by Ema Alves
As he attempted to have his questions answered, he leaned against a willow tree and he too fell asleep.
They woke up several hours later, warmed by the balmy skins of the goats that laid next to them. The child was crying and Meridian fed her once more.
It was night already, the moon was concealed as it walked alongside the sun. This was the right moment to harvest an oak branch, the queen of the trees deemed sacred by his own people.
He carefully laid the newborn on the ground and seamlessly climbed the massive trunk which fed the tender leaves with phlegm. Halfway up, he grabbed small pods known as snake eggs, given the similarities between the two. When he reached the top of the tree, the green and robust branches fed tiny mistletoe ramifications. Wielding the golden sickle, he cut small pieces of the parasitic brush and stored them in small jugs of ground glass.
In a moment of distraction, his foot slipped, his hands attempted to cling to anything steady, but the support he suddenly had lost was only retrieved when the foot once again felt the sustenance of a tiny branch that, although not robust, proved to have a remarkable resistance. Relieved, he looked at the small branch that virtuously stretched itself and, seeing that it had the much-needed characteristics of a magic rod, he cut it off.
After a brief moment of concentration, he descended from the tree and reached the ground, putting his right hand on the trunk, thanking it for such precious gifts. He grabbed a piece of bread from his rucksack and offered it to the millenary oak, putting it between two roots that seemed to grab it as if showing its gratitude for the man’s kindness, who respected the tree so much.
Meridian then grabbed the child and walked through the white mist which emanated from the earth, as the darkness imposed its reign of darkness and cold. Hundreds of fireflies lit the path towards the clearing of Sybil’s forest. That was where Meridian lived, along with his people, mostly wizards.
During the soundless walk, he stared at the baby and his mind was populated by different thoughts: «They probably have abandoned her just because she is different!... horribly different before the eyes of Humanity.» «Yes. That’s what happened.» He looked at her once more, kissed and pressed her to his chest, saying: - poor creatures they are, they think you are the bearer of unhappiness, but I’m going to make you the world’s happiest child, I promise you.
The words uttered were heard throughout the forest, the promise had been sealed with the agreement of millennial voices that whispered in the ear of the little master of natural magic. Walking steadily, Meridian smiled at the trees that had agreed with his good-intentioned desire.
The small village of Heidegger was already visible. Tiny chimneys puffed; immaculate windows revealed to the outside the heat of the lights that brightened the different rooms of the dwellings. A massive temple of granite imposed itself majestically in the background, surrounded by sorts of greenish plants that, climbing the walls, covered the limits of its vastness. After crossing the whole village, he went up the stairs of the temple and entered the door that gave access to the interior. The corridor walls were irradiated by little lights that glowed lustrously, giving the lane a blueish tone. Meridian walked dozens of yards, which separated the entrance from a huge room sealed by a seven-meter-high wooden door.
A voice put an end to the temple’s quietude, echoing almost endlessly on its walls.
- Come in, Meridian.
It was the voice of Danui-an, Heidegger’s wizard-priest and the master responsible for Meridian. At that moment, the heavy door opened itself as if its massive weight was supported by a single feather. A vaulted room was presented to Meridian’s eyes, who quickly advanced into it.
Gigantic shelves neatly stored hundreds of books, covering the most different subjects. Others had an equal number of labeled jugs. Standing in front of an altar, a figure in white garments read a big grimoire with full attention, whose covers exceeded the boundaries of its exhibitor.
- Did you succeed? – the figure asked, not diverting his gaze from the letters that ornamented the book’s aged pages.
- Yes. But... see what I found in the creek!
A crying child broke the old man’s concentration, who quickly looked into the wrapping, which barely exposed a tiny face stained by the crying impetus.
- In the creek? Poor little thing. Is she hungry?
- She sure is – Meridian declared, again putting the improvised breast in the baby’s mouth. - She’s not a common mortal being. She is a special child. Did you know that?
- Yes, I see what you are saying. Had she been normal, they would not have left her to her own fate!
- No... it’s not just that. Notice how special she is!
The master pulled his long beard aside, looked more attentively at the child, and agreed with him.
- Yes, indeed, she is magnificent - he assured, softly caressing the black hair that adorned the child’s tiny skull, who hungrily swallowed the milk.
- Let me be her tutor and guardian - the young man implored.
But the man, not a bit distressed by how abnormal that beautiful child looked, turned his back on him, grabbed the mistletoe jugs and the oaken branches from the rucksack. He walked to the shelves and stored them religiously.
- You are the one who found her. You are a man already, so you can cope with the responsibilities that a child demands from someone. You have studied to be a wizard-warrior, so you can also protect her from the feeble-minded who infest the world - he replied.
- I will do anything to make her happy! She is the utmost perfection of all perfections! She makes us feel closer to God!!! Don’t you agree, Master? - the young warrior kept saying, staring at the child.
A faint smile emerged. The old wizard witnessed the purity of love in his apprentice’s shining eyes.
