The Dominion of Worlds - Realm of Rhia (Part 1)

"So, duck, what does a sentinel do?"

He gestured to the land, "I help the Dominion goddess plant new trees. They start life in these ponds and feed into the rivers. I help watch over the worlds and the billions who live in these ponds."

Cybelline nodded, "So I'm somewhere above all the worlds. My realm is somewhere in one of the ponds?"

The duck nodded, and then raised an eyebrow, "I am not a duck. I am the form that you requested. if I show you my true form, I fear I will overwhelm your soul with my magnificence."

She is not one that gets easily overwhelmed. An ancient voice sounded from behind them.

They turned and the duck seemed surprised at the sound. It looked around and then shook its head, "But that's impossible. That's not possible!"

Little one, just because I do not talk often does not mean it is impossible

Cybelline looked as the duck seemed to back away in disbelief. Then, it bowed deeply and hissed at Cybelline, "Bow...You are in the face of greatness. The beginning of all realms and creations. Everything in every world came from her. Everything will return to her. She is this Dominion's Goddess."

Cybelline stood where she was and looked at the tree.

CRACK

The tree's bark cracked and a woman with robes of green stepped lithely onto the earth. Her skin was a beautiful green and she wore a crown of crystal leaves on her hair. She seemed to be moving and standing still at the same time.

The duck trembled as it looked at the woman from the great tree. She walked towards them, a smile on her face.

She stood in front of Cybelline and shrunk down to her side. Cybelline tilted her head and so did the green woman.

"She does not need to bow." The woman said, "After everything I put her through, I should bow to her." She looked Cybelline over and said, "I am Rhia, this is my Dominion and my worlds."

Cybelline nodded, "Nice to meet you, Rhia. Now, why do I have the pleasure of meeting you? What the hell am I doing here?"

"Haven't you guessed?" The Dominion Goddess asked,

Cybelline shook her head, "Not a clue."

Rhia smiled, "You have passed all the trials." She waved her hand and a bench came into being, "Have a seat, child. It has been very long since someone has come to visit me. "

"You can do spells without speaking as well?" Cybelline said, fascinated. Beside herself, everyone else she knew had to speak a spell.

"A little gift I gave you as well." Rhia admitted, "In part for your troubles."

Cybelline looked at the Creator of Worlds, "All of of this... was your doing?" She felt a flare of anger as she looked at the goddess in front of her, "Please, explain." Explain before she decided to cut down a tree.

"In the beginning, I came to being in the form a tree. I could bring life and give life and in the end it all returned to me. I made this little land of worlds. But..." Rhia pulled up her sleeve, and on her beautiful arms were large patches of grey veins that ate at her arms, "I have no protection against external threats. There are many places like mine with other Dominion Gods. Much more powerful Dominion gods. And believe me, child, outside of my realm there are very threats that could destroy this place I have built, as I am not strong enough to stop it all. So I began to search for anything, anyone, that could protect the worlds I created and built. Before it was too late."

She looked at Cybelline, "You are the only one who has made it this far. You are the only one who as proven worthy. Pure of heart."

Cybelline gave her a strange look, "No one in their right mind would ever call me pure of anything."

"But you are." Rhia said, "You have withstood the power of the fae tree for a prolonged period and the god tree chose to transport you to me. Both are extensions of my power. No one has done that before. And...you have the qualities that no one before you have shown. Qualities that are even more rare than surviving my powers."

"Please continue." Cybelline said with a smile, "I love praise."

The duck snorted and Rhia chuckled, but continued seriously, "You saved a family who was not of your blood, you risked your life for people that you did not know. You sacrificed your life so that thousands may live. You protect those around you and you protect them ruthlessly."

Rhia looked tired all of the sudden, "You are strong in ways that many are not, in ways that I am not. And your power grows without bounds. Your past feats proved that. I believe you are strong enough to withstand my powers. "

"I am pretty great." Cybelline said with a smile, "But I am sure that there have been many heroes who have made sacrifices. And I really don't know what you mean by withstanding your powers."

