Voices of the Goddess
Chapter 4
Mothra had given them specific instructions on how and what the new priestesses would be taught in order to serve the goddess, the Earth and the people of the island. The process would take another full moon cycle, beginning with the new moon and ending when the moon was full. On that night, the Shobijin who had been Mothra's priestesses from the beginning of her existence would become one with the goddess and the new Shobijin would take their places. When Mothra was finished, the Shobijin bowed their heads and prayed for a brief moment before rising to their feet and leaving the chamber to welcome the night.
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There was no time to walk from the mountain to the shrine so they took to the sky. The Shobijin flew high above the island, hanging above it while taking in every detail. They watched as the sea gently caressed the shore and listened to the waves crashing gently into the rocks. They saw the wind play against the leaves of the trees and heard its song reverberate over the whole of the island. They saw the flicker of torchlight from every home that dotted the island, reminding them of fireflies dancing in the night. They closed their eyes and burned the images into their very souls before diving toward the island shrine.
Taiyun and Mianai had already arrived, still wearing the same outfits they had before. They were standing near the small rock formation talking among themselves when a tiny strike of golden lightning flashed before them. When their eyes readjusted, they saw the Shobijin standing before them. Taiyun and Mianai slipped to their knees with the same grace they showed before, but the Shobijin saw something they decided to correct. Even though Mothra had not yet approved of them as priestesses to be. "This night Mothra will come to her shrine. You must always kneel on both knees when in the presence of the goddess or in prayer when it is possible. Do not sit upon your heals when kneeling in worship or prayer. Stand on your knees with your feet relaxed, not curled beneath you."The Shobijin waited a moment for the girls to straighten themselves before continuing. "Show the strength of your faith, even if you are floating in the air. Mothra's love will sustain you and you will feel no pain, no matter how hard the Earth below you may be. When in our presencence, asking for forgiveness for your transgressions upon others or in the presence of someone great, kneel on one knee only. Do this always, wether it is on this island or other places you may travel. Remember, one is a gesture of great respect while the other is a gesture of complete surrender, adoration and worship. Close your eyes and use this time to clear your minds and spirits of all that does not serve your highest good. Mothra will arrive very soon. If the goddess accepts you, you will be like seeds that will grow into a beautiful flower." The Shobijin watched over them while they waited, allowing the power of their faith to renew their own spirits.
A long silence passed before the young girls heard the voices of the Shobijin once-more. "Lift your eyes and behold, Mothra approaches. You must know, you will not see her in all of her glory for she is weak. Yet you will see the splendor of her spirit and feel her power. Let it bathe your souls and fill your hearts with her love. You will hear her voice in your hearts and minds, yet know that she does not speak outwardly. She sings to us and we sing to her in turn. Remain on your knees until we command you to rise. We will speak with you when Mothra takes her leave of us. "The young girls opened their eyes and gazed ahead, watching both the horizon and the Shobijin as they waited to be in the presence of their goddess. The Shobijin turned their backs to the girls, facing the spot where Mothra's spiritual energy would appear. The girls watched them closely, studying every move they made. The Shobijin stood tall and strong with their feet together and their heads high.
The rising tide that was Mothra barely touched the senses of the four women who awaited her coming. The Shobijin called out to the young girls kneeling behind them. "Mothra is near. Let go of your burdens, your fears and your sorrows. Open your hearts and souls to your goddess. Hold nothing back, for ill or good show her your true selves." Taiyun and Mianai's hearts began to beat faster and faster until the blood coursing through their ears became the drumbeats of a tribal ritual. Electricity filled the air and made every hair on their bodies jitter. Thin wisps of golden light suddenly appeared ahead. The tendrils of energy crackled with tiny lightning strikes between flecks of gold that reminded the girls of floating seeds.
The tendrils grew more prevalent until the entire space was filled with them. They came together and formed a cloud of energy. Taiyun and Mianai watched as the Shobijin silently lowered themselves to their knees. Their decent was profoundly slow and graceful. Every muscle in their bodies tensed and relaxed so gently it seemed effortless. So gentle was the impact of their knees to the rock, it was imperceptible to the girls. They stood straight on their knees, relaxed their feet in a flash and bowed their heads with a serenity that amazed the young girls. Each of them had the exact same thought, this is what it is to be Shobijin. This is what it means to be Mothra's priestesses. In that moment, the longing to be one of them was felt so deeply it caused their hearts to ache. Yet, the most profound feelings they would ever experience were still to come. The Shobijin spoke directly to Mothra, "Blessed Goddess, two souls have been found with your spirit within them. We bring them to your sacred shine so you may consider their worthiness to become your voices. Know they come of their own free will with faith and love in their hearts, giving up their lives to serve you until all life is ended upon the Earth. Whatever your will may be, may the young girls who kneel before you in adoration and worship be blessed." The Shobijin bowed their heads and closed their eyes, while Taiyun and Mianai followed. All thoughts within Mianai and Taiyun's minds ended in an instant, leaving absolute darkness as their entire existence. There was no cold, heat, or sound. They felt as if they were suspended in air, but with no gravity to weigh them down and no sense of the Earth beneath their knees. They felt the strange sensation of remaining still, while time itself crawled past them.
In an instant, a tiny point of golden light appeared before them. The light was so brilliant it caused a split second of pain throughout their beings. The light exploded and they were engulfed by it. Each of them suddenly heard a voice sing so beautifully it made their hearts slow to the melody of her singing.
The Heavens blanket the Earth.
The Earth rises to meet the Heavens.
Faith and love keep them balanced.
Courage is tempered by wisdom.
Strength is guided by honor.
For all of time to this vow we are bound.
Our hearts and spirits are one.
