The minutes rolled by, as I sat in my living room sofa looking at everyone who was just as puzzled as I was. Not knowing how my hometown, Arcadia Bay was founded based on an Urban Legend. How this town use to belong to an old Tribe; who were rooted to be highly intellect and filled with prestigious powers that were given to them by one, the natives considered to name it as, The Great Spirit.
It was 3 p.m. in the afternoon when Amanda, Moses, and myself all shifted our gaze to Gwen for further explanation. Only to receive none from her, until we heard Selene, who was listening to us the whole entire time our conversation….
"If I may, I might be able to give you all some closure of what had happened to 'The Omny Tribe'."
We turned our gaze to Selene who somehow, had managed to return and was just standing there leaning near the edge of the corridor, leading to the hallway of the house.
"Oh my goodness, Selene, didn't I told you to go home?" Amanda replied; now looking a little upset of seeing her little sister ignoring her demand.
"I'm sorry, Amanda, I had to come…" Selene now looking all worried, but was eager to get herself involved in our conversation. But Amanda was having none of it….
"And why is that? I did mention to you that is an adult matter that us grownups have to discuss...." Amanda, giving that usual cold smirk, while having her arms crossed like a leader.
Selene without holding back responded with a smile and gave a good reason as to why she came back… "Well, sis, once you told me to go home….I did, and you sometimes being forgetful on the small stuffs such as giving me a birthday present. You forgot to give me a copy of the key to your place,"
"HOOO!!" We all replied in synchronous
"Amanda, no offense, but she got you there…" As I stared at Amanda, and grinning at her.
Amanda was annoyed by my response to her sister's retaliation, but remained silent until Selene pleaded with her to stay so that she could say what she knew about 'The Omny Tribe'. Amanda hesitated at first, but allowed her to proceed, just this one's.
"Fine, I will allow you to explain to my friends about what you heard from our Elder tribes, since you are more into Native culture and its cultural arts, than I am…."
Selene, feeling all jumpy ran right next to Amanda and begins to tell us what she knows about the 'Omny Tribes' and their urban legends….
"Ok, I will tell you a quick history of what Great Grandma Elu once told me before she passed to the great beyond."
"You're Great Grandmother Elu?" Moses replied, showing signs of sympathy to Selene and Amanda.
"Yeah….Nana Elu passed away two years ago, and she was our rock….and she told us stories that were passed on from her common ancestors to her," said Amanda, feeling a little sad, knowing full well that she still misses her to this day. Selene, without any interruptions, proceeded with her narration.
"So, yeah….She mentioned a lot of 'The Onmy Tribe'. And one key element that she mentioned was never added onto the Totem carvings that each tribe possessed, reason being was that they didn't want the technology that the ancient one's had built fall into the wrong hands. The Technology that Dr Gwen mentioned was correct, and there were 4 elements that were mentioned, known as: Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire. But those key elements are basically mystical beings that have been mentioned and are used to power this ancient device, and the fifth element is a representation of the one who holds all 4 elements together known as time."
"Wow…Wait a minute. How can Time be a part of the 5th element, it just can't be.... surely there must be another explanation about how this device that creates weather works?" Gwen said; looking all confused.
But, Selene wasn't finished…. "Time is considered key…. that helps to operate their ancient device smoothly. However, this device not only acts as a weather machine. It was also a direct communication with 'The Great Spirit'. They used this well-crafted device for small requests, such as second chances, or any other desire that one seeks. But, according what Nana Elu one's said, that for every desire one must give up something worth of value in exchange for it to come true."
Selene started to pace back and forth in the living room until she stopped mid-way, facing towards the painting that was hanging on top of the fireplace. I couldn't help, but notice her smile and looking like a short version of her older sister. She too shared some similar charm like the one Amanda has in herself, based on personality.
"Another thing the archives never mentioned was….who made the ancient device? To which, Nana Elu also mentioned that the ancient device was made by the hands of the one who came from the spirit world, and was gifted with divine knowledge. This mysterious entity was known as Father of the environment and had a deep connection with Mother Nature; keeper of all life on this planet….." Selene paused as she needed to catch a breather and asked for water.
After she gulped down an entire glass full of water, she then proceeded….
"These two entities where so in love that they created harmony amongst all civilization, giving the lands that the Omny Tribe depended on to survive and live peacefully. But, as time went on, the tribe slowly began to diminish over-time, and some chose to breakaway and form new families elsewhere. While others developed obsessions of wanting to desire more, than what was offered to them,"
Amanda looking all worried, notice Selene's eyes all watery. She knew that what Selene was going to say next is considered painful to say the least….
"Selene, you can stop….no need to proceed if it's too painful to say what you want to say next…."
"It is alright, sis, I want to give closure and they need to know what happens next…."
We were starting to worry, but proceeded to remain silent for her to finish where she left off…
"….During one of their harvesting seasons, there was a predicament of a future to come. The 'Great Spirit' approached them, and warned them of an impending doom to come. He told them that these so-called settlers were approaching the lands that were gifted to them, and are willing to stop at nothing, but to conquer and take as they please…. This speculation got the elderly tribes worried and fearing for their safety, they asked the 'spirit' permission to rearranged the device and turn it into a man-made weapon of destruction; giving them full advantage of the situation of this invading settlers. However, 'The great spirit', wanting to keep the peace….gave them all alternative solution…."
"What kind of Solution this 'Great spirit' has to offer," I said; feeling intrigued
"Well, Max, that is where I am getting at…. The 'Great Spirit' offered them a new sanctuary that is far beyond our reach, where time and space collide in abundance with one another. Meaning they will live and grow peacefully without any interference from the outside world. However, after agreeing to the terms that the 'Great one' has to offer, they had to abandon the lands they created and remove any traces of their existence. But for some, they chose to stay and move on to other lands further down, and away from approaching settlers. They had no choice but to destroy all structures that they had constructed and built, all except for the one ancient device that was used to control the weather and communicate with the 'Great spirit' himself…."
I was mesmerized in a way in how Selene was able to describe more about the history of the 'Omny Tribe', and how they were advanced with ancient technology and had a strong communication bond with the mystical beings; only for them to abandon it all for peace and safety.
"….Before, 'The Omny' disappeared they left a beacon of hope, just in case things don't go well, and if and only if the universe was close to collapsing on its own….they left behind instructions on their artwork, and one of them so happens to be a Totem statue. The totems are indeed everywhere, it is their sign, a symbol of what they had left behind….and it is a possibility for one who wishes to establish communication with the 'Great spirit' and the spirit realm….they can do so if they know how to crack the code that these carvings have plastered into their designs. Last, but not least if you spot these butterflies out of nowhere, according to what Nana Elu had told me. It is a message, a warning of dangers to come, and can be a beacon of hope…."