CHAPTER II: INTIMATE MEETINGS
2959 Words
CHAPTER II: INTIMATE MEETINGS
The brothers were lost in the depths of the forest, until the first rays of the blazing dawn arrived. They had not slept all night, for they were still petrified at the astonishing beating they received together, by the goddess of impendent.
And stranger was the fact that the gods had not spoken a single word to each other on the entire trek. Lost in the thousands of thoughts crossing their confused minds, for both wanted to return to where the beautiful goddess of the forests was, but neither knew where to start their way back.
They stopped the journey, when they reached a rocky river; it was quite dry. Tension invaded the small place. One of the brothers was sitting on a stone, thoughtful. The other one raved upon his vision; observing a waterfall that fell roughly at a short distance from them.
"You know something, brother" exclaims Arac, “I think we should go on separate ways.”
"I thought I was never going to say this, but you're right" says Amsiret. “We can make a gentleman's agreement. Henceforth, you go on your side and I go on mine, shall we?”
“It seems perfect to me, you weak vermin!” Arac replies. “We can solve this as what we are now. Not like we used to do before!”
"We have a deal then" says Amsiret. “I will move north.”
"And I will go south" Arac replies. “We still have plenty of days!”
"May the best man win" says Amsiret.
“We already know who he is!” answers Arac.
The men shake their hands, and took different directions. Admirable, for in their past mortal lives, they would´ve handled this situation in a not so friendly way we can say. They closed their men's pact, which, though not a word was said about the details of it, they both knew perfectly well its conditions.
The rules were simple. Their rivalry had always been present, but this time they both wanted to achieve the same thing. Something they were clearly aware of, before even starting their journeys in the island. The goddess was even better than they could´ve imagined. And since she made it clear that she did not want either of them, the bases were fair, for a fair game. A balanced competition. The one who was truly the best for the goddess, will undoubtedly win her heart.
For Arac, everything was based in the art of seduction. His plan to conquer both woman, stood still. In fact, this plan was further intensified, as he also saw how the human had seen him, and intended to use this to generate jealousy to the goddess. He believed in pride, manhood, and the security he wanted to project. Attractive to any goddess; an attitude worthy of a high, powerful, confident and legendary king. He wanted to portrait the goddess as if he didn't need her, so she could be more curious, in order to get more of her attention. A piece of cake for him.
For Amsiret, his strategy was to be truthful. He wanted to be honest, authentic, sincere, and show the best of his intentions to the goddess. He was not afraid, for he felt something real. And although he had not mentioned a single word upon the subject, when he saw the goddess´ beautiful face, an incredible love awakened within him. What he felt for the goddess, wasn´t felt in the heart of the God of Air for many ancient times. He didn't even think he could ever feel this again; much less like the powerful deity he was now. They were pure, genuine intentions. Born from the bottom his heart and soul. He could easily visualize his future with her. He could feel the rise of his kingdom, along with the beautiful woman, who now dwelled in the depths of his feelings. He knew his excitement, was real; and upon this, is where he was going to rely.
After seeing his brother depart among the lushness of the mysterious jungles to the south, Amsiret rose from the rock. He set out from the lonely river to begin his conquest of cajoling the mighty lady of the woods. He knew his brother perfectly, and he knew he had allowed him to be the first to approach to her. Arac was up to something, but he did not take it badly, since it was not the first time they chose different paths; nor the first time that Amsiret made the best of decisions, through his conscience of being apart from him.
On the twentieth day of the Osiris Cycle, Amsiret went back to the same way he took with his brother during the early hours from the morning of the split. He took direct and narrow paths, which involuntarily led him to the mangroves where he had been before. The one that led to the goddess´ little hut. He took the opportunity, and decided to collect some aquatic fruits. He intended to take them to the goddess, as apologetic gestures; introduce himself well, and thus, start an innocent conversation.
After getting the most of kermel fruits he could possibly find, he continues on his way to the small hut. It seemed that life was giving him a second chance, with the beautiful owner the forests from the monumental island. His mind was flooded with anxious thoughts; with every step he took. He didn´t know exactly what he was going to say, nor what he would do; for the reverent beating he had previously received, made him doubt himself a lot.
Upon reaching the entrance of the hut, he realizes it was completely rebuilt, and just before entering, he remembers what the woman had told him to getting into her palace without respect, so he gently decides to knock on the door, like a gentleman.
“I'm going!” exclaims a young woman excited, and somewhat confused.
The woman opens the small door, and find the surprising face of the god of the air.
"Ugh, it´s you," says the young mortal. “She is busy now.”
Disappointed, she closes the door in his face, but Amsiret holds the door with her arm just before it closes completely.
