People Of Thunder

There once was a mountain that was surrounded by other mountains. This mountain born from mother earth was young and vigorous and wanted more than anything else to be taller and greater than the other mountain. And so for centuries, while the other mountains slept and grew at their own pace, the young mountain worked hard to be taller than the others. After a few more centuries, the mountain neared his goal, but the tallest mountain was determined to stay the tallest. This infuriated the young mountain so much that magma built up in him. He felt such a rush from all this hot liquid, and knew that if he could release it he’d be taller than the other mountain in no time. He built up so much magma that the earth trembled; she feared the power this mountain had. She knew that it’d get out of hand and that the fauna and flora she’d nurtured for so long would soon be destroyed. So the earth made a pact with the sky. The sky loved the earth, but could never touch her or be near her. All he could do was float over and watch her. The pact the two made saved one race. By allowing the sky to caress her, streaks of light flew down from the sky. The race of people seeing this feared the shots of light and ran quickly to a cave to escape.  Even though the sky hurt the earth, and burned her trees, the earth was willing to sacrifice it to save the people.
         When the mountain blew, the sky filled with dust. He was cut off from earth, no longer able to caress her. His anger built and a rumbling filled the air, such was his anger that the mountain quickly lost his temper and the magma cooled inside of him. This turned the once tall and arrogant mountain into a shorter, cooler mountain. And instead of a peak for a top, he was flat. Realizing what had happened, and how he’d been cowed, the mountain cried, and water flowed. The earth seeing his distress made him this promise that the race he had threatened to destroy, would now live on top of him; on the condition that he never blew up again. The mountain was so eager to have a purpose again that he quickly agreed.
         The race of people, seeing the eruption from their cave, realized that the streaks of light had saved their lives. If it had not struck, and if they had not run, they along with their village would have burned. The people rejoiced at the sky’s protection of them. They quickly made their way to the erupted mountain which had now cooled and decided to make their new village there, so that they could be close to the sky.
          Once the air cleared of ash, the sky saw that the earth had used him. She had loved her people, but not him. The rumbling built up in the sky once again, and the heavens darkened. The people fearing this rumbling cried out to the earth, begging protection.
         The earth, seeing the distress of the people and the anger of the sky, did the only thing she could think of. She told her people that the sky had saved them and that they now owed allegiance to it. And she told the sky, that the people were his. The sky seeing her ploy grew even angrier, and streaks of light shot out, striking the earth. In his anger, the sky killed the one thing he loved. Realizing what had happened, he wept.
         The people seeing the sadness of the sky decided that this was an element they could respect. And so they built a temple. The sky saw what the people had done for him and it reminded him of earth. So he promised to take care of the people, the last living memory of earth.
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         “Coelya, what you did was wrong. You know this don’t you?”
         “Yes Mistress Nyue. I apologize.”
         “As a student of Sky, you must understand that it is not merely enough to apologize, you must also see the wrong of what you did.” Said mistress Nyue. Mistress Nyue was a tall woman with long brown hair. Her skin was pale and her blue eyes were unnaturally bright. She was dressed in the standard blue dress of her class with vivid yellow lines tracing their way throughout her dress.
         “Yes Mistress Nyue, what would you have me do?” Asked Coelya.
         “You are going to the Jyla memorial. You are to clean it and then meditate in front of it.”
         “Yes Mistress Nyue.”
         “You may go now.”
         Up at the Jyla Memorial, Coelya sat in front of the statue of Jyla. Jyla had been a hero in the monk order of Sky. She was known for saving the village from a drought. She sacrificed herself so that Sky would release his life-giving water and save the village.
         Coelya stood up, having finished her meditation. Then as she turned to leave, the sky clouded over and thunder rolled through the sky. Flashes of lightning lit up in the distance. Coelya was stunned by the sudden change of weather and by the beautiful display of the lightning. She sat back down, leaning against the memorial. Rapidly the lightning came closer, closing the distance between the horizon and the mountain top. Coelya stood up, using the memorial to help her stand quickly. As she stood fully and let go of the memorial, lightning struck it. As it coursed its way down the body of Jyla, it leaped quickly into Coelya’s still departing hand. Coelya flew back from the memorial, her head hitting a rock and knocking her out.
