Carpathian 23 - Dark Storm

previously known, but so familiar she recognized everything
     as if the knowledge had always been there, imprinted in her brain just waiting for
     this moment when she woke.
    Riley paused, everything in her going still, the better to absorb the monumental changes
     happening so fast in her body and mind. Around her, the others faded far into the
     background as her every sense seemed to heighten. Moisture hung heavy in the air.
     She could feel the individual droplets on her skin, breathe them into her lungs. Beneath
     her feet, the earth moved again, urging her forward. She knew exactly what she had
     to do—cleanse her mother’s body and consecrate her, preparing for her return to Mother
     Earth. Annabel was a daughter of the earth, lent for a short time and she needed to
     be returned with reverence and thanks.
    She would have to set the four corners and call in the elements and directions that
     would bind the energies, but first she would honor her mother by purifying and cleansing
     her body. The blood seeping into the ground no longer sickened her. Everywhere that
     dark liquid of life touched, the soil reached for the richness, her mother’s life,
     refueling and enriching in the cycle of rebirth.
    Riley raised her hands to the sky, calling to the moisture, drawing all those heavy
     drops to her. Rain answered, a fine shower, falling across the remains of her mother’s
     body, mixing with her blood so that it seemed to come alive, moving in droplets off
     the leaves and branches to roll to the ground and slowly begin to seep deep into the
     earth. When the last of the blood had disappeared into the ground, Riley called to
     the currents of air swirling in the canopy, waiting all along for her to utilize the
     element. The rain ceased as the wind circled the body, acting as a fan, drying Annabel’s
     remains.
    Deep inside, Riley felt a burning through her body, that electrical current leaping
     to light, and her hands stretched toward her mother, weaving an intricate pattern
     in the air. She was absolutely certain of every movement, no hesitation, the weave
     leaping to life until a low blue ethereal flame burned over the remains and was instantly
     gone.
    She reached down and took soil into her hands. “Mother Earth, I’m returning your daughter
     to you. I thank you for the gift of life. The years of happiness. The service to humanity.”
     As she murmured the words, she allowed the rich soil to drift over Annabel’s remains.
    Riley looked to the north and called in the power of Air. As the currents once again
     began to swirl around her, she faced south, calling on the power of Earth. The ground
     answered, trembling, coming alive. She turned toward the east and called Fire, until
     the area around her mother’s body was etched in low-burning flame. She faced west
     and called to the power of Water to purify and renew.
    Riley’s hands again began to weave a pattern, a conductor of an orchestra, as she
     murmured soft, powerful words. “Air, Earth, Fire, Water, hear my prayer. See your
     daughter look upon her child this night. Aid her healing through this plight. Let
     fire fuel a savage cleansing. Let air sweep away negative endings. Water clears the
     cleansing pyre as Earth brings forth renewed desire. Air, Earth, Fire, Water, design
     a ring of natural power. Circle round and thrice be bound, take your daughter into
     the ground. Accept your daughter back this night and always hold her close and tight.
     Let none disturb this place of peace and within this circle may my mother find peace.
     As above, so below.”
    Earth took a long breath. Riley felt it. Heard it. The answer to her prayerful ritual.
     The ground trembled. Rippled. Came alive. Everywhere the pools and spattered droplets
     of Annabel’s blood had sunk deep, flowers and green plants shot up, pushing through
     rich soil toward the sky. Again the land shivered. Beneath the torn body, the rain
     forest floor cracked and sank, pulling Annabel’s remains into those deep crevices.
     Black loam bubbled up, rich with minerals, and with it, shoots of green burst through
     the dirt to reach for the sky.
    There was no trace of Annabel, or the gore that had been. Plants were so thick the
     entire terrain had become a grotto of beauty. Lying in the middle of a sea of starry
     night flowers was Mother Earth’s offering—her mother’s necklace. The piece had been
     handed down through generations, and Annabel had never taken it off once