The First Bloodletting

## Prologue

As all people know, though some remember better than others, our world was drawn forth long ago from the Waters of Chaos and given light, form, life, and purpose. But nowhere in our great books of lore is it written that this was the only world created by THE HOLDER OF ALL NAMES, nor even the first. Across the dark waters from before time has come to me, by some unseen messenger of THE ONE, stories of a world much like our own.

Here I transcribe one of the earliest stories, of the children and grandchildren of Alkiezador called the Iladium. Alkiezador, called Allfather, was the first name distinguished from THE HOLDER OF ALL NAMES, and given form. He planted the world tree Mishtar in the Waters of Chaos and tended to it as it grew tall and beautiful. In the center of the tree, from which the four great branches reached out, a vast flat plain was created called Glenn. Here Alkiezador dwelled and drew out from Mishtar many things. With the constant guidance of THE ONE he called forth seas and hills, grass and flowers, birds and fish, cattle and small creeping things. Even amongst all this wonder, Alkiezador grew weary and sad, having none to share it with, so he sat apart from his many subcreations and drew into himself for a time. And there, within himself, on the second heat beating within the right side of his chest, he perceived a second name was written. Try as he might, he could not read the name, so in desperation he took a sharp stone and tore the heart from his chest, quickly passing out from the pain and loss of blood.

When Alkiezador awoke, the heart he had dared all to look upon was gone. He stood quickly in a panic, but looking down found the wound on his chest had been washed clean and wrapped in soft leaves. He sought long in vain to find the one who had healed him, until finally he found a bright valley filled with every kind of bird and flower. There, surpassing all the surroundings in grace and beauty, stood Zephadora, now called Archmother.

Their children and grandchildren, the Iladium, were born as Alkiezador with two hearts in their chests. The name of the first was visible to the other Iladium from birth, the second hidden until revealed through blood and pain. The first born was Empyrion, who grew to be the tallest and strongest ever to live upon Mishtar, though his great might was never used for violence in all the ages of the world, and he and his wife Eretis took over the tending of Mishtar after Alkiezador and Zephadora departed. But that was not to occur until the end of the age. To them were born two sons, Golerex whose wife was Heradia and Jovus whose wife was Hestia. Second born of the Archmother was Hygatha, who never brought forth his second heart. Next were born twins, Adameos and Angelos, and it is of them that this story tells.

## The First Bloodletting

Zephadora was surprised when she felt the beginnings of labor. Though time was difficult to measure in those days before sun and seasons she knew it had been less time than with her first two sons. She and Alkiezador were at the edge of the world, between the branches of earth and water, calling forth from Glenn the first turtles. The Archmother told her husband she was had a new foreboding with this birth, so Alkiezador hastened to bring her to the Pure Valley, which had been prepared for births by Eretis when her daughter Heradia was first pregnant. But Zephadora bid him stay and finish the half-formed turtles. Pondering what his wife's feeling could mean, and how the peaceful world would change, Alkiezador gave the small, fragile turtles strong armor to protect them from whatever the future might hold.

Zephadora was already breathing heavily when she found her daughter Eretis merrily spreading strawberries across the wilds. Smiling, the second woman put her strong beryl arm through the dark indigo arm of her mother and walked with her over grassy hills and through burgeoning grape vines to the Pure Valley where a warm pool awaited them. For the first time in all her births, the Archmother was afraid.

Alkiezador did not terry long with his new creatures, but still he heard the loud wailing of the child before arriving at the valley. There Saar, son of Golerex and Hestia, firstborn of the fourth generation of peoples, was holding the Allfather's new son, who was named Adameos. The youth was enamored with the tiny great-uncle in his arms, seeming not to notice the wailing of the newborn. Of the seven sons born to Alkiezador, only Adameos did not perceive his father's face first of all things after birth.

After a long moment staring at his new son, Alkiezador noticed that Zephadora still stood hunched in the bloodied waters with Eretis holding her hand, and not resting among the white primroses on the hillside. He quickly waded out to her, as her labor renewed, and before long Eretis drew from the water a second child, not loud and robust as his brother, but limp and breathless. Though death had not yet come to Alkiezador and his descendants, it was given to plants and animals from the first so that having run their race they could return to Mishtar. Seeing the still pale form in his arms, Alkiezador knew this fourth son of his, Angelos, would be the first of his kin to pass the gate of death. His fatigued wife looked up and saw the water tears gleaming in her husband's eyes. He shook his head, handed her the child, and looked away. Zephadora, holding her silent son, put her lips upon his and breathed life into him. Three times the Archmother gave her breath to Angelos, and on the third he returned it, letting out a tiny sigh. Then he breathed in the unsullied air of Glenn on his own and slowly opened his small eyes seeing first his astonished father and then his laughing mother.

