ã€ŠDryadã€‹


 Origin

    Once upon a time, there was a cave. A cave up in the mountains, surrounded with water and earth. The mountain was old, as old as the world when it first emerged from the primordial waters and fire, which had too came from something else. Somewhere out in the infinite chasm known as the cosmos ¡ª but that was irrelevant.

    The cave was younger.

    Just a bit less than the mountain..

    The cave sat on the side of the mountain, under a rocky cliff.

    And in the cave, there was nothing. No life, no strange divinity, no eldritch powers lurking about. It was but a simple cave, formed by water and the years, just like the other millions upon the earth.

    However, outside the cave, life blossomed and the world changed like sand dunes in the wind. Under the cave and above it grew the first trees and grass, and not too soon after them, little creatures came about from the soil and dirt.

    And in the blink of an eye, the people came about.

    Of course, they were nothing like the humans, elves, dwarves and countless other races you would know about. Their arms were long, their legs bowled and their back hunched over.

    These were the first humans ¡ª strange creatures that barely knew how to survive. A strange power shed them of their furs, of their sharp teeth and claws that all beasts have. And under this strange power, they learned how to use the nature around them, binding rocks and and sticks into tools.

    These beings, the Ancient Ones became strong creatures, and very much unlike their descendants. They contained an unbound vigour and will power within them, much like the chaotic and unformed nature of the world that was then. They were a strange people where no one was alike in anyway. They had no genders, no confined forms, their nature as undefined as shifting sands.

    And one such colony happened upon the cave in the mountain.

    The world was much harsher back then. Nothing upon the earth would last in the storms and water that was common. Even the Ancient Ones must flee the wrath of the unfinished world.

    In search of refuge, the Ancient Ones came into the cave, barefeet and proud, lead by their leader whom was named, ¡°Kung¡¯ar¡¯a¡±.

    ¡°The cave would make a grand home!¡± proclaimed Kung¡¯ar¡¯a, and so it was. With their crafty hands and mind, they made the cave to their liking with their sparks, wild and untamed like themselves. However, the cave was lifeless, lacking the sparks that make the Ancient Ones came to be.

    Putting their heads together, they decided that the cave shall come alive too, in return for giving shelter to the Ancient Ones.

    From outside the cave, the Ancient Ones gathered all forms of life, seeds from trees and critters from the ground. They gathers the water and earth, enriched with the Sun and Moon¡¯s first rays through the heavens.

    With these, the Ancient Ones planted a tree in the deepest recess of the cave.

    A gift, if you will.

    The tree grew quickly, much quicker than any other other tree should be. Most trees would feed upon the earth, water and sun to live ¡ª but this tree grew in a strange fashion. The hardy bark would glow in the darkness like the radiant Sun itself, the leaves would shimmer like the gentle moonlight. Under the grand tree, blades of grass grew, the critters flourished on its sap and fruit. From under it¡¯s roots, water gushed out like a mighty river, bringing forth the endless torrent of life.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    It was a tree unlike any other.

    A tree that encompassed the small world that was the cave, sheltering all that was within.

    With pride and joy, the leader of the Ancient Ones who planted the seed named the tree and the cave, ¡°Sanctuary¡±..

    And in harmony, the Ancient Ones lived in the cave for many many years. Years beyond a thousand, beyond what numbers then could be counted.

    But all things will eventually pass away.

    Kung¡¯ar¡¯ra was getting old.

    He was the first of the Ancient Ones, and his age beyond measure.

    With his own life, he measured the age of the world, deciding that the refuge can finally come to an end. The chaotic power that sustained the Ancient Ones calmed and waned as the world settled in, the founding pillars and laws that dictate the natural world solidified.

    As his last wish, he spoke to his people, ¡°Go forth, my kinsmen and children! The world is now still and life can grow safely. It is time for us to regrow the world, instead of living within are home for all eternity.¡±

    His kinsmen agreed to his words and wisdom, but were reluctant to leave the Sanctuary. It was all that they knew of.

    Sensing this, Kung¡¯ar¡¯a fashioned the first tools from the branches of the tree and rocks of the cave, bound with the tendons of the creatures around.

    With these tools, they went on and prospered around the world, and so that the tree would be with them wherever they go. Joined by their companions of birds and beasts of burden, the Ancient Ones set out to explore the world.

    Kung¡¯ar¡¯a, however, didn¡¯t join them on their expedition. He was an old man, having spent the last of his energy to create the tools and weapons of his kins. With tears on their faces, Kung¡¯ar¡¯a¡¯s own son led the people out of the world to seek their future, wherever it may be.

    Some lived upon the great grasslands, riding horses and brandishing their spears.

    Some went into the earth, living under the stones and with it, crafting a world that was as resolute as the mountains themselves.

    Some lived among the trees, living in harmony with nature itself as a part of it, their own selves both wild and elegant in beauty.

