Anu was sitting alone, like she always did. This time she was trying to meditate because she couldn't wrap her finger around Raven. Anu emptied her mind of all the other thoughts that didn'tneed to bein her head. She was going to try to talk to her guides, her spirit guides that were attached to her since she was born. In her mind's eye she pictured a tree in front of her, the symbol of life to her and her coven. She was, by then, in a forest with trees everywhere around her. She was calmed by the sound of tree leaves rustling in a light breeze and birds songs that seemed to echo on for miles. Anu sat up and brushed herself off.
"I want to enter the Spirit World and find the answer to thequestionthat I seek." She said to the tree in front of her.
A streak of bright light wove a door into the trunk of the tree and a knot in the trunk became a doorknob for her to open the door with. Taking one of her hands she grasped the doorknob while the other rested on the side of the tree. "Thank you for letting me to enter your home, Goddess and God."
Turning the knob she pushed the door inward and stepped into the land of the Spirits, or Other World to her. Closing the door behind her Anu looked at the three dimly lit paths before her. One path led in front of her, one went upward and the last led further downward. Anu went along the path that went downward, a path she hadn't yet gone on. Intuition told her that the answers to her questions lie along that path.
A cavern lay at the end of the dark path and along with it was a lake of lava. And built into the opposite side of the cavern was a rock castle that was ablaze with torches. Anu knew of this place only from tales that the Norse Coven talked about, this was Niflheim, the home of Hel the Norse goddess of an underworld. In Christianity Hell was named after her. A Giantess guarded the mote from what Anu could see but she could care less at the moment. She had to cross the lava river in order to get to it.
There was a sound that made her jump for joy. A raven bird was perched on a bolder over her head and was looking down to her left. Looking that way a path was etched in the side of the cliff.
"Thanks, raven." She smiled at her totem animal.
A five-minute climb down took her to a land bridge that splintered off with smaller land bridgesto caves that littered the cavern walls. As she got to the bridge a hag was there to greet her. She had to be careful; Loki was Hel's blood father and he could be a dangerous trickster.
"What are you looking for?" Asked the hag, petting the pelt of some unimaginable animal.
"I want answers to my questions. I knowmy questions will be answered down here."
"What makes you think so?"
The raven landed on the archway over the beginning of the bridge. "I'm following the bird." Anu told the hag.
"Before you continue, what is your name."
"Dorothy."
"Okay, Dorothy, you can venture on. Your question will be answered soon."
This was difficult for Anu but she had to keep walking. Walking along the path Anu made sure she kept her totem animal in her sights' she didn't want to loose herself in the Underworld. Anu kept her mind focused on two things, finding the answer to why Raven hates her and where would her animal guide take her.
Taking one of the branching bridges the raven led Anu to one of the caves and stopped to perch itself on the entrance to it. Waiting for Anu to come it sat there preening its feathers.
"Is this her, Fargo?" A voice asked once Anu had stepped up to the cave.
She couldn't see the person, only that the voice was definitely feminine.
The lava, which was bubbling beside her, emanated a shrill cry and it pulsed to life. Stumbling back Anu watched in shock as a Red Dragon stared at her as it rose onto the path. Its bulk could have broken the path but it only rested halfway on the path, preventing the girl from running away.
"Fargo has led you to me because you have questions that need to be answered."
"May I ask who you are first before we continue this conversation?"
In her year and a day training Anu had learned that the Norse pantheon and Underworld could be a dangerous place to go so she had to be cautious since there were some things in the spiritual world that could be dangerous to encounter. The sight of the Red Dragon proved her suspicions.
"You're a smart girl, Child. I am Dreana, your Death Guide."
"Death Guide?"
The woman walked out; it was the hag from the bridge. Anu had never known of a Death Guide before.
"In every world, Upper, Middle and Lower, there are certain guides that choose to help you. In this world your intent is to find the light in the darkness. Who is this man that you are confused about?"
"His name is Raven."
"I know him, I've seen his lives ten times over. Go on. What is the matter with him?"
"It feels like he hates me."
"Child, he doesn't hate you. All ofhis lives have ended tragically and it's carried over into this world."
"Does that make him a bad person?"
"His soul is tainted by hate. He's had a hard childhood, a dramatic experience and his wrestling career has been trouble with him. He finds his hardcore lifestyle an easy way to get rid of the pain."
Anu sighed. "Then why won't he talk to me? I thought we have an understanding for each other but I guess he just doesn't want to be that person."
"He's been burned a lot in his lives and I don't think he wants to be burned again in this one." Dreana told her. "He only likes women for the sex but he has a hard time opening up his heart to those that do love him."
"I don't love him."
"You both have had a hard life. Look at what happened in your life. You were burned on many occasions but you still held a light for hope. Maybe you are that person that can make him see that loving something won't always go away if he loves it. Be his friend, approach him rather than let him approach you. Find the strength in your charm and yourself to just go say hi to him."
Anu finally knew one answer but another arose in her mind. "Jeff Hardy really does hate me, doesn't he?"
"He is clouded by his father's words. His mother fell ill soon after a witch had done a spell for her. He thinks witchcraft killed his mother. You have to prove to him that you are far from evil, that you plan on being his brother's friend and that you would never hurt any one of his friends or family. I will warn you, your travel isn't over with this path that you're on. It will have many hurdles to run over and you will have a life changing experience that will test your faith. Before you ask I cannot say because I just can't. Now it's time for you to return to the Living World. Argyle, you may move now."
The Red Dragon slid into the lava but lay buoyant to watch the raven and girl.
"Remember what I said. This is just the beginning."
"Thank you, Dreana, I will remember. I need to head back now. I'll come back to talk again."
"When you do, it will be to see Hel."
Anu swallowed. She had several favorite goddesses that she enjoyed and Hel would be one that made her respect death more than she had feared it.
"See you around, Argyle." Anu smiled at the dragon.
"Call on him if you ever need knowledge." Dreana called out as Anu was walking away.
Her journey back to the pristine forest she had created was uneventful. A cold breeze chilled her back as she entered the tunnel. It was like the Goddess was supporting her in her journey.
"Anu? Are you awake?" A voice asked as Anu came back to her living body. "Anu?"
Opening her eyes she almost forgot that she had decided to meditate outside next to the deserted pool. Standing above her was Raven, with something clutched in his hand.
