THE HOLY GATHERERS

Chapter Four :The Awakening

The last thing I remembered was the concerned expression on Mother Cora’s face. Was it truly concern for my well-being, or was it pity? I could not tell. As I lay still, struggling against the heavy blanket of exhaustion, I began to hear whispering voices. I wanted to stay conscious, to listen to what they were saying, but my body felt weak, as though I were submerged in water. I fought to open my eyes, to focus on the voices that were so familiar.

“Mother Cora… has anything like this ever happened before?” I heard a soft, anxious voice ask.

“Not to my knowledge,” came Mother Cora’s steady reply, though I could sense a hint of worry beneath her composed exterior. “We still do not know who she must serve. The Goddess of War has not declined her, which is bewildering. She is a fighter; I am sure she will prevail and return to us soon.”

The muffled sound of their conversation wrapped around me, lulling me deeper into a semi-conscious state. I fought to stay awake, to hear more, but darkness tugged at the edges of my mind.

“You are now a Holy Gatherer,” Mother Cora continued, her voice now directed at Meme. “I am proud of your achievement. Let me see your weapon.”

Meme! I thought, my heart swelling with warmth. She had always been my anchor. In my foggy state, I felt a rush of gratitude toward her.

Meme fumbled to pull out her bow and arrow, her hands trembling slightly with excitement and nervousness. “Here,” she said, placing the elegant weapon in Mother Cora’s hands. The bow was crafted from shimmering silver, and the arrowheads gleamed like tiny stars against the backdrop of the dark room.

“Oh yes! It is beautiful,” Mother Cora exclaimed, stroking the string made of crystal with tenderness. “This is who you are. Do you know your weapon defines your personality?”

Meme’s eyes sparkled with pride. “I hope so. I want to protect our clan.”

“This is your weapon,” Mother Cora said, looking directly into Meme’s eyes. “It will obey you and only you. Take care of it, and it will protect you from any harm. Show it respect; it was made just for you by the hand of the Goddess of War. This weapon is your gate to the heavens.”

Mother Cora handed the bow back to Meme, and I could see the joy radiating from her. “Thank you, Mother Cora. I promise to honor it.”

“Mother Meme!” called the High Priestess, stepping into the shed. “It’s time to join your fellow members.”

Meme nodded obediently, but before she left, she approached my resting place. She took my hand gently and pressed a soft kiss to my palm. “Come back to us!” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. I wanted to squeeze her hand, to let her know I was still here, but my body felt unresponsive.

As she kissed the palms of Mother Cora and the High Priestess, Mother Cora murmured, “Waka!” and Meme disappeared into the night.

“I knew this would happen,” Mother Rozia said, her voice tight with disapproval. “I could never understand why you did not put a stop to it, knowing this would happen. I opposed it from the beginning! Do you know what the others are saying? When she was placed in our care, you were the one who insisted on making her our sister. Now you let her risk her life. You know better than anyone that the responsibility demanded from a newly summoned Holy Gatherer is barbaric. She was meant to become an inland mother. I saw no physical strength in her. I still do not see how she can be of use to the Goddess of War.”

The tension In the room thickened, and I wanted to sink deeper into the ground, to vanish away from this conversation that echoed my worst fears. I knew Mother Rozia was unhappy with my path, but hearing her opposition hurt more than I expected. Did she even want me as a sister at all?

Mother Cora stood tall, her gaze unwavering as she faced Mother Rozia. “Hush! Why would you think that? I know she is not ours to save or protect! You know that I will do no such thing, no matter my concerns!” She leaned on her walking staff, her frustration evident. “To be chosen by any of the goddesses is a blessing! We have both had our share of experience! We both know better than to intervene with destiny.”

Mother Rozia’s voice softened, but her expression remained troubled. “I am worried. She is not like the rest. She is too weak. I tried to stop her from following your path, yet she always found a way to defy me. She is willful, I give her that. She got that from you.”

Mother Cora smirked slightly, a hint of pride creeping into her voice. “Perhaps, but willfulness can be a strength. We need strong spirits among us.”

Just then, I felt the weight of their attention shift to me. It was time to show them I was awake. I opened my eyes, feeling the cool air rush over my skin. Both Mother Cora and Mother Rozia looked relieved, but Mother Rozia’s expression quickly changed to one of dissatisfaction. She shook her head, muttering under her breath, “Willful child, you are lucky this time. As a mother, your fate is now in the hands of the goddesses. It was a mistake to visit you. You have made your bed when you decided to become a Holy Gatherer. You don’t deserve my compassion, so don’t expect it!”

