Gaia's Champion Ch. 01

"Why? It's perfectly safe and he won't do anything to anyone or anything until I say so," the little woman said easily.

"Fair point, but I didn't grow up with spiders for pets. There's also the fact you and I hardly know each other, so there isn't much in the way of trust between us," Jason blurted, hoping she'd call off Magnus, before he got too close.

"You make a fair point," she sighed as she flitted back down to stand in front of the spider as he made it to a retreating Jason. "OK Magnus, we've had our fun. Back to your web now."

The wolf spider made what sounded like petulant huffing before turning around and marching back the way it had come. Jason then turned and got a good look at the fairy. The woman had wings protruding out of her back that looked like the typical wings you saw on fairies in storybooks. The biggest difference was the way the light refracted off them and shimmered in every imaginable color under the sun.

She was close in height to him, easily five-foot-eleven, with long, thick and strong legs that fed into a round and sumptuous ass. It was round, high and heart-shaped and was one half of her hourglass figure. Her tits were sizable, more than a handful, and her shoulders were sturdy, which extended into a pair of toned arms. She wore a short dress, almost like of what Tinkerbell wore, but made of what seemed to a multitude of leaves. Each leaf was intertwined with one another, and the dress fit her like it was a second skin.

Her head was perfectly shaped and perched atop a slender neck. It was her face, though, was the most gorgeous part of her. Oval shaped with open and expressive blue eyes, a tiny little nose, a soft-pointed chin, above which rested a set of cupid's bow lips. Framed by strawberry blonde hair, styled like the proverbial pixie cut, she was the epitome of a beautiful woman. Though her face was set in a frown and before Jason could ask, he received a full-armed slap across his left cheek.

"What in the hell was that for?" he cried out, wincing at the sting that spread into his face.

"To get you to stop staring and to focus on what I'm saying, rather than letting those lecherous thoughts run through your mind!" she retorted.

"Well, I'm a guy and it's in my nature to look at pretty women. The fact that I was staring should tell you how attractive you are," Jason fired back as he rubbed his cheek. The fairy appeared to both blush and bristle, looking like she was both flattered and insulted. She opened her mouth to speak, but Jason's next question cut her off.

"What is your name?"

The woman then blinked, and her face scrunched up in bewilderment. No one had asked her for her name. Before, in ages past, they always commanded her to give it, so she asked, "Why do you wish to know my name?"

"Because I'd like to know what I should call such a lovely creature," he stated as he moved his hand away from his face. All semblance of insult was gone as she blushed hard, her face filling with blood. Her wings jittered as she did everything she could to stop from crying out loud.

"My name is Phalmina," she peeped out.

"Phalmina. It's a beautiful name," Jason said earnestly. She blushed even harder at the compliment and shook herself to focus back on the matter at hand.

"I'm sorry that I slapped you. Please, sit. I will explain everything and answer all the questions you have," she said to him.

"How do you know I have questions on my mind?"

"It's written across your face plain as day, silly!" she laughed. Jason nodded and smiled like an idiot, did as Phalmina bade him and sat down. He stayed quiet and waited for her to start.

"There is much to tell you and I don't even know what you may know, so I'll start at the beginning. I'm sure you have heard of many various types of Gods and spirits throughout the ages and humans have chronicled some of them on your histories. There are many stories about how this world came to be, but they are all false. None of those beings created the world and all the life on it."

"The world was already here when life sprang into being here. Despite the various claims what your 'holy men' state is truth and fact, it is in fact a twisting of the truth. The 'Gods'" she said the word scornfully, "are merely pretenders. The power they wielded and the strength they had was not theirs to begin with. It all leads back to the one true life giver; Gaia, the Earth Mother."

"It is Gaia that gives life to all creatures, both great and small. It is she who gives us the will to live our lives as we so choose. All life is sacred to her, so we hold her in the most sacred regard. As humankind rose to the point as the apex being of the world, there were some who showed her a good deal of deference. Those who worshiped her as the true goddess as opposed to those false idols that many worship today."

