Bloodlines of Archaea I. Afira

“Why me?” I asked, unconvinced I was fit to rule.

“You are the only child on this island who shares the blood of the gods,” Grandma Lilly explained, placing a string of obsidian around my neck, which glistened in the bright island morning sunlight. She went to a box and pulled out a traditional skirt and top, both with patterns like lava. I barely remembered the moment where Ember chose me and bonded our spirits until death. It had been many years since then, as Grandma Lilly had ruled in my place until I was of age.

“But I am no different from anyone else. All I want is a simple, normal life. One where people don’t stare at me, as I walk past, or expect me to shoot fire from my hands. I began my life as a regular child, and now I’m special.” I answered, stepping behind a curtain, which allowed me to change without becoming undignified.

“Oh Afira,” Grandma Lilly sighed, “you are different, whether you want to be, or not, always have been. Even at fifteen, most village girls are simply completing their education, in hopes of getting married the soonest, but not you,” I stepped out from behind the draping, with patterns of flowing lava across my chest, and ornate design of fire against simple sandy colors dripping down my legs. I gazed into a mirror and watched as she arranged my long, charcoal colored hair, into a flower-like shape, and added red, orange, yellow and pink Fire Flowers to give it color. They were my favorite, but because of our climate, were extremely hard to grow in the island. Even so, she always managed to find some natural ones just for me.

“And hey, that Akuma is a nice boy,” she said, stepping back and carefully studying my look. When she was pleased with how my hair was placed upon my head, and had arranged every obsidian bead to the perfect placement, she opened the doors of my bedroom and held my hand.

I blushed. “You know we’re just friends,” I whispered.

She chuckled softly as we stepped out onto the soft white sand which was covered in bright flowers and began walking down the aisle. “I don’t think that’s what he thinks,” she whispered into my ear. I rolled my eyes, but my thoughts were interrupted as drums began to beat. The voice of a young man rung out through the crowd, echoing across the beach, drowning out the sounds of the ocean. I held Grandma Lilly’s hand tighter, and walked on, picking up the pace, we passed by Maktu, who loved the history of Skyfire more than anyone else. He smiled and nodded at us, as we did the same.

“Bow now, to our new queen,” Akuma said, bowing just once, before continuing. I watched the mass of people bow from the sides of me, as he spoke, “after so long we have waited for the gods to give us someone to lead our people. We were finally given a ruler, and her name is Afi, descendant of the gods, chosen by the Twilight Ruler, Ember.” His voice rang loud and true. The crowd of people began to sing the songs of our ancestors, and their bonds with the gentle creatures we know as the Twilight Leaders. By the time the songs were over, we had arrived at a pedestal, which held a crown of obsidian decorated in flowers of every color. I turned, at the front of the stone monument, bowed my head to Grandma Lilly, and kissed her on the cheek.

“Now shine, my queen,” she whispered as I turned away and stepped up to the pedestal. I looked up at Akuma, who grinned his wonderful, joy-filled smile at me, which he had used since we were children, always making me smile my own goofy smile. He wore his dark, shaggy hair down. Standing behind me, he reached around my shoulders, to take hold of the obsidian crown, gently placing it over my head, careful not to remove any of my hair from its given place of perfect floral design.

When he was finished, I leaned up to the stone pedestal, and began to speak, “my people, with your assistance, I will lead you to a bright future filled with joy... and magic. Chosen by the gods, I will protect our island and all that inhabit this beautiful paradise.” The crowd cheered, before parting for me, Afira, their new queen, as I was the only child with the blood of the gods.

I joined Grandma Lilly in linked arms, as we performed a dance for the village at the line where the land meets the sea, always having one foot in the water, and one foot on the warm sand, twirling and spinning, giggling and laughing as the rhythms flowed through our bodies and our minds. We danced until the sun was low, and the Twilight Leaders were nearing our new home, which had been the home of every previous ruler before me. I dashed from the beach, through the forest, and up the hill, I continued to run, even when my feet began to ache, and my breath became short. I couldn’t miss the Twilight Leaders. I ran, faster and faster, I reached the edge of the rock, and nothing was there. I feared I had missed them. I began to cry, for I was alone on the top of a hill, Queen of the Island of Skyfire. I laid down and watched the sky, hoping I wouldn’t be alone all night, begging the Twilight Leaders to save me from the bitter, lonely cold.

I thought of the Legends of every Ruler of Skyfire, before me, who had powers which rivaled those of the gods themselves. Each of the rulers fair, and just, always putting the needs of the people above those of themselves, never once fearing for their own lives. I thought of the people outside our island who once sought our power. They killed many of our people, and swore revenge, waiting for a gap in the strength of our island. Legend said that when one of the islanders were to die, their spirits would live on, as they would join the many undying spirits of the Twilight Leaders.

“Thought I’d find you here,” Grandma Lilly said, shaking me from my trance and shuffling up to meet me where I lied, “I saw them coming,” she said, sitting down beside me.

“Why would they be so late?” I asked, staring off at the almost charcoal sky, dotted with tiny white lights.

“They always come later after a coronation. You are their new queen, they must present well,” she said, as I giggled at the thought of something needing to present themselves to me in an unnatural manner, just to prove their worth to me.

“I do not want anyone to-” I gasped as a cloud of shifting butterflies beat their wings elegantly towards the hill Grandma Lilly and I were on, each and every wing glowing brightly, their colors shifting like lava, the entire sky lighting with explosively bright colors. I jumped from where I lied and sped off towards where I first made contact with such creatures, Grandma Lilly stood and watched. There she was, she lead the ones who lead the twilight, glowing bright yellow, like the sun. I held my hand out, to greet her, and she swept gracefully down towards my hand. A feeling of overflowing joy filled my heart as I anticipated the arrival of my connected spirit.

Making contact and bowing her small head, I nodded. She opened and closed her wings, softly blowing cool air upon my face. She looked up at me, and then once more, dove into the air, this time leading.

“Afi!” Grandma Lilly yelled from the shadows, as she fell to the ground. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, she was breathing hard. I held her hand, tightly, careful never to let go.

“Grandma Lilly,” I yelled, “what’s wrong, what’s happening?”

“It’s my time,” she whispered, through tears.

“You can’t leave. You have to stay. I can’t do this without you,” I cried, tears burning my face.

“Listen closely, child,” she said, through short breaths, “I am sorry I haven’t told you of your true nature, I was hoping this wouldn’t be, I wanted to protect you. You must find the island with the volcano, that is the place where the world is closest to the gods. There, you must get the weapon of Udea. The warriors of Underdark are coming, you must protect your people. Our people are strong but hold no threat to the shadow creatures. You must build yourself an army, find the other six, and always beware of the shadows,” she said, loosening her grip on me, her face becoming pale.