    Some went and returned to the primordial seas, where everything once came from. Their nimble hands grew claws again, their hairless bodies grew scales instead, like their ancient cousins that never left the seas.

    However, as time passed, the descendants slowly lost their spark, the power of the unformed world, becoming the people that walked the earth today.

    And soon, Kung¡¯ar¡¯a was all that was left in the cave, leaning against the tree.

    He knew that he was dying.

    There he laid, in the soft grass and roots of the tree, he exhaled his last breath and became still.

    The inhabitants of the cave lowered their heads and whimpered at his passing. The critters laid down and whined, the birds turned silent and the insects stilled. The earth rumbled, dust and ash peeling off the ceiling as it shook.

    The first being of the world died, and the world mourned his passing.

    And for a long time, grief was all that there was in the cavern.

    But that was not the end of the story. That was only a new beginning.

    The body of Kung¡¯ar¡¯a erupted in golden flames, his essence unraveling and pouring into the roots of the tree. The light was so bright that it would seem that the world had caught on fire as it did eons ago, dousing everything in a golden glow, the beasts of the tree shutting their eyes in fright.

    As suddenly as the flame came, it also extinguished into gentle silver wisps, trailing off into the air.

    The cave stilled once more. Tentatively, the beasts opened their eyes once more.

    In place of the body that was belonged to Kung¡¯ar¡¯a, there was a small huddled form. A small body that glowed softly, one that the beasts recognised as ones that the Ancient Ones have. It was a beautiful sight, a beauty that sang of the stars, the earth and all that was good in the world and all that should be treasured.

    In wonder and admiration, the critters and birds slowly approached.

    The child, as it was, gave a small mewling cry. The sound echoed through the cave, drawing all ears to it for the child was the life bearer.

    And from that point on, the beasts, critters and birds of the Sanctuary decided that the child shall be raised as their own, and shall live a life that befits her.

    And just like that, life continued on.

 Life

    Days and night were a foreign concept to her. The Tree had always glowed since she could remember her earliest memories, casting its light all over the humongous cavern. The Tree itself towered over everything in Sanctuary, over its smaller brethren and creatures that lived.

    Around the glade, surrounded by the gushing river that flowed from the roots of the Tree were giant marble structures that seemed to hold beings much larger than herself. The Wolf told her that before she was born, her forefathers and siblings lived here.

    Even though she trusted the Wolf with all her heart, she couldn¡¯t help but be skeptical, since these buildings were so much larger than her. Even with her full height she couldn¡¯t even look through the lowest window when she jumped and the benches themselves were taller than her.

    The Serpent said maybe the reason so was that she was young, and hadn¡¯t grown to be an adult yet. She too was skeptical about that. She certainly doesn¡¯t feel like a child and the the Serpent had only ever grown larger since she was born. Its knowledge about growing seemed rather lacking.

    She was hopping across the river, stepping on the little stones in the water as they rush around her bare feet. The grass was soft to the touch, an unbound path that leads everywhere. On this side of the river, where the trees were shorter and grass extends as far as the eye could see was the territory that the Wolf claimed from himself.

    Slowly, she crouched onto her fours, sleazily moving forward in the tall grass. She inhaled the air, where the wind blew toward her. She knew that this was the path where the wind would circulate around, hiding her scent away from the Wolf. She wanted to surprise him.

    Unhurried, she leisurely crawled toward the den of wolves ¡ª a smaller cave on under small hill, surrounded with trees and grass to hide it. If she hadn¡¯t knew that it existed, she doubt she would be able to find the place.

    The Tree shone across the cavern, casting a soft golden glow over the green grass, the wind rippling the fields like waves upon the crystal lake to the south. It was warm, the air pleasant on her skin.

    There were small insects under the grass, ants the size of fists moving about, around and over her, not paying her any mind. Some flowers bloomed on the green stalks, where brightly coloured butterflies fluttered merrily. These, however, are not enlightened creatures.

    They are only mere imitations of the Origin Creatures that came from the time before. These beasts and insects only served as prey and fodder to the Origin Creatures, drawn in and created by the Tree.

    Time was a strange concept to her. Without the sun and moon, there was no measurement to the passage of existence. The ceiling above had ever only shown red, yellow and blue from the colours of the Tree, casting its luminescence across the vast rocky cave.

    The Wolf once told her that before he arrived with the forefathers, the world was a chaotic place. There was a day and night, but they followed to patterns. One moment could be day, one moment could be night, shifting back and forth on a whim and the sun and moon travels in strange undeterminable paths.

    The world was strange and dangerous then, as told by the Wolf. Death was common, lives were short and filled with agony. The ground would spill glowing ichor of the earth and the sky would tear itself asunder and crumble. It was only by the grace of her forefathers that Wolf, the Serpent, the Birds and countless others managed to survive.