"Wait a second. You're saying the gods and goddesses of myth were real?" Jason interjected.

"Yes, they existed, and they were real, but they weren't immortal like everyone thinks. They were mortal men and women who were empowered through the blessings of Gaia," Phalmina replied before she continued with her tale.

"The 'Gods and Goddesses' were great champions in their day. Each one dedicated their lives to an aspect of human existence. But they never really were everything they led you humans to believe. Back then, humans were far simpler, and believed what they were told at face value. The truth is, those who were venerated as Gods, were mortal men and women who had stumbled upon Gaia's power and used it for their own gain."

"In the ancient days, Gaia had placed nodes of power worldwide, to grant those who found them, her blessings. She did this, hoping humankind would use her power to bring peace to the warlike tribes that they were. What happened was far different from what Gaia had envisioned. After the 'Gods' had done their damage and died, the power they stole returned to Gaia once more," she said with a sigh of relief.

"To prevent this from ever happening again, Gaia had drained those places of power of their energies and kept her power from surfacing again. There was still power there, but in residual amounts, so she sealed them up, so none could ever find them again."

"What happened to the 'Gods'?" he asked.

"Like all mortals, they withered, grew old and eventually died. Though when they died, like all things, their bodies and spirits returned to the earth and therefore, to Gaia. Her power given back to her, Gaia could prevent the rise of any additional 'Gods', who would try to usurp her place as those silly mortals had tried."

"It wasn't until several peoples, such as the ancient Celts, were besieged by oppressive forces like the Romans, did Gaia reach out to humanity again. Only this time, Gaia was far more cautious about it and went to great lengths to select only those that she deemed worthy enough to wield her power and who would do so in a proper and responsible manner," Mina stated, a faraway look in her eyes.

"Among the various tribes and peoples of humanity, there were worthy individuals who were granted a smattering of Gaia's might. Who could heal those who were sick and injured and command the elements, to a limited extent. They became Gaia's 'foot soldiers' and they called these men and women the Shaman. Gaia would communicate to them through the use of animal spirits, to guide them along a balanced path."

"They were few, but there was also another kind of individual, who had a unique connection with the land and through that, Gaia. How they could tap directly into her primordial energies and use them to manipulate the world around them as they saw fit. We called these beings Druids. The ancient Celts and Gauls had many such champions who were powerful Druids, and they did right by Gaia. They carried out their sacred duty and defended the lands, the animals and their people."

"Despite everything they had done, the Romans were far too clever and cunning. Our once greatest champion, Vercingetorix, was outplayed and outmaneuvered, but those closest to him also betrayed him. When he was taken away, they tried to take his power, but he held fast. For years they tried, and every time they failed. When he died, the power Gaia had granted him, stayed with him and as it was with those who came before him, it was given back to Gaia."

"I was still a fairly young fairy at the time of these events. Barely even a half century old when the Roman Empire was at its apex, but still, I was there to see much of what had happened. It wasn't long before others came seeking our power to force it out of us. But Gaia had prepared for this eventuality and would only allow the worthy to pass into our refuges. This ceaseless seeking of power proved to be the downfall of the Empire. As the rise of the Christians, and then the Goths, brought about their downfall," the fairy woman said smugly.

"It was afterwards, in a time you humans call the 'Dark Ages', that we saw a resurgence into the ways of Gaia. Many turned to worshipping her as a goddess, hoping and praying for their deliverance from hunger and death. She guided some to safety while others, who were rotten people, were left to fend for themselves."

"It was also during this time that the Christians decided to, 'Spread the word of God' to the 'savage peoples' of the world. Though many of the actions they perpetrated in the name of their God, led the Druids to one conclusion. They weren't spreading the word of their God like they should have. They only wanted absolute control over the people by telling them what they should believe. They didn't want them to believe what they wished."

Sighing, Jason interrupted, but briefly. "I know what you mean about that. I grew up around people who sat there on their high horses. Getting all preachy at me about how I should live my life. But they then thought themselves exempt from their own rules whenever they were challenged."

