The Eternal Quest

A Dragon's Soul: Chapter 3

Written & Illustrated by: Rick Merriman

Barak, Father of Darkness by Rick Merriman

The One , of course, always knew of Siberlee's arguments and what her answers should be for Siberlee to grasp them... long before Siberlee even conceived the next point for her debate. Besides all the reasons she gave to Siberlee for not creating a creature who could speak, there was more. The elder deity also knew that the love Siberlee was sure to show these new thinking creatures would eventually become an issue with Barak, if not all of the Gods and Goddesses. It is thought that The One considered all of this well and knew the answer should remain “no.” But even with the Gods there are sometimes exceptions, and Siberlee’s desire for a talking beast became one of these. For above all, The One loved her daughter Siberlee…and when Siberlee began to cry true tears of sorrow and loss once she realized The One would not change her mind… with those tears, and with love for her daughter, The One finally succumbed … but with a caveat. “I will grant this, but it may only be used three times in all of eternity, and only once by each of the first three Gods I placed on Mernac - for they are the wisest. So only you, Barak, and Sola will learn this. Now Siberlee, once cast, the creatures will learn to speak slowly. It will be up to you alone to teach them. I will not do it for you. And mind you, these new creatures will not have a soul.” “If we ever speak on the subject of souls, they are sure to want one,” Siberlee said meekly. “You are beginning to have wisdom, I am proud of you, my daughter,” the elder Goddess replied. “You are right. So they may earn one with time. If after 7,000 Seasons, they have learned and prospered. And if when asked by you and your brother Barak certain questions, they and they alone can correctly answer, then they may earn the soul that any thinking and speaking creature is sure to crave.” “But what questions will Barak and I ask them?”

The Eterenal Quest

“Ask them this: The reason why they, or any being on Mernac, was created? If they answer correctly, ask them: What greater purpose do they serve in the universe? If both are answered correctly, then, and only then, they will be gifted a soul. Is it agreed?”

Excerpt: A Dragon's Soul ~ Circa 7,000 BM

“But how will I know if their answers are correct?” Siberlee questioned. “Child, for those questions, if you hear the right answer… you will know.” “And if they are wrong.” “Then you will ask them again in another 7,000 Seasons,” The One replied. “7,000 or 14,000 Seasons! None but the Gods and Goddesses live for so long. So will they be immortal creatures, just as we are?” “The firstborn of this new species will be immortal but none other. It will be the firstborn to whom you will eventually ask these questions. It is by them and what they have learned that it will be decided if their race will gain souls. Is it agreed?” “Yes,” the young Goddess acquiesced softly. “Then here are the words and the spell you must cast. Except for revealing the spell and words to Sola and Barak, you must promise to always keep them secret. As I have explained, there is much danger in having this power, and others should not learn it.”

Next Chapter

Legend

Legends TOC

Series Forward

(In Chronological order)

Acknowledgments and Thankyous
Forward: The Birth of Writing
Prolog: The First Scribe

History is Studied

Book 1: Siberlee's Good

#01 - On The Matter of Good
#02 - In the Beginning
#03 - The Two Moons of Mernac
#04 - The First Chandralee
#05 - A Gift for the Gods
#06 - Of Light and Life
#07 - The Mother of Nature
#08 - Controlling the Light
#09 - Only on Chandralee
#10 - He Came with the Wind
#11 - The Ethereal Elements
#12 - The First Quarrel
#13 - Measurements of the Gods
#14 - The Beginning of Change
#15 - The Seed of Jealousy
#16 - The Coming of Traejen
#17 - The First Forgiveness
#18 - Child Gods
#19 - A Test of Good
#20 - The Decision of Good

Time Passes

Book 2: Barak's Control