    Having heard that, she felt rather apprehensive about the world outside of the Sanctuary. However, since her forefathers had set out to repopulate the world with the Wolf¡¯s kins and descendants, the world must be a much safer place, right?

    Unknowingly, clouded in her own thoughts, she had reached the Wolf¡¯s lair. She could smell the scent of wolves, hear the yipping sounds of pups.

    Returning to her senses, she peered through the leaves of the bushes, spying in. Little grey and brown fluffy forms could be seen prancing about, rough-playing with each other. A bigger grey pinned its brother to the ground, exposing the belly. The smaller brown whined in surrender, at which he was immediately let go, bouncing back up. The other browns jumped yipped excitedly, chasing after their brothers and sisters.

    They hadn¡¯t noticed her yet, it seemed.

    That was good. She wished to surprise them.

    She wiggled her bottom in anticipation, readying into a stance that the Panther taught her. She tensed, readying to pounce onto her unsuspecting prey.

    The grey one had his back to her, growling without actual intention. Now was the perfect opportunity.

    Her hind legs abruptly extended, launching her forward with much force at the wolf. With a small war cry, she propelled herself onto the grey¡¯s back, wrapping her arms around its neck.

    Surprised by the sudden assault, the wolf was unprepared to be tackled from the back and was knocked to the ground when it lost its balance. Yelping confusedly, it felt something¡¯s teeth, the hard and pointy bits fastening around its throat.

    In just a flash, this prideful alpha of its brothers was subdued.

    It could only whine in surrender, stilling its movements

    Gradually, it felt the teeth around his throat leaving, letting it sit up with a huff.

    She felt rather proud of herself, straddling over her defeated opponent.

    ¡°Unfair!¡± it complained, ¡°Surprise attacks do not count!¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°I got you anyway, didn¡¯t I?¡± she replied after spitting out the fur in her mouth, ¡°And you are dead.¡±

    ¡°Still¡ª¡±

    ¡°I brought some apples,¡± she said, unwrapping a small leaf-satchel from around her shoulders. In it were several golden apples, plucked from the lower branches of the Tree. Since the wolves couldn¡¯t climb trees, she often bring apples as a gift.

    Dismissively, she stuffed the apple in the grey pup¡¯s open mouth.

    The other browns and greys congratulated her excitedly, happy that their friend had came to visit and bearing gifts. They licked over her face, launching questions at her as she tossed the apples to each wolf one by one.

    ¡°¡ªwe thought you were at the Serpents ¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªhow¡¯s the Cats?¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªCan you bring us there¡ª¡±

    Struggling to answer so many, she abruptly felt another presence near her. It was the sound of something large and heavy, slowly treading through the underbrush. She could smell the heavy scent of the wolves, but it was a magnitude above any these pups carry.

    Before she could dodge, she felt herself flying through the air, having been smacked by something large and heavy. Somehow, she managed to regain her senses and twisted her body to face the ground.

    With a grace that was still far too lacking when compared to the Panther, she still attempted to fall on her fours.

    The maneuver succeed, partially. She landed in a pile of soft leaves, scattering them in a small explosion of green and yellow.

    With a small burst of speed and exhilaration, she instinctively moved to one side before her momentum even died.

    She felt something brushed pass where she just was, but in the flying leaves she might just as well be blind.

    Then, it was all over.

    She felt a wind buffeting her back, followed by a paw the size of a tree impacting her back before she could even register the blur moving past. Unceremoniously, she was pinned against the floor with an omph!, unmovable with the titanic weight above her, "And you, are dead."

    ¡°Not bad,¡± her assailant praised, ¡°I see that the Panther had taught you well.¡±

    Meekly she let a small whimper.

    The paw on her back lifted, allowing her to move again.

    Slowly, she lifted herself from the grass ground, shaking the twigs out of her hair. The Wolf strode around her to its brood, its tail wagging from side to side. Its height was tall enough to be called a small hill, and yet it could still sneak up on to her, unseen and unheard until it was far too late.

    How the Wolf managed to achieve that was far beyond her comprehension.

    In its mouth was a ram easily three times at large as she is, hanging limply between the bloodied teeth.

    The pups crowded around Wolf in respect and adoration as it dropped the hard-earned prey onto the ground. It admonished his eldest son, the grey one, ¡°You must pay more attention to your surrounding. She managed to take you down so easily because you were careless, and could hold off against me for a few seconds because she was vigilant. Remember this well.¡±

    She strode forth, pulling of the last leaf that got snagged in her hair as the wolves tore the carcass apart with gusto and thanks.

    Wolf nodded its massive head in a more tempered greeting, ¡°What brings you here, young one?¡±

    She hesitated.

