The Calling

Isla kicked her lean body through the salty ocean waves. She enjoyed the feel of the water gliding over her pale skin as she moved, her long mahogany hair flowing behind her like seaweed that tickled across her back as she surged forward. She passed above the coral that flourished in a rainbow of colors, over the fish that made that coral their home. She stayed submerged for as long as she could until her lungs began to burn and beg for breath. Finally, she kicked upwards, breaking the surface of the water with her head and taking a deep breath of the morning air.

Looking back at the shoreline, she saw the bustle of activity as her friends and family scurried around getting things ready for the evening’s ceremony. This was the first year that she didn’t have to help. This was her year. Her 18th year.

The full moon was spreading its silver glow over the clearing, and over the silver crystal that stood in the center. The crystal glowed with its own power, but the combination of the full moon’s light made it look otherworldly. The entire community stood in a large circle around the glowing crystal. They were gathered in four groups, clothed in the color of their element: green earth in the north, airy grey in the east, fiery red to the south, and watery blue to the west. Out into the center of the circle stepped the Mother. She was wrapped in a cloak of silver, the same color as her hair. She glowed in the light like the moon itself. She all but floated to the crystal, then raised her arms. Everyone hushed. When she spoke, her voice was hypnotizing. It floated on the breeze like a song.

“When the world ended, it was because the Earth finally fought back. Mother Earth had enough of the prideful, greedy human ways. The humans argued over land, over politics, over religion, over money, over how the other half lived. Humans had free will and they squandered it on trying to get everyone to think the same, to believe the same. There was so much gray, and yet humans thought in black and white to the point where Mother Earth could take no more. She had given everything to humans to help them create a world of plenty. It was never enough,” the Mother paused as she gave her people a moment of silence for the fallen.

“Life is fragile. Humans believed they were at the top of the food chain, an apex predator, but they were wrong. They lived because it pleased Mother Earth… until it didn’t. She swept through the world cleansing it with plagues, with famine, with earthquakes, floods, tornadoes. 7 billion people - vanquished. She chose who was to live. She didn’t choose because of race, religion, gender, or politics. She chose those that would serve her faithfully and build the world into what it was supposed to be. Upon her chosen, she had gifted powers of the elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water,” Mother smiled and glanced around at her people before continuing.

“It is today that we continue that betrothal of power so that we can continue to heal our world! Will those who are of age step forward and receive their gifts?”

Isla, her stomach in knots, stepped forward, holding the hand of her best friend Zephyr. He glanced at her, smiled before looking forward once again. They walked in unison with three others to the Mother and the crystal.

Smiling at the five as they stepped forward, Mother spoke, “Please raise your right hand.” Five hands rose palms toward the glowing crystal. The Mother continued, “You are about to receive your gifts from Mother Earth. With these gifts come great responsibility. You will use these gifts for good. To clean up the land that was destroyed by our ancestors. It is a great responsibility, one that comes with great rewards. Know that if your intent is impure, Mother Earth will know and her judgment will be swift.” The Mother’s voice deepened with the warning, her eyes narrowing as she studied each of the five in turn. She finally smiled, stepped away from the crystal, and motioned for the five to circle it before turning towards the crowd. “Are there any that hold a reserve on any of Mother Earth’s children that gather around her crystal? Speak now!” A hush went through the crowd. All eyes shifted to the five that circled the crystal, their palms still facing the geode. The Mother turned and watched the kids that surrounded the crystal and smiled with pride, “As one, reach forward receive your gifts.”

At once, all five reached forward and placed their hands upon the glowing crystal. Their bodies stiffened, their backs arched, their heads fell back so they faced the sky. Their eyes, wide open, glowed as if white flames consumed them. The fiery white light spread down their bodies until all five glowed and sparkled like the crystal itself. The light surged bright before suddenly going dark. The five that had received their gifts collapsed to the ground and lay motionless.

The Mother moved forward, checking on each of the newly gifted in turn. For each, she first checked their pulse, then positioned their right leg so that all could see the symbol that glowed on their calves, the symbol of their element. On Isla’s calf glowed a great white shark. The protector of the sea. On Zehyr’s calf was an eagle, wings outstretched, the guardian of the sky. Of the others, one held the symbol of fire, the phoenix because our people rose from the ashes of our sins, and two, twins, donned the protector of the earth, the lion. The members of their new group came and collected their newest affiliates, laying them upon alters bathed in moonlight, so they could heal.

