(In order to make a more detailed and complete universe, I wanted to focus on the stories of the other major characters of Ithycca. This one will feature both Ithycca's friend and supporter, Eliza, and the Goddess of Earth, Gaia. Enjoy!)

Chapter 11.5: The Weight of the World

It’s been weeks since I’ve last seen Ithycca. I was worried sick, even more so this time because this was in a way my fault.

I really couldn’t imagine all the mental anguish she was going through, no matter how painfully obvious it was painted on her face. Before all of this she was a man- a kind, caring, selfless man. He was very intelligent and quite funny as well. What I wouldn’t give to live those moments again.

I wish I could love her like that. I wish I could love her like she is right now. Kali didn’t seem to have any inhibitions trying to seduce her. Then again, she is a devil, literally. But loving a woman didn’t resonate with me, no matter how much I may want it. It was too unnatural.

But I didn’t want to push her away like that. Honestly I only want to help her, yet it seems like it’s impossible. I can’t empathize with something I probably will never understand.

My worry got the best of me. I had to find her. And if there was one place on this island she could go, it was to the home of that mysterious Creole lady, Gaia. I returned to the rough and dilapidated neighborhood where Ithycca and I first searched for her. Even though we’ve done our best trying to fix up the neighborhood, these things take money, and time, things we don’t always have.

I asked around the neighborhood. I was surprised how kind and helpful everyone was, even under these circumstances. They all seem to have glowing words about this “Auntie Gaia.” Eventually they led me to her humble abode. While the outside seems to be in pitiful, it seemed to be one of the least affected areas from the quake, oddly. The door to her house stood wide open, almost like it was inviting me in. Standing outside the home’s entrance was the supposed “Earth Goddess,” spinning some clay pottery. Even though her focus was directly towards her spinning, she seemed to recognize my presence.

“You needn’t be standin’ ‘round like a zombie, dear,” she began. “Come on in.”

I walked inside and had a seat on her couch. “It isn’t real safe to leave your door open,” I told her, “There could be looters.”

“They know better,” She insisted, “Besides, it be hotter than the gates of Angra Mainyu. Gods be hot too ya know?”

Angra Mainyu? No clue what that was.

“Now, Eliza,” She continued, “you obviously had a question for this ol’ woman here. Go ahead and ask it.”

“How did you know my name?” I asked, stunned. She turned to look at me sternly. Obviously she didn’t have time for semantics.

“I…I was wondering if you knew where Ithycca went,” I told her.

“Ah, Ithycca, my poor niece,” She replied. “My child, it be best if you leave her be.”

“But why?” I asked with a rise of my voice.

“I feel she be needin’ her time to herself. She has a lot of things going on in her mind. She needs to find herself. Give her space.”

I felt a tinge of guilt, but for some reason being around Gaia I felt like I could talk to her about anything. “I just…I think I may have hurt her,” I explained. “I…suppose at one time I loved her, back when she was Kyle. But now…am I wrong? She’s still Kyle in there! You would think I could see past her physical shape, but I just can’t!”

She stopped midway into finishing her pot and turned to me. “Child, love have many different forms, more than just the bumpin’ and grindin’.”

I couldn’t help myself but giggle a little bit in between the sobs that I was trying to restrain.

“Your love hadn’t changed of her,” she stated. “You still care for her. You still want to be with her. Even now you can’t stand to be apart from her. Would that be no different than being with a man?”

I suppose she had some point.

“Life has many of purpose,” She continued. “Givin’ birth be one thing, and that be why you be wantin’ a man; that be nature. But reproduction and love be two different things. Some may go farther than others, and some may never want a child to begin with. But that be okay! The Planet accepts whatever path you choose in life.”

“So what you’re saying then is?”

“I’m saying that you may be straight as an arrow, but that doesn’t make it wrong to love other people, regardless of who or what they be. That be the love of the soul. And one day, may you find a man that makes you love his soul just the same.”

I really didn’t look at things in the way before. Love of the soul, beyond any physical boundaries. I didn’t love Ithycca because of her gender; I loved her for her soul. And I may not be a lesbian, but I still wanted to be with her, because I care about her, and I want to support her.

“You know,” Gaia interrupted, bursting my train of thought, “You can always show your love for her in a different way.”

I was intrigued. “And what would that imply?”

“You claim you want to be there for her,” she explained. “However the road she travels be long and difficult. She could use someone like you. Someone who could fight alongside her.”