         Coelya came to in a dark room. She vaguely heard voices out side, and making out only part of what they said.
         “-shouldn’t be alive after that.”
         “Saddening the child doesn’t have any parents to-”
         “-go check on her.”
         “-being punished by Sky himself.”
         The door opened and light came flooding through, blinding Coelya. “Dear Sky, she’s awake!” Yelled the owner of the voice.
         The people that had been waiting outside came rushing in, crowding over Coelya.
         “Amazing, not a scratch on her.” Said one of the people.
         “You got lucky Coelya.” Said another.
         “Please people, give her some space, she’s probably confused. Allow me to speak to her in private, and then we can start visitations.” Said a tall woman whose brilliant blue eyes reminded Coelya of someone she’d known once.
         “Where am I?” Coelya asked.
         Nyue turned toward her, “Child, you are in the temple. You’re safe now.”
         “Child, temple, who are you?”
         “Coelya, don’t you remember. You are a student of the order of Sky. You are in the temple we all live in, to learn about how to be a proper follower, and I am your teacher, Nyue.”
         “Thank you, but none of that sounds correct. I am Jyla, and the last thing I remember…I don’t remember. It was dark though…”
         “Yes it was dark. But you aren’t Jyla, you were at her memorial. And it was dark because there was a lightning storm.”
         “No, no. That can’t be it. I am Jyla.”
         “Child, you are not. Here’s a mirror. Look.”
         Coelya looked into the mirror. She saw a girl in her mid-teens with brown hair and green eyes. Her body was gaunt and her cheeks were sunken. “How long have I been out?”
         “Close to a week, we gave you as much food as we could, but if we overdid it, you puked.”
         Is that what happened to me?
         Hello? Are you, Coelya?
         Yes it is, who, are you?
         I am Jyla.
         “Coelya, are you okay?”
         “Fine…why?”
         “Your eyes glazed over, what happened?”
         “Nothing, just thinking.”
         “Maybe you should get some more rest. I’ll send the others away.”
         “Thank you.” Coelya said. Nyue nodded and left the room looking confused.
         What’s happening to me? Thought Jyla.
         I was thinking the same thing. Thought Coelya.
         So, you’re the Coelya that she was talking about.
         Yes, and you’re the Jyla.
         Just Jyla, please.
         Okay Jyla, do you know why you are suddenly inhabiting my body.
         No, I don’t. I just know that I’m here.
         Can I have control of my body back please?
         Of course, it’d be rude of me to keep what wasn’t mine.
         So, how do we go about doing this?
         I don’t know. I thought you might have some idea. Thought          Jyla
         No, I don’t have any more of an idea than you. Maybe it’s a will kind of thing?
         Jyla and Coelya both attempted to switch control of Coelya’s body. Coelya’s vision went black.
         Maybe we should quit, my body seems to be unable to cope with this stress.
         No, your body should be fine. Let’s continue.
         Coelya’s eyes glazed over and her breathing slowed. She could feel her heartbeat slowing to a stop. She blacked out.
         Visions passed just beyond the realm of Coelya’s minds eye.  Figures she recognized passed briefly by.
         Coelya, wake up. I’ve got something to tell you.
         What is it?
         When we were out, I saw a vision-
         Is that what it was? I saw fleeting glimpses of people I knew, but that was all.
         The vision showed me that the village is in trouble. The earth is slowly falling apart. This is going to cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Sky is going to try and save us, but something’s are beyond even a God’s control. Only I can save him.
         Okay, what do you need me to do?
         I need a body…your body to complete the ritual. In the vision, I…you…we must die, so that the rest of the people can live.
         I have to die?
