Island of Adnia: Origins

CHAPTER V – SIDE B: THE HAUNTED SWAMP (1)

CHAPTER V – SIDE B: THE HAUNTED SWAMP (1)

      The God of Plasma didn´t miss all of that. In fact, he secretly followed the footsteps of the gods; intrigued to discover Amsiret's mysterious gift. And from the window of the small cabin, he foresaw the love affair between the two. Until enough, irritated, he turned around and walked disturbed towards the depths of the forest; towards the depths of his palace, defeated.

     As dusk started to fell, the powerful being reached the entrance of his home, upon the small mountain. He crossed the bridge of light, slowly, towards the entrance to the palace of crystals. The cold wind from the south of the island enters. And at the main door of the palace, there was his beloved; receiving him with open arms, and starry eyes.

    “And? How was it?”

   "Terrible" replies Arac. “I don´t want to talk about it.”

  “But why? What happened?”

 "I said I don't want to talk about it!" exclaims Arac, enraged. “The tree didn't work! The plan went overboard! The seed was a lie, and now there's nothing to keep on going!”

“Come on, Arac” says the young woman, softly. “I doubt things are that lost.”

“I saw them making love, Emerita!” responds the man. “It was enough! It make me sick! It's over! And all for a stupid mirror!”

“A mirror?” Emerita answers.

"He gave her a mirror!” the god shouts aggressively “And guess what, she liked it more than the biggest tree these lands have ever seen! Could you believe that?!”

“Arac, the heart of a goddess will not be caught with the material. Marlina has been waiting for a hundred years, for only one thing.”

“Well, what is it?” asked the God, confused.

“I will tell you what you are going to do, but you are going to need my presence around this, since you´re probably not going to like it.”

"Tell me, woman!"

    Several days later, upon the northern side of the island, the curtains of the night were falling aside. A singular sight n***d in stars; upon mysticism, the nocturnal was appreciated, on the heights of the hill where their souls had already recognized themselves. On the same trunk where the gods had revealed their intimacy for their love, for the first time. In that same trunk, where both hearts rested, where both promises nested. Glorious and delicate, for the beauty gift for the queen of light. And there she was, the goddess of thunder. Her face rested on the soft shoulders of the god of air; pondering, the glimpse of the dusk; displaying between the hills of harmony, and silent trust.

"I don't have to wait any longer, you know" exclaims Marlina.

“Is that so?” says Amsiret.

"You are everything I´ve been waiting for all these years, Amsiret," the woman answers. “I have everything. Empathy, affection, understanding. So much joy, so much love! I can't believe you're right here!”

“My love, it's day three of Gont!” the air god laughs. “You still have twenty days to make your decision, don't you think yo-

"There is nothing to decide for" the woman replies. “It is clear to me; your heart is the right one. I don't know why Elgoneth did this, he should have sent me just you! If he knew your heart!”

"Enough Marlina, you give me plenty of flowers" replies Amsiret. “Your brother knows what he's doing, maybe we shouldn't be so noisy about it.”

"Nonsense Amsiret" answers the goddess. “Every woman wants a future with her beloved, and that vision is clear to me.”

  The divine beings descended from the hill slowly; heading towards the small cabin. When they reached it, they looked one last time, towards the star-covered firmament, and both moons were in their complete state; full, reflecting a marvelous energy displaying after for a long time, just before they both entered the woman´s home.

"I'm glad you lately have decided to spend your nights with me” says the woman. “These moons bring me a good feeling.”

  The God of Air said nothing; he seemed to be arranging something in the fireplace.

“My love?” the woman exclaims.

"Sorry, Marlina, I think we've run out of wood for the fire" exclaims Amsiret. “It's my fault.”

"Don't say that" replies Marlina. “We both should´ve remember.”

“No, you mentioned it to me in the afternoon” responds the god of air.  “How silly I am sometimes, but don't worry; I'll go get firewood right away so we can have dinner together!”

“Right now?” asks the woman “Are you sure? Don't you think it's a little late for that?”

"Don't worry, I know exactly where to go" exclaims Amsiret. “Just wait for me. I'll be right back, and I'll bring you a surprise, okay?”

"I like that" the woman replies. “But don't take too long, or I´ll get to you myself!”

   The man left the front door, after kissing his beloved on the forehead and quickly went into the woods.

   Suddenly, a few moments later, the door knocked surprisingly again. The goddess of light wondered what did Amsiret left that would make him return so quickly, and went to open the door.

“I knew something was going aw–

“Hey, Marlina”

"Emerita?" asked the goddess of light.

