by Janeen Abdo
Chapter 36: the Mother Wakes
V FEELS THE GUILT CONSUME her as she watches Zach trying to decide if he should approach me. It was about two hundred years ago when decided he couldn’t handle the wars and depression anymore. He begged to go with him to the land of the Elves and live for eternity. I told him I could never leave my sisters when we went our separate ways I should have thought to go to him.
I went to the Dragons realm, they supported my choices. My decisions have not always been in the best interest of everyone, I am known as the angry element. The humans do not even care they were polluting my gift to them to the point they could barely breathe. I did them a favor when I attacked with wind storms, yes many of them died but I cleansed the air. They no longer have to where facemasks to breathe. But I am the angry element.
Sera always did what was right, to see her snap like that, it scared me. She can erupt with so much power and destroy with such intensity. I understand why she has always tried to find the positive, always laughter is the answer with her. I am not sure what that human man did to her, but she reacted without her normal diplomacy. She reacted like how I usually would. Luckily my forces take more effort to destroy. Sera melted that town in minutes.
I never thought how destructive we can be without thinking first. I hope Mother considers that Sera had always done what was right, the first time she has ever snapped. Even Adrianna and Terra have wreaked havoc in the past situations. Sera, she has always stayed close to her gift and tried to educate the humans on how dangerous it can be when she shared it with them.
“V, it is time! Adara is ready.” They scream in unison. Zach slipped back in the shadows. I will talk to him after we wake mother. I look over to the sarcophagus. They are right, it’s time for her to return. Terra is a wreck, now that Wyatt left she looks like she is in more pain than I have ever seen her. I question if love is worth all the pain it causes. I look to Zach again, I hope.
“Terra stands to the North at Gaia’s head. Adrianna you are the South, Sera to the West and V you are East.” Adara barks the orders pointing the directions for us all to stand. She steps back to make sure we are at the correct points of the corners.
“I will give each of you a chant and you, keep saying it. Do not stop until she awakes and can stand on her own.”
“Terra, Neste momento está a catro, a Terra, o vento, a auga e lume. Eu son a Terra, eu dou unha casa. Eu doulle comida, eu son o que mantén todos xuntos. Eu son o que fai o mesmo e que o fai diferente. Eu darlle vida.”
“Verniella, Neste momento está a catro, a Terra, o vento, a auga e lume. Eu son os ventos que respiran na vida. Eu son o aire que limpa o ceo. Eu traio as atmosferas xuntos, as correntes no ceo. Eu doulle o aire para respirar.”
“Adrianna, Neste momento está a catro, a Terra, o vento, a auga e lume. Eu son as augas que limpar a Terra. Eu son a auga que alimenta a vida. Eu son o portador da choiva, os gardiáns dos océanos eo camiño dos ríos. Eu son o portador da vida, eu traio-lle as augas para traelo á vida”
“Seraphina, Neste momento está a catro, a Terra, o vento, a auga e lume. Eu son o lume que lle traen calor, cociñar os seus alimentos e inflamar o seu espírito. Eu son a risa, a rabia, a paixón todo o que sente. Eu son a chama que fai quen é vostede”
Adara steps back listening to the girl’s chants, breezes coming and going, are swirling around the five bodies. The rains come down as gentle warm waters. The trees grow from their mighty roots, forming a circle around the five. Small sparks of lightning break into the sky, lighting the path for the fairies to fly. The circling paths of eternity they fly in over and over, a giant figure eight.
Adara raises her hands with a smile on her face. Her glowing light reaches out to all of her fairies in the skies and down to the trees surrounding the girls. Infinity symbols light the skies while shimmering lights cascade off the trees to the grounds. The rains glow with the lights and winds continue to form funnels that surround the Elementals. Life is going back into the Earth.
Zach, Zidon, and Gem watch in awe for the beauty of creation is taking effect. They feel the energy returning into the Earth like it had not felt in centuries. They watch for reactions in Gaia and still she is not moving. Zach can feel the tears streaming down his face, just hoping to see the beautiful Goddess open her eyes.
