56. Preparations

My hand still resting on the tree I reached out to the next person. 

'Cal?'

'Rav? Is that you?'

'Yes it me. Listen I know about the attack I'm contacting you now to warn you. Tomorrow night there will be a Time when you must get all werewolves clear of the forest.'

'What? Why?'

'I can't tell you just know that I trust you to do this for me, if you don't all within will parish.'

'Parish? Seriously how old are you?'

I chuckled. Cal had not changed even after everything that's happened.

'Older then you know. Look Cal it is imperative that you do this for me, I don't care how just save them please.'

I started to pull my power but his voice stopped me.

'Rav wait!'

'What is it?'

'I don't fully understand what's going on but please tell me your not planning something stupid?'

He doesn't understand, none of them do.

'Just do as I ask Cal.'

'Fine I'll do it.'

'Thank you oh and cal?"

"Yes?"

"Tell no one that you have spoken to me and tell no one about I have told you to do."

My goddess power would force him to do as I had asked. I pulled myself from his mind my eyes opening a small smile forming on my lips. 

"He will keep them safe."

"Rave?"

I spun around surprised. Loki had snuck up on me while my mind was connected to the oak.

"What's so important about this tree?"

I looked up watching the branches as they moved with the wind. Returning my gaze back to Loki my lips parted in a genuine smile.

"He is my oldest friend."

Like me Loki peering at its branches as he took in the entire tree.

"Your friend?"

I chuckled.

"You would not understand."

Loki's eyes met mine again.

"Try me."

I shrugged as I placed my hand back on his trunk the rough bark beneath pushing beneath my fingers.

"When I was born I was always so full of life. This world was such a barren land back then not a living thing in sight. I couldn't stand the sight of the world back then it was so dead and lifeless the complete opposite to what I was. It was my father who suggested I change it. So I decided to give some of my power to the earth. I'm doing so I started what was later to be the force of nature. This tree sprouted from the ground my power creating life itself. He was the first tree to come into existence."

His bark started to glow where my hand touched.

"This tree was my friend and together we created more trees, more life. We created animals fashioned oceans, lakes, rivers. We created the wind that kissed the skies. We have been together through it all."

Loki stepped closer his hand touching my shoulder.

"You really are a goddess aren't you?"

I chuckled again.

"You did not believe me?"

"It's not that it's just when I look at you is see my daughter but when you talk of such things I'm reminded that you are a goddess."

His features turn sad.

"Are you still my daughter?"

"Yes...and no. I am your daughter in body but in spirit I am so much more."

He shook his head as he embraced me.

"Goddess or not I choose to believe that your are still my daughter no matter what."

I hugged him back grateful for his words.

"Thank you for saying that."

He held me at arms length.

"Why don't you get some sleep?"

I shook my head.

"I can not there is too much to be done."

"Let the others do it you may be a goddess but I can see it in your eyes you are tired."

I smiled, still over protective.

"Very well I leave the rest to you."

I left him not missing the worried look he had just before I turned away. 

'Those closest to you suspect what your planning to do.'

'That maybe but it does not change the fact they they will be powerless to stop me.'

'True small one very true.'

I made my way back through the forest just as the sun started rising. Looking up I smiled.

"Did your ancestors ever tell you why fire was apart of the force of nature?"

Turning around I faced Damien as he stare at me a look of curiosity in his features.

"I never thought about it to be honest."

I chuckled. Now that I had my memories I found all of them to be like children in their thinking.

"The sun."

"Pardon?"

"The sun is where your fire power comes from. The sun is apart of nature without it the plants would not grow. That is why fire is just as much a part of nature as water or air."

He seemed at a loss for what to say to my words. I couldn't blame him. Here we were about to fight a war and I was talking about the sun.

"You should always know where your power comes from and what it's true purpose is. The fire all of you have used to overpower others was derived from the sun a power that was meant to nurture life not destroy it. Words that you and yours should remember when all this is over."

