Chosen (21 page)

             
“She’s right,” Phoebe rubbed my arm. “Besides, you’ll definitely meet her on your birthday.  She has to give you her approval!”

             
“Which brings us back to the task at hand.” Zara’s features became serious and she focused on me with impish eyes. “The next part of Antiquity I want you to practice involves visiting the past through in soul form.”

             
“Are you talking about…time travel?” I asked incredulously, but she just chuckled.

             
“It’s no different from your foresight ability,” she clarified. “When you have a vision of the future, your soul travels there.  Seeing the past is no different.”

             
“So I can go back to events of the past?” I asked wide-eyed. “Can people see me?”

             
“That is the one caveat.  During visions of the future, the people involved cannot see you because the events haven’t happened yet.  The past is different however.  Anything you do or say can and will alter your present.”

             
“Watch out Marty McFly…” I muttered.  When I tried to wrap my mind around time, I failed miserably.  I decided then and there I wouldn’t ever go back to the past.  It sounded way too complicated.

             
“What I’d like for you to try is traveling back to just a few minutes ago.” She instructed.  I waited for her to start laughing, but unfortunately she didn’t crack so much as a smile.

             
“And how do I go about doing that?” I asked timidly.  Could I get stuck?

             
“It’s actually the easiest of the visions to prompt.  You just have to close your eyes, relax and allow your soul to let go as you picture the event you want to witness again.  You may feel slightly dizzy but it won’t last long.”

             
I leaned back on the couch and closed my eyes.  I thought about Finn sitting beside me as we talked about the common denominator in my life; the number three.  I felt as if my soul was detaching for a reverie, but I concentrated on the moment I wanted to re-witness.  I felt a slight lifting sensation and I opened my eyes eagerly.

             
“Now, the queen was second only to your mom in power and strength, but she’s by far the wisest.  The fact that she’s a Tri-goddess helps.  Once you become a goddess, Nereid, and Leader of the Tydes, there will be two Tri-goddesses.” I heard Zara say.  I scanned my surroundings and swiftly noticed I was standing at the door.  I stared wide-eyed at the me in the past sitting beside Finn.

             
“If Mom wasn’t a tri-goddess, how did I become one?” The past me contemplated. 

             
“Well, Amphitrite and your mom shared the same mother, your grandmother, but she wasn’t a Tri-goddess either.  How it happens is unknown, because it’s not inherited and can’t be bestowed.  You’re just born that way.”

             
“So - Amphitrite is Queen of the Nereids because she is the wisest, and Mom was the Leader of the Tydes because she was the most powerful?”

             
“Exactly.  But, being the strongest two Nereids, they naturally gravitated towards each other. Amphitrite was on Thetis’s counsel, along with Natasha and Dr. Campbell.  But, Amphitrite was your mom’s right hand woman - her confidant. And your mom was the same for Amphitrite.  Kind of like a best friend you’ve known your whole life - except for Thetis and Amphitrite, ‘your whole life’ meant centuries.” Zara smiled at the past ‘me’.

             
“Then why didn’t she become the leader of the Tydes-“

             
“Holy crap!” I shouted as I shot upright on the couch and looked around with a crazed expression.  “That was amazing!  I actually saw us sitting here talking!” Something else dawned on me suddenly. “I remember thinking I saw something!  At that same moment!  I thought I saw something near the door.  But it was…me!”  It was official.  My mind had been blown.

             
“No way!” Phoebe squealed.

             
“Excellent,” Zara clasped her hands together and then peered down at her watch. “You’ve done exceptionally well tonight, but we need to move on to your next lesson. You may think you’ve experienced your range of power over the sea, but you’ve only scratched the surface of what you’re capable of.”

             
“You want me to do what?” I implored with astonishment.  The words that had just come out of Zara’s mouth were laughable at best.

             
“Is that even possible?” Carmen squinted up at Zara from her perch on the sand between Phoebe and Olivia.  Zara’s house was located north of Lorelei’s campus on the same side of the island.  A short walk down from the guest house brought us to a picturesque, isolated stretch of shore that faced west.  As the sun dipped below the tree line behind us, the sky darkened considerably and gave the illusion that it was later in the evening.  The tide was high but the ocean was calm, producing waves no more than three feet tall.  After taking a stab at spinning up whirlpools, creating waves, calming those waves, and playing with any and every sea animal that felt my presence, the sea lesson had started to feel like a cake walk.  But obviously Zara had decided to keep the main event for last.

             
“Didn’t someone split the Green Sea?” Phoebe wondered out loud.

             
“That was the Red Sea,” Olivia snorted, “…but Stasia’s definitely
not
Moses.”