"Listen to me" exclaims the god. “I need to speak to her, please let me in. Give me a second chance.”
"Sorry, my friend" the young woman replies. “If I can recall, the owner of the lightning clearly stated that you had to leave out here. Let´s keep with that!”
They continue to slam the door until, behind the young mortal, a sweet and pleasant voice is heard.
"Who is it, Emerita?" asks Marlina.
"No one, Marlina" the young woman answers. “It´s only–
“It's me!” Amsiret interrupts. “I´m sorry to come like this, but I´m here to apologize. I brought some fruits, for you. I didn't know what kind of kelmer you liked, so I brought as many as I could find.”
The shoulder showed a bag full of aquatic fruits, some the woman had never seen in her hundred years upon the island, and the goddess of lights blushed a little.
"Let him in, Eme!" Marlina said. “Join us! We were just going to eat!”
Amsiret was very nervous. He did not know what to say. He had no idea what Marlina liked or what didn't like. He had no clue what might be from her interest, or not. Even more uncomfortable, with the presence of the young human among them, whom was bringing an evident tension in the room. Still, he acted like he was totally sure of what he was doing, and what he was saying.
“Try these” says Amsiret to the goddess, offering a strange kermel. “The red ones are bitter, but in their center, they have a sweet touch.”
"Is your brother coming with you?" Emerita interrupts.
"No, he´s not with me, not anymore" replied Amsiret
“And what´s that for?” asks the young woman.
"Emerita, don't be reckless" exclaims the goddess.
“What is reckless in the question?” asks the woman. “They are the only beings around here!”
"It´s okay" says Amsiret. “You're right. You deserve to know our ways, but we decided to go our separate ways.”
“When was this?
"A couple of days ago" says Amsiret. “I have no idea where he might be.”
"So you decided to abandon your brother, and you have no idea where he went?" asks Emerita ruthlessly.
"You let us know when your rudeness will end" exclaimed the goddess.
“I'm not being rude!” shouts the young human.
“Calm down!” exclaims the man, appeasing the exalted women. “Please; I only know that he headed south. It´s fine! Arac is the older of the two, he knows how to take care of himself.”
“Really? I thought you were twins” says the goddess.
“Twins?” exclaimed Emerita. “But if this is a hundred times uglier!”
“That´s enough!” Marlina shouted.
The women began to throw the dishes that were on the table to one another, and before the man could even think, a disaster started in the middle of the lunch. Amsiret had no idea how to calm the altered spirits of the place. The goddess carried a greenish power in her hand, while the human threw the pieces of lettuce and tomato she had delicately prepared all the morning.
Suddenly, Amsiret rose from his chair. He slowly raised his right hand between the brawl. In plan fight, Marlina denotes a reflection of herself through the hand of the god. Inside his hand, the man was holding a small mirror; perceived by the woman´s rapid gaze, through the rupture of his old cotton glove. The God of Air, closed his eyes, and with a delicate voice, exclaimed:
﴾ ITHILIĖM OYNA﴿
From the palm of his divine hand, a vegetative essence sprouted, which illuminated the place with green flashes of harmony and tranquility. The energies spread across the faces of both women, and their hearts filled with calm. Their minds were colored in harmony, and thus, their spirits rested again in the chairs where they were previously. Pacified and seated, they calmed their cravings, the environment returned to stillness, and reason entered the room again.
"Excuse us" exclaims the goddess. “We've been a little tense lately.”
"Speak for you, goddess" says the young woman. “Although, this is not the way I normally behave, either. I apologize equally, dear–what was your name?”
“Amsiret” answers the man. “And don't apologize. I suppose, it´s certainly not easy for you to live so long alone.”
"Believe me Amsiret, it is not" the woman replies. “And much less with a human.”
"No, it is not, Amsiret" yells Emerita. “And much less with a self-centered, maniac, immature godd–
"You know what?! I'm tired of you!" shouts Marlina.
Marlina was so eager to exploit the young woman's small body, but she remembered Elgoneth's words about her. Furthermore, the presence of the man, whom had somehow softened her heart, was not conducive to her getting out of control.
She had no choice but to get up from the table, and retreat from her own home. She opened the door with so much force, that she tore it apart on her way out, and walked away on the outskirts.
"She is hysterical" says Emerita. “I'm sick of her too.”
"I understand" says Amsiret. “I think I'll go see her. She doesn't seem right. Similarly, I thank you for the food. It was a great gesture on your part.”
The woman just tilted her head a little, as she kept rearranging the messy, cracked table. She grabbed one of the broken dishes, and began washing them, as Amsiret emerged from the newly broken shack.
