The Talisman of Odan Epilog
The Talisman of Odan
By Vic James
Copyright 2013 by Vic James
All Rights Reserved
Epilog
Triesse wanted to know what happened to her and why. She wanted to know the `why' to many things.
"I wish to receive an explanation of what happened to me."
She appeared before three persons. They were a type of being she had never seen before. Despite that, she was fairly certain of what they were.
"What do you wish to know?" one of them asked.
"Why did I have to use aura to kill when it is forbidden? Was there a way to eliminate Podicus without aura?"
"No, there wasn't. He was too well protected. We studied the matter for some time before deciding on the plan."
"I was forced to choose between letting them continue or becoming a demon. I resent being a pawn."
"Yes, you were forced and yes, you were a pawn. But we are all pawns. We are certain you would have come to the same decision we did, Triesse. Ask yourself now. Was it worth it? If some innocent had to die to save the lives of many, many others, was it worth it? Would you have asked someone else to do it in your place? Did we choose the wrong person?"
Triesse sighed.
"One of the reasons you were chosen—the main reason, is it would have been your choice. It was important that you not know in advance, because he would have sensed your plot against him. We realize you would have liked to know, but it was not possible. In the futures where we told you in advance and offered you a choice, you agreed to help, but you were unable to succeed. There was not a better solution, despite the fact that we wanted one very much. We studied futures for a very long time, searching for a solution which did not require an innocent's death. You have saved many, many beings. An entire realm is better because of your life and your choices. Because of them, the path of your realm will always be different than that of the one you call the machine realm. In that realm, because all the aura has been destroyed, demons are invisible. They are able to cause great mischief and worse. That is what would have happened in your realm if Podicus succeeded."
Triesse nodded.
"If you are unhappy about your death, I can tell you that you would have been killed by Podicus in less than two years. It would have been a pointless death. We knew you would prefer that your death accomplish something."
"They have tried this before—Podicus and the Demon. Will it keep happening over and over?"
"No. You destroyed Podicus for good. His spirit cannot reclaim his body this time, as he did the last two times. Your siren permanently destroyed it by eating it."
Triesse smiled.
"Did you have anything to do with my marriage to Lars? You manipulated him."
One being looked at another.
"We hoped that would make both of you happy. We did not force him to propose marriage, we simply lowered his inhibitions slightly. We knew from studying futures that he would be happier if you married him. You were free to refuse."
"Why is Estev a demon when I am not?"
"Those around you chose to give you more aura than those who knew Estev. You are a much better person than Estev, Triesse. Estev will not always be a demon. It is harder to acquire aura in this realm, but not impossible. Once he stops feeling sorry for himself, he can acquire it. We have been trying to encourage him, but he is still bitter. One of the problems is that he believes his rightful place is on Primat—sphere five—despite his sometimes self-centered life. In all the futures, he will earn enough to stop being a demon, and he will end up on Stratos—what the residents call sphere three. That is where he would have been had he not been involved in our plan."
That was a relief to her. She decided she would have a talk with Estev.
"We could not give him enough aura to cease being a demon when he died because we are unable do that. We cannot dispense or remove aura. It is not one of the things we are allowed to do. You are a resident of Persepo because of the aura you received from others. We knew it would happen, but we are not directly responsible. You would have been a resident of Persepo had you not been involved in the plan."
"But you manipulated others to wish to give me aura."
"We manipulated their locations, but not their desires, and not your actions. We put people in your path, when it was to their benefit. We did not control what they did. Because of your nature, they wished to help you. We provided Estev with the same opportunities. Unfortunately for him, he chose not to offer assistance to most of those in need. We couldn't force him."
Another one spoke. "Triesse, we are not happy about what we did. Any of it. We did what we could. You must realize what a difficult situation it was for us. The creator allows him free reign, but not us. The only reason we are able to thwart him is because his vanity will not allow him to view futures. He will try something different next time. The futures don't show it yet, which means we have time to worry about other things."
Triesse sighed. "I understand. All of us did what had to be done."
"Yes. And all of us wish it was not necessary."
"If it is any consolation, he despises you intensely. More intensely than anyone else right now. Of course, he can do nothing to you here."
She smiled. "That is something. It makes me feel significant."
"You are significant or I would not be speaking to you."
"Thank you."
Triesse was curious about Podicus. She wished to see him.
She looked at him and turned around immediately.
"Oh, dear!" she said to no one in particular, although she was facing an enormous crowd of spectators and victims. Imagine having him for a tormenter.
"Triessssssssssss," she heard in a deep voice. She was certain it was him. Podicus was in no shape to speak—not all spread out the way he was. She didn't bother to answer or look. She kept her back to him. She smiled as she thought about how that must rankle.
Triesse wished to see Estev. She could wait to visit with Eskella. It was time to get to work.
The End
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