Promise.

The fate of the world was strung onto a thin metal chain and tucked away in my robes. As the only surviving heirs of our line my sister and I each had a piece to guard; a solemn vow to protect the world re-shaped by humanity. Years ago our world was nearly desolated by pollution and greed; people were killing the one thing that could supply them with everything they needed. It probably would have continued on this way had people of the old faiths not intervened. The Oracles could feel the cry of the dying planet and felt the wrath of the old Gods bludgeoning through their veins. Notwithstanding the pain of their world they summoned as much of the magicks as they could and forced the human world and the unseen world to merge as one. Pure chaos can only describe what happened after that; whether this was their original intention or not its tremendous outpouring of energy sent shockwaves through the Earth. The ground erupted towering trees that pierced through homes and rose into the sky. People fell to their deaths as the houses fell apart and debris crashed down to the earth destroying streets and squashing unsuspecting people as everyone stared on in horror and awe. Places of unimaginable wealth and thievery burned to ash and towering skyscrapers fell to dust as the earth took back what should have been hers. Concrete and glass in clever displays of alchemy reverted to sand plummeting story after story ‘till nothing was left and people either crawled out or suffocated. The devastation of populated areas sent governments into overhaul as they tried to find some sort of recompense to get the Oracles to stop, but this only angered the old Gods further.

The old Gods were given flesh anew through their unwitting followers. They stood towering above the people in ethereal forms composed of stars and unimaginable energies that melted the eyes of anyone that gazed upon their true forms. Releasing the bonds of the spirit realm they unleashed the daemons, the fae, and every conceivable creature emerged to exact their pound of flesh from the greedy and hateful species that forsook everything it was meant to love. Ships were crushed to bits by grand sea creatures and new creatures were created to lick up the oil spills and feast on the trash littering the oceans. Harpies tore apart planes in the sky and rent people to pieces until it rained blood upon the earth.

As years of bloodshed and fear encompassed the human race a resentment rose in some to the ways of the Gods. Inevitably another resistance came into being; a futile attempt to subvert the will of the Gods that resulted in a river of blood flowing through the streets. It soaked into the earth and overwhelmed her; that’s where my ancestors came in. For as long as I can remember we have faithfully served the Goddess Nerthus and my grandfather found her one day in a mortal form weeping red tears in a pool of crimson where her gardens once stood. At the time he had nary a clue that it was her but he waded through the thigh deep puddle and approached her asking if she needed assistance. Her hair, a matted golden tangle caked in blood, stuck to her head and left grimy trails on her neck as her eyes peered up at him. The stars that stood in place of irises beamed at him and he kneeled at her feet in reverence before asking her again if she would accept his assistance.

Nerthus asked to hear of good still in the world, a place where the others hadn’t corrupted her soil and soaked it crimson. So he sat in the pool with her and began to tell her of his house on the hill, of his young daughter that he was teaching to build a garden to honor the Goddess Nerthus. How their home hadn’t been touched by devastation through the years. He expressed a great gratitude to her that his family was protected and a warmth spread through her heart. As he talked he reached into his breast-pocket and pulled out a heart shaped locket and a small key. He offered it to the Goddess and showed her his wife and small child. He offered her sanctuary there and fresh clothes that she may clean up and be comfortable. The Goddess looked at him astounded that he would offer a stranger a place in his home while devastation rained across the lands but gratefully accepted.

He continued to regale her with stories and described every plant they grew and what their purpose or symbolism was. Nerthus felt her heart grow lighter with each step and she could see flowers growing in her past steps. A ring of posies had weaved their way through her hair by the time she reached the doorstep of our home. Animals roamed freely on the property and a small black cat rubbed against the side of her leg as she entered in. My mother ran up and greeted her enthusiastically heaping compliments upon the disheveled Goddess and took her hand as she guided her to the bathroom and drew her a bath. As she questioned the Goddess of her travels she poured in bath oils, salts, bubbles and withdrew only so her mother could bring in fresh clothes and towels before asking her if she needed anything else.

She stayed with them only a short time but the blessing of her presence sparked phenomenal growth on their lands. The whole region became fertile once again and the blood drained from that part of the earth. Nerthus told them stories of her home land and of centuries past, she told them of her happenings during the devastation. Tears welled in her eyes when she spoke of the rivers of blood corrupting her land. How, at first, there was hope as it coerced growth but as the blood continually flowed without ceasing most of her crops flooded and died. She thanked them for showing her one spot of land that had not been corrupted by the wrath of the other Gods and told them of her true nature.

Nerthus asked to see the locket my grandfather had shown her on the way home and once it was in her hands the locket began to glow as she sealed it with a vow. She promised that as long as our family faithfully served her she would assuage the anger of the others and provide a better life for the humans, but she warned that if our hearts turned from her she would turn hers from the humans and let seas of blood overtake the earth. The locket glistened with new crystals as it was returned to my grandfathers hands. Nerthus enclosed her hands around his and placed a solitary kiss to his temple. The skin burned under her lips while he thanked her for her protection.

A tearful goodbye was bid her as she began to walk away from our home. Tears of joy trekked unbidden from her eyes and great flowering bushes sprouted from where the tears kissed the earth. My mother told me later that Nerthus and other Goddesses of the earth began looking for other families that still had purity left in their hearts and when they were found they were brought to our doorstep and given a place among our family. Our simple family home expanded into a shrine to the Goddess and became a place of learning and tranquility. A reservoir of peace in a world of desolation. Whatever war raged outside their doors nothing ever dampened their prosperity.

I know the stories by heart and I’ve seen the face of Nerthus, but I have reached a verdict on humanity that contradicts our vow. The people of these lands have not learned any lessons from the Gods wrath and do not deserve the gift that Nerthus has freely given to them. Pulling the locket out of my robes I place it before the shrine dedicated to her. My home is nothing more than an oasis in the desert of humanities evils. It promises life but is a beacon of false hope in a vast wasteland.