Antaeus: 3

By ISIS

Disclaimer and Notes: See part 1.

---

Chiana paced impatiently around the chamber she shared with Zhaan. Ever since Aeryn's disappearance, she had felt compelled to stay by the Delvian's side, but the forced confinement was beginning to frustrate her. Atarbeis had spoken of many fabulous parties and festivities and Chiana was afraid she was missing them all. "Frell! Where the hezmana did you get to, Aeryn?" she cursed.

Then she glanced back at the coffin-like container in which Zhaan lay buried up to her neck. The Delvian had not moved or spoken for the three solar days since they had buried her in the rich Gayan soil and placed her in the warm sunlight. Chiana moved closer, inspecting her friend carefully. There had been no noticeable effect over the first couple of days, but now, Chiana thought she could see an improvement in the Delvian priestess. The sores that had covered her head seemed to be fading and Zhaan's vibrant blue colour appeared to be returning. The smattering of gold flecks on her forehead glowed with renewed vigor. Chiana bent down to the unconscious form. "Zhaan? Zhaan, can you hear me?" but there was no response.

Suddenly her previously useless comm crackled. The Nebari leapt away from the sleeping Delvian and answered the comm with a furious whisper. "What?!"

"Chiana? Is that you?" Stark's soft tenor asked.

"Yes, it's me," Chiana replied. "How did you get through? These frelling things haven't worked since we got here."

"Pilot made some adjustments to the frequency. It seems that there is a lot of electrical interference on the planet right now. And it's building in intensity. Are you guys all right? How's Zhaan?"

Chiana grinned at Stark's voice. "Zhaan is still unconscious, but she seems to be improving. And yes, we're all right. At least I am. I haven't seen a sign of Aeryn for three days now."

"Three days! What the frell is going on down there!?" D'Argo's deep voice interrupted. Chiana still felt a stab of pain at the sound of his voice. "Where the hezmana is Crichton?"

"Crichton!? Isn't he still up there with you?"

D'Argo cursed. "No. Aeryn sent word for him to come down two solar days ago. You haven't seen him?"

"No, I haven't," Chiana snarled, growing more frustrated. "I've been in this room with Zhaan the whole time. Aeryn went off to participate in some ceremony three days ago and I haven't seen her since." Chiana shivered, feeling suddenly very vulnerable. "D'Argo, what's going on?"

"I don't know, but I'm beginning to get a very bad feeling about this," D'Argo replied. "Stay with Zhaan, Chiana. I'll try to contact Crichton and Aeryn." He paused. "Everything will be all right." Suddenly the comms roared with static. "Chi ...!? ...na! Ch ...!"

Chiana hit her comm a couple of times, trying to keep the panic out of her voice as she tried to re-establish contact. But the static became louder, then the comm went dead. "Frell!"

There the sound of movement outside the door and suddenly Aeryn and John appeared. Overcome with relief, Chiana launched herself into the Human's arms. "Whoa! Whoa, Pip! Calm down!" he cried laughingly. "What's the matter?"

"This place is the matter!" Chiana shouted, her fear quickly turning to anger. She glared at her two friends, who seemed happy and relaxed. "Where the frell have you been, Aeryn? I was getting worried. They took you away for that ceremony and I haven't seen or heard from you since."

Surprisingly, Aeryn let the Nebari's anger wash over her, unconcerned. Instead she moved over to kneel at Zhaan's side. However, Chiana's words caught John's attention. "Ceremony? What ceremony?" he demanded. Ignored by Aeryn, he turned to Chiana.

"How the frell would I know? She was the one invited, not me." Chiana glared at Aeryn, who continued to focus on Zhaan. The pair watched in astonishment as Aeryn bent down and kissed Zhaan's forehead. Then she got to her feet and approached them. "Aeryn?"

"It's all right, John. Nothing to worry about. It was the Exupnixo -- the Awakening ceremony. It's the opening of the fertility festival. It was rather boring actually. I don't remember much about it."

"Why did you get to go and not me?" Chiana demanded, feeling left out.

Aeryn smiled indulgently at the little thief. "Because I fit the criteria," she said evasively.

"Wait, wait. Why didn't you tell me about this before, Aeryn? I don't like this. Every time we get ourselves involved in 'ceremonies', bad things happen!" John declared.

