The Voice of Reason

A faint light, almost invisible, began to glow in front of Jen. A golden mist spanned the marble floor. The light grew stronger and the fog spun around the room, uncontrollably and furiously. Jen’s head started to float, whirling around and around in dizzying, uneven circles. The light cast sparkles around the room like an expanding disco-ball now, larger and larger. It grew until it was almost twice the size of the war god in the corner. The strange ball of light then began to shape itself. Curves and angles glowed blindingly until it took a form similar to that of a woman. “I am Reason,” a regal female voice echoed from within it, “I am the voices of Time, Knowledge, Experience, and Logic.” Jen could no longer look; the once-faint shimmer now sparkled with intense fierceness. He tilted his head down to the floor, avoiding any visual contact with the luminescent creature. “No mortal may gaze upon me unless I will it or he who does shall find himself no longer in the realm of the Living.” Her voice shook the walls of the palace to such an extent that Jen feared they would collapse. “I exist to judge those who need judging, bring to light that which needs bringing, and punish that which requires punishment.” Jen cringed as she said punishment, hoping that would not be the case. “Speak, Jen of Mortals.”

The Summoning

“You have disappointed us, human.” His bellowing voice echoed throughout the entire throne room, bouncing off the marble walls until it reached Jen’s ears again. Authority radiated out from the magnificent god’s corporal body. Jen cowered before the mighty war lord.
“Mr.—um, sir?” Jen whimpered. Spasms shook his arms. Cold sweat and tears mingled on his face, a salt bath that would only worry Jen more.
“Stop. Blubbering,” The god thundered, “We do not give second chances to those who whine.” Jen held his breath, holding back the tears that threatened to cause a downpour. He clutched his eyes closed and nodded his head, knees resting on the frostbitten, stone floor.
“Stop, my brother. Can you not see that the poor boy is absolutely petrified?” The old, wrinkled god spoke for the first time. “We shall let Reason decide the boy’s fate; it is not our place to do so.” The malevolent war god let a wry smile cross his face.
“Who, then brother shall summon her? I wish not to be the victim of her wrath as I was last time. Shall it be you?” Silence took the gray-haired sea god. His blue eyes screamed with worry.
“I shall.” Then he started to chant in a language unknown to Jen. His speaking was slow and whispered. Jen shook with unease. The ancient verses began to take speed. More rapid and loud it became, until it was just short of screaming. A tremor took the massive room, and the words stopped. Absolute quiet haunted the air around Jen.