Venusa and Atlas’s mating ceremony was the talk of the village. As much as the villagers were in disbelief that Atlas turned out to be the chosen one, happiness still flowed around for their loving princess, who everyone took care of as grew up, was getting married to the love of her life. Venusa was definitely the happiest. She kept grinning and squealing like a little child as the village priest joined them together as husband and wife.
Venusa promised Atlas not to tell her parents about his secret. Atlas wanted to know why Venusa didn’t want to tell her parents. It wouldn’t be good if they kept this from them but Venusa insisted. Saying it would be worse if they knew now. Atlas let her have her way.
Seeing the love Atlas had for his daughter, Hank knew he was leaving the village in the hands of a competent chief. After their marriage, Venusa resumed her spiritual training. Atlas always watches her from a distance whenever she practiced the spiritual dance. Watching Umbria teach Venusa once, Atlas already knew the steps to the dance but Venusa still hasn’t gotten it. One day, during her practice, Atlas decided to join her.
“Why can’t I just get it?” Venusa grumbled, kicking the water in anger. She heard Atlas’s laugh so she turned. She grinned but it disappeared in a micro second. She was annoyed that Atlas made jest of her.
“Why the frown?”
Venusa pouted and turned away from him. “I’m having a hard time here but you derive fun in making jest of me. What kind of husband are you?”
“Is my love angry?”
“Humph!”
Atlas shook his head and hugged her from behind. Venusa smiled sheepishly and turned to face Atlas who in turn wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I think I’m under a spell. You see, I’m a really fast learner but this spirit dance is proving difficult to learn.”
“You just haven’t gotten the most talented tutor to teach you.”
Venusa frowned. “Who?”
Seeing the smug smile on Atlas face, Venusa knew who he was talking about.
“You? What can you possibly teach me?”
“Watch me.”
Atlas left her and stepped forward. He started performing the spirit dance and Venusa watched in awe and astonishment. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. When Atlas finished the dance, Venusa gave him a loud round of applause.
“Oh my gosh!”
Atlas shrugged smugly.
“How did that happen? Have you been taking lessons too?”
Atlas shook his head. “I’ve just been watching mother teach you the dance. It’s quite simple if you ask me.”
Venusa frowned. “Bragging now?”
“No. I’m just telling you it’s simple. If I, a rusty dancer, could learn it, then you can.”
“Atlas, I’m the rustiest dancer. Haven’t you seen be dance before? At the market square that day.”
Atlas laughed when he remembered that day. “How could you dance like that in front of hundreds of people?”
“If there’s one thing I don’t have, it’s shame.”
Atlas shook his head and held her hand. “Follow my steps.” He instructed and Venusa nodded.
“Your mistake is you’re dancing with your body. Your spirit should be doing the dancing. It is called spirit dance for a reason.”
“I don’t even know what that means.”
“Your moves are stiff when they are supposed to be graceful and graceful when supposed to be stiff. In short, your dancing is sloppy. Even a turkey is more graceful than are you.”
Venusa’s jaw fell as Atlas criticized her brutally.
“What is this? Who is this mean man? Where did my husband go?”
Atlas was tempted to smile but he held his smile back.
“Sorry, I tend to be strict when I instruct.”
“You’re going alpha on me now?”
Atlas facepalmed himself, shaking his head.
“Shall we begin?”
Venusa reluctantly nodded and Atlas stood behind her. With his hands, he guided her to the steps of the dance.
“Close your eyes.” Atlas instructed.
“Ooohh,” Venusa giggled, “close my eyes? What are we trying to do?”
“Don’t be such a dirty minded princess, Venusa. Just close your eyes and listen to me.”
“Okay, okay.”
Venusa did as instructed.
“Now carry your spirit along. Let your spirit do the dancing while your body guides it.”
“Let spirit do the dancing.” She whispered as Atlas guided her. The wind blew past them as they danced together. It got to a stage that Atlas let her go. He stopped dancing with her and only observed her. She was lost in the spirit and Atlas could feel the air around him become heavy.
“She’s doing it.” Atlas said proudly as he watched his wife dance.
Venusa felt something build up in her. She heard different heartbeats and she could recognize them.
“I hear the song of the seas and ocean.” She said in a trance as she continued to dance.
“The rocks, the trees, the land. Their hearts beat happily.”
Atlas could no longer bear the heavy air so he climbed up a rock and watched her from there. Venusa finished the dance and fell to the ground. Atlas quickly rushed to her and placed her head on his chest.
“Are you okay?”
Venusa looked up at him. “I just felt the greatest amount of power I’ve ever felt, Atlas. It was… marvelous! But unbelievable at the same time. I’ve you ever heard the song of the seas?”
Atlas shook his head. “How do they sound like?”
“Like heaven. I could listen to them all day.” Venusa beamed.
“You are cold.” Atlas said.
Venusa nodded and snuggled against his chest. “Then warm me up.”
“Let’s get you inside.” Atlas carried Venusa like a bride and went back in.
***
“What happened to her?” Umbria asked as she joined them in the room.
“She fainted after the spirit dance.” Atlas replied. Umbria placed her hand on Venusa’s forehead and mumbled some chants.
“She’s awakened!” Umbria beamed.
“What do you mean?” Hank and Atlas asked at the same time.
“Our daughter is awakened, Hank!”
“Really?!”
“What’s going on?” Atlas asked in confusion.
“Over the years, Venusa has gone through every training to become the great priestess of our land and she has excelled in them except for the spirit dance. Without mastering the spirit dance, she can’t communicate with nature, nor can she control it.”
“So now that she has mastered it…?”
“Yes, son. She now has nature as her force. She is fully awakened and can take over as the great priestess.”
Atlas looked down at sleeping Venusa and smiled. He felt so proud of her.
“Is she okay?”
“She will be after some herbs. Oh my days! This calls for celebration!” Umbria beamed as she exited the room.
“Gosh, I’ve never seen her that happy.” Hank said and Atlas nodded.
“She must be so proud of Venusa.”
“She is. You are too.”
Atlas smiled bashfully. “Of course, I am.”
“You should leave her so she would rest.” Hank said as he walked to the door.
“I will, after some minutes.”
Hank smiled and left. Atlas sat down beside Venusa and held her hand.
“My love.” He called and Venusa swerved. He smiled and kissed her forehead.
He left her and went out to join Umbria.
The news of Venusa’s awakening traveled around the village so fast. A feast was prepared to celebrate the emergence of the new priestess. A coronation ceremony was thrown for Atlas and Venusa for their emergence as chief and priestess.
Venusa and Atlas ruled the village in peace and harmony. Everyone loved and respected them. About three months after their coronation, Venusa bore a child. A boy.
“What should we name him?” Atlas asked Venusa who was in his arms. She just delivered a bouncing baby boy. Venusa looked down at her little boy sleeping peacefully in her arms.
“Riaz, I’m going to name him Riaz.”