Shodjov opened their eyes once more, bringing Shohepavi back to the surface of perception.
At once Shohepavi knew, ‘this is what Shov has revealed about how the djoʔ arose.‘
Shohepavi realized, ‘In the same way, I, Shohepavi, and my companion, Shodjov, arose. Eventually, we will dissolve back into Shov, and arise again as Shohepavi and Shodjov.’
Shohepavi became aware of not knowing both how many times this realization had been previously revealed and how many times this realization would be subsequently revealed. More than this once, it seemed, in either case.
‘This domain of dzaʔ appears white,’ Shohepavi observed, regarding the bright, depthless fog around them.
‘As does the sphere of dzuʔ,’ added Shohepavi, regarding Shodjov.
‘Your eyes look gold, Shodjov, my companion’, Shohepavi commented from a close distance.
‘And yours look green,’ Shodjov replied simply, with a relaxed expression..
With time, Shohepavi noticed that Shodjov seemed content to sit.
Shohepavi would sometimes sit with Shodjov.
Shodjov being a companion of few words, Shohepavi would sometimes get up and stand alone.
Sometimes, Shohepavi would pace around while Shodjov sat alone.
And sometimes, Shohepavi would dream upon the images that Shov had gifted.
‘How were the others doing..?’ Shohepavi wondered.
‘Nid, who felt the light.. Zes, who touched it..?’
‘The multitude of lights and shapes..’ Shohepavi reflected.
Shohepavi returned from that, to find themselves looking into the eyes of complete hunger..
The deep, red leer of Shiuthavi drew the firm, blue-eyed gaze of Shehesuvi.
A bead of sweat formed on his brow. A smouldering, pungent scent wafted about her.
But, as suddenly as the intense feeling seemed to arise, it then softened.
‘It has been so long,’ purred Shiuthavi, pulling herself to Shehesuvi with an imploring half-smile.
Shehesuvi touched her face. ‘I know what you have come for, Shiuthavi.’
Shiuthavi embraced him, holding the moist undulation of him within her warm, luminous expanse.
The disc of djiʔ ignited. The staff of djeʔ lit with electricity.
For a fleeting moment, all seemed to dissolve back into Shov.
With gaze resting low, and breath slowing again, Shohepavi became aware of a residual, vibrating friction coursing throughout Shodjov.
Where Shodjov had once appeared transparent, now Shodjov’s form became more visible to Shohepavi.
With time, Shohepavi began to feel more the weight of Shodjov.
And Shohepavi began to sense more the activity going on within Shodjov.
With time, Shodjov seemed to take more interest in standing up together with Shohepavi.
Sometimes, Shodjov would pace around together with Shohepavi.
And sometimes, Shodjov would sit, holding Shohepavi, listening to Shohepavi recall the images that Shov had gifted.
And with time, it became apparent to Shiuthavi that she was to give birth.
Noticing her condition, it became apparent to Shehesuvi that he himself was to support her in this.
Shehesuvi became aware of both not knowing how many times Shiuthavi had previously given birth and not knowing how many times Shiuthavi would subsequently give birth. More than this once it seemed, in either case.
As the moment drew nearer, Shiuthavi locked her red eyes, entranced in wonderment, with Shehesuvi’s cooling blue eyes.
And finally, it began to dawn.
The disc of djiʔ scowled with electricity. The staff of djeʔ burned with swollen embers.
Shov watched with curiosity.
A beautiful baby choʔ was born.