When the God of Air stepped out the hut upon the outskirts, a beautiful clearing sparkled in the yellow meadow. Dusk was approaching, among the sweet company of beautiful pink flashes. Combined with the mysticism of an orange star. The moons of the infinity planet peeked out in anticipation. Amongst the unique gradients of their white and violet reverie colors.
At the short distance, above the mangroves, heading towards a solitary mound, the heavenly presence of the Goddess of Light was found; as an heirloom of the skies. Pensive, delicate, walker. Her doubts were lost in the freshness of the air. Her fears slowly vanished; breathing faith again, towards the planned rest upon the dry skin of a fallen tree. Pondering the aura from the horizon. Dancing into the ecstasy of the night.
"It is a beautiful sunset" exclaims Amsiret.
"The most beautiful I have ever seen" says the woman. “And I've seen thousands of them here.”
“Here?” asks the god of air.
"In this very place" the woman replies. “It´s the only thing that alleviates this loneliness.”
"It must not be easy" says the man, as he sat with her. “You know, being alone, waiting for a man. Surely you want to be free, detached from all of this duty.”
"It isn't" the woman replies. “And to be honest, I think I don't even want it anymore. I just want to be calm, and do not fall as the prey to this feeling.”
“What feeling?
"This feeling that I need something, that I need someone," says the woman. “Why should we feel this way? Why should we feel that we need someone? Aren´t we whole as we are?”
"Yes, we are" answers the god. “But we all need company in this life from once in a while, my love. Specially us, as the first gods.”
"We live a very lonely life" continues the god of air. “And the more gifts Elgoneth sends us, the more we are responsible for them, throughout the courses of our lives.”
"That´s what terrifies me" replies the woman. “My brother is at the least, a perfectionist. He has isolated me for dozens of years, alone. Learning by my own. Waiting for a forgotten promise from a man I'm no longer waiting for. And on top of that, she cages me with the responsibility of that girl, who I honestly, can´t take it anymore.”
"Why are you responsible for her?" asked Amsiret.
"Because that's what my brother asked me to do, a couple of years ago" says the beautiful woman. “She is the initiate, for his terrestrial race. The newborn of the earthlings from this second generation. She is protected by our forests. Aided by the divine rivers, blessed by the currents of the eastern seas. Crowned by roars of the southern winds, and reverenced by the force from the north and the west, for I ordered this aphorism myself.”
“Emerita is the devotion from the nations of the wild” the goddess continued, “she is the chosen grace, the one whom will enhance the semblance of the earth. She is the calling, and the miracle, for she´ll become the promulgation of the sacred name from the hesitant conquers of doubts and fears. Consecrating her spirit like flooded gold, all over this eternal alluvial race.”
“At first, I loved her so much. She inspired me to be better” continued the woman. “I have welcomed her as my younger sister; as a little princess, for it´s how the Architect of Life has induced her. But after twenty-five years, I have reached the limit with her”.
"I've reached the limit of everything" continues the woman. “It is too much for me, I feel overwhelmed, impotent, irascible. I feel purposeless, and lonely.”
"You feel lonely, because you want to" says the man. “I am here, and I have also waited an eternity just like you, for this. I´m not asking you to give your heart to me, not immediately. I only ask you to give yourself the opportunity, that someone else could be your companionship for your loneliness. I want to know you, I want to be your best friend, and believe me, it will be the best for both of us. I have also felt in solitude, for many years.
"I know what it feels to carry someone" answers the god. “My brother is the most immature of all. We were born the same day, but his spirit came along first; a few moments before me, and yet, it has been a burden from that day. All the time we have been together. Specially before, when we were mortals.”
"But at last, I've got rid of him" continues the man. “Finally, life has released me from that burning burden. At last, I am making my way as I´ve always wanted. At last, I have the opportunity to manifest the future I´ve always dreamed of. And now, for some divine reason, the universe has brought me here, with you. I know that we can create a future, because you´re right here. By my side. As my queen, as my goddess, as my pride.”
"Thank you" says the woman, blushing. “But, after so long, where can we start?”
"I think you should start from your heart" says the man. “And let go of everything that retracts your love. Starting with your younger sister. I think it's time for her, to go on her own way.”
“You´re right” answers the woman.
The man then, kissed the woman on the cheek, and rose from the log where they were comfortably sitting. He descended the path from the mound where they were, knowing he must leave the goddess alone for a moment. But just before he retired completely, the goddess of light turns her gaze from the horizon, and returns it to observe the god of the airs, from her right side.
“Amsiret” the woman exclaims aloud.
"Tell me, my love" replies the god.
“Thanks for being here” said the woman
"Thanks to you, for allowing me to be here."
- Writer