    ¡°Speak your mind, young one,¡± Wolf commanded, ¡°You are among your family.¡±

    It was a request that she had thought about for a long time, unsure of when to ask. There was no Sun nor Moon to compare, but she knew that this idea had been with her for a long time. It was a question that came to her before the grey pup was born.

    Biting her lips, she steeled herself and answered, ¡°I ¡ª I wish to see the world outside.¡±

    Instead of breaking into a furious rant as she had expected, the Wolf paused ponderously.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ the wolf hummed, that was a question that I had been expecting for a long while, I had begun to wonder why you had yet to request so.¡±

    ¡°You knew?¡± She cried, surprised.

    She had wanted to explore the outer world since she had laid eyes on the inconspicuous tunnel that lead outside. For countless times, she had considered sneaking out, to brave the waters but the local Guardian Beast, a great Spider that spun its web to be its own realm and fortress had always caught her. The Spider said, The world is dangerous. Turn back, young one. This is where you will be safe.

    She had no choice but to agree. A world that even the great Guardian Beasts must flee from must be one that she cannot survive in.

    Still, she had caught herself staring at the tunnel leading out every once in awhile, but never dared to set foot outside, especially since the Spider was always vigilant.

    ¡°Of course I knew. The Spider had told me so. Your forefathers and siblings had went to restore the world, and it would only be natural for you to seek them out. I myself hadn¡¯t seen the outside world for the longest time, and would wish to see the sky once again.¡± the Wolf answered, sitting its humongous furry rump on the greenery, destroying a bush.

    ¡°¡­ Why hadn¡¯t you left to seek them out too?¡± She asked, curious.

    ¡°I was tasked to look after the Sanctuary with my fellow Guardians, the Wolf answered sadly, I would give much to see the open sky too, but the task given is my purpose. The mercy your forefather had given were beyond the selfish wishes of myself, and I would honour it.¡±

    ¡°So¡­¡± she questioned hopefully, ¡°May I¡­?

    The Wolf did not answer for a while.

    ¡°I must convene with my fellow Guardians,¡± the Wolf finally said after a while, ¡°Come with me, climb onto my back. We shall decide at Tree.¡±

    This went much better than she had expected. With a cry of joy, she clambered onto the back of the Wolf, twisting her fingers around the silky yet strong hair of the beast, laying in the small of its back.

    Making sure that its passenger was secured, the Wolf gave a thunder howl into the sky, ¡°OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWHOO¡±

    And with that, the world changed into a blur of colours, leaving behind a pack of disgruntled wolves at the den as the leaves went flying again.

 The water flows

    The Tree was huge, titanic, all-encompassing ¡ª at least, it seemed so to her. To the Serpent it probably would be of an adequate size, since it can coil around its trunk and branches while it climbed. From every corner of the Sanctuary, she could see the tree looming over everything. The leaves shining gold and silver above the mist and clouds. Within them, the Serpent coils and uncoils leisurely, gliding through the many paths even in its slumber, like a scaly vine that bonded with the Tree itself.

    Under the Tree¡¯s roots was a lake, a wide expanse of water that collects the life-giving sap of the Tree before gushing out into as the mighty rivers. On the back of the Wolf, she clung on tightly as it raced toward the entrance.

    The vast grasslands and tumultuous waters were no challenge for it. With powerful leaps and bounds, it crossed the terrain with no difficult. The air and wind flowing past it was so strong she couldn¡¯t help but to duck into the fur to breath.

    Even though she couldn¡¯t really see anything, the sensation of the ground giving away and the powerful muscles under her was exhilarating. The rhythmic thump of the heartbeat beneath her, the sound of grass, stone and dirt parting before the absolute speed of Wolf ¡ª it was pure and free.

    However, it didn¡¯t take long (or at least it seems so. Time was difficult to tell) for the two to arrive at the roots. Above them the branches and leaves casts a light so bright it was as if the ground itself had became living flames, dancing in the gale brought along by the Wolf. Fields of gold and bright crimson, billowing like waves upon water.

    It was hot, the heat shimmering in the air.

    Slowing down, the Wolf padded softly as steam gushed out of its mouth. With a grumbling voice, it uttered, ¡°We¡¯ve arrived, young one.¡±

    Tentatively, she lifted her head up from the silkiness. Her hair was in disarray, having been exposed to the wind, sticking up in all sorts of strange shapes. With little effort, she climbed down the forearm of the Wolf.

    The grass was soft under her feet, bending. Warm, like that of a sun-shone meadow.

    Before her was the entrance to the Underground Lake. It was a pathway made of roots, intertwining into a corridor that lead even deeper underground. Little glowing bulbs lit up the path in a dazzling display of blue and yellow, hanging from the walls and growing from the tall stalks along the ground.

    The transition from the brightness of the leaves to the dark underlayer of the roots was jarring, leaving her momentarily blind despite the glowing bulbs, needing to lean against Wolf for support.

