POWERS OF DARKNESS

God Ra was talking to Osiris the goddess of afterlife and rebirth. Ra said “Mankind has appeared not only on earth but on other planets like tellus. Do they all think and act tḥe same way?”

Osiris said “Yes. I’ll quote two cases which I readily remember. The first is a case from Rubi Isle on planet tellus. As you know tellus is earth’s twin only it is younger by about 800 years.”

Ra said “I’m listening.”

The following was narrated by Osiris:

Mankind is under sentence of death but under indefinite reprieve. People try to use lines on the palm of the hand or interpret dreams and nightmares which come out of darkness to know their end. People of Rubi Isle including Flex a rich citizen, would traditionally approach chief witch Wizma with their dreams and nightmares for interpretation and to know their fate.

A Man of God (MOG) now appeared on the scene and counseled those who approached him. This made Wizma unhappy as the number of her clients dwindled: They were drawn to MOG.

Flex was one who had absolute faith in Wizma, but he increasingly came to trust MOG which angered her. She cast a spell on him so that he would disbelieve MOG but it didn’t work. He continued to consult her. Hearing his nightmare she had forecast that a falling tree would kill him one night. She was wrong as Flex was killed by a snake bite. Next I will tell you about Jag of Reed city on earth.

 Jag was a tall handsome man who got the opportunity and learnt to operate railway engines. After training it was his duty to take a passenger train on an overnight journey from the city of Reed to the metropolis of Crule. He was married and they lived in a quarter allotted to him by the railways.

Jag was extremely God fearing and worked hard for the safety of passengers. However disturbed by circumstances, he went to a MOG in Crule and confessing said “I’m Jag from Reed city and live there with my wife. I drive trains which frequently brings me to Crule. Here one day recently as I was having breakfast someone stole my phone. I suspected one of the catering staff and complained to railway police person Lily.  She recovered my phone. Police formalities had to be completed and as the case against the suspect progressed I fell for her as she was willing. I’m a married man and due to my illicit affair have thoughts of committing suicide. However an expert astrologer has studied my horoscope and has said I’ll live to an advanced old age. Please counsel me.”

MOG said “I understand your predicament. Your problems are due to adverse planetary movements. I must talk to Lily to find a solution. Send her to me.”

However Lily said “I’ve no faith in these God men. The problem is with you. You’re afraid of your wife. There are courageous people who get rid of their wives and manage to marry the woman they love. I know a contract killer who can arrange for the safe exit of your wife to the other world. Say yes and your wife will be dispatched. I assure you it will be done in a most humane way.”

Jag could never harm his wife and thought of fleeing to somewhere unknown or commit suicide. He remained greatly depressed and his wife was worried.

Jag often had a nightmare: “I am in the village where I was born and raised. I am on the river bank. It has no quay for bathers. I could enter the water anywhere convenient. I feel like having a bath in the river. I cast off my clothes and approach the water. I step into the water as I used to when I was a boy.  I haven’t noticed the silent approach of the crocodile a new thus far unrecognized entrant in the waters. The saurian reached for my leg and it was about to be sliced off when I wake up from the nightmare. “

That night the same nightmare came to him. He woke up screaming. His wife asked him “What is wrong?”

He explained the nightmare and that it was recurring.

She said “It portends some danger to you. You should be extra careful.”

Jag approached MOG in Crule and recounting the nightmare asked “Does it portend impending doom? Will I be killed?”

He said “It is only your belief that it portends evil. You say it has occurred in the past as well. So don’t worry.” Jag couldn’t make out whether the seer had said it to merely reassure him or from some esoteric inner realization of what might occur.

That day Jag’s wife said “Let us take a holiday.”

He laughed and said “It only means I’ll be a traveler instead of the engineer.”

“I mean let us fly. I’ve never been on a plane.”

Jag considered her request and told her “I can’t take you abroad as I lack funds. But we can fly to some destination within the country for a week.”

She agreed. Jag was happy he would escape the nagging Lily. He fixed the resort they were going to. While setting out, as they neared the parked aircraft for boarding Jag suddenly felt fear due to his nightmares. Would the plane crash killing all on board? He felt it could be one way out for him. But they flew safely and returned after enjoying the holiday. He was on duty again after return.

That day Jag reached Crule when Lily met him and said “I won’t wait any longer. I give you a week to decide.”

Jag approached MOG who assured him that he would live long and would triumph over whatever difficulties he faced. That night it was a long train and two engineers, Jag and another, were to drive it. Starting off on schedule, Jag in the cabin said “Pinto, I feel depressed and won’t sleep. You rest as I keep going.”

He said “I had a siesta. So don’t worry.”

It was near midnight and they were going at top speed. Jag and Pinto kept watching the rails ahead in headlights. Their eyes were also on the signal lamps alongside. Suddenly their cabin was flung off the rails and there was a huge noise as the train crashed. Pinto fell over Jag and that was the end of both of them. An earthquake had torn apart one of the rails causing the whole train to derail. It resulted in multiple casualties with countless wounded.

Osiris had finished the narration.

Ra said “I see mankind is the same on whichever planet they appear with the same beliefs and fears    in them. It was nice listening to you.”

END