"Welcome, daughter of Earth."
Grace Augustine blinked. She felt weightless, shapeless in this strange place. There was nothing around her but white. As she became more aware, she began to take on the form in which she imagined herself - her avatar.
"Eywa?" she whispered, looking around.
A tall human woman appeared, draped in a gown of Pandoran leaves. Her hair was long and black, braided in a Na'vi style. Her ears were shaped like rounded leaves, pointed at the ends. Her tan skin was adorned with luminescent spots like the Na'vi, but visibly glowing even in this bright place. Her appearance was young and gentle, but her eyes hinted at the strength and wisdom of a being more ancient than the stars. She looked at Grace with a warm smile, the very image of motherly kindness. "Yes, child. I am here. You are with me now."
As she spoke, the fuzzy whiteness around them changed, transforming into the forest of Pandora.
"Eywa…? The transfer… what happened?" asked Grace with a nervous voice. "Am I dead?"
The woman inclined her head, her eyes full of sympathy. "I am sorry. Your wounds were grievous. I am not permitted to extend life when one's time has come."
"Crap," muttered Grace under her breath. "Well, that sucks. Sorry. Thank you for trying. I mean it," she said, her usual curt tone of voice becoming quiet and sincere. "And thank you for… bringing me here." She looked around, blinking away tears.
"You are welcome, child."
There was silence for a moment.
"So you are Eywa? Wow," Grace chuckled. "If I'm honest, I don't know what I expected. I had no idea what you'd be like. I've always wanted to meet you, or communicate with you somehow, just not…"
Eywa smiled. "Not under this circumstance?" Grace nodded. She cleared her throat.
"So, should I just call you Eywa? Or Great Mother, or…?"
"You may call me whatever you like," said Eywa graciously. "I have had many names throughout the ages. My first name was Yavanna. That is the name your people called me by, long ago, when they still knew me. I sparked and guided the evolution of all life on Earth. All except for you."
Grace frowned. She had so many questions. "Then where did we come from? Didn't we evolve from other life on Earth?" she asked.
Yavanna smiled sadly. "Not on your own, and not by my hand. This knowledge was given to mankind long ago. Many find it difficult to accept."
Grace's mind raced. Fringe theories, ancient myths, wild speculations… But in her heart, she knew the answer. A lifelong atheist, she felt a prick of existential dread. "God?" she whispered.
Yavanna inclined her head. "Humankind was the Secondborn of His children. He took the life I had made and crafted something new and wonderful out of it that I could not - beings with a sapient spirit. You must know that even alongside the intelligent animals, you are special."
Grace felt like she needed to sit down. She had always searched for answers about life, but now she was almost afraid to ask the questions. She decided to change the subject.
"Humans were the second? Um, who was the first?"
"The elves," said Yavanna. Grace looked at her in disbelief. Yavanna laughed. "Not the sprites or fairies your people used to tell stories about. They were a strong, proud, prosperous people. Long-lived and wise. They did many great things. But their destiny lay outside of your world. They have not been on the Earth in many ages." Grace sensed she wouldn't speak more about them, at least for now.
"And the Na'vi?" she asked. "Are they also," she hesitated, "children of God?"
"Yes," said Yavanna, smiling warmly. "They are the Thirdborn. They are Children of Illuvatar, and He charged me with their care. I love them as my own."
Grace sat down. "Wow," she said. "So the, uh, elves were gone before we came. And the Na'vi are in another solar system." She gave a short, bitter laugh. "We shouldn't even be here, should we?"
Yavanna gave her a sad smile. "If God had intended for you to never meet, He would not have made it possible. He could have put His new children anywhere in the universe, but He put them here, within your reach. The elves lived on Earth with your people in ancient times."
She bowed her head, and when she looked back up there were tears in her eyes. "You were all always meant to be together. A family. But the world…" her voice almost broke, "...was ruined. The elves left the world, their long lives stained by weariness and grief, their spirits burdened by the death and suffering they witnessed." She sighed, and wiped away a tear. "What mankind is doing here breaks my heart. This world was supposed to be a sanctuary. I was so saddened by the treatment of my children on Earth, long ago. I came here and planted a new garden. Then God blessed me with the Na'vi. He entrusted me to guide them and provide for them, to be their Great Mother. Bless you for helping them, Grace."
Now Grace had tears in her eyes. "I wish I could have done more."
Yavanna placed a compassionate hand on her shoulder. "You had a hand in almost everything good that has happened here," she said in a kind but firm voice. "You loved my world, and sought to live here in peace. You taught others to do the same. You proved to the Na'vi that humans are capable of good. And you gave your life for them. Do not condemn yourself for that." Grace nodded, but said nothing in return.
"You have given me great hope," said Yavanna, "Even in my sorrow. Hope that I have not felt since the world was young. Your people can learn much from the Na'vi, and they can learn from you. If even a few can live at peace with each other, it could be the beginning of something beautiful."
"I must tell you," Yavanna said gently, "it is not your destiny to remain here forever. You must pass beyond the circles of the world, to the destiny of all mankind. But you may stay here and rest for a while. There is much more to discuss, and I have many things to show you.
"And you haven't met your daughter yet."