2 - Farewell

 Snow. It was snowing. Over a decade ago. Young Apizhi, rolling a small ball over the ground, inside his home. He bumped the ball into a corner. Quickly crawling to reclaim it. He grabbed the ball, noticing a small black Spider in the corner. A Jumping Spider. It startled young Apizhi, who crawled away. He watched the Spider, and the Spider watched him. Apizhi took the ball, and placed it onto the Spider. Slowly trying to crush it.

 “Xuyehon. What are you doing?” a man asked, grabbing Apizhi, and holding him close. The man, blue eyes, like Apizhi’s. His father. The ball dropped from Apizhi’s hand, revealing the tiny Spider. “A curious creature, the Spider. Do you know about them?” his father asked. “No, mom has said nothing yet.” Apizhi answered. “Then let me tell you, my ikhe.” his father said. He held out his hand to the Spider, and it crawled on his hand.

“The Spiders. Fearsome hunters, but the most patient of all creatures. Many of our relatives hold different stories. Whether a great holder of ideas, or a messenger from our Grandmother. They require patience.” his father explained, while bringing the Spider towards Apizhi. “You didn’t tell me a story.” Apizhi said. His father chuckled. “Your mother can tell you stories. I only wanted to tell you about them.” his father said. Apizhi looked at the Spider. His hand came to it, and slightly petted it. “Patience. You don’t need to crush it. It’s just trying to survive the cold.” his father stated. Setting the spider onto the ground.

His father picked him up, carrying him outside. Cewaye was sitting in front of a group of children, telling them stories. As they huddled together, taking shelter under several blankets. They all surrounded a small campfire. Many villagers were laughing, talking, playing and betting. “Look at them. Their smiles. Your mother said it’s the job for people like us to protect their smiles. Those with strength work to make those without strength happy, and safe. Your mother has spent most of her life with these people. Protecting, and keeping them safe.” his father started. 

He carried Apizhi outside of the plaza, down near the river. It still flowed, but a small bit of ice did form at its edges. “I am not like your mother. I didn’t have a family to protect. I only had the sun. I walked this earth, and met many great people, spirits, and monsters. Whether this world, or underwater. When I met your mother, we fought, argued, but we fell in love. It was the Spider that caused us to love. That caused you to be born. All of this to say, my ikhe. When the time comes, don’t be afraid to choose your path.” His father said, staring at the moon. 

Apizhi looked at his father, then the moon. “What?” Apizhi asked. Genuinely confused. His father laughed a tiny bit. “Don’t worry. Be patient.” his father said. He laid Apizhi’s head onto his shoulder. Apizhi grabbed at it, and held his father. A small glance at the lake, reflecting the moon. Apizhi squeezed harder, trying to keep his father close.

Apizhi opened his eyes. His body is in pain. “Xuye. Are you alright?” Cewaye asked. Her voice was strained, she was pained. Apizhi laid atop his mother, he got off of her. Looking around, trying to regain his senses. The Tornado is gone, but the storm is still atop them. Apizhi looked at her, then the ground under her. Seeing blood under her. “Mom-?” Apizhi started. Scared of the possibility. “Xuye. Don’t be scared. Breathe. It will be fine. Breathe.” Cewaye said. “Mom. What do I do?” Apizhi asked. 

He tried to move her, to see her wounds. “Xuye!” she yelled, getting his attention. “Mo-.” Apizhi started. But Cewaye interrupted. “Don’t. You can’t do anything.” she whispered. Apizhi stared at her. Trying to grasp the situation. “When the time comes. Don’t be afraid. Search out your father. Find him. He will train you. To raise you. Into who you are supposed to be. Find him.” she whispered, grabbing Apizhi's hand. Squeezing, to comfort him. Apizhi laid his head atop hers, and cried. 

“Train? For the Evil Ones? That’s-. No. Let me help you.” Apizhi said. “You can’t. Not here. I didn’t want you to fight them. But we both knew they wouldn’t stay gone forever.” she explained. Placing a hand atop Apizhi’s head. Holding him. “Be brave. Xuye. You’re my Xuye. Be brave.” she whispered, giving Apizhi a smile. Apizhi watched her face weakened, the smile remained, but nothing held it. Her eyes were open, but there was no light. She was here, but gone. Aziphi started breathing heavily. Losing himself. Grasping at her, trying to keep her. But nothing worked. He held tightly. Refusing to let go. He couldn’t scream, yell, or even whimper. He only cried, and held her.

Ak’a walked up to Apizhi. Kneeling down, and placing his hand on Apizhi’s back. Ak’a looked to Cewaye. His face flashed between shock, and sadness. “Api. Come. Let’s-.” Ak’a started, but stopping himself. Giving Apizhi time. Ak'a remained next to him, as Apizhi hugged Cewaye as hard as possible. As he cried. Ak'a teared up, but refused to cry. He waited on Apizhi. 

Apizhi calmed down, but didn't let go. "Api?" Ak'a said, trying to get Apizhi's attention. Apizhi finally let go, allowing Ak’a to grab Cewaye. Ak'a picked Cewaye up, carrying her. "I'll take her back." Ak'a whispered, before he walked away. Apizhi sat, looking at the blood. He laid onto his back staring at the sky. The blood soaking into his clothes and hair, but he didn't care. He stared into the moon, lifted a hand out as if to grab the moon. He made a fist, and slammed his fist into the ground.

The next few days were hazy for Apizhi. He watched several villagers dig a hole. Some women, and children worked on making dress. Deer hide, and textiles being sewn together. A dress more sophisticated than everything the villagers wore. Apizhi found himself at the hole. “It’s time.” Ak’a said. He placed his hand on Apizhi’s shoulder. “Time?” Apizhi asked, confused and lost. “Api-, Xuye, it is time. Retrieve her.” Ak’a said. Apizhi took a deep breath, then looked to Ak’a. 

He walked away, towards a house. Entering into it. It was empty, and only his mother laid. Her body was darker. Already starting to decay. She wore the dress. It was beautiful. Apizhi walked to her, and placed his hand on her forehead. “Anyone. Spirits, Wakada, Underwater forces, the Sky, Great Grandmother, please, watch over her. Please, make her happy.” Apizhi whispered. His voice, quiet, and breaking. “Please.” he whispered again.

He put his hands under her. Picking her up, and holding her close. He walked out of the house, and carried her to the hole. Several of the villagers chanted something quiet and sweet. Letting the Spirits hear their voices. Apizhi laid Cewaye down into the hole, atop a Buffalo skin. Several of the villagers walked up, leaving offerings. Beaded bracelets. Carved effigies of Spiders, and Serpents. All placed next to her. Followed by flowers, and leaves.

 Apizhi noticed a knife. It looked like a  feline's claw, but it wasn’t. It was metal. Connected to a wooden handle. Carved, the sun and moon etched into it. Apizhi grabbed it. “It’s the last thing that belonged to your father. The only thing she wanted to keep.” Ak’a said. “How do you know more about her then I do?” Apizhi asked. “Xuye, I have known her for over 30 winters. I helped her mother give birth to her. I know her. I know you.” Ak’a answered. 

Apizhi looked at the knife. Ready to drop it. Ak’a grabbed Apizhi’s hand, tightening the grip on the knife. “Take it. It’s yours.” Ak’a said. Apizhi sighed, and nodded. Ak'a grabbed Apizhi, and gently pulled him up onto his feet. Pulling Apizhi back some. The chanting became louder, as the villagers started burying her. Covering Cewaye with dirt. Small bits at a time. Until you couldn’t see her again.