I'm feeling sort of down, and it always makes me feel good when I get yall's positive reviews. Please enjoy this additional chapter!
Chapter Fourteen
I have to admit, when Edward said climb, I thought he meant stairs. I was of course shocked when he strode up to the side of a mountain and began climbing. I also have to admit that I thought I was going to pass out several times from fear. But of course, Edward assured me he'd catch me if I fell.
I let out a sigh of relief when we made it to the top of the mountain. Edward laughed and placed his hand on my back.
"What do you think?" He asked.
I looked up to see a large, completely white tree. It was similar to a willow tree, but there were small, rounded berry-like objects hanging from the closed buds. The tree was sitting upon crystal clear water. In the water were giant white lily pads that were big enough for both me and Edward to sit.
"It's beautiful," I smiled. It truly was. I felt like I was looking at a piece of heaven.
Edward smiled widely, his tail whipping around happily.
"So, how is this the tree of healing? What do you do?" I asked.
He grabbed my hand and lead me to the tree. He climbed onto the lily pad first and once he was settled, he patted the spot in front of him. I was hesitant, but I climbed onto the lily pad and sat. It didn't even wobble when I stepped onto it, so I felt pretty secure.
"You eat this," Edward said as he fed me the berry. I chewed as I watched him dip the closed bud into the water. I watched as he held it under, the bud opened up and revealed a bright red flower. Once it had finished opening, Edward pulled it out of the water and placed it behind my ear. He smiled widely at me.
"Now what?" I asked.
"Just wait a few moments," He said as he stared at me. "Don't worry, I won't let you fall into the water."
"Fall into the wa—," I trialed off as I gasped. My vision suddenly turned black and for a moment, it felt as though I was choking on the water. I started shaking as I felt as though my body was being lifted off the ground.
My body floated for several long moments before I finally stopped moving. My vision was restored, but I was no longer in front of the tree of healing. I was in an open field. I looked down at my skin to see that it was translucent. I blinked several times before looking up at the sky. It was purple.
"W-where the hell—?"
"Welcome," I heard a voice that sounded eerily similar to mine.
I jumped to my feet and looked all around. My eyes fell upon an enormous being, resting in a pool of clear water a few feet from me. I blinked several times again as I tentatively took a step towards the being.
I suddenly realized that the being resting in the water was a morphed looking version of myself. I saw my same hair and skin, but little features told me that this being was not a mirror. When a tail similar to Edward's lifted lazily out of the water, I got the feeling that this was the being they referred to as the goddess.
"Come child," She said as she motioned to the water with her large hand. I was sure that if I curled up into a ball, I could lay in her hand.
"W-who are you?" I asked without taking another step.
She chuckled very softly. "You already answered that, my lost child."
I realized that I had answered it just mere seconds ago. This being was the Goddess. I felt a cold chill run down my back.
"T-there's no way… this is some… some sort of hallucination… from the berry Edward gave me. This isn't real." I snapped my fingers in realization. "That's exactly what it is. The berry is some form of hallucinate. That's why you look like a weird version of me and Edward. The human brain can't create new faces."
She laughed this time, lifting more out of the water revealing her breasts. I noticed she had several intricate markings on her skin that seemed to glow.
"You think so, child?" She asked. "There is no way I am able to prove that this is real to you. Your society has convinced you that beings such as myself are nothing more than fairytale. But, let me ask you this, have you come up with an answer for Esme's knowledge of your life."
My cheeks turned red, and I felt my mouth go dry. She smiled widely.
"Exactly. You have no explanation. You want to deny me, but I promise you my lost child, I am very real. Call out to me, allow me to heal the wounds within you."
She waved her hand forward again. I sighed and stepped into the water. I realized, with horror, that I was completely naked. I quickly entered the water and covered my naked breasts.
The Goddess chuckled. "Do not be bashful my lost child. I created you, guided you through your birth, and I will be there to hold you when you take your final breath."
"This is so crazy," I said as I shook my head. "Just… I don't understand."
"Oh, sweet child. Open your heart and mind to me. Ask the question."
I looked up at her. "The question?"
"You have been internally wondering why you. Now is your chance to ask me."
I stared at her for a moment before asking. "Why did you choose me?"
She smiled. "You needed Edward. You needed the family. You needed me. And my child, we all needed you."
"Why did you need me?" I demanded.
Her hand moved under the water and pressed against my body. I gasped as I felt the soft feeling of her skin. I felt the pulse radiating from her course through my body. The feeling was extremely unsettling.
"You and I are the same," She said as she closed her eyes. "I needed to return to my people. They need my healing touch. They need more bloodlines, or they shall begin to die out. I am already seeing the downfall. My sweet child Rosalie cannot birth a healthy baby. My poor Alice lost her mother and father. And there are many more who have suffered, and more so who will suffer. Only three mates from the ceremony are now pregnant. The other four are having trouble."
