Immortal love (Caius)

Mama's Story

The mood was heavy, all Zelena could think about was going back to her room as she still was in a foul mood from our talk earlier in the evening. I nudged her and said "Zel can you try to pay attention, whatever mother has to tell us is serious I can feel it." she rolled her eyes and thought "I really hate it when you just read my mind it's not fair" I sighed. ''You know I don't do it on purpose, you are very outspoken... Even in your mind" Then mother walked in and we instantly got quiet and the atmosphere in the room got even heavier. Then she spoke, "Girls this conversation is long overdue, truthfully I had hoped we would never have to have it, but as I meditate and converse with the universe it tells me that something is coming our way." I felt dread, but it wasn't mine, it was my mother's. Whatever she was about to tell us she was opening her mind to me so I could see it, so I could feel it.

It was a beautiful day on the island, but then again every day was beautiful on the island of Borinquen. The sun shone on the land plentiful as if the universe itself favored this little slice of heaven. We were one with the land and its spirits, we were blessed with gifts of healing and magic. All we knew was harmony, my family the Nanichi's led our tribe as the healers and spiritual guides. Then came the Spaniards, they brought their ships, their weapons, and their diseases. They appeared to come peacefully in hopes of conducting some cultural exchange. Of course, we were elated. Why wouldn't we want to share the beautiful blessing bestowed upon us by our generous spirits? We showed them our ways, healed their sick, and showed them how the land was eager to bless us because we served the land. They seemed impressed, they said we were magic. Little did we know that wasn't a compliment. They soon left after learning much about our tribe and when they returned they returned to destroy our home. The night they attacked I had a sick feeling, a feeling of doom. The land was quiet, the Coqui fell silent and I knew there was evil near. I went out to the sacred altar to pray to Yaya and Atabey. At that moment the spirits were quiet as if they too sensed the evil. I ran back to the village but it was too late. My family's dwelling was up in flames, they went after the healers and spiritual leaders so that this wasn't an attack we could survive. We let them in, we showed them who we were and they used it against us, they knew where to strike. I looked upon my tribe and saw the soldiers taking our women and having their way with them, they lined up our men and executed them. In my heart I knew I couldn't save them, it was too late so I ran. I ran back to the altar and on my knees, I pleaded "Yaya, Atabey! Naboria Daca- Great spirit Mother earth I am your servant. Please bless me with safe passage away from here, and help me carry my tribe's legacy. I beg for deliverance." At that moment the universe heard my cry and answered me, to ensure my escape I was granted immortality along with the promise of 2 daughters born of me and the universe itself, they would be delivered to me once I found a place to settle. This was my salvation, and the promise that my tribe's legacy would live on through my daughters, I ran and lived as a nomad for 100 years until I settle here changed my surname to Noble to fit in, and just as promised a year later I had solstice then 5 years after that Zelena.

As I pulled out of this vivid memory I felt the tears in my eyes. I knew my mother had a hard life and that's why she hid us so fiercely, but I never imagined the extent of the pain she endured. When she let me in I felt that pain firsthand. Mother spoke up after a short silence as we mulled over what she just told us "More then anything I wish I could give you more than what this life has to offer, I wish you could be proud and use your gifts freely the way I once did in my home, but I can't risk these close-minded people persecuting you the way they did my people-our people.

The spirits are whispering of a great evil as they did all those years ago. We must be more guarded than ever."