Chapter 2
two
“We will miss you, Drā.” Nuasis swirls air in her hand as she speaks to me.
Her body glowing with the light of her essence as she forms the ball of magic between her palms. “I can’t believe The Creator is giving you this.
” She finishes forming the small ball between her fingers and slowly presses against the leather that I hold before giving me a tight embrace.
A requirement for life in this new world is the four of our powers. So many ways I could have carried them to the new place, but I chose a tome. I will embark on something new and plan to write my experiences as I go, already started with the story of how we came to be.
Wodthos takes the leather-bound book from her hands and presses his own magic into it before handing it to me, wrapping me into his strong dark arms, and squeezes tightly before releasing me.
I imbued the book last night with my water and Khaysus' stolen flames. I smile down at the leather between my fingers. A symbol is embossed into the front from the magic of us — four circles that are interconnected.
“How did you get Khaysus’ magic?” Wodthos asks, walking back to Nuasis’ side, putting his arm around her shoulder.
“A trick of magic and mind. Something new I tried.” I smile towards them, and a piece of my heart breaks at the thought of leaving them behind. But they are content here, and that was something I never felt. Like my waters, I never want to stop moving, changing, creating.
The ground beneath me rumbles and quakes. Waters beyond the sand tremble and rise, creating larger waves than I would normally allow. I walk out, letting the water calm around my thighs as I sing to the creatures inside the waters.
Sya emerges, his watery skin blending with the waves as he approaches me. He is my most trusted toneo, because he was the first I created. He bows before he takes my hand in his own and kisses it.
“The Creator is near,” He takes a deep breath before continuing, “and I couldn’t let you leave without saying goodbye.”
“Goodbye, my friend. I wish I could take you with me … perhaps I’ll find a way.” I pull him into a hug.
A bright light illuminates around us. Tiyo, The Creator, approaches, and a smile plays across my lips.
We shield our eyes from the light, but I know each of us on this beach are joyful with their presence.
The Creator used to grace us often, but as time has passed …
they carry on and do other things we are not privy to know about. So now they are absent more than seen.
“Drāhēn?,” Tiyo’s voice breaks through my thoughts as their slender frame becomes visible as the light retreats into their chest. The light that created each of us.
They existed beyond the confines of understanding, their form shifting like the tide, neither male nor female, yet something far greater.
To look upon them is to witness the weaving of all that was and all that will ever be.
They are the breath of the stars, the pulse of the earth — The Creator of balance, of duality, and of all the spaces between.
Their hair cascades in a veil of pastel hues that blend seamlessly, framing a face that is timeless and infinite.
Their high, sculpted cheekbones lend a striking sharpness to their ethereal beauty, a softness and undeniable strength.
Their skin shimmers like a million stars as they walk towards me.
“Are you sure of your choice?” Tiyo says aloud, and while I don’t see him, I feel Sya retreating to the beach with Nuasis and Wodthos.
“I am,” I say with a certainty I can’t describe. A feeling that only can be an inner knowing, a fate of sorts.
“And you gained each of the four elements needed for this new world?” Tiyo asks, tilting their head at me.
A smile breaks across their face. “We thought that you and Khaysus could be a match to curb loneliness — equal partners. But now … we understand. We’ve made his flames too hot and your waters too cool.
However, because creations can’t be unmade — only changed — we give you this last blessing.
A blessing to continue what we’ve started. A world of your own.”
Worry worms into my features. Leaving my toneos and Nuasis and Wodthos. Do I want this? Will I be enough?
Tiyo tilts their head and reaches, grabbing my hand, taking it in their own and places their other hand on my cheek. “Don’t fret, Drāhēn?. So many things are going to come to you because of this choice. Are you ready?”
I nibble on my bottom lip before I nod my head. The Creator leans down and kisses my forehead as darkness takes over.