The twins were the closest of friends during their long childhood. Bold and confident Adameos led his brother on many adventures, seeking the fiercest and strangest of creatures wrought from the world tree by their parents, standing at the edge of rocks peering past the rim of Glenn over the Waters of Chaos far below, and pestering their elders with questions about the world's short past and unknown future. Angelos followed quietly behind his brother, taking in all the sights and sounds of Glenn, never half-finished experiencing a place or thing before being dragged off to something new. During the few restful hours the boys spent apart Adameos enjoyed best the company of Golerex and his strong tall children, especially Saar the eldest, who was always happy to help Adameos find and reach new wonders. Angelos would sit for long hours with Jovus, the younger son of Empyrion and Eretis who was a master of using and crafting language.

It was during a discussion with Angelos on the nature of thought that Jovus was summoned by Eretis to join his wife Hestia at the Pure Valley. Angelos came along and so was there when from the water was drawn golden-haired Leo, the first child of Jovus and Hestia. Hestia smiled as Eretis handed her the bright-eyed child, but her words were strange. "This firstborn of my children will strive and suffer long and will stand alone upon Glenn when the Allfather returns." Then either crying or laughing, none could tell, she held the boy close and climbed the white hillside while all present stood shocked and perplexed.

Hestia never said why she spoke as she did, and most of the growing family of Alkiezador were content to let it be and enjoy the beauty of the still young world tree. Adameos though, when he heard the words of Hestia, was greatly troubled and pondered long what the future would hold. Golerex and Heradia had many children in those days, of the fourth generation born with one heart, male or female. One day while Adameos was walking alone he saw two of the boys, Chason and Rafesh playing together on a hill. Rafesh had caught a bird of great beauty, with feathers of every color yet known on Glenn. Chason though, claimed to have seen the bird first and demanded Rafesh hand it over. Rafesh argued, convincingly it seemed to Adameos, that catching a bird was of greater difficulty than spotting one, and besides he only wanted to look at the bird for a short time then Chason could have it. Their argument continued, and Adameos, being nearly full grown, was tempted to intervene but decided instead to watch how these two, seemingly alone, would resolve their conflict. When it became apparent Rafesh would not be convinced by words, the stronger and swifter Chason took the bird by force, shoving his brother into the mud and losing many of the beautiful feathers in the process. Horrified, seeing for the first time strength used to prevail over another's will, sat stunned until long after the boys departed from that place.

As the twins neared their full stature, Adameos became eager to draw out and perceive his second heart. He hoped that he and Angelos could take the leap together but his brother, ever the slower to action, was hesitant. He had spoken often to their brother, Hygatha two-hearted, who seemed that he may never undergo the division, seeking to understand why before making a change that could not be undone. Adameos' yearning eventually won out and he went out to a quiet place, surrounded by still water, and with the same sharp stone used by his father, brother, and nephews, cut free the beating heart behind his right-hand ribs.

When Adameos awoke his second heart Evenella, was lying beside him on the soft grass, studying him. Seeing his eyes open she smiled and moved closer so their noses touched. Adameos laughed and Evenella joined his laugh her voice full of the pure joy of life that had always been a part of him. Eager to experience all the wonder of Glenn again, now as two walking side by side, Adameos did not return to the house of Alkiezador for a long while.

When they found Evenella was pregnant, Adameos decided to bring her home by way of the Pure Valley. As they neared the crest of the green hill bounding the valley, they heard labored breathing below them. Soon they beheld Hestia giving birth alone in the warm pool. She had gone out in secret wanting none to hear if the voice of prophesy came upon her once more. She had not seemed to have noticed the couple's approach, but moments after Hestia drew from the water her daughter Gemini, both mother and child turned and stared at Adameos and Evenella and Hestia spoke: "Your children will be ruled over for all ages by the children of your brother Angelos." Then Hestia turned back to her daughter and wept, Adameos stood stunned, and Evenella fled from this, her first meeting with any person except her husband.

Though angered that Adameos had, Hestia was sure, stolen her daughter Gemini's opportunity to hear her fate, she agreed not to share what had been said with the other children of the Allfather. Adameos found his wife and after long pleading convinced her to continue on to the house of Alkiezador. Angelos was the first to see his brother's approach and rushed out to greet them both with great joy. Though no way of tracking time had yet been devised, Adameos knew they had been gone a long time and was truly excited to be home. The family had grown, with three more daughters born to Golerex and Heradia, and the Archmother Zephadora once more with child. She embraced her daughter Evenella warmly and the love between the two quickly blossomed. Evenella helped Eretis to attend to their mother when her fifth son, Apzullen, was born.

