Hi I'm your grandmother

Charlene tossed and turned, uncomfortable in the new environment, fearing the worst for her father. She had a bunch of questions she needed answered. What did her father mean about the family tree, crushing the house? Who were Odo and Beth? Drinking poison? And so many other things she didn’t understand. She had a lot of questions and didn’t want to wait until he woke up.

A gentle hand touched her forehead. A restless Charlene was transported to a dream state. Never-ending orange and yellow sand stretched as far as the eye could see. Two orbits hovered in the eastern sky. A voice said, “You have questions, and I have answers.” Charlene was shocked.

“How did I get here?”

“My child, you’re in a dream state. Ask your questions.”

Charlene hesitated. “I was wondering...”

“Well?” ReNew said. “Spit it out. She can hear your thoughts anyway, Char.”

“You were thinking about it and couldn’t sleep,” the spirit continued. “And you have a lot to accomplish tomorrow, so I thought I would step in and give a little advice, if you don’t mind.”

“Yes, please,” Charlene said, bowing her head in reverence.

Charlene chose her words carefully. “My father was wounded in an attack.”

“You’re wondering if he’ll be okay? You’re very caring—not only for family but for everyone you meet. Your parents should be proud. Don’t worry, he’ll wake up with a headache, but he’ll be fine.”

“Walk with me.”

Charlene could feel the warm sand between her toes. The first spirit glided across it, barely touching the surface.

“I have a question for you,” the spirit said. “Have you wondered where you got some of those traits from?”

“No, not really. I know my father had a hard time growing up here in The Realm. Something about his emotional state—I keep hearing about it.” Rolling her eyes and shaking her head, Charlene sighed. Just thinking about the things he had to go through as a child made her upset.

“I can shed light on some things for you.”

“Oh, please do!”

“Have you ever felt overly sensitive to other people’s feelings?”

“Yes!”

“As if you were them, and had to fix it, no matter what?”

“All the time! It makes my heart ache, to tell the truth. I thought I was going mad!” Charlene turned her head away in shame.

“That’s nothing to be ashamed of, my darling. I’ve felt this way for over a millennium.”

The spirit smiled brightly at Charlene.

“Odo also carried this trait. He found the calling too much to bear. He suppressed it. He chose a lesser role as a journeyer, where he fell in love with Beth. They got married and had a son named Seth—your father—who also carried this trait. But he was never told of its great importance and was chastised anytime he showed signs of it. That grew a giant wedge between him and his parents. Then the trait passed down to you, my darling Charlene.”

“What’s so bad about having emotions? I don’t understand.”

“They’re not just mere emotions.” The first spirit cupped Charlene’s face in her hands. Her face glowed, showing her all the fates in the realm—their joy, sadness, fear, excitement.

To her surprise, Charlene could feel and see it all now.

“You are able to sense the emotions of the entire realm of Fates, which helps you to guide them—and rule them.”

Charlene gently removed the first soul’s hands from her face and looked her straight in the eyes, as if a light bulb had just gone off in her brain.

“So you’re telling me that my father is a direct descendant of you? I know every Fate is a descendant of yours in this realm, of course, but… my father is actually your grandson?”

“If you want to use human terms, then yes!” she said with a smile.

“That makes me your great-great-granddaughter?”

“You can take some of those ‘greats’ off of there,” she laughed. “You make me sound real old.”

Charlene giggled. “Wow! I have a Gi-Gi! How awesome is that! Do you mind if I call you that?”

She thought about it. “No, I don’t. Gi-Gi it is!”

The first spirit beamed at her new nickname.

“You gave me something,” Charlene said. “I’d like to give you something in return.”

“The gift of you being my great granddaughter is more than enough.”

Her hands glowed, then she pressed them on Charlene’s forearm. Something changed beneath Charlene’s skin, and it started to burn. Her spear mark had transformed into a sword.

“I have gifted you with a two-edged sword called The Marrow Blade. All you need to do is call its name. It will come to assist you. It’s unbreakable. Do you see the markings on it?”

Charlene looked down her arm and saw all the sigils carved into the blade.

“It also directs energy straight through it or blocks attacks. It packs quite a punch, so be careful.”

Gi-Gi could sense the process becoming too painful, so she sent a cooling sensation to her arm.

“That should feel better.”

Charlene smiled.

The whole thing was over in seconds. The pain subsided, and she had a whole new set of markings.

“Thank you, Gi-Gi.” She gave her a big hug.

The first spear didn’t know how to react. No one had openly shown her affection in so long, she couldn’t remember when.

“You’re welcome. Call me if you ever need me. I’m always here, watching.”

“One more thing, Charlene. I need you to tell your father to bring the Sec to Audubon. Everything you’ll need is there waiting for him. Can you remember that?”

“Yes, Gi-Gi!”

“Now wake up. Your father is stirring, and you have lots to discuss. I’ll see you in Audubon. Make haste—go now.”

Gi-Gi waved her hand. A white light flashed, and Charlene started to wake up.

She turned over and saw her dad sitting up.

“Good morning, sleepyhead!”

“Dad, you’re awake! I have so much to tell you.”

A twinge of pain stung her arm when she used it to get up. She looked down at her forearm.

Charlene saw all the new symbols. “It’s still here.”

She smiled and jumped over to where her dad was resting to give him the good news.

“Careful, princess. I’m a little sore.”

Charlene gently hugged him. “Your princess has a lot to discuss!”