Seasons Maiden

Autumn

Amber.

She was born in the tribe at the West, joyful and hyperactive, she spend most of her time hunting and helping her people. 

But what she liked the most was: studying the stars. Her people had a great belief in them, it was even them who predicted the Emma. Amber was very proud of her tribe, she would study even harder as she had more energy to give than the other kids. Her favorite God was: the wolf one. His name: I'Tha. The god of wisdom and hunt.

When she would grow older, she already knew what kind of tattoo she wanted, those of the God.
Of course, she liked the other tattoos like waves or war marks but those of her god had a very important signification.

She wasn't born in the tribe, but rather she survived until the tribe found her and that night, it was her God that saved her said her asoptive mother.

She saif she saw a wolf showing her the path to her in that faithful night.
Amber was so impressed that her belief in the gods grew even stronger.

But the person she respected even more than her god was her chief.

Good and just, he was now aged of 2000 years. He had lived two millenia and was there when the world battle against the Emma. He would always tell his story to her, smiling like he missed his old friends.

One day, as she return of her hunt, her chief was here, waiting for her.

"Chief ? What are you doing here ? Shouldn't you rest ?"

"Oh little Amber. Your old man is much more resistant than this." He laughed. "Besides... I needed to see you."

"See me ?"

"The Goddess has spoken... You're the chosen one little Amber."

"But... I'm not ready yet." She replied looking at herself.

"Come with me... I'll show you something."

The chief slowly turned around going deeper into the camp as Amber followed him, they soon arrives in front of a huge lake, in the center a weeping willow.

"Do you see that willow ?" He asked walking on the water.

"Yes, I do..." She replied following his steps.

"He may not seems like it, but... He's as old as your old man." He chuckled.

"Yes...?"

"You shouldn't say you're not ready Amber... You're not asking yourself the right question."

"Like what ? I mean... I can't be the Maiden."

"But the pendent chose you my child."

The chief touched the tree softly as it's leaves turned blue, shinning softly.

"My dear... I cannot beart the lights of the gods and their wills much longer."

"What...?"

"Shush... And listen to me. You said you weren't ready but what about his seed for example ?" He asked taking a little seed.

"It needs to be harvest to grow..."

"It needs to be taken care of, a seed doesn't say when it's ready to be planted, we do it with our instincts and learn when is the good time for it to be planted... Like you."

"I don't understand..."

"Oh dear Amber..." Chuckled the chief. "You'll be a good leader... I believe in you, and so will the tribe. I can rest in peace..."

The chief slowly rised from the soil glowing as Amber watch in awe. In a multitude of dust, the chief was gone, joining the willow, leaving only his pendent behind.

Shyly, she took it as it pointed towards her, holding it close to her chest, she began to chant the lullaby that the tribe keep singing to call upon the Goddess.

Power of Autumn
Mother of Earth
You who shall not be forgotten
For all one is worth

Look over your children
Let the Past away
Let the Past away

She felt a strong power growing inside of her, her hands taking a dark turn and black tattoos placed themselves on her chocolate skin, her black hair turning orange as a crown of leaves place itself on her head, a red puffy pumpkin dress having replaced her clothes.

Upon opening her eyes, her tribe was all around her, a little girl holding her hand.

"Are you the Autumn Maiden ?" She asked shyly.

There was long pause, but the young girl smiled and replied:

"Yes... I'm back."

Autumn was born.