From the first glance Adameos could tell that Angelos still had his second heart hidden within, but still he asked his twin where his talks with Hygatha two-hearted had led him. Angelos said he felt he was called to follow their second brother's example, to watch and take joy as the world filled with people, but not to stay put and hold grandchildren on his knee. Hygatha had put thought into leaving the living world to climb the branches of the world tree to see what lies beyond, in the dark canopy, and Angelos said he may follow, though not of course until after his twin brother's first child was born.

Adameos relaxed and grew happy then, since the prophesy could not come to pass. Still, he thought about the words, particular the word "rule over", or "shallought" in the language of the Allfather, which signified directing the path, as a hill may direct a stream or a branch direct a supported vine, or even as hunger may direct an animal. As the world continued to be drawn forth from Mishtar, Adameos watched with interest how each decision was made. His father, Alkiezador Allfather, seemed to make the final decisions, but often did not act as he originally designed. Zephadora often suggested changes, as in the case of butterflies which she insisted needed to know what is was like to crawl on their bellies in order to fully appreciate flight, and sometimes Alkiezador resisted but usually he gave in to her suggestions. His first son, Empyrion, very rarely gave suggestions, but Adameos saw that in every case the Allfather accented. Was that, Adameos wondered, because Empyrion towered over his father, and could certainly achieve his will by force?

All of Adameos' ponderings vanished when his son was born. Taaz, remembered in ages to come as the Unfallen Man, the Lost Patriarch, the Lawgiver of Golhom, and the First of the Faithful, was then a pale and pitiful creature, and was loved beyond measure by Adameos and Evenella. Adameos, with the help of his grand-nephew Saar, built the grand home named Misgav atop a high hill with pillars of onyx, alabaster, marble, and adamantium supporting a crystal roof crafted by Angelos. The house had a spring that poured from near the top of the hill and was surrounded by tall rose bushes planted by Eretis, except the entrance, which was an archway built of dark deepstone mined by Hygatha. There Adameos, Evenella, and Taaz dwelled in peace and happiness, for a time.

Angelos was holding his nephew in one arm and a caterpillar in the other, watching the child stare in disbelief as he closed his fist around the insect and laugh with joy every time he opened his hand to reveal it. He turned to see if Adameos and Evenella were watching, but they were sitting with their feet in a pool formed by the spring, staring at one another and smiling. Angelos marveled that they still bore such love for each other after gaining an incredible child that seemed to demand and merit all attention. It was then Angelos decided to forego his plans of travelling alone, face his fears of losing the power and wisdom of the feminine heart inside him, and follow his twin brother's path. He went first to tell Hygatha, with whom he always took council, then set off alone into the wilderness.

When Taaz was asleep at Evenella's side, Adameos went to find food for them. He found Hygatha sitting on a rock, contemplating a fox carrying a rabbit back to its den, and asked if he had seen Angelos. When Hygatha told him what their brother meant to do, Adameos rushed immediately after him. He did not know what he would say, but he needed to dissuade Angelos and prevent the prophesy. For long Adameos sought in every direction, in every place where Angelos and he had wandered, but saw no sign of his twin. Finally, he returned home and told all to Evenella.

"My children will not be slaves" declared Evenella (the word "evedi", which later meant slave, was then used only to describe the lower castes of hive insects subservient to a queen). After long discussion of their options Adameos had become resigned to accepting whatever fate befell them, but at his wife's words he arose once again and began pacing their home. In his woolen bed Taaz wailed unheeded. "Then we must flee Glenn" Adameos replied, refusing to consider the only other solution that they had seen. He gathered what food he could carry and grabbed the sharpened stone he had used to draw out Evenella's heart, in case there were dangers beyond the edge of the world, and Evenella put Taaz on her back.

In a deep place he had found long ago and used for solitude Angelos sat and meditated. Behind him an undying primordial fire glowed, reflected in many colors off the various gemstones that protruded everywhere from the stone walls. In his lap lay a knife carved by Hygatha of deepstone that reflected no light, a single point of darkness in the glittering cave. He found now that his right heart with its secret name was too precious to him to put at risk, despite how greatly he wished to make his second soul incarnate. Then it occurred to him that there was another way. He set the tip of the knife below his left ribs and tore his own conscious soul from his body.