Smiling, Phalmina continued, "As the missionaries went throughout the lands, the Druids and various Shaman tried to talk to them. They thought they could be reasoned with, being logic thinking beings and that they could come to some middle ground. They soon discovered that they weren't interested in peaceful coexistence, they wanted to be the only ones that the people would listen to. They would tolerate no other holy men besides themselves. It was at this point that the Druids saw the true extent of their greed and withdrew back to the safety of the glades."

"Some tried to fight, but the number of soldiers and converted people in their employ, or under their sway proved too much for them to overcome. Even as powerful as they were, they killed many during this initial incursion. The number of believers and followers dwindled down to a trickle, thanks to the efforts of the Inquisition. Because of the number of people who betrayed our ways, they knew how to look for disciples of Gaia. They.... extracted.... confessions out of these people, who would say whatever their captors wished, to stop the pain or to spare their families," Phalmina went on sadly.

"Because of all this which had happened, the final survivors and true believers withdrew to the sacred glades. There, they lived out their final days, returning the energy of the earth back to Gaia. When they died, so too did what remained of Gaia's influence. Throughout time, all memory of what she had done for the world was erased from the world of man. That all of man, and every living creature that could remember her, did not. As centuries passed, many of her direct servants and creatures that used to exist, either hid away, or hunted down to extinction."

"Like what?" he wondered out loud.

"Many creatures you would have viewed as fantasy or the fabrications of man's mind. Pegasi, unicorns, merfolk, dragons, griffons and fairies, just to name a few," Phalmina listed absently.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, time out! Are you telling me that creatures like dragons and unicorns were real, but went into hiding?" Jason exclaimed incredulously.

"Those two species, alas, were hunted down to extinction. Man's greed and hatred of that, which he knew not, knew no bounds. They still do not. Almost everything done since then has been man, trying to dominate a world he is only a resident upon because Gaia allows it. Many of us in hiding had often tried to speak to Gaia, regarding this matter, but we all received the same answer, when we asked that one question," she huffed.

"What question was that?"

"Why did Gaia not just end your species? You were too warlike, too caught up in your own affairs to bother caring about the world around you. We pleaded with her to bring back the paradise she had first brought into being and to snuff out humanity in its entirety," the woman growled out and took care not to look at Jason directly.

"What was her answer?" Jason asked cautiously.

"That she saw the potential of good in your race, that one day, you would come to realize the error of your ways. How you would eventually find a harmonious balance within yourselves and go back to peaceful coexistence. Not only with the land and its creatures, but also with yourselves. Many of us couldn't believe that was her answer, but Gaia would not be swayed. So, we all carried on throughout the years, each one of us drifting off to sleep as the years wore on."

"Sleep? How is it you sleep and not die? How is it you're as old as you tell me and still look like you're in the peak of health?" he blurted out loud. Jason wished that he could take back what he had said, but it was too late. He flushed in embarrassment at his outburst.

"Being a direct servant of Gaia, my life force is tied to that of the earth mother. As long as she endures, so shall we," Phalmina told him matter-of-factly. "Many of us, grew tired of waiting and joined her in her slumber, hoping that when they woke, that they would wake into the paradise we had lost. I was the only one who stayed awake, waiting. And now, here you are, returned to us."

"Wait, what?"

"How else did you think you could pass by the guardians of the glade without incident? That you could see me watching you in the forest? That you found the pathway to upper reaches of this mountain? It is because you have the inborn spark to become of Gaia's sacred protectors. That you can learn to become a Druid."

"There is obviously a resurgence in those who believe in the ways of Gaia and balance, otherwise you wouldn't have found your way here. I'm asking you, please consider that which can be granted by you. There is much that you could do to help all those who would need it and of bringing the world back into the balance it needs to be in. Otherwise, this world, as you know, will eventually cease to exist," Phalmina told him.

"What do you mean, 'cease to exist?'" Jason queried almost worriedly.

