As Rowan stepped down from the stage, Rose stepped up and settled into a folding canvas chair that had been placed downstage right. She adjusted the shawl over her shoulders. She paused as she looked out over the audience. Then she began narrating:

“There was once a time when the gods of Garadana walked the earth. They lived in harmony among their creations, each possessing great powers that they used to turn this world into a paradise. This peace lasted for many generations. And then, one day, the gods went to war.”

Thunder sounded, and the light behind the canvas turned red, seeming to dye the silhouetted tree with blood. Shadows of clashing armies flashed by.

“The fighting raged across the entire world, causing wanton destruction that destroyed everything the gods had worked so hard to create. And still, they fought, until the final battle at the foot of the Platinum Monastery.”

The silhouette of a temple appeared to the left of the tree. Maeve entered the stage from the same side, her face veiled and her gown flowing. Her costume sparkled like it was covered with hundreds of tiny stars. Declan entered from the other side, carrying a wooden great sword. His face and hair were painted red, and his eyes were full of fury.

“Anemis, the Crimson Tyrant, led the charge against the forces of Sterre. The Veiled Lady fought back fiercely, but it was not enough to hold back the tide of blood. With his victory in hand, the Crimson Tyrant put all of his power into one final blow.”

Maeve and Declan engaged in a mock battle, with Maeve waving her hands with showy flourishes to deflect Declan’s sword, until she finally fell to one knee. Declan raised his sword above his head.

“And that would have been the end of all, had it not been for the timely intervention of Genia, our beloved Earth Mother.”

Teresa ran onstage from behind Maeve, interposing herself between the two of them. She wore a pair of antlers on her head, and her sunset-colored dress was now draped with vines fashioned from green ribbons. She held up a wooden shield towards Declan, seeming to arrive just in time to block his sword.

“This clash of power between the gods was so great, that the very foundations of the world were sundered, causing earth and stone to split apart. Even the great World Tree was felled during the cataclysm.”

A loud crash roared. Maeve, Declan, and Teresa all jumped away from each other as if in an explosion. The silhouette of the giant tree shook and split apart into three pieces before fading away.

“In the silence that followed, the gods finally came to themselves. They saw what widespread devastation their war had caused. And they mourned for the loss of their beloved creations.”

Maeve and Declan arose, making a grandiose show of anguish. Teresa then stood, laying her hands on each of their faces in a show of motherly tenderness.

“From that day forward, each of the gods decided to leave the world, so that their influence would no longer destroy anything else. To Genia, beloved Earth Mother, and to Aeonus, great Sky Father, they each gave their word, bound for eternity, that they would never again return to Garadana.”

Maeve and Declan slowly exited the stage, ducking back into the shadows. Teresa continued to reach out for them long after they disappeared from sight.

Stolen story; please report.

“The Earth Mother was the last of the gods to depart. She could not bear the thought of leaving behind a world thus sundered. And so, for decades after, she traveled over all of creation, seeking to heal what had been left alive, and trying to mend what had been broken. So great was the destruction of the world that it saddened her, and she wept to think of all the work that would still need to be done.”

Teresa paced back and forth over the stage, miming picking up small creatures and comforting them. Then she waved her hands at the canvas, and the silhouettes of trees, bushes, grasses, and vines appeared. She then turned back toward the audience, tears flowing down her cheeks.

“So she set about to create helpers that would carry on in her name. Letting some of her own blood onto the rich earth at her feet—”

Teresa produced a wooden knife. She slid it across her palm, letting fall a scarlet ribbon.

“—she formed clay and molded it into four beings – two men and two women.”

Teresa mimed scooping up clay and working it with her hands. While she worked, Aran, Einri, Nora, and Ciara all surreptitiously rolled up onto the stage. They each came to a stop lying on their backs in front of Teresa.

“Thus formed, she fired them under the heat from the sun. Once they were dry, she breathed life into them, and they became living souls, the first of the Verdan. To each she gave a name and a charge.”

Teresa stood over Aran first. She made a sweeping gesture with her hand, and Aran quickly arose as if being brought to life.

“To you, Ignas, my son, I give the power to speak to the earth. Look after the land, that it may provide for all of my creations.”

Teresa moved to Nora next, and repeated the gesture. Nora also leapt to her feet.

“To you, Tsunis, my daughter, I give the power to speak to the plants. Look after the forests, the fields, and the flowers, that all may enjoy their beauty and flourish beneath their boughs.”

Teresa moved to Einri next. He leapt up eagerly.

“To you, Essos, my son, I give the power to speak to the beasts. Look after all creatures, both small and great, and teach others to do the same.”

Lastly, Teresa moved to Ciara. The little Verdan also stood, but she shyly kept her eyes down. Teresa gently reached a hand under Ciara’s chin and tilted her face up. She gave her niece a warm, encouraging smile.

“And to you, Rivule, my daughter, I give the power to speak to the hearts of all people. Look after those who are heavy with sorrow and care, that all may learn to hope again.”

Ciara smiled back at her aunt. Then Teresa released her and moved to the front of the stage. The children gathered around her, and she swept a hand out in a wide motion.

“Finally, she spoke to them all, saying, ‘Now, my children: go forth throughout the world. Carry my Voice to all my creations. Seek to heal what is hurt, and mend what is broken. This is my charge to you all.’”

A gentle melody began to play, and Teresa, Rose, and the children all exited the stage. From the right, Rowan appeared, strumming a tune on a lute. He was quickly joined by Camilla, who appeared from the left, playing a violin. The two played together for a few bars as they slowly walked towards center stage. The music peaked, followed by a beat of silence. Then the music resumed, and Rowan began to sing:

“Ere the sun’s rays strike the sand

I must away across the land.

Darling, let me hold your hand

And see your smile again.

I have yet many miles to go

Through scorching sand and freezing snow.

Yet I can face every tomorrow

Knowing I will see you again.

My path is direct, my cause is true.

Guided by my mem’ry of you,

I’ll push on and see this through

Just to feel your embrace again.

And when I rest, my journey done,

Every song sung, every battle won;

I leave no regrets, no deeds left undone.

I’m ready to return to you again.

From earth, to earth again we pass,

Sailing o’er a sea of silver glass.

Darling, let my mem’ry last

Until you’re in my arms again.”

The silence hung in the air for a long time. Then the audience erupted into applause. Rowan took a sweeping bow before he gestured for his family to join him onstage. They all joined hands and bowed together.

Dee stood up on her seat, clapping loudly. Then she elbowed Xan.

“That was really something, huh?” she yelled over the cheers.

“Yeah…” Xan muttered, awestruck. “Yeah, it was really something…”