    The Wolf stayed silent as they progressed along the path, heading deeper into the heart of the Tree. On the ceiling were countless bats and other critters, chirping and buzzing with activity, scrabbling as the Wolf entered.

    Gradually, the wood gave way to dirt and stone, which gradually turned into fine black sand, peppered with dark pebbles that glinted blue. Above them, the ceiling gradually rose higher and higher, before disappearing into the gloom. Silvery water gushed from above, seeping around the dangling tendrils and forming a waterfall that fills the silvern lake.

    The beach extends far and wide, a circle of black surrounding the glowing lake like a basin. The four sides of the beach formed into massive channels of wood and stone, letting the lake water out as the source for the rivers beyond the tree.

    She did not visit the Underground Lake very often, though it was a good place for rest as the ever-present light of the Tree was not present, the darkness and quietness allowing one¡¯s mind to think easier while the lake water cleanse the body.

    However, as of the moment that she arrived, the surrounding was anything but empty. Massive Guardian Beasts circled around the lake agitatedly, conversing among themselves in voices that echoed through the cavernous underground. Even the one that fly or those that dislike water was present.

    She recognised them one by one: that¡¯s the Owl, the Scorpion. Over there was Bear and Spider. Oh, even the Tortoise came. Wait, hold on...

    She was stunned, having never seen such a sight before in her life. The Guardians, although being relatively interspecies social, generally lived on their own, seldomly gathering for trivial matters.

    And now, it seemed that every Guardian Beast that she had ever seen before was here. Beasts of all shapes and sizes, from birds to hulking monstrosities, from fish to insects, all could be seen at the grand cistern. Each brought along an aura, a presence that dominates all that they surround. With all of them here, the air seemed to shimmer and quake, even her bones seem to involuntarily shake in the waves of power.

    She was brought out of her awed revery when the Spider spotted the duo entering. ¡°Ah, Wolf. You¡¯ve arrived. What brings you so to summon us in such a haste, friend?¡± The Spider hissed, it¡¯s quiet voice somehow having carried across the sound of water and other Guardian Beasts.

    With that too, the Guardian Beasts settled down in their own respective spot on the beach, while the water-dwelling ones emerged from the luminent lake.

    ¡°I am glad to see that you are all well, friends. I apologize for having gathered you here in a hurry, but I believe that I have a request that must be shared among you before the answer to be given,¡± said the Wolf, nodding to each member solemnly, ¡°but be at peace, it something that is threatening.¡±

    ¡°Then why would you summon us so, Wolf?¡± the Tortoise said, harrumphing as great blasts of steam erupted from its nostril, ¡°If it''s not urgent, then it does not require all of us.¡± Some of the other Guardian Beasts gave their agreement.

    ¡°Indeed¡­¡± the Crow uttered.

    ¡°There is no need for so many of us if it were not urgent¡­¡±

    ¡°Please, do listen. The topic had yet to be announced,¡± said the Wolf loudly.

    ¡°Of course. Do speak, friend. Tell us what drove you to need us so.¡±

    Taking in a deep breath, the Wolf spoke, ¡°A long, long time ago, after the Ancient Ones left with our kins and descendants to the Outer World, do you remember what happened?¡±

    ¡°Our master, Kung¡¯ar¡¯a had reached the end of his life, against this very tree. Of course we remember, Wolf. We all were there,¡± The Serpent spoke from the alcove where it shoved its giant head in, the beach having been a bit too small to house all of the Guardian Beasts if it were to join in directly with its full length. Therefore, only its head was present, burrowing in from the ceiling.

    In truth, the Serpent was the root of the Tree

    ¡°Then, you must remember the pledge that we gave, too look after the Child,¡± said the Wolf, prodding her with its nose in front of it, so that the other Guardian Beasts may see her.

    ¡°Of course we remember. We treat her as our own, and raised her to the best of our abilities,¡± the Panther spoke, before remarking, ¡°Though it seemed that she had yet to be able to compete against you, Wolf.¡±

    ¡°Bah! Get to the point, Wolf. There is no need to remind us of then. We will never forget,¡± the Bear complained, ¡°Is there something that the Child requires? Let her speak for herself.¡±

    At that, the Guardian Beasts turned their eyes ( or whatever sensory organ that they use ) unto her. Suddenly nervous, she found herself unable to speak despite being among friends and families.

    ¡°You¡¯ve scared her too much, Bear,¡± the Crow chastened, ¡°Let the Child speak when she is ready.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I - I am fine,¡± she spoke abruptly, her voice squeakier than she had liked. She glanced behind her, at which the Wolf prodded her encouragingly. Taking a deep breath and steeling her nerves, she spoke out loud, ¡°I wish to explore the other world.¡±

    There was a moment of silence.

    Each Guardian Beast had a different, complicated expression. Some incredulous, some surprised, some seemingly expectant. The moment passed quickly and voices filled the air, echoing about as each spoke their mind at once.

