Heaven's Children (Earth Totem)

Quinqui took a deep breath and the room breathed with him as he raised his totem stick even higher.

‘Remember my children, the first of Heaven’s children were cast from her bosom. Together they are harmony, bliss, while apart they are the children of Khaos.’

He brought his stick down on the table so hard, some of the members near the front jerked. The room erupted with questions and arguments about who this other child was. Hawk took the stick, nodding to Quinqui. Hands shot up, and he pointed the stick in their direction.

‘Is Anna part of this?’ Gabe asked. Hawk nodded. ‘She must have been given purpose; why else would she want Nevaeh - or any of us? We must be careful, Anna is more powerful, and I don’t think it is just from Harp, she must have the other child.’ The word child stuck like a lump in his throat and he coughed before continuing.

‘The blue sickness is pushing through Gaia’s sacred energy lines. Her pathways are blocked, and my brothers and sisters cannot hear Gaia’s messages. I have also heard whispers that the old ones are rising. Every year, these sacred openings, revitalise and fertilise Gaia’s skin. It is a gift from above and below. The time is near, and if we don’t stop her, she will bring forward more children seeded from Khaos.’

At the mention of Khaos everyone seemed to breathe like one being. Hawk looked back at Quinqui who placed his hand over Hawks. His face was grim.

‘You all remember the legend of Gaia and Khaos having children. Khaos became jealous of the children of Gaia and tried to kill most of them. Those that survived have been hidden. We are the guardians of those survivors and of Gaia herself. Some of the scrolls write of a new time, when a daughter of Gaia and son of Khaos, reunite and bring an end to the war between the gods.’ The room was quiet.

Hawk leaned forward, his voice was low, as he brought them back to the present.

‘My friends, legends are one thing, but right now groups from one pole to the other are stretched to capacity. In Australia, firestorms are raging, killing everything in their path. Some are in hiding, and others are being turned into drones.’

‘Look what happened to Japan. Did Khaos have anything to do with that?’ someone shouted. Hawk shrugged. ‘I want to say no, that it is the natural way of Gaia, but I can’t. Nothing is the same anymore.’

The groups were muttering to each other and Quinqui wearily placed his stick down, inviting others to have their say.

Hawk stepped away from the table; he was still reeling from the new information. He hadn’t counted on a male version of Nevaeh, and if he was a child of Khaos, one of the immortals, then why hadn’t he sensed this or been told?

Aponi - why?

He rubbed the back of his neck and felt a hand on his shoulder, Quinqui was smiling at him. It had been a long time since he saw his grandson and best friend, and he still missed him. Jin had taken over an eco group in South America, when he passed through the veil. He had become trapped under a rockslide while he was in transition. Ecos often moved from tree to earth to air, but the transition was the most dangerous. Hawk mourned his friend for months and laid out sweet herbs and incense to remember his passing. A thought crossed his mind.

‘Yes Hawk, he is here, feel him…’ Quinqui sensed the message and he closed his eyes, feeling a slight pressure on his other shoulder. Emotion overwhelmed him.

Goddess, I wish you were here Jin; I could do with your help.

‘He is,’ Quinqui sensed him. Hawk smiled indulgently at the thought of Jin beside him.

Quinqui surprised him then, by laying his ancient hands on his face.

‘He has been appointed your guardian Hawk, it is not a thought.’ Hawk felt tears well up and closed his eyes to the embrace of Jin.

‘Thank you my brother.’

Apart from his grandparents, Jin was the closest thing to a brother he had ever had. His thoughts were never far from Nevaeh, and he let Jin know. The ecos were the most ancient race of beings, and death meant renewal. Those that passed through the veil took up positions on the other side. This they believed kept the balance.

They both stood side by side, listening then to the accounts from other leaders in their territories. Entire generations of totems had been taken in one sweep. Andrea was the last leader to take the stick and spoke in more detail of Hawk’s vision. Hawk heard the stress in her voice and felt guilty over his behaviour. She was young as far as leaders went and Seth and Nettles were more than just members to her, they were family.

He looked round the room then at the panic Anna and the unknown child had caused. He searched his memories trying to remember the stories of the ancient ones. He would have to rely on the Quinqui’s knowledge.

‘I have to reach them,’ he thought thinking of Nevaeh. Part of him was pleased that Quinqui had confirmed what he suspected. Although, not even he dared to think that she might be the true daughter of Gaia. If she was, then she stands between what Quinqui called the two worlds, the seen and unseen, above and below.

And you’re not going to have her, he thought, remembering Anna’s threat.

He pushed forward, just as the last leader had finished, and took the stick. Voices dissolved when they saw he had returned.

‘I don’t know why she wants Nevaeh,’ he burst out, looking towards Quinqui then Andrea. ‘But she’s not getting her. This is war and we must protect our mother and children.

He made his point by slamming his hand down and the room roared in agreement. Hawk looked around and felt adrenaline pump through his body then as he raised the totem stick above his head.

‘In Gaia we see. In Gaia we believe.’

The room exploded.