Dominic and Annabella move up closer to the scene, Dominic’s smile cannot waiver. He takes his sisters small hand and shares the wonderful feelings that shooting through him, He has never felt such positive energy at once. He wants to jump up and down, wishing this feeling never ends.
Annabella smiles as she senses his euphoria and visions appear in her eyes. She sees the Earth all green and blue. The waters are so clear you can see the ocean bottom and the air is crisp and fresh. The sun warms the lands and stars glow bright with their own fires. She cannot remember the last time she has seen a star, but realizes with the return of Sera there have been hints of the lights up at night.
The sarcophagus is now full from the rain waters and lights glowing through the waters. There is the slightest hint of movement in the closed eyes of Gaia. Her hands are trembling and the waters bubble around her. A crack of lightning strikes down and breaks the glass that holds the Great Mother. With the shatter of the glass she stands in the middle of all smiling at her girls together at last. The magic the Elementals created funnels together and into the Earth and all goes quiet.
The only light left is from the moon and the few stars breaking in the sky. All drop to the ground to honor Gaia. She reaches out to gather her girls and pulls them close. I never once doubted you would fail in waking me. She steps back to look at each girl and admires them for each of their gifts. She knows the witches are still strong and they have many more battles to face. This one moment she will cherish, being reunited with the four elements. Her direct line, she looks to Adara and her fairies standing behind her.
“Thank you Adara, you have taken the role of your destiny and have gone above and beyond what was asked of you. You shall be recognized and granted your greatest desire.”
“Great Mother, I am honored to have been a part in reuniting you all. I am honored that you recognize the small part me and my fairies played in restoring you.”
“Adara, modesty does not suit you; you have always been a proud queen. Embrace it, do not be humbled. Take your fairies and celebrate. We will grant you the Druid if that is his wish. In the meantime figure out what is payment for your people.”
Adara smiles, she looks over to Dominic and sees him moving to stand by her side. He chose her as she had chosen him. Their hands wrap together and Annabella stands next to them with pride in her eyes. The beauty of the vision and emotions that Dominic shared with her, let her push aside the pain she still felt for losing Kaleb. She refused to let her pain tarnish the beauty of this elegant moment.
Gaia turns to look at all around her and warmth fills her heart to see the love and hope restored within all of them. As she looks at all the faces, she does not see two she expected to be there. She looked over to Terra and could see pain in her eyes. She knows who I am looking for and he should be by her side. “Let us celebrate tonight and face the reality of what is ahead tomorrow. I believe time is on our side tonight.” She smiled at Zachariah as she spoke.
Chapter 37: Witches Strike First
DESDEMONA WATCHES AS Haresh comes back from the village to see the slaughtered sight. Panic filled him as he searches for his priestess. The boy was hog-tied to a branch as Haresh dragged him through all the caves. Dead bodies’ piled everywhere; he feared no one survived this massacre. Continuing his search for his priestess in hopes she survived if anyone could it would be Desdemona. Recognizing each body, wondering what could have happened.
Seven witches survived the transition of the blood magic. Sephitis and Adaliah helped the dead non -magic humans move on in their soul’s journey. My brothers and sister dark witches, they left them for fate to decide if their journey will continue. The Fates will be cr
uel; they will cut the threads and make them lost souls. Frustration is filling me with more hatred. This is all the Elementals fault. If Terra would have joined me the witches would be strong. Humans would be our slaves and we would have healed the world together.
The moon is waning and in perfect form. Gaia would be awake by now; I need a plan in place before they come. I need to make the doubt grow stronger and drive the wedge deeper between them. Sera is the strongest, her fire intimidates everything. I do not think I can get her to burn another village to the ground although she played into my part rather easily for that boy. I will have to make use of him a little more.
“You did well Haresh. The wedge and guilt will tear the Elementals apart. Have you figured out what is so special about this boy Haresh? What is he called?”
