This story is from a very long time ago. It's about islands, gods, goddesses, magic, and love. Scratch that, this story is full of love; lost love, forbidden love, sisterly/brotherly love, family love, etc. Shall we read it?
Once upon a time, there were three islands situated on the Pacific Ocean. These islands were unique as they were arranged as the corners of a non-existent triangle. Each island was blessed with different landscapes and resources.
Fiore, the island that looks like the top corner, was your typical island. With coconut trees, golden sand, and lush forests, this island was known for its fish dishes. They were fishermen and women who would travel across the reef to catch varieties of fish and crustaceans. They specialized in weaving baskets and making boat sails and used these items to buy resources from the other islands. The weather was usually very sunny with cool breezes every now and then. It was a wonderful place indeed.
Ishgar, the next island, was different. Located northwest of Fiore, this island was blessed with high Alps and snow in winter. The mountains were tall, above the clouds. The snow was constant at the top of the mountains, which meant Ishgar had a constant supply of fresh water. The mountains were friendly to those born in it but lethal to strangers. Meat was abundant and a necessity here and was often traded for other items from other islands. It snowed during winter resulting in the residents of Ishgar making thick fur coats using the hides of animals. They hung the teeth and claws of the animals around their necks as jewelry. It was a very majestic and treacherous place.
Alvarez, the last corner, was quite the opposite. It was blessed with hot desserts and date palms. Sandstorms were frequent here, resulting in the residents wearing glasses and masks to prevent breathing problems and possible blindness. It was very hot in the day, around 35-45 degrees Celcius, and cold during the night, around 5-10 degrees Celsius. Even though the island suffered from these harsh conditions, it was also blessed with the rarest of jewels. They hung it around their necks and wrists as ornaments. It was possibly the richest island in the triangle. It was truly a glorious and fierce place.
Before I continue this story, there is something that you must understand. The religious beliefs of the islands. They, obviously, had specific gods and goddesses for different things and prayed to them fervently. However, the gods we have and the gods they have are a bit different as their gods actually appear once in a while and bless selected members of the community. All three islands believed in the same gods and it was the one thing they had in common apart from the fact that they were all islands.
Mavis, the goddess of land and life, usually takes the appearance of a short, blonde-haired woman. Her heart is thought to have created land and life. She is extremely fond of children, animals or humans. She is one of the most prestigious goddesses.
Next, there is Aquarius, the goddess of water and life. She is usually portrayed as a mermaid holding an urn, in which there is an unlimited supply of water. She is quick to temper but loves all equally. She is thought to have helped Mavis create islands and life and is believed to be friends, maybe even sisters, with Mavis. She, too, is a very prestigious goddess.
Now, for many years, the islands lived in peace. However, the peace didn't last. It wasn't long before the islands wished for more land and resources. Fiore wanted jewels, Ishgar wanted warm beaches, and Alverez wanted cold mountains and fresh meat. The chiefs of the islands started arguing and threatening each other. It didn't take long for war to break out amongst the triangle islands, resulting in the lives of many men and women alike, leaving poor children orphans and left to fend for themselves.
Mavis, who loved children with her whole being, was consumed by grief when she saw numerous helpless lost children wandering the streets, stealing and fighting for food, water, and shelter. It was not just Mavis who was grief-stricken, all the other gods and goddesses were grief-stricken too, including Titania, the goddess of war and weapons. Humans were their worshippers. Without them, neither the gods nor goddesses exist. There was chaos in the gods' abode. Everyone was suffering from the war.
Well, not everyone. One person enjoyed the war and that was a god called Ankhseram. The god of death. It was like a feast for him, taking the lives of those who had fought the war. He grew more and more powerful, while Mavis grew weaker. Those two were not enemies, but it was fair to say that they did not enjoy being in each other's company. Quite ironic, if you ask me, but, I'm getting ahead of myself.
Aquarius could not stand the war either. The islands were at war, which meant that they built ships and yachts with weapons and fought at sea instead of on land. Her water had been tainted with the blood of many and she couldn't stand to witness the mass murder anymore. Not only the blood, but the bodies all fell deep into her water, which was a part of her. In a way, she felt as if she was dirty, with all the blood and dead bodies inside her. Having had enough, she stomped towards Mavis. Well, not stomp exactly– she has a tail, not legs.
When she reached, she was startled to find Mavis so tired. The goddess of land and life was always energetic and enthusiastic, not lethargic. The goddess's normally bright green eyes were empty and dull. Her happy face held no smile, even when she greeted Aquarius.
This only made Aquarius want to end the war more. Without hesitation, she rambled to Mavis about the war and the cruel things humans did to each other. She told her about all the blood in her ocean. Everything the way had been done. Finally, she told Mavis that they had to do something.
"They are our children. They do stupid things sometimes. It is our job as parents to correct everything and make sure they don't do it again," said Aquarius.
Mavis knew she was right. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't ignore the war forever. If Ankhseram got more power than her, humankind may die out forever. Without hesitation, Mavis quickly agreed to Aquarius' suggestion.
What's her suggestion, you ask?
A new island.
Now, making a new island is no simple task. Creating life and land takes quite a lot of power. The lost power must be replenished quickly to avoid death. How can it be replenished, you ask? Well, the humans must pray to the gods to give them more power. However, as they were in the middle of the war, humans rarely had time for gods. This was a big problem indeed.
If Mavis lost power, all her creations would cease to exist. They wouldn't disappear or spontaneously combust, no, they would lose each creation one by one. First the plants, then the animals, and lastly, the humans. Making a new island could cause these things.
Well, actually, there's something else that can cause these things too. But, more on that later.
Aquarius and the other gods offered their help to make a new island. With the exception of Ankhseram of course. This would lessen the chances of Mavis losing her powers as the workload was shared. Mavis graciously accepted their help and created a new island. An island situated in the midpoint of the three other islands. An island named Magnolia.
With the rise of Magnolia came the chief Makarov. Now, Makarov was human but was blessed by Mavis herself, giving him tremendous power. With that power, he joined the war and fought valiantly until he won it.
With Magnolia winning the war, the other islands had no choice but to give Makarov what he wanted. To their surprise, he only asked for peace. For now war nor bloodshed between the islands. Only kindness and love.
The islands had no choice but to agree. And so, life remained peacefully on the islands. But this is not where the story starts. This story starts fifty years later, with the appearance of a six-year-old child named Juvia.
Hey minna, hope you enjoyed it!
