Dark Fire Angel
Kianga - The shadows talk
Naita
The air was thick with the heady morning scents, another night having passed away, the darkness melting on the horizon as once more that golden ball of flame took it's daily course.
The sky burned with it, threads of red and orange slowly taking over from the residual inky blue-black of the previous hours, banishing the dawn's muted greys.
The land was awaking, prey creatures in their herds setting about the day's activities, the slow yet steady pace of searching for the sources of moisture hidden about the place.
And amongst the growing bustle the shadows shimmered, the air seemed to hold it's breath.
Kita'mauti, Goddess of the Shadow, wandered aimlessly, saddened and listless. Her only child, her darling boy had left her. It had been her choice, her encouragement, her command, and yet the sadness was unmatched. He was the reminder of a wound that sat heavy upon her heart, yet he was her whole heart, beloved as only a child can be.
Mtume, first and only child of the goddess, had been left in the lands she now traversed the outskirts of.
She had left him where she knew he would be safe, amongst a pride over which she could be called patron. She had watched their growth, their fall, their hardships. She had nursed each Akida as his dying breath came, and had given notice of the horrors in store before they came. Beloved almost as children to her were they, and yet as all mortals she feared them, feared their fear and horror as others feared death's cold grip.
They could only hate her, she who stole away their kings, and yet she could only love them, they who gave her name and form with their belief.
And so she had delivered to their care and guardianship her only child, safe in the knowledge Warithi, true in his ways, would raise him amongst their rank.
He may guess Mtume's parentage, but his heart would lead him to do right, she was sure. The promise existed of her help to each Akida, and from each Akida an unspoken promise of worship to her ways and silence was understood.
Yes, Warithi would raise her son well. But even knowledge and assurance cannot cure the pain of a mother's sorrow upon losing her child.
The sky burned with it, threads of red and orange slowly taking over from the residual inky blue-black of the previous hours, banishing the dawn's muted greys.
The land was awaking, prey creatures in their herds setting about the day's activities, the slow yet steady pace of searching for the sources of moisture hidden about the place.
And amongst the growing bustle the shadows shimmered, the air seemed to hold it's breath.
Kita'mauti, Goddess of the Shadow, wandered aimlessly, saddened and listless. Her only child, her darling boy had left her. It had been her choice, her encouragement, her command, and yet the sadness was unmatched. He was the reminder of a wound that sat heavy upon her heart, yet he was her whole heart, beloved as only a child can be.
Mtume, first and only child of the goddess, had been left in the lands she now traversed the outskirts of.
She had left him where she knew he would be safe, amongst a pride over which she could be called patron. She had watched their growth, their fall, their hardships. She had nursed each Akida as his dying breath came, and had given notice of the horrors in store before they came. Beloved almost as children to her were they, and yet as all mortals she feared them, feared their fear and horror as others feared death's cold grip.
They could only hate her, she who stole away their kings, and yet she could only love them, they who gave her name and form with their belief.
And so she had delivered to their care and guardianship her only child, safe in the knowledge Warithi, true in his ways, would raise him amongst their rank.
He may guess Mtume's parentage, but his heart would lead him to do right, she was sure. The promise existed of her help to each Akida, and from each Akida an unspoken promise of worship to her ways and silence was understood.
Yes, Warithi would raise her son well. But even knowledge and assurance cannot cure the pain of a mother's sorrow upon losing her child.
Dark Fire Angel
Light blue eyes travelled the territory, keen on catching any sort of movement... after all, when one travelled alone, one learnt to keep all their sense into whatever one might be doing; even if it was just taking a small stroll in the morning. Finding a place to drink after having managed to feast the night before was in order, and thus the lioness moved swiftly, a semi trot that lifted dust about as he paws hit the earth.
