Saliente and Etalas were together from the beginning, when the sky was first created.  Like any old friends, rivalries developed.  Etalas was jealous that mortals work during his day, but relax and make love during Saliente’s night. Saliente resented Etalas for never visiting her.  When she visited him, she suspected him of shining all the brighter, intentionally making her look pale and weak.

One year at winter solstice, Etalas teased Saliente.  “Here it is, the longest night and shortest day, and do they celebrate you?  No, they hold grand festivals to beg me to come back.  The mortals love me more.”

Saliente grumbled, silently hatching her plan.  She crept closer to Etalas, day by day, going unnoticed, so small and gray she seemed.  Finally, she was close enough to attack.  She covered Etalas, blocking his rays, swallowing his light.  The world went black.  When she continued across the sky, heading back to her night, she left Etalas hanging there, dark and cold and impotent.

He called to her, pleading.

She laughed.  “We shall see how the mortals love you now.”

Continue reading here: No Light Burden