Chapter 25: The Pagans Ritual

"You should head over first, Zalon," Logan said as he signed his hand directing inside that tree.

Logan's crew was too frightened to set foot inside. They never, not even once in a lifetime, seen a tree opened and spread its roots to lead into an underground. Although, they are indeed curious as to what lies inside that light colourful rays gleaming inside.

"Well, after you..." Zalon opposed with a grin on his face and offered them to enter first. "After all, it was you and milady that led us here."

The other pagans nodded and hummed in a deep voice.

"But you were the one to tell us about this. Isn't it only right for you to guide us?" Logan responded and raised one of his brows.

"I'll head in, folks," Maurelle exclaimed that stunned all of them. She had enough of their arguments that she decided to initiate the journey herself. These men are just getting into her nerves. Way to out a frame.

She heads in and holds on to the roots. With her pale hands, she gripped the thick roots to avoid herself from falling down fast. She wanted to make sure she arrived down safely and unscathed.

Only, the pagans, Logan, and the rest of the crew stared at her with amazement. The woman had no trace of fear on her face. She was calm and reserved.

Even Logan who was supposed to guide her, just as what gentlemen do. He was left there, glued on his spot.

Luckily, she was careful with her movements, she arrived down and eve tapped her cloak to clear away the dust and dirt.

"What are you waiting for? Come down, now." She exclaimed, staring above, waiting for them to respond.

The pagans didn't bother to wait for Logan and his crew. They were about to head in first when Logan interrupted. He stopped Zalon with his hand placed on its chest.

"Let me head in first." He muttered.

"Well, if you say so," Zalon replied.

It took Logan seconds to seize the chance but somehow he manage to start. Just like Maurelle, he followed the way she dealt with going down. They all did follow her steps. Logan arrived down with his heart palpitating hard.

"Are you alright?" Maurelle asked him.

Logan awkwardly face the woman and smiled nervously. "A-ah yes! Of course, I'm alright. That was... That was nothing."

Maurelle was genuinely worried for the man. "You might have been exhausted from that, are you certain to come with us?"

Logan cleared his throat and acted tough. "What? Of course, I am certain. What do you take me for?" He then sneered.

Maurelle wanted to giggle. Logan was so easy to read. This man has his weakness still, even though he's a captain of his own crew, he can never be always the strongest. Everybody can feel the feeling of vulnerability.

After a while, Zergee tapped Logan's shoulder. "Captain, we should head in. The pagans are going beyond us. Who knows what's their scheme? There could probably be gems inside that." He whispered.

Maurelle heard him too. And made her think, these people are not just normal ones. That's why she reminded herself to not let her guard off, especially when it's bare that they know she's a witch.

Maurelle began to walk inside and even surpassed the Pagans. She was walking in front of all of them. For some time, it became dark all of a sudden. And then they were stopped by vines hanging.

Maurelle took the courage to firstly open that entrance. With her hand, she entered that and Logan was behind her. When they saw what was there, they all when awestruck.

The pagans second the motion and lastly were the crew. Their mouths went in "o" shape and their eyeballs expanded.

In front of Maurelle's pink pupils radiated the blistering spark of the enchanted underground. There was a road, a passage of land, just right where they stand, a bridge of land with roots on the edges and on the other side where there was cave land, inside that was crystals, gemstones, and diamonds. There were puddles of water full of glitters.

They kept going.

Maurelle walked as she roamed her eyes. She almost teared up. She has never seen such scenery. Not even once in her entire life. It was always the grey clouds, the raging volcano, and the smokes lurking in their covenstead. It was never like the beautiful nature. And she regrets how she only escaped now.

"This is her dominion. Watch your step, fellows." Zalon said in his deep voice. "And watch your mouths."

They walked past the bridge and arrived at the side with full of gleaming origins. The crew even laid their hands on it if it wasn't for Zalon they probably would have diminished.

"Folks, keep your hand away from these stones and gems. The story goes that your soul will disappear through the roots of these places." Zalon said without even giving them a glimpse.

The crew immediately retrieved their hands and made a face. Logan shook his head. He couldn't believe his people, how on earth have they not changed?

And then, Maurelle saw that Zalon's kin, rather one of his kind came up and whispered something that she couldn't hear. Her brows furrowed.

Then Zalon nodded and turned in their direction. "We're close, fellows. Her heartbeat, we can feel it." He mumbled.

They started to ready themselves, the pagans. The crew was still confused as to what they are about o face and Logan couldn't bring himself to panic as he knew what it was gonna be. The tales that his parents told him, he could not believe it was living in this world. In this land. All of it was just like yesterday, and now he's gonna see it for his own eyes.

