Alexandria and the Slavic Myths: The Wheel of Rod (Volume One)

Chapter Six - Alexandria's Father

When Alexandria opened her eyes, she wasn't hugging her mother. She was hugging a beehive.

She screamed. She hated bees.

"Don't worry, child. I am your friend. Your mother is safe, and is in Veles' protection. He has made a quick recovery, and is ready to regain rightful ruling of Nav."

Alexandria looked around. She was on earth again, surrounded by a lush field. The sun was shining, on a canvas of pure blue sky. Around her were colorful spring flowers dancing in the gentle breeze. The beehive spoke again.

"My name is Zosim, and I am the spirit of the bees. You are in Slovakia."

"Slovakia? How did I get here? Why am I here?"

"You have completed your quest. You defeated Nemiza's evil, and discovered the most important truth of them all - that love is the greatest power. You are now ready to meet your father in his kingdom.

My father. At last! This was the whole secret quest! It wasn't just finding my father - it was finding myself, and discovering my powers! I made it!

"Would you like to meet him?" Zosim asked.

Alexandria happily nodded, welcoming the idea of finally meeting her father. She felt warm and successful...like sunlight was glowing inside her.

The bees within the hive swarmed out, buzzing with joy. Instead of stinging Alexandria, they flew underneath her, collectively lifting her up. At this new angle, she saw a tall mountain, the top disguised by gleaming white clouds. The bees effortlessly soaring Alexandria through the lush Slovakian valley, they took her up the mountain, gaining speed along with more anticipation from Alexandria. Who will he be? Will he save my mother? Does he really love me? The wind rushed through her hair, tickled her face, welcomed her to the top of the mountain.

And at last, she was there. The bees, or Zosim, set her down at the top of the mountain above the clouds. With a collective flutter, Zosim glided back down the mountain, leaving Alexandria grateful and whirring. She studied the empty expanse of rock. Painted on the flat stone was a larger-than-life symbol:

"Alexandria. You have found me."

She raised her head. Standing before her was a man dressed in white robes, glittering with golden chains, similar to Tsar. This man, she noticed, had eyes exactly like hers.

"Dad?"

"It is me. My name is Rod." He started walking to her. "I am so relieved you have finally found me." He took her hand. "I'm sorry for never being there in your childhood. I have been fighting the evil Nemiza for years. It wasn't until recently that I realized that I would never be able to win - to defeat him, it takes love. And that is something I had lost, since I left your mother."

"But...you still love her, don't you? Do you...love me?" Alexandria was almost crying.

"Of course I do! But your love for her was stronger, fresher...which is why you were able to defeat him. Do you understand?" Rod asked.

"Yes." There was silence. Alexandria was so taken aback. She was meeting her father for the first time in her life. "What powers do you have? Who are you? And why could you never help me on this journey?

"I couldn't help you in your quest, so as not to distract you. I knew that if any obstacle got in your way, you would be thrown off your path to victory. I had to let your love for your mother guide you, rather than myself. Alexandria, I am the god of all gods. I wield the powers of all the elements, and rule all the land. I made sure to gift you those same powers, whether it was within you, or encased in a charm. So you are as mighty as I." Alexandria smiled. "And, you're even immortal now!"

"I am! I am." Alexandria considered how she will never die. She will watch her siblings go, and she never live a normal life...so much will change now that she destroyed her own Death.

"Do not fret, child. All will be solved in time. We will guide each other, together." Rod stared wistfully into her eyes. There was fatherly love there.

"What about my mom? Your wife? Will we ever see her again?" Alexandria wondered.

"Those are questions that will be revealed in time." Rod sighed. "For now, we have to solve other problems. Like now that Remiza is defeated, no one, not even Veles, can cut the strings of fate. No one will die. The world will crowd." He looked sadly beyond her, over the edge of the cliff. Alexandria turned as well, staring at the beautiful expanses of Slovakia, home of the Slavic gods.

Continued in Alexandria and the Slavic Myths (Volume Two): The Curse of Fate

COMING SOON...

Glossary

Karna - goddess of funerals, personified by tears

Bereginia - goddess of the trees and forests

Morskoy Tsar - god of the sea, brother to Rod, similar to Poseidon in Greek mythology

Spor - a demon, usually taking the form of hamsters or rats

Veliona - goddess of death

Veles - god of Nav and its rightful ruler, brother to Rod, similar to Hades in Greek mythology

Nemiza - god of fate and death, responsible for cutting the string of life

Nav - the Slavic mythology name for the Underworld

Rod - god of all gods, similar to Zeus in Greek mythology

Zosim - spirit of bees