Chapter 18

Salban stood near the altar at Circle Rock for the first time in several millennia. He remembered the many rituals of the Okula and the bloody spring rite of the Giver of Life. He could picture in his mind the nude maidens whose blood had stained this altar to appease him. The Node was close by and he could sense the power emanating from the machinations the powered it. After thousands of years it was once again functioning at full capacity. Repressed memories from a life long gone raised their ugly faces and opened wounds causing pain long forgotten. He remembered Alanon and Myan; feelings of loneliness engulfed him. It had been six thousand years since his last joining and his power was greatly reduced. He was easily the most powerful being on planet Earth, but any Triad of Malinarri could destroy him without difficulty.

When Alanon and Myan chose to leave rather than join with him in defiance of the Makers, he became bitter and fertilized the seeds of hatred in his soul. This planet was his prison, the universe contained galaxies beyond numbering and he was unable to leave this aborted creation. He resolved to change this world into a seething cesspool of evil humanity. Mankind was destined for so much more than they were. Within each was a power that could be awakened to bloom into creatures of awesome ability. Each human in singularity would equal Malinarri in Triad.

When Salban discovered the goal set by the Makers for humanity he realized that to let it continue would dissolve his power over the inhabitants of the Earth. Salban began to systematically sabotage the nodal network directing the evolution of the human species. Before the makers could take preventative measures only the gateway node and its watcher were functioning. This action by Salban caused the schism in his Triad and Alanon with Myan sought and received sanctuary in the gateway node. They asked guidance and the Makers came to Earth and tried to reason with Salban. Salban viewed this as betrayal by his partners and refused to capitulate. He was now in open rebellion against the Makers and war was threatened.

While Salban was organizing his strategy against the Makers, three priests from the followers of the Triad were called to Circle Rock and the medallions were given into their keeping. The Makers believed that open war would destroy humanity and this would not be allowed to happen. Alanon and Myan were given the choice of leaving or staying with Salban and they both chose to leave. The gateway was sealed against Salban and the Makers returned to their home world. The node and its watcher became silent and forgotten.

Salban viewed the retreat by the Makers as a victory and believed he had unfettered control of the Earth. Under Salban's direction the races and cultures of the inhabitants of the Earth became more isolated and warlike in nature. He installed religions that placed him as the object of worship and bloody rites were required from the followers. Much to his dismay total control was never achieved. There was always a small minority of humans who kept the religion of the Triad alive and the medallions hidden. The retreat of the Makers was not his victory but the prelude to his complete destruction.

Salban's thoughts returned to the present, he was robed in black and evil was his only companion now. The color blue was no longer his and black suited him better. He turned and walked out of the circle fading into the mist like a dark cloud of hate and malice ready to swallow the world.

Bobby walked quietly across the grounds of the compound he called home. It was headquarters for the organization he and John Salban had founded. The past ten years were a whirlwind of activity and growth. The small fanatical cult had grown into a world religion called Salbanism and he was the Most High Priest. With power and riches Bobby lived a life others could only dream. The religious order of Salban the Black had one rule, join or die. A wave of frenzied zealots swept the world leaving in its wake death and destruction. Salbanism was the practiced religion of ninety percent of the world's population and soon the other ten would either join or die. World domination was easily within his reach. The battles had been horrific and the casualties high with blood flowing like rivers, but one by one the governments of the world were absorbed into the fold of Salbanism with Bobby as the human head.

The building was a large brick building that had once been a hospital. It was beautiful with ivy growing on the front. Bobby walked into the lobby and waited for the matron of the dormitory to acknowledge his arrival. The occupants of the building were all girls between the ages of sixteen and twenty years of age. The most beautiful maidens available were chosen from among the vanquished nations. The girls were required to serve the High Priest of Salban for one year and then they were released to live their own lives. Bobby had 144 girls from different cultures, nations, and races to choose from, and this number always included at least one virgin. In most cases, the maidens were pleased to serve Salban in this capacity. They were rewarded with riches, honor, and respect by being allowed to serve supplicants in the temples of Salbanism.