    ¡°Certainly not¡ª¡±

    ¡°-I had been expecting this¡ªTaken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡°What drove you so?¡ª¡±

    Barks, hisses and various gurglings conversed heatedly, having dissolved into pandemonium, voices echoing loudly off the cavern walls. Helplessly, she could only glance at the Wolf, who glanced at Spider, who then glanced at the Serpent.

    If snakes can raise eyebrows, the Serpent certainly did so.

    Sighing, the Serpent hissed loudly, dominating everyone within the Underground Lake, ¡°Silence!¡±

    Jarred by the sound, the dozens of Guardian Beasts fell silent, obeying the Serpent¡¯s position as the Eldest among the Guardian Beasts.

    Satisfied, the Serpent spoke, ¡°Peace, friends. There is no need to be so agitated. We must speak and converse calmly.¡±

    Meekly, the Crow said, ¡°However, you must realize that this is foolish? The Ancient Ones had left so long ago, and yet not one of them came back!¡±

    The Guardian Beasts gasped, as the Crow had just brazenly spoke one of their fears. Indeed, since the expedition led by their master¡¯s son had left, nothing had ever shown up by the tunnel. Not one of the Spider¡¯s eyes had spied anything beyond her extensive webs. It was as if the Ancient Ones had simply disappeared beyond.

    ¡°Then they must have found something that they stayed behind for,¡± The Frog uttered with certainty, ¡°The Ancient Ones can survive the times back then, and can certainly face whatever¡¯s outside!¡±

    However, it was evidently that everyone was worried. It was simply strange that the Ancient Ones had disappeared, or had never returned. Despite their doubts, the Guardian Beasts had pledged to defend and manage the Sanctuary in their absence, and would stay behind no matter what. This meant that so far, none of them, including their descendants were allowed to leave to find out what happened out there.

    The pledge was sacred. Mere curiosity was not an excuse to neglect their duty.

    ¡°No, Frog. Crow¡¯s worries were well founded. If the world was as dangerous as the times before, it would be foolish for the Child to explore,¡± the Serpent admitted.

    ¡°However, none of us could really know!¡± the Wolf spoke, ¡°We too had never set foot outside the Sanctuary. Perhaps they had only been lost, waiting for us to lead them back?¡±

    ¡°This discussion is pointless,¡± Panther declared, ¡°Only the Child could leave the Sanctuary, as she did not swear to the pledge. She is free to do as she pleases, as it was our duty, both as her guardians and family.¡±

    The other Guardian Beasts muttered their agreement, acknowledging the fundamental fact that none of them were permitted to leave the Sanctuary as they had pledged to the eternal service of the Ancient Ones. That, of course, extends to the child in their midst. She might as well be the last of her kind, for all they knew.

    ¡°You speak truly, Panther,¡± The Serpent conceded, ¡°...We hold no dominion over her. If she truly wish to leave the Sanctuary, then we must give her our full support and advices.¡±

    She could see that not everyone here was too pleased at that, even though they knew it was irrefutable. She also knew that in the Underground Lake, everyone was only worried for her sake. A moment of decision struck her ¡ª does she really wanted to leave?

    ¡°Let her choose her path, then,¡± Wolf said resolutely. It turned its attention back to her, tilting its humongous head at her, ¡°There, speak your wish. Would you embark on your journey to leave? To travel into the unknown without us?¡±

    Why would she wish to leave? The Sanctuary provided all: comfort, food, family, peace ¡ª nothing was lacking. The world was friendly to her, the Tree¡¯s presence calming and soothing. All that one could want could be found here, in this shelter provided by her forefathers.

    But yet, she felt that she should not stay in the Sanctuary forever. A strange emotion bubbled in her chest, as if there was a fire lit inside her. She understood that one day she must leave, to discover what was outside, as a bird must leave its nest and fly.

    There were many questions burning in her mind, where were her forefathers? Why was she born? Why was she left behind? What was the world outside? Should I go outside?

    She could stay here, in the Sanctuary, but for what? She had lived and breathed for an uncountably long time, but yet nothing around her really changed or progressed. There must be a reason for her to be, something that she could do and achieve.

    All these puzzles and their answers, she realized could never be found here. She knew nothing of the world outside, she knew nothing of the fate that came across her forefathers.

    I wonder, was this how they felt? She thought to herself, thinking about the expedition that the Guardian Beasts spoke of. Maybe her ancestors too, felt the drive to go out there, to explore the world outside.

    She calmed herself with deep breathes, forcibly unclenching her fist. She decided that she must speak her mind now, or her chance to work up her confidence will be gone.

    But¡­ That meant I will have to leave everyone I know behind.

    But is it going to be worth it? This place is her home, that much she doesn¡¯t doubt. She had spent her entire life in here, being friends with all the creatures within, the thought that she might not see them again made her knees go weak. Especially now, since all of them were practically staring at her, waiting for her to respond.