- You’re right. It makes us feel close to God. It has the purity of the angelic traits.
The wizard was happy. His student was ready to become a true Wizard-warrior. He had taught him plenty, but some things were impossible to learn from someone else; education shapes an individual, but personality is unique and intrinsic to each one.
«No matter how much you train a scorpion, telling it that suicide is not a valid way out, it does not hesitate to kill itself by sticking its deadly sting into its own body, when in the face of danger. Its nature is just that and no one can change it.»
The magician felt happy for that same reason. Meridian’s nature was of extraordinary purity. He had become a good man, worthy of following the magical tradition. His glowing personality had now been exposed by the beautiful feelings he felt for the little creature. Love, the greatest of all sentiments, inhabited his heart and the door of magical powers was entirely opened by it.
He already owned the sword, the physical symbol of the Fire element, which allowed him to shape and use the protection spells on the ether. The golden pentacle represented the Earth, which is the densest element of all, the closest to the physical world, therefore used in spells related to fertility and prosperity. The cup represented the Water element. And today he had harvested his magical rod, which would allow him to work with Air’s volatile magic, improving his communication with the invisible world. But the element Spirit was the most difficult and most important of all. Such an element has no physical representation whatsoever, it is found in all beings created, it is inherent to all other elements, transcending and interpenetrating them. The Spirit is the bonding force that unites and enlivens the other elements, giving them life and allowing them to work together. It is the path that magic takes to travel between the ether and the physical realm. It is the bridge between the divine and the world. And, on that day as well, Meridian had proved that he owned the forces of that element. After all, was there any other feeling, more beautiful than love, that could represent it?
- You are aware that this child must remain hidden from the eyes of the mortal beings, aren’t you?
- I am, Master. I know this child hides a secret that should never be revealed. I’
m aware that, although she is not considered an aberration before my eyes and before my people, she embodies the evilest evil for all who live outside the forest.
- We shall pity the narrow-minded - the old wizard smiled sarcastically. Then he asked - Have you given her a name?
- Yes. She will be named Elektra.
- Why did you give her that name? Don’t you think it’s too soon?
- No. Her crying, her presence and her behavior reveal what the eyes do not want to see.
- Your words are wise. You must educate her as a normal child, then. Make sure that neither she, nor anyone outside our people, find about the evil that consumes her. And I hope she grows in a way that will not force you to change her name later on.
- Hiding that from the others is easy, but hiding from herself what she really is will be the hardest quest.
- Do it, to make sure that she will never suffer or see herself as inferior.
Meridian knew what his master was trying to tell him. But his heart never deceived him before. Elektra would be her name and as Elektra she would grow.
Danui-an was more and more convinced of his pupil’s abilities. Apparently, Meridian preferred to listen to his own heart than to the opinions of others. This showed an innate ability to carve his own path.
- The training is complete. I have nothing else to teach you – the sorcerer declared, looking at Meridian in a way that was neither a compliment or an overestimation of his abilities. But there was an immense joy inside of him. From all the apprentices whom he had thought, few had the pure spirit of that young man. In a way, he reminded him of himself when he was young.
- So, that means…
- Yes. Tomorrow, if you pass the test, you will be promoted to wizard-warrior. You shall go now, it’s late and... the child needs to rest.
Meridian humbly masked his happiness. He placed his right knee and fist on the floor. He bowed his head in a sign of respect, picked the sleeping child and walked to his room.
He sat on his bed for several hours, carving different symbols on the oak branch, to which he attributed some sort of magical power. He ornamented one end of the rod with an ionized metal hand, which he had created, and glued, between its fingers, a tiny crystal ball made of finely polished stone.
He organized his four magical instruments, following a ritual order, on top of a small altar and absorbed the powers he had given to the objects. This was a basic technique which allowed to: if the objects were handled by another person, such an individual would not tarnish the energetic vibration of the magician who owned them. Deep down, each instrument only becomes magical when someone lends it that ability.
He looked at Elektra yet again and kissed her lightly on the rosy face, which made the child release a minuscule sigh. For the first time, she felt loved and protected.
*
Half a dozen Celtic tubas propagated the morning adorns. The day had just begun and, with it, Meridian’s initiation ceremony.
He had awakened in good moods and, just as he expected, someone had taken his magical instruments from his altar. The initiation had started. He stood up, looked at where Elektra was supposed to be, but she was not there. He could not grasp this detail of the initiation. A feeling of loss took control of his stomach. A piercing shiver warmed his cheek. At that moment, he felt lost and no longer considered himself ready to be subjected to such a demanding test. But, in a sudden rush of lucidity, he realized that the child was safe and sound. That was just another way to test him. He placidly washed his face, put on his white robe and walked outside.
