Rath looked pleased with his handiwork. He paced back and forth in front of the mult.i.tude of grief stricken faces. Finally he stopped. His hands moved rapidly in the air in a series of gestures which ended at his mouth and when he began to speak his voice was amplified. "The life you once knew is now gone!" he announced. "I am now your ruler. For those of you who do not know me, I am Tul' Naydor, the G.o.d of fire. But you may call me Rath. You do not realize this yet, but this is a glorious occasion. From this day forth am now your ruler. For those of you who do not know me, I am Tul' Naydor, the G.o.d of fire. But you may call me Rath. You do not realize this yet, but this is a glorious occasion. From this day forth I I will provide you with comforts no mortal ruler could. You will never again go without food and you will never again be forced to walk about in tattered rags while the kingdom sucks taxes out of your empty pockets. Under will provide you with comforts no mortal ruler could. You will never again go without food and you will never again be forced to walk about in tattered rags while the kingdom sucks taxes out of your empty pockets. Under my my rule there will be no taxes! These things and many more are the benefits you are now ent.i.tled to as residents of rule there will be no taxes! These things and many more are the benefits you are now ent.i.tled to as residents of my my kingdom. No more will disease claim the lives of your family and friends, and no more will you struggle to provide the necessities of life. From this day forth you may pursue whatever endeavors please you, so long as they do not conflict with my own." kingdom. No more will disease claim the lives of your family and friends, and no more will you struggle to provide the necessities of life. From this day forth you may pursue whatever endeavors please you, so long as they do not conflict with my own."

The people hung on his every word; every statement offered a glimmer of hope. Their faces reflected a great yearning as he played upon their desperation like a master musician.

"What I ask for in return is your infinite loyalty and worship. If you treat me well I will return your goodwill tenfold, but if you defy me," he leveled his eyes at them, "I will make things most unpleasant. Now! Behold, Behold, as I create our new home and the core of my empire to come!" as I create our new home and the core of my empire to come!"

With that he turned toward the scorched pit and began creating his new kingdom. He had already designed the buildings and other items he wished to put down. I could see their wire frames floating in the sky. Now it was simply a matter of stamping the objects where he wanted them. In the valley building after building appeared out of thin air. The last of which was his castle, rising from the center of the city like a tall white skysc.r.a.per. It shone like a beacon of light, radiant in its beauty. But I knew its insides were dark-- because I knew its creator.

By the end of the day Rath had turned the ugly blackened valley into a paradise of beauty. Those used to living in overcrowded, broken down, hovels were now faced with the proposition of living in brand new homes, with a patch of land to boot.

I followed Rath through the streets as he created large stores of food, necessities, and other a.s.sorted treasures. The peasants took what they wanted. It was clear by their excitement they had all but forgotten the injustice and were willing to accept Rath as their new ruler.

My stomach felt uneasy. They were pleased with his gifts and promises, but what would be the cost? I felt sure after the initial excitement died down, they would remember the life they had left behind, and regret their loss.

I had seen enough.

I closed my eyes and blanked out the scene. When I opened them I found myself looking at my companions in the exact same positions I had left them in. "How long was I gone?" I asked.

"Not long," said Kitaya, "fifteen seconds maybe. How long did it seem?"

"I'd say five, six hours."

"That is a long time." She frowned.

"It went by fast."

"Alright, let me do this before I change my mind." She stood up and took the box. Gently she placed it against her forehead. Her body tightened and for a few brief moments she was completely occupied. I could only a.s.sume she was witnessing the same events I had witnessed, except perhaps from a different perspective.

Her hands dropped and she looked at me in astonishment. "Thank you, Moota. That was extremely enlightening." Her expression became cold as she turned from us and slowly walked toward the balcony.

"Do you require anything else Ki' Janu?" he called after her.

"No, that will be all thank you. You may go." She seemed disoriented.

"Are you okay, Kitaya?" I trailed after her.

"Gaza has not been sleeping," she said softly, staring through the balcony doors.

"What does that mean?"

When she looked up her face was wet. "A long time ago during the foundation of the world, it is said that Gaza went mad. Creating Vrin was too much for him. The ancient book says he became apathetic and fell into a deep sleep, a pool of forgetfulness. It is that sleep which has protected Vrin from his madness these many centuries."

"I don't understand. Why did Sajin wish to speak with him?" I said, half to myself.

"Sajin is a purist," she said with disdain. "He believes the G.o.ds are incapable of fault. He does not believe Gaza is mad. I wish I shared his naivety." She turned back toward the balcony.

"Kitaya-- what did you see in there?"