         If I had any control, I would spare you to and give my life. But I only had one life to live…
         I-
         “Ah, Coelya; you’re awake.  I’m glad, after that earthquake I wasn’t sure you were even okay.” Said Nyue as she entered the room.
         “Earthquake?”
         “You were knocked around a bit. You had a minor wound in your head. We stopped the bleeding, but we weren’t sure how serious it was.”
         “Mistress Nyue I need to tell you something.”
         “What is it Coelya?”
         “I-”
         Don’t tell her. Most people wouldn’t understand and think you were crazy; the rest wouldn’t want you to do it.
         “Never mind.”          
         “Okay. Well if you decide to tell me, let me know. I’m always there for you; I just want you to know that.”
         “Thank you Mistress Nyue.” Said Coelya. Nyue nodded and left the room. As she closed the door she heard Coelya start crying. Poor child, she thought.
         Coelya, I’m sorry that this destiny has chosen you, but we must go. Time is short. Can you stand?
         I think so. Coelya slowly stood up, I can stand. Where do we need to go?
         The Cliffside, near-
         The earth shook, and Coelya heard a distant thundering sound. The sky grew dark.
         Near my memorial Coelya. Quickly now there isn’t much time.
         Coelya walked quickly to the door. The earth shook again. Coelya was thrown against the door. She quickly opened it and walked out. People were running through the hallways. One of them stopped near Coelya, “Miss, you shouldn’t be out of bed, we have everything in control.”
         “No, I need to leave now.” Said Jyla
         How’d you take over my body? Asked Coelya
         It’s something Sky showed me, I’ll get us there.
         “Miss, you can’t leave, Nyue said you-”
         “I’m going and you can’t stop me!” Snapped Jyla
         “I’ll go with her and make sure she’s safe, we’ll be fine.” Said Nyue, approaching Coelya.
         “Yes mistress.” Said the woman backing away.
         “Where do you need to go?” asked Nyue.
         “The memorial.” Said Jyla.
         Nyue took Coelya’s hand, and they jogged toward the door. The scene that awaited them outside was one of chaos. The village had become frenzied. People ran about screaming and yelling. Dogs sprinted around looking for some place to hide. Babies screamed in the mother’s arms, not understanding the chaos that surrounded them.
         This is why we must save them. Thought Jyla, They are those that cannot save themselves, their minds are clouded by panic.
         Nyue and Coelya continued on their path. People bumping them as they ran by. The sky grew darker still. Thunder boomed in the sky. Nyue and Coelya stopped in the clearing at the Cliffside.
         “We’re here Coelya, what do you need to do here?”
         “I need to sacrifice myself to save the village.” Said Jyla.
         “What? Coelya, this is no time to-”
         “I’m Not Coelya. I’m Jyla; I was brought back and put into Coelya’s body so that we could save the village. I must go now.” She said walking toward the cliffs.
         Take control of your body for now. For this to work you must willingly sacrifice yourself, I cannot do it for you.
         Lightning came crashing around Coelya. Wind whipped at her body as she made her way toward the cliff face.
         “Please Coelya, don’t do this; there must be other ways.” Yelled Nyue over the wind.
         “No, there are no other ways. It must be done. Please understand Mistress, I’m not doing this because I want to. I want life, but for me to live, would mean countless others would die. No, Jyla will save us again. But I must help.” Said Coelya, taking a final deep breath as she paused right at the cliff’s edge.
         She took the final step and plunged off the cliff. Rain pelted her body in huge drops. Thunder screamed through the sky, lightning lit her way down.
         Ready?
         Yes, I’m ready.
         Coelya felt at peace as Jyla took over her body. While Jyla was praying, Coelya heard the faint whisper of a song.
         Nyue screamed as she saw Coelya walk off the cliff. A light flashed out from the cliff. It spread quickly through the air. All around Nyue, the grass became greener. The sky cleared up, a beautiful blue sky showed.
         “She did it.”


The End.