I woke in a green field,


    breathing in clear air carrying the scent of grass. I did not question


    where I was or how I got here. Kidnapped? In danger? Maybe. But this


    felt nice.


    "Interesting.


    You are nothing like the last one. He was quite jittery." A voice


    interrupted my thoughts. I sat up, glancing in its direction. A lone


    tree stood there.


    The tree chuckled-not the rustling of leaves, but a distinctively human sound. "So that is how I appear to you."


    "Where am I?" I asked the tree.


    "This place is not yours to know, for your stay will be fleeting." A pang of regret bloomed in my chest at its words.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    "Can''t I stay? I don''t want to go back."


    "Fret


    not, child. You will not return either. Raised in the slums, with no


    clean air to breathe, your kindness met only with distrust and


    hatred-that was your life. I recognize your trials. From now onward, you


    will walk the path of a healer."


    "A healer?" I frowned. "Like the priests?"


    The


    thought disgusted me. Priests were men who did good deeds to look good,


    leaving as soon as that was accomplished. I wanted no part of their


    hypocrisy.


    "Similar


    but different," the tree replied, its tone unbothered. "Do not worry; I


    am certain you will find it to your liking. Before you leave, remember


    this: there are seven others. And once you wake again, close your eyes


    for twenty seconds."


    I didn''t understand its words, but I nodded. The tree felt trustworthy-unfathomable and intimidating, but trustworthy.


    Soon, the world grew dark once again.