Even despite her keen attention, she missed the shifting of the shadows till a distinct feeling made her steps halt; far from being a coward, and rather far from being one to frown upon darkness (what with the fact it concealed her body whenever she went out to hunt), the lioness merely stood still, one paw lifted in the air. The soft breeze had stopped, the shadows playing on the land, almost as if the rising sun were casting illusions, the earth having held it's breath, and thus, so did Kianga.
Ears twitches slightly as the pink hued creature tilted her head, this way and that, only to peer over at a particular portion of land, eyes narrowing to try and get a better glimpse of what she thought she'd seen. Only a pause followed before she finally sat herself down; she'd never heard of a shadow that could harm, nor a darkness that could hurt... after all, they were her friends in many times of need; when she hid, when she hunted... she feared them not, and even though she was quite sure it was an illusion what she was seeing, or rather not quite seeing, the lioness blinked, "Who goes there?" there was an almost lingering sadness about this land right now; where was she again? she knew not of any prides around the place, thus why she'd chosen it. Was she mistaken?
Even despite her keen attention, she missed the shifting of the shadows till a distinct feeling made her steps halt; far from being a coward, and rather far from being one to frown upon darkness (what with the fact it concealed her body whenever she went out to hunt), the lioness merely stood still, one paw lifted in the air. The soft breeze had stopped, the shadows playing on the land, almost as if the rising sun were casting illusions, the earth having held it's breath, and thus, so did Kianga.
Ears twitches slightly as the pink hued creature tilted her head, this way and that, only to peer over at a particular portion of land, eyes narrowing to try and get a better glimpse of what she thought she'd seen. Only a pause followed before she finally sat herself down; she'd never heard of a shadow that could harm, nor a darkness that could hurt... after all, they were her friends in many times of need; when she hid, when she hunted... she feared them not, and even though she was quite sure it was an illusion what she was seeing, or rather not quite seeing, the lioness blinked, "Who goes there?" there was an almost lingering sadness about this land right now; where was she again? she knew not of any prides around the place, thus why she'd chosen it. Was she mistaken?
Naita
A voice. The sound of another hung on the muted air, the scent of a stranger in lands so familiar, so used to the footsteps of it's patron goddess.
Kita'mauti froze as the sound reverberated about her mind, each tone, each tiny flicker of intonation meeting her attention. And yet no response was warranted, merely a flicker of fear in the goddess' pearlescent eyes.
Who was this who had found the lands of the Mteo'nyungu?
She had often thought the place too far from the world of strangers to meet the attention of any but those who had passed all their lives here, those who would die without seeing outside it's borders, or seeing a face not acquainted with them from birth. It was a thought she had enjoyed, a safety she had relished, for in that that does not change there was a knowledge that change brings trouble that cannot be helped, but must be seen through to an end.
Was such a time upon herself? Upon the heads of the lions she had watched from their infancy?
Kita'mauti froze as the sound reverberated about her mind, each tone, each tiny flicker of intonation meeting her attention. And yet no response was warranted, merely a flicker of fear in the goddess' pearlescent eyes.
Who was this who had found the lands of the Mteo'nyungu?
She had often thought the place too far from the world of strangers to meet the attention of any but those who had passed all their lives here, those who would die without seeing outside it's borders, or seeing a face not acquainted with them from birth. It was a thought she had enjoyed, a safety she had relished, for in that that does not change there was a knowledge that change brings trouble that cannot be helped, but must be seen through to an end.
Was such a time upon herself? Upon the heads of the lions she had watched from their infancy?
Dark Fire Angel
Still the lioness took the time to look around, various emotions flickering through her pale orbs, ears twitching for signals from the wind... the earth, the sky, anything really that could indicate to her exactly what it was that had made her pause. However, she did not move from her spot; a force she simply could not distinguish told her to stay put, to relax, to not fear... and to wait.
Wait for what though?