A crowd of wizards and sorceresses formed a circle in front of the temple. They were waiting for him. The silence was startling, but needed. Four candles burned on the cardinal points. The magic circle had been drawn. Meridian’s properly trained eyes identified the astral light that limited the encircling figure. Only one point in front of him, a small opening, allowed him to enter. He rid himself of the negative energies that could somehow join that sacred area and, with steady steps, entered the restricted space. The opening was properly sealed behind him. The circle was complete.
He was now at the center. His master, in front of him, rested his hand on an ornamented altar.
- The ceremony shall now begin - Danui-an said.
The silence of every single one concealed a focused ritual of invitation. They were mentally inviting the old masters, whose souls lived and enchanted the woods. When everyone opened their eyes, they looked at the limits of the circle and confirmed that the masters’ spirits had joined the elemental creatures who had already been summoned when the circle was drawn.
Then, Danui-an, raised Meridian’s sword before the eyes of all those around, and said:
- Do you consider yourself worthy of using this sword and everything that it holds?
- No.
And, then, raising the cup, he said:
- And this cup? Do you consider yourself worthy of handling the magic that its interior holds?
- No.
He put the cup down and, raising the golden pentacle and the rod, he proceeded:
- And the elemental principles of earth and air? Do you consider yourself worthy of forging an alliance between the divine and the earthen, between the astral and the physical realm?
- No.
The bystanders appreciated Meridian’s purity. Apparently, he was denying the power of magic, he did not consider himself ready for it. But the truth was different, and the path he traced was the right one.
- Then, you do not need these instruments. - Danui-an continued, throwing them to the ground. And, with a small gesture, a woman approached them and handed the child to the old master.
- If you are not worthy to handle these instruments, then you are not worthy to raise this child either. Therefore, I have given her to Lotus, who will take care of her and educate her.
- So be it. – Meridian declared at last, unable to conceal the sadness that burned his soul, and looked down. He knew that the power of magic did not reside in the instruments. The wizard was the one who actually had the power to manage subtle energies at the astral level. The instruments were nothing but receptacles that allowed one to see the energies on a physical level. He knew that if he denied the instruments, he could lend those same powers to any other objects he deemed appropriate. He thought he had made the right choice. After all, who was he to consider himself worthy of manipulating the magical arts? Only the others could deem him worthy. Not him... «But what about Elektra?» He could give up on everything for that child, even if he had to give up on her as well. The love he had for her was more important than anything else. If the master did not consider him worthy to raise and protect her, then the child would be better off. Yes. That could only be it. And, with a smile on his lips, he looked again at his Master.
- Take her. - Danui-an declared, putting the child again on the woman’s arms.
At that moment, the eyes of the old sage encountered those of the ancestral souls who attended the ritual as ethereal judges. The one who appeared to be the oldest nodded his head in agreement. Danui-an smiled at Meridian and prophesied:
- Your spirit’s purity has overshadowed the darkest energy that could have been attracted to the surroundings of this sacred place. You proved yourself worthy of handling these instruments. You properly learned that magic is born in the wizard’s heart. Take this sword and the power of fire that it holds. Take this cup and the power of water that it holds. Take this pentagram and this rod and unite the earth with the air. By the power of God and, with the consent of the eternal spirits of the woods, I declare you Wizard-Warrior according to Heidegger’s tradition.
With an indiscernible signal, the woman approached Danui-an and the child was given to him once again.
- In your heart I see that the love for this child has no beginning or end. You are aware that love is the best bridge that God has created to communicate with all things created. Therefore, I know that you have the key to master the fifth element, the divine e
ssence that enlivens all things... the Spirit element.
After a brief moment of silence, he proceeded, handing Elektra to Meridian. - Take her in your arms. Elektra is her name. Take care of her and do not let any evil consume her, for I see that her aura is as pure as yours.
Meridian’s eyes could not hold the joy he felt. The quivering eyeballs were now bright. Tears of emotion ran down his face and fell into the cup. It was a good sign, the magic was already bearing fruit.
The ancestral masters, like every other elemental creature, were thanked and dismissed. The circle had been undone. The ritual had come to an end. But the joy and the celebration proceeded. They all gathered around a large table and cherished the great day. The day Meridian became a Master and the day Elektra emerged to illuminate their hearts.
3
The Princess of the Woods
The water flow contorted itself. Its luminous body gently vibrated when touched by the morning sunlight. Tiny weeds, scattered along the shore, danced rhythmically under the volatile and shapeless touch of water. The river divided two different worlds. Two patches of green covered the brownish soil. On one shore, that forestry green marked the limitations of a tarnished world, whereas, on the other, the patch kept in its heart the tiny and mystical village of Heidegger.
A fine and white hand kindly shatters the piercing surface of the icy water. Grabbing a small portion of the living liquid, she rises it slowly. Her pinky and plumped lips gently separate each other, allowing the precious, stagnant to flow through the curved palm of the wet hand. Between the fingers, tiny drops find their way back to the never-ending watercourse. They are fully diluted and become happy to go on their journey to the distant sea.