june 23rd, 2021: Dear readers, this story is now available on Amazon as ebook and softcover:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097LSS2RH

"At the beginning of time, Shariha, the mother of heavens, was flying over the world covered by water. Ruler of all oceans was Mukar, father of the seas. He loved Shariha, but she did not notice him and continued to watch over her realm of stars. One day, Shariha lost a pearl from her necklace. Mukar collected the pearl, and when the mother of heavens asked him to give it back, he replied, 'I will return it to you if you love me.'

Hearing this, Shariha got angry and returned to the stars.

Mukar kept the pearl safe in the water, and after some time, life began to grow on it. Palms grew out of the sand, and mogi beasts grazed on the plains. And soon after, the first people came to the island and settled there. They called it Badal'Shari, the treasure of Shariha.

As Shariha realized what had become of her lost jewellery, she went to Mukar and said, 'You took good care of my pearl. But now that life is growing on it, I do not want it back at all. Badal'Shari shall continue to prosper.'

When he heard this, Mukar got angry, and the sweet water around the island became cold and salty. Storms raged, and big, dangerous beasts crawled onto the beaches.

But Shariha let the soft light of her stars fall upon Badal'Shari, and glowing sparks rained down. The people raised their hopes once again, knowing that Shariha had not left them. They prayed to her and did not fear Mukar's wrath.

Finally, the father of the seas admitted defeat. He said to Shariha, 'I will continue to keep your pearl safe, and I will stop torturing its people. I will give them sweet spring water to drink and plenty of fish to eat. You might still not love me, but I will submit to your decision.'

And Shariha smiled softly and said, 'You have finally proven yourself worthy, Mukar. May the people of Badal'Shari be our beloved children from now on.' And the people of the island henceforth called themselves 'mehan'shari', the children of Shariha.

And so it came to pass that the mother of the skies and the father of the seas celebrated their wedding, and since that day, starlight reflects on water to show their union.

After a year, Shariha gave birth to precious twin sons who were called Adir and Adan. Adir inherited all the power and the effervescent character of his father, but not his loving side. Adan inherited all of the gentleness and beauty of his mother, but not her strength. Only upon acting together, they were complete.

When the brothers discovered the pearl island, they decided to pass it by every day, riding on glowing orbs of light and flame.

'I will send the inhabitants heat and drought, fire and death,' Adir decided. 'So they will show true strength and courage upon looking at my merciless face in the sky.'

'And I will send them warmth and fertility, light and life,' Adan answered. 'So they will show true kindness and love upon looking at my gentle face in the sky.'

Shariha blessed her son's decisions and allowed them to watch over Badal'Shari in their own ways. And whenever the end is coming for one of the mehan'shari people, the mother of the heavens takes their soul and makes it a star to adorn her black dress from now on.

This is the story how the mother of the heavens, the father of the seas, and the brothers of the suns came to be the creators and guardians of the island of Badal'Shari. And it shall be like this until the end of time..."

tbc