Relief went through Haresh in waves to see his priestess safe and unharmed. “They call him Connor. I am not sure why the fire was so attached to him.” He dropped Connor to the ground and pulled the cover off his head. He lay still unconscious from the blow Haresh knocked him before pulling him from the tree.
I bend down to look closer at him; he is pretty for a non- magic human. A short jaw line makes him look like a child with a baby face. Yet the lines around his eyes tell a different story. He is not a child. His chest rose with shallow breaths and then he opened his eyes. His deep green eyes, yes they show long life hiding in them. He is near his destiny...
“Where am I and is Sera safe?
“You poor thing, you have been through so much. I do not know if you saw Sera destroy your entire town. She is an Elemental, they destroy humans for game. They are such violent cruel creations. My servant Haresh could save you before she destroyed everything. He tried to save more, but the destruction moved so fast, he could not. I am Desdemona and you are?”
“Connor”
“Well Connor, whatever you need you let me know, I will take care of you.”
His look at Desdemona showed he did not trust what she said, “I have heard of you, enslaving humans to your bidding. Trapping the Elementals so the Earth would suffer and you control their magic. Bago tried to convince us all there was no such thing as magic and the devil controlled it all. There is goodness in Sera; I know she was of magic. There had to be a reason of why she erupted into flame before they lit the stake. An Elemental would explain her combustion but not destroying the town. The last I remember was her telling the town she could see humans differently now; why destroy them?”
“Elementals, they like to convince you they are on your side, just before they betray you. I too was recently deceived by the youngest, Terra, she convinced me we would be together forever and her first chance she stole from me and ran. They are treacherous creatures and good at deceiving. I am not sure why they do it. My crystals showed me what was happening in Bago. I had to help you and your people.”
“Crystals? Are you a witch?”
“Yes, I was born with the gift of magic, which the reverend had that wrong. Magic exists but only a few can wield it. How they use the gift makes them dark or light.”
“Can I see Sera now, in your crystals?”
To this Desdemona, was not expecting, if they watch her in the crystals and she shows remorse all will be lost. How to make sure he sees only the bad in the Elementals. She looks to Connor with an innocent smile, “it will take time. Why don’t you rest while I look for them in the crystals and Haresh will get you once I find them?”
He looks to Desdemona with suspicion, “How did you see what was happening in Bago and know to send Haresh?”
Smart one, this one is, “I was looking for Terra and came across it” I tried my best to sound heartbroken and not annoyed with his questions. “Haresh will show you a room you can rest in and bring you fresh food and clothing.”
Haresh grabbed Connors arm and pulled him from the cave before he could ask more questions. The tunnels between Desdemona’s cave and the adjoining were the longest from what Connor could see. The walls eroded smoothly and he could tell they were ancient. Things just made little sense to him here, the story she is telling him and the Sera he met, they could not be the same. Sera had passion, yet she seen the beauty in things others would miss. How could she have destroyed Bago and why is Desdemona trying to help him so much? It makes no sense.
As we turn into another cave, I see a bed and blankets, but nothing else in the cave. It seems like home, stark and stone, just missing the steel. I look at the servant Haresh; he has a hump to his back and drags his back leg when he walks. I wonder if it was out of the ease control or pity Desdemona took this one in her care. He seems to keep me in the back caves, I wonder if wandering will be allowed. “Am I permitted to explore while I am here?”
Haresh looked at Connor, thinking out his answers based on what Desdemona was telling him. “The caves twist and turn a lot; it is easy to get lost. I noticed when we came back we, evidence of a battle and I have not investigated to what damage. I will be happy to give you a tour after you rest and I have seen where the dangerous parts may be in the cave.” Haresh felt a little proud of coming up with such an elegant answer so quickly the priestess will be proud.
“Battle? By whom? And why would there be dangers still in the cave, do you think the attackers are still here?”
