PROLOGUE

The deep black of the nothingness soothes me as I revel in my origins.  This is nothing like the evil and vast soullessness of the Nihility, this is the workshop of creation, the canvas on which all life emerged at some point in time.  My very soul tingles with anticipation as powerful magickal tremors tear through the very fabric of time and space, causing me to smile.  At least, I would be smiling if I had a physical form in this place.

“It has begun,” I speak into the nothingness as the words of the prophecy resound in my mind. 

When the Queen’s Door is flung wide, and darkness banished, five new Dragon Queens will emerge from the mortal race.  Each queen will be grounded in her humanity, and supported by proxy and consort, so that she might fulfill her role as Ruler and Guardian of the Lux universe as they take on the Dark Exploiter and their army of blood minions.

My true name is Pnév̱ma tou Patéra – the Father of all spirits.  I have always been a servant to Creation.  I was there at the beginning, but today is an epic day in history… at least from my perspective.  Today, I will finally be able to right an ancient wrong. 

I smile as I feel the powerful and ancient spell which binds the Homeworld of my creation begin to waver and then crack.  I throw my head back to roar a battle cry that will resound across the realms of the Immortal universe and serve as a call to arms and the pursuit of justice.  The spell of Erebus will do the rest by drawing the necessary participants onto the Assyllian Plain for the prophesied confrontation.  

I feel ancient power thrum through my veins in readiness, and despite my sense of urgency to get this show on the road, I resist the urge to rub my hands together in anticipation.  This day has been centuries in the making, but it is not to be taken lightly just because I am eager.  It is a solemn day in the history of the realms.  A time when I can finally reveal my true nature and mission.

My life as Cocidius, Celtic god of war and the creatures of the hunt and forests, has been a charade, a necessary one, but one I regret nonetheless.  I despise having to manipulate and deceive my own progeny.  But Nyx forced my hand. 

I smile when I feel a flicker of magick behind me.  I turn to see my five proxy agents standing there watching me.  Each woman is a beautiful and powerful Immortal in her own right, but after today, each will step forward to embrace a role of such great import it is beyond their wildest imaginings.  They all smile uncertainly at me and nod their heads in a gesture of respect.  I beckon them forward. 

This group of women have served me well throughout the centuries.  Far better than I deserve, because I have only spoon-fed them information that I believed they needed to know over time, and kept so much from them when I thought it would only serve as a distraction or interfere with the magick unfolding naturally.  Now that I am looking at them, I am filled with gratitude and humility for their trust in me and their faithful service.   I bow slightly, a gesture of well-earned respect before I begin to address each of them by name and assign their roles. 

“Morrígan, the deflector.  Every single time someone began to suspect the truth about me, you provided some brilliant distraction with your antics and deflected the attention from me.  I am grateful to you, dear girl.  You have been judged harshly and ostracized for the things you have done in my service, but I am truly thankful for you.”  I reach out and stroke her brilliant red hair lovingly.  “You are a woman who is willing to step out and do what needs done, regardless of any personal cost you must pay.  Therefore, you will stand in proxy for the Ruby Dragon Queen.  Your strong spirit will bond with hers and once she awakens, you will mentor her until she is ready to assume her role as high queen of the Dragon Realm.” 

Morrígan, my friend and faithful servant, whose devotion to our cause over the centuries has left her branded a war-mongering rogue goddess, blood thirsty killer, and dark witch by her Immortal peers, patiently awaits whatever destiny I will reveal for her.   She has been with me the longest and understands the most about our eventual goal.  But she has suffered mightily to gain this knowledge.  Even I only know a fraction of the hell she’s endured to ensure this prophecy unfolds, and yet I don’t see a hint of bitterness in her gorgeous eyes.  She smiles at my pronouncement.  Never one to give away her feelings, she simply nods her acceptance of her role before backing away to reveal her sisters in duty.  

The Queen she protects has been targeted for five centuries, and Morrígan has suffered right along with her because of the limitations I have placed on her in her role as guardian.  I want to kneel before this female and apologize, but I don’t.  I can’t. 

I turn my attention to address the others, but I know the Morrígan’s day of justification will come first.  In fact, the wheels have already been set into motion, my servant Cozramiel has broken protocol to send the girl back in time to meet one of her consorts, to ensure a spiritual tether will form between their souls.

I eagerly rub my hands together in anticipation, “Let the games begin!”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Callie’s eyes open as the dream fades into the recesses of her mind and she wonders, not for the first time, what it all means.  Why has she had this same dream since childhood?

“Oh well,” she groans when she glances over at the bedside clock.  “I need more sleep.”  She fluffs her pillow and settles down to allow sleep to reclaim her in its familiar embrace.