18. Narcissists
Crawling out of the hollow, I see a nymph in the form of a tree talking to what I can assume is a druid disguised as a snake. “Excuse me, but you can’t just use my shade like that.”
“If you’re already standing there, then I don’t see the problem,” the snake replies.
The tree scoffs. “The *problem* is, you’re disturbing the grass I’m protecting from the sun. It’s going to dry out because of *you.*”
“Because of *me?!*” This time, the snake scoffs. “I am more likely to help the grass than you! I mean, seriously, all *you*do is stand around all day thinking *’Oh my Gods, I’m like so pretty!* Like come *ON!*”
*Well, Ikyn did say they are narcissists,* I sigh to myself. *Gods, please help me.* Fully emerging from the tree, I walk over to the ruckus. “Pardon me, ladies,” I call, when I’m close enough to get their attention without yelling at them. “Is there an issue here?”
“YES!” They both screech.
The tree goes first, shifting to a more personified appearance. I recognize her as the nymph that waved to me on my first day here. “*SHE* won’t get out of *my* shade! It’s like she doesn’t even understand the natural order of *my* rights!”
“And *she*,” the snake retorts, shifting to a feminine body with green scales for skin and keeping her snake eyes, “can’t understand that her species is *useless*! At least we druids actually *take care* of the earth, protecting the precious balance of nature!”
The nymph laughs, “Oh really? The precious balance of nature? What kind of ‘protecting nature’,” she adds, making air quotes with her twig-like fingers, “do you even do? All I see is you playing with the centaurs as if there is nothing to do here! Oh wait, that’s because there is *NOTHING* to do here! You’re more useless than me!”
“UGH! You are so full of yourself! If the Gods *really* thought you so special, they would have *KEPT* you!” The druid sneers.
The nymph screams, lunging for the druid. I place myself between them, pulling them apart. The druid squeals, noticing some of her scales have been scratched off in the scuffle. “YOU BITCH!” She tries to lunge for the nymph, but I use my body to keep her from advancing too closely.
*How am I going to sort this out?*
“Okay,” I sigh, taking in a deep breath to clear my thoughts. Turning to address the druid, I say, “Thank you for all of your hard work in protecting the balance of nature. Without you, this place wouldn’t feel as lively as it is.” I motion to the other beings surrounding us. Some have been looking in our direction from the commotion, others are just starting to make their way closer. Turning to the nymph, I add, “Thank you for blessing us with your limitless beauty. Try not to think of the others using your shade for their advantage. It is quite the opposite. Instead, we *need* your shade to properly enjoy the magnificence you bring.”
The druid and nymph burst into cackles. “Did you like-“ the nymph starts.
“Seriously think,” the druid continues.
“We’re that stupid?” They finish in unison.
The other beings close enough to hear the encounter chuckle amongst themselves, adding on to my embarrassment.
The druid and nymph glance at each other. *Did I mess up?* To my surprise, they both roll their eyes and hold out their hands for an amicable shake. The nymph takes her place, forming back to a featureless tree. She exaggerates her annoyance to the crowd surrounding us now. “Um, you can, like, go mind your own business now.”
While everyone disperses, the druid shrinks back to her snake form and slithers into a coil under the nymph’s shade. I stand there in disbelief, watching them. “Was that really it?” Neither of them acknowledge me. *Well okay then, I suppose.* Sighing, I go back to the hollow of The Gods’ Creation.
Making myself comfortable, I begin my mantra. *I will not simply find the peace. I will be the peace. I am the peace.* I recite this in my head, as Vaemrath had taught me on my first day. Soon, my mind goes blank. In this blank space of my thoughts, I think I can see visions. I’m not sure if it’s my subconscious, my continuing thoughts unable to actually go away, or if they really are signs of the gods. Today, I see a glowing mist. Something draws me closer to it. Suddenly, a strong distorted voice echoes through the mist. *”You have done well, my child. You have proven to be the peace. Will you accept The Change? Become-“*
I shoot my eyes open and scramble out of the hollow. I must look wild as my heart thuds and my breaths become ragged. “Eira?” A familiar voice asks. I don’t even turn to look at him. He left me alone for three days without a word. Ikyn has really proven to show me how much he cares about me. If he wants to ignore me, fine. I can do the same. Besides, I have more to worry about now. “Eira?” He asks again. “What’s wrong?”
As soon as I feel his arms around me, I shove him away. Still not looking at him, I let out a frustrated groan, nearly screaming. *Did I just ignore a GOD?! Am I that stupid? What was I supposed to say? No? Would that have been any better? No, it would have been worse. Wouldn’t it?* Ikyn follows close behind me, still attempting to get me to speak to him. Allowing my thoughts to consume me, I find myself falling to my knees in front of Vaemrath. The tears fall, but I don’t try to stop them. Vaemrath shifts and I know I’m in the presence of Iliyana when her arms pull me to her. She shushes me, smoothing the back of my head, cradling me like a baby. I can’t stop crying. This feels worse than when Ikyn left me here. *”I think I made a mistake,”* I speak to her through our bond. Iliyana doesn’t reply. She continues to rock me, letting me pour my heart out in her embrace. I vent to her, not allowing Ikyn to hear a word, knowing he’s still behind me as I hear his footsteps pace.
When I finish describing everything that happened - from the nymph and druid debacle to what I saw and heard in the hollow of the tree - I’m finally left to soft sobs and hiccups. Trying to catch my breath, I start wiping the tears from my eyes. “I’m sorry,” I say to Iliyana. “I can’t do this. Not yet.” I offer her a brief hug, silently thanking her for her support, before I push past Ikyn towards the bed. Closing my eyes, I listen to their soft whispers.
“She’s ready,” I hear Iliyana say.
“No, she’s not. You saw her just now, didn’t you? What happened?”
“What do you mean? She didn’t say a word. You were here, you should know.”
“Mother,” Ikyn growls. “I know you made the bond. Though, going against my word right now is not the point. What happened?”
Iliyana ignores him. I no longer hear their whispers. *Is she betraying me and telling him everything?*
Keeping my eyes closed, I try to fall asleep. Sleep does not come. Ikyn’s footsteps draw near. He sits on the bed, pulling a strand of hair off my face. He strokes my cheek, letting his hand stray across my chest, down my arm. Ikyn takes my hand, kisses the back of my fingers, and whispers, “I’m sorry.” He abruptly gets up and leaves. Abandoning me once again.
*”One more day,”* Vaemrath speaks in my thoughts. *”He’s going to have you stay one more day, then you can leave.”*
*”What about our deal?”* I ask her.
She’s quiet, letting me take in my soon-to-be freedom. *”You are ready, Eira. Don’t be selfish.”*
*Yeah, right,* I think to myself, leaving Vaemrath to my own silence. *If I were selfish, I’d be no better than those narcissists.*
Vaemrath speaks in my mind again, *"Princess, if you really want to leave, you can. The entrance is protected by a simple protection spell. However, if you do, you will be putting humanity at risk."*