Interview 1

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today, Mr. H,” I set my recorder on the table, “Do you mind? Helps with my notes.” I smiled at the gentleman sitting across from me. The mysterious interviewee who contacted me out of the blue less than 48 hours ago.

“Not at all, Ms. Morel,” he took a sip of coffee before setting the cup down with a gentle clink, “I wouldn’t thank me just yet though.” The man smirked devilishly.

“Why do you say that?”

“I will tell you of the knowledge I possess. You may ask all the questions you’d like. Any I choose to answer will be done so honestly, but if your scientists cannot probe me, strip me of my atoms and analyze me, then humanity will never accept what I’m about to tell you.”

“Then why did you contact me?”

“As a favor for a friend.”

“A friend?”

“Yes, an associate of mine. They go by many names,” their smirk appeared once more, “We’ll call them J.”

“Okay, so you’re here because of this J person,” I jotted down a quick reminder to ask about this “friend” on my notepad, “Alrighty then, let’s begin with your name, Mr. H.”

“I will tell you my name that was given to me by humans at the end of our conversation. For now, you may continue to call me H.”

“Will “I” be joining us later?” the words fell out of my mouth before I could register them.

“You’re already here.”

“That I am,” I smiled as I cringed inside, “Mr. H, what is it you wanted to speak with me about? You mentioned on the phone that you were in possession of some profound knowledge that would alter humanities’ understanding of our own history. Will you elaborate on that?”

“What do you know of gods?”

“God? Are you referring to the big man in the sky?” I took a sip of my espresso.

“Not only God, in the Christian sense, but gods, plural. All gods.”

“There’s a lot of them in various cultures throughout time. They’re myths, legends of the past. Powerful. Liked being worshipped.”

“What if I told you they were real?”

“Which ones?”

“All of them,” he took a sip of coffee and waited.

Staring quietly at the man across from me, I analyzed him. There was nothing particularly remarkable about him. He was Caucasian with a solid tan. His clothes were relaxed fit, beige slacks and a white tee shirt bordering shaggy, but his suede loafers gave him away. Saint Laurent carried quite a price tag. His eyes were the only thing that stuck out. They were dark amber, but I’d noticed a golden glint, particularly when he smirked. He didn’t exactly exude delusional, though I wasn’t ready to rule it out.

“I’m not really sure what to do with that statement,” I downed the rest of my espresso and motioned to the waitress.

“Consider life on this planet. To a human, diving to the depths of the ocean is impossible without the proper equipment and even then, it only gets you so far. To a giant squid or a Greenland shark, it’s perfectly natural.”

“How does that relate to your statement?”

“Humans observed our extraordinary, yet perfectly natural abilities and applied the label “gods”, when they were simply beings born into this universe. Aliens if you will.”

“Our?” I didn’t blink. He cut his eyes towards me before reaching for his cup once more.

“Look at all the wonderous things humans have created. Underground cities and skyscrapers, science and medicine, fantastical technology. The accomplishments are extensive. To a koala, humans would seem like gods,” his golden eyes burned into me, “Gods are merely beings who know how to play in the sandbox better than humans. You split atoms. Gods can manipulate them as they desire.”

“So, where did they all go?” I motioned again to the waitress who seemed to be ignoring me.

“Most of them died. Gods presented the illusion of immortality; however, they were never truly immortal. So far, nothing I’ve come across has been.”

“And how long have you been coming across things?”

“A very long time, Ms. Morel.”

“A long time? So, you’re saying that all of the gods throughout human history are aliens and most of them have died, and I’m just supposed to take your word for it?” I felt my patience diminishing.

“I’m sure there are a few outliers, pure myths and legends born entirely from the human imagination, but yes, for the most part, they all existed at one time or another. The ones that were said to have interacted with humanity, likely truly did.”

“And you’re one of these gods?”

“Would you believe me if I said yes?”

“I don’t know. Do you have any proof to back these claims up? I mean, come on, you’re telling me that gods are real and were aliens. I can’t, in good faith, accept this as fact without proof to support it,” I said, unfazed. The endless parade of once in a lifetime events had taken their toll.

“Would you have me do a magic trick?” he began stirring his coffee with the tip of his finger.

“I would need you to do something to prove who you were and what you’re capable of,” I watched as the cup began to steam once more. He lifted his finger out of the cup. The tip of it glowed brightly.

“What are you, E.T.?”

