by Sheryl Seal
After some years had gone by, openings into other worlds started to appear at our borders. Oria put wards up to keep anyone or anything from coming into our home. The world had changed and there was new evil and many strange creatures all over the land. We could not take a chance with our tribe. We would not take a chance with our children.
Even though my parents are the God’s Tutokanula and Tisayac, did not mean there was anything they could have done. It has never been for them to decide fates. I knew they were feeling hopeless as they watched what was happening to their son now. They could not interfere however, and this keeps them silent from my ears. I do not pray they help; for I know the laws that we live by.
My Golden Queen could help me, but she will never know where I am. I cannot take the chance that he will capture and torture my heart and soul. The things he would be able to control if he knew of her or my children’s whereabouts, would be no less than another total collapse of the new worlds.
My mind goes back and forth and my thoughts are scattered as many memories surface. I try to remain focused on the one thing that brings me peace and takes my mind off of the pain that my human flesh feels. “My love, my heart and soul, Oria…”
Certain things catch your eye
But pursue only those
That capture your heart.
Old Indian saying
Chapter 11
I remember when Oria came from Bridalveil Fall. I had watched her before that time, as she grew and in visions sent to me by The Great Spirit. I knew the day she would be coming. I had clothes prepared for her that I had borrowed from Aponi. Oria had been swimming in the pool when she was transported to the Beyond. She was finally here and the most beautiful creature in all of the lands. He Great Spirit had blessed me.
It took a very long time for her to trust me and there were a few hardships we had to overcome. Our love grew and our trust in each other never wavered once we were married in the new world. She was as beautiful back then as she is today.
We will always remain young since the night we were united and became one. She was very afraid the day she found out she would one day be as young looking as her children. One day we will be watchers of Ahwahnee while our children lead the Dwellers.
I reflect on our wedding night for the first time in many years. I think over time, many just forget the feelings of the first time you are with the one that you love. I have never forgotten and each time Oria is in my arms is like that first time. We had waited for a long while to be together and it was not an easy feat. I remember at every turn, she would try to ensnare me with her charms. I had made a promise to her father about keeping her virtue intact until we were married and I took that vow very seriously.
It was the decision of the tribe that there be marriages and repopulating began immediately in the new world. I was ready to marry Oria, so it was no hardship that it came sooner than originally intended.
The night we were married there were many couples that said the vows during the ceremony. I do not remember their faces; I only remember my heart and soul and the look in her eyes of total commitment. Her beautiful auburn hair which is usually wild and bouncing all around her face was tamed with a beautiful Eagle feather braided on one side. She held one of her favorite flowers in her hands. I had once given her a white Lilly and now she twirled one as if she were nervous.
She wore a calf length white tanned dress she had borrowed from one of the other women, which was unusual for her because she hated dresses. She was always more comfortable in the men’s tanned leggings and tunic. I think she liked this dress that had beautiful beaded designs worked into it and fringe at the end, which dangled all around when she moved. She had on knee-high moccasins, also borrowed, yes, she was more than stunning.
These clothes did not matter to me; I don’t think they really mattered much to her. It was the young women of the tribe that were made happy. Their Golden Queen was being married and looked like a Queen as she stood before them all and vowed her everlasting love to me.
I only wore my tanned leather legging and moccasins. I believe she was impressed because she could not take her eyes off of my bare chest. I teased her about this later in the night as she slid her hands over my skin.
I felt goose bumps rise on my now tortured body and my flesh clenched in pain. I shook it off and before me I saw her face again of the night we were married. Her sky blue eyes with the silver stars in them, sparkled with unshed tears.
I knew this woman would be the death of me. I have said it all along. I had to actually talk her out of coming this far in search of new borders that had opened up. I was now glad that she had finally seen it my way and let me come alone.
I would have given my allegiance a long time ago to this creature if she had been with me to be tortured. I would now die a happy man, and all my thoughts would be on her at home with our children and our tribe, happy and safe.
My mind wanders again back to the night of our wedding and another smile crosses my bruised and bloody lips. I taste the metallic tang of my own blood and spit it to the endless pit below me. It matters not what tomorrow brings any longer, for I have had a lifetime of yesterdays with my heart and soul.
On our wedding night the girl that had first appeared to me was now a woman in full bloom. Although she was shy when I first laid eyes on her. As her love grew for me, she overcame these boundaries. She is always full of surprises. A chuckle escapes me as I remember the time she knocked me into the pool, at the bottom of Oria Falls. She has continued to be a handful and one that I would always thank The Great Spirit for. Evenly matched now in our love for each other, she once again, tackled me to the ground by a beautiful pool of water that was in our new world.
