Stephen

A thousand years ago.

Stephen sat on his throne positioned high on the crest-moon balcony, the High Priest to the Council of Souls, his gaze drifting over the faces of the Council members. He was tired of their perpetual whining about leaving the Cavern of Souls. He massaged his temples as the members chattered among themselves, waiting for him to bring the meeting to order. For more than a thousand years he had tolerated and pushed aside their requests to visit the outside world, telling them their place was here. None of the members needed their physical body to do the bidding of the Creator. All could pass through the spirit world to guide the souls on Earth. All but one. Stephen was bound to the Cavern, through time, through the spirit world, to the Creator. He would never leave this place. He was the Gate Keeper to the Souls.

Stephen ran a hand over his black beard, stroking it in the deemed light of the chamber. What would happen if he let them leave? Would the Creator be displeased with them?

Slowly, his critical eyes studied every face, and he thought of the members’ requests as to why they wanted to leave for a short time. Experiences. That was all they wanted, to remember what it was like to live in the physical world, to remember why the Creator had chosen them to be part of the Council. It wasn’t an outlandish request. Perhaps it would reinvigorate them to do more for the souls they were assigned to guide.

The weight of responsibility pushed him down. His chest heaved under it. He straightened his back and stood.

“For many years you have asked to leave the Cavern. And after many years of thought, I have made a decision. You may go, if you so desire, for one Earth year. No more, no less.” His voice boomed over the members’ heads, drawing their full attention. The only sound heard was the breathing of his lungs.

Victor, second to Stephen in power and rank, stood. “High Priest, an Earth year isn’t enough time.”

Stephen shot a cutting glare at his friend. How dare Victor stand before his Council and plant a seed for strife. Anger rocked him to the core.

“One year. That is all you will get, or you will not leave,” he growled low with finality.

Victor’s eyes turned black, yet he sat back in his seat. Stephen knew it was a risk to let him leave, given the one-year span; he thought there was little havoc Victor could bring.

“Go,” he said, sitting back in his throne. One year he would be alone. The thought was almost crippling to Stephen.

The Council erupted with joy and laughter. The energy they all produced eased some of Stephen’s weariness. A hand rested on his shoulder. He glanced up to see his most trusted confidant, the Elapsed Seer.

“What can I do to ease the hardship you face being here alone?” Green eyes glowed with concern.

Stephen was touched that the Seer didn’t so easily forget that he was bound to the Cavern. Stephen exhaled loudly.

“I will be fine. One year in the physical world passes quickly here, and I have my souls to direct.”

“Yes, it does, but no one deserves to be alone. Shall I find you a companion?” The Elapsed Seer’s eyes brightened.

Stephen had never thought to bring an outside soul to the Cavern. The thought was enticing. To have someone—the thought brought buried desires to surface, and desire was an emotion left buried. It was there, nonetheless.

“I don’t want you to waste your time on me. Go and enjoy yourself.” He patted the Seer’s hand and stood. Though Stephen hadn’t aged one day past his awakening thousands of years ago, he felt very old just then. Brushing past his friend, Stephen climbed the steps to exit the meeting chamber.

“There is a soul that I have been guiding. I believe she is meant for you,” said the Seer.

Stephen stopped and cast a sharp gaze at his friend. “And why do you believe that?”

The Seer closed the distance Stephen had created. He whispered into his ear.

“I have seen her dreams. They are dreams of you. She has been drawn to the Cavern. She waits beyond the hidden entrance to the east.”

Stephen stopped breathing. Who would dream of him and why? And, if so, would the Creator allow such a thing? And to be drawn here…it had been more than five hundred thousand years since the Creator had chosen another soul to become a member of the Council.

“Shall I bring her to you?”

“Yes.”