Rhia nodded, "But they are not you. No one has done what you have done and that is your power."

"I'm flattered, but I'm still not sure why you're praising me like this. I like praise, as I said. But you're making me nervous." Cybelline said calmly.

Rhia laughed and then sighed, "I am tired and I can not protect my worlds. I need someone to help me, someone who can take some of my power and protect this place. I am not strong enough."

She waved a hand and a large image appeared in front of her. It was the river of time that Cybelline had just traveled across. It zoomed out to show that the place where Cybelline stood was a large plain that floated in a vast expanse of blue. In the center was the tree and the river that stretched to the edges and feel off the cliffs. It was a barren place with just a river and a tree.

In the sky, there was a barrier of green, and every so often, grey and black spirits attacked it. large, worm like creatures ate at the green barrier as if it was a leaf.

"Those are parasites and poisons that Gods of other Dominions send over. They find my lands rich for the taking. I have endured for millions of years. Some have gotten in. You have seen their power."

The scene changed to show the shadow dragon that Killian and turned to. It zoomed out to show the pond where the world Cybelline came from. There was a mass of grey that was seeping into the water. Ponds in the surrounding areas were already dead, it was spreading and attacking Cybelline's world.

Cybelline stood up and looked at it in alarm, "I didn't succeed?"

"Only because you did not have enough power. You have not found your true potential." Rhia corrected, "If you accept my proposal. Then perhaps you may be the hope I am searching for. I need someone who can fight. To save the worlds I've built."

Cybelline turned to look at her, "You want me to help you. How?"

"I can give you my power. And like a seed, I hope it will become yours and help you grow into your own Godhood. I am hoping it might give you an extra bit of strength as it turns into your power. You seem to have the ability to withstand an enormous amount of power, that is special. I have seen you do it once before, when you took the power of the Fae Tree of Life." Rhia said with a smile, "We Dominion Gods are birthed with just the powers we have and nothing more, but you. You are different and I think that difference can save this Dominion."

"How are you sure I would accept it? This seems risky." Cybelline said after a moment, "Has anyone done it this way?"

"They have tried. But no one has succeed. I have heard of other Dominion gods doing this."

"What happened to the test subjects?" Cybelline asked, knowing the answer

"They were burned to dust. Their souls disintegrated and they were unable to be reborn." Rhia answered truthfully.

"Of course they did." Cybelline sighed, "What makes you think I will succeed?"

"Call it a hunch." Rhia said, her face serious, " You are stubborn, and you would not let yourself fail...and you are not one to run from a challenge. You are not one to stay still when your people needs protection. And they need someone like you."

"Is she going to serve you like me" The duck asked eagerly, not understanding or perhaps comprehending the enormity of what the Dominion Goddess was truly offering.. It was lonely for company.

Rhia laughed, "I have been watching this child for so long. And if I know anything, it is that this child was not made to serve."

Cybelline raised an eyebrow, as Rhia held out a hand to her, "Cybelline was made to rule."

Cybelline looked at the outstretched hand, and here it was - the choice that she knew she would one day make.

She wanted to shut the world out, but Ithos and Myrai knocked down those walls and gave her a family. She wanted nothing to do with the world but the children dragged her towards the light. She wanted no responsibilities but the fae needed her. She wanted nothing to do with love.

And yet Killian appeared. He loved her selflessly. He sacrificed himself and never expected her to reciprocate. He loved knowing full well that she might not love him the way he loved her. Yet. He was mistaken. Her love was just as strong and just as passionate.

Did she want to run or would she help this woman? She knew the answer and she smiled her careless smile, "What the hell. I guess the duck pond can wait."

"I will throw a river into this bargain, and you can make as many ponds as you want." Rhia said as Cybelline gripped her hand.

In that moment, time froze as Goddess and mortal soul did what not many dared to do.