Chapter 39
Back in the Athenas. I was told to do many things.Maya was alone in the dark. Staring at the dark abyss similar to The Null. Revisiting back at her vague pass that she wants to forget. Her life back in Athenas before the time of Handsome Jack.
The Order of Impending Storm. The people that took care of me. I hate them so much. But without them, I won't be alive today.
Maya looked at the child in front of her. Wearing a robe, golden and white in colour, silk in the highest quality. Donned with jewelry made by the locals. That child was Maya of the past. The Goddess who protected the planet of Athenas from the evildoers of foreign nature. Maya looked at her past self with disgust, squeezing her hands to a tight knuckle.
I had all things that I ever needed in my life. The only thing I need to do was ask and they will give. All I had to do was just be quiet and use my powers if I need to. In the end I was nothing but a tool.
Someone arrived and stood beside Maya The Past. Brother Jethro. One of the few people in The Order of Impending Storm that Maya remembered fondly. The only person on the planet of Athenas that actually knows Maya personally. The only one that actually cared about her.
The man crouched down and smiled at her with welcoming warmth. "So Maya, are you ready?"
Maya The Past nodded. Brother Jethro offered his hand and Maya The Past gave her hand and was held with soft kindness. They both looked forward; the same direction of Maya and she moved away to the side, giving the two some space to walk. The two started to walk together and Maya followed them from behind. She listened to the conversation.
"You look beautiful today Maya. How is your day?" Brother Jethro asked.
"Thank you Brother Jethro. I just saw a blue butterfly. Can I have one?" Maya The Past looked at the older man.
"Yes you can." Brother Jethro nodded. "But first, you have to carry out your responsibilities. The usual things and then we can find you a butterfly. Alright?"
"Okay." Maya started to skip rather than walk, excited for the play after her work.
"Good girl." He complimented.
Maya followed quietly and constantly viewing Brother Jethro. Someone she has forgotten for quite a long time. The feeling of quilt slowly seepened in her heart of how she could forget about Brother Jethro. But each time she looked at him, a sense of calmness appeared. As they walked in the dark reality, the surroundings started to appear and form like a dream. Maya looked at the surrounding and she identified that it was one of the many hallways of The Abbey.
"Why do they look at me differently, Brother Jethro." Maya The Past asked. "Are they afraid of me?"
"People always fear what they don't understand Maya. Remember that." Brother Jethro answered. "As long as you do good, you should not care what other people think about you Maya. You are the one that protects Athenas from evil. You will always be different."
"Okay~"
They arrived at a door and someone was waiting for the two. Wearing the same robes like Brother Jethro but tone down in terms of certain design. It seemed that Brother Jethro was a rank higher than him. Maya recognized him just by the way the man stood, it was Brother Sophis and she despised to the very core.
The Order took care of me for a reason. They didn't care for me because I was an orphan. They do it for themselves. They use a fucking child for their own benefit.
"Why are you late again with the child Brother Jethro?" Brother Sophis complained. "This ceremony is very important!"
Maya The Past quickly moved behind Brother Jethro and hid herself. Brother Jethro disliked what Brother Sophis had done and gave a sour face. Brother Jethro quickly looked at Maya The Past and calmed her down. Affirming her that it was all alright.
Brother Jethro quickly looked at Brother Sophis with a blank face. "There's nothing to worry; being late for a few minutes doesn't make the world stop."
Brother Sophis realized how disrespectful the way he had said and quickly regretted it. Eyes down to the ground, he adjusted the way he spoke. "Gods shouldn't be late, they should be on time. Not like us mortals."
"Worry not Brother Sophis, we are already here." Brother Jethro informed. "Things will be done accordingly, so do not worry more than you should."
Brother Jethro held Maya's hand and Maya's mood was lightened. The fear on her face was no longer there and she was happy to see Brother Sophis somewhat degraded by his brashness. Brother Sophis moved away from the door and disappeared. The door was opened from the inside by a few servants wearing dark robes that were lower quality comparative to Brother Sophis. The door opening revealed a spacious room with one singular throne facing towards the center end of the room. Brother Jethro walked beside Maya The Past to her and helped her sit down by holding her hand as she sat down.
"Now you be a good girl Maya and just be quiet okay?" Said Brother Jethro lowering down to her level.
"Okay." Maya The Past nodded.
Brother Jethro smiled at her then moved behind, standing behind her like a bodyguard. The Present Maya could only shake in disagreement but it had already happened and it was certainly not the last time. Just like a ghost, Maya saw everything clearly but stood at positions that won't bother the people. Brother Jethro gave a glare to one of the sisters and signaled them to proceed with the ceremony. The ceremony where the believers meet their god in the flesh. The sisters went to the door and opened it, suddenly, people flooded the whole room in quiet desperation. Seeing the small child with blue hair, their face turned from worried to grateful somber. They filled the room and organized themselves very well, kneeling down to the floor while not intruding the centre walkway.
Maya The Present felt such unease; her stomach started to churn just looking at it.
Brother Sophis entered the room and walked at the middle walkway, standing tall among kneeled peasants. "Take your place O believers! Take your place and marvel at our Protector!" The zealous man shouted. "Remember as I always remind myself, the child in front of you scared the evil out of Athenas!"
"O merciful god!" Said one of the crowd, teary eyes. "Bless my family! Protect us from bad luck!"
"Spare us!" Said another one. "Spare us from destruction and we will be good people! I swear by my life!"
"Bless our land in the east for good crops! Please! We are losing so many-"
"Silence!" Brother Sophis shouted. "Our Protector does not listen to useless petty requests! True faith has a price! So firm your beliefs on our Protector and pay your tithe!"