"Raven?"

I shook my head.

"I'm sorry Damien I'm the last person that should be lecturing you or anybody else for that matter. Not after what I have done."

"It's fine."

Stepping closer he too glanced at the rising sun.

"Don't worry Raven I understand your words and I intend to take them to heart."

"Good. How are your pack doing with our first defence?"

"They have laid down the oil and I have set scouts further out so that we will know when they are approaching."

"You've done well there's just one other thing that I want you and your pick to do."

"Name it."

"When the time comes be sure that you and the other packs get as far away from the forest as possible."

He narrowed his eyes at my words.

"What do you mean leave the forest? We can't leave in the middle of a fight."

"You can and you must."

Slowly I placed my hand on his shoulder imposing my power as a goddess into my voice just I had cal.

"Tell no one of my request."

His eyes widened at my order.

"But how will I know when to do it?"

"You will know when the time comes."

I left him staring after me as I proceeded to tell the same thing to Nate and Keyon all with the same order not to tell anyone what I had ordered them to do. 

'Do you plan on ordering you know who the same?'

'Of course but with Zeld I'll wait til the last second.'

'Why wait you only risk his life as well?'

'Because if I wait then he will have no time to try stop me.'

'Ahh of course.'

'Come on Caryi we need to get back to the tree.'

'Do you think we will have enough time?'

'I have already started the process so hopefully if they can hold them off just for a little while we should have just enough time.'

I made my way back to the tree but just as I was about to climb it hands wrapped around my waist a voice whispering in my ear.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper."

I turned still in his arms so that I could face him.

"You have nothing to be sorry about. We are both just under a lot of pressure after everything that's happened."

One of his hands reaches for my hair his fingers tangling themselves in the black strands as he kisses me with so much passion I drown in it. Pulling back just enough to gaze into my eyes his thumb caressing my cheek.

"I hope your not thinking about doing something stupid tonight that will take you away from me?"

'Hardly.'

'Shh Caryi.'

I shook my head.

"No it's nothing like that."

"Then what's so important about this tree?"

I turned as the great oak seemed to lean in as if wanting to hear every word we said.

"As the first tree ever created he is connected to everything. In fusing my essence with him I can also connect with everything."

"I don't understand, as a goddess can't you already do that?"

"No while I am in human form there's is much of my power that I am not able to access."

"Then why did you take human form? Why not take down Luna in your goddess state at full power?"

I sighed.

"It's not that simple Zeld one does not just eliminate a problem even if that problem was my own creation. Once I had created Luna she then became half human. As a goddess I'm forbidden to interfere directly. That's why when I tried to stop the wars of humans I was forced to ask Caryi for her help. So to stop Luna I then had to become human myself sacrificing most of my power."

Slightly under my breath I added.

"Among other things."

Luckily Zeld didn't hear my whispered comment as he asked.

"So how is this tree meant to help?"

Grabbing his hand I guided it towards the tree keeping my hand on top of his. 

"Close your eyes."

Without argument he did as I asked as I let my essence flow down my arm to my hand as I grabbed his essence on my way through his hand. From there I showed him everything. His gasp was enough to know he saw what I did.

"So this is the power of nature?"

"Yes if I stay connected to this tree during the battle tomorrow night it will allow me to effect the outcome in many ways."

Pop yelling ya both back into ourselves I faced Zeld once again.

"However while I am connected my body is vulnerable. I ask that you protect my body while I am connected to the tree."

"So this was your plan all along?"

I incline my head.

"Yes I attempted this in my last life but I failed. Hopefully this time I will not."

He seemed deep in thought at my words.

'We must start small one or we risk not completing the connection in time.'

'I know.'

"I'm sorry Zeld but there is much that I must do if I am to fuse my self with the tree in time."

I stepped towards the tree when but Zeld stopped me.

"Raven!"

I stopped as his lips met mine.

"I'll protect you no matter what."

I smile.

"I know you will."