She gazed blankly at the gla.s.s doors. "I followed a group of Rath's children into his new castle." She looked back at me. "I climbed a staircase to a balcony overlooking an enormous library. Down below I could see Rath and another G.o.d I did not recognize at first. But when he spoke I realized it was Gaza. They were in a heated conversation. I'd missed the first part but it was clear he was very upset. He said something was wrong with the people of Vrin and something about searching for a perfect match..." She stopped and a look of panic flashed in her eyes.

"Kitaya?"

"He said, 'Fear me for I am the maker. This world will pa.s.s away if I do not get what I want!'"

"He-- threatened to destroy destroy Vrin?" Vrin?"

"Yes." Her face hardened. "And he said he would return us to the void."

"The void?"

She nodded slowly. "I have flashbacks from before this place. The emptiness. The loneliness. Floating through boundless s.p.a.ce with nothing but the web to keep me company." She looked up at me in desperation. "I for one, do not not want to go back." want to go back."

Her description sparked a memory. Nothing but the web. No body. No environment. It made me shudder. "Yes, I remember," I whispered.

"Then remember the misery and hold it close-- for we are about to do battle over the abyss." Her eyes turned to the ground and her voice lowered. "And I will probably be the first to go."

"Why would you say that?"

Her chin trembled. "--Because he saw me."

CHAPTER 4.

THE FACE OF THE ENEMY.

001001011001110.

The morning sun heated the curtains as fingers of light pierced through the gaps between. The dust particles. They did not swirl about as expected, but merely hovered there, motionless, as if their presence was only for the visual effect. Even when I blew at them, they didn't move. What IS this place? What IS this place?

I stared. And the questions filtered through my mind for the hundredth time. If Gaza was all-powerful, then why did he need Rath's help? And why would Gaza destroy his own creation? Did I need to contact Sajin? Would it help or hurt for him to know that Gaza's solution to the problem was not a viable option? Although dissolving the planet would invariably stop the conflict between Rath and Armadon, there would be no one left to appreciate it... Kitaya's words echoed in my mind. "He is looking for a perfect match." "He is looking for a perfect match." What did this mean? What did this mean?

Though the long night had brought me no closer to a solution, my path at least seemed clearer. I needed to find out what Gaza was looking for, and why. If I could find the solution to this mystery, perhaps it would bring me one step closer to solving my own.

It became obvious that I could no longer deny the pain in my back. I had been crouching in the corner far too long. I stood, stretched, and shuffled across to the full-length mirror. A bath would have been pleasurable but was unnecessary. I could alter my appearance in any way I chose. I brought up the web and molded clothing similar to those of the townsmen, simple and comfortable. Pleased with the result I headed down to bid good morning to my lovely hostess.

She was on the terrace overlooking the ocean. A warm breeze pushed in as I opened the gla.s.s doors. She looked up at me with a lovely smile, her face so young and perfect. Her spirits had apparently lifted a bit since the evening before. "Good morning, Sam." Her smile brightened. "Do you mind if I call you Sam?"

"You know." I furrowed my brow. "I thought about it last night and I think I'd like to be called Jason, Jason Tardin. Back at the mansion I was addressed as Lord Tardin and I saw the name engraved on a trophy in the study."

"Hmm, Jason," she said, trying it out. "Yes, that is nice. It does seem to fit."

"Good. Then it's settled. Jason it is." I sat down and lifted my face to the morning sunshine. "Beautiful day."

She nodded her agreement. "Did you come up with any solutions?"

"Nothing earth shattering."

She looked thoughtful. "What I I cannot figure is, if the event we witnessed last night took place some time ago, then-- why are we still here?" cannot figure is, if the event we witnessed last night took place some time ago, then-- why are we still here?"

"I don't know. Maybe he's still looking."

"It is possible, but he sounded like he was at the end of his rope."

"I guess he found more rope. What do you think we should do?"

"I do not know. I have kept pretty much to myself here. I am not familiar with what is going on in the rest of the world. I would not know where to start looking for answers."

"Is there someone close to Gaza, someone who knows him better than anyone?"

"Well-- there is Humphrey. He was the second. Gaza was still active when Humphrey came to Vrin."

"Where can we find this Humphrey?"

"Good question. He has chosen to live as a hermit. All I know is that he lives in the woods somewhere outside of Ristol, and that he refuses to use the power. I saw him in an event cell once. What was it he said to Gaza? Oh yes." She made a stout grumpy face. "I have no interest in playing G.o.d," G.o.d," she said in a deep gruff voice. she said in a deep gruff voice.

I found her impersonation amusing. "So he chooses to live like a regular person?"

