From a young age, Zarya had a special connection to water, for she was born in the water of the island Tyrin. She always felt drawn to the ocean. It would call out to her at night. In her dreams, the ocean would reveal itself to her and provide a cool and calming comfort as if she were floating in it. She spent many nights with the ocean in her dreams until she was of age to visit it on her own.
The middle child of five, Zarya loved her siblings and had a unique relationship with each one. They all entrusted her with their deepest and darkest secrets, for she had an openness about her and gave sound advice on struggles they had with friends or decisions they were struggling to make. Every morning before dawn, she would walk out to the water and lose track of time singing to it. She had a gift, you see: as she let out a melodic tune, the ocean revealed visions to her, none of which related to her own path. After serenading the ocean with her soft tune, the water began to glow and spiral. A vision would appear of a choice being made. It was a beautiful sight, but she could only see the paths of others on the island. She indeed had a powerful gift, and she made certain not to abuse her knowledge of the things she saw. The ocean warned to never share her visions with others. She must only encourage others to choose their right path and allow them to make such decisions on their own.
After spending her early morning with the ocean, she would return back home and begin her day. Zarya kept a strict routine. She would start by refreshing her ancestors' altar by providing them with a meal, a cup of bush tea and placing a fresh bowl of water from the ocean in the center. In the back grew an assortment of herbs such as soursop, bay leaf and mint. She made sure to cut a piece of the lemongrass for her Nana, who was her favorite. She’d then began making breakfast for the family. She always served her Nana first then her younger siblings. Her family didn’t always share a meal in the morning but they always gathered for dinner. She passed most mornings caring for her younger siblings Arin and Calab before school, while listening to stories her Nana would share about her adventures or memories from her childhood long ago
Her family was known for building the best boats on the island. They crafted the finest boats made from the trunks of the magical Palms that grew in the grove close to their house. The palms had been nurtured by her family for generations. As the family continued to maintain the ancestral altar and praise those who transcended, the ancestors would continue to bless the palm grove. Zarya took on many responsibilities. She wasn't old enough to work at the shop, for she was only 14, but that didn't stop her from helping to design and build boats.
At school, Zarya's favorite subject was geography, she had never been off the island before, so it allowed her to see the world beyond the ocean surrounding her. After finishing homework with friends, she would make her way to her family's shop to help in any way she could. She enjoyed being able to build something as magnificent as a boat. At times she found herself sitting upon the dock creating designs. As she looked upon the water, the fish would swim in the most beautiful patterns that inspired her sketches.
As she grew, so did her relationship with the ocean. It brought her objects from far away lands that only stoked her curiosity for the worlds from which they came. During one morning serenade, a coin washed upon the shore. When she took it back to show Nana, she recognized where it could have come from. She had a coin just like it from her travels in Ghana. It was a special trip for her as she was tracing the family’s origins. Her Nana Ellis was a well traveled woman, as she had left the island after being given the opportunity to follow her dream of being a travel writer. At that time Nana Ellishad already given birth to Zarya’s mother Aya and younger brother Aydan . A childhood friend approached her with the opportunity to join him in exploration and document their findings that she couldn’t pass up. Nana’s older sister promised to care for her children as her own. She had never left the island before and it was even harder to leave her children.
Nana wrote amazing stories about her travels and had a collection of journals dating back to the age of 13. She made sure to write detailed letters to the children when she could, occasionally sending a picture. As her mother and her brother began to question more and more when their mother would return, Nana Ellis could give no answer. The last place Nana visited was Ghana, after receiving a letter from Tyrin that Aydan fell ill and that she needed to come back as soon as possible. When she returned, after ten years, Aydan was growing sicker by the day and they began to believe his end was near. Upon her return, Nana raised the altar and adorned it with treasures from Ghana to ask that the powers and ancestors protect her son’s health. She then immediately brewed a thick bush tea made of herbs collected from her travels. Days of drinking his mother’s tea made Aydan stronger and safe from harm
It didn't take Nana long to settle back on the island. She became popular because few people left, and most of them never returned. She was also very beautiful, her hair was long and thick and she had the most beautiful smile. She gave birth to 2 more children after her return. Everyone was happy she was back, except for Zarya’s mother. She resented her for leaving her at such a young age. Neither time nor everyone’s talking about Nana’s travels diminished these feelings..
When Zarya turned 17, she graduated top of her class. She needed to figure out what was next for her. She worked in the shop helping her father and older sibling make boats. She would add the finishing touch by painting her beautiful designs on the side. Everyday she followed the same routine, which became mundane. Though her younger siblings now joined her in preserving the altar, which made their relationship stronger, she wanted more from life.
One early morning during her ritual, she noticed a wave in the distance. As she watched, it swelled larger and faster, causing her to back away from the water’s edge. . In disbelief, she did not run, because such waves never formed in their tranquil bay. The wave came to an immediate stop at her toes and all the water held in place as if suspended. The surface and depths glowed as far as she could see, summoning an unusual vision of a distant place. In the water, she saw her mother yelling at Nana, “Is you! You is why she leaving we! ” Later that night, she dreamed the waters telling her to make a choice, to stay on the island or leave. But the choice had to be hers alone. If she chose to venture out, it would protect and guide her through her journey. At first she felt confused. She always wanted to leave, but she knew the consequences too well. This time she didn't share the vision or dream with her Nana, hoping it wouldn't come true.
Months went by with Zarya giving little thought to the vision from the ocean. Nana grew ill, a little worse every day, so she spent every moment possible with her. She began making fewer trips to the ocean. Sensing her final days approach, Zarya asked Nana every question she could think of. One day, she finally had the courage to ask her, “Were you happy when you came back home?”
Nana replied “ Yes, when I did see how big your moder and uncle did grow, all de pain I felt when I left come rushing back. And your moder never trust me again. Is that made me realize I had to stay. But I was never as happy as I was when in the world”.
On her 18th birthday, Nana gave her all the books, journals and stories she ever wrote about her travels, but there was one book individually wrapped. It was about her time in Ghana. As Zarya unwrapped and leafed through it, she saw that it was incomplete. She did not stop reading until she completed it. It reminded her of the ultimatum the ocean gave her. But she didn't believe she was ready as she had no real reason to leave the island and no plan. There were so many questions, but no one to ask. Three days later Nana passed away and was buried on the family’s land, near the palm trees. It was a dark and cold morning that day, and Zarya took it the hardest, spending most of the day crying by the ocean. The ocean provided her comfort the way it used to when she was a child. After giving her some time to grieve, the ocean once more revealed the vision of an unknown place . Not thinking it was a good time to leave, but wanting to more than ever, cried at the altar to the ancestors for advice the next morning, she placed a cup of lemon grass tea.
Her mother awoke, hearing the latch on the door open. At first alarmed, waves of recognition washed over her. She thought to herself, “Well, she always felt more like her daughter than mine.” Laying on her side, she closed eyes tightly to keep the salt tears from spilling.