ASCALON

A void so vast it was unmeasurable and terrifying, the Deep could make one feel as though you could fall in and cease to exist. The Deep was . . . and yet it was not. There was no light, no life, and no sound.

And this caused a profound ache in the High King’s heart.

He stood at the rocky edge of the realm, his head tilted and his hands clasped behind him, staring into the expanse. How long he stood there, ruminating over the Deep’s purpose, no one knows. One day or one thousand days; it is all the same to the High King.

He glanced back toward the beautiful city of Ascalon, radiating its perpetual life-giving light to everything around it and in it. All those who lived there were happy and content, as were his son and the enduring spirit. The distant mountains surrounding the city enhanced its radiance, their snow-capped tips vivid against the blue bowl of the sky. He turned and stared again into the Deep, his white, wool-like hair a stark contrast against the velvet blackness.

“You must have a purpose,” he whispered, shaking his head. “You cannot remain empty.”

He spoke in the ancient language, the words rumbling and resonating through the Deep like an echo seeking fulfillment. Soon a vortex of swirling matter appeared, growing larger and increasing in intensity and substance until it gently settled and revealed the new creations. The High King’s rippling laughter poured out as a myriad of stars and planets, colorful nebulas, and galaxies popped into being, filling the velvet emptiness.

Several of the Hayyothalans, the feathered creatures who served as court jesters, had followed the High King. The timbre of the King’s voice thrilled the Hayyothalans. They were filled with joy and a longing to embrace the entity who could speak worlds into existence. They watched in wonder as the High King joyfully organized his new creation, his hands moving like a symphony conductor.

One planet appeared as a ball of swirling blue and white, nestled against the velvet blackness. All the planets were beautiful, but this one was unique, like a sparkling diamond among rubies.

The High King smiled and surveyed the giant round orb hanging in the Deep, its blue waters radiant against the pure white clouds hovering over its surface. He twirled his finger at it and set the sphere spinning on its axis. The King waggled his eyebrows, grinned, and suppressed a chuckle.

He strolled along an ancient path back through the hills and beckoned to his son and the enduring spirit who were in the sunlit meadow. He was eager to show them what he had created.

The Hayyothalans skittered to the edge of the expanse and peered over the ledge at the new cosmos forming. It continued to expand, slowly filling the Deep. The emptiness was gone and it was unbelievably beautiful. Many of the Hayyothalans held their breath in awe.

The High King returned shortly, followed by his son and the spirit. The three entities conversed together as they wended their way through the rolling hills that gave way to the rocky edge, then they watched as the blue globe turned quickly in its place.

“It’s wonderful,” said the enduring spirit, the light of her countenance glowing around her. “It’s so beautiful. I want to see and touch all of it. How clever and wise you are to make such a creation. It’s not quite finished, though, is it?” The spirit waited expectantly for the King to answer. She stood as tall and elegant as the King. Her stance was regal, yet without pretense.

“Almost, dear one,” said the High King. He chuckled. “You always know, don’t you?” He smiled, tapped the tip of her nose with his finger, and turned to the son who was intently studying the new cosmos.

“And what do you say, son? You’re rather quiet, just now,” said the High King. He pulled his royal cloak close around his shoulders. The temperature at the outer limits was always a bit chillier than expected.

“It’s perfect—or it will be when you’re finished,” said the son with a smirk. “You can’t help yourself, can you, Father?” The son, rugged yet handsome, laughed and clapped a hand on his father’s shoulder. “I suspect Darnathian will have something negative to say about it. He’s so contrary these days. Where is he, by the way?” The King merely shrugged. “Hmm. Shall we take a closer look?” said the son, nodding at the blue globe.

“Let’s,” the High King replied. In the space of a blink the three entities were standing on a flat, dry, and featureless plain somewhere on the blue globe. The gray marl beneath their sandals was soft and powdery. Clouds of dust wafted into the air as they walked along through the gloom, the only three living entities on the orb.

“It needs light. A great light to define the day from the night. Yes, that’s it,” said the High King. He pointed toward the horizon. “Sun, come forth!” he bellowed.

A massive blazing star suddenly appeared, and immediately the new realm was bathed in brilliant yellow light and warmth. The King mimed a round sphere with his hands, then pushed his arms toward the opposite horizon. A smaller, white light appeared; a solid, gigantic rock reflecting the sun’s light. It hovered near the horizon, and immediately the sphere’s rotation discernibly slowed.

“Excellent. One light for the day and a smaller light for the night. The smaller light shall temperate life on this globe as it rotates about it.” The King, his fingers working the air, fine-tuned the placement of the objects, and then he smiled with contentment. It all was all perfect. “Now, let’s decorate, shall we?” asked the King.

The son chuckled; his father could be so spontaneous. The enduring spirit smiled and clapped her hands.

“What did I say that you find so amusing?” asked the King with pretend sternness.

The three entities, so alike and perfect in their ways, worked together to create grass, trees, mountains, and lakes. They filled the waters with fish and sea creatures. Next came birds to nest in the trees and fly through the sky. Then they created every kind of animal, wild and domestic, and placed them in their habitats to flourish and populate the orb.

And the King was glad. But he still needed one thing more.