The Connor Chronicles: Bronze

  Dea then faced towards the ocean. Poseidon had come on land to greet Dea and they hugged. ‘Poseidon! Thank you so much for the assistance you provided to Taran. It is greatly appreciated. How is the family?’ Dea said. ‘It was my pleasure assisting Taran. He is a good boy. He comes to the coasts frequently and keep ourselves updated on the latest news. He has become a good friend and you know Dea, there is nothing I would not do for a friend, especially, a friend in need. My family is good. They send their love and regards to those at the Celtic Realm of the Gods’ Poseidon said. ‘Send our love and regards to them from us Poseidon. I shall take my leave now. Take care!’ Dea said as she disappeared into a silvery white mist.

  ‘Thanks Poseidon. Couldn’t have saved the world without you! The initial storm surges were excellent!’ I said as we shook hands and hugged. ‘You better go now. We’ll catch up some other time’ Poseidon said as he winked towards Mother, Sarah and Jake who were waiting for me.

  Chapter 15 - Explanations

  After Poseidon had left, it was just the four of us. Sarah and Jake were much calm and composed. ‘Sarah, Jake, please meet my Mother’ I introduced both of them. ‘Yeah, we did our self-introductions, you’re late’ Jake teased. ‘Aunt Marella, Aidan, thank you being there for us earlier. You saved Jake and I from those beings’ Sarah said as she pulled her jacket towards her.

  We walked silently towards St Just. Sarah and Jake were in front while Mother and I were at the back. While we were walking through the woods, Sarah stopped and allowed Mother to pass. She looked as if she had a million of questions in her mind, none of which I could read. ‘If only she could tell me’ I thought to myself.

  ‘Aidan!’ Sarah said as she gently grabbed my arm and pulled me towards her. ‘Jake and I would be leaving you at St Just. We need to check on Aunt Josie and her store. I have so much to ask you but I guess we’ll meet when the time comes’ she said wistfully as she looked towards the main road which had come before us. We walked silently until we reached St Just.

  What greeted us was sight I had not seen since the days prior to my death. The hurricane had left a path of destruction, roofs were thrown on the ground like cardboard, window panes were shattered and there were glass everywhere. As much as I had to avoid hitting homes, the strong winds caused damages to the homes. The bursting of my safety bubble had created an Earthquake. The tremors had caused the grounds to crack, homes were brought down to their bases and the weaker structure had given way completely. There were people crying, screaming and wailing at the extent of the damages to their homes. There was no electricity and the telephone lines were cut. It was reported in the media that the town was struck by a triple whammy which were unconfirmed vampire attacks, an Earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale and a Level two hurricane.

  As we mingled with the survivors, we heard of unverified reports of vampire attacks. I felt uneasy at those reports. When we walked deeper into St Just, we saw bodies lying on the streets, lifeless. The scene had brought flashbacks to the time I when I had destroyed villages. I felt sad and helpless. I went closer to a corpse of woman. She was as pale as a ghost. She had deep puncture wounds on her neck indicating a vampire had bitten her. I sensed that the souls of the dead which were lying before us had been absorbed by the demons. The more souls they absorbed, the stronger they became. The families of the dead were wailing and screaming, as if they couldn’t believe that their loved ones had died an unnecessary death at the hands of vampires. The townsfolk didn’t believe that they lived among vampires, until now. There was talk that the townsfolk were going to take matters into their own hands, although they were not sure how they were going to go about it.

  Sarah and Jake remained silent throughout our walk around St Just. Their only concern now was ensuring Aunty Josie was safe. They left Mother and I, barely whispering ‘goodbye’ as they walked in the direction of Aunt Josie’s store. When I glanced at them, hoping that they would at least wave a goodbye, I saw white figure of a teenager following them. I didn’t think much of that unknown teenager.

  Mother sensed that I wanted to be left alone. She said she would always be near me and I just had to call her name, whether in thoughts or verbally aloud and she would be there. She kissed me on the cheeks and vanished into a white mist back to the Realm of the Gods.

