Page 59 of Curse of Immortality
“Zosia, where did you go?”
Instead of water droplets forming her figure, petals from some of the many wildflowers now rose into the air where they elegantly danced, together forming the feminine figure of Zosia.
“How do you like your new home?”
Moved to tears, Althea’s voice was brittle. “I’m so happy and I never want to leave again. What did you mean when you said that it’s where animals and Earthens come from? Does that mean there are other Earthens here?”
“Your brain may limit you, making you forget who you are and where you come from, but youarenature, just like all other Earthens.
“Before an Earthen lives amongst humans and after they die, they melt into one with nature again, becoming the very soil you stand upon and the air you breathe.”
“Is Rose a part of nature? Is she here?” Althea asked and looked around as if she might be lucky enough to see Rose waving at her.
“Your aunt was met with the warm embrace of nature the moment she left her body. She watches you through the eyes of the birds, and she feels your embrace every time you hug a tree, and so does your father and all your other ancestors along with the future generations that will live as Earthens.”
Althea sucked in her lips and rubbed her chest with her palm, feeling overwhelmed and touched. “Why haven’t you told all Earthens of this place?”
“Earthens forget about their home because it would make it too difficult to live in the human world away from this tranquillity. They would long to return, and potentially all take their own life from feeling homesick. If you are to live here, it’s with the promise that you will all return to earth daily to continue your work as healers.”
“But just knowing that there is life after death would bring so much peace to those who live in fear or have lost someone they love,” Althea argued. “Why don’t you tell them?”
“Because I am not like the gods the humans worship. I don’t claim to have any answers. I am merely nature and the force of balance. I will not interfere with any answers or personal opinions because I am no wiser than you are, Althea. I show myself rarely and only use my voice to aid the balance on Earth.” The purple, pink, and white flower petals elegantly danced around, keeping the feminine form of Zosia’s body as she spoke in angelic whispers through the air. “I’m showing myself to you because you are right. My Earthens are dying out, and without them, darkness is spreading in people’s hearts and minds.”
“Can’t you do something to stop the evil?”
“I tried. Maeve had the potential to help, but she lost her way.”
“She told me you wanted us to go on a quest, but we never got that far.”
“I’m aware that things took a drastic turn after I met with Maeve. Too much happened to her in too short a timespan. But there’s still hope.”
“You think Maeve could still go on the quest?”
“I’m always hoping for a positive outcome, but I would be surprised.”
“Do you want me to go on the quest alone?”
“It’s kind of you to offer, Althea, but you were never meant to get the crystal of immortality. You don’t have the ruthlessness that it takes to kill. Instead, you must gather all the Earthens and create a sanctuary for you all here to live. You will know when I have selected the right person for the task of collecting the weapons needed to kill the Cobra.”
“Who?”
Zosia didn’t clarify but all the petals from the flowers suddenly transformed into a giant butterfly that flew around a little. “I’ve chosen this meadow for you Earthens to live in and grow your numbers. Here you can live in peace if you promise that you will continue to heal humans and bring balance to the nature of the Earth.”
Althea nodded and smiled as a family of bunnies ran past her feet. “What is the name of this place?”
“It does not have a name. I’ve never felt a need to give it one. But with the help of the other Earthens you can build a village here and name this realm whatever you want.”
Althea thought for a moment but could not come up with anything and looked back to Zosia. “I would love for you to name it…”
Zosia was back in the shape of a woman looking down at Althea. Although she didn’t have a mouth, Althea felt as though Zosia was gently smiling. “I will not interfere with any answers or personal opinions, I will only show myself and use my voice if it’s to help the balance on Earth,” she repeated.
“But this realm will help us Earthens grow in numbers and in that way help to serve the balance you thrive for on Earth. We would not be able to create this village if it weren’t for you. I would welcome any suggestion you might have for a name.”
For a long and silent moment, Zosia raised her chin and looked forward before she finally answered, “Orenda.”
“Orenda.” Althea tasted the word and asked, “Does it mean anything?”
“Orenda is the invisible magic power believed by some of the indigenous people on Earth to pervade certain spiritual energy in people and their environment. It suits this realm well.”
