Chapter 46

Day 122

The Searchers and The Blue Siren gathered together at the Temple of Truth, at the centre of the space where the statue of Hewina stood. It was an odd occurrence since The Searchers tend to not be in the Temple. The Host wanted privacy during her meditation and The Searcher had no reason to come and merely meet. They themselves have their own responsibilities with teaching the Sirens that came. But it was a special occasion it seemed, even Maya had no clue of what was going on.

The three stood side by side and looked at the Host as she watched the statue of Hewina with great immersion. As The Host turned towards the three that patiently waited, they stood up with even more strictness to it.

The Host pointed at Maya. "Come forward Little One, come close to me."

Maya nodded and moved a few steps closer to the Host. She stopped halfway; she was in-between the Searcher and The Host. The Host insisted on coming even closer. She was clueless but followed her order, she moved close and waited for The Host to stop her. When Maya arrived beside her, then The Host gestured her to stop and looked at The Searchers.

Men and women apart. Siren and Searcher separated by an empty space.

"She will be my successor." Host Akari announced. "I often say that she is The One. The truth is my fellow Searchers, she will be the leader of a new Siren age. Her destiny is being a prophet to her race."

Searcher Kharkov and Searcher Red moved slightly because of the announcement but kept it quiet. They looked at each other then looked at the two Sirens with serious eyes. Searcher Red was no different like before, he himself told the others that he doubted Maya's abilities so his face was somewhat puzzled. Even Searcher Kharkov, who was cheerful, had a stoic outlook.The two stayed quiet and waited for further explanation.

Host Akari seemed to have expected such a reaction. Maya was not as clueless of what to say to the two Searchers who she very much respected.

"The Rekindling of The Siren Race shall begin with Maya. That is the Siren Cause that I kept for so long to you Searchers. She has my confidence." Host Akari said. "For all the doubts that you may have, I am willing to give my life for Maya's eventual success. Thus, if anything ever happened to me, Maya shall be the replacement."

The two Searchers focused on Maya, or Prophetess Maya to be exact and waited for her response. Maya looked down and closed her eyes. Her memory back in Athenas started to flash, a feeling at her gut similar to the time she was praised as a goddess. An elevated position where everyone was below her but with a different name. But her biggest fear was no longer there, before she never knew what it was. Things have certainly changed. So her perspective must also change.

She raised her chin and walked closer to The Searchers. She was in the middle between The Host and The Searchers.

"I would like to say something." Maya began. "As you all know, I can't be compared with The Host by any measurement. I am not the best Siren that you all have seen. I know that there are better ones before me."

Maya looked at Searcher Red. The man said nothing.

"But I am willing to make all the sacrifices to achieve my fullest potential. This time I have no doubts and I'm prepared for the challenges ahead." Maya looked at Searcher Kharkov who believed in her throughout the days. "I promise. I will give my all."

Kharkov looked at Red then a smirk appeared. Perhaps he was proud that Maya was slowly growing despite the setback. It was not long until he returned back to his stoic face.

Host Akari knew that Red must have questions so she gestured to him. "Searcher Red, I assume that you have something to ask. Or maybe to say."

"Is there anything that can be discussed these days?" He looked at Kharkov and Akari. "I'm not trying to demotivate her, I'm realistic in my approach. I hope that you also understand that too Maya. Maybe we should be supportive but my opinion cannot change just because everyone thinks so. My doubts are still with myself."

"But if we were to eliminate those doubts," Akari argued. "Then perhaps the process would be quicker."

"I never compromise my effort."

"If that is the case then perhaps you can have such doubts. I will allow it." Host Akari concluded and disregarded Searcher Red's opinion. Searcher Red was proven right again; no discussion was made but he said nothing and kept it to himself.

Maya could feel there was some tension and she attempted to defuse it. She looked at The Host. "Please Host Akari, Searcher Red had done more to help than he had ever had a thought to give less effort. I can say that with all my heart, let him have his say."

"I only want to make sure you get the best." Akari retorted.

"To which Searcher Red has been and always will be the best." Maya affirmed.

Akari looked at Maya and she saw something new about her. This new air of confidence. Akari nodded.

Maya looked at Red and she never wanted any sweet opinion, she expected to have blunt honesty from Red. "I promise you, Searcher Red, I will give more effort than you've ever seen before from me. I promise."

Searcher Red folded his arms together. "Safety should be the number one concern. If you can't do it, I won't let you start."

"I agree with Red on this." Kharkov raised his hand, all eyes on him. "Before this, we try to find the perfect Siren for The Siren Cause or what The Host sees fit. We searched Siren and trained them to be the best that they could be. But now it all changed, we are training a prophet now. That is certainly beyond what we often do."

"You too have other thoughts?" Akari looked at him.

Kharkov nodded. "There's something I would like to say. With the so-called Rekindling of The Siren Race, do we Searchers need to find and gather more Siren to be under Maya? If Maya is the successor to Akari, then what does that make Searchers? How can we teach her when we are below her? This statement affects the whole work we have invested in. Discussion must be had, Host Akari."

"And if Maya is the one that will lead the Siren Race," Red added. "Should we call her Nia Maya just like The Siren Society did?"

Maya was in the centre of the subject and she was getting a bit overwhelmed with the situation. She looked at Host Akari to seek some wisdom and it seemed the wise Akari was contemplating the complex situation. Host Akari turned away and looked at the statue of Hewina. She breathed deeply and her golden channels started pulsating. A gust of wind entered the temple as if Sirenos gave wisdom directly.

"Your concern is much appreciated oh Searchers." Akari faced the Searchers and the Siren. "We will discuss even further in the coming days but let us not rush too far into the future. What is important, if anything happens to me, Maya shall be my replacement. Until I am gone or Maya has mastered the three elements, she is no different than before. I only wanted to reveal her destiny but you both have given more insights of how it should be. Thank you, Searcher Red and Searcher Kharkov. We will have further discussions."

"Then it is best to change the training methods." Searcher Kharkov said. "What do you think, Red?"

"Being a prophet is a totally different game. But yes, we can make adjustments."

"What do you prefer to be called Maya?" Kharkov looked at her.

"Just call me by my name." Maya insisted. "Please. You don't need to add titles before or after my name. You both are more than just Searchers for me. If not for you both, I won't be able to reach here."

The two Searchers acknowledged Maya's appreciative kindness. Though they were still disciplined like Host Akari, serious on what came ahead. Searcher Kharkov seemed to be preparing himself for the upcoming training. Searcher Red had already made a few decisions on how to train Maya in a new way.

The challenges ahead were mysterious and mountainous but with the support of the Searcher and the wisdom of The Host, it seemed possible.

Everything was set and a new training regime began.