Telling no one, Adameos and Evenella departed. They walked far from the House of Alkiezador then made for the place where the Branch of Earth touches the rim of the world, known in later ages as Autumn's Gate. Having travelled for many hours, they sought a secret place to hide. Adameos spied a low opening under a rock, and helped Evenella to descend, but before he could follow her, he saw a figure he did not recognize approaching and stood clutching his sharp stone behind him. As the figure approached, he realized it was his own twin brother, but somehow changed. Angelos seemed shorter and his once golden hair was now deepstone black, but his bright eyes and smile at seeing his brother were the same as ever.

Angelos set down the jug of water he had been carrying back and went to embrace his brother but stopped when he saw the cold intensity in Adameos' face. "You have done it then?" asked the elder twin.

In the cave, Evenella heard breathing and soon found a woman lying on the ground, with blood on her chest and a knife beside her. She knelt and picked up the black blade, still dripping with thick drops of blood. At the sound the woman, Malakez, opened her eyes and, seeing Evenella, screamed.

Hearing the scream, both brothers startled and turned to the cave. Both made for the door, but Angelos was quicker, starting head-first into the hole. Thoughts raced through Adameos' head. Though they had never spoken of it, he knew it had occurred to both he and Evenella that if Angelos were no more, the prophesy must fail. Had Evenella acted on this unspoken evil? If so, how would Angelos react to his wife being slain? And his child was below as well. Adameos dove after his brother, grabbing his legs so that both fell head down into the steep narrow passageway. Angelos rolled over in shock and anger and attempted to dislodge his brother, but the stronger Adameos pulled him closer and, hardly knowing what he was doing, plunged the sharp stone directly into Angelos' chest, just left of his sternum, where his heart ought to have been.

Seeing her husband's struggle in the dark cave entrance, and the killing of Angelos, Evenella knew she had a choice. It was a choice she had pondered long ago, soon after her heart was given its own body. And long ago she had decided she would share in the fate of Adameos for good or for evil. So trembling but resolute, she turned from the lifeless Angelos, and plunged the deepstone blade into Malakez' chest.

After a silence that seemed eternal, Taaz awoke and began to cry. Without speaking Adameos and Evenella arose. Adameos rolled a stone in front of the cavern that had now become the first tomb. They washed their hands with the jug Angelos had left outside the cave, and returned to their home, Misgav. It wasn't until they got back that they realized with horror that Taaz had somehow picked up the black knife and carried it home. Once the knife was buried and Taaz was asleep in his bed, the silence returned. Neither broke it, until Hygatha arrived at their gate to tell them that Jovus and Hestia had a new son, Scorpio (later called the god of war), and all were gathering to celebrate.

When the wearied family arrived, Jovus asked if they had seen Angelos. Before Adameos could come up with an answer, Hygatha said that he had spoken to Angelos, and that he may be away from the house of Alkiezador for some time. Then Angelos and Evenella were relieved. They had stayed away long after their hearts were divided, and Angelos had often spoken of going beyond the edge of Glenn, it would be no surprise if he was gone for ages, and who knows what dangers and secrets were out there, they said to themselves, so that Angelos might not ever return at all.

When next Adameos slept, he saw the name of Angelos before him and awoke frozen in terror. He said nothing to Evenella thinking it was just his guilt, but then it happened when he slept again. After the third and clearest vision, he told Evenella and she confessed that she too was seeing a name when she slept, that of Malakez. This continued for three more rests, then on their seventh rest the names finally faded. On awaking, through the crystal ceiling of Misgav, Adameos and Evenella saw two gleaming lights on the dark empty sky. Much speculation was made, as even the Allfather could not say what they were, but whenever they were discussed Adameos and Evenella remained silent. One year later (as time would later be recorded) a third dimmer light appeared, bringing into question their assumption.

Another half a year later, Adameos and Evenella had managed to mostly forget their sin and get back to life as it had been. The Iladium continued to form the world. Adameos formed from Mishtar tall grasses, thick vines, sharp brambles, and deep secret pools. Evenella drew forth swift hares, deep burrowing gophers, and far flying geese. Taaz began to walk, to speak, and to grow particularly fond of his uncle Hygatha. Evenella conceived a second child. The third light in the sky grew in brightness.

Adameos and Evenella were in their home, Misgav, enjoying the world's first harvest of blueberries with Hygatha while Taaz played on the earthen floor, unnoticed as he excavated a large ant colony in search for the queen. No one saw as the toddler unearthed the rocks meant to hastily seal away the shameful knife or heard his gasp as he pulled the treasure out and brushed off the ants and dirt, but they heard the scream after the child fell running to show off his discovery and fell upon the still sharp blade. All three ran to the child and Evenella lifted him up, shaking violently and with torn clothing wet with blood. Adameos told Evenella to put Taaz on the table and make space for Hygatha who was a great healer of animals. Hygatha, carefully pulled the cool, dark blade from the wound, then saw it was his own design, given to Angelos as he left to divide his hearts.

