Something Wicked This Way Comes...

[Nemesis]

Last night I had a dream. In the dream many of the ancient gods lined up in a row.

Poseidon, Aphrodite, Ares, Diana, Gaia, Zeus, Cronos and Caelus all stood in a row on pedestals.

Hermes and Hades were both present as well but did not stand upon pedestals and stood aside from the others.

As the messenger present, it was Hermes that approached me. This is what he said to me.

Once you worshiped us but that age passed. With its passing we Gods left your world behind to Shepard others in far off lands. But the age of the Fisher King is coming to an end as all ages must.

All things go in cycles. Already the cycle of the Phoenix has begun. From its flames will burst forth the flood waters of the next age. This is inevitable. But there are those who would bring the water bearer early. They would end the age of man so that the meek can inherit the Earth. But they will poison the well and the change will be destructive.

You have all turned your backs on us and it will be some time before we hear your prayers again.

But we are not without mercy or forgiveness. We offer you this one warning so that you may yet change the threads of your fate. If the hand maiden rises to herald her mistress, so too shall man fall.

With that he once again stood aside with Hades.

Then the ancient Gods began to disappear until only Hades remained. From beneath his cloak I could hear his voice-a sound like a rusty flute blown too lightly.

Do not worry child. I walk with you. Always.

Then he too faded from sight like the others.

But when I woke, I felt as though he was still with me.

I feel him still.

[Last Moon]

Curious, and a little out of my field.

Perhaps your choice of a moniker related to greco-roman mythology has influenced your perceptions on some things. Gods, if they do exist, are nlikely to be as specific and limited as they are frequently are depicted in myth but rather are the embodiments of certain concepts. In the case of Hades the most obvious association is death, but there are more subtle ones as well, suh as stealth, punishment, justice and solitude.

So perhaps instead of Hades himself, you are finding yourself tied to some idea or concept that he represents and merely using him as a label.

But as I said, a bit out of my usual field.

[Nemesis]

I'm not sure why you make the assumptions you do about the gods not being specific and limited. When even the whole universe is specific and ultimately limited and it is the most powerful thing by nature we can observe.

You're new here so you probably don't realize that my moniker was my Momma's. I took it as homage to her not to any deity or allegiance to a specific pantheon.

I do not believe however, that the Greco-Roman deities would view me as significant enough to address directly. Their presence in my dream no doubt represents some other hidden meaning within my sub-conscious that I have yet to divine.

Your theory about Hades however, has merit.

[Last Moon]

I mean specific and limited in the sense that they match the depictions that human minds have created for them. I find thinking of entities such as Hades, Hel, Nergal, Morrigan Osiris, Mara, Ankou and a hundred other death deities as separate and distinct individual entities rather than mental constructs made by our ancestors to explain things beyond their comprehension.

If gods do exist they are much more nebulous and powerful than our minds can comprehend even now. Naming and describing them as we do is a safety mechanism for our own sanity rather than any sort of accurate representation of what a true god would actually be.

[Nemesis]

Interesting theory. You're clearly agnostic which explains why this is not your usual field.

I could debate this with you but there's no point. Suffice it to say I think you're about as far from the truth as you could possibly be.

[Hannah]

I'd say gods are surprisingly, perhaps even distressingly, like us.

Still feeling Hades with you sis? What does that feel like to you? Do you feel jsut a sensation or another awareness?

Hannah

[Nemesis]

I feel like Hades over my shoulder, watching me. Not aiding, not hindering. Just watching.

I feel ill at ease.

[Hannah]

Hey Sis,

That's about the least pleasant way to have their presence, for sure. The fey aren't much for sustained observation, but there are definitely times when I know they are more actively with me than others.

This may be a make things better / make things much worse idea. Ask Hades why he's watching you and what he's waiting for. Wen I ask them, the Fey usually try to give an honest answer, but of course can't always provide a straight or helpful one.

Hannah

PS: If you want some help asking him, come on over when Matt and I get back from our mini-vacay and we'll try some things.

[Nemesis]

I'm not sure I want the answer.

[Hannah]

Sis,

yeah, the answers aren't usually that comforting, especially when dealing with things associated with death.

If it's any consolation, among death deities Hades really wasn't a causer of death, more its supervisor. So I don't think this is a Black Angus sort of sign for you. More like he wants a good vantage point to make sure the job gets done right.

Hananh

[Nemesis]

At least he's quiet. Not like Banshee's I've had follow me around like vultures in the past.

[Hannah]

I can see how that would get annoying.

Usually I just have music.

Hannah

PS: We need to get you some better friends.

[Ken]

What's wrong with her friends?

[Hannah]

Figure of speech.

Some folks, like my sister and I tend to attract paranormal presences. The ones that find me are typically more benign than the ones that find her.

That's what I meant by finding her some better 'friends'.

Hannah

PS: She's been doing good on the human friends front thus far though.

[Ken]

[Nemesis]

You're definitely one of the better friends, Ken.

I've made a few at school now.

[Ron Caliburn]

I don't care if he's a god of death or butterflies, if he wants to accompany my daughter he'd better be speaking to me.