Forsaken King

The Goddess under a Willow

Ghana sighed looking at the boy who's now deeply asleep.

" So you are the prophesied child."

She whispered, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Flashback:

Rafael explained what had happened to him, to how he was branded as a cursed child because of a prophecy, became an outcast, and in the end betrayed by those he trusted. The place filled with silence Rafael couldn't figure out Ghana's reaction her gentle face turned troubled by what he had just said. 'Did I do the right thing? Maybe I shouldn't have said --' Rafael stop at his thoughts when Ghana said in a low tone." You can't come back yet Rafael the people are angry they want you dead, the only way to appease their anger is to let them believe you are indeed dead. " Her premonitions have never been wrong, and he saw that Rafael must not comeback.

"What?! But my mom I need to find out if she's really dead father won't let anyone hurt her. " He argued.

" You need to calm down, think this clearly. Your father couldn't do anything about this even if he was the king " she stops deep in thought, again premonitions of the future started revealing themselves to her. 'Death' is coming I must protect the child she decided."Protect him, my child" a familiar voice echoed in her mind, 'I can feel her, the goddess's will.' the voice faded. It's her. This child is indeed hers.

"But--" Rafael anxiously pleaded.

"If your mother is really the Misha I know then there is no need to fear for her life.."His eyes light up feeling a sense of hope.

" The Misha you talk is the one who became a sinner to bore you, then you are not as cursed as you think..after all, you are a blessing to her as she was to me back then."

"Sinner? What are you talking about?"

"It happened long ago when I was still at the land above. We mystiques, creatures of magic live peacefully before with the humans, and I as a divine creature serves as the messager of the goddess.."

She started telling him the Story:

"Congratulations tomorrow you will be rebirth as the new embodiment. " A woman robe in white faintly smiled as a reply to her.

"What's wrong are you not happy?" she continued.

"I am, it's just that I think I have made a grave mistake."

"What do you mean?" Ghana's joyful face faded into worry.

" I fell in love .." she replied this time smiling as if her whole world is complete.

Ghana sighed mourning for her. "Then why do you cry?"

The woman surprised at her remarks, slowly realize tears are flowing down her cheeks." Are you not mad?--I've let you down.." She continued

Ghana simply looks at her placidly holding her arms. " When did love ever became a sin? It was not yours to choose whom you love. " She stops closing her eyes and leaning her forehead against her ' fate must have been telling you to go make your own destiny.' her voice echoed into her mind.

" I'm sorry.." she continued this time crying her heart out.

"You will always be my goddess...Misha.."

----------Heavenly Council: "What do you mean there won't be an embodiment?!"A hoarse voice angrily asked.

" Maybe it is time to change our way, the embodiment cannot fulfill her duty.."Ghana replied

" Misha?! Is that her name? How dare she disobey the heavens will, is she not afraid of the goddess wrath ?!" The voice continued.

" We could just find someone else, someone who is willing," Ghana argued but this time different voices echoed from the council room defying her.

Misha's tristful face greeted Ghana, she couldn't bear looking at her eyes so she stayed on her mystique form ( anything varying from leaves to trees) watching her mourn her love. All she wanted is to see him one last time, but she couldn't go bid goodbye to her love for the council decided it was best to lock her up. She knew that as soon as the ritual ends the goddess will reside upon her, voiding her of any human emotions. The goddess they serve will come back as an oracle, a mortal god, and her, a sacrifice who will be forgotten forever. The willow weeps with her it was the longest hour in her living eternity to watch her suffer. She is after all her dearest friend that she considered her own.

-------------

"It was then nearing midnight, the time where I wish I could go back and stop myself from acting so rashly. Maybe it was faith, maybe it was the fault in the stars that led me to do what I did."

"You help my mother--- a goddess embodiment?" Confusedness can be seen written all over his face.

Continuation of the story:

"Misha takes this as a favor from a friend.." she smiled. Unlike other mythical creatures, willows feel life through emotions: humans, mystiques, even animals. It was both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing to realize what it's like to love and live, and a curse that could end up changing faiths to it's worst."Remember Ghana never interfere with the mortals, like willows and protectors our job is only to maintain balance and peace..."A voice echoed at Ghana's mind reminding her of her mother." Just this time.." as the reply to the voice while watching Misha disappear from her sight.

Flashback Ends

-"And I was branded a traitor to the holy land and to the goddess, exiled to serve for my sins" She sighed reminiscing the sadness she felt. Rafael felt the same feeling when he was outcasted, he was grateful for her help. A feeling of safety and trust budding inside him.