Light faded into darkness, the cool night air washed over the bodies of the girls and weight returned to their knees upon the soft sand of the shrine. Taiyun and Mianai raised their heads and opened their eyes, staring straight ahead. Mothra's spirit had gone and the Shobijin were nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, they came out of the darkness and approached. Taiyun and Mianai were shocked to find themselves looking up at their faces!
Taiyun and Mianai exclaimed, "We have become small!"
The Shobijin smiled, "Mothra has approved of you."
Lora smiled and spoke to the young girls, "Yet, for now it is in name only. You still have much to learn before you are to take your true places as Mothra's voices."
Moll smiled, "Rise and take a moment to see for yourselves how you have changed."
The girls gave Moll a confused look until they came to their feet and turned to look at each other. Their features remained the same, but their clothes were drastically different. Sheer orange material that fell from a small black collar around their necks just below their chins, covering the tops of their chests and arms. Over that was a slender gown with thin straps over their shoulders. The gown was a mix of black, yellow, red and white. The same colors found in Mothra's wings. The top of the dress was wide and it resembled Mothra's top wings. The skirt was slitted on both sides up to their thighs and the slits were white and yellow on the edges, while the inside of the dress was a deep red.
The Shobijin interrupted them as they marveled at each other's appearance. "Please continue facing each other and kneel on both knees, standing straight upon them as if you were in prayer." The girls obeyed and found the skirts on their dresses flared out, forming what looked like Mothra's bottom wings, so that when they were kneeling they looked just like moths themselves. After a few moments of allowing the young girls to see what they looked like in their new dresses, the Shobijin gave them another command. "Rise and follow us, we will take you to the mountain where you will live from now on." Taiyun and Mianai came to their feet and joined hands, exchanging a look of sadness to one another before following the Shobijin.
Taiyun and Mianai had explored the mountain many times, but they never dreamed there was an entrance to it right at their feet where they would find each other either at dawn or dusk and welcome the morning or the night. Nor did they expect the Shobijin to tell them they were standing directly above where they would do the same. They entered the mountain and walked for what seemed like an hour before coming to an empty chamber. The shobijin entered, walked to the back wall and stood waiting for the girls. When they entered the chamber, the Shobijin reached out for them. "Come, there are things you should know before we prepare your room for your slumber." Taiyun and Mianai entered and dropped quickly to their right knees before the Shobijin, resting their hands on their thighs. The flare of their dresses was less than when they knelt on both knees, but they still looked like tiny moths. The Shobijin smiled and began their first official lesson. "Though you will look the same to others, including your faces and speak with one voice, individuality is never completely lost when you become priestesses, it is simply never shown to others. The voices of Mothra must always show they are one in thought and spirit. The words they speak to the people are the words of the goddess and must be absolute. Differences between you must be dealt with alone."
Taiyun and Mianai bowed their heads slightly and replied. "Yes, honored ones."
The Shobijin smiled, "May this place be a refuge for you against the chaos of the outside world."
The Shobijin folded their hands at their breasts and closed their eyes. For a split second, two bright flashes lit up the room. The girls turned their heads and found two simple futons with golden blankets and pillows on each side of the chamber. More flashes brought forth essential items the girls would need if they were to live in the chamber deep within the island. When the Shobijin were finished they smiled, "Behold, this is but a fraction of the power we hold as Mothra's priestesses. As the days pass until the moon becomes full, you will see much more. Before the first light, we will come to you and take you to the place we have gone for centuries to welcome the morning. We will welcome the morning together, when that is done we will take you to Mothra's sacred chamber where we will spend most of the day in worship and prayer. You will kneel at the back of the chamber, while we will be at the center."
Taiyun and Mianai responded, "Yes, honored ones. We thank you for your kindness and await your return with eagerness. May you be blessed as you go to your slumber."
The Shobijin smiled, "May your slumber be blessed and peaceful. For we know this day has been long and hard. Rise, the hour is late and your sleep will be short." They were about to leave the chamber when they looked to each other and then the girls who knelt before them. "We have one last gift to give…" They folded their hands as if in prayer and closed their eyes. Another bright flash obscured the Shobijin for a split second. When the light faded, Taiyun and Mianai found they were now wearing the necklaces and arm cuffs the Shobijin had worn. "These are yours now. They are the symbols of Mothra and you will find great power within them."
Taiyun and Mianai took a moment to look at the golden jewelry, smiling at their beauty. They looked up to the Shobijin, struck speechless by the gesture. They could only place their hands over their hearts and bow deeply at their waists. The Shobijin quietly left them alone as they bowed. Taiyun and Mianai came to their feet once they were alone. Turning to each other, they threw their arms around one another. They stood there, holding each other close as the tears they had been holding since the end of Mothra's visit flowed from their eyes unabated. The swirling winds that were their emotions proved to be too much to put into words. There was the joy of communing with the goddess of the Earth, mixed with the sadness of leaving their loved ones behind and the fear of the unknown that loomed before them as they left the lives they knew beind. In the silence, each of them could feel the other on a level that was much deeper than they had ever experienced. In truth, neither of them could fathom what they were experiencing. They could not believe such a spiritual joining was possible, yet it was there and neither of them could deny its existence.
Taiyun and Mianai let go of each other and stepped back gazing into each other's eyes, trying to see if the light that was their souls had changed. Mianai finally smiled with true happiness, free of the feelings of formality and obligation. "My dear friend, this is who we are. This is who we were meant to be, yet we have not changed in the deepest sense. I am still Mianai, you are still Taiyun and we are still loved by one another."
Taiyun smiled back and let out a deep sigh. "There is fear in my heart Mianai, but with you at my side I can go to my dreams unhindered."
Mianai took Taiyuns hands within her own. "Thank you, Taiyun, for taking this journey with me."