The Celestial Nymph

The river flowed with such gentile grace; no man had ever stepped foot on it's shores. The grassy overgrowth shadowed the river's edges, making it a fair hiding place. Here in this small river known as The Pankaja River, one with astounding properties, lived a Nymph. One who had a long history. She was known as Soraya and she was a dazzling beauty. Her long, thin frame showed the beauty of the river in her. She moved as water did; softly rushing over the stones. Her face was shaped longer,almost heart shaped. Her facial features revealed a beautiful creature, but Nymphs know nothing of orders and rules. They live in freedom; bending to their own will and not to anyone else's. Soraya was an exceptional Nymph, she had shunned away her other family and friends that lived in the Pankaja River. She now lived alone, it was a mystery as to why Soraya had suddenly taken up loneliness, until one of her sisters spotted her on the rivers shore. Soraya was nestled in the arms of a human man. Her tightly clung dress was drenched with water, showing her full frame and lightly tanned skin. Her light blue eyes could clearly be seen, the loving look portrayed in them was daunting to Soraya's sister. She had broken the law of the nymphs, she had fallen in love with a human. She had allowed a man to see her as only her sisters were allowed. 1

Soraya smiled up at the man, her stomach jumped about as she felt excited. Her heart pounded in her chest with such force she thought it would burst. Their lips grazed for a moment; a sweet, delectable moment and all but suddenly she could smell the sweet hibiscus which drenched his form. His hand moved down to the small of her back, shivers were running up her spine as he did so.2

Suddenly it didn't matter who was watching, Soraya didn't care. Her skin was tingling at his touch, any moment she felt as though she would willingly give herself to him; but Nymphs are very honorable and Soraya knew this feeling in herself was something that was special and should be saved until the Flower Ceremony was performed. Such a ceremony would bind the two of them in life for as long as they both lived and Soraya was feeling as though she could live her entire life with this man. She turned to look at her sister feeling an apology was needed, but her sister was nowhere to be seen. 3

"I'll return Kana, please come back soon. I'll be here." she said, her voice longing and sweet.4

"I will, be careful." he said, concern in his voice.5

She nodded and dove back into the river's water. Her form changed until she was transparent and moved without being seen. She walked along the sandy bottom, the waters were crashing above her but she felt the calm sway against her body as she walked closer and closer to her mothers cove. This would be the first time that she would step onto her mothers land with a troubled heart. She wished so deeply to explain things to her sister, to explain her love for the man and the human world she had come to know and love. Soraya was nervous at the reaction she might get from her mother. Nymphs are proud and strongh, they do not bend easily though their hearts and bodies flow as water does. 6

She walked into the large cove, the rocky walls which surrounded her had a sunny glow about them. Coral grew from the rocks deep crevases and flourished in the sunlight which filtered through. Walking carefully Soraya realized she was not alone, a crowd of nypmhs had gathered around the Queen Nymph Inaba. The crowds of sea nymphs and river nymphs was unbelievable. Walking slowly through the crowd she scanned the faces, looking desperately for her sister. Just as she spotted her in the crowd she heard her mother's voice speak with clear disapproval. 7

“My Daughter, you have broken our laws!” she yelled clearly above the crowd, “You have fallen in love with a human. Your sister has told me all about your..affections..if that be what they are called!” she spat. 8

For a moment Soraya was silent, almost unsure of what to say. She had to be careful, saying the wrong thing could get her killed. 9

“Mother, yes it is true, I have fallen in love with a human. I would gladly shed my mystical form just so I could be free with him.” Soraya whispered, her hands clenched together as her nerves bounced in her stomach. 10

Her mother glared at her, "My child, your mind is clouded. This man has seduced you and turned you away from your family. Regain your honor and kill the one you love. If you don't, then these allied nypmhs shall end his life and yours, for you." Inaba was very serious, her eyes burned with disaaproval and regret. 11

Soraya felt a tear on her cheek, "I cannot mother, I cannot kill him. I love him." she said, her fear beginning to take effect. 12

Her mother looked at her wickedly, “You are a disgrace to this cove! All you have brought yourself is dishonor!" Her mother yelled standing.13

Soraya took a step back only to feel the tip of a coral spearhead touch the small of her back. The memory of a loving hand came to her mind as she drifted to a happier time.14

"You will be stripped of your magic, abilities and long life; enjoy one filled with solitude and the ever gnawing thought of death by your doorstep.” her mother said her face turning red, she cursed and lifted her peridot staff. 15

A blue shimmering light began to leave Soraya's body, her skin which had once glowed with a tanned radiance; now looked like pale, unpolished porcelain a loss too grave for her to bear. Her hair lost it's glowing sheen, her eyes, which had once been the brightest of blues was now dull and gray. She was still beautiful, but no longer alluring. 16

