Kalona’s Fall (2 page)

“
You
are lovely Nyx. And you may keep it on one condition—that instead of following the
others, you do not desert my children and me.”

Nyx went very still. Her girlishness fell away from her until Mother Earth was looking
into the eyes of a mature Goddess who wore wisdom and power as surely as she did the
mantle of moonlight. When Nyx spoke, Mother Earth heard within her voice the power
of Divinity. “You need not tether me here with bribery. Such tricks are not worthy
of you. When you created humans I vowed that I would watch over them and make a place
for that within them that remains eternal and Divine. I never break a vow.”

Slowly, Mother Earth bowed her head to Nyx. “Forgive me.”

“With all my heart,” Nyx said.

Mother Earth stood, and with the rustle of wind sweeping through a meadow of tall
grass, she moved to Nyx and cupped the Goddess’s face between her verdurous palms.
“And now I freely give to you a gift—one that is worthy of us both. Henceforth from
this night, I grant you command over my five elements: Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and
Spirit. Call on any, and they shall answer, doing your bidding eternally.” Mother
Earth bent and kissed Nyx on her forehead.

From the center of Nyx’s forehead a perfect crescent moon appeared, and on either
side of her face, spreading down the Goddess’s beautiful body, a filigree pattern
appeared, bearing signs and symbols that represented all five elements.

Nyx lifted her slender arm, studying her new Marks in appreciation. “That is as special
as are each of the elements. I will treasure your gift eternally.” Nyx’s girlish smile
returned. “For that I also thank you with all my heart. After tonight I do not feel
so alone, nor so frightened.”

“Frightened? But whatever could frighten an immortal created by the Divine?”

Nyx brushed a strand of silver hair from her face, and Mother Earth noticed her hand
trembled.

“Darkness.” The Goddess whispered the word.

Mother Earth smiled as she sat beneath the hawthorn tree nearest Nyx. “But you just
spoke about the peace and beauty of night. How, then, could darkness frighten you?”

“The night could never frighten me; it is not literal darkness of which I speak, but
an intangible in which I sense a seeking, growing power that knows nothing of peace
and joy and beauty—that knows nothing of love.” Nyx spoke softly but earnestly. “It
has not fully entered the Otherworld yet, but I have sensed it often here, on the
mortal realm. I think it grows stronger the longer I am alone.”

Mother Earth considered her words carefully before she responded. “I sense the truth
in your fear. That this Darkness has worsened with your loneliness tells me that what
has happened to you is affecting my realm—and quite possibly it will spread to your
Otherworld. Goddess, I am afraid our realms have become unbalanced.”

“How shall we restore what has been lost?”

Mother Earth smiled. “I believe our first step has already been taken. Let us agree
to be friends. As long as I exist you shall never truly be alone again.”

Nyx flung her arms around Mother Earth. “Thank you!”

Mother Earth returned her embrace. “Dearest child, you have brought me much joy this
night. Will you meet me again? Here, in this grove, three nights hence when the moon
is full?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Nyx stood and inclined her head regally to Mother Earth
before, grinning, she bent and scooped the wildcat into her arms. In an explosion
of glittering silver stars, she and the beast disappeared.

While she watched the trail of stars fade, Mother Earth rested against the skin of
a hawthorn tree, thinking … thinking … thinking …

For three days and three nights Mother Earth did not move.

On the third day the grove was so infused with the magick of her presence it drew
such bountiful sunlight that the brush covering the little island began to bloom purple
with joy.

Mother Earth smiled upon the sun, and the sun quickened in response.

As night fell on the third day, the moon, drawn to the grove by the magick of her
presence, beamed so fully on the little island that the rugged clumps of rock that
dotted the landscape changed color permanently, reflecting the white of moonlight,
infused with the magick of night.

Mother Earth smiled upon the moon, and the moon quickened in response.

With a small sound of satisfaction, Mother Earth knew what she must do for this last,
this only, this most special Goddess, Nyx.

2.

IT IS BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK THAT I WISH TO REWARD YOU, GREAT GODDESS …

Nyx dressed carefully
for her visit with Mother Earth, directing the little Fey skeeaed, the most godlike
of the creatures created from the wisps of Divine Energy that circled restlessly in
the atmosphere of the Otherworld, to take special care with the draping of her silver
gown.

“Thank you for choosing such a perfect color, L’ota!” she told the skeeaed as its
sinuous body circled the Goddess, whispering
“Beautiful moon color”
in its liquid voice.

When a dryad began to weave ivy through her long, dark hair, Nyx exclaimed in pleasure,
“Oh! That is a lovely touch! Mother Earth will so appreciate it.”

Only the skeeaeds had the ability to speak, but the little dryad turned deep lavender
and trilled in pleasure at the Goddess’s praise.

Then the Goddess turned her head this way and that, examining her reflection in her
onyx-framed mirror.

“But the ivy is hidden in the darkness of my hair. I want Mother Earth to see it—to
know that I have adorned myself in respect for her!” With a wave of her hand, Nyx
changed her visage, taking on blond hair so silver that the green of the ivy seemed
luminous.

“Perfect!” Nyx smiled in delight.

Another Fey, a coblyn who mined jewels from the Otherworld caves, appeared. Bowing
respectfully, he held forth a necklace fashioned from a waterfall of glittering quartz
crystals.

“Your gift touches my heart,” Nyx said, holding up the thick length of her hair so
that the Fey could place the necklace on her. “I hope it touches Mother Earth’s heart
as well.” Nyx caressed the crystals, thinking how desperately she wished for companionship.
She adored the Fey, but they were more spirit and element than flesh. Nyx did long
for true companionship … the touch of another immortal.