  Walking back to my Inn, I met Michael. I was relieved to know that Michael and his family were unharmed. Their homes were further away from town and they only experienced heavy rain. They were thankful to be alive and had heard and seen what had happened at St Just. They too were feeling sad and commented that the “God of Rain and Thunder must be mad today”, a statement which brought a slight smile in all the sadness around me.

  When I returned to my Inn, I was dejected to know that my landlord had been a victim of the vampire attacks. The landlord’s widow was surrounded by her family and well wishers and were making funeral arrangements for the deceased landlord. I was told that I might have to vacate the Inn as the widow was not financially stable to maintain the Inn and its surrounding land.

  I brought myself upstairs to my room. I sank into bed and closed my eyes. The day’s events came to mind, Sarah and Jake being captured by the demons, rescuing them and then fighting Leucetius and Ambisagrus and their armies, the destroyed homes, the dead bodies of the vampire attacks and Sarah’s coldness towards me. Maybe she was traumatized. Maybe, I should just return to the Realm of the Gods, maybe Earth isn’t my home anymore. I caused more damage as a God than as a barbarian mortal.

  ~~

  Over the weeks after the triple whammy, I busied myself assisting the townsfolk in whatever I could, from carrying bricks to build new homes, chopping wood to keep the fireplaces burning and helping out Michael’s family distribute food and clothing to the needy. I provided comfort to those who needed a shoulder to cry on, by listening to their stories, by finding their next of kin, anything that could bring me peace in knowing that as much as I had caused damage, I was doing my part to clean it up.

  Sarah, Jake and the unknown teenager met me at a temporary shelter. They were doing their bit by providing food and comfort to the needy. Aunt Josie had survived the triple whammy. She had hid in the underground basement in her store during the hurricane and Earthquake. The damage to the store was minimal although several valuable items were stolen. The vampires didn’t find her appealing and left her alone. Once it was all over, she came out from the basement only to be greeted by Sarah who gave her the tightest hug.

  ‘Aidan, this is Savannah. She followed us back after we arrived and St Just and we went our own way, remember? She was a victim of the vampire attacks’ Jake said coolly while pushing Savannah in front of me, teasingly. I was glad that Jake was now talking to me, just as how we had been before. After seeing who I was, he had tremendous respect for me, as an individual and as God.

  ‘Hi Aidan, Jake speaks a lot about you. He says you can see and touch us. I have been wondering, why is it I am here? I mean, I don’t see anyone else like me after those vampire attacks?’ Savannah asked curiously. ‘Well, I would love to answer your question, but later, please … Jake, where is Sarah?’ I asked while looking for her among the crowd. ‘She is at the food counter. We’ll catch you later’ Jake said knowingly as he and Savannah chimed and they skipped into the woods.

  ‘Sarah, we need to talk, come!’ I grabbed her arm as she gave me a bewildered angry look. ‘Yeah, about time! Let go of me! What is it, Aidan?!’ Sarah spoke angrily but softly as she looked into my eyes. We didn’t want to create a scene as there some heads had already turned to look at us.

  I take her outside the food counter and we walked silently into the woods. I had released my grip on her arm. She did not run but she was still cold towards me. As we made our way out of the woods into the meadows, we both sat down. As we sat, it was then that she said, ‘look, I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch, it’s that so much has happened with you, Jake and me. I became confused and needed time off for myself. Aidan, I have so
mething to tell you and you have some explanations yourself but you go first, please’ Sarah said.

  It was time for me to show and tell her, the truth about myself. She had seen me in my true form that day and didn’t say a word. Being unable to read her mind, I was not sure how she was going to take it, so I casually asked, ‘how is weather today?’ I asked her and she replied irritated, ‘what has the weather gone to with any of this?’ she asked sarcastically. ‘It has everything to do with what I’m going to tell you now. You saw me in my true full form that day and I know you are affected by it although you do not show it’ I answered. ‘Yeah, I have never seen you or anyone like that’ she answered as she looked down and began playing with the flowers. ‘Now, tell me. What’s the weather like today?’ I asked her again. ‘Well, it’s a sunny day, the clouds are out with clear blue skies’ she answers, the least interested. ‘Good day for a picnic’ she continued. Just then, her mobile rang, ‘hey James, yeah, we are good. You are with Mother, can I … Mother! I’m fine, don’t worry … I’m busy right now, I’ll call you guys at night, love you!’ she said as she hung up and looked at me and said, ‘Aidan, get to the point. I’m busy!’

