Paradise

It all began two days ago on the peaceful sanctuary of the Women’s Island, or ‘Paradise’ as the women themselves call it, it is another word that is used to describe her birthplace.

Amalthea always understood how name tags had a big influence on how the two divisions of the world interact with each other, in a similar way, her followers in Paradise had their own name that they had invented for the Men’s Island, they called it ‘Odd World’.

According to the same book of legends that talked about blood and roses, the two islands were once one nation, ruled by discrimination and sexism, women were abhorred by the very same sons that they raised or fathers and husbands they loved, that was until the great revolution that was started by a few women who had the aid of the nymphs changed everything, the table of powers flipped over that very same day.

From that moment forward, women continued to live separately under the protection of the nymphs who came to their rescue on that fateful occasion.

Amalthea was going about her business the way she usually does, she had met with her assistants and welcomed a new nymph by holding a ceremony for her graduation from her human ways, she checked on the village and took inquiries about the supplies that were needed for the approaching winter, she laughed and played during the weekly parade that the women put together, decorating their hair with pink and white flowers, and making sure that their skin is well hydrated under the autumn sun.

Her last task was to get together with her followers by the seashore for their daily power harvest of the sunset, the topic they were discussing this time was the approaching boats from Men’s Island, it was that time of the year again.

Willing men who were approved by the nymphs were selected to come and place their seeds in hopes of being blessed with new life forms, the process required extreme vetting to make sure that no intruders with ill intentions would come and destroy the peace of the much protected and much coveted Paradise.

“Amal, take a look at this last candidate that sent his application with the wind, I think many women in the village would fall head over heels for him!”

One thing Amalthea could always count on was the good eye of this one particular follower, she always went for the pretty boys that Amalthea would never have picked, and during this annual occurrence, to be fair to this mischievous follower of hers, she did pick men that women in the village favored, even if her intentions were not the purest ones.

“And by many women in the village, do you include yourself too, Meli?”

“You can bet the entire book of whispers on that, my friend!”

“Remember to only have your fun after the task they are here for has been successfully accomplished.”

“Oh for the love of nature Amal, do you have to repeat your commands every single year? I wish to remind you that we do live for centuries, are you going to scold me for that one time for the rest of our eternities?”

“Three times, Meli, three times, in one decade.”

“Who is counting!?”

“I am, the rest of my followers, and the record we keep for the annual visits.”

“Fine! Fine! I stand before you a repentant nymph, a committed follower that will only observe silently from hidden places undetected, and then only approach if a man calls for me, if nature smiles for me as it usually does, it will be that one over here!”

Meliae pointed at the paper in her hand then winked at her good friend and heiress playfully.

“You better comply with these orders this time around Meli, there will be consequences if you do not, I mean it.”

Meliae jumped and hugged Amalthea who hugged her back enthusiastically, one man was not going to drive humans to their extinction, but nymphs were infamous for their playful ways and it was one of Amalthea’s duties to keep them in check.

They respected their heiress and thrived to please her and stay on her good side at all times, they knew too well how powerful she was and admired her because she chose to rule over them with friendship instead of force.

With the queen not having nurtured a child of her own, Amalthea was handpicked for her exquisite qualities and immense life-force, there were no other nymphs who could replace her or stand on the same level with her. And she was greatly loved.

“You know Amal, I would not have to go to these lengths if the legend of our pairs had any credibility to it.”

Meliae’s tone took a darker curve and she spoke with loneliness that could only be measured by an immortal who had walked the earth for at least a few centuries.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden Meli? You know that the last time one of us found a pair was before the times of our queen and the mother queen before her, it is simply a lullaby that mother nymphs pacify their nurtured daughters with.”

“What about the pure-blooded nymphs? They do come from somewhere now do they not?”

“Meli, stop giving me and yourself a headache. Is this how you set a good example for our new friend who has joined us today for the first time?”

“Haaa Amalthea! Do not mind me, please! I am just honored to be here and happy to be able to listen and learn from all of you.”

“Welcome to our circle again Anna, let us be reminded of the blessing that nature gifted us with today, the gift of a new life that took our spirit form, we pledge to return your gift by sharing our life-force with the other beings who are in our need and yours.”

The gathered nymphs crossed the shore after Amalthea, she stood on the closest wave whispering for it to stay still until they are done with their business, the nymphs drank the last rays of the day’s sun, completely oblivious to the fact that their peaceful ways were about to be shaken to the core.

It was happening the next time the sun would rise to declare the beginning of another day in Paradise.