"Whoa, wait" I said, my eyes widening. "What… what exactly are you saying?"
"Think about it, my child." She said, emphasizing the last part.
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat before slowly shaking my head.
"I-I don't… I c-can't…" I stuttered. I looked away from her and down at my shaking hands.
I jumped when her hand scooped me up and lifted me out of the water. I gasped and looked wildly around as she brought me closer to her face.
"You never had a connection with your mother because she was not truly your mother. She carried and birthed you, but it was I who created you. It was I who watched over you. And saved you countless times."
My mouth felt dry, my hands gripping her skin. "W-why?"
She smiled. "I cannot come to my people. This is my home. This is where I belong. Only my child can serve the people."
"I-I don't understand how…"
Her finger stroked my hair back with one of her fingers. "Do not fear. As you walk this path, I will be with you. I will guide you. You will know everything I know. You will not be alone in this journey. I will show you everything you must know."
"Esme is the healer. You speak through Esme."
"My sweet Esme is a wonderful healer, and she will make a wonderful teacher for you. She knows the island and all it offers. You will learn great things from her." She said. "But she does not have the healer's touch, like you my child."
"I-I don't… I don't have that."
"Do not convince yourself you don't." She said firmly. "You remember the bird."
I looked up sharply. "That didn't happen. I was only—,"
"You healed the bird." She said as she slowly lowered me into the water. "I will not convince you now. Soon you will understand and accept these gifts I've given you. You will heal the people. You will save our people."
I clenched my jaw tight and started praying that this hallucination would end quickly.
"Bella." I heard a male voice call. I turned my head, my eyes wide.
In the clearing was a large Ektix. I was momentarily blinded by a bright flashing light before a masculine form appeared. It took my eyes a moment to adjust as I watched the figure turn into my father.
"D-dad?" I whispered in disbelief. I stood and walked out of the water slowly. My mouth was dry and my hands were shaking as I stared at my father. He looked just as healthy as he did when I was a child.
"A-are you real?" I asked him nervously.
He opened his arms and even if this was some horrible illusion, I ran into them. I wrapped my arms around him and began sobbing uncontrollably. I inhaled deeply; he even smelled like my father.
"I-I'm sorry," I cried.
"What are you sorry about?"
I shook my head, burying it into his chest.
"It's not your fault," He said. "I was sick."
"I-I should've been there." I cried.
"No, you needed to be here." He said.
"I needed to be with you," I cried. "I should've been there. I should've helped!"
"What could you have done?" He asked as he stroked my hair back. "There was nothing you could have done."
I started shaking. "You were always there for me, but I wasn't there for you."
"You're here now. You can see me whenever you want."
"You will be here?"
"I will be here."
I sniffled. "Dad I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
"About what kid?"
"Any of this. I just don't understand any of this. I don't know what to do."
He laughed. "You'll figure it out smarty pants."
I groaned. "Don't call me that."
He laughed again. "You are a smarty pants. And you can save these people. Remember what I always told you? You were destined for greatness."
I sighed. "I just didn't think you meant this."
"You are where you need to be." He said. "I love you so much Bellsy. Come see me as much as you can."
"What?" I said as I looked up.
"It's time to go. I will see you later." He said before kissing my forehead.
"I'm not ready to go! Wait! Please! Just give me a few more minutes!" I turned and begged the Goddess.
"It is time to go." She reiterated with a soft smile.
I was suddenly thrust cruelly back into my body that was sitting with Edward. I screamed out in anguish and wrapped my arms around my chest.
I felt Edward's arms wrap tightly around me.
"Hush," He whispered softly. "It is going to be okay."
"Why didn't you warn me!?" I demanded as I cried.
"I am sorry." He apologized. "I am not sure what I should have warned you about? I thought you would have been happy to see your father?"
"Do you know how much it hurts to be back? And how confusing it is for the Goddess to tell me I'm the second freaking coming! That I'm supposed to heal your people! That was a hell of a lot to throw at me!"
"Wait, you saw the Goddess?"
"Of course!" I screeched as I jerked away from him, nearly falling into the water. I placed my face into my hands and screamed loudly.
"I am sorry Bella." Edward said, his tail dropping. "I thought you would be happy."
"I want to go back. Give me another one now!"
"You… you want to go back?" He asked, making a face. "I am confused."
"I need to speak to my father. And I need to speak to the Goddess! I mean what the hell am I supposed to be healing you people from!"
"You have to wait Bella." Edward said as he grabbed my hand before I could grab another berry. "It could kill you. Please."
I growled and reached my other hand. We tussled for a few moments before he finally wrapped himself around me. I screeched wordlessly at him before trailing off in a sob. He placed his large hand over my head and pulled it against his chest.
"It will be okay. We can come back and do it again once the ihri has left your scent. I promise."
I groaned and continued to cry against him. I finally gave up fighting against him and just left myself cry.