As she lay on top of me with her lips that always taste of honey, I found myself totally lost in her hot breath that entered my mouth and reached clear to my soul. Trying to restrain myself and go slow with her, she was not having any of it. She slipped her hands on each side of my face and held me longer and deepened the kiss. Running my hands along her smooth as silk back, I wasn’t quite sure how we ended up with our bodies interlaced together, without the restraint of our clothes.
The thoughts I had of savoring the moments slowly, were gone as the moment we had waited for had finally come. It was a magical night with the stars shining brightly down and a cool breeze that tickled our bodies with its delicate touch. I remember thanking The Great Spirit for such a night, as we laid there intertwined in each other’s embrace and exploring one another for the first time.
We could not get enough of each other, as we kissed and moved in the ancient rhythm that only lovers experience. At the moment of our unity, there was a powerful explosion in the sky. It lit up all around us and shook the ground where we lay and then it was silent.
I smiled against her lips that were now rosy and swollen from our passionate kisses and commented on how together, we could make the earth move. She smiled smugly and said, “That was the sound of your children being conceived!” It was so nonchalant like she just knew why the world shook.
“It may take more practice for the God’s to give us our child, my love.” I replied tickling her. But who was I to argue with the Golden Queen?
Her laughter is still ringing in my ears and it is like the chimes I used to hear blowing in the breeze, at the home she once lived in. I had watched her for many years waiting for the day she would join me in our world. Often I would hear her laughter and it was always musical.
She looked beyond me up to the sky and exclaimed in a proud voice. “Do not take my word for it, see for yourself, those are the fire and ice stars that are soaring across the night sky.”
I turned and looked as the fire star and a star that looked like ice glided across the sky side by side as if racing across the worlds. “Wait did you say children? Not one but two? How can you know this?” I was filled with pride and I knew her answer before she informed me of The Great Spirit’s plan. “I have seen the future in dreams. You
are a God my love, how can you not know?”
I tickled her again and as she giggled at my attack on her, I explained that she knew very well that I was a child of the Gods. We watched the night sky for many hours and talked of our new future. We showed our love for each other again and drifted into sleep in each other’s arms.
I feel some strength returning to my mind as I think on our twins that were born nine months to the night they were conceived. There are many more memories I would like to think on, but I hold back. A few memories at a time sustain me so I can get through this. Yes I do believe I will get out of this now. I have had a full life. Lived and loved enough for many life times but my heart and soul’s memories will give me the strength I need. My children, Fire Walker and Spirit Walker will carry me through. Yes, I will endure any amount of torture to get back to my heart and soul and my family. I feel myself slipping into unconsciousness where there are no dreams.
Native American Prayer
Oh, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
Hear me; I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold
The red and purple sunset,
Make my hands respect the things you have
Made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things
You have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have
Hidden in every leaf and rock
(Translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)
Chapter 12
The flames of fire ignite against my back and I awaken as a bolt of lightning penetrates through my body. Immediately, I am aware of the foul odor that accompanies the horrid creature that is here to inflict more pain. I grind my teeth against the agony my human flesh feels and from the pain that is to come.
I finally can see the creature as it presents itself to me. It has side tusks, ugly eyes, curling awkward brows and the head of a bull. Its belly is bloated and it has tangled hair all over its head. There is an ear-splitting voice which speaks beyond the darkness, so shrill it penetrates to the soul. I squeeze my eyes shut tightly against the piercing syllables that are rebounding in my head.
The foul odor disintegrates with a wounded howling and the pain I wait for never comes. Instead, the screeching finally turns into lyrics that I can understand in my mind. I open my eyes and the vision that comes closer is that of an Angel’s face.
She is perhaps as big as the Mammoth bats that dwell here. Wavering for a second, she settles into a somewhat human form that flutters in front of my eyes. She is a dark blue. The first things I notice are eyes that are big and glowing neon silver. Her ears are long and pointed like an elf or fairy with long silver hair and wings of silver that glisten and light the cave.
She glides gracefully closer to me as I register her words. She speaks of strength and courage and the will to survive. I look at her and feel renewed as she sparkles like the diamonds in the night sky. I had not realized while hanging here, that my will to live was not as strong as the wounds that were covering my body.
I had retreated back into the past with my loved ones where there was no pain and only peace. I could have easily slipped away before I knew what had happened.
The words that register in my mind come softly now and are soothing to my soul. “My name is Asparas and I am a Fylia, your personal spirit. You would know me as a Fetch in your culture and I am your totem or personal guardian. I can ease your discomfort from the Demon Goblin.”
I chuckled, “Well of course.” If I had thought on it more, I may have remembered the stories from childhood. A Demon Goblin can appear as monsters, animals, or even beautiful women to seduce a holy man. They cause leprosy, raise the dead, and regenerate severed limbs. They live in tunnels beneath the earth where they have dwelled since the beginning of time. Not often heard of or seen, they have been trapped in the earth for many centuries, almost forgotten. With many ways to control all the metals and minerals of the world, they are very dangerous and now with destruction of the world, they could be unstoppable if unleashed.
