Gaia Gods

The Immortal Apple Tree Grew In The Black Tower Garden

The immortal apple tree grew in the Black Tower garden, adorned with an abundance of divine fruit. However, these sweet refreshing fruits hid a dark secret. Although nourishing for the gods, they infected any man or woman who ate them with greed, envy, hate, lust and many other evils. Evils inherited by the victims’ descendants.

Angharad found pleasure in every aspect of the Creation; because its variety filled her mind with wonder. The warmth of the sun, the fresh smell of rain, the crisp frost and clear skies of cold mornings, the cooling touch of a gentle breeze and the exhilaration of powerful storms, all filled her heart with joy. She delighted in all the creatures of the forest from the tiniest beetle, to the largest elephants and tigers. Nothing compared to the ecstasy of the gentle caresses and honeyed lips of her lover, Aodh. They teased her body, until she could no longer resist the temptation of engulfing his manhood. Her blissful moans filled the air, as he moved within her, and turned into a climatic scream as she welcomed his divine seed.

Their passion sated, Angharad lay under Aodh, with his head resting on her breasts. As ever, her greatest pleasure turned to sadness, disbelief,denial and tearful eyes, due to their post coital conversation. Aodh spoke of his jealous hatred of his sister Rigantona, and of his conviction that she had sinned against Angharad. He believed Rigantona had not acknowledged Angharad’s garden as their inspiration for the Creation, which in his eyes was a most heinous crime, warranting severe retribution and punishment. In Aodh’s mind, the only suitable retribution was the corruption of the Creation’s purity. He intended to use the divine fruit to wreak havoc among humankind.

Innocent Suggestion

Angharad stroked her lover’s hair, and whispered soothing words to calm his anger. She did not believe him evil, just a misguided boy who would one day grow up. As Aodh appeared to calm, he suggested they travel to the mainland, to witness more wonders of the Creation. Because of her eagerness to please her lover and intrigued by foreign lands she agreed to this apparently innocent suggestion.

Following weeks of preparation and with his beguiled lover in tow, Aodh departed Mona, in disguise, under a starlit sky. Using his knowledge of Mangaia, gained through the Acolytes Crystal, he navigated by the stars and travelled through the Impenetrable Mist, as only a god can. Before making landfall, in the west, Aodh explained his plan to convince all humankind to worship him, as the One True God. Angharad agreed to support him, because of her overwhelming love for him, and fear of his temper if she did not. She dreaded his plan’s consequences, and over the next few days, with forlorn hope, tried but failed to dissuade him.

Landfall

They sailed out of the early morning sea mist, with the emblem of the sun upon their sail. People on the shore witnessed two angels, surrounded by a blazing aura, make landfall and cowered in awe. Angharad stepped from the ship. “Do not be afraid, I am Godleva, the first among angels,” pointed at Aodh, “of the One True God.” Her lyrical voice and enchanting beauty hypnotised, all those who heard her message.

In the distance, some who saw the angelic arrival ran to inform their tribe’s 12 council elders. In turn, they came to greet the visitors. Aodh walked forward to address them. “I am the One True God; I am angry, because you my children do not honour me. As a sign of forgiveness, I bring you a gift.” Opening his hand, he continued. “Behold the seeds of the divine fruit of my heavenly kingdom.” A shocked gasp escaped Godleva’s lips, because she knew the irreversible evil they contained.

An elder bowed respectfully, “We have always followed the laws given to us at the time of the Creation.” Despite the respect shown to, Aodh deemed the response insulting, retribution ensued as hot lava bombs rained down from the sky. Firstly he vaporised the elder who had spoken, secondly he destroyed the building housing the Law Tablet, received at the Creation. Others bombs landed in the river and nearby harbour, turning the waters red, setting fire to boats and killing many innocents. Consequently, the terrified survivors prostrated themselves or ran for their lives, and the remaining 11 elders shocked, stood rooted to the spot.

God’s Work

Switching tact, Aodh now spoke with a welcoming voice. “Do not mistake my forgiveness for weakness. I have chosen you, My People, to spread My Word throughout the land. Plant these seeds, from My Immortal Apple Tree, on the site of that burnt building and tonight feast on its heavenly fruit. I give you the sail from my ship; it will be your symbol of me, the One True God.” Later, that evening the elders and the people of the west feasted on the divine apples. Thereby, the infection of greed, envy, hate and other evils took hold. Subsequently the people, planted seeds, grew orchards, harvested apples, ate the corrupting fruit and spread the infection throughout the west.

By the time Aodh and Godleva left the western shore, a month later, a new nation called the Ra worshipped their One True God. The Ra learned that man was made in the image of God and women were the embodiment of sinful temptation,hence their monthly curse.

As they stood on their ship, ready to depart, Aodh gave his final message to the Ra. “When we are gone some of you will choose to return to the old ways. Be warned a plague of suppurating boils and a lingering death awaits all apostates. Your holy duty is to offer the divine fruit to all who would receive it and convert non-believers. Deliver a swift end, to any who deny me! As you complete God’s work and bring all the people of Mangaia into obedient servitude to me ,the One True God, so shall you receive my blessing. At the end of time,my only child will walk among you. He will raise the dead, forgive the sins of all true believers and lead them into my Kingdom of Heaven”

Eastern Coast

Aodh sailed their ship back to the edge of the Impenetrable Mist. Because of the troubled they caused, Godleva begged her lover to return to Mona. Besides confessing their crime, she wanted to help repair the damage done. Aodh felt no remorse, moreover he buzzed with empowerment and determination to create more chaos. He refused to listen and steered them to eastern coast of Mangaia.

They disembarked in the east, but unlike before, Aodh claimed to be God’s prophet. He spun a tale, of heresy, of a people in the far west who had denied the One True God, by worshipping the sun. For that reason, God disowned them, and cast his favour upon the people of the east. He gave a sail as before, but this time with the symbol of the crescent moon to the people, henceforth known as the Lunar. Infected by the divine fruit, they accepted their God’s challenge, to bring the Ra back to the true faith, or slaughter them in the process. Godleva begged Aodh to undo what he had done but to no avail. She could not save the peoples of Mangaia from an irrevocable descent into mutual destruction.

So, began the era of monotheistic religion, the age of glorious empire, the time of genocide and the spiritual decline of humankind.

This is 4th chapter of the web edition of Roads of Destiny . The 1st edition is available on Amazon in both kindle and printed format.

© 2019 Russell Chapman

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