Isla’s eyes fluttered open as beams of the morning sun caressed her cheeks. It took a moment for her to realize where she was. She sat up, swinging her legs over the side, and ran her fingers through her hair, pushing it out of her face. As she tucked a stray strand behind her ear, she felt something. With one hand she moved her hair aside and with the other, she probed. Three small slits behind her ear. She gasped, looking down at her calf and seeing the shark cried out, “Gills! I have…” she turned to share her exciting news with Zephyr, but her voice trailed off. Zephyr was standing up next to his bed, his brown, feathered wings spread out behind him.

Isla rushed to him, throwing her arms around him. “We did it! We became!” she shouted with glee. “I need to go swimming! We need our first assignments!”

Zephyr laughed, “I mean, I knew this was my calling… but…” his voice trailed off. “Come on,” he said, taking Isla’s hand, “we need to go check-in.”

Isla and Zephyr said their goodbyes; Isla turned toward the ocean, Zephyr toward the mountains in the east. At the edge of the ocean water stood the leaders of the water people, Adrian and his wife Coral. Coral stepped forward and wrapped Isla in her arms, “Our new daughter. I knew you’d be joining us the moment you were born. Never could keep you out of the water.” Coral laughed and led Isla to the water’s edge, “Come now, everyone is very excited to welcome you!

The underwater world was even more beautiful than Isla had imagined. Stone buildings that housed the water people surrounded a large blue community building. Fish swam lazily through the area, cleaner shrimp flitted from house to house cleansing them of algae, coral grew amongst the buildings connecting them with beautiful colors.

It was the blue community building in which Isla was led. She swam happily, feeling her gills working to get the oxygen she needed. It was as if she had always had them. Her tail that had formed when she entered the water, moved smoothly behind her making her cruise through the water effortlessly. Upon entering the building she moved through a bubble of air. Once she entered her legs appeared instantly. Coral smiled and chuckled at her, “And that is why we always wear skirts.”

Isla walked into a large open room where the entire community of water people greeted her. She happily shook hands and kissed cheeks until she found her way to the head of the table. Adrian stood there waiting for her.

He smiled at her, leaning down and kissing both her cheeks, “Welcome, Isla. You are a treasured member of our community. We know you will do great things. It is our task to rid the waters of pollution. To right the damage that has been done over centuries. Tomorrow you will join the team that is heading to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. We have been working diligently to clean it up since the fall of man. We still have a great deal of work before us.” Adrian frowned and shook his head for a moment before resuming his jovial self. “Coral will show you to your new home. Enjoy the city, get some rest, for your calling starts tomorrow.”

The following day, Isla woke up bright and early and swam to the community center. She went to the cafeteria, gathered a tray of food then looked around. She saw Coral waving at her from across the crowded room and made her way over.

“Isla, I’m sure you know Delta.” Coral gestured to the pretty blonde that sat next to her.

Nodding and setting down her tray, Isla took a seat, “Yes, of course. Hello!”

Coral continued, “She is your group’s leader. She has promised to show you the ropes.”

Delta nodded, “It’s really great finally having you onboard! We all knew you’d join us eventually!” she laughed some.

“I cannot wait to get started!” Isla said, picking up her fork and jamming it into the pile of scrambled eggs on her plate.

After breakfast, Isla joined her group. A waterproof backpack was attached to her back with all the items she will need for the month she will be gone. She will work for one month cleaning the waters, then home for one month.

Isla’s group left just after breakfast swimming towards the most polluted part of the ocean; it took them most of the day to get there. She was brought to a way station, placed her belongings in her room, and swam to the surface to get a glimpse of the job that was ahead of her. As her head breached the water, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Paddling over to a tower that stood out of the water, she climbed up the winding stairs to the very top to get a better view. Delta was already there staring out across the water. She glanced towards Isla as she came up beside her.

“I knew you would come here first,” Delta said, her voice soft, “everyone does.” She reached out and put an arm around Isla’s shoulders. “Know that it is half the size it was when we first started,” she whispered.

Tears streamed down Isla’s cheeks, “I knew there was pollution…” she said through her sobs, “but… I had never imagined this.”

Trash bags filled with other debris, tarps with twine still tied to them, bottles, plastic sheets floated before them for miles upon miles. The pollution disappeared into the darkening horizon in every direction that Isla looked. 268,000 square miles of garbage.

“And … this is half?” Isla whispered.

Coral, slowly running her hand down Isla’s back to comfort her, nodded to the question, “Yes,” she confirmed sadly, “ We have been working on this since our race started. It is what we are here to clean up.” She turned to smile at Isla, “Know that what we do makes a difference. You will make a difference.”