Atria (Chapter 19)

Yet again, Alex found herself spinning, except this time, it didn’t stop as quickly as usual, she wondered how it was possible for the events to have unfolded as they had, how no-one had realised that she was still in her tent, how she hadn’t woken up when the alarms had gone off. She also wondered why she hadn’t stopped spinning, as all of her memories of Atria came flooding back, she realised, earth was in the middle of a war, there were more people dying then usual and it was like she was stuck in a cue. After a while she spun gracefully into the arrival pool and pool and opened her eyes. “Welcome back Ashley” said Atrius, “I need you to get out quickly, we have created another arrival pool but there is still a huge cue to get back into Atria. Tiara is packed to the brim so you have come straight back to Cantrell. Do you think you can handle it?” “Of course” Ashley replied, hastening to exit the pool. She looked around, searching for any familiar faces and saw Malachi. She waved to him and started to walk towards him, but Atrius put a heavy hand on her shoulder and held her back. Ashley looked at Malachi apologetically and he yelled “It’s ok, take your time!” Ashley turned back to look at Atrius, she sighed, “What is it Atrius?” she asked “He looked at her. “Ashley,” he said, “I have something to ask you” he paused an Ashley waited, shocked, what could Atrius possibly want with her? “I am an old spirit Ashley” he started, “and I can not stay here for ever. I have been watching you more carefully than you have realised I think.” he stopped again and took a deep breath, now Ashley was worried, it wasn’t like Atrius to hesitate. “When I move on, I would like you to succeed me as the chief of Atria.” he swallowed loudly. “So what do you say?” he asked hesitantly. “You…I…But…” Ashley stuttered “I can’t do that Atrius, you are the Leader and I….I’m…” “You are the liveliest spirit that I have ever met.” Atrius said, “You are a fast learner Ashley, anyone can see that, why do you think you have never spent more than 40 years on earth! Because you don’t need to, you absorb every piece of learning that is thrown at you. Just think about it Ashley. Obviously you have another two lives before your time on earth can come to an end, but after that? You could move on and never have the chance to pass on your learning, please consider this; it would mean a lot to an old spirit.” Atrius smiled and Ashley stood there silently. “I will consider it Atrius, of course,” she said, before smiling and walking over to where Malachi was standing. Spirits were constantly appearing out of the arrival pool and Malachi was watching it with interest. “Hello Mal” said Ashley softly, still trying to absorb what had just happened. Malachi turned, “Oh hi Ash, what did Atrius want?” “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” said Ashley before wondering off towards the fountain. She needed some time to clear her head. Besides, her past life meeting would start soon. Ashley sat down on the cobble stone rim running around the fountain. “Why me?” she thought to herself, “I am no better than any of the other spirits here, why does Atrius want me to be chief? Malachi walked up and sat down beside her. “You all right Ash?” he asked, “Tell me what Atrius said to you,” he said looking concerned. Ashley mumbled something indistinguishable. Malachi waited silently until Ashley said, “Atrius says he wants me to be the head elder of Atria, the chief.” She said softly. Malachi’s jaw dropped, “you are kidding!” Malachi said. Ashley shook her head. “Why are you upset?” Malachi asked, “that is awesome, every spirit dreams of that honour.” Ashley shook her head again. “Because Mal” she said softly, “ If I am an elder, that means that I will not move on for a very long time, that means I will have to watch all those I love, go on without me, and I don’t know if I am strong enough to do that.” Ashley finished, salty tears running down her cheeks. Malachi hugged her tightly, “Atrius must think you are up to it if he chose you” said Malachi reassuringly “Atrius is always right about these things, He knows that the earth had entered tough times, times that you have and will see the worst of, you will be able to offer your support to those who need it.” She finished. Ashley looked up at him, with admiration in her eyes. “You are right” she said softly, “I know you are right, but I am so scared” Atrius coughed loudly form behind Ashley, “I apologise, I couldn’t help but overhear, I can help Ashley, Your next life it to learn how to handle fear.” He said. Ashley laughed and turned to look at Atrius. “You know you are crazy don’t you,” she said, giggling softly. Atrius looked at Malachi, “I thank you child, I feel very honored at what you just said about me, I can see that there is no need for you to go to earth to learn about respect, you already have that” Atrius said quietly. “Now Ashley, where was I? Oh yes, I believe that you can do this, you can bring hope to the spirits in these tough times, you give good advice and you know how to listen. These are all of the virtues of a leader, you cannot deny that my child” he looked back at Malachi, “could you give us a moment please child,” he said, “of course Atrius” Malachi replied, he got up and walked back towards the initiation hall. Atrius turned to look at Ashley again. “Do not be scared child” he said, “Malachi is right about me, I am right about these things and your doubt is not going to change that.” At that point, other spirits started taking their seats around the fountain, the past life meeting was about to begin. “We will finish this conversation later Ashley” said Atrius quietly, “Ok” replied Ashley. She walked to the outside of the circle of spirits around the fountain and sat down. Atrius began to speak “ Welcome spirits, The earth has entered rough times and as you may have noticed, there are more of us here than before, that is ok, I am sure with correct organization, Atria can maintain the highest standard of spiritual learning.” The speech continued and Ashley sat. Lost in her thoughts.1