Her words stung, the rawness of her feelings cutting through the air like a knife. I wanted to protest, to explain myself, but my voice was caught in my throat.

“Let her rest!” Mother Cora interjected, standing up abruptly and placing a protective hand on my shoulder. “She has enough to contend with. You need to step back, Rozia.”

But Mother Rozia turned away, her discontent palpable as she stormed out of the shed. I knew there was nothing I could do to stop her.

Once she was gone, Mother Cora focused on me, her expression shifting to one of concern. “Tiya, you’ve been through a lot. You need to rest and gather your strength.”

I glanced around, my eyes searching for any sign of the weapon I might have been gifted. But there was none. “Mother, did I pass the trial? Have I been blessed by the Goddess of War?” I was desperate for answers, for any sign that I had not failed.

“You will know in time,” she replied gently, her eyes softening. “But for now, you need to recover. Sleep, Tiya.”

I wanted to press her for more, to understand the implications of my trial, but exhaustion overcame me. Before I could utter another word, the darkness pulled me back into its embrace.

“Tiya, Tiya,” a voice called out, ethereal and enchanting. “Daughter of mine… follow me, child.”

I woke up again, this time with a sense of clarity. The voice was familiar, soothing like a gentle caress against my weary soul. I opened my eyes to find myself in a place unlike anything I had ever seen—a vibrant, dreamlike landscape.

I was wearing a long gown that sparkled like the stars from the old land, illuminating my surroundings with a soft glow. I felt otherworldly, transformed in a way that made me feel both powerful and free.

Before me stood a magnificent goddess tree, its bark ancient and wise, adorned with leaves of every imaginable color. The voice beckoned me closer, and I felt compelled to follow.

“Come,” it whispered, “follow the path built of purest crystal to the lake nearby.”

As I approached, I saw the Crystal Lake glistening in the light, a beautiful reflection of my hopes and dreams. It was said to be where the Goddess of War forged her gifts, a sacred place of power.

When I reached the edge of the lake, I peered down and saw my reflection. It mirrored my every move, yet something felt different. I reached out to touch the water, but the lake pulled back, retreating as if teasing me.

Frustration bubbled within me. “Why do you retreat? I only wish to touch you!” I exclaimed, but the lake remained elusive.

Just then, a strong wind swept through the area, blowing from the goddess tree and knocking me off balance. I stumbled, catching myself at the edge of the lake.

“Breeze… breeze in the air of the wind,” I heard the voices again, this time clearer, surrounding me. The wind wrapped around me, lifting my hair and swirling around my body, urging me to surrender. The more I resisted, the stronger it grew.

I inhaled deeply, my chest expanding as the air filled my lungs, causing my body to vibrate with energy. In that moment, I felt a strange sense of freedom, like a rebirth of my true self. My form began to transform, shifting into the body I saw reflected in the Crystal Lake.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of strength course through me. I knelt at the water’s edge and grasped onto something solid. My fingers curled around a handle. I summoned every ounce of willpower and pulled, slowly revealing a magnificent silver sword, gleaming with the light of the moon and stars.

As I grasped the weapon, a rush of warmth spread through me, igniting every part of my being. I realized this was not just a sword; it was a part of me, a symbol of my destiny and

As I grasped the weapon, a rush of warmth spread through me, igniting every part of my being. I realized this was not just a sword; it was a part of me, a symbol of my destiny and my connection to the Goddess of War. The blade shimmered under the light of the stars, and in that moment, I understood: this was my gift, my purpose.

With my heart racing and adrenaline coursing through my veins, I pulled the sword completely from the lake, the water cascading off the blade like silver droplets. The sword felt familiar in my hands, as if it had been waiting for me all along.

“Behold, Tiya!” the melodic voice called out, echoing in the stillness of the dreamlike landscape. “You are chosen. The power of the Goddess flows through you now. Embrace it!”

I lifted the sword, its weight both heavy and light, feeling the energy pulse between me and the weapon. “I accept this gift,” I declared, my voice steady and strong, no longer wavering in uncertainty. “I will honor the Goddess of War with my actions.”

“Good,” the voice responded, filled with warmth and encouragement. “But remember, strength is not only found in battle. It lies in your choices and your heart. Use this gift wisely, for with great power comes great responsibility.”

“I understand,” I replied, gazing at the sword as it caught the light, its crystal blade refracting into a kaleidoscope of colors that danced across the landscape. “I will protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

As I stood there, imbued with newfound confidence, the surroundings began to shift. The trees swayed gently as if celebrating my acceptance, and the air felt charged with a magic I had never encountered before. I took a step back from the lake, my heart full of determination, ready to face whatever challenges awaited me.