"Yes, he lives off the land as much as possible."

"Independent, I like that."

The door opened and a woman stepped out onto the terrace. Kitaya looked up, her eyes brightened. "Corel!" she squealed. The woman smiled back with brilliant enthusiasm as Kitaya jumped up and gripped her friend in a warm embrace.

Corel looked to be middle aged but she wore her years well. Her wavy brown hair was swept back in a long ponytail. She was wearing an outfit much like that of a climber, very sleek, and very feminine. Her muscular arms gripped Kitaya around her tiny waist as she lifted her off the floor.

"I have missed you! Where did you go off to?" probed Kitaya.

Corel drew away. "I've been exploring again. This time in the Adilian Mountains. The people there have a fascinating fascinating culture, and you know me. Besides, I needed a little break from all the c.r.a.p Tiko was shoveling. Come see what I brought you." Kitaya shot me a smile as she followed her friend back into the palace. culture, and you know me. Besides, I needed a little break from all the c.r.a.p Tiko was shoveling. Come see what I brought you." Kitaya shot me a smile as she followed her friend back into the palace.

I sat there, unsure of what to do. I didn't want to be left out, but I didn't want to tag along uninvited and appear overly eager. So I decided to create another cup of tea. If they wanted to talk with me, they would call.

Corel had the blue fire in her eyes. It was obvious she was one of us. Was Tiko as well? Apparently there was some friction between them. I hoped it wasn't as bad as the blood between Rath and Armadon. With this thought I was brought me back to the problems at hand. From what I could piece together, Gaza was very powerful and extremely resourceful. After all, he created this entire world. I doubted I could do the same. If we were going to confront him we would need to enlist the help of the others.

First we needed to know what he was looking for and why. If we knew that we would have a better chance of finding a peaceful solution, if there was one. We also needed to know why he hadn't let anyone besides Rath know about the search. And why Rath? Rath?

I gazed out over the ocean and considered going to find out what Kitaya and her friend were up to, but decided against it. It frustrated me that under more casual circ.u.mstances I would have been thoroughly enjoying this place. I wanted to spend more time experimenting with my new powers. I couldn't wait wait to fly again, but I couldn't afford to let my guard down. There was no telling what might happen next or what danger lurked around the next corner. I imagined the worst, me, strapped helplessly to a rock in the desert, birds pecking at my face. I shuddered at the thought. to fly again, but I couldn't afford to let my guard down. There was no telling what might happen next or what danger lurked around the next corner. I imagined the worst, me, strapped helplessly to a rock in the desert, birds pecking at my face. I shuddered at the thought.

A small movement on my left pinkie made me look down. My ring-- was moving! moving! I let out an involuntary yelp and almost fell over backwards in my chair. I jumped up flailing, desperately trying to shake the ring from my hand. After several seconds of this ridiculous behavior I stopped and held my arm out straight. Reluctantly I moved my hand in to get a closer look. It was still moving. I stared wide-eyed as the little ring unwound itself from my finger and began rubbing its tiny head against my knuckle. I reached out with my other hand to touch it. It was a cute little thing. It wiggled around. I let it into my palm. I let out an involuntary yelp and almost fell over backwards in my chair. I jumped up flailing, desperately trying to shake the ring from my hand. After several seconds of this ridiculous behavior I stopped and held my arm out straight. Reluctantly I moved my hand in to get a closer look. It was still moving. I stared wide-eyed as the little ring unwound itself from my finger and began rubbing its tiny head against my knuckle. I reached out with my other hand to touch it. It was a cute little thing. It wiggled around. I let it into my palm.

"Well, h.e.l.lo," I said softly.

It responded by lifting its head in acknowledgment.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?" I asked, incredulous.

It nodded in the affirmative.

I couldn't help smiling. "Do you have a name?"

It paused for a moment then twisted its tiny body into a shape and held the position.

"I don't understand."

It repositioned slightly.

"N? Are you making the letter N?"

It looked up and nodded, then outlined another letter.

"O?"

It nodded again.

Next was a T and then what looked like an L. "L?"

It shook its head no.

Then it hit me. "Ohh! One?"

It nodded feverishly.

"N, O, T, One, Not One? That's That's your name?" your name?"

It shook no.

I was puzzled. "Are you trying to tell me-- it's not just one name?"

It nodded happily.

"Then what should I call you?"

It appeared to go into deep thought then rubbed its head hard against my palm.

"You want to be called palm?" I smiled.

It shook no madly.

"I don't know, poke, itch, rub, scratch?"

The last one got a response. It began to wiggle around happily.

"You want to be called Scratch?" Scratch?"

The little creature nodded.