This boy asks a lot of questions, Haresh thinks to himself before he answers. “I know none details yet. I was with you. After your safety is ensures, we will tour the caves.” Haresh walked out as he said this to avoid more questions. He is not sure what Desdemona plans are, but he does not want to be what ruins them.
Haresh went back to Desdemona to prepare her for the story he told Connor and he wanted to know what happened to all their people. He found Desdemona staring into the crystals and could see the Elementals celebrating Gaia, she is awake.
“My priestess, may I ask what happened?”
“My most faithful human, how is it you became so loyal while others did not. Terra stole Gaia from me and her sisters V and Adrianna attacked while you were out. The few that survived are burying the dead now.”
“There are survivors; I saw none until I found you.”
“Seven all together, our strongest survived.”
“Mya?”
“Adrianna chopped her head off, before I could get to her.” The thought of losing Mya made me sad; I believed she would survive the blood magic ritual. “She will pay for what she did to Mya, I must plan my attack and we will use this Connor to our advantage. He has connected with Sera.”
Haresh looked sympathetically to Desdemona, “He asks a lot of questions, I was as vague as possible and told him I would give him a tour after he rested. That gives me time to clean up all the carnage. Sera is in love with him. She saw me getting him from the tree they would hang him. She thought he betrayed her and was working with us the whole time. When she saw me save him she snapped and that is when she destroyed everything. She thinks we put him in there for her to love and him to betray.”
“That could help us than Haresh; I have to find Sera in these crystals and not look like she was betrayed but enjoying her destruction. I do not want him to see remorse. Keep him busy, clean up what you can before he rises and then give him a lengthy tour. I will call to you when the time to attack the Elementals comes and revenge for our brothers and sisters will be ours.”
Chapter 38: Search for Time
WYATT IS STILL AGONIZING over the thoughts that keep coming to his head. Walking gives you the ability to think through things. I had to get away the presence of the Elementals can overwhelm, even for me.
I watched each and everything in creation. The planets, stars, the Faye folk and elves; I watched all of it and questioned none of the creations. I watched the evolution develop after the creations on each planet. While the Earth is one of the youngest, its story has lasted the longest. The links to the other realms keep it alive, yet they all had passage ways to each other and all the realms. All has always connected, yet the humans once created showed so much inte
lligence and ability never figured it out.
Finally the swamps, seems like years have passed since I brought Terra here to face Adara. That was painful to know I couldn’t help and not tell her our history. I tried to stay distant, something draws me to her, and I know I love her but the Fates say we shouldn’t.
“No Fate has ever said that Wyatt only Gaia.”
The voice from nowhere startled me and I turn to find Karma sitting up in the branches of the petrified white tree trunks. “What are you saying; that my destiny is to be with Terra?”
“It’s not me that decides or controls destiny, all we do is the weaving of the threads to make the paths. We do not decide or direct anything we just weave the roads.”
“Who decides destiny, who decides who becomes lost souls and soul mates? I have been around since the beginning and questioned none of this until now. I am not sure what the great creators plan is.”
“Who said there is a plan? When you were created a fate cloth is to. I assume the creator, creates the cloth and as you start out your destiny takes form. We as Fates interpret these cloths and weave the outcomes that can occur based on the decisions you make. We as Fates have learned how to read what you will do and how you will conclude without being seers. We dislike interfering, in this situation where the Earth may die if we do not interfere, so here I am, interfering.
“I am not sure why you’re here and not with the Elementals and Adara? They have more effect on the outcome than I do. I am a distraction and lost in time.”
“Wyatt, quit feeling sorry for yourself. You are the original Timekeeper, the oldest of time, the greatest of warriors and a true immortal. You have not even attempted to find your gifts. You have spent the last lifetimes being a body guard to Terra. You do not look at yourself as a Timekeeper, and you only see yourself as Terra’s protector. Gaia will always interfere as long as you do not recognize who you are; the world will fail if you do not find your gifts. You are as vital as they are, possibly more.”