  I stood up and walked a short distance and then turned towards Sarah. She watched me as she stood up, I closed my eyes. I then raised my left palm. When I opened my eyes, I asked her to come closer towards me. ‘Look into my eyes and tell me what you see’ I asked her. Sarah reluctantly comes forward and when she sees my eyes, she stares at me, ‘your eyes, their flaming blue and it’s started to drizzle, the clouds have gathered and it looks like it’s going to rain cats and dogs soon’ she tells me as she looks directly into my flaming blue eyes. We are face-to-face, locked in each other’s gaze. She was surprised at the sudden change in weather but she is even more amazed at me. She gently placed her right hand on my cheek but stops before touching them. I smile and with my eyes still flaming blue as I bring a thunderous roar. The clouds darken and I bring on the lighting and maintain the gentle rain.

  While still locked in gaze, I tell her, ‘Aidan Connor is my mortal name. I was a barbarian warrior leader in back in the 1st Century BC, Kernow. We come from a farming background. My father was killed when I was thirteen years at the hands of the Romans who invaded our village and my mother faced the same fate’ I continued with sadness in my tone.

  There was a moment of silence and then Sarah touched my cheek, and began caressing it, as if to make sure that what see was witnessing was true. Sarah had seen my skin was shining a pale gold from unzipped portion of my overcoat as I moved her to my side and say, ‘now, look towards me and observe my left palm and tell me what you see’. She does as instructed, agitated as I pull her down. ‘Ok, this is weird. The dark clouds have moved away and the sun is beginning to shine as you shift your palms. It’s as if you can control the weather!’ she tells me in amazement. With my eyes still closed, I raise both my arms and bring on a gentle breeze which blows my overcoat behind me.

  ‘Sarah, I am also Taran, the God of Thunder. I have the elements of thunder, lighting and rain at my mercy. I was a human, just like you, in flesh and blood until I became The Chosen One and had this power which was thrust upon me. Believe me, it is not my intention to hurt you and neither could I tell you as I was sure you wouldn’t believe me. But this is who I am’ I say wistfully as I gradually transform to my human form.

  She takes a while to absorb what I told her and then, ‘You created the sudden change in weather, made in drizzle with the winds blowing and the brought out the sun. Oh my God! Aidan, this is too much for me. Wait! You are God! What’s happening to me? I don’t think I can ever forget what happened that day. Anyway, what I wanted to say is that Jake and I will be moving to Devon. My mum has called us back and wants Aunt Josie to stay with us. I feel we need a break in this friendship thing until I sort myself out. I mean, seriously, do I go up to my mum and tell her, “hey mum, I’m dating Taran, the God of Thunder??! and James, I love him more than you can imagine. I mean, I felt touched at what you told me that day in Aunt Josie’s office room but I love James and nothing can change that. I’m sorry Aidan but I feel we need a break and that would be best for us right now’ she answered while holding back tears. ‘

  I know we have become close friends; Jake adores you, although he doesn’t show it. I have no issues with you being friends with him, but I need time alone, I hope you understand. Maybe, who knows, we may meet again when the time is right’ she says, consoling me, as I release my grip on her shoulders. ‘Goodbye Aidan or should I say, Taran?’ she says as she walks back to the rescue centre.

  I remained silent for a while and answered, ‘I understand. I wish you well in Devon. Do keep in touch’ I answered as I extended a handshake which she returned in a tight hug, making me feel better immediately. As she walks through the woods, I follow her from her distance, ensuring she reaches Jake and is safe, while transforming as Aidan with every step I take. I whispered silently to myself, ‘Goodbye Sarah’ as she met Jake and gave him a hug. ‘You are one woman I will never forget and I hope, one day, I will have the courage to tell you how much I have grown to love you’ I thought to myself.