             
“You’re right,” Zara answered assuredly. “She’s much, much more powerful.”  I glanced back at her with obvious doubt, but allowed a dying wave to pool around my ankles and bury my feet farther into the cement-like, wet sand.  A smiled hijacked my lips as I thought back to the first time Finn and I had spent time together on the dark shore at the bonfire.  Like Zara, he had possessed an inordinate amount of faith in me.  I’d stilled the waves with his instruction, and had even managed to create a protective bubble around Phoebe and I during the hurricane. But creating a ten foot wide trench in the ocean all the way to the horizon?  On purpose?  At least she didn’t have high expectations.  What if there were boats out there?  Some unsuspecting fisherman was about to have the experience of a lifetime. 

             
My gaze traveled from the small waves lapping at my calves to the distant horizon for any signs of boats.  Satisfied there were none, I stood tall and centered my energy.  As the water swirled around my legs, I concentrated on its welcoming touch.  Drinking a cold glass of milk after eating a plate of hot wings couldn’t hold a candle to the tranquilizing arms of the ocean.  I closed my eyes briefly, as the water around me danced with the energy that flowed outward from my skin.  With every ounce of strength and pure will I shot that energy forward like a wrecking ball.

             
A continuous, massive arch of water shot skyward, as the ball of energy raced through the water and toward the horizon.  Throttling a big ball of energy into the ocean felt a lot like being blasted with a fire hose (not that I’d ever been blasted by a fire hose).  As my energy met the resistance of the solid water, I could actually feel the friction it created.  As it fizzled out and the water returned to normal, I slowly twisted around in shock and met the wide eyes of my onlookers.  Phoebe gave me a standing ovation while Olivia and Carmen smiled widely. I was overcome by the powerful current of excitement that coursed through my body.  Zara resumed her instruction, completely un-phased.

             
“Instead of trying to push the water outward, concentrate on throwing out a thin line of energy. With that, you can push the water in either direction; creating the trench,” she diligently advised.  I decided to try a small experiment before casting my energy out to the horizon like a fisherman on steroids. I had only been fishing twice on a lake near Atlanta, and I didn’t have much to brag about.  At least this didn’t involve sticking a hook through grub worms and tiny fish.  I took a deep breath and allowed my energy to flow from my feet; a steady stream that stretched forward a couple meters. 

             
I closed my eyes and tried to remember to breathe, as I focused on sending more and more energy onto that one, fragile strand until I was ready to try the next phase.  I willed the line of energy to widen and expand outward.  As if I were lifting weights with my mind, I pushed back against the pressure that was created by the powerful water. An eruption of applause and cheers behind me made me peek out of one curious eye, and I saw that a wide gap now extended approximately three meters; introducing the sand below to the air -  along with shells, scampering crabs that couldn’t seem to penetrate the sides of the trench, and clumps of seaweed.  With a smile I slowly pulled my energy back toward me, allowing the trench to fill itself back in. 

             
Exhaustion was knocking at my mind, but a tank couldn’t have stopped me from continuing at that point.  For the next hour, I casted my line of energy into the water over and over; each time sending it further out than the last.  My growing confidence allowed me to accomplish it quicker and easier; sending my onlookers into a frenzy of shouts and applause.  As night cast its heavy shadow over the ocean and the moon rose higher in the sky, I finally succeeded in creating a trench as far as the eye could see.  The moonlight shone off of the water, causing the trench to look more like a silver canyon.  As the water deepened, so did the pressure. That pesky exhaustion quickly won over my determination, but for one glorious minute, I had succeeded.  For one powerful moment, I had overcome the power of the ocean and commanded it with my mind and essence.  It was exhilarating and frightening all at once.

             
I collapsed backwards as my energy returned to me like an oversized sling shot. The ocean quickly zipped up the trench.  Enjoying the feeling of accomplishment, I gazed up at the glistening stars as they blinked back at me. The waves caressed my skin as the soft sand below supported my tired body.

             
“Well done, young goddess.” Zara peered down at me lying in the sand with more amusement than usual.  Those four words were void of her southern accent and I frowned up at her in confusion. I convinced myself that I had only imagined it when the normal drawl was clear once again as she continued, “I think the ocean’s had enough excitement for one night.” 

------

             
“You cannot understand!” a voice screeched with unabated pain. “The peace you feel within your heart for our sisters does not exist in mine.  They have made it so.  They have stripped me of my dignity!  They have stripped me of my pride!  One mistake should not heed an eternity of rejection and banishment!”

             
“You must give them time, Keto,” the voice of the person sitting beside me countered.  When I turned to see who it was, I recognized her immediately.  Amphitrite. “Forgiveness is a gift that must be earned.  And only time can mend the fractured hearts of our sisters.”  Amphitrite’s lustrous blonde hair fell past her shoulders, as the streaks of pale blonde created an amazing effect.  A crown of silver was woven around her head; the encrusted yellow diamonds sparkling in the light of the crystal chandelier hanging above.  I observed my own attire, instantly taken aback by the striking blue gown and aquamarine jewelry adorning my wrists and fingers.   I shifted my gaze to the woman Amphitrite was debating with and stiffened when I looked directly into the weeping eyes of Keto. Her blazing green eyes appeared to glint that much brighter as the tears poured down her cheeks.  The dark green streaks that highlighted her hair perfectly matched the dark green gown that flowed down the length of her curvy figure and pooled at her feet.

