River, Forest, Mountain

The naked, blonde man studied his reflection in the river. Odd that it kept changing, but he did not seem to mind. He instinctively ran his hand through the water, for a face had appeared that was familiar. Strangely, no wave disturbed the surface. Golden hair; blue eyes; pointed ears; tan skin; these had once belonged to him. His limb had slowly become transparent as he had sat mesmerized by the different reflections. The face shifted quickly to something lupine and alien.

Was he disappearing into the wind? Shouldn't he feel fear? The trees with their sparkling silver leaves rustled, but provided no answer. Down the narrow path that led to a distant purple mountain strode a tall figure. The Felinari'i clad in flowing red robes raised his striped arm in greeting.

The man spoke softly in recognition, "Irri'in."

The tiger god chuckled. "The transition takes much. Personality is only a cloak we wear to cover the soul. In this place it has little use. But true knowledge will never fade, Dah'ri."

The words that had formed his name kindled a thought. He had helped others made like this one, but the details were hidden. His eyes narrowed in concentration, but little came to him. Bits of voices and fleeting feelings ended in a great struggle with evil.

"It cost you your life," Irri'in remarked solemnly.

"Death...that explains much," Dah'ri replied calmly. He gazed at his barely visible hands. "I thought oblivion would be the gift."

Irri'in laughed, and the heartiness of the sound changed the leaves to red-gold. "There is no oblivion. That is the greatest error of the personality."

Dah'ri smiled, and that unexpectedly warmed him. "It is stranger than this. Fascinating."

"You can partake of that adventure, or another I offer you."

The man's hands darkened slightly with reality. "Curiosity. My downfall?"

"One of your special qualities," the god said with amusement, "along with your knowledge of botany. My people on Third Earth need you. You can serve them through the intercession of Dandara and myself."

"Dandara?" His phantom lips phrased the named carefully.

"She is the Goddess of All That Grows."

A wave of energy made Dah'ri shiver.

"You must decide, my friend. Your personality pattern is decaying." Upon the god's hand rested a rainbow sphere. "This is all that is left of your body. Its energy components are necessary to give you a new adult form should you chose to serve."

It all seemed so distant. He knew he had suffered, but he had forgotten why. And yet, there was something he lacked: a bridge to another.

Irri'in sighed. "Attachment is costly, but this much I will reveal: All universes must balance. In the end, those you have left behind will follow, and everything will be corrected."

"Then do with me what you will." The reply had risen from his heart, and he knew it to be the right one.

"Dandara!" the god shouted.

Irri'in's thunderclap voice shook what little remained of Dah'ri. In his trembling he gazed upon a Felinaria, who was golden and green. She called the orb that Irri'in held. It floated briefly on her hand before she devoured it.

Dah'ri cried out in protest at the unexpected action. His voice froze as Irri'in suddenly merged with him. He dissolved into nothingness as the two gods coupled.

*****

The peace of oblivion had not lasted. Dah'ri opened his eyes, and quickly sat up. He leaned forward, and looked at the river's edge. It showed only one reflection now, and he could easily disrupt it with his very solid hand.

"Does it seem fitting?" Irri'in asked.

Dah'ri traced the shape of his face. He recognized himself as he had appeared in his prime, but outward changed had occurred. He had become one of the Felinari. His short fur was golden, but his eyes remained a royal blue. The cut of his darker gold mane formed a helmet upon his head. That would have to change, he decided vainly. I prefer it long. He searched his mind for his past as he marked the violet radiance outlining him. Much of what he had been and had experienced had died in the frenzy of the gods.

"You are of the desert cat race now," Irri'in remarked, "but, unlike others of this clan, you possess great strength, endurance and mind powers. They are remnant gifts from your old form. You will have to discover what your mind can do, for I do not know. The original psychic patterns are gone."

Dah'ri stood. "Knowledge I must gain on my own."

Irri'in smiled broadly. "Precisely. That is part of the adventure, my precious jewel for you." The god sliced the air with his hand.

Dah'ri found himself garbed as his benefactor in robes of red. He wore on his shoulder a gold badge shaped into the form of a rose.

"Very handsome, my lord," the god announced smugly.

"The rose?" Dah'ri asked.

"Always perceptive. That is one reason I and Dandara have chosen you."

Dah'ri looked quickly around suddenly realizing that the Goddess had gone. "Is this from her?"

Irri'in nodded. "Yes. The rose is the outward symbol of powers she has bestowed upon you." The god smirked. "Those too you must discover by your worthiness." He pointed to the road. "The aura protects your form. You cannot stay here in flesh for very long. You must get to the gate before it fades, or truly all we have wrought will be nullified. The impracticality of a traditional rebirth will befall you as this dimension tries to rectify the intrusion."

Dah'ri walked past the god and put his foot to the path. He hoped he did not have to venture as far as the mountains. He took a moment to sense the life that coursed once more within himself, and prayed for success, steeling himself for the inevitable journey.

"I should be on my way. Will you walk with me awhile?" Dah'ri asked. He turned to face his benefactor, and found he had addressed no one.