Realms of Eden: Book 5: Hyak Anali

"I know that they did now," said Sydney gently, "perhaps they did it to protect us. I do not know. But from the time I could understand that I was the protector of my sister, I looked out for her in every manner, even to the point in time when she needed a man in her life. I became that as well."

"How did Belinda feel about that?" asked the gull.

"She did not know, and I never told her," answered Sydney. "I never told any of them about Marlena. They did not know her as I did. Did not see the gentle artist with her need to protect the worlds. They only saw a woman who they felt was a threat to them!"

Angrily Sydney paced the room, the gull impassively watched. "She gave of everything to try to make them happy. Becoming Myra in the conclave of cities. It hurt me, Charley. It hurt me very badly. I needed to kill Elam to bring her back, to make her come out of the machine and stand beside me again. The hell with the rest of them, Marlena is my life!" Sydney screamed his declaration to the ceiling.

"No my son," came a stern female voice from the gull that stood on the desk and glared at the big man before her.

"She is not the only thing that makes you live. The nine are the most important to you. Marlena is the one thing that you strive towards. She is yours, has always been. But not now. When Retsam Elam dies you will find out the full truth. Until then you and she will take your moments together. My daughter has been very clever in tying that pleasure to two of your other daughters. Though if you paid more attention to Marion you will find that the pleasure would be tripled.

"Enyalius, you do not understand what it means to have someone burn for you or you for them as I and your father did. We could not even touch!"

"Then how did you have us?" asked a shocked Sydney as he sat upright in the chair before his desk.

"We did not," came the reply. "Jebidiah took from us part of our essences and combined them to create you. You are our progeny in every way. Just as Marlena is as well." The gull glowed brightly then disappeared from in front of Sydney before he could ask what she had meant.

"You think you found Bacchus' answer to the question of what you were missing. It was only part of the solution Enyalius, Marlena is the part of you that you need to bond back with and you cannot do that while Retsam Elam exists!" came to his mind along with the image of the gull dancing in the strong winds outside the lighthouse. A gleeful cry came softly to his ears as the gull climbed the sky and vanished from sight.

"It appears that I must plan carefully, mother," Sydney sent into the ether. "If I and Marlena are to become what you and father envisioned in our creation."

Nothing answered his statement except the howling of the wind.

Chapter 9 – The battles within

Sydney flung the ball from where he had fielded it deep in the oval back to Cliff Wilson with a force that almost rocked the keeper from his feet. The resounding smack of the leather into his gloves made most heads at the training session turn in surprise. "Hey Sydney, take it easy will you," called Ian Creighton. "Poor bloody Cliffie has already got two inners on. The last thing we need is another keeper with a cracked finger."

"Sorry!" called Sydney. Ian Creighton watched his champion batsman getting ready to resume his catching drills. The high ball was easily plucked out of the sky by the man's large hands and the throw back to Cliff Wilson was much gentler. Peter Bond clapped as the ball landed softly in the keeper's hands over the single stump they were using.

"Better!" called Ian.

Sydney waved and gave the watching people a grin. He waited for the next ball.

"He is going to explode soon Ian," said Robert quietly as he strolled from where he had been talking with Dean, Simon and Gareth over to the grey haired coach.

"I know Rob, but I haven't got the foggiest idea of what to do about it! He is training 12 hours a day. Then he spends hours going over vid and tactics. Bugger me there are only three changes to the test side of the Solomon Islanders to the one day side. You would think he should know them all by now!" retorted Ian.

"Perhaps he is simply making certain, Ian. After all we have not beaten the Islanders for many years in one day cricket," suggested Peter.

"No it is something more than that Bondy. Look around they are all tense because he is. They are full of testosterone and fight. All of them are competing so fiercely against one another just to try to ensure he sees them. It is making life very difficult," said Ian sadly.

"We need to get back into competition, something that will get their energies diverted into something useful. I have had to stop Caveman and Gareth from bowling in the nets. Any more bouncers and they will end up killing someone. Even Mike and Quicksilver are bowling faster and more aggressively than they ever did. No we need to get them back into the games. Why we let there be such a long break between the end of the last test and the beginning of the one day matches is beyond me!" Ian Creighton's eyes showed his own frustration that he was having to be a psychologist as well as a coach told Robert that the grey man was almost as bad as his players.

