Children of Sky and Mountain

Empyrean leaves the world of Arandor back, for a time, visiting other places and worlds in the Unfolding Dream.

This is one of the stories we're working on, from one of those worlds, hope you enjoy.

Children of Sky and Mountain

Forever, since the Timeless days, there was Sky-king. Alone he reigned upon his vast realm since time immemorial.

Forever, since the Timeless days, there was Mountain-queen. Alone she reigned upon the tall mountains from her mighty summit.

Sky saw Mountain and desired her. He desired her so much that he could not stop looking at her. Because he did so, the sun would never set, and the night would never come.

The snows of the tall peaks begun to melt. The trees were stunted – their leaves scorched. Rivers begun to dry, and the animals went hungry and thirsty. Mountain suffered under the all-consuming burning gaze of Sky.

But Mountain was proud and strong. She would not surrender to Sky. She would never bow. She raised her countenance higher, and gazed back at him. She gazed back, and cold winds blew. She gazed back, defying the Sun, and the king of the vast heavens.

Mountain raised her voice and spoke “If you do not stop your incessant gazing, I will come up to you and cast you from your throne. You will never have me, Sky-king! I shall be free forevermore!” she shouted at him proudly.

Sky became downcast. From his high throne, he lamented. What was his vast kingdom worth, if he could never have what he most desired? Clouds gathered, and at last the sun was hidden, and rain poured with the sadness of the great king.

The rain touched the tall peaks and it became snow. It filled the trees which grew. It poured into the rivers, and the animals drunk their fill. Mountain was pleased at the Sky’s sorrow.

But the rain would not stop – for the Sky’s sadness was endless. The Sun went. The Moon came. But their light was hidden from the Mountain. The rivers flooded. The great Sea rose, and it begun to drown the mighty mountain. The animals were cold, and frightened. Mountain suffered under the Sky’s sorrow.

But Mountain was proud and strong. She raised her countenance higher, and shouted at the Sky. “Why do you mourn like a child? Is not your vast kingdom enough for you, but you wish to have everything that is beyond it as well? Cease your crying, or I will come up to you and cast you from your throne.”

Sky curbed his sadness and the rains stopped. The sun came out. Day gave way to night, and then dawn came once again. Everything begun to return to order.

But Sky’s heart had grown frozen, and heavy like lead. It became so heavy, that it was torn from Sky’s chest and fell. And it just so happened, that his heart fell directly in the lap of Mountain. And then, a miracle happened.

Touched by the Sky’s heart, Mountain felt his great love which was infinite, more vast than the entirety of his realm. Mountain was overwhelmed by this great love, she held onto it, and brought the Sky’s heart deep in her bossom, where it was kindled into a mighty fire.

The heart of the Sky, became the heart of the Mountain, and thus, the two were united. Furthermore, in the span of nine days and nights, Mountain gave birth to two rocks. They were both molten and glowing, but were soon cooled by the snows of the high peaks. Mountain saw her offspring grow, and was pleased.

Sky saw his offspring grow, and grew restless. He longed to touch them, but could not reach out from his high seat. Yet nonetheless, he reached with all his power. Lightning surged from the heavens. It coursed in a torrent of light, and came with a deafening clamor. It smote the rocks that had grown upon Mountain. This was the only way that Sky could touch them.

A man and woman rose from the din of the thunderbolt. They stood in the place where the two rocks had once stood. Their names were Aoras and Kaia, and they were as mighty as their parents. And from Aoras and Kaia came the children of Sky and Mountain.