Stars In A Lake

Let's begin

The louz had long been hidden away from the War of Wars. In a world erupting in chaos, and ruled by the greed of man, they maintained a safe distance. The lands had many different leaders and far more different Gods, but for the Louz they were the only of their kind. They were daughters of Moja; the mother of the sea, and the protector of women and children. The Louz were a small tribe of women that were blessed with the ability to access the powers of water. In their lives, they would evolve from nurturing plants and growing flowers to conjuring great monsoons and raising tsunamis.

Each of them was born with similar powers, and in time some would emerge stronger than others. Their days were spent training the arts of healing, as well as mastering the art of fighting with pressure points. The Louz were no fragile plant gatherers. They were beautiful like a flower’s petals and as deadly as its thorns. By the age of 10, they would know the names and how to administer several types of poisons. By 12 they would have been thrown to the deep seas to hunt water dragons. By 15 they would know all the ancient languages, as well as memorize the likes of all the world’s gods. This was what it meant to be a daughter of Moja.

While word spread of Archang’s influence, the fear of enslavement within the Magi realm became vital. Many creatures were pushed into hiding like the Louz. Some made easy targets; hunted and exchanged for reward and safety. Archang was on the hunt, and it wouldn’t be long before the Louz were discovered, and although they could fend themselves against most hunters; they couldn’t stand against legions of hell risen monsters.

Although Archang’s had god-like powers, even he still had enemies who he was yet to defeat. The Louz had known of a haven for creatures, guarded by a king that dared stand against Archang. They knew this would be their only choice soon. They had to move fast if they were going to make it before Archang sent his monsters.

The rumbling nearly knocked her over as small bare feet tried to keep up with her mother's panic. They had been preparing for this day but never had they expected it to come so soon. For days they had been trudging through the shadows.

The Louz moved quickly and nearly unnoticed through the forest she’d grown up in. she barely saw past the low stomps she had to jump over. Seven winters had come, and still, she was the slowest of them all. Even so, her mother refused to leave her behind. That was not their way; although just barely she had made it through the trials of her younger years, and this meant she was still capable of being a Louz.

The loud crackle of horsewhips shifted through the wind catching up to them. It was only a few more feet till they made it to the river crossing; where they’d be separated from the beast that lurked. The low-hanging vines whipped against her face making it hard to see what lay before her. She could hear a stream, but still, the crackling sounds distracted her.

“Run Nyoto!” her mother’s voice was panicked as the rest of their tribe advance far beyond them. She tried to pick up speed, hoping that her magi genes would suddenly bless her, she even said a prayer to her goddess begging for the speed and strength needed to survive this. Still, it was no hope. Soon Nyoto could feel the ground around her beginning to allude. She knew the horse-riding barbarians were too close to escape. Her heart was pounding out of her chest, and she could barely breathe.

“Don’t look back just run” her mother paused in place, pushing her forward

“But mama”

“RUN YOU FOOLISH GIRL!” she obeyed picking up pace and not looking back. Tears now swelling her cheeks as she begged the goddess for her mother’s mercy. She knew this was the last time she would see her mother, but she had to do this last thing for her. She had to at least try to be the daughter her mother deserved. She was exhausted, and unsure of how long her 7-year-old legs would keep up, but what lay behind her was far worse than exhaustion and fatigue.

They came as Mwezi had predicted weeks before. She was gifted dreams from her goddess of imminent futures and had prayed this one was false. Still, the terror had come for her sisters. She knew the intent of these men was evil. She’d seen visions of them burning villages and taking slaves. It wouldn’t be long before they realized her tribe's Magi and came to enslave them. Her goddess had given them the strength to escape, but that was not enough. Mwezi knew this would be the end for her, but she would not allow it to be the fate of her only daughter. She stood her ground and readied as the time had neared. her eyes rested as she called to her goddess, begging for the power needed to save her powerless daughter. She felt the wind change and knew the moment had come. Mwezi cleared her mind and focused on her surroundings, her feet planted in the earth feeling where each of their horses stopped. She didn’t have to look up to feel the size of these barbarians. Her determination and strength as a mother would match their ruthlessness. Even if she died where she stood, she knew there was no way she would allow them past.

Nyoto had finally reached the river that had promised sanctuary. Unlike the others who took great pride in their comfort with the element, Nyoto had not yet learned to swim, which was rather unusual for her age. Where the other girls swam with mermaids and slept on the backs of dolphins, she was not strong or confident enough. since birth, she had a strange fear of what lay beneath. She had taunting dreams of doors beneath the sea levels that opened to frightening worlds of the beast she did not know. This made her think twice before tiptoeing in.

“Come Nyoto. NOW!” she could hear her aunt from the other side. Suddenly they felt miles apart as her vision blurred. Nyoto considered turning back but knew there was nothing for her there. A shadow sprawled out above her, and she noticed the lights around had dimmed to a dark mass. She looked up to the once blue skies, and now grey rain clouds. A raindrop trickled down her cheek replacing tears as she closed her eyes. She could feel her mother’s powers tickling her, and realized she was the cause of the coming storm.

“Thank you, goddess,” she smiled realizing her prayers had been answered; even if her mother were captured or killed; she knew Moja had granted her the proper death. She knew she had granted her the power to bring some if not all her enemies with her to the gates of the dead. Nyoto turned back to the forest she knew too well, bidding goodbye to all left behind. Her body fell back into the water letting her goddess finally take hold of all she had to offer; a promise she made when she sent her last prayer.