Seeing his concern, Aeryn pushed him a little away from Chiana and Zhaan. "It's all right, John," she whispered. "It's what the Gayans asked in exchange for treating Zhaan. I play the part of this Zapheos -- 'Chosen One' -- for five days and then the festival is over. That's why I got that great room." She reached up and kissed him, oblivious to Chiana's growing curiosity. "That's why you were allowed to come down. The Zapheos gets her heart's desire for the five days of the festival." Aeryn kissed him again, this time more passionately. "I asked for Zhaan to be cured. And you."

John gazed down at her, unconvinced by her explanation. Before he could speak, Chiana interrupted. "So if you get everything you want, why don't you ask for a nurse for Zhaan so I can get out of here and enjoy a bit of the festival?"

Aeryn turned and grinned at the eavesdropping Nebari. "I'm sorry, Chiana. I should not have left you with the responsibility for Zhaan. I will do as you ask. You deserve to have a little fun as well." Aeryn reached up to caress John's cheek lovingly then turned and left the chamber.

Mollified, Chiana sidled up to John who stared after Aeryn in dismay. "Wow! Things really seem to have taken a massive step forward between you two." She smirked and rubbed herself teasingly against John. "You're good for her, John. Normally, she would have taken my head off. She's certainly changed -- for the better, if you ask me."

John stared uncomprehendingly at Chiana, his mind in turmoil. "Yes, she has changed. Frell! why didn't I see it?" He grasped Chiana's arms and pulled her to him. "Something's wrong, Chiana. I don't like this one bit. When the nurse comes, go out and see what you can find out about this Awakening thing. I'm worried about Aeryn."

Chiana stared up at her Human companion and sighed. "All right, I'll see what I can find out." She took John's hand in hers. "Don't worry, John. I'm sure everything is just as it seems. Zhaan really is getting better."

John smiled down at Chiana and sighed. Then he went over to examine the Delvian. "Yeah, I think you're right, Chiana. She looks a lot better." John reached down and brushed his knuckles tenderly along Zhaan's cheek. "Just humour me, will ya?"

"I will," Chiana promised. When Aeryn returned with a green and white robed Gayan nurse, Chiana bounded off, eager to begin exploring. Aeryn grinned at her enthusiasm, then linked her arm with John's and led him out into the bright sunshine to explore a bit herself.

***************

Chiana moved through the crowded streets, dodging revelers as they danced and partied. Her face was lit up with pleasure. A passing male offered her a drink which she readily accepted, pausing long enough to dance along with him, swaying to the music, but expertly evading his grasping hands when he tried to kiss her. She disappeared into the crowd with a backward grin, leaving the hapless Gayan momentarily bereft. But soon the music and another more willing female caught his attention and the attractive grey female's desertion was quickly forgotten.

Chiana found a temporary shelter against a wall, giggling happily to herself as she drained the tasty intoxicant from the glass. Following suit with the other revelers, she boldly cast the glass aside, delighting as it shattered against the wall in a shower of glass shards. Then she let herself be swept along with the rest of the revelers as they paraded down the street, the party growing more and more raucous as the music got louder and the intoxicants flowed freely.

As the hour grew later, the party still raged throughout the streets of the city. Chiana noted several couples pairing off and slipping into the dubious privacy of the shadowed alleys between the pyramids. She paused in front of one of them, grinning at the sounds of heavy breathing and moans of pleasure drifting into the street. For a microt she wished that D'Argo was with her, remembering with longing the passion they had shared. She leaned against the wall, mentally reviewing the events of the last few weekens. Her heart ached for the tenderness and the passion the Luxan had shown her while her spirit revelled in her current freedom, a freedom threatened by D'Argo with his well-intentioned plans for their future. Chiana leaned back and sighed for what was lost and what could never have been, draining another glass of intoxicant and tossing it carelessly away. "At least John and Aeryn seem to have worked out their problems," she thought with a grin, the thought reminding her of her promise to John to investigate the Awakening ceremony more completely. She surveyed the crowd carefully, finally settling on a reasonably sobre, geeky-looking Gayan who danced awkwardly on the fringe of the crowd. She swayed over to him seductively.

"Buy a girl a drink?" she asked, grinning triumphantly as the young Gayan's eyes widened at her appearance.

"Yeah, ... uh, ... yeah!" he answered eagerly. He signalled with what he hoped was forcefulness to a passing server. But the server ignored him so the Gayan had to reach out and snag two drinks and a bottle from the tray himself. The server glared at his unwanted customer until the Gayan threw a generous tip onto his tray in an effort to impress the alluring grey alien.

Chiana smiled up at him again and pressed closer to him. "Would you mind very much if we got out of this crowd for a microt? I've been dancing all night and my feet are tired. I just have to sit down!"

