Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
“Sure, but they would still miss you.”
“Yeah well, I hope so. You are sure I would be able to watch over them, right?” She looked behind the man to the Goddess who nodded.
“Yeah, Gregory you will be able to watch over your family. You will be able to watch them grow into their lives. Watch every milestone, send them love, and watch over their safety. Just like my father did to me. He died when I was a baby, but I felt his love whenever I struggled and knew I would be okay.” Araiya’s eyes started to well up thinking about it. “Whenever I was in a bad spot, I swore I could feel his hand on my shoulder pushing me. I know my father has saved me more times than I can count.” A tear fell as she smiled over at him, and he stood.
“That sounds like a good choice. What I am doing now I couldn’t watch over my boys. Now I can help them and guide them. Love them as a father should, as I should have done all along.” He started towards the forest. “Are you coming with me lass?”
“No sir, I was just here to help you. I will be going back.”
“Well, what’s your name young lady?” He turned to walk backward.
“Oh, um my name is Araiya.”
“Well, I will look for your father Araiya, and maybe he can teach me how to help my boys like he helped you. Maybe I will help him watch over you as well. You seem like a sweet girl, nothing wrong with having an extra person watching your back, eh lass?” He smiled as more tears fell down her face. She smiled back and waved, then he turned around and walked into the forest to fade to the other side. Araiya slowly walked back to the Goddess. Her chest ached for the man.
“How do you feel?” She was struggling with her emotions. She just looked up. Tears still falling, with a smile on her face, she shrugged. “I know the burden of those on the edge. It is my job to help guide them. Like I did with you, I gave you as much information as possible to help you make your choice.”
“Why though? Why not just tell them to jump or fade? My heart feels like it’s breaking,” her voice breaking, “I feel like I talked that man into choosing to fade and I took him away from his children.”
“No little one. He had already made his choice. Talking it out with you eased his burden of guilt. That was all. He wanted the peaceful rest of the afterlife, not the daily struggle of life. He was just conflicted about his family, and you helped ease his guilt. You showed him that a father’s love never truly dies, even if they do. You offered a piece of your own heart, something so rarely given, and a secret of your soul, never shared.” The Goddess leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You gave him the peace of mind that he will still be able to love and care for his sons from here. I know you have never shared that peaceful truth with anyone, the feeling of your father’s love and guidance from here until today. That man will treasure this moment and will do as he says. He will also watch over you, the one who guided him to his peaceful afterlife. That will be filled with his love for his children. Never regret what you did today, even if it feels heavy. It was a good act of kindness you have shown to a man that you had never met.”
“Thank you.” Araiya choked on the words and looked off into the forest, wondering if she had made the right choice by going back herself. As soon as she thought about it, she pushed it aside. A peaceful afterlife might sound fantastic, but only after you have lived. “May I ask you something?” She glanced at the Goddess who just smiled back. “Will I become Chosen? Have you decided if you will anoint me? Or will I have to go back to my old life?”
“My dearest child, I already anointed you. I just brought you here because I wanted to show you this. I also wanted to give you the option once more because your life will change drastically after today. This day will change everything. I cannot tell you how, just that it is a long and hard road. I believe you can do this, but it will always be your choice.” The Goddess kissed her forehead again and then faded away leaving her once again on the cliff with a choice.
Araiya had lived a hard life already, but that wasn’t about to stop her from jumping. She had already chosen to embrace her life, the good with the bad, with open arms. Araiya took a few steps forward and flung herself off the cliff, eyes closed and a smile on her face.
Araiya realized she could hear a chime. She took a step back to see she was still in the shrine and looked around. Nothing had changed, except everything had changed. She felt like a completely different person. She looked down and noticed that she had purple designs on her arms and legs. The delicate lines swirled and morphed into designs she couldn’t even explain. They were beautiful, delicate, and glowed softly.
The chime went off again, which snapped her back from looking at her body. She quickly threw her robe on and walked out of the shrine. Gasps could be heard from everyone there.
Araiya ignored everyone and walked up to the Head Chosen. The woman she had never met had tears in her eyes. She scanned the crowd, and everyone looked shocked. “Oh, my Goddess. We have much to discuss you and I.” The Head Chosen leaned over and kissed her forehead and gestured her to stand with all the other recruits. She raised her hands as Araiya stepped in line. “Now that everyone has finished, the recruits without markings please step forward. Please head back to your homes. There will be a Chosen that escorts you there and will give you some tea. They will stay with you there until preparations are made for you to go back to your families. Stay blessed young ones.” Amara clapped and Chosen stepped up to guide them away.