    I suppose, I could just go out, take a look, and go back?

    That¡¯s enough hesitation! She told herself.

    It is now or never.

    Working herself up, she spoke in a slow but clear voice, ¡°Y-yes. I have made my decision. I - I will travel to the outer world.¡±

    At that, the Serpent gave a solemn nod, ¡°And so, it is decided. You may leave as you wish, young one.¡±

    The Guardians Beasts gave their assent, some happy and some dejected by the decision, but no one objected.

    ¡°However, I urge you to bring preparations. The outside world was harsh and untamed as we knew,¡± the Serpent continued, its echoing voice rumbling, ¡°As the Ancient Ones once did in their time, you must bring a part of the Tree with you, a tool fashioned from it¡¯s branches, fruits from its peak and the water from the lake. Be cautious, for we cannot protect you there. If there were to be danger, return at once to our fold.¡±

    ¡°True¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes, preparations. Tools, she must bring¡­¡±

    She could only nod mutely, eyes wide. She never expected that they would actually agree to let her go outside, she thought there might be more objections, as they¡¯ve been very productive.

    ¡°And so it is decided,¡± the Guardian Beasts echoed.

    ¡°Then I declare this meeting concluded,¡± the Serpent said with an air of finality, nodding its giant head solemnly, slowly retreating back to the ceiling and disappearing into the gloom.

    Without a word, the Guardians Beasts too departed, one by one, exiting through the other entrances and tunnels. Some stayed behind, having wanted to give a word or two to her in private¡ª they traded irate glances with each other before leaving themselves.

    Overwhelmed, she sunk onto her knees, staring out at the deep water. She felt the auras of power drifting away, the underground lake slowly returning to its serenity.

    Oh, what have I done?

    Her chest hitched, her senses tingled. Her mind raced in disbelief, unable to comprehend the enormity of her actions just now.

    I just asked to leave all of this behind.

    Apprehension filled her, leaving her too weak to do much at all.

    She felt her mind wander in an effort to refute what she had just done. She found herself to be irately aware of the sensation of the black sand under her flesh, the peaceful drip of water droplets and the strangely muted waterfalls.

    She inhaled and exhaled heavily, feeling each breath rushing into her lungs. The air was rich with the aroma of greenery, of citrus and rot from the Tree above, but yet seemed to be inexplicably stale and thin.

    Ah, I¡¯m in denial, she observed as she felt her knees gave away, slumping down into the black sand below. She hugged her own arms ¡ª they were shaking despite her attempts to quell her shivering.

    She idly made a note on how it was always at times like this her mind would seem to try its best to wander off, jump off a cliff and die.

    The Panther bounced over, its sleek black fur seemingly felting into the dark sand of the beach, revealing only a pair of luminous eyes. It tutted, ¡°Now, you have some preparations to do, child. This is not the time to sit and panic.¡±

    The Wolf sat stoically next to her, acknowledging the Panther¡¯s approach. It said, ¡°Let the child rest. She can go climb the Tree and gather the fruits at another time.¡±

    ¡°Time?¡± the Panther tutted again, ¡°Time was the reason the child wishes to leave, Wolf. In here, there are no day or night. Unlike us, she had never seen the long dark, or felt the heat or frost of the world¡¯s fury. The child needs to leave to feel what it means to live.¡±

    ¡°... Indeed. I fear that our time spent here had dulled out perspective. The child needs to go and see the world,¡± The Wolf reluctantly agreed, ¡°However, she needs a moment to regain her peace. It is not an easy decision to make.¡±

    ¡°If you say so¡­ Hmm, I suppose that the least I could do would be helping her to gether a good sized branch,¡± the Panther humoured, sitting on its hunches.

    She looked up, staring at the two Guardian Beasts that were blatantly discussing about her. Weakly, she muttered, ¡°Why would I need a stick?¡±

    The Wolf raised a brow, which was an action it had somehow learned from the Ancient Ones, ¡°Because you are smaller and weaker than us, young one. You do not have the claws of Panthers, Serpent¡¯s reach nor my teeths. The Ancient Ones fashioned these things called tools to help them build their stone structures and defend themselves from the wild. You, youngling, must bring one.¡±

    ¡°I-if you say so.¡± She said, uncertain as of how a stick could help her.

    The Wolf announced, ¡°I will gather the water for you. Now, you must go with Panther to climb the branches.¡±

    Numbly, she nodded.

    With a grin and a movement too fast to be seen, the gigantic feline grabbed her by her midriff and bounced away in a black-coloured whirlwind, leaving a swirl of black sand in its wake.

    The Wolf sneezed away the sand as it entered its nose.

    Just like that, for the second time in a very short time period, she was hoisted off. The Wolf was not feeling sorry at all, for at this rate, it knew that she would have sat here contemplating on her life choices for a very, very long time.