The Gayan stared at her in amazement then steered her towards a set of tables, deserted because they were too far from the party. Chiana fell into the chair with an unfeigned groan of relief. Her escort placed the two drinks on the table and drew his chair closer to her.

"I'm Latris," he offered. Chiana smiled back and gave him her name. "Uh, what species are you? I've never met anyone like you before."

Chiana grinned at him over the rim of her glass. "And you never will," she breathed, watching with delight as the young Latris blushed a deeper shade of green. "I'm a Nebari. I'm here with my friends seeking healing for one of our crew who is ill."

"Well, welcome to Gaya. You couldn't have picked a better time to come to the planet. Exupnixo is the most important festival of the year." The young Gayan grinned and waved his hand around. "And the biggest party."

"So I see," Chiana replied, warming to Latris. "But I don't quite understand. My friend Aeryn was invited to participate in some Awakening ceremony three days ago. They call her the Zapheos. What does that mean?"

Latris' eyes widened in shock. "Your friend is the Chosen One? That is indeed an honour, particularly for an off-worlder. Gaya does not choose to manifest herself in one not connected with the planet very often."

Chiana felt a chill at Latris' innocent words. "Manifest herself?"

"Yes, every cycle, Gaya awakens from her slumber. Seven eligible females are presented to her and Gaya chooses one to become her avatar for the duration of the festival. The Zapheos is then granted her every wish, even her deepest desires, for the five days of the festival." Latris leaned over and quickly refilled Chiana's empty glass.

"Well, that I do understand. Aeryn has been treated like a queen ever since we got here. She was even given permission to have one of our male crewmates join her," Chiana sighed and sipped her drink.

Latris laughed. "Well, it is a fertility festival," he said with a suggestive wink.

Chiana met his wicked leer with a laugh. "Too bad I wasn't chosen. I'm sure Aeryn is enjoying herself, but what a waste," she said more to herself than to Latris.

Latris leaned in close to her again. "Well, I must say, you look a bit young to have had a child."

Chiana choked at his words. "A child!?"

Latris stared at her in confusion. "Of course. The female chosen as the Zapheos must have had a child to ensure her fertility. You mean you didn't know that your friend had had a child?"

Chiana stared at the ground. "No, no, I didn't. But Aeryn is a very private person. Maybe I'll ask her about it when we get back to Moya."

This time, Latris looked extremely upset. "You really don't know, do you?"

Chiana stared at the sad face of the Gayan. "Know what?"

***************

Aeryn leaned against the moss covered wall of her suite, staring out at the rising suns of the planet. She had wrapped herself in a silver silken robe, tied at the waist. Behind her, John slept, blissfully unaware of the bargain she had made.

*Must it end like this?* Aeryn asked the entity in her mind.

*You accepted the terms of our agreement willingly, Aeryn Sun,* Gaya replied. *I have upheld my end of the bargain. Before sunset, it will be time for you to honour yours.*

* But Zhaan -- she's still not cured!*

*When your lifeblood flows into my soil, my fertility ritual will be completed. My powers will be renewed and Zhaan's health will be restored, as will all the other living beings that rely on me and my well-being.* Aeryn's mind was suddenly filled with scene after scene of the diverse flora and fauna sustained by the life energy of the living planet.

She heard a stirring behind her and her heart wrenched. *John!* She focussed on the entity in her mind. *What will happen to John? How can I leave him like this?* Her thoughts ran back over the passionate three days -- and nights -- they had shared. *Zhaan told me my death before devastated him. He wanted to die!*

Gaya sighed dramatically in her mind. *You know in your heart that John needs to find his way back to Earth. A place where you cannot follow. He will have to leave you, Aeryn. His happiness depends on it. And the future of his planet. Just as the future of mine depends on you.* Aeryn felt the tears stream silently down her cheeks. *This time with you will sustain him. He knows now how much you loved him. He was able to demonstrate his love to you. You must let him go on with his life.* Gaya reached into her host's memories and drew out a conversation between the two lovers from only a few short weekens before. *I shouldn't be here,* Aeryn heard herself say. Gaya spoke again, her voice low and persuasive.*You were right. You died, Aeryn. And in the natural order of things you should have stayed dead. But Zhaan broke that order and now she suffers for it. John will understand that what you are doing is only returning the natural order to its correct path.* Gaya felt the Human come slowly awake, reaching for his lover instinctively. *Say your goodbyes, Aeryn Sun,* she urged before withdrawing.