But before I could leave, a shadow flickered at the edge of my vision. I turned, ready to confront whatever was lurking in the darkness, but what I saw made my heart skip a beat. The figure from my earlier vision stood before me—tall and muscular, with an ethereal glow surrounding it.

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice firm despite the rush of emotions surging through me.

“I am a guardian of the Goddess,” the figure replied, its voice deep and soothing. “I am here to guide you as you awaken to your true potential. You are not alone in this journey.”

“Why do you keep appearing in my dreams?” I asked, curiosity overcoming my initial fear. “What is my purpose?”

“Your purpose is to unite the strength of the old and the new,” it explained, stepping closer. “You carry the legacy of the goddesses within you, and you must learn to harness that power. The road ahead will be fraught with trials, but you are destined to lead your sisters in this fight.”

“I feel so unworthy,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “What if I fail?”

“Failure is not the end; it is a teacher,” the guardian replied, kneeling so we were eye to eye. “You must learn to embrace both your strengths and your weaknesses. They will shape you into the warrior you are meant to be.”

I nodded slowly, feeling a spark of hope ignite within me. “I will try my best to honor that.”

“Good,” the guardian said, standing up and taking a step back. “Remember, Tiya, the bond you share with your sisters is as powerful as the bond you have with your weapon. Trust in them as they will trust in you.”

With that, the figure began to dissolve into shimmering light, the glow becoming a part of the landscape around me. I reached out, trying to grasp the last remnants of its presence, but it was gone.

Suddenly, the world around me began to fade, the colors swirling and merging until I felt myself being pulled away from the Crystal Lake. The sensation was dizzying, and before I knew it, I was falling backward, spiraling into darkness once again.

I jolted awake, gasping for air, the remnants of my dream still swirling in my mind. I was back in the shed, lying on the makeshift bed of furs and cloth. The faint light of dawn crept through the cracks in the wooden walls, illuminating the small space with a gentle glow.

“Mother Cora?” I called out, my voice hoarse and filled with uncertainty.

“I’m here, Tiya,” she replied, her voice soft but filled with warmth. She emerged from the shadows, her face lighting up with relief as she saw that I was awake. “You scared us, child. We didn’t know if you would return.”

I sat up, the events of the night flooding back to me. “The sword! I saw it—the Crystal Lake! I was chosen!” My excitement bubbled over, and I could hardly contain my joy.

“Yes,” Mother Cora said, her eyes shining with pride. “You were blessed by the Goddess of War. The sword you received is a testament to your strength. But you must be prepared. The trials you face are not just physical; they will test your spirit and your heart.”

I looked down at my hands, still tingling from the connection I had felt with the sword. “I don’t know if I’m ready for all this,” I confessed, the weight of my new reality pressing down on me.

Mother Cora knelt beside me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “None of us ever feel ready, Tiya. The important thing is to take each challenge as it comes. You are not alone; you have your sisters and me. We will face this together.”

Just then, the door creaked open, and Meme stepped inside, her face lighting up as she saw me. “Tiya! You’re awake!” she exclaimed, rushing to my side. “I was so worried! I thought… I thought we might lose you!”

“I’m okay,” I said, forcing a smile even as memories of my near-fatal trial washed over me. “I was chosen, Meme. I have the sword!”

“Oh, that’s incredible!” Meme’s eyes sparkled with excitement, but then her expression turned serious. “But what does that mean for you? Are you ready for what’s next?”

“I have to be,” I replied, the reality of my new responsibilities settling over me like a heavy cloak. “I don’t have a choice.”

Meme nodded, her brow furrowed with concern. “We’ll figure it out together. You’re the bravest person I know, Tiya. Just remember, you don’t have to face this alone.”

The weight of her words anchored me, grounding me in the chaos that had enveloped my mind. I took a deep breath, letting the warmth of her presence wash over me. “Thank you, Meme. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Mother Cora rose, taking a step back to give us space. “You will need to prepare for the gathering of the clan. They will want to hear of your trial and your blessing,” she said, her voice calm yet filled with purpose. “You are now a Holy Gatherer, Tiya. This is your moment to shine.”

I took a deep breath, gathering my resolve. “I will make you both proud,” I promised, determination flooding my veins. “I will not let fear dictate my choices any longer.”

“Good,” Mother Cora replied, a proud smile breaking through her stern demeanor. “Now, let’s get you ready. You have much to learn and a world to protect.”

As we prepared to leave the shed, I felt the weight of destiny resting on my shoulders. The journey ahead was unknown, but I was ready to face it, sword in hand and my sisters by my side. Together, we would carve our path, and I would rise to the challenge of being a Holy Gatherer.

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Author Note
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