Kianga had never been the most patient of creatures; restless by nature, she was often forced to pace around the land without need.... perhaps the pull of being along, or the lingering fear within her mind that indicated it was dangerous to say in one place for too long. She'd only recently found these lands, which she'd thought were pleasantly free of prides... free of war, and doubtlessly free of the conflicts she seen upon travelling other lands. Never once had she really craved to form part of a family for with family came ties, and with ties came a permanent home.
The fear within her usually force her to move on, never willing to stay too long and risk the freedom, however, upon coming to these lands, she'd thought she'd found a place she could call 'home' for a while at least, cease the incessant travelling she'd put herself through. The place was new, and the feel to it suddenly sad, however, she soon enough let out a sigh, closing her eyes, "Mirage, are you not? I've seeked a place to stay, and yet the warning signals are already telling me to take heed and keep on traveling, my instincts are telling me to stay and wait. I can't wait for ever."
A long pause followed, her gaze torn from the shadows that seemed to play shapes up ahead only to raise to the sky, "What is it you want me to do?" was a signal too much to ask?
Wait for what though?
Kianga had never been the most patient of creatures; restless by nature, she was often forced to pace around the land without need.... perhaps the pull of being along, or the lingering fear within her mind that indicated it was dangerous to say in one place for too long. She'd only recently found these lands, which she'd thought were pleasantly free of prides... free of war, and doubtlessly free of the conflicts she seen upon travelling other lands. Never once had she really craved to form part of a family for with family came ties, and with ties came a permanent home.
The fear within her usually force her to move on, never willing to stay too long and risk the freedom, however, upon coming to these lands, she'd thought she'd found a place she could call 'home' for a while at least, cease the incessant travelling she'd put herself through. The place was new, and the feel to it suddenly sad, however, she soon enough let out a sigh, closing her eyes, "Mirage, are you not? I've seeked a place to stay, and yet the warning signals are already telling me to take heed and keep on traveling, my instincts are telling me to stay and wait. I can't wait for ever."
A long pause followed, her gaze torn from the shadows that seemed to play shapes up ahead only to raise to the sky, "What is it you want me to do?" was a signal too much to ask?
Naita
Again the stranger spoke, and her words rolled around the goddess' mind, their meanings savoured, weighed.
The physical examination of this new lion in these lands had not yet been made, and thus Kita'mauti allowed her pale eyes to roll over the strange pink lioness' figure.
She was in fine shape, a fit enough female, neither scarred from hardship nor free of the muscle structure to imply a huntress. She was, in all, a healthy lioness, and of such a colour that those pearl-coloured irises lingered a tad longer than they had meant.
The word 'leave' struck her mind. Yes, was it not best that all strangers leave? That no change come to this place? And yet, what change had not already begun? Had Kita'mauti not placed a stranger in the midst of those she tried now to protect, in the form of her son?
A conflict waged within her, until at last, a whisper, a single word escaped the shadows to surround her.
"Stay."
The physical examination of this new lion in these lands had not yet been made, and thus Kita'mauti allowed her pale eyes to roll over the strange pink lioness' figure.
She was in fine shape, a fit enough female, neither scarred from hardship nor free of the muscle structure to imply a huntress. She was, in all, a healthy lioness, and of such a colour that those pearl-coloured irises lingered a tad longer than they had meant.
The word 'leave' struck her mind. Yes, was it not best that all strangers leave? That no change come to this place? And yet, what change had not already begun? Had Kita'mauti not placed a stranger in the midst of those she tried now to protect, in the form of her son?
A conflict waged within her, until at last, a whisper, a single word escaped the shadows to surround her.
"Stay."
Dark Fire Angel
It was a single word, almost as if whispered by her surroundings, the lioness' eyes lowering from their heavenward position in order to regard the shadows more firmly. There were shapes curling within them, something hiding within, but Kianga still moved not from her spot, rather, relaxed further.
