Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“Before the world existed, before there were planets or stars or even dust, there was only darkness, The darkness was ruled by a god of creation, an all-powerful celestial being the universe dreamed up to rule the heavens. He existed in quiet solitude for millennia, exploring the farthest reaches of his domain, never tiring, never asking for more.” The strange woman began.

“But didn’t he want thìngs, like friends? Or a puppy?”I ask excitedly, feeling uncommonly bold.

I’m leaning back against my visitors c.hest, running my small hands through her shiny hair and wondering at the way it makes my fingers glow and zing with electricity.

“Well that’s a good question. If you didn’t know that friends or puppies existed, would you long for them?” She asks, not the least bit bothered by my interruption.

I scrunch my face up in confusion, trying to work out this puzzle. “I guess not. You can’t want something if you don’t knows that it exists. But I think I’d feel lonely”

“And so did he. she confirms, “though he didn’t realize it at the time. But the universe knew, it had willed this God into being so that he might create but he wasn’t creating anything at all He needed a partner inspiration. So the universe dreamed up another magic, one that would be the perfect balance to his own powers, and one that would need someone to watch over it too”

“What was it?” I ask eagerly

“Can you guess?” The woman asks, “What is the opposite of darkness”

“Light!” I exclaim, with barely a thought. I’ve moved past her hair to toy with the fabric of her dress, but my hands seem to move right through it like fog.

“Very good.” She praises, filling me with warmth.

So one daylight appeared, and it shattered the God’s endless darkness. He didn’t know what was happening, only that everything was suddenly different… more magical. He went searching, and he came upon a goddess of light. When he saw her, he realized what he’d been missing for so long, and he instantly fell in love.” Emotion is heavy in her voice, though I don’t understand why. “She loved him too, and together they created entire worlds: galaxies full to bursting with life, every one different and special in its own way.”

“Galaxies likę in space?” I inquire, wanting to make sure I’ve got the information right.

it was one of their creations one of their favorites. Because you see, creating worlds takes practice. Each had its own magic, but some were more special than others. And on this one they learned to create animals and people and even a few beings in between.

running my

expresses fondly. “The humans called the gods of creations by many different names, but wolves, they had sharper senses. They

curiously, pausing in my

the wolves didn’t give him a name, they forgot to worship him. Instead they feared and reviled him. Over time he became jealous of

I decide, not liking the

became. Eventually the humans did find a name for him, but it was no relief, for they called him a devil. It wasn’t fair. He’d given everything to their creations, and they despised him. So his heart grew shriveled and cold, until the only thing he had left was his other half, but he sensed her slipping away too. You see, after so long being alone, he’d finally felt the joy of love, of sharing his immortal life with another. But she didn’t like what he was doing, and the more their creations called on her, the lonelier he felt. He began to fear that eventually she might forget him in favor of her

her fault she was busy.” I defend, “I

woman responds

I do not know if he meant it as a punishment or a

by the thought of losing this story

that they’d be free. At most they could send messages and signs, try to steer their beings in one direction

and shifters, instilling them with so much of his own fear and anger, that he made it impossible for them to live side by side. It wasn’t always this way, you see. Once they lived in harmony, but before long the wolves went into hiding, building secret societies alongside the human ones. Still the god of darkness continued to sew rage and despair, such that it became clear that if the humans were to find out about the wolves, such a terrible war would be unleashed, that they

terrible.” I object. “I don’ think

hope.” She encourages, petting my hair and making me sigh with delight. “Because the light Goddess saw what he was up to, and she knew she had to act.

that?” I question in

survive a lot of very hard things in order to become the person they

to continue his royal line, but she just wanted a child to love.

a lot.” I a.ssess,

and offered her tributes and blessings,

tell her the truth, that the child would not be entirely hers. It would share the courageous bl00d of her husband the king,