Chapter 36: The Sky Cracks Open II
Back to the Present
Eva blinked.
The cocoa in her hands had cooled. Her fingers trembled faintly. She felt like something had passed through her—a wind, a dream, a truth too large for her body to hold.
One tear fell down her cheek.
Evelyn was at her side in a heartbeat. "Eva, sweetheart?"
Vivienne crouched beside her, worry etched into her brow. "What did you see?"
"I…" Eva blinked again. "I saw a world. And someone burning it down. A woman. A mother, I think. She was angry. And sad. And everything turned to light."
Evelyn and Vivienne exchanged a glance—not one of fear, but of quiet understanding.
It was time.
*****
The Legend of the Sky-Mother
That evening, they lit the fireplace. A hush fell over the living room as the glow wrapped them in warmth. Evelyn sat on the couch with Eva in her lap, while Vivienne poured tea and took the seat beside them.
"There's a story," Evelyn began, "passed down from old dream-keepers. It's more myth than memory, but some say it really happened."
Eva leaned into her, eyes wide.
"Long ago," she continued, "there was a divine being named Aira. A Sky-Mother. She was powerful beyond imagining, but her power was rooted in love—deep, endless, fierce love. And she had only one child."
Vivienne picked up the thread, her voice soft. "Her child was sent into the world to learn, to grow, to shine. But the world didn't see her light. They used her. Pushed her. Broke her."
"And when the child died," Evelyn said quietly, "Aira woke. She descended from the sky in a storm of sorrow and fury. She destroyed the world—not out of cruelty, but because it had stolen something precious and sacred."
Eva clutched the edge of Evelyn's sweater. "What happened after?"
Vivienne reached over and tucked a lock of hair behind Eva's ear. "Aira rebuilt. With the last of her power, she gave her child a new life. A better one. She placed her where she could be safe. And then she vanished, exhausted, into a slumber so deep that even the stars forgot her name."
"Does she still sleep?" Eva whispered.
"Yes," Evelyn said. "But they say that if her child ever cries out again—if that child ever truly needs her—Aira will return. Not in destruction this time, but in protection."
Eva sat quietly, the weight of the tale sinking deep. Her cocoa had gone cold again, but she didn't mind.
"I think… I like that story," she murmured.
Evelyn kissed the top of her head. "So do we."
*****
Dreams of the Sky-Mother
That night, Eva's dreams were unlike any she had ever experienced. She found herself standing in a vast, starlit expanse, the ground beneath her feet shimmering like the surface of a calm lake, reflecting the cosmos above. The air was thick with the scent of ozone and blooming nightflowers, a fragrance both foreign and familiar.
In the distance, a figure emerged—a woman of immense stature, her form composed of swirling galaxies and nebulae. Her eyes shone with the light of a thousand suns, and her presence exuded both warmth and an overwhelming sorrow.
"Eva," the figure spoke, her voice resonating like a symphony across the void. "My precious child."
Eva felt a surge of emotion, a mixture of longing and recognition. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I am Aira, I am here to watch you my child," the figure replied. "I have watched over you across lifetimes, through joy and suffering. I am the echo of your past and the guardian of your future."
Tears welled in Eva's eyes. "Why do I feel so alone?"
Aira extended a hand, and a cascade of memories flowed into Eva's mind—moments of love and loss, of creation and destruction, of a world once vibrant now reduced to ashes by divine wrath.
"You were never alone," Aira said gently. "Even in your darkest moments, my love surrounded you. I carried your pain, your sorrow, and your hope."
Eva reached out, but as her fingers brushed against Aira's, the vision began to fade, the starlit expanse dissolving into darkness.
*****
Awakening
Eva awoke with a start, the morning sun casting a golden glow across her room. She sat up, her heart pounding, the remnants of the dream lingering in her mind.
Downstairs, the aroma of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee wafted through the air. She descended the stairs to find Evelyn and Vivienne in the kitchen, their faces lighting up as they saw her.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Vivienne greeted, placing a plate of pancakes on the table.
"Morning," Eva replied, her voice tinged with the weight of her dream.
Evelyn noticed the distant look in Eva's eyes. "Did you sleep well?"
Eva hesitated before nodding. "I had a dream… about Aira."
The room fell silent, the name hanging in the air like a delicate thread.
Vivienne exchanged a glance with Evelyn before speaking. "Would you like to talk about it?"
Eva nodded slowly, taking a seat at the table. "She said she was watching over me, that I was never alone."
Evelyn reached across the table, taking Eva's hand in hers. "That's because you never were. Aira's love is eternal, transcending time and space."
Vivienne added, "And now, you have us. We're here for you, always."
Eva smiled, a sense of peace settling over her. The echoes of her past still lingered, but they no longer held power over her. Surrounded by love and warmth, she felt ready to embrace the future.
*****
A New Beginning
As the days passed, Eva found solace in the routines of her new life. She attended school, made friends, and explored the world with a sense of wonder she had never known before.
Evelyn and Vivienne continued to share stories of Aira, weaving tales of the Sky-Mother's adventures and the lessons she imparted. Each story resonated deeply with Eva, reinforcing the bond she felt with the celestial being.
One evening, as they sat beneath a canopy of stars, Evelyn turned to Eva. "Would you like to hear the story of how Aira created the first constellation?"
Eva nodded eagerly, her eyes reflecting the twinkling lights above.
Evelyn began, "Long ago, before time as we know it, Aira painted the night sky with stars, each one representing a soul she cherished. But there was one star that shone brighter than the rest, a beacon of hope and love."
Vivienne continued, "That star was named Eva, in honor of her most beloved creation. It served as a reminder that even in the darkest of nights, love would always shine through."
Eva's heart swelled with emotion, tears glistening in her eyes. She looked up at the sky, feeling a profound connection to the universe and the divine love that had guided her through lifetimes.
In that moment, she knew that no matter where life took her, she would carry the light of Aira within her, a guiding star leading her toward a future filled with love, hope, and endless possibilities.