As for Maurelle, the commotion in her head was in battle. The woman can feel the heartbeat too. But chose to remain silent. It was because of her mother's evil spells that have led to this time. T'was her creation.

If these pagans knew about my identity the first time they saw me, I doubt that this goddess wouldn't know. Will I get revealed? Will I be thrown out again? Will the freedom I find so hard to seek escape from my grasp? If that ever happens, what shall I do?" she became immensely worried.

As they got closer to that heartbeat, they saw it. They saw what they were looking for and it was the goddess, it was the woman formed goddess that they were looking for.

Maurelle almost stumbled from her own feet. The crew almost went limp, and the pagans or the people who had a mark on their forehead, they started muttering things that only they can understand. She had no clue as to what it meant. And so, those people encircled the sleeping woman goddess.

Maurelle stared at that goddess.

It was covered and bound to tree roots. It had green skin and the hair was almost unseen. Its eyes were closed and her face had radiant things. It was nothing like she have ever seen.

The pagans encircled her and they were starting it. The ritual. While they were just standing there admiring what they were seeing. After that, Zalon took something out of his brown cloak, it was water. He poured it on its feet and he stood back. All of his kind stood back.

They were now in similar standing.

"What's happening? What did you just do?" Zergee asked in a troubled look.

Zalon put his index on his mouth silencing Zergee as he said, "Silence, t'was a ritual. Any moment from now you'll see what'll happen."

Waiting for a few seconds, the radiant stones on her skin brightened up even more. The roots began to move as they gleamed towards them.

They each covered their eyes with the back of their palms.

"Who dares to wake me?" Her echoing elegant voice spread across the place.

The goddess blink her eyes open and there it was revealed how astonishing it was with its different coloured pupils.

She gave them a look and the crew jolted. The pagans kneeled. Zalon observed that they didn't follow so he looked at them with a taunting look making them kneel down the same way they were. All of them bowed their heads.

"Ah, I see a bunch of pagans," she looked at the pagans. "...humans" and at Logan and his crew, lastly she pierced and narrowed her eyes at Maurelle. "And a very unique being."

They went silent. The crew looked at her. "Well, she's indeed a unique being that captain has picked up somewhere, but isn't she the unique one here?" They whispered which was very heard clearly.

The goddess ignored it.

"I'm surprised, someone as different has come and found my dominion. What is it that you are scheming and woke me up from deep slumber?" She asked looking at the pagans.

"You're greatness, goddess of the enchanted land, we have come and visited you in your lair, asking for your permission to grant us your land, as we, the pagans, humans, and else would take good scrutiny of it. Would you place your trust in us?" Zalon implores, still bowing his head down.

The goddess stood up and looked down at them. She hummed and walked towards them. All of them were facing the ground so they could see the pebbles shaking and feel the ground grumbling in her every step.

"And why should I trust you, simple beings made of destruction to keep my land safe? If you think I am mindless, you should think again. This land is standing for a vast of years. The tales your parents told you was no lies." She exclaimed.

Everyone went silent upon hearing her. "You all are lost in words, don't make my dominion a mockery of your nonsense and untrustworthy words."

Even the pagans went silent. But Maurelle? Maurelle couldn't stand it. Thinking that there were families in their ship waiting for a place to dwell on, to call home, she had to stand. She performed the unexpected once more.

"We may be just one of the many humans who you place despair on, but your land is our shelter, our harbour, 'tis a wondrous place that families especially mothers of birth wants to stay in. And what's better in nature when there's no life?" She exclaimed in a voice full of hope. Her eyes were beaming with pleading.

It was true. Maurelle is desperate to stay in this land. On behalf of all of them, she is tired of keeping her voice. Right now, all she cares about is to seek freedom, to fight for her freedom, and to live for freedom. If it's not this land, which could it be?

The goddess saw her determinations and desperation. She couldn't resist her look. She went and walk back to her seat. "Very well, my magic will lead you to a clear mountain of land, there you will start a legacy of your beings, born as many lives, and as you take care what has been given in your hands. " She said with emphasis and looked at them.

All of them started raising their heads.

"Does this mean you accept us?" Zalon asked, as he too, was desperate.

"The deal is sealed." The goddess exclaimed and closed her eyes again. The roots started wrapping her body once more and covered almost all her entirety.

As she was covered, all of the pagans, crews, Logan, and Maurelle's sight was blurred as they saw a bright light, they closed their eyes. Their existence was vanishing in that place and it was bringing them somewhere. When they opened their eyes, they saw land. A land with wooden houses and was surfaced by wooden walls.

It was somewhere where they can call a home with peace and good tribute.

The crew run to it and check every house. Their faces glowed with happiness and content, Maurelle could see it.