Aeryn remained staring out the window, but her vision was blurred by her tears. John padded up behind her, not bothering to pull on his robe. The Sebacean's resolve nearly faltered as she felt John slide his arms around her waist and pull her back against his hard body. "I missed waking up with you, Aeryn," John chided softly. He bent to press his lips against the soft skin of her throat. Aeryn relaxed into his embrace, letting her head tip back over his shoulder, exposing more of her sensitive neck to John's kisses. "Aeryn, when we get back to Moya, I want you to move in with me, to share quarters with me. I want to fall asleep every night in your arms and wake up every morning with you." He groaned and let his hands wander freely over her silk clad body, before loosening the ties and pulling the robe open. "Will you move in with me, Aeryn? Please!" "Yes!" Aeryn sighed as John's hands cupped and massaged her aching breasts. His mouth became more urgent on her neck and shoulder. She felt his growing hardness and pressed herself back against him, eliciting a moan of desire. John slid his hand up to wrap around her throat, turning her face towards him. He pressed his lips against hers, his tongue sliding sensually into her mouth. For a microt, they shared a tender kiss. Then John pulled away, tasting the salt of her tears.

"Aeryn, baby, what's wrong?" he asked, turning her in his arms.

For a microt, Aeryn didn't dare to look at him, her anguish barely in check. Finally she raised glistening blue eyes to his, a tremulous smile on her lips. "I'm just so happy, John," she lied.

John pulled her into his arms, holding her like the most precious thing in the world. "Ahh, my dearest love. I love you so much."

Aeryn sobbed bitterly, losing control at his words. But before John could react to her unusual behaviour, she had pushed him back towards the bed. "Love me, John. Please, love me!"

If John thought there was anything desperate in her request, his curiosity was soon wiped away by the intensity of her passion.

Afterwards, sated, John slept. He didn't even feel Aeryn's final farewell kiss. Or hear her tell him she loved him before she left him.

***************

John awakened much later in the morning to the bright sunlight streaming in through the open doors of the terrace. He reached once more for Aeryn but groaned again as he found her gone for a second time. He rolled onto his back and lay in the luxury of the living bed for a few microts then sat up, looking around the room for his Sebacean lover. However, unlike his first waking at dawn, she was nowhere to be found.

Not initially alarmed, John pulled on his discarded clothes of the night before and made his way down to Zhaan's room on a much lower floor of the massive temple complex. Along his way, he saw signs of the Gayans preparing for the final day of their fertility celebration. He whistled happily as he knocked on the door to the chambers Zhaan shared with Chiana, before pushing into the room.

Zhaan lay still unconscious in her bed of soil. John looked around but saw no sign of the young Nebari. Or Aeryn for that matter. He went over to Zhaan's side, pulling up a chair and sitting, staring down at the Delvian. "Zhaan, you have to get better, if only so I can thank you again for giving Aeryn back her life."

Seeming in response to his words, Zhaan suddenly opened her eyes and gasped for air as if surfacing from a deep lake. "Aeryn! No!" she cried.

John went to her immediately. "Zhaan! What is it?" He watched the buried Delvian struggle to free herself from the bed.

The Delvian turned her troubled gaze to the Human's. "John, you have to stop her!"

"Stop her doing what?" John asked urgently, scooping handfuls of the rich soil from around the Delvian, striving to free her buried body.

"From letting them kill her," Chiana replied from the doorway. "John, I found out what being the Zapheos entails. Aeryn will be sacrificed at sunset today and her blood drained into the soil to renew this planet's living energy. Gaya is a living creature!"

John stared at his two crewmates in horror. "What?"

Chiana joined him in uncovering Zhaan. "That's why Aeryn was granted her every desire. It's a trade-off for being sacrificed."

"Does she know this?" John demanded.

"Yes," Zhaan replied. "She is the avatar of the spirit of Gaya. It's like Unity. Two souls sharing the same body." Zhaan sat up as the last of the soil fell away. Chiana and John helped her to her feet.

"But the treatment -- it's not complete!" Chiana cried, seeing some open sores still plaguing the Delvian.

"The only way to complete the treatment is through the death of the avatar!" Zhaan said, stumbling as John and Chiana helped her from the bed. "I will not allow that!"

John waited until he was sure Zhaan was all right, then he turned to Chiana. "Get Zhaan to the transport. Try to contact D'Argo up on Moya. Tell him we may need to get out of here in a hurry!" John headed towards the door. "I'm going after Aeryn."

Zhaan called out to him, making him pause. "John, as long as she is in physical contact with the planet, Gaya can control her. You have to break the contact."

John raced out the door,"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Just like Antaeus. I'll bring her back."