"Where did you get this blade?" he whispered, taking his hand of Taaz and the gushing wound on his side as he stared transfixed at the deepstone knife.

"Please help!" sobbed Evenella cradling her son's head as he began coughing blood. But now the deadly weapon was pointed at Adameos.

"Where did you get this blade?" Hygatha shouted, stepping towards his brother, "Where is Angelos!?"

The shaking and coughing ceased as Taaz fell limp on the table. Adameos, his back against the great onyx pillar, gave in. "I killed him" he said softly. Then more loudly "I killed him but Taaz did not so save his life!"

Hygatha stared at Adameos in disbelief, then with incredible strength and speed stabbed the deepstone knife through his brother's shoulder and into the onyx pillar. He then ran back to the boy and used his gifts to close the wounds and restore Taaz to a state of deep sleep. He placed the boy in his bed and saying nothing to Adameos who was grunting in pain trying to dislodge the knife or to Evenella who remained kneeling by the bloody table weeping, he left to find the Allfather.

Adameos and Evenella were kept in Misgav while the Allfather and his children discussed what to do with them. The debate was long, and the time approached for Evenella to give birth. Ultimately, the Allfather decided that Adameos must die. Evenella would live, imprisoned in Misgav, until her children were full grown, and a decision would be made then as to her future. Adameos accepted this ruling, and after saying goodbye to Evenella and Taaz was bound to a pillar. All the Iladium and their children stood in silence as the deepstone knife was taken up by Alkiezador Allfather, and he made ready to slay his son. None saw that the third light, which had been far away in the sky, was growing quickly closer and brighter. Just as Alkiezador was about to strike, the house was filled with blinding light and he dropped the knife. While the single-hearted children of Golerex and Jovus could see only light, the Iladium could make out a name hitherto unknown to them: Maraha.

From the light a powerful and beautiful voice, with gentle command declared "Do not this deed, noble grandfather. Vengeance belongs only to the Giver of Names, and vengeance He will take." Though no figure could be seen, Maraha seemed to turn now to Adameos. "Sower of death, death shall you reap. It shall be an inheritance for your children and your children's children on to the ending of all ages." Then in a whisper only heard by Adameos, "take heart uncle, my parents' hearts are unharmed and their love for you unchanged." Then the light faded ascending into the sky, and Adameos wept bitterly.

## Epilogue

As the years passed, more stars appeared in the sky, a new star marking the beginning of each year. Though Adameos and Evenella brought death to Glenn, and suffered the consequences, they were not the only children of the Allfather to spill blood. As the family grew conflicts between the children of Golerex and Jovus emerged. Alkiezador's fifth, Apzullen, had a son with his wife Tiamat named Marduk. But when Tiamat became pregnant by Golerex, Marduk slew her in anger, and the twins in her womb would have perished if Apzullen had not sacrificed himself to bring her back to life. Alkiezador's sixth son, Yogsyloth, rejected Mishtar completely and made his way into the dark waters of chaos. The Allfather himself seemed to follow suit, when he departed from Glenn not saying where he was going, taking with him Zephadora, their seventh son Diadar, and his wife Fellorien. Empyrion and Eretis then left as well, to tend to Mishtar from without, having grown too large for Glenn. After their father departed, fierce war was waged between Golerex and Jovus, and the children of Jovus were torn to pieces which their father carried away into exile (though with the power they discovered in the far branches of Mishtar they would later be called gods). Even the children of Angelos and Malakez were not free from strife. It was seen after many stars had filled the sky that a great portion of them fell in flame, far below Glenn into the waters of chaos.

Adameos lived for 500 years after the slaying of Angelos. At the end of his life, he and Evenella were still living in Misgav, but the house was now part of the city of Golhom. Their twelve sons, the patriarchs of the twelve nations, lived alongside the seven sons of Diadar and Fellorien, called fey, and the children of Golerex and Heradia, the giants, who were in constant war with the dragons, Golerex's children born of Tiamat. Adameos felt a weariness overwhelm him and knew it was time for him to depart, but he knew not where his spirit would go. As his wife, sons and daughters, and three generations of grandchildren gathered to send him off, Adameos saw them fade until the house was empty, except for one figure standing in the center of the room. Angelos, with scar still present on the left side of his chest, spoke at long last to his fratricidal twin. It is not known what words he spoke, but a faint smile was seen on Adameos' wrinkled face as he closed his eyes for the last time.