The Forming of The Sanctuary

Such was Rigus’s strength, the little green stone took on the appearance of a shooting star and it burned its way through the atmosphere. It headed west first, over the great lagoon and then over the jagged mountains which lined the northern coastline; then it seemed to change course, as if magnetised, and followed the coastline in a southerly direction, picking up speed as it travelled. Just as the vast grassland planes turned to rich forests, it jinked west once more and hurtled briefly over the ocean and then plunged into the deep, blue void of the ocean. The briny waters exploded high up into the sky as the little stone broke its monotonous motions. Where it struck the sea bed, great black rocks rose up, breaking the fizzing surface of the water once more. That black rock grew and spread, forming an irregularly shaped island covered with hills, with one in particular growing taller than the others. After a while, the furious thrashing of the ocean soothed itself and its newest body of land settled itself into place. The waters resumed their rolling motion, tentatively lapping upon new, black, and rocky beaches, as if tasting something strange and foreign for the first time. 

Cordell stared out across the sky, horrified by what his brother had done. He could see the green tail of the stone still hanging in the air and his impossibly sharp eyes could just chart its route to the south. He turned to his brother, feeling not anger or bitterness but pity. 

“So this is where envy gets you, brother.” He walked from the balcony and into the central courtyard. 

“Cordell!” came the booming voice of Zeus. “Have you something to confess to me?” he roared.

How could he possibly know already?

“For your carelessness, you will follow that stone and, wherever it lands, is where you shall remain for eternity. I told you to guard that stone with your life!” 

Cordell left immediately, crossing the great corridor beneath the fathomless sky filled with winking and whispering stars, casting their judgement. Their piercing looks followed him with interest as he marched his way toward the great white staircase, which led down to the distant world of Pangea. He felt no regret or sadness as he descended; this was his destiny after all. Finally, he would be away from the oppressive vanity of his fellow gods. He was almost grateful to his brother for forcing his hand and he feared what the reprisals would be for him. In truth, he had never seen his brother behave in that way before. Granted, he could be abrasive and brash but he had never been aggressive in the way he had been that day. 

Cordell’s feet touched the lush green grass of ground level and breathed in the fresh, pine-filled air of Pangea. The great lake sparkled beneath a wholesome and inviting sun, it was a warmth that he had not encountered up in the White Castle. His eyes, which unbeknown to him, had turned a brilliant white, glanced up at the cornflower blue sky and caught sight of the tail of the comet which he knew was now many miles ahead of him. 

Cordell walked through the vast and seemingly endless grasslands and then through hot, dense forests, finally finding rich fields rolling over hills and highlands. The people he met were kind and accepting; they came in all sorts of different races and spoke all manner of languages, many of which he found he could understand. 

Finally, he reached the coast. Peering up at the sky, he could still see the fading tail of the green comet disappearing over the rolling mass of sea, which he knew reached beyond even his vision, to the eastern coast of Pangea. He stepped into the cool, calm and crystal clear waters and waded out, feeling exhilarated. Once the white sand fell away from his bare feet, he swam onwards, enjoying the hot sun on his back and the soothing coolness of the sea below. Sometimes he would dive deep beneath the waves and glide past sea creatures: some miniscule, others monstrous. He passed through a strange and shimmering haze and when he came through the other side, his heart was filled with warmth and joy as his eyes beheld the great island already covered with hues of greenery. Here was his new home, his… He paused as he bobbed up and down with the motion of the sea… his Sanctuary. 

He came ashore where the sea met the land in a sweeping bay which he knew was destined to become a great harbour one day. Cordell breathed in the fresh air of his new land and began to walk, following what looked like a natural road which wound its way up the highest of the hills. Something in his mind allowed him to visualise many carts and people walking up this road to the great city which would soon stand upon that vast, flat surface at the summit. All around him, nature was taking over the island, as she was so inclined to do. He welcomed it, enjoying watching trees of every kind break through the fertile soil which had once been black rock. As he reached the summit, he found himself standing upon a great plateau. Again, his strange visions appeared before him, and he was able to see his glorious city, outspread across the land. Great, graceful towers, turrets and domes would form the skyline and a benevolent civilisation would enjoy its splendour. 

“Fine visions you have,” came a voice full of contempt. 

“I wondered if you would come after me, Rigus,” smiled Cordell serenely. “You should know that this is my world and you will not be able to harm me here,” he added, turning to face his brother. 

“Say what you wish brother,” laughed Rigus scornfully, “ because of you, Zeus has banished me.” 

“That was your own doing, brother; you allowed your jealousy to cloud your judgement.” 

A warm breeze drifted lazily across the vast, flat plateau. Nature, seemingly unperturbed by the confrontation upon that hill, continued to fill the island with life. Cordell studied the black, glistening pits which had become his brother’s eyes and sighed, his heart full of sadness at what he knew was to happen. He raised both hands as his brother charged at him with a sword which Cordell did not recognise. It all happened in a matter of moments. A stride away from Cordell, Rigus lowered his sword to strike but, almost instantaneously, he was thrown up into the air, the sword flying from his hand. Cordell, his hands still raised, closed his eyes, as tears began to fall down his cheeks and splatter upon the dusty ground. 

The ground beneath his feet began to rumble; he could feel the anger within his land, its revulsion at this violent being who had invaded it. Cordell looked up and pushed his hands forwards. The terrible screams of his brother were crushing, as Rigus was consumed with fire then thrown far out into the distant sea. His body collided with the water with a violent hissing and sank until he crashed into the sea bed. Jagged rocks rose up instantly, breaking the surface of the ocean into an archipelago of islands, which would one day be named the Isle of Thorns or, more commonly, the Isle of the Banished. 

Cordell lowered his hands, tears still falling. He walked to the far end of the plateau where he foresaw a grand gateway which would lead people out to the rolling fields beyond. His sharp eyes picked out the fallen sword, stuck deep within a field of grass. He walked towards it and pulled it from the ground, inspecting the beautiful engravings upon the blade. They appeared to be of flowers; he narrowed his eyes and realised that they were lupins. His eyes surveyed the vast field he stood in and understood what this place stood for. It would be the place where those who felt ready, would embark on their final journey to their tower. 

He lowered the blade and pushed its point deep into the ground, running his fingers down the silver engravings. For a moment, nothing happened but Cordell remained where he stood, watching the ground intently. Finally, green shoots began to rise up all around him, their pointed leaves spreading and engulfing the grass. Gradually, buds of new blooms exploded from the greenery in countless colours and the air filled with a sweet, peppery aroma. Cordell looked around him, admiring the field which was now filled with vibrant, swaying lupins, and something else, something that quelled the tears and brought a smile to his face; people were beginning to appear amongst the blooms, their beautifully white eyes glistening in the sunlight. Their handsome faces all turned towards him. For there, within that field of lupins, stood the first of the Sanctorians. 

Cordell smiled and then turned and looked out to sea. He looked out towards where his brother had vanished and beheld a dark rising of rock. Upon that rock stood a figure. For a split second, the air around Cordell froze and a shiver ran up his spine. He could not let that creature into his newly formed land, that would be unthinkable. He raised his hands and, far out to sea a great haze formed a protective circle all around the Sanctuary and the view of that other newly formed land vanished. Cordell, sighed and then smiled, his people would be safe.