The Tale of Xenosa

Origins

Cresia's POV:

Cheska and I got busy over the course of the entire day after the fight. We were busy cleaning the entire area, trying to replant plants and trees as soon as possible. We both agreed that this place desperately needed a makeover anyway. The light nymphs came as well, which were of great help to us since their powers were all about nature and stuff. Speaking of powers, I finally got my gift. My dad, well I think he was my dad, visited me already. Plus, some kind of boost happened to us during the fight. We still aren't sure about how that happened but the good news was that it worked. That's what mattered. Great add that to the ever changing list of mysteries we had to solve. When we finished fixing up the place, it actually looked nice. The trees that we had planted around here needed more time to grow but the nymphs said they'll get the fairies help for that. They assured us that this place would be as good as any other part of the forest in a month's time. I know it sounds impossible but with magic I don't think there's anything we cannot do. The sun had already set when finished, so we decided to have some dinner first. The light nymphs were overjoyed, they hide wide smiles plastered on their faces. They looked like people who had not a trace of worry in their life. It's quite bizarre, considering how they acted a few hours ago. To thank Cheska and I for our service they insisted on preparing a moon lit feast for us right here in this newly renovated forest. We gladly obliged. I walked over to where Rita was at. She called me a while ago, she says that she needed to talk to me about something. "Hey Rita, what's up? Need anything? I asked. She shook her head no, so I continued to ask her, "So uh why did you call me here?" I asked. She motioned for me to sit beside her so I did. "Child, I think that by now you are already aware of who your godly parent is." she started. "I'm still not sure about who he is Rita, but I know he's a dude. So I take it my father is the godly side of the family." I said. She nodded and said, "Yes that is true. Though I am not allowed to reveal his name but I can tell you what he's the god of. He's the god of the wind. And like the wind he's very patient and cool minded. He sees and knows everything. Your mom is the mortal one." she revealed to me. "I figured as much, I mean they can't both be gods, right? That's why I'm called a demigod". She took a deep breath and swallowed an invisible lump on her throat. "I'm about to tell you something Lacresia. I know you've been wondering why your grandparents were so eager in letting you go on a quest." she says while looking at my eyes. I nodded at her and urged her to continue, "But if I do tell you about it, please promise me that you'll try your best to be reasonable." she says. "I promise," I said hesitantly. "Very well. Your mother, well to be precise your mother's family has been an avid believer of the gods. Most particularly, your father. I do not know if you had already heard of the story about your family's origins but I will still tell you about it. When Bathala created the humans he couldn't quite figure out as to why they instantly died at first. He had given them light, water, sight, and food. After a while he realized that humans needed air to breathe. So he called upon the god of the winds. This was to give the humans the blessing of being able to use his winds and turn them into air. And so Bathala was finally successful and was able to create the first man and woman. To give your father thanks, Bathala allowed him to be the first ever god to choose a mortal bride amongst his creations. Not having any other choice back then, your father chose the woman. Polygamy isn't a problem to the gods. It's kind of a normal thing for them, so you don't need to worry about that. Here's where your family comes into the picture, you are actually a descendant of the first ever woman to be created. And that woman is actually your birth mother, Cres. Well not specifically. That woman is said to be reincarnated within your family's blood ties only, and every time she's reincarnated she falls in love with your dad. Your family thinks it's a blessing to be chosen by a god, and that a woman as special as that is only reincarnated within your bloodline. There's a catch though, every time the reincarnation of that woman birth's a child, the child is stillborn. It was always like that until you came." Rita said whilst never breaking eye contact. That's actually a lot to take in. I blinked a couple of times upon hearing that. "Cres when you were born, the nymphs helped your mother birth you. In hopes that this time a child of hers will be able to survive. And thank the gods you did. During the time of your birth the gods had only began to hear of Cheska's prophecy. They were terrified of it coming true, they believed that if they were able to delay the birth of that child then the prophecy would be delayed as well. But fate works in mischievous ways, that child and the children fated to go with her were born. And they couldn't do anything about it as a lot of you guys were hidden. After giving birth to you, your mother fled with your father. It is said he ordered for you to be left to your grandparents until the right time comes, and your grandparents being avid believers of him gladly obliged at the request" she continued to say. W-what? My father was the sole being responsible for the emptiness I had inside. How could he be so heartless? Didn't he think that I needed my parents while growing up? What was he thinking? What kind of parent is he? I was mad. My eyes had began to cloud with anger. Well I think being mad would be an understatement now. I was furious. I had tears swelling up on the corners of my eyes so I decided to look down and wipe them while Rita couldn't see. "H-how could he do that Rita? Didn't he want me?" I said my voice shaking and cracking. "It's for your own safety Cres, he had your grandparents swear to protect you until he called." I just nodded my head unable to open my mouth anymore. I promised that I'd be as reasonable as possible but right now I think that's going to be challenge. Not being able to control the overwhelming emotions I had as of the moment, I did the only thing I could do. I cried and just let all the emotion come out. A few moments later I felt someone encircle me in their arms, it was Rita. "Hush now dear, it's only the beginning of the story. The day before you left for your journey to the maze your father had given his go signal for you. It wasn't easy for your grandparents as well Cres. Believe me. They struggled and hoped the god had changed his mind but they knew that they couldn't defy the will of a god." she explained. I had calmed down by the moment she was finished talking and by that time the only question I had on my mind could only be answered by one person. My dad. "Thanks for all the help Rita, turns out I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for you guys." I said and gave her a kind smile. She smiled back at me and replied, "It our our pleasure to help you Cres. Now stand up from there and fix yourself. I can smell their cooking already". I nodded at her and followed her back to the table. I took a seat next to Cheska, she had a worried look on her face again. "Oh my gosh where have you been? I thought you ditched me or something" she says cheerfully. I laughed at her and said, "I wouldn't dream of it. Rita and I were just talking". "Hmm what did you guys talk about?" she asked curiously. I knew that I had to tell her sooner or later but I knew I couldn't do without breaking down right now. I looked at Rita momentarily and saw that she nodded. I think she was telling me that I can tell Cheska about it. She had no problem with it. I looked at Cheska again and smiled,"Just family stuff," I said to which she nodded. I knew that she didn't believe what I said but it's not like I was lying to her. I'm technically still saying the truth. "So what do you guys have here? Smells delicious" I said changing the topic. She clapped her hands and said proudly, "Of course it does. I helped them prepare it. They grilled some of the fish from the river," I was about to say something about the river still being unsafe to get food from right now since we just cleaned it up a few hours ago, but she me to it. "and before you say something about the river still being toxic, yes we know. The fish is from a different river. Anyway going back, we also have some non poisonous mushroom soup, some fruits and of course vegetable salads," she said while gesturing to the typed of food that are on the table. "We also have some juice, fresh from the fruits. We don't have any meat today, but it's fine these are more than enough" she says. I just nodded at her, getting a little hungry already myself. "So what are you guys waiting for? Dig in. You guys leave at midnight for the gate right?" Rita says. Cheska and I nodded our heads. "Well then, you better get on it then. You'll need for your journey," she said kindly. Cheska being the girl that she was excitedly grabbed a plate and said, "well don't mind if we do," and then we ate. We leave by midnight.