53. Ten Years Later...

Ten Years Later...

         Gusts of autumn winds tugged at Zara’s hat as she made her way up the hill to Fina U, weary from her long journey, filled with relief that it was over. It was truly wonderful to be graduating at last, the scent of autumn leaves and ocean air rejuvenated her entire being, reminding her of the joy she once felt, the first time she walked this path, even though it felt like such a long time ago, as if it had been another life time, a time when she was full of dreams and high expectations. It had been ten years since she embarked on her architectural degree, and today she was finally there. This time, however, graduation was far from glamorous, there was no ceremony or celebration for graduating from University, the reward was the career, and if one landed a good career, one landed a good accommodation.

         Zara didn't feel like celebrating, anyway, perhaps no one really did. The facts of life bore heavy burdens, regrets over joining the Vine Club festered to this day like tumors in her mind, they never went away. Not only had it seriously harmed her career, she had failed terribly as a Breeder and had only produced one Product, it certainly wouldn't earn her enough to retire. Nonetheless, she was due her wages for the breeding assignment, the funds would be officially assigned to her today, as per her contract, now that she had graduated. As the line inched forward she noticed the students ahead of her looked so young, still full of the life and enthusiasm she had lost along the way. Instead of feeling joy inside, she realized her enthusiasm for the big day was a mere ember of the blaze it once was, doused by years of shame, pain, shattered dreams and regret.

         "Congratulations... Zara of the Serpent Year..." the administration clerk handed Zara her package; a placement scroll, a graduation medal, a key to her new accommodations and ten gold beads. 

        "Serpent year? When was that?"

         Not even hearing the question, Zara studied the ten gold beads in her hand, confused. "When do I get the payment for my Product?"

         "I just gave it to you" the clerk checked her list. "Zara of the Serpent Year. Ten gold beads." She waved the next student. "NEXT...."

         Ten gold beads? Stunned, Zara staggered backwards as the next student pushed her out of the way, staring at the tiny gold dots in her hand. Only ten? As the reality sunk in, it felt as if her world was imploding within, it was like the straw that broke the camel's back. Ten tiny gold beads? That was all she got for all that pain and suffering?

         Fighting back a flood of tears, she slid the beads in her pocket and hung the coveted medal around her neck, took a deep breath, visualized the magic string and followed students as they filed out of the administration office, down the hall.

         Blinking heavily, she opened her scroll as they walked down the hall, now dreading her job placement... She didn’t even want to look… Was it more bad news? Not this time. She stopped, amazed, was she reading right?

         "Architectural Assistant - Dept of Infrastructure - Atlan" she read out loud, filling with pride and emotion, chuckling with joyful tears as she read her new title. "I'm going to Atlan..."

         Sadness was replaced with joy as new possibilities unfolded in her mind. Maybe she would see Nolan again and be a success after all!!! It was all going to be okay! It was an exciting position, a foot in the door, there would be plenty more gold beads to earn now! It was true, the career was the celebration!
         With renewed zest, she marched back into the flow of students walking off to celebrate their new careers and took a deep breath as she emerged from the front door of Fina U for the very last time.

         This time the scents of fall were magical, all the dreams and high expectations had returned. This time her trip to Atlan would be a good experience and for the right reasons, this time she would be living and working amongst the most famous and successful citizens of the empire, she would be where everyone else wished they could be! She was to finally be that valuable Cog in the Great Machine!

         As the ship approached the now familiar harbor, Zara's gaze drifted toward the Grand Courtyard once again and her thoughts returned to the big day. As the memories returned she pondered the lives of the gens she had left behind. What had become of her old friends? Perhaps she would be reunited with Nel? Surely Nel was a practicing Oracle by now? She scanned the skyline for the familiar looking bell tower… Would she get to see her at the Atlan Temple? 

         She gazed down into the dark water below and thoughts returned to Mata. It made her feel sad to wonder what had become of her, she never did find Mata in Lochia, no one had even heard of her, she knew in her heart there was little hope of finding her in Atlan either. Determined to embark on a positive journey, she tried to not think about Mata and returned her attention to the Grand Courtyard. Would she run into Dena now that she was in Atlan? Were Dena and Nolan still Vine Club partners? She had heard rumors, Dena was working as a professional Vine Goddess, she was living the ritzy lifestyle she had always been dreaming of...

         She studied the giant statue of Medel with a different perspective now. Now she knew the truth. No one really knew what He had planned for their lives. Look at poor Athenia, famed Goddess of Finias, Queen of the Graduation Ceremony was fated to become a Breeder! She shook her head, realizing at least she wasn't the only one who's dreams were shattered by His unknown intentions. She chuckled again when she realized that in fact, in the end, she was luckier than Athenia, because last she knew, Athenia was still stuck in Lochia!

         As she pondered the memories of her graduation day, her thoughts returned to the sacrifice that was made to Him, to the mysterious Cow Goddess, the one who had produced the sacrificial offering for the sake of her future. Now she understood the significance of the Cow Goddess that day! She was the Breeder! She had suffered all that just for Medel!

         "Oh my god..." Instantly identifying with the Cow Goddess now, her role made complete sense, of course He had to to honor her! The reason she was crowned and given a golden medal was crystal clear to her now, it was completely justified! She totally deserved it!!!