Published on The Dojo.com in May 1999.
The Ouragan
by Ron Vitale
Green--the wild power of nature is constant yet unpredictable. Full of energy and life, green can also be used for destruction.
But Florcela, a young female elf of the Yavimaya, feels the call to partake in the spell of Ouragan--the Hurricane. A spell of power that will cause nature's energy to surge up and destroy the land. Ignoring the command of the village elders, Florcela runs off in an attempt to save her mother before it's too late.
***
"You must allow me to go!" Florcela crossed her arms and fumed.
Turgon, the village elder, bowed his head and prayed for patience. Ruler of the small band of Yavimaya elves for many years, he did not remember a more feisty elf than Florcela. For as long as he could remember, she had always argued with him. Yet now she would heed him. "I understand how you feel but I cannot allow you to go." Florcela's eyes lit up with anger but Turgon did not allow her to speak. He pointed at her and said, "For your own good, you cannot go to the cliff of despair. Your mother has been called and it will be your mother who will go!"
Jojo rushed forward and pulled Florcela's mother to safety and then they both stared in awe at the circle. The flowers glowed a bright, vibrant green. And Florcela stood in the center with her arms stretched wide, embracing the sky. A smile flickered across her face and from above, a section of the sky opened up, and the clouds came. Rain, wind, and raw energy swirled inside the circle of life. Florcela stretched herself further and released her energy. First blood. First time. The flow of life surged from her and she directed the energy upward toward Freija. A battle raged on another plane and the Ouragan was needed there. Unlike before, the hurricane's wrath left the Yavimaya forest untouched. Florcela's blood flowed through her and she saw through the rift in the sky. Dragons buffeted in the winds of the Ouragan. They struggled and were tossed like timber against the rocks. Green energy swirled inside the circle, stronger, more persistent, until a steady stream of energy poured into the rift.
Florcela reached out and felt Freija's presence and smiled. The elders were correct. She did help to protect Florcela's people. The sun stretched its face over the horizon and a loud crack of thunder announced the closing of the rift. The thunder's echoed faded and then there was silence. Florcela fell to the ground and still heard the rain and wind in her ears. Her mother reached her first and held onto her. She closed her eyes and smiled. Florcela had survived.
Jojo grabbed her hand and asked, "Are you okay?"
Florcela opened her eyes and felt drained. "Yes, but tired. I'm so tired."
Florcela's mother cuddled her close and looked at Jojo. "She unlocked the doors to the Ouragan."
"I don't understand." Jojo shook his head. "Is she going to die?"
Florcela reached for his hand and said, "I am now the guardian of this cliff. When Freija calls for the ritual, I will answer. And in time I will teach the others girls in our village how to control the spell." Florcela could sense the blood between her legs. First time. Strong and sure of herself, Florcela smiled at the uncomprehending Jojo and said, "For I am a woman now."
Florcela came toward his wooden throne and held up her hands. "But she will die!"
Turgon leaned back and waved her away. "I will hear no more!"
Two guards marched forward and escorted Florcela from the clearing. Around them the trees were filled with the joy of summer. Bright green leaves hung high over ahead, blocking the sun's warmth. A soft, warm smell of fresh flowers embraced the air.
Turgon rested his head in his hands. He knew she would not listen to him. Headstrong from as long as he could remember, Florcela would try to go after her mother. Try and rescue her from the Ouragan--the Hurricane. When he was young, he once thought as Florcela did but with wisdom and years behind him he understood the need for the deadly ritual. A double-edged sword, the Ouragan helped keep invaders out of the forest. But no elf had ever survived the spell. The wind and rain ripped into the fabric of the cliff and the elf who partook of the ritual gave up her life for the betterment of the village.
Yesterday, Florcela's mother had been called. And like any of those chosen by the lottery, she would climb to the cliff of despair and offer her life-force to Freija. But Turgon knew Florcela. She would not give in so easily. And part of him admired her for her courage. With determination, Turgon made a decision. He would not have Florcela followed. She would find her own path.
***
That night Florcela pretended to sleep in the back room of the tree house. After the moon had set, she gathered her pack, some fresh berries wrapped in leaves, and left. For a moment she crouched on the tree limb outside her window and took in the beauty of the forest at night. The last light of the moon flowed like silver over the small lake. Crickets echoed their mating call with an intensity she had not heard before. And the coolness in the air washed over her, relaxing the stress from her muscles. She thought of her mother and was scared. No one ever knew when the Ouragan would come back. Sometimes years passed, lately, only weeks. Cat-like and nimble, Florcela climbed down her family's home and headed North toward the cliff of despair. She did not wish to think of her father sleeping in his bed. Or of her brother. Neither of them would agree with her decision. But her call had come and a voice inside had called her to be true to herself.