Fear, hesitation and sadness seemed to linger in the shadows, and the pink hued creature was doing her best to try and seep some of her own courage into them, the way her own mother had done so long ago, because courage did not reside in being bold, but rather, something else altogether, "Why?" her voice was soft in response, and it was clear by her tone she means not to ask anything along the lines of 'what do I gain', but rather, she seemed to want some sort of confirmation, something to grasp onto.
She knew not of the real troubling thoughts that lingered the goddess' mind; in fact, Kianga didn't even know she was talking to a goddess.... she'd actually later on deem the whole 'conversation' of sort as a dream, something she'd thought up... illusions, nothing else, yet that single word had her still rooted in place. Never once did she ask whom the figure was, for it was clear within her mind that such figures would reveal themselves if needed; in their lack of identity lied their mystery and power. Kinaga might've been hard headed, but she knew she was no one to question such things; she was, after all, in a sense also a dreamer. She believed in dreams and how they were meant to remain intangible.
Fear, hesitation and sadness seemed to linger in the shadows, and the pink hued creature was doing her best to try and seep some of her own courage into them, the way her own mother had done so long ago, because courage did not reside in being bold, but rather, something else altogether, "Why?" her voice was soft in response, and it was clear by her tone she means not to ask anything along the lines of 'what do I gain', but rather, she seemed to want some sort of confirmation, something to grasp onto.
She knew not of the real troubling thoughts that lingered the goddess' mind; in fact, Kianga didn't even know she was talking to a goddess.... she'd actually later on deem the whole 'conversation' of sort as a dream, something she'd thought up... illusions, nothing else, yet that single word had her still rooted in place. Never once did she ask whom the figure was, for it was clear within her mind that such figures would reveal themselves if needed; in their lack of identity lied their mystery and power. Kinaga might've been hard headed, but she knew she was no one to question such things; she was, after all, in a sense also a dreamer. She believed in dreams and how they were meant to remain intangible.
Naita
This word provided Kita'mauti with some trouble.
Why indeed? Would the Mteo'nyungu welcome the stranger? Perhaps not. Would they wish her presence amongst them? Perhaps not.
But did they need others? Yes. Would a healthy huntress be a boon to their numbers? Yes.
The goddess knew that unwelcome as new faces amongst them would be to some in the ranks of her chosen pride, it was for their good that strangers would find them, must find them.
"To h-help," she spoke again, voice soft as ever, stutter a note of her fear of mortals, an ever-present fear for the goddess.
"Tell them th-the shadows sent y-you."
With this, she took flight, shadows of her shroud left to evaporate into the golden lights raking over the land, to flee as the shadows of the night did.
And the goddess of the shadow fled likewise, to indulge in her sadness alone.
Why indeed? Would the Mteo'nyungu welcome the stranger? Perhaps not. Would they wish her presence amongst them? Perhaps not.
But did they need others? Yes. Would a healthy huntress be a boon to their numbers? Yes.
The goddess knew that unwelcome as new faces amongst them would be to some in the ranks of her chosen pride, it was for their good that strangers would find them, must find them.
"To h-help," she spoke again, voice soft as ever, stutter a note of her fear of mortals, an ever-present fear for the goddess.
"Tell them th-the shadows sent y-you."
With this, she took flight, shadows of her shroud left to evaporate into the golden lights raking over the land, to flee as the shadows of the night did.
And the goddess of the shadow fled likewise, to indulge in her sadness alone.
Dark Fire Angel
The words rung with a real tone to them; there was no mistaking she'd heard them this time, and though once more ther ears twitched, her sight keen on following the shadows, she remain where she sat. She knew not to follow after a fleeting dream all too well, and thus she closed her eyes, not really wishing to see it's departure.
The sun had long been high up in the sky by the time she finally moved, her frame lifting, her eyes finally opening, "To help..." a pause, "Right..." the words were murmured to her surroundings, and once again she set course, this time to the heart of a land she knew nothing about, following nothing more than her heart as a guide.
She knew she'd find 'them'. Sooner or later.
The end
