The Stroke of Midnight

The Gods-1

The Gods

The mists rolled in from the ether. Curls of fog churned and twisted as seven shadowy figures shuffled slowly through the haze towards a brightly lit area, the boundary of which was marked only by the powdery outer edges of the illumination. One followed the other as they had done for countless millennia, skirting a large transparent table until the first of their number had come full circle. Only when each of the towering beings had taken their place at the table did they sit; the chairs materialising out of the vapour in a form that was both pleasing to the eye and comfortable to sit on.

For a long while the gods sat in silence, their light-filled eyes staring straight ahead, uninterested in the face opposite or the space beyond it. They had been ancient when the world they governed was new. They had observed with fascination the origin of the planet known as Earth, as molecules of dust and ice combined to create a living entity.

The fledgling planet had acquired an atmosphere and life had sprung from bubbling pools of minerals, and this life had evolved, forever changing and improving upon itself.

They had watched the evolution of man with particular interest. From a primitive indiscernible from its simian relatives it had branched out, exploring the world which gave it sustenance and all the mysteries that the universe could conjure up. However, in a time considered short by their standards, the most successful of the Earth’s creations had begun to turn on itself. Mankind’s lust for power and greed, the very force which drove it ever forward, was destroying it. Money and beauty were the measure by which a person was judged, and those that were not like the majority were cast aside for their lack.

When the gods had settled in and were ready the transparent table top began to cloud over. Shadowy images began to form, becoming clearer and drawing the attention of the assembled present. Each of the gods looked down, observing the earth below in silent contemplation. Their eyes saw into every corner, into the hearts and souls of each man, woman and child. They saw the love and the hatred, the greed and the generosity. But their lips remained closed. Whatever could be said about the human condition had been said before.

One of the gods, Jamondinatavada, had been observing with particular interest those men who fornicated with other men. Every time the gods met to check on the state of the world he was drawn to the bedrooms and backrooms where these men coupled. He had seen them go from men that were accepted as part of society, even revered as shamans, to men who were ostracized and even tortured. The evolution of the homosexual had captured him so completely that he could not focus on anything else.

::Fascinating, aren’t they?:: said the god seated across from him, sending his communication telepathically in the way of their kind.

Jamondinatavada nodded.

::We have often wondered about them,:: said another, telepathically.

Jamondinatavada nodded again.

The other gods continued their vigil of the planet and its inhabitants, Jamondinatavada’s thoughts began to wander.

“I would like to go down and spend some time with these people,” he said finally.

The other gods looked up.

“Why?” asked one.

“Mixing with the mortals is dangerous,” said another. “We know about them but we are not one of them. It is difficult, even for us, to walk amongst them and go unnoticed.”

“But some of you have gone before,” countered Jamondinatavada.

“Only in stealth,” came the reply. “At night or in the shadows. We have stayed at the edges.”

“I will be careful,” promised Jamondinatavada. “I need to satisfy my curiosity and what I bring back I bring back for all of us.”

The other gods nodded and made noises of agreement.

“Then you shall have twenty-four Earth hours to sate your curiosity,” said the oldest entity, Matonamathrusa, the head of the gods.

“You shall gather all the information you can in that time and return to share it with us.”

Jamondinatavada nodded and then rose from his seat.

“Thank you,” he said, bowing his head respectfully. “I shall not linger any longer. Send me immediately.”

The gods bowed their heads and a humming noise filled the space about them. The vibration of their chants caused the very atmosphere to waver and slowly Jamondinatavada disappeared.