"The houses! We have houses, folks! Our women will no longer suffer." Said by one man.

"And we will all no longer suffer," Logan said.

But they remembered the pagans, they each looked at them. Gave them the look. It was a look of distrust.

"You people, you threatened us first with a knife but how can we be so sure that you won't ever do that to us in the future?" Zergee asked.

Maurelle has observed that Zergee has indeed quite the temper but it is only to protect the crew, she has finally understood.

Zalon smiled. "Unlike you, humans. We hold on to our words. We are born because of thee deities. And fear not, we are here for shelter as well. We are apostles of the goddesses, you saw it with your own eyes, we woke up Aranyani." He said referring to the goddess.

"Aranyani? Who is this Aranyani you are talking about?" Logan asked with his furrowed brows.

"The goddess we have just awakened. She is called in the name of Aranyani. Remember her name for she will be your humble goddess. You should be grateful." Zalon said.

"Does this mean we are now protected by her land? Are there no longer unexpected beings? That will? Well, who knows? Perhaps, turn us into extraordinary animals?" One man said seriously however the pagans gave him a peal of quick laughter.

"This forest is not only protecting you, you shall protect it with all you might. This forest is now in your hands." Zalon responded.

As he said that, he turned his back to them and guided his people out. They were confused.

Why are these people living? Are we not supposed to reunite?" Logan thought.

But Maurelle was the one who initiated. "Where should you go? You were the one who tell us what shall be made in this forest. It's only fair for you to live together with us." She glanced at Logan and share a look that says to agree with her.

Logan was about to speak and agree with Maurelle when Zergee held him back.

"Captain, let them be. This is also for our benefit, the houses are few and might not be enough for these people." Zergee complained with a look on his face that conveys irritation.

Logan was a bit troubled by Zergee's behaviour and so he said to him, "Zergee, this our people who are just like us. If you refuse to believe it, then you better open your eyes wide. The world's about to change, Zergee."

"No, Logan. You often make mistakes like this, look where your stubbornness leads you. The world's shattered, Logan. You can not trust people anymore. If you keep on putting your trust, you'll lose." Zergee exclaimed beside his ear while gripping his shoulder tightly.

Slowly he removed Zergee's hands on his shoulder and faced him. "The world's shattered because you don't trust people. You shall comprehend who you deal with, blabbering your statements about trust means you don't trust Maurelle as well."

"Who is this woman, exactly? Her existence is a mystery to us, Logan. I am yet to know about her if you don't talk. I will be opening my mouth again about how you trust women like her and got your father ki—"

Logan stopped him by giving him a glare and said, "We don't talk about my old people, you understand? Zergee, enough." He turned his back to Zergee and faced the pagans and Maurelle.

"Capta—"

"She's right. It would be best and fair for your people to stay with us. Let us not fight anymore and reunite." Logan let out to the pagans.

Maurelle nodded and gave them a slight smile. But what they didn't know was Zalon and his people was just another prophet. A prophet for a test.

"I appreciate your kindness, however, we no longer shall be standing in this land. As we told you, we're born because of deities. Farewell, folks." Zalon said.

All of their faces were plastered with confusion. How come they will not stand on the land? Where shall they be if it's not here?

"Where are you heading to? Isn't this the place you shall be staying in?" Maurelle asked them.

Without looking at her Zalon responded, "Are work here is done, milady. We are heading back now."

They could not understand. But it was clear as sky how their bodies slowly disappeared as they walk away. It was like invisibility swallowing them. The moment Maurelle saw that she knew about those people's sole purpose. She expressed a warm smile, she felt dismayed that they were not able to thank those people.

The people who were prophets of fate. The prophets of freedom. That people knew who she was and yet there were no judgements, she was accepted silently.

"What just happened? Captain? Where did you bring us and what on earth was that?" One man asked with his brows met.

"That crew is where tales start. We shall just be focused on arranging what is ours. But keep in your mind how we shouldn't start anything that is against nature. The goddess was no dream, everything is real." Logan elaborated on.

Zergee just shook his head and started heading inside the houses, they started to put their baggage inside. While Logan and Maurelle head to a house that was even bigger than the other ones. They both stared at it as they think.

This is where their life begins. This, where they stand, is a new path to peace and tranquillity.

Logan looked at Maurelle. He was mesmerised by how happy and free the woman looked. He has a lot of stories to hear about her but maybe he would better start off on how stories they would create with each other.

Maurelle felt his stares and looked at him, she gave him a warm reserved smile. Meeting this man was indeed a cheat to her fate, a cheat where she chose for herself.

"Thank you, Logan."

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ABYSSCESS