“I haven´t seen you for a while” responds the young woman. “Do you think we can talk?”

  The goddess of light was impressed; she had not known about the princess for days and her sudden appearance seemed very strange.

“Your visit is unexpected; I don't know what I can offer you. Tea, maybe?”

“You know which one I like” responds Emerita.

“I thought I would never see you again” exclaims the goddess of light.

"Well, I thought the same too" answers Emerita. “But lately, I´ve been feeling bad about how I left the last time. You know, it wasn't the proper way.”

"It wasn´t my best moment, either" says Marlina. “You know you're like a sister to me; and after all, we live together, we spent some time together. It's not fair for either of us.”

   The goddess of light gave the tea to Emerita, and sat stealthily in front of her; she knew the princess quite well, and something did not add up. Neither her appearance, nor her sudden interest.

“What happens?” asks Emerita.

“Nothing, it's just that, it's very strange that you're here” says Marlina. “Empathy is not always your style, nor the usual.”

“Well you know, conscience has hit me a bit” answers the young woman. “I've been to the south; I've been to the east. I have seen many hills and mountains. I've learned how to appreciate nature, and I really think that none of this would´ve been achieved if it hadn't been for you, and all the help that you gave me.”

"Wow" replies Marlina. “Indeed, it seems these days have served you for better. Well, it´s been almost three cycles since the last time you were here. You look much more mature.”

"Thank you, Marlina" exclaims Emerita. “But I didn't come here to talk about myself. Tell me about you! How are those suitors going?"

"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me" says the woman. “But it has been so clear to me.”

“Is it so?”

"It is Amsiret, Emerita" answers the goddess of light. “He´s such a sweet man, so loving; so full of charity. He is pure, he is noble, he is generous. Right now, he went to get more firewood, so we could sleep together here, can you believe that?”

“Well, the truth is, I cannot!”

"It is incredible" answers the goddess. “I feel so blessed and lucky. My brother has really surprised me. I never believed that love would feel like this!”

"What about Arac?"

"I don't know, he's not for me" exclaims Marlina. “He gave me a tree, surprising. In fact, you surely have already seen it. I think he´s okay, but Amsiret is exactly what my feelings want.”

“Well, congratulations my friend!” exclaims Emerita. “I'm glad for you.”

There was a sudden silence in the room. Both women looking sideways, towards the corners, for they ran out of topics to know. The goddess of light began to savor her tea, when she suddenly noticed something strange inside the princess's garment.

"What happened to your golden necklace?" asks Marlina.

“My necklace?” responds Emerita.

“Yes, you know, the necklace I gave you when you were just a girl. You always wear it.”

"Oh yes the necklace! That´s right!" exclaims Emerita. “I went to Clarenden, and lose it to the western swamp´s owner.”

“What?!” shouts Marlina.

"Yes!" answers the woman. “It was just five days ago!”

“Why the hell did you do that?!” exclaims Marlina.

"I lost a bet because of you, my friend" says the princess. “I don't understand how you don't see it.”

"Emerita, I swear to you by all the meadows of this land, if you do not explain to me at this moment what I said-"

"You don't see it, Marlina" the princess interrupts. “Do you think I don't know what's going on between you and Amsiret? I bet against that to the witch! And you know what, she was right about you! I´ve waited all afternoon for him to get out of here! There was still some firewood, and I removed them myself! That´s when he finally decides to go away! And now that I've seen him, I must admit, I expected more from you.”

“What the hell does this have to do with the only necklace my mother gave me and I gave it to you, for trust, for friendship, just to be thrown among the most dangerous swamp on this island?!”

"Relax, I´ve been thinking about it” exclaims the young woman. “I believe we could use this to your favor. Perhaps, that necklace doesn't belong to me. Believe me, I am already an independent woman. I can stand on my own. I don't need these divine objects, not anymore. This necklace belongs to you. And if you really believe that man so much, it should belong to the right one. You should give them the opportunity to enter evil, and find your gold for you.”

"I can't believe anything that you're saying!” shouts Marlina. “Nelva hides her treasures in the eternity of this land! It will never be found! That necklace has the purest energy of me!"

“And for that same reason, the one soul who deserves to have you, will know how to use his intuition, his intelligence, and his energy to connect with the purest essence of you; even with his eyes closes. He will find it, for finding it means, finding yourself.”

“Emerita, I already told you, my heart has chosen Amsiret!” answers Marlina. “He doesn't need to prove me anything more. You have no idea how he makes me feel, after decades of drought inside of me.”