Hearing the order, the people of Athenas hastened to their pockets and grabbed whatever they have. From silver and gold coins to personal belongings. They throw whatever valuables at the child on the chair, specifically in front of her feet. Suddenly one believer went to Brother Sophis, lowered in posture and seemed to be impoverished.
She asked. "Brother Sophis, what should I do? I have nothing to offer?"
"Then kiss her feet." Brother Sophis pointed to Maya The Past.
A few sisters accompanied the impoverished believer and led her to the center end of the room. Where the blue Siren sat quietly, trying her best to keep a blank expression. Maya The Present had bubbling rage breathing heavily trying her best to control herself. The impoverished woman stood tall in front of Maya The Past, lowering herself to the floor, preparing to kiss her feet. As she moved close to kiss the feet, Maya The Present used all her Siren powers and destroyed the things that she saw. Her past self that she locked up.
Greed, power and control… I was alive for a reason. I would be nothing but an orphan nobody gives a damn if I wasn't a Siren.
She was in the dark abyss again. Heaving back and forth. Then she heard someone coughing. Maya turned her back and saw a bed. Maya walked forward to see what it was.
The man coughed again, the kind where it is dry and no matter how much water one drinks, the person will always be dehydrated. Maya arrived at the side of the bed and stared at the person. Brother Jethro was sick and malnourished. To a point that her cheekbones were visible and his skin colour was pale. His breath was slow and his lips were dry. Seeing Brother Jethro so weak, Maya was saddened, there's nothing she could do but sympathize.
Maya looked across, the other side of the bed was empty at first but not long two individuals arrived. Maya The Past that was eight years younger. Beside her was Brother Sophis, aged but still had the zealous aura that he often had. Wisdom was just a facade that Brother Sophis wore but seeing his senior poor conditions, he was deeply sorrowful. Maya The Past had her face straight, she disliked Brother Sophis even till now.
"Say something child, Brother Jethro is not so well." Brother Sophis said slowly.
Maya The Past only acknowledged and looked at Brother Jethro.
"It is best for us to be prepared for the worst." Brother Sophis continued. "His time is limited…"
Brother Jethro lifted his hand. "Leave us."
"But I need to accompany the chil-"
"Everything about The Order has been set, you have all the positions that you ever wanted." Brother Jethro said sternly. "Now leave."
Brother Sophis had his mouth opened with no words to say. He closed his mouth and nodded; slowly moving away from the bed then vanished into the darkness. Maya moved closer to Brother Jethro and wiped her runny nose. Brother Jethro moved his hand, taking more energy than ever for a simple task, wiping the tear at the edge of Maya's eye. Despite being at the edge of death, Brother Jethro still smiled for Maya.
"Poor little Maya, there's nothing to be sad about. I will be well in a few weeks." He reassured Maya. "This is nothing but a small fever."
"Please stop lying, I'm not stupid." Maya wiped her nose again.
"At least you will feel better. This is life Maya, one day, everyone would leave this world to the another part of life."
"And you are leaving me alone just like my parents. You're as awful as they are!" Maya complained as her nose became more runny. Her emotions can't be controlled, young and not matured.
Hearing it, Brother Jethro was offended and saddened by such statements. Being the leader that he was, Brother Jethro was still smiling for Maya's sake. She was still a child and being childish was not a sin that should be punished.
"Maya oh Maya, your parents might not be here but you are strong because of it. Everything you've gone through has led you to this day. You are a Siren remember, one day you will learn about it. Maybe, you will also learn about your parents too."
"But I still don't understand why I'm like this?" Maya pointed at her left hand, desperate for answers. "I don't even know why I'm a Siren to begin with?!?!"
"You will learn about it." Brother Jethro told gently. "But you need to be patient…"
Brother Jethro reached for a book hidden under his pillow. He then gave it to Maya. Surprised, Maya carefully took the book from Brother Jethro weak hands and marveled at the cover. Purple in color, leather covering with a Siren symbol at the center. She felt the weight of the book and skimmed a few pages. Then she closed the book and looked at Brother Jethro with thankfulness written on her face. Brother Jethro and Maya looked at each other and smiled together. In the grim situation they were in, there was still hope.
"You are a Siren Maya and you have so much power at your disposal to fight against evil. At one point in your life, you have to grow and move away from this planet."
"But how about Athenas?"
"Athenas shall always be your home and you will return one day once you learned about your race. You are the only source of order on this planet so you must return. Brother Sophis will take care of you but in time, you will have to be courageous. One day you will fight your way to learn about your race and maybe learn about your parents."
"You think I can do it?"
"You can.: Brother Jethro held her hand and squeezed it firmly. "You can! But you have to believe and always believe and try."
Maya The Past looked at the only member of The Order of Impending Storm that she cared for. The only one that actually cared about her as a human being.
"Thank you Brother Jethro, Thank you so much." Maya said with somber.
"No, this is my responsibility."
"Promise that you will be healthy. You'll be with me while learning about my race."
This was the first time that I cared about my race. That was the first book that had any connection about my Siren race. This was the beginning.
"I will." Brother Jethro said, suddenly had some energy in him. "In a few weeks I will be like the normal me that you often see. There's nothing to worry."
Maya The Past curled her lips outward and the tears could no longer hold. Maya sobbed in front of Brother Jethro. Brother Jethro pulled her closer and hugged her like his own child. Patting her back and saying there was nothing to worry. Maya The Past still held her tears not to cry in front of him.
Brother Jethro passed away three weeks later of brain cancer. Maya was truly alone at that point.