November 14, 2075 – Ed’s path

Ed and Eve were enjoying the leisurely walk through the newly awoken forest. The magic sprites and wisps seemed to be dancing with the new growth. Eve was smiling and picking pretty flowers and making a boquet. The wisps did not seem to enjoy her picking the new growth and tried to burn her in an effort to stop her. She used her own magic and shot forth spouts of water and soaked the little spirits and they back offed and gave her room. She giggled at the joy of freely using her magic. Ed watched and wished that he had as much magical control as she had.

They walked out into a clearing. Not so much of an actual clearing to where the sun could be seen. Rather a spot that the trees had vacated and provided shade for those that were passing through. The feeling was nice enough that Ed and Eve felt a relaxing peace while there and sought to remain for a while.

 Spirits that had not been seen since the dawn of the world, since before the formless had form. The barrier between life and death was weaken and the after could be seen and felt. Ghosts, angels and the occasional demon were seen, but there was no malice felt. There was an eerie calm, but there was no mistake that a presence greater than Ed was coming towards him. 

Eve clutched closer to Ed’s leg, hiding behind him. She was afraid. Ed looked down at her and noticed that she was trembling while trying to look past the trees. Ed place his hand on her head and cradled it and he felt her shake no more. She looked up at him and gave him a half smile, then she went back to starring. Ed followed her gaze and tried to look beyond the forest and waited.

They pair did not wait long as a woman, clad in vines, leaves and tree branches, came waltzing out of the forest and into the clearing. She seemed to be old but getting young by the minute. She was clearly someone beautiful from years past, and she was now regaining her youth. Her platium blonde hair was regaining more golden color and the sun seemed to take part in making it shine. Her skin, though currently old, wrinkly, dry and covered in tattoos; began to clear and regain the former youth though not quite going to a maiden, rather a beautiful mother that has kept her beauty no matter how many children she has had. She was affecting nature with her every step, nay her every gesture. For the woods responded to her and moved around her and flowers and grasses lept to her knees.

Ed kept his distance and Eve stayed next to him.

“Oh to see the forests again rise up from the ashes that it once knew all too well.” The goddess said. For that is what she clearly was. A being from beyond known science and magic. An actual for which Ed was just a copy. She breathed and the forest around her breathe too.

“To whom do we have the pleasure of meeting?” Ed asked as took more of a defensive stance. Though Ed was a god, he was manmade and probably an insult to this being.

She looked in his direction and he felt her eyes pierce though his very soul. He lost what air he had in his lungs and was gasping for his next lung full of air. He looked down at Eve and she had knelt down to gain her next breath as well.

“Well, I must said you two are very interesting. Man made gods? Oh how the apes have ascended. The girl is not a god though, she is not even a human. I have read stories about how there were creatures that were shaped like men and lived with magic as long as they wished. There are two more nearby as well that are also an afront to nature. I believe you would call them a werewolf and a vampire. From their battle skills and the creature that they are fighting, I would say that you have created them just fine. Though I cannot say for what reason.” She seemed to notice that Ed and Eve were still having issues breathing, she waved her hand and the air resumed its flow through their lungs.

“Man-made gods are still not as strong as the real thing?” She said this with a little smirk attached to her mouth. 

Ed coughed and wheezed. He checked on Eve and she seemed to be okay.

“Real gods are supposed to be extinct, or at least uncaring.” Ed said.

“I cared a long time ago. Back when to world was new and unexplored, back when men were in the middle of the food chain and still afraid of the world. Too much was done, too many wars fought, too much blood spilt. I have just recently awoken when I felt the great forests and jungles stretch forth and reclaim that which was lost. Was it you that allowed this to happen?”

“Yes, it was I. I am a magical experiment who is a direct descendant of the King of Dragos, the last Sorcerer king before magic disappeared from Earth. I am made through genetic alteration and biological transmorgrafaction. After my recreation, I promptly downloaded and exploited the wealth of humanity’s knowledge and wisdom, I predicted that humans would mostly leave Earth after their misdeeds condemned it to suffer. After most them left within the past seven years, a small contingent remains as scientists and caretakers.” 

“Did you do something to their internet while you were connected to it?” The goddess asked. 

“Of course. I planted misinformation that showed the earth would implode unless a mass evacuation was to commence. Ten point nine billion left to colonize planets beyond the solar system. And the system has been placed in a quasi-quarantine.”

Ed felt a tug at his leg. Eve had recovered and was trying to get his attention. 

“Papa, I’m hungry!” She said.

The goddess had notice the child and knelt to present her with an apple that had come through a pine tree and to her hand. Eve hid her face behind her father’s leg. 

“Go on, sweetie, take it and be satisfied.” The goddess said. 

Eve looked up at Ed and he nodded, giving his approval. She took the fruit and nibbled at it cautiously. The juice that went bursting into her mouth was unlike anything that she had ever tasted. The sweetness and tartness was perfectly balanced. She quickly devoured it and felt perfectly satisfied and yearned for food no more.

The goddess smile as she watched the child. “Though you may have perfected the looks it seems that her magic seems to be out of balance. That apple will fix that. For her and all that she will bear.” 

The goddess gently wiped Eve’s face and Eve smiled happily at the goddess. “Child, because of your father’s hard work, this blessing I shall bestow upon you, life everlasting and the fortitude to deal with it. Your memories will last beyond time and your siblings will understand, a sweet life full of wonder and majesty.” 

She turned and looked at Ed in his eyes. Her eyes were deep ocean blue and gentle as a breeze and as harsh as salt.

“You realize,” She said. “That even with the good you imposed that your path must travel through dark roads.”

“Yes, I know. Every man must die. But that is a consequence that I am prepared for. I know that my children will outlive me by many lifetimes, and that may be for the best.” 

Eve heard this and perhaps she may have even felt a bit sad. However, she kept quiet and dared not move in the pairs conversation. Ed felt her attention grow weaker, as if her childlike tendencies wanted to play.

The goddess felt Eve’s impatience and felt some pity at this.

“You are correct man god, and I can sense that your children need you still, you will not die today, indeed not within fifty years. We can talk more later and discuss the bright future of the world.” 

The goddess disappeared into the wind like so many petals in the wind. Ed and Eve bowed their heads as a sign of respect and of farewell. And like that she was gone but not forgotten.

“Come Eve, let’s go collect your siblings and head back to the lab. I am sure Norman and the others will want to hear who found us.”