Near the very end she slowly began to choke with water, her ability to breath the cascading blue river was gone. She struggled to find a way out, she was lifted by several male nymphs. The one nymph on her right gave her breaths as they climbed their way to the surface. She lifted her head above the water and clawed her way to land. Her celestial clothes had lost their luster and no longer shimmered in the afternoon sun. Soraya shed her tears and sobbed for the loss of her magic. She then stood, gave one final look to the river and walked away towards the surrounding woods. She was going to find Kana and make a life with someone she truly cared for. 17

As she wandered through the surrounding woods a band of thieves secretly followed in her shadow. The trees overhead swayed with the cool breeze and wonderful summer sun. Their red and green leaves showed them to be Japanese maples and regular maple trees. Soraya had never seen a Japanese Maple before, but her friend Sona had been to where the red trees grew. 18

As Soraya stood there below the canopy of the red leafed tree; she couldn't help but feel some regret. All the while the thieves continued to close in around her. 19

“Hello, pretty thing..” one muttered, catching Soraya off guard. He stepped in front of her quickly, “Don't be frightened, we just want to have some fun.” another prodded.20

Fear began to envelope her as she realized the true intentions of these men. She screamed and began to run clawing at the trees for support. Fear burst inside her as salty, stinging tears cascaded down her cheeks blurring her vision. She stumbled on the root of an old tree and the men piled themselves on top of her. Soraya wished throughout the torment that Kana had been there to save her, she was beginning to wonder as to whether she should have just stayed by the river and waited. She had been so excited that she wanted to find him herself, something that now, had caused her to endure a great pain. The men left her lying on her back in the leaves, crying and fully exposed to the outside world. She pulled her thin, short dress around her and began walking back towards the river. All the while her thoughts ran quickly through her mind, “Why Me?” she questioned, “What did I do to deserve that terrible ordeal?” 21

True, what had she done to deserve to be abused so. Her first experience of love was supposed to be sweet and sensual, not rough and quick like a beating or a sting of the hand. Love was genuine to her and now she would be even less adamant about giving herself up to her future husband. All plans of that were now lost. Should she keep this ordeal a secret? Never tell and just let things lie? She could do it, she could just pretend it never happened. In that moment as she sat down on the rivers edge, something happened; the terrible ordeal which had burdened her so began to fade away. Her heart became lighter, her tears ceased and she began to regain her happiness. 22

All she had to do was wait for Kana to come and find her, she only had to wait for nightfall, then he would come. The two cherished their time together, and loved to spend their time under the moonlight. Soraya loved the moon, to lay underneath it drenched in it's milky glow. To feel the serenity of night cascade over you. Such grace and beauty was the moon. The rustling of leaves suddenly surprised Soraya. She turned to see not another man, but Kana standing in the pale moonlight. 23

"Oh, Kana..." Soraya whispered, her voice near breaking.24

“Soraya, you look different?” he said, smiling as if trying to hide his surprise.25

Soraya smiled back at him, oh...his face was so serene, but he couldn't hide his surprise from her, she could hear the tension in his voice as he spoke. 26

“I have changed...” she said softly, “I am no longer a nymph, but a human. This opportunity has given us the chance to finally be together. We don't have to hide our feelings anymore." she said. 27

The expression on his face was filled with joy, “Then I am happy to see you, though I must admit, I will miss those sparkling blue eyes.” he said touching her arm. 28

Suddenly, a splash of water arose from the nearby river. Inaba stood before them, her hair floating in the soft breeze, while her eyes glared and burned at the sight of them. 29

"I knew you would call for him, now your banishment shall be complete!" her mother yelled. 30

She pointed her staff at Kana with force, a silver sparkling substance flew from her staff and enveloped Kana fully. Soraya tried to hold him, but the magic would not allow her to come close. The spell suddenly let him loose and he fell to the ground. 31

"Kana? Are you alright?" Soraya asked, her hand caressing his cheek. 32

"Who are you?" he questioned. 33

Soraya looked at him with surprise, "Mother, what have you done?" she asked. 34

"I've removed you from his mind. He knows nothing of you, or our world and this is how it shall be." her mother said.35

Kana stood and walked away, leaving Soraya sitting on the shore. He never turned to look back, not once. 36

"Now my daughter, you will know what it is like to live amongst the humans." 37

Soraya watched as her mother disappeared, leaving her to grieve and mourn the loss of her love.
"I will get you back love, I just have to find it." 38

Soraya searched her whole life for the spell which would return her love to her, but she never found it. She now lives alone in the forest, every day she returns to the river and prays for forgivness.
Her hopes will never be answered, and all because of love.