"Basically, it is Gaia herself that ensures that all life on this world continues on like it should. Without her to continue the cycle, life as you know it would not be."

"So, you're saying that Gaia is the only reason that every living thing isn't a pile of ashes right now?" he guessed.

"That is correct. I do not know what has transpired in the last century, as I have almost never left the glade, and even then, I never ventured far from it. I know this much; that Gaia is slowly losing her hold on this world. Like she's being poisoned or something like that. When her hold breaks, then everything will slowly die as she fades. Should that happen..." the fairy just let that hang out there for Jason to figure out.

"Then Gaia would die and with her death, so too would every living organism on the planet," Jason supplied as he connected the dots. "So, you say I can become a Druid, one of Gaia's protectors?"

"Yes, you can be. The choice is yours, but please, consider..." Jason raised his hand to cut her off as he spoke up.

"You don't have to convince me to become a Druid, you know. I have long been disgusted by the lengths that humanity has gone to enrich itself while raping the earth for their own benefit. Even then, those who do this are greedy and miserly, concerned only about themselves and not humankind. If I can strike back at those selfish bastards, count me in," he said with absolute conviction.

Squealing in joy, Phalmina flew right into the man, tackling him to the ground and hugging the breath out of his lungs. She writhed against him, happier than he'd seen her initially. Suddenly, she popped up and smoothed her dress, like she had remembered some rule of etiquette.

"The Druids of old were very much about propriety, and I forgot myself. I'm sorry master," she said almost robotically.

"It's perfectly OK to hug me, you know. I'm not made of glass, I won't break," he soothed. "And screw propriety. If you want to express how happy you feel, go ahead. Also, none of this 'Master' nonsense. Call me Jason."

Eyes widening in disbelief, her eyes filled with tears before they spilled over, rolling down her cheeks. She then leapt into his arms once more, hugging him as she cried. Careful not to touch her wings, Jason returned her embrace with one of his own, comforting her with his arms. She sobbed into him for a good five minutes before slowly disengaging herself from him. Phalmina then wiped her eyes before standing up and extending her hand to help Jason to his feet.

"Seems that the Druids you knew back then were distant bastards," he remarked.

"That's one way of putting it, I suppose. I don't mean to speak ill of the dead, but they weren't much for giving or returning any affection. We fairies are a very emotional and affectionate race, and we were being treated like we were little more than the worst of servants," Phalmina stated bitterly.

Jason reached out and cupped her chin, directing Phalmina to look him in the eyes as he spoke. "Well, that's one thing that will change under my watch. None of this bullshit about being cold as rocks in interacting with fairies or any other servants of Gaia. Anyway, back to becoming a Druid. How do I become one? Is there some test I need to take or something? Do I need to do any learning?"

"Well, many hopefuls would study about how Druidism works and would usually require years of study and learning the ways of Gaia before we would initiate them as an apprentice. I have considered your mindset though, and I have seen of how you treated the forest with respect as you've trodden through it. I think we can go straight to the part where can unlock your power," she said eagerly.

"Now?"

"Yes! The sooner the better. As I told you, Gaia is slowly becoming disconnected from this world, as there are no Druids left. If a Druid were to reconnect with Gaia, then it would buy us the time we need to strengthen the connecting to Gaia once again."

"Ok then," he nodded. "You mentioned something about a ritual that needed to be done. How do we go about that?"

"In such cases, the high Druid of the area would start and lead a ritual, involving a circle of four other Druids. This circle would then break down any mental limitations that the hopeful still had, and the power of Gaia would flow into them. Once reaching their mental block, they would bore a hole in it. From the hole, their power would grow slowly, like water breaking down a rock," the fairy explained to him.

"In this case, the ritual won't work. There is another way though, which will unlock your power at a faster rate and allow you to access it almost immediately. Unlike the first way, which a slow wearing down, this one destroys any impediment immediately, allowing for full access of all druidic power."

"Ok, I suppose that we could go with that option, considering it's the only one available. But something like that carries a risk of some sort I would imagine. What are the risks involved?" Jason wondered with concern.