Protectors of the Light

As she sat on the rock looking out to the water’s edge, she was not sure if she was able to complete her task. She, like many before her, was sent on this quest, a quest to decide if she carried the magic which would make her worthy of the light. She was born on the island of Niue, a tiny island, miles off the coast of New Zealand. Her clan was a subset of the Māori, the

indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. She was iwi, one of the oldest hapu groups from the islands. Many moons ago her people were given the responsibility for the light, and they

were sent to the island of Niue. Here they could live without interruption from outsiders, they could develop their skills and be there to protect the Māori people of New Zealand. On the tenth rotation of the planet each iwi child was sent on a quest for Tangaroa, the God of the Sea. In this quest they must prove their worth to maintain the everlasting light of protection.

Anahera was on her quest, but she was scared. Before the sun rose, the wise men of the village

blindfolded her so that she was in total darkness. They took her to the Huvalu Forest, handed her a small bag with provision for three days and wished

her well. Her whole life she had trained for this quest, as her sisters had done before her. She knew what was expected, and she was prepared. Her sisters were not worthy and did not become the protector of the light, they had both failed their quest. If her sisters couldn’t do this, what made her think she could become a protector. She stood up, removed her blindfold and proceeded to her destination, the Limu Pools. Once in the Pools she waited for Tangaroa to show her the path. If no vision came by nightfall, she was to shoot a flare towards her village, this told them that her mission failed, and her journey had ended.

Anahera waded into the blue crystalline waters of the Limu Pools and returned the blindfold covering her eyes. This part of the quest must be in total darkness. She floated on her back and looked towards the sky imagining the endless lights from the stars above, she drifted off into a calm sleep, and slowly sunk into the clear blue waters. As the water washed over her face, she opened her eyes and saw Tangaroa. He told her what she needed. She removed her blindfold, rose out of the waters and walked onto the shore. She opened her backpack and searched for the provision which had been given to her at the start of her quest. The small one-person tent was not difficult to construct and the fire she

started was simple, she had done both many times in preparation for this journey. She ate her evening meal and settled in for a good night’s sleep, for in the morning she would begin phase II of her quest.

Just before the sunlight broke though the evening skies Anahera broke down her campsite, cleaned up the area and started into the Huvalu Forest. The night before, Tangaroa had told her that there were two Caves at the Vaikona Chasm, one which the tourist goes to throughout the

year and one that has been labeled as unsafe for everyone, the unsafe cave was her destination.

As she moved closer to the Chasm, she saw many signs reminding all who dared come this far, that the road ahead was very dangerous and only those equipped with the right skills and tools should continue. Anahera had her rope and climbing gear, even at ten she was proficient at the

skill of rock climbing, she had been climbing since she learned to walk. This was one of the skills a protector of the light had to have.

She proceeded though the shady forest and the dead coral pinnacles until she was at the caves. Ignoring all the forbidden, dangerous, do not enter signs, Anahera proceeded into the cave. Once

inside the dark interior of the cave, Anahera woke up her glow sticks with a shake of her hand and turned on her head lamp. She stepped over fallen rocks and around large boulders which blocked her path A few hundred feet into the cave she found a large wall with drawings that

depicted a ritual which must be accomplished to proceed. She knew this ritual, had learned the words and the motions. She stood next to the wall returned her blindfold and recited the Haka and the dance. When

she was training to become a protector, she was taught the Haka and the movement of the dance

many times. Anahera perfected the aggressive facial expressions, which were meant to scare

away any who dare stop her, she was proficient with the cry itself, which was used to lift her

own morale and call on God for help to win. When she had finished, she waited. Not sure what

was next, not sure if she accomplished everything that was expected of her, not sure if she

succeeded in her quest. Anahera waited. She sat in the cold damp cave and prayed that she was

worthy, prayed that her parents had raised her to be a protector as they had hoped one of their

daughters would be. Anahera waited. After a long time period had passed, the amount of time

she did not know. A noise was heard to the right of the cave. Anahera stood and turned towards

the cave entrance.

“Welcome daughter of the iwi, protector of the light” was all that was said, but it was said in

unison from the small group of people who stood before her. In unison, they lowered their eyes

and slowly bowed to Anahera. Anahera lowered her eyes and returned the bowing gesture

towards the group who stood before her. “Thank you, great protectors, for allowing me the joy

of this journey” Anahera said. She gathered her satchel and followed the group through the dark

cave. No words were spoken, which made the silence deafening. The dark soon gave way to a

bright light which came from the small opening. The opening gave way to a new larger cave, the

bright light was in the center of the cave.

An old man, who moved slow but steady, approached Anahera and bowed. “Welcome daughter.

Many moons ago, Tangaroa, the God of the Sea in all his wisdom, gave the iwi the everlasting

light of protection for the Māori people. We are tasked to keep this flame burning. If the flame

ever goes out, so does the life of the Māori. We are pleased to welcome you into our family,

welcome protector of the light.