"I suggest a game of football, Ian," said Rob with a grin. "Something where he, and a few others can get physical. You are right, there is far too much testosterone in the air. I think a few of these boys need to either find some willing fuck mates or get stuck into one another on the battlefield."

"You know Robert," said Ian excitedly, "that may not be a bad idea. I will see if Willy's boys want to play soccer against them. Let's just cross our fingers that they don't end up killing each other."

Robert nodded his head in the direction of the colourful islander coach. "By the looks of it Ian, Willy is just about at the end of his tether as well. There has been too big a break between test cricket and one day. They are all just about to go mad if they don't get some competitive action soon."

Ian and Robert walked over to Willy to make their suggestion. Willy was on the phone, "I don't fucking care!" he screamed into the screen. "If you don't fucking turn up to training soon the boys are going to think you have lost it! I know you don't want him to know," the coach's voice dropped, "but please Carmela tell me you are still ready to lead this lot?"

"Of course coach, but things are tense here. The wives are barely talking to one another. Sydney hasn't slept with anyone since," Belinda's eyes dropped. She dashed a hand across them wiping away the tears before she faced the man again.

"I know my goddess," whispered Willy. "The whole fucking island is holding its collective jewels and crossing their legs waiting for something to happen. If we don't play cricket soon there is going to be one hell of a gap in the population in nine months time!" He cut off the connection as Ian and Robert reached him.

"Fuck it Ian, Robert, if something doesn't happen soon this place is going to explode into so much bickering it will be like fishwives at a market!" the coach indicated the scuffling between Brendan and Abraham. "Cut it out you two!" he bellowed.

"Just what we came to talk to you about Willy," began Robert. The old coach looked at him with sudden interest. "We think that waiting for another 5 days before the first one day game is too long. How about we organise some other competition before then?"

"Like what, a wrestling or boxing competition? I could use that to belt some sense into some of these boys," grinned Willy.

"We were thinking more along the lines of football," said Ian.

"A night game with some modified rules. I think the boys need to rough each other up a bit. Perhaps we could split the teams into bowlers verse batsmen, put the keepers in as goalies. What do you reckon?" asked Robert.

"What sort of rules are we talking about here, Robert? I don't want to see them get broken but they are all ready for a fight. You will need some strong referees," replied Willy.

"Referees we have in spades," said Ian and he nodded to the women around the field watching Sydney fielding.

"The wives!" exploded Willy. "Some of those bitches need to get out on the field themselves!"

"Yes I know the feeling," bemoaned Robert. "Annie and Sandy have just about been at each other's throats ever since they found out about each other."

Willy lifted his eyes in surprise. As far as he knew the big man in front of him always had the pair with him.

"No!" said Robert quickly, interpreting the coach's look. "They found out that one was in Enyalius' elite corps while the other was a foot soldier. Has made up a bit of competition between them as to who was the best soldier. It is the same story all around. They are playing off against one another as to who was closest to the leader!"

"Ronnie has become a one person battle ground," said Ian, "it seems if I can't fuck her hard enough I am not fucking her at all. It's been like that ever since she found out she was scout leader for Enyalius' elite force."

Willy chuckled. "You know boys," he said conspiratorially as he moved closer to the men, "it seems Sydney has opened up some fierce competition among the old teams. Let's see if making them knock heads against one another can get it out of their system and make them realise that they are still fucking Sydney's team!"

"And what better way than to make him the referee," said Ian with a sly grin. "Willy you and I can be the linesman, this lot don't need coaches or trainers, they just need to knock the shit out of each other. Let's make the leader work twice as hard by having to enforce the rules."

"Ian you are a crafty old bastard!" exclaimed Robert. Looking at Willy's joyful face he added, "And so are you Willy!"

