field.”
“Oh…well…” Braun glanced at the door. Perhaps Luc would have to sweeten the pot.
“In the meantime, I was thinking if you haven’t chosen a master to make your sword for graduation, I might design one for you myself. You know, my emphasis was in metalworking as well as architecture.”
“Asword?” Braun’s eyes brightened in awe. He vibrated with excitement. “You would design a sword forme,Master Lucifer?”
“Of course. We’re neighbors, are we not?” Luc offered his most charitable smile.
“Oh, yes, sir. I mean, th-thank you, sir. That’s very kind of you, sir.”
“Run along then and see about Earth for me.” Luc stood. “I’ll get started on your sword. Maybe by the time you get back, I’ll have it sketched out.”