  ~~

  ‘Hey, Jake!’ I greet him and acknowledged Savannah. ‘Sorry about just now but I hope I am not interrupting anything’ I tell him as I find both of them away from the crowd standing by a tree. ‘Hey, no worries, man! Have you met Sarah? She wanted to meet you too, such a coincidence!’ he says while clasping his hand on my shoulder. ‘Yeah, I met her. Savannah, about your question earlier, can I know what the demons said after the bit you?’ I asked curiously.

  ‘Yeah sure, after they bit me, they couldn’t eat me as they couldn’t see me. I heard them say that I’m too bright. They left me alone after that’ she answered truthfully.

  ‘Yeah, Aidan, don’t you think she is a bit too bright?’ Jake said as he playfully took out a Prada sunglasses. We laughed at that gesture.

  ‘Savannah, you are on your way to becoming a divine soul, that’s why you shine as you are. However, you can control how much you emit so that those who can see you don’t need to wear sunglasses’ I say while pointing a finger at Jake teasingly.

  ‘As for not seeing the other souls, vampires absorb their souls as it makes them stronger, that is why you don’t see them. I hope that answers your questions. Feel free to ask any other questions. I’ll gladly answer them’ as I smile at her with Jake looking at us and putting his arm on her shoulders. ‘I know she is yours, Jake, no worries’ as I send that message telepathically.

  ‘Jake, can we talk, privately’ I ask him and he nods and we move aside. ‘Stay here and don’t go anywhere’ he instructs Savannah as he kisses her cheek.

  ‘Sarah tells me you guys would be moving to Devon’ I ask Jake and he answers, ‘yeah, that’s true, we will be going next week, considering there isn’t much to pack and she did say she wanted a break from you. Too much has happened and it has traumatized her, she needs time to recover. But, don’t worry, I know she kind of likes you, it’s just that James, the guy she had a crush on back in school has been bugging her for a meeting and with the latest happenings in St Just, her mother wants her back home’

  ‘Yeah, she told me about that. It’s just that, if you guys ever need anything, any help, just call my name and I’ll be there. Please don’t tell her that I will be moving away for a while. I have some foreign business to attend to and will be out of the country, although I’m not sure for how long’ I tell Jake as he looks me sadly as it was now to part ways. ‘We’ll catch up sometime, come to Devon. I can’t imagine James! He is such a boring person. All he ever talks about is himself and his business’ Jake says as he gives me hug, ‘keep in touch and see you around’ Jake said as he left to meet Savannah who was now starting to climb a tree. I laugh at their antics and make my way home, feeling glad that I had told Sarah truthfully about who I was and sad at the same time, as we decided to part ways.

  ~~

  The papers were s
igned and the legalities involving the transfer had been settled. I drove Mrs. Smith with her nephew and niece to the airport and bid them farewell. As I waved and walked away, I thought to myself, ‘a place to call my own’

  I bought the Inn which was once my temporary home. I was now eager to turn the public bed and breakfast into a private home. It was a known fact among the townsfolk that I had bought the property. I had stuck a “private property” sign at the entrance to the property. I arranged a garage sale to dispose of the items which I did not need. The income from the garage sale would go to the Disaster Fund which had been set up to assist the victims and the survivors of the triple whammy that struck St Just.

  Once the property was legally mine, Mother made a visit and this time, she was grinning and smiling. She hugged me and said, ‘Congratulations dearest!!’ as she placed her hands on my arms. ‘Do you like the place’ I asked her.

  ‘Yes, of course!! I loved it the first time you moved in and was hoping you have a place just like this and now you bought it, that’s wonderful!!’ Mother said, ‘however, we would need to protect this place, it can be our safe haven on Earth’ Mother continued.

  ‘Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that, let’s get started on it’ I said enthusiastically as Mother went to the kitchen and gathered raw coarse salt.

  Mother and I walked and identified the borders of the property as what was shown to us in the legal documents. Other than salt, I had no clue what the other herbs she used. However, as owner of the property and its surroundings, I had to partake in this protection ritual. Mother envisioned and showed me anise, bay, dill, fennel, mistletoe, pepper, pine and rosemary. Together, we envisioned a salt blend consisting of these herbs. This salt blend would be dispersed from our palms. She also taught me the following prayer,