A rush of excitement surged through her and without looking back she ran from the village. The darkness enveloped the path but she kept at her fast pace. Several miles away, she knew her mother would be preparing herself for the morning. Each elf in her village had been trained to know the ritual of the Ouragan. In her mind, she could see her mother as she painted her face and gathered flowers for the circle. She did not have much time. Florcela ran for what she felt was hours but after some time her side began to hurt. Sweat streamed down her and tiny knicks marked her legs.
At the far end of the lake, she stopped to rest and take a drink. The wind cooled her and the stars shone like fireflies in the sky. With the moon having set, only their light showed her the path toward the cliff. If she could run a bit further, she could probably arrive before morning. But that is where her plan failed. She did not know what she would say to her mother. Or how she could convince her to come home.
From behind her she heard a sudden sound. A twig snapped from someone stepping on it. Jumping up Florcela crouched against a tree and saw a shadowy figure enter the rocky beach that surrounded the lake. After searching for several moments, he turned around and came toward her. Her heart pounded and fear surged through her. She wanted to scream but instead she reached for a branch and rushed forward. Surprised, the figure stumbled back and covered his face.
"Hey, it's only me." His familiar voice stopped her attack.
She knelt beside him and said, "Jojo, what are you doing here?"
His white smile went from ear to ear. "I knew you wouldn't listen so I thought I'd come help you."
She ruffled his hair. "You know I'm just going to yell at you for following me."
Florcela pulled him up and he said, "Now that's thinking. After all the times we talked about sneaking over to the cliff of despair when we were little, do you really think I'd let you go without me?"
"I guess you're right." She gave him a hug and whispered into his ear. "I guess you're just crazy!"
"Yep, that's me alright. Crazy Jojo who has his head on his shoulders enough to stop you from getting killed while you run off in the middle of the night trying to save your mother from the Ouragan." He looked at her and asked, "You tell me, which one of us is crazy?"
"Okay, you're right. I'm sorry. I just was a bit surprised that you came after me." She walked to the lake and listened to the sound of the water lapping against the rocks. "Look, I don't have much time. If you want to help me, then we have to go now. It'll be sunrise in a few hours."
"Well, then let's get moving." Playfully, Jojo bumped into her and ran off down the path. She laughed and followed him. Her cramp in her side had spread and become worse but she ignored it and chased after her friend.
For how long they ran, Florcela did not know but she finally stopped and took in several gulps of cool air. Ahead they could both see the rise of the cliff looking dark and unreal. Somewhere at the top her mother would be waiting for the sun to rise. Then the warmth of the rays would soak into her skin and the Planeswalker Freija would call for her mother's spirit. Since before she was born the tradition had existed. No one questioned why Freija needed their lives. They only knew their sacrifice saved them from greater harm.
Jojo came next to her and asked, "Now what? We're within walking distance of the cliff. What's this great plan of yours?"
Florcela walked onward and said, "Well, I was going to make that up as we go along."
Jojo stopped and reached up to the stars. "Please, don't tell me you don't even have a plan!" He shouted up at the tiny pinpricks of light and said, "She's nuts! And I'm even crazier for following her."
Florcela turned around and snapped. "Look, I've never done this before. I don't even know what really happens at sunrise. None of us do. All we know is that the Ouragan comes and destroys anything up on the cliff." She punched her leg in frustration and yelled, "My mother is up there and I am going to save her. I don't know how yet but I'm open to suggestions."
Jojo cooled down and started walking. "Let's just get going and I'll think about it on the way."
Florcela followed him and together they walked in the silence for the next two hours. Soon the sun would peer up over the horizon and a new day would begin. Still without speaking, Florcela climbed the steep path and turned to Jojo. "Whatever happens up there, just make certain that you pull my mother away. I'm going to try and replace her during the ritual." She saw his face and did not allow him to argue with her. "Look, it's the only plan I have. Just make sure you get my mother."
"Okay, okay." Jojo mumbled something under his breath and clenched his fists. Florcela pretended she didn't hear and continued walking. Her cramps had increased and she felt light-headed but she would not stop. Toward the top of the cliff she saw a ring of flowers and her mother sitting in the center. Green, red, yellow, and blue paint marked her up her face and arms. Florcela ran to her and winced in pain. The pain in her side would not go away.
Her mother saw her coming and looked up in shock. "Florcela, what are you doing here? You have to go."
Florcela stood before her mother and thought of what she would say. Words swirled around her head and then the thought of blood came to her. Pure, first, and new, her eyesight blurred and she felt power surge inside. She felt the call of nature flow through her legs and the tug of the moon. Life called to her and then the sun began to rise. Now she had to act. Her eyes filled with tears and with one last push of energy Florcela ran forward and knocked her mother from the circle of flowers. Her mother's startled expression said enough.
