Going Home: Part 3
Lost in translation
Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I’m so glad you’re here. Below you’ll find part three of my fantasy short story Going Home. It’s about a young girl named Nani who gets tangled up in fate, tradition, and a giant hole in the ground that leads… somewhere else.
Want to start at the beginning? Here you go:
“From the beginning of time, N’Uata has protected us from demons, and has asked for only a simple sacrifice each year in return…” Nani watched the Chief’s unclothed belly as he spoke, not really paying any attention to the speech she had heard thousands of times before. The old scroll he read from covered his face and upper body. She knew she should focus, but no, his stomach was much more interesting. It tightened whenever he emphasized a word, the muscles quivering below the ample padding he had accumulated from years of peace and feasts. Nani found it mesmerizing.
“He asks for a virgin, a giver of life who will give her life for others…” It was like a wave rippling across the sea. The way he said “giver” was particularly violent.
Her father nodded along at the right places, keeping his hands on her shoulders and squeezing them occasionally to show his pride.
“He uses her essence to hold back the tide of darkness that ever threatens to overtake our world.” The candlelight danced across his midsection, making it appear to move even more. Nani was almost sad that the speech was coming to an end.
“Then he sends her to heaven, to join her sisters in the sky until the day he provides Ki’Kiri with an army mighty enough to defeat the demons once and for all. Through pain, glory.”
And with that, it was over. Chief Liatu had already gone over the actual steps Nani would be taking next week: The Procession, the Anointing, and finally the Release. The recitation of the ritual’s beginning was mere formality. Nani’s thoughts began to turn toward lunch when she paused. What was the last thing the Chief had said? Through pain, glory? What was that supposed to mean?
“Um…, Chief Liatu?” she kept her eyes on the floor; speaking out of turn was forward enough. He turned to her, as though surprised to see someone else in the room.
“Yes, little one. What is it?”
“Can you repeat the last few words of the story?” she asked. He raised the scroll again, scanning the bottom.
“Ah, yes. ‘Through pain, glory.’”
“What does…” she paused, collecting her thoughts. “I’ve never heard that part before and I, well, I wasn’t expecting…” Her father spoke up.
“We’ve always been led to believe that the process is painless,” he said.
“I would not worry about this, friends,” Chief Liatu replied. “You are not the first to question it.” He looked at the words again. “My guess? It is left out from bonfire versions because nothing good would come from scaring everyone. You, however, have been chosen because of your bravery.”
He knelt down before Nani and looked into her eyes. “N'Uata protects us, this no one will question. He sends our daughters into the stars. Again, this is something known and trusted. But this scroll has been passed down and translated hundreds of times since our ancestors were first given his promise. If a word or two has changed meaning since then, who would be surprised?”
He stood up, groaning as he lifted his heavy frame. “In fact, the word for pain in the ancient tongue can just as easily be translated as hard work, or dedication. Not everything written in old, dusty books is worth listening to, you know.” He smiled, showing a wall of white teeth, then clapped his hands, the issue having been put to rest in his mind. “Now, who’s hungry?” he asked.
Suggested music for Part 3: The Adventure by Angels & Airwaves
Keep reading! Part 4 is ready, for you!
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