“This can't be real,” he said. His words echoed repeatedly, then slowly faded. “Am I alone?”
As if in response, a small ball of light, appeared just in front of him. It grew brighter and brighter, until he was forced to shield his eyes. Then it dimmed, and there stood the figure of a man. He was as tall as Gewey, and just as broad. His raven hair fell carelessly, in loose curls just above his shoulders. He was dressed in a long, silver robe, open in the front, revealing a loose-fitting white shirt, and trousers. His features were sharp and angular, with a perfect symmetry that was beautiful to behold. His flawless ivory skin bore no sign of age or blemishes, and glowed with a soft radiance. He smiled as he met Gewey's eyes.
“I knew you would come,” he said. His voice was deep and soothing.
“Who-who are you?” Gewey stammered.
“You know me as Gerath,” he replied.
“God of the Earth,” Gewey whispered.
“Yes,” he replied. “And no.”
Gerath stretched out his arms. “What you see before you is merely an image. A piece of my essence left behind in this world. Left behind for you.”
Gewey eyed him carefully. “Are you my father?”
Gerath laughed. “Indeed, I am. At least I am your father in the way you would understand it. I played my part in your creation.”
“Then who is my mother?” he asked. The words of Felsafell echoed in his mind. This knowledge would drive him mad. Suddenly he was afraid to hear the answer.
“I'm sorry,” he replied. “But some answers I cannot give.”
Gewey became irritated. “Then why are you here?”
“I am here to help you,” Gerath turned around slowly and bowed his head. “Many mistakes have my kind made. And you must help us atone. You must redeem us.”
“How am I to do that?”
“By mending what we have broken.” He faced Gewey again. His face bore immeasurable sadness. “We had foreseen our imprisonment,” he continued. “And we built this place. We built it so that you could one day find it. What resides within this temple will aid you and those whom you love, should you choose to follow the path put before you. But I sense that your efforts will be hindered. Something evil now surrounds you and you must face it. You must drive it out.”
“What is out there?” Gewey asked.
His eyes grew dark. “Creatures of pure hate and malice. They were sent by the one who imprisoned us. But do not fear them. You are stronger….far stronger than they can understand. Stronger than all in creation, save one.” He stepped forward and placed his hand on Gewey's shoulder. “My son.” His voice was filled with compassion and sorrow. “Of all the Gods, you were chosen to right our wrongs. You are untainted by our sins, and bound to this world. Your connection to this place binds your spirit to the very heart of the earth. Use that connection to attain your true power, and none can stand against you.”
“How do I do that?” Gewey felt the touch of his father. It felt as if love it was a tangible thing he could see and taste. Only his bond with Kaylia could compare. “Can you teach me?”
“No one can teach you this.” He withdrew his hand, reached inside his robe, and pulled out a small silver chain with a medallion the size of a gold piece attached. On it was carved the symbol of Gerath. “In a few moments I will empty myself into this. From that moment on I will cease to be, yet my power will remain. Wear it, and my strength will pass to you.”
“What do you mean ‘you will cease to be?’” he asked.
“The part of me I left behind…its will and its mind will be gone.” He handed Gewey the medallion. A light flashed and a table appeared beside him. On the table rested a bow, a dagger and a staff, all gleaming white. “Take these. They are the tools of Vismal, crafted by my own hands. Give them to those whom you love and trust, and your power will aid them. But choose carefully, for once given they will only serve that master.” He smiled a sad smile. “I have little else to give you. Most of what I am has been trapped by the betrayer. What you see is a shadow. But even the shadow of our kind carries great power. Use that power so that you may better understand what you must do.”
“Why not just tell me?” he cried. “Why not show me?”
“I cannot,” he replied. “Or all will be for naught. You must discover your power on your own. I can only say that you have begun rightly. I sense mortal teachings within you. They can give you what we never could.” He staggered back. Gewey reached out to catch his arm, but his hand passed as though a mist. “My time is short. The moment you stepped within these walls, I began to fade. My knowledge does not extend beyond the moment I was put here, and that slips away from me with each passing second.”
“But I have so many questions,” said Gewey. “Please, I must know more.”
Gerath's form began to ripple and fade. “Know that you have your father’s love, and that I await you even now.” He gave Gewey one last loving smile. “I have only one more thing to give…your name.”
“My name?” Gewey's mind raced.
“Yes,” Gerath replied. “It is the name given to you by a father whose worst crime was to sacrifice you to a world of peril and hardship, in order to undo what he cannot.” He faded completely. “Darshan.”
Gewey stood in stunned silence for a moment. “Darshan,” he whispered.
He approached the table and examined the weapons. The dagger was sheathed in an ivory scabbard, etched with the symbol of Gerath. The hilt was wrapped in white leather and crowned with a single diamond. The bow, short and impossibly thin as to be certain to break if drawn, though Gewey was sure it would not. The staff was as long as he was tall, and three snakes had been carved to coil their way up its length. Gewey reach down and gathered them in his arms. The table faded, and he found himself in a large, empty room. A glow radiated from bronze plates on the walls and he could see the silver door at the far end. Carefully cradling the weapons and holding tight to the medallion, he walked to the door, and pulled it open. There stood Pali and Aaliyah.
Aaliyah beamed and threw her arms around him, nearly causing him to drop everything. ”Thank the Creator. When you vanished, I feared the worst.”
“We may be facing the worst,” said Gewey. “If what I was told is true.”
“What are those?” asked Pali, pointing at the weapons.
“Gifts,” Gewey replied. “Gifts from Gerath.” He recounted his experience, leaving out that he was the son of Gerath, as he was unsure how Pali would react.
“Darshan?” asked Aaliyah, when he finished. “You are called Darshan?”
Gewey nodded. “I know you call me Shivis Mol. Have you heard this before?”
“It means ‘the bringer of knowledge,’” Aaliyah replied. “Shivis Mol is more a title than a name, given to the one who will bring healing to the world.”
Gewey shrugged. “I don't know about that. Right now, I'm more concerned about getting out of here. Gerath said an evil resides here; one that will try to stop us.”
Aaliyah nodded in agreement. “Yes. These matters can wait until we reach safety.”
“I have heard of the legend of Darshan,” Pali interjected, with a curious stare. “But if that is who you are, then it can only mean that the Gods walk among us.” He looked Gewey up and down. “Is that what you are?”
Aaliyah stepped forward, but Gewey caught her arm and pulled her back. “I will not try to deceive you. Yes, I am a God. But I am not like what you may think. I eat, I sleep, and I can be hurt, just like any other man. My spirit is no different than yours.” He could feel Aaliyah's muscles tensing in his grasp.
“I ask that you do not reveal…Darshan's presence.” she said.
“You mustn't worry,” said Pali, smiling broadly. “I will not betray you. And you need not fear my people. They bear the Gods no hatred. Though you may find it difficult to convince them you speak truth. I admit, had I not seen you vanish then return bearing your gifts, I would as well. Besides, if the legend is true, and it seems it is, this is joyous news. It is said that Darshan will bring everlasting prosperity to our people, and cast out the evil that plagues the sands.” He slapped Gewey on the shoulder. “But there will be time to tell you of our legends. I will be coming with you when you return west.”