I feel rejuvenated and my strength is returning quickly. I hold my head up high and look her in the eyes. “How can I be sure you are not this Demon Goblin?”
In her singsong voice, Asparas speaks in my mind once again. “You know that I am who I claim to be Grey Wolf and yes, it is the rift in the world that has caused the Demon Goblin to think he can now rule what is left of the world. He does not think of the consequences nor will he care if he succeeds.”
“He can only accomplish this with the help of my Golden Queen and he will never have her. I will die here before I summon her to come to my aid.”
Asparas looked like she wanted to weep and I knew without words what she would say next, that it was too late. “I am afraid you already know what I will say Grey Wolf. She has found the entrance to Bower’s Cave and has already been captured. The beasts are bringing her here now.”
I struggle against my restraints as I curse the Gods that have let me down. “Do something! What are you waiting for? Why would you let them take her?” I fight against the contraption that holds me secure, but it is no use. They do not give an inch.
“I am a personal spirit, I am here to help but the Golden Queen Oria must make this journey with you Grey Wolf. I am only here to give you strength and keep the promises for a new tomorrow alive in your heart until help arrives and it will come soon. There are things you have not done in your life and ones that will need you. You are correct in one thing; you will not die in this hell pit.”
In the darkened cave and in a holding cell made of a green glowing iron, across from where I hung, appeared a dim light. On the damp floor lay a figure that could only be my cherished wife. Her wild auburn hair lay in a mass all around her head and she lay still. I could more feel that she breathed than I could see any movement coming from her. Struggling against the chains that held me, I once again tried to free myself. It was useless and I tried to connect with Oria’s mind. There was only darkness but I could feel that she was alive.
“Fear not Grey Wolf, Oria only sleeps. The Demon Goblin performed demon magic on her as she entered the cave. She was unprepared and it knocked her out quickly. There is no harm to her being, at least not yet. The Demon Goblin’s are going to try and take your village now so I must go and warn the tribe in your village.”
“What do you mean? How could they get to the Village of Lost Souls? The wards should be in place.”
“You could not have known Grey Wolf, but your tribe has come together with the others that you were separated from during the rift in the world. They have been living in the Beyond for a while now.” Before I had a chance to respond, Asparas was gone in a blinding flash of light.
All was quiet except for the dripping of water that came from the cave walls. My human body thirsted for a drink, but I knew that as a God, I could survive without it. I tried to wake my heart and soul, but she was not responding to my pleas. Only the echoes of my own voice could be heard throughout the cave.
Eventually my head slumped against my chest as I drifted into memories of the past. The rest of our tribe was alive. That is as I suspected, I hope they are all well and have lived happily. I would see my sister again and know how her life has been. There are also many good friends that I have missed in my life. I fight to stay in the world of the living but eventually my thoughts continue of the happier times in my life.
The day we were finally married, I never would have thought there would be a happier time in my life. Then the twins were born, my son Fire Walker and daughter Spirit Walker came in with a meteor shower. The fire and ice stars we had seen on the night they were conceived showed themselves again and now they live in the sky for all to witness. On that night, my love for Oria grew until I thought I would burst into flam
es.
There was also a new kind of love, a love that only comes from loving your own sweet and innocent children. The years have flown by too quickly and our children have grown into the next generation that will shape the new world.
We explained to them as they have grown, that like Oria and I, they will never age in the normal way of mankind. As ageless as the Gods, we will always appear to be twenty so we are strong and ready to defend the evils that cross into the worlds.
My head snaps up as I remember to stay in this world and not fall into dreams of the past. I open my eyes as I think about our children.
Our beautiful daughter is much like her mother. She also has the need to push all of the boundaries. She is wild and free like the wild cats that roam the forests. I hope we have trained her well to take the lead as Golden Queen. She will have to be strong to do what needs to be done and protect the village.
Spirit Walker is a rebellious child but very intelligent and I am sure she will use all that we have taught her. She has always been the one to sneak around and follow me into other worlds. I have sent her home more times than I care to count with the promise of not telling her mother. I cannot deny her much in life and with her big beautiful eyes; she knows how to play me like a flute.
She has many powers that will help her achieve all that needs to be done. She will have the guidance of the grandmother and grandfather until we return home.
Fire Walker is also very powerful. Together their powers will be unstoppable. We have educated them both and they are stronger than any evil in all the lands.
He is a great hunter and will be a great warrior. He will always be there for his sister who he guards and watches like a hawk. He will have to be strong because he also cannot deny her anything. They must be ready.
All our lives are predestined by The Great Spirit and we are meant to change the world together and protect it from the evil that always finds a way in.