Smiling, he lifted the now warmed coffee and took a long sip before setting it back down, “No. Humans once called me Helios.”

“Helios? As in the titan? So, you’re not a god?”

“Gods, Titans, Humans, Aliens,” the tip of his finger stopped glowing, “All silly labels. We’re all beings that exist in this universe, each with varying degrees of talents and capabilities.”

“And your talent is glowing and warming your coffee back up?” My throat burned with thirst. Forget coffee, I needed water. I waved an arm at the waitress. She didn’t acknowledge me.

“I am a being of light. True to the legends, humans cannot look upon the true form of many gods without suffering the consequences. You see what I have shaped my light for you to see.”

“A blonde white guy is the best you could come up with?” I sighed aggressively, annoyed I was being ignored. Pushing my chair back, I stood as he shapeshifted before my eyes to reveal a mirror image of myself.

“Is this more suitable?” his voice matched mine perfectly.

Sitting back down slowly, I glanced around nervously.

“Don’t worry, no one can see us. We’re not being perceived currently. In addition to bending my own light, I can bend that of suns’ and conceal or reveal what I wish,” he shifted back into his previous form.

“Is that why I can’t get any assistance? I’m invisible currently?”

“Apologies, I’ve frustrated you,” he raised a hand and motioned for the waitress, “Ma’am, would you please bring my companion here some cold water and a fresh espresso, and a croissant would be fantastic. Almond, if you still have them.”

“Absolutely, coming right up,” she smiled richly before leaving. I stared at him, my irritation slightly diminished.

“Okay. Say I believe you. You’re Helios. What exactly am I supposed to do with this information?”

“Share it with the world. Humans need to reframe their history with the various beings of this universe, none of which should ever have been worshipped, prayed or sacrificed to.”

“Why is it so important that we understand this?”

“Your world is on the brink of changes humanity may not survive. Reframing the past will give you the chance to reshape your future and heal not only humanity, but this planet. No god was ever meant to save people. The salvation of humanity is very firmly in the hands of humans.”

We sat quietly for several minutes. My brain scrolled the endless feed of all the once in a lifetime events I’d experienced during my short existence on this planet. So many outcomes could have been different if humanity had set their differences aside and worked together to create heaven on earth, rather than pray for one after death. How different would our world be if we took all the energy spent worshipping deities and poured it back into our home, into our blue rock hurtling through universe.

“I don’t disagree, but you said so yourself, unless our scientists can analyze you, they’ll never believe a word you’ve said.”

He pulled a small, glowing vial filled with an ochre liquid, “Give this to whatever scientist you trust. They’re free to analyze it until they’re satisfied.”

“Is that blood?” I picked up the tiny container, eyeing it closely.

“In a manner. It’s a very small piece of my being. It will prove what I am, though it will not prove all I’ve said. Nothing but death will prove that.”

“Death?”

“All I’ve said will be understood in what you call the afterlife.”

“So, the afterlife is real?” I shifted uncomfortably, unprepared for this revelation. The small vial shimmered.

“Yes. I will not be elaborating on that any further,” He nodded at the waitress as she set down our order, eyeing the vial curiously before leaving.

“Thank you for this,” I shoved it in my pocket, “I have a friend I can take this to here in the city. I trust him.”

“Be warned, that sample is for analysis only. If anyone attempts anything beyond that parameter, I won’t hesitate to vaporize whatever necessary to keep humans from erring grievously.”

“I’ll let him know, but like I said, I trust him,” I took a deep, filling drink from my water glass, “It’s the inevitable second opinion that could get problematic.”

“The legends of Helios were not entirely inaccurate. I see all. I’ll correct any problems before they begin,” he bit into the croissant.

“Right,” my interest in Greek mythology had never been more than passing, but I recalled how Helios saw Aphrodite’s affair with Ares. I swallowed hard, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He smiled deviously, “Wise decision.”

“I only have one more question. You mentioned you’re here for a friend, this J. You mind elaborating?”

“Let’s save that for the next interview,” he set his cloth napkin on the table.

“What makes you think there will be a second interview?”

“That vial in your pocket and J,” he tucked more than enough money under the side of the croissant plate, “It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Morel. We’ll be in touch.”

Standing, he gave my hand a brief shake before sauntering away down the sidewalk. I watched the titan god Helios curiously, wondering if I’d ever see him again. The light around him folded and he disappeared.