As the unmarked shuffled away, Araiya noticed Tamara staring at her. She looked over and couldn’t help the smile that spread on her face. It wasn’t nice to be smug, but Tamara had already caused her issues. She couldn’t lie and say she was sad to see her leave. Tamara grunted and left flipping her hair as she walked past.
After everyone else was gone, Tal made his way to the Head Chosen who once again called for attention over the remaining recruits. “Now, I am sure you have a million questions.”
“Yeah, what the hell is up with the purple girl mainly,” someone called from the right of Araiya.
“Well, she’s going to be a bit harder to explain, so let’s start with something easier. What does being a Chosen mean perhaps? A long time ago, our world was more connected. Each province worked with each other, and there was a king and queen of sorts. They were called the All-Mother and All-Father because all of their kin came from them. They made an ancient agreement with the Goddess to protect the little folk of this realm from harm. It was a time of great peace and growth here, but it didn’t stay that way. Most do not remember why the All-Father turned dark, but he betrayed the Goddess. He killed most of the unborn children and ran away. Nothing has been heard about him since. The All-Mother fell into a deep sadness, for she failed to protect her children. Her name disappeared from history as well. Now the Chosen are what remains of that ancient pact. Every year others like yourself are chosen to join the two races of this place together.”
Confusion was clearly painted on every newly anointed Chosen. No one knew what she was talking about. “I see the confusion on your face, but it is much easier for young Talon to show you what I mean.” Amara stepped away from Tal, and he winked at Araiya. He stepped back a few paces and lunged towards the new recruits with a running start. Tal’s body changed and grew from one step to another. She couldn’t believe her eyes, but a huge golden dragon was hovering where Tal was just running. He landed gently as a few screams rang out into the night. He was beautiful.
Araiya walked over chuckling. “No wonder you caught up to me. Look at you.” She hesitated to touch him and looked up at him for permission. His giant head bobbed closer to her outstretched hand, and he took in her scent. A purr started deep in his belly as he rubbed his cheek against her hand. Araiya looked around to find Shavon and saw her walking over. “Purring means it’s okay right? Are you mad? I will step away if you don’t want me to touch him?”
“Araiya, take a breath.” Shavon laughed. “Yes, purring is okay, good actually. It means he trusts you. No, I am not mad. I finally understand.” Shavon grabbed her hand and pushed their hands against his side. “Feel his scales. They are thick to protect his body. His wings here,” she moved their hands to his wings, “feel how soft it feels. His skin is thinner here to help him glide in the air. He is magnificent, isn’t he?” Shavon’s pride in her mate showed through. “I am fortunate he chose me to be his mate and share his magic with me.”
“Magic?”
Shavon lowered her voice. “Yes, just another perk of being mated to this man. The dragons hold magic over the elements; when you mate, you also get that power. That wasn’t something I was supposed to tell you, but I figured you would know soon enough.”
Araiya looked over her shoulder and saw that everyone was staring at her. She couldn’t blame them. She was standing next to and petting a dragon like he was a puppy. She took a few steps away and thanked Tal for showing them. The Head Chosen nodded once and Tal shifted back. His golden scales pulled back into his tan skin. He smiled at Araiya and then picked up Shavon and twirled her around. She laughed and they kissed before he put her down.
Amara stepped forward. “So, everyone, now you know. We share this land with the Draconian race. There are more secrets left to unfold. Some I don’t know, but that will come with time and training. Tomorrow we will gather to tour the provinces’ Elemental keeps, where you all will meet the unmated Dragons. You will meet your mate if you are blessed like Shavon here.”
“We all will go to every keep, even if you meet your mate. After the tour you will rejoin your mates and will start training together. So that means, even if you find your mate in Earth, you will go on to Air, Fire and Water and then come back here. Your mate will get you and you will go on to your next step. Those who do not find mates, you will stay here and train with us. Now that the excitement has died down go home and get some rest. We have four days of travel, which will be an exciting and exhausting experience. Goodnight young ones. Araiya, can you stay back? Shavon, you and Tal can stay as well since I know you will anyway.” She nodded and stayed where she was with Shavon while everyone else left.
“Well Araiya, I am sure you have at least one question to ask?” Amara walked over to them.
“Why am I different? What element is mine?”
“Well dear, you are the rarest of all the elements, one that hasn’t been seen in thousands of years. Your element is Spirit. You are the center of the five-pointed star: Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Metal and Spirit.”
“Six elements? I thought there were only four?”
“Well, that’s another story for a different time. Tonight, is just to let you know a few simple things. Elementals usually mate with dragons of their element. Sadly, there are no known Spirit dragons, never were. You might never have a mate, as sad as that might seem. Based on your anointed markings, we can see you will be strong. We just don’t know what exactly they mean. You are a mystery wrapped in a beautiful young woman. We will help any way we can.”