“But she prefers a form similar to that of the Dryad we met before. Take note, however, her presence is very powerful, much more powerful than that of the Dragon. If you feel that you cannot continue, step away from the circle. There is no need for you to over stimulate yourself.”
“I understand,” Farouk said.
“And remember to keep your mind open,” Maedoc added. “If your mind wanders or your focus is shattered, you will no longer be able to speak with her. But fear not, this is your first time and none of us expect perfection, not even her.”
Farouk nodded, closing his eyes and focusing his thoughts as instructed. Maedoc and Jodocus began their focus as well, concentrating their thoughts on the Earth and calling to the Great Mother. The three men stood in silence, each one adding to the thoughts of the others and strengthening the point of energy in the center of the circle.
A tiny green light began to materialize, growing larger and brighter, spinning faster and faster. Tendrils of green energy began to swirl around it as it picked up speed and size. After several seconds, the light began to take the shape of an orb, swirling with tiny clouds and bolts of electricity that arced to the open air around it.
Farouk saw that the orb looked like the Earth itself. He could see the continents and islands that dotted its surface, and the moon also began to come into existence. It slowly spun around the Earth, slowing its pace as the orb of the Earth began to settle in a stable rotation. The orb began to grow again, becoming as large as Farouk himself. It was a beautiful sight and Farouk’s heart began to pound with joy. He watched as the orb began to pulse and throb, seeming to match his own heartbeat. He breathed heavily, never taking his eyes off the orb, and never allowing a single stray thought to enter his mind.
The orb began to change shape, taking on a vaguely human form. The surface contracted and reconfigured its shape to form a body, limbs, and a featureless head. Farouk concentrated on strengthening the link, allowing the Great Mother to emerge fully. His efforts were more effective than either Maedoc or Jodocus could have guessed. The link completed much more quickly than it ever had before, and the two experienced elders were surprised and impressed with Farouk’s power.
The green energy continued to swirl around the human shape, filling in the gaps and transparent parts until a fully formed female body stood before the three of them. She was very similar to the Dryad in appearance, but with a billowing gown of shimmering energy and long flowing hair. She was pure spirit, but somehow seemed tangible and fully corporeal. Farouk’s eyes widened and a smile spread across his face. He gazed into the eyes of the Great Mother, who had chosen to face him and address him first.
“Hello, Farouk,” the Great Mother said. “I have been waiting for this moment since the beginning.”
Farouk said nothing, but struggled to maintain his composure as the spirit spoke to him.
“Mother,” Jodocus said. “We are honored to be in your presence, and we ask that you commune with us. We are in need of your guidance.”
The Great Mother turned to the Druid, glancing at Maedoc as she did. “Hello, Jodocus,” she said. “Ask me what you will.”
“I have the feeling,” he began, “that the Dragon’s knowledge of The Lifegiver is limited due to his imprisonment. We need all of the information you can give us regarding this malevolent spirit’s nature.”
“The Dragon is the embodiment of my wrath and passion,” she replied. “His knowledge is indeed limited. Though he did battle with the spirit known as Absu in the beginning, he was not alone.”
“What do you mean, Mother?” Jodocus asked.
“My child Kronos assisted him,” the Great Mother replied. “Kronos, who embodies my strength and will. He, too, lies imprisoned within the Earth, but he can be freed.”
“How?” Maedoc asked.
“His
“I understand,” Farouk said.
“And remember to keep your mind open,” Maedoc added. “If your mind wanders or your focus is shattered, you will no longer be able to speak with her. But fear not, this is your first time and none of us expect perfection, not even her.”
Farouk nodded, closing his eyes and focusing his thoughts as instructed. Maedoc and Jodocus began their focus as well, concentrating their thoughts on the Earth and calling to the Great Mother. The three men stood in silence, each one adding to the thoughts of the others and strengthening the point of energy in the center of the circle.
A tiny green light began to materialize, growing larger and brighter, spinning faster and faster. Tendrils of green energy began to swirl around it as it picked up speed and size. After several seconds, the light began to take the shape of an orb, swirling with tiny clouds and bolts of electricity that arced to the open air around it.
Farouk saw that the orb looked like the Earth itself. He could see the continents and islands that dotted its surface, and the moon also began to come into existence. It slowly spun around the Earth, slowing its pace as the orb of the Earth began to settle in a stable rotation. The orb began to grow again, becoming as large as Farouk himself. It was a beautiful sight and Farouk’s heart began to pound with joy. He watched as the orb began to pulse and throb, seeming to match his own heartbeat. He breathed heavily, never taking his eyes off the orb, and never allowing a single stray thought to enter his mind.
The orb began to change shape, taking on a vaguely human form. The surface contracted and reconfigured its shape to form a body, limbs, and a featureless head. Farouk concentrated on strengthening the link, allowing the Great Mother to emerge fully. His efforts were more effective than either Maedoc or Jodocus could have guessed. The link completed much more quickly than it ever had before, and the two experienced elders were surprised and impressed with Farouk’s power.
The green energy continued to swirl around the human shape, filling in the gaps and transparent parts until a fully formed female body stood before the three of them. She was very similar to the Dryad in appearance, but with a billowing gown of shimmering energy and long flowing hair. She was pure spirit, but somehow seemed tangible and fully corporeal. Farouk’s eyes widened and a smile spread across his face. He gazed into the eyes of the Great Mother, who had chosen to face him and address him first.
“Hello, Farouk,” the Great Mother said. “I have been waiting for this moment since the beginning.”
Farouk said nothing, but struggled to maintain his composure as the spirit spoke to him.
“Mother,” Jodocus said. “We are honored to be in your presence, and we ask that you commune with us. We are in need of your guidance.”
The Great Mother turned to the Druid, glancing at Maedoc as she did. “Hello, Jodocus,” she said. “Ask me what you will.”
“I have the feeling,” he began, “that the Dragon’s knowledge of The Lifegiver is limited due to his imprisonment. We need all of the information you can give us regarding this malevolent spirit’s nature.”
“The Dragon is the embodiment of my wrath and passion,” she replied. “His knowledge is indeed limited. Though he did battle with the spirit known as Absu in the beginning, he was not alone.”
“What do you mean, Mother?” Jodocus asked.
“My child Kronos assisted him,” the Great Mother replied. “Kronos, who embodies my strength and will. He, too, lies imprisoned within the Earth, but he can be freed.”
“How?” Maedoc asked.
“His
Similar Books
Long Hidden: Speculative Fiction from the Margins of History
Ken Liu, Tananarive Due, Victor LaValle, Nnedi Okorafor, Sofia Samatar, Sabrina Vourvoulias, Thoraiya Dyer
