Chapter 9 March 05, 2010

Chapter 9



People were dying. This was not something that Etherians were used to and now that they were human many were having trouble wrapping their minds around that fact. Only recently did people really take note as one generation had began to pass away and fade into the next. It mattered not to them that an afterlife was assured and that it's freedom and majesty transcended anything on this earth. All they knew was that their loved ones were dead and that they would never hold them again in this life.

It was the anniversary of Gaia's death and only recently had they began constucting a great graveyard to commemorate the lost. The first few deaths seemed almost to be celebrated, people accepting the fact and honoring the time they had with them, their souls granting them reprieve from the labors of life. Over time however as the elder generation began to pass things began to change.The society was no longer fathered and mothered by those of three to four hundred years old. Their wisdom lost to the ages beyond what they had recorded in scribe or told in tale.

A new age, a new generation was coming to light and power and death was something they were never taught to deal with. Deaths were so rare in Etherian society. This year there were many more deaths then usual, with over 15 elders passing in a single year of old age. Were it not for the guidance of Coral, the eldest surviving Etherian, nearly all guidance would be lost.The structure of Etherian, now human, society was changing. They were thankful to Gaia for saving them but sometimes they questioned Coral about the necessary cost of the cure.

Despite these troubled times however now was a time for celebration. The Festival of the Gaiaspheric Saint. The festival was several days long to commemorate both her sacrifice and the triumph of life over Iboga's curse. The cost was high to be certain but people were no less thankful, no matter the doubts.

The first day of the festival dealt with what little was known about Gaia's life. People danced around in creative tattoos and gave thanks for life and wellbeing. They sculpted and painted and sang. There were no judgements or embarassment, just freedom, the freedom of Gaia's life.

The second day all faced death in imagery and costume. The death of Gaia and her sacrifice though it was first a festival of artistic expression.