On
a star-filled night, the full moon shone brightly over the untamed land.
Predators, nothing but shadows in the dark, moved through the forest hunting
for unsuspecting prey. A symphony of sound echoed all around. Tree frogs sang,
crickets chirped, and a raccoon prowled in search of something to fill his
empty belly. A barred owl hooted, his call reverberating into the night. Bats silently
dipped and spun, hunting for food on the warm air currents as danger lurked.
A
wolf howled, his cry crossing the land, then fading. A mysterious shadow moved
through the forest, tracking the docile prey not far beyond the safety of the
trees. Out on the moon-draped landscape, the plains reached for miles. The
buffalo stood silently as the night held the land tight in its grip.
In
this wild land there was only one creature who walked upright, stalking the
flat plains and rolling hills on two legs. The Great Spirit, called Wha-tay, had
created Mother Earth. Then her children, The People, inhabited the land and settled
at The Tree of Life—the soul of Mother Earth. Each child born to The People was
bound with a spirit—could be a land spirit, a water spirit, a plant spirit, or
an animal spirit. Once bound, they had the ability to use the gifts the spirit
had. Children of Wha-tay lived in harmony with the creatures around them. The
land provided what they needed to survive, and they gave thanks for the
sacrifices made to support them.
“It’s
too damn bright, Mapiya. Do something.”
“Would
you give me a second, Chetan? It’s not like I can just pull a cloudy night out
of my ass.”
Mapiya’s
totem had the ability to control the weather. Mapiya cleared her thoughts,
letting the words that would bring her powers fill her mind. Closing her eyes,
she gave her body over to her totem spirit and called to the Spirits that ruled
the air. Taking a deep breath, she began to chant.
A
cool, gentle breeze wrapped around her body. The clear nighttime sky slowly
filled with rolling clouds that blocked the moonbeams. The silvery light faded
as the night darkened. Mapiya’s long hair whipped above her head as the breeze
strengthened. Opening her eyes, she cast the land in shadows. Her eyes were a
milky white and glowed with power.