“What, me? Fight?” I’ve never so much as punched anyone in my life. I couldn’t fight by her side! Shoot, I mean, Kali could easily best me! Although I really don’t approve of her guarding her, if you could call it that. To me, she seemed more like a stalker. Ugh...I really disliked her.”

“So why do you let that Djinni get away with that?” She asked.

I was speechless and my jaw fell agape. Did she just read my mind?

“Come to me here my child,” Gaia instructed. I slowly gather myself and walked over to her as she was preparing a new piece of clay for spinning. Or so I thought.

Just be waving her hand over the clay she gave it life. It formed arms and legs, and pretty much was anthropomorphic, moving. She really was the Earth Goddess!

“What are we but just moving, breathing rocks?” She philosophized. “The solidity of our husks, the air in our breath, the blood of our hearts, and the heat of our souls- all connected in unity. Four elements. Much like this clay here. Clay made from sediment of the earth, moistened by water, spun by wind to mold, and dried by heat. She lowered her hand, and her miniature golem returned to a glob of putty.

“Come,” she commanded as she rose from her seat, heading outside from the back of her house. I followed right behind her.

Out near the shore she kneeled and stared at the sand below her feet. “Earth is only one part of a much greater whole,” she claimed as she grabbed a handful of sand. Standing up, she further explained, “It crushes, compresses, turning even this frail dirt…” She paused and with clenched her hand into a fist, sand and all. As she opened it, the sand turned into a beautiful garnet crystal.

“…into a thing of beauty,” she finished. She handed the gem over to me. My hand shaking I took the garnet from her. I almost thought I was dreaming.

“Tis a shame that humans forget the skills of their past,” she remarked, “Look at the magnificent masterpieces they built. The Pyramids, Stonehenge.”

“That’s how they built it?” I interrupted.

“Aye,” she replied. “And if you’re willing, I too shall teach you this power.”

“But…why?” I asked, kind of overwhelmed by the idea that I can actually learn magic.

“Because,” Gaia said, “Ithycca be one piece of the puzzle, and mayhaps even the most important one. But she is but one element. The things the Planet be requiring us to do, requires all four. Much like Kali holds the gift of fire, you hold the gifts of earth. Ithycca needs you as much as you need her. Your compassion proved to me you be worthy of this skill.”

“But why not yourself?” I couldn’t help but ask. “I mean, you’re a literal Goddess!”

“My child,” She began to explain, “I be getting old my child. Believe it or not, even I have a time limit, dear. It may be over millions of years, but even I will one day perish.”

“What?” I couldn’t believe it, God’s could die.

“Yes,” She replied, obviously reading my mind. “The other Gods wish not to believe this fact. Yahweh be fightin’ tooth an’ nail just to maintain his existence, because he fears with his death that all he built up would be destroyed. Others have their own reasons to defy the Planet’s will, but, let it be said; without an heir to pass down our skills, the planet will collapse.”

“Collapse?” I repeated, absolutely freaked out by the idea.

“Aye,” She replied. “The quake here was one of those warning signs. I’m tryin’ my best to regain control, but there be no doubt, there will be more. Tornados, floods, volcanic eruptions- they will occur with more frequency without the transfer of power.”

And then she turned to me, and stared directly into my eyes. “And that’s why I had to turn Kyle to Ithycca. It was not by choice. It be her destiny to receive the powers of her mother: the Goddess Alora. Without that, this world will end. All four elements must be balanced. If there be another way, I wouldn’t have gone to these lengths.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I wondered. “This all seems too much.”

“Because, I can sense your personality,” she replied. “You wouldn’t accept anything less than the truth. And, I would like you to be the one to eventually take my power, dear. I just needed to explain to you the severity of what I ask.”

“Gaia,” I said, unsure of what to do. To learn magic, to protect Ithycca- that was one thing. But to become a Goddess? That isn’t a decision you can make on the fly. The thought of controlling and maintaining the Planet…that was too much!”

“Come child,” She said. “The magic lessons be on the house. I’ll let you think hard on what I be askin’ of ya. If you decide against receiving my powers when the time comes, then so be it. I can find other people. I can only find one Ithycca however…”

I decided that at least the training would be beneficial. I wanted to protect Ithycca, now more than ever, now that I knew the extent of what she had to do.

And besides, maybe with this I could get even with Kali.