“Love is not only about feelings” answers Emerita. “What happened to that goddess of clarity? What happened to that strong and demanding woman? What happened to your boldness? Where are those limits and those barriers that the queen of these lands must have? Do you think you were wrong? Do you think that the king of this island, and your legitimate husband, deserves to be with you, just because of how he makes you feel?”

“No!” the young woman continues. “You are my friend; you are like my sister. And in no way I´m going to allow you to be blind like this; not until he shows under all the tests, through all the days left, he is the one for you. You need the smartest, boldest man; for neither his heart, nor his good intentions will serve him in Clarenden. You know it very well, and if he is the chosen one, and who you say he is, I don't see why he can't prove it with his mind too.”

   Emerita got up, and walked toward the door slowly, apathetic.  The goddess of light, did not even know what to say.

"I know you may not like this, but it's for your own good, my friend" says the young woman. “On the 13th of Gont, I will be in the entrance of the swamp; that is, in ten days. Meet me there, just at dawn, with your man, and I'll tell him the path to get to the witch. Thus, the journey will begin, and the search for the object that best represents you. Let your loved one know, and let his brother know; I think it will make things more interesting for both. Or do you think a little competition scares your god?”

“They´ve already battled, and believe me, Amsiret is better than him” answers Marlina. “This time, you will see it with your own eyes. Both will be there.”

“Perfect then!” says the woman. “And remember Marlina, I didn´t want this to happen, but it happened because is the best for you, and because I love you because and I consider you the best–

“Emerita, get out of my house, before this gets any worse.” says Marlina.

 "Okay, okay," replies the young woman. “I just want to cooperate. After all this happens, you will thank me. There are still a few days left before Elgoneth arrives. They´ll both have their last chance.”

   Emerita opens the door, and forefront was the god of the air, along with the firewood he had collected during the mysterious cold night.

"Emerita?" asks Amisret.

“Good luck, vermin” responds Emerita.

   The princess of the flora vanished over the lushness of the infinite forest, as fast as she could; among the bushes of confusion. The goddess of light, irritated, thought more than twice whether to throw a rush of lights and currents at her, for around her hand, an electric power reflected as a light of frustration.

"What is it, my love?” asks the god of air. “Why was she here?"

"I can't believe that girl is playing with me like that!" shouts Marlina. "I can't believe it! Where the hell does such a small being get so much evil?!"

“Well, I don't cr–

"Silence, you too!" exclaims the woman. “Close the door and sit down! You are going to pay close attention to what I am going to tell you, because you are going to win this, yes or yes!”

Emerita was lost in the break of the night, until the first eve of dawn arrived. Dancing at the entrance to the palace, where know her beloved was standing, waiting her eagerly.

"Well?" exclaims Arac. “Did It worked?”

"Of course it worked" exclaims Emerita. “We just have to wait.”

Suddenly, upon the near sky, a small creature began to fly towards them; flying faintly, upon the first breezes of the spring morning.

"What is that?" asks Emerita.

"It's a flinger*" exclaims Arac. “Messenger dragons, I haven't seen one in a long time.”

“It´s a little small to be a Raen” says Emerita.

"They are the first of this generation" exclaims Arac. “Elgoneth has dozens of them in his Assembly. They bring out his truth.”

   The little dragon flew over them, and from its legs, dropped a scroll in the form of an old parchment; it fell just above the entrance of the palace, where they were both talking, while the little greenish dragon was lost over the heights of the white sky.

"Look, what is it?!" says Emerita.

"Calm woman," exclaims the god. “It seems to be a letter.”

"A letter?” asked the young woman. “From whom?"

“Marlina”

The God of Plasma opened the small parchment, and began to read it out loud.

"Greetings God of Plasma,

It seems you are going to have the opportunity to demonstrate your value, and your honor. A special necklace for me, has fallen upon the hands of swamps of the west, the Clarenden Marshes. It 's a haunted place, ruled by the witch Yelvira, and from whom who should try to avoid at all cost.  And although it is said the swamp is the closet for the witch treasures, finding the necklace back will be a fatal mission. I've been here for decades, and I've only been there once; I vowed never to return again. It is the scariest place I have ever seen.

Sadly, this necklace represents a lot to me, and for conditions I can't explain right now, it has fallen into its haunted mazes. On the thirteenth day of Gont, I will be there to explain the journey of how they you can find this, before you find this witch, or before she finds you. You´ll go together with your brother; that is my condition.  I want to be a fair, honest opportunity for both of you. I hope to see you there, if it´s still in your interest to conquer me, of course. Although, I warn you, I have no idea what demons you´ll discover in there. It is a mission, which does not promise a return.

With love,

M. Eroelle"