A silent and invisible observed chucked as he watched the three co-conspirators. "It is about time you three learnt your place," Ea whispered to himself. He waited until the coaches sent the boys and girls off to showers and homes before he alerted them to his presence.

"Gentlemen," he rumbled in amusement. "I think we need to make this battle of the teams into something very real for all of them. Also I feel that we should make it as public as possible. This island is full of very uninhibited people and I think that can work to our advantage. Robert if I give you some names do you think you could organise the matches to be played at a place where no media can get to them?"

Robert scanned the list that Ea gave him. "These are some, if not all of the chieftains and priestesses of the Solomon's, why do you want them here?"

"Because they will have the greatest influence on the guests that they will bring to watch over 60 naked combatants belt the crap out of one another to put a round leather ball into the back of a fishing net!" The normally stoic old god roared with laughter.

"The story will make the place go nuts, Ea," said Robert. "There is no way that we can put on such a public display!"

"Only those that attend with their chiefs will know the players are naked, Robert. Anyone else that attends uninvited will simply see a friendly game of soccer," the realm master assured him. "Trust me," he added with a smile before he disappeared.

Ian, Willy and Robert planned well into the night. Robert found that his phone rang continuously with the island leaders ringing him to confirm their attendance and the numbers that they would bring with him. The venue was booked for the afternoon and night two days hence.

"Now to tell the players," said Ian wearily as they sat around the table sipping tea. It was after midnight.

"Oh no we don't tell them," said Willy. "By my understanding, Ea is going to be bringing the Kiwis back here as well. There are only about 40 here, including the women. I think they are just going to find themselves in the right place at the right time." The old coach began to cackle like an old woman. Ian and Robert found themselves joining him.

Next morning Sydney found himself rudely awakened by the fierce hammering on the door of the lighthouse eyrie. With bleary eyes he opened the door and was surprised to find Ea standing waiting for him. "Come out here, Enyalius," Ea said.

"Let me get some pants on first, Ea," said Sydney grumpily.

"They will not be necessary, youngster," said Ea as he turned his back and waited for the warrior to follow him.

Bemused Sydney followed the tall man out onto the balcony that surrounded the lighthouse. Ea pointed to the Majestic that seemed alive with workers as they crawled over and through the boat. Sydney could see the changes that were happening on board. The boat was being prepared as a floating head quarters for the battles to come. With a heavy sigh he watched the doors opened on the re-situated sick bay. It was the one place he feared going on the boat.

"Yes Sydney, no warrior longs to find themselves with the doctors and nurses that must necessarily staff the hospital section of Majestic. However, if you do not do something with them soon, too many of them are going to be there in the beginnings of the battles to come," said Ea sternly.

"So what am I supposed to do! There are no enemies to fight, no battles to engage in. We are sitting around waiting for something to happen," came Sydney's exasperated reply.

"That has already been taken care of for you," came the humorous reply. "What you have to ask yourself is how you prepare to be their leader."

"I don't understand Ea!" cried Sydney. "Where is the enemy? What are his numbers, what is he trying to achieve?"

"The enemy are your warriors, your wives and the people around you. They will number twelve aside. Eleven on the field with one reserve. They are attempting to put a round leather ball into the back of the fishing nets that stand at either end," Ea smiled as he turned to the shocked man.

"What!" Sydney exclaimed.

"The battles will last twenty minutes each time. New combatants will take the field and begin again. They will continue to fight until only one man or woman stands. The battles begin at midday tomorrow. You will be the referee!" Ea explained. With a wave he gave Sydney a whistle and then disappeared.

"Soccer!" screeched Sydney as he re-entered the room. "A fucking soccer match!"

"One with no rules, Enyalius. Only the ones you decide to enforce," said Charley as she landed on the railing outside the room and looked into the interior.

"Do not get dressed for my sake," the bird continued. "I actually like watching the large worm that swings and jiggles between your legs as you move. I am curious though how such a tiny piece of flesh has your partners panting as they take it and hide it within their bodies. It certainly has no place to fit into mine."

"How then did you give or receive pleasure, mother?" the man asked as he returned naked to the railing.