             
“Time?” Keto pleaded, “All we
have
is time!  Must I endure this torture for another century - a millennia - until forgiveness prevails?  Would you have me face their judgmental faces for that long?”

             
“Your sisters love you,” I said soothingly, my voice coming out wiser and slightly lower. “You must know that. They only judge that which you have done, not who you are.”

             
“What do you know of judgment, Thetis?” Keto cried at me.  Thetis.  I had entered an antiquity experience!  The last thing I remembered was lying on my bed, listening to the creaking of the rocking chair as Zara patiently watched me purposely enter my mother’s memories.  As Keto continued her rant, I forced down my excitement and tried to concentrate on my surroundings. I found myself in a grand room with high ceilings, marble floors and looming windows covered with lavish silk tapestries.  A large stone fireplace roared behind us as we sat on regal furniture.  A modest table stood between Amphitrite and me, overflowing with books.  Keto stood before us; exasperated and contemptuous.  Mom’s gaze commanded Keto’s attention before she spoke again.  I could feel her anger rise and fall as Keto’s tone cut her.  She quickly collected herself and succeeded in presenting the picture of grace and dignity.

             
“The scornful eye of judgment watches us all, especially me,” Mom said. “Every step, every decision I make is critiqued and discussed.  I feel the pressure at my back every waking hour, but you must stand strong and remain confident in who you are and move forward.”

             
Keto threw up her arms in frustration. “You could have it so easy if you would utilize the gifts bestowed upon you!  You are the strongest of us all!  You must know that no Nereid would challenge you!  The words you speak have no validity when such an advantage exists!”

             
“The path to obtain the love and respect of those around you is not through overpowering them,” Mom corrected her sternly. “Strength and power must be used to protect and nurture those who depend on you.  Those are the qualities our Order covets in a leader.  Those are the qualities which earn the trust of our sisters.  Once that trust is broken, it is extremely difficult to rebuild-  as you are experiencing now.  But, you must remember…” Mom leaned forward, “It
can
be rebuilt.”             

             
“I do not wish to lower myself to pleading on my knees, in a pathetic attempt to win back that which I have been stripped of.  One accusation does not warrant such a harsh penalty!”

             
“The penalty for your indiscretion lies on those you have hurt the most,” Amphitrite informed her gravely. “Themisto believes one year banishment and revocation of your title is fair punishment for your betrayal, and I agree.  There will be no negotiations.”

             
“My own sisters have turned against me,” Keto stated plainly.

             
“Your own sisters are giving you a chance to make it right,” Amphitrite corrected her.

             
“And how does my absence make anything right?  How does stripping my title make anything right?  I am an embarrassment!  Something to brush under the rug!  I will never regain the status I had before!”

             
“Our decisions determine our destiny, Keto,” Amphitrite declared; resolve deadening her tone. “Do not make the mistake of thinking you are the victim.  You have earned your punishment.”

             
“No, you’re wrong,” Keto fumed incessantly. “I have earned my freedom.  I do not want any part of a sisterhood which turns their back at a moment’s notice.”

             
“Your sisterhood would never turn their back on you.  We love you.  We need you,” Thetis explained with kindness. “But you must serve your punishment.  You must be held accountable for your actions. You cannot claim to believe we would make an exception for one sister and not for all.”

             
“This sisterhood is poison in my veins; imprisoning me and sentencing me to a life without power.” Keto stepped towards us, and I felt Amphitrite tense next to me.  Her next words were spoken slowly, deliberately, and with unfaltering conviction. “I denounce my place in this prison of sisterhood. I will not subject my descendents to this treachery, nor will I forgive this act of betrayal.”

             
“Your sisterhood loves you and needs you,” Amphitrite beseeched.

             
“You’re a liar! A traitor!” Keto bellowed and threw up her hands, but Mom was quicker.  With a flick of a finger she shielded herself and Amphitrite from Keto’s energy.  Mom’s bright blue energy swarmed around Keto, tightening and rendering her powerless.  Amphitrite nodded her head ever so slightly at several guards standing near the grand door at the back of the room.  They swiftly dragged a screaming Keto from the room.

             
Mom disintegrated back into her chair and a deep sadness washed over her.  I felt her love for Keto, and the pain she felt at her vow to break from the sisterhood.  She glanced up at Amphitrite, whose head hung down in defeat; a single tear rolling down her cheek.