Nyx felt the sadness that radiated from the Fey in response to her lonely thoughts
and was instantly sorry she’d given in to melancholy. She was the last of the immortals
and she knew the Fey doted on her from more than just the affection shared between
them. Like Mother Earth, they feared she would follow the others—would forsake her
vow and leave this realm.

“Never.” Nyx’s voice was soft, but she spoke with finality, caressing a concerned
skeeaed much as she stroked the wildcat, who now followed her everywhere. “You have
nothing to fear,” she reassured L’ota and the gathering Fey. “I will never break that
vow or any vow I ever make—not throughout all of eternity. Now, please help settle
in place the headdress of moonlight and stars that was my gift from Mother Earth,
and worry no more!”

The Fey danced around her, coloring the air with happiness as they rejoiced in their
Goddess’s fidelity.

In the corner of the Goddess’s chamber, within the deepest of the shadows, something
dark quivered. As if it cringed away from the contagious happiness of the Fey, it
slid, unseen, from the room.

*   *   *

Mother Earth was waiting for Nyx.
She had already taken form and was standing before the grove, breathing deeply of
the fragrant evening primrose from which she had fashioned her hair. She stroked the
smooth, curvaceous skin she had fashioned for her body from the purest of clays. She
called Air to her, directing it to lift the diaphanous gown adoring silkworms had
created for her. She knew she looked especially alluring. The sun had beamed down
on her grove from dawn to dusk, and now, enrapt, the moon watched.

Mother Earth was pleased.

The Goddess manifested when the moon, full and attentive, was high in the clear night’s
sky.

“Nyx! You delight me! You’ve chosen my ivy for your hair. It complements the headdress
as flowers complement a meadow.”

The Goddess had chosen to wear the visage of a young girl with silver-blond hair and
fair skin, and the familiar delicate tattoos decorating her smooth shoulders. Mother
Earth smiled as Nyx flushed in pleasure.

“Thank you! The Fey helped adorn me. They are clever and considerate, though they
rarely speak.” Nyx touched the crystal necklace. “A coblyn made this for me.”

“Why, that is as lovely as your headdress! They must be very special creatures. I
am intrigued to learn about them, as I have created nothing like them. Nyx, would
you give them leave to visit me? I would welcome the presence of the Fey.”

“Of course! I’m sure they would be delighted. Would you mind if they allowed themselves
to be seen by your children? I think it would make them less lonely, though I must
warn you, some of the Fey can be rather mischievous.”

“Oh, do not let that concern you. My human children could use a little divine mischief.
Sometimes I think mankind has become far too serious. They forget the special magick
that can be found in fun-loving mischief and laughter.” Mother Earth’s own laughter
caused the sleeping bluebells in the meadow before the grove to wake and burst into
full bloom.

“Those flowers are so beautiful! The Fey especially love bright colors. Thank you,
Mother Earth.” Nyx and Mother Earth smiled at each other and the isle glowed with
reflected joy.

All the while the moon watched.

“Nyx, would you tell me more about the Fey? I have never met one.”

“Oh, yes! There are so many types of them.”

Mother Earth’s smile turned satisfied as she stroked a white boulder that had been
saturated by moonlight and called moss to carpet it. “Come, sit beside me.” While
Nyx gracefully settled herself, Mother Earth gently waved her hand through the grass
that grew in tufts around the boulder. Instantly, several plants sprung to life, producing
white, trumpet-shaped flowers. Thanking each plant, Mother Earth gently plucked the
blossoms free and offered one to Nyx. “Sip slowly—the nectar is as delicious as it
is potent.”

Sipping from the living chalice, Nyx began describing the different types of Fey to
Mother Earth, who listened, attentive and smiling, until the moon reluctantly began
to depart. Where the horizon met the gray-blue waters surrounding the island, the
approaching sun caused the sky to blush.

“I had no idea it was so late. You must forgive me. It has been too long since I have
had an opportunity to practice conversation.”

“Lovely Goddess, I have enjoyed myself more tonight than I have in eons. And I have
a confession to make: you are not to blame for the length of our conversation. I kept
you with me purposefully until now. I wish to reward your fidelity.”

Nyx looked startled. “But that is not necessary. Mother Earth, I will remain and watch
over your children. I have given you my vow. I will not ask for a reward for keeping
my word.”

“It is because you do not ask that I wish to reward you.” Looking inordinately pleased
with herself, Mother Earth stood. Turning to the east, toward the rising sun, she
lifted her face to the fading moon.

“But what—” Nyx began.

Mother Earth smiled fondly over her shoulder at the Goddess. “This gift is not to
tether you to me. I trust your fidelity. What I create tonight is fashioned from friendship
and appreciation. Tonight my only purpose is to end your loneliness by bringing you
joy.” Then, with the young Goddess looking on in curiosity, Mother Earth raised her
arms.

“Moon, harken to me before you depart my sky. Mother Earth doth call to thee!” She
dropped her chin so that her gaze focused from the sky above to the coral tip of the
dawning sun and said, “Sun, harken to me before you climb too high. Mother Earth doth
call to thee!”

For a moment nothing happened, but Mother Earth did not despair. She tossed back her
fragrant hair and called Air to her again. The element caressed her, revealing her
lush beauty. She called Fire to her so that she glowed with living flame. She called
Water, and suddenly the sea that surrounded the island stilled and became a liquid
mirror, reflecting Mother Earth’s loveliness. She called Spirit and wisps of power
washed over her, enhancing her already preternaturally luminous form.

Confidently, Mother Earth waited.

The moon responded first, forever changing Nyx’s destiny.

As if a pebble had disturbed the surface of a sleeping pond, the fading moon shivered
and then brightened from gray to silver. Far above the grove, a deep voice echoed
from the sky.

The moon doth harken to Mother Earth’s call. What is thy will? Mighty moon is eager
to fulfill.