"Not everything in pleasure is to touch or meld together my son," Charley replied. "The essences of the mind can do wonderful things. As you already know my child. As you have seen with Bonnie and Alison who can make each other float in joy without being anywhere near each other." The bird cocked its head at him. "And they do not need to be participating in the acts of sex to give each other that pleasure."

Sydney regarded the creature as it fluttered hovering in the wind that blew against the tower. He smiled and sent a tendril of love towards the bird. "I know you do my son, even if you do not understand who or what I am. You feel my love for you as someone who created you, but not as someone who raised you. In time you will understand why you feel this for me and for the darkness that is your sire. However, you have failed to realise how many of your followers love you without really understanding who you are, only what you represent. It is not your fault, it is the way of all great leaders. But to remain a good leader you must show them that you love them too," came the reply in his mind. "Now go and do what you must do for the good of your fellow warriors."

Skipping across the field to his coach he whistled merrily. "Good morning Ian," he called as he approached the man.

"Morning Syd," said Ian gloomily.

The man turned to face his young champion and Sydney stopped in shock at the large bruises around his old coach's neck. "What the fuck happened to you?" he asked in a shocked tone.

"Your fucking housekeeper is what!" the man spat. "My neck is not the only place she has covered with her marks. Made by teeth and lips that I thought were going to devour me. For goodness sake Sydney can you please go and fuck her! At the rate she is using me up I will be dead in a week!"

Sydney fell to the ground in fits of laughter. Helplessly holding his stomach as his bemused coach looked on. "I am not the only one suffering, Sydney. Your self-imposed retreat to the lighthouse has got the whole fucking lot of them on edge. Some of them react in strange ways." Ian nudged his foot against Sydney and directed his gaze to Gareth and Cavemen.

The two of them were forlornly sitting together back to back. In front of them stood Brenda, Fiona and Mina, from the looks on the men's faces the women were not telling them how much they admired them. "Sandy and Annie are just as bad," said Ian as he pointed towards Jason and Robert being similarly berated by the two women they shared.

"What the hell is going on?" cried Sydney.

"They all are full of battle lust Syd, they just have nowhere else to direct it. Those they love are copping it from everyone," Ian said sadly.

"So hence the soccer matches tomorrow," Sydney said softly. He held up the whistle Ea had given him and Ian nodded.

"Your role Sydney is to make sure they don't kill each other," Ian said. "I think I will send this lot off to do some shopping or something. I can't stand seeing them like this."

Quickly he cleared the grounds of all the players, wives and support staff. With a sigh Ian trudged back towards his rented hover and prayed that the hell cat waiting for him at the motel was still sleeping.

Chapter 10 – Until the last one falls

The room where Serenity, Jennifer, Kelsey, George and several others found themselves was spacious. The group had appeared there together and, Kelsey giggled, naked. Looking around the room she recognised a couple of the Kiwi players, including Rod Jamieson.

"What the fuck is going on now!" bemoaned George as he observed the fit bodies around him.

"You are going to war, soldier," came Sydney's voice as he appeared in the middle of the group. Serenity and Jennifer almost hissed at him as he stood there quietly waiting for all eyes to fix upon him.

He looked at them in some disbelief at their fierce attitudes. "See these," hissed Serenity as she grasped her full breasts. "What do I have to do to get you to come and play with them!"

"You lock yourself away from us when we are new brides in need of our husband's attention!" snarled the equally as angry Jennifer.

"But you spend more time with your old warriors and talking to a fucking seagull!" snapped Serenity.

Sydney grimaced but then ignored his fired up angels. He shifted his attention to the rest of the group.

"In ten minutes you will go out that door and you will take your places on the field. The game is a simple one. Kick the ball into the net at the other end of the ground. You must not touch it with your hands. Except for you, Alistair, you are the goalkeeper. Hands only in the designated boundary. I am sure all of you know the rules of soccer," the man said.

Heads nodded around him. "You all know one another, you have battled as a team for eons. You will not need anything else to designate your team except that knowledge." Sydney waved as he disappeared.

"Well who are we playing against?" mused Kelsey.