 Daunting heights

    She tried her best to remember how she had seemingly teleported halfway up the tree.

    She tried her best to not think about the height.

    She tried her best not to look downward.

    ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± A certain dark-coloured menace said, lazing idly upon the upper branches. High winds rushed past her in all its fury, the air thin and irritatingly aromatic, threatening to send her toppling down.

    It did not help that the branches, leaves and all that surround her was glowing a dazzling gold. Climbing was an activity best left to be done with open eyes, yet now she was attempting to do so half blind.

    She grunted as her right leg slipped a little, her hands gripping onto the gnarly wood in panic. It took a while for her to find her balance again, holding on.

    She complained loudly, her voice barely traveling above the wind, ¡°How is one supposed to find a stick like this?¡±

    ¡°Then perhaps you are not ready to go on your journey!¡± Panther jeered down on her, bouncing up and down on the branches with despicable ease.

    The Tree never shed leaves, never does it lose branches to wind or birds. Therefore, to get a branch small enough to actually use, one must travel up its titanic trunk, pass the branches sizes of mountain ranges and reach the very far end of the trees. On the truck itself, apples and minor leaves grew like hair, covering the gnarly golden wood in a layer off foot holds. With every movement, apples were shook off, plump and life giving ¡ª falling into the far distance below.

    Where they would then splatter into ichor of gold like raindrops from the Sun, as Wolf once said to her. She wouldn¡¯t know, since she had never seen the Sun herself before. She imagined it to be bright and big, hanging far far away ¡ª at least as far as the crown of the tree. She was told of the ¡°night¡±, when the Sun would set, moving beyond the ¡®horizon¡¯ and sinking below the ground, where then the light would fade and shadows take the world.

    She couldn¡¯t even begin to comprehend what those words mean. What is ¡®horizon¡¯? What are ¡®Moon¡¯ and ¡®stars¡¯?

    At this point, she realized her mind had been drifting off again. Dangerous, she reminded herself, losing focus means a long fall.

    She had been climbing for a long while. Much longer than she had remembered herself doing anything thing else. The branches were the ones that gives off the warmth and light that provides life to the whole of the Sanctuary. Being in close proximity would char flesh like an open flame, while touching it would probably melt it straight off or disperse bones into ash. Most birds never fly this high. Only Hawk and Phoenix ever did fly to its peak.

    She was told that she was born ¡ª appeared at the base of the tree, resting in a cradle made of heartwood and baptised in living flames.

    So what? Am I the ¡®daughter¡¯ of a giant plant?

    She decided she shall not pursue this train of thought for sanity¡¯s sake.

    Perhaps it offered an explanation to her being able touch the tree at all with little to no harm aside from sweating.

    And sweat she did ¡ª protection from burning or blistering does nothing against overheating. Her mouth felt dry and her mind even dryer.

    That does not explain how Panther seemed to be having the time of its life resting in the leaves, its coat of darkness not reflecting even the barest scrap of light. Its tail twitched idly as it watched her struggle.

    Her heart hammered in her chest, muscles screaming in protest ¡ª a sensation that she had not felt for ¡ª once again, the lack of relative time left her train of thought stranded midway.

    A part of her mind wondered why had the Guardian Beasts never taught her any words to express satisfaction or irritation, for she held the urge to say it now.

    Focus, she told herself, her brows furrowing, there is not much left, I can do this ¡ª

    Indeed, the distance to the smaller, adequate sized branches were not too far off. Just a while ago, the truck that she was climbing had narrowed significantly, splitting off into different arms. The leaves that were so high up, unreachable at the apex now seemed to tentatively close. The massive golden leaves that was once blended together like clouds of sunlights could now be differentiated, their massive, ethereal forms overlapping together like eggshells.

    She had never climbed so far up before. She had always settled for the apples at the bottom, and now she had climbed for¡­

    The lack of a time reference term stunted her train of thought again.

    If it wasn¡¯t for Panther, she would never willing go this high up into the sky.

    Unbiddingly, she glanced down ¡ª

    Ughh~~

    That was a terrible idea, she decided, trying to hold her vomit in.

    The ground beneath was almost invisible, under a thin layer of clouds, all detail blurred out in the great golden radiance of the Tree. Fields of pale green, gold and blue, extending far and wide until the end of the world, the grey walls rising up into the great inner sky. Tiny forms fluttered beneath her ¡ª Thunderbirds, she duly noted. Huge winged beasts of storms that could carry off fully grown elephants at a whim, now seemed like blots of electric blue dust  in clear water.

    Vertigo filled her brain, her mind spinning like a top and colours blurred into a mess.

    She resolutely decided that she was never going to do that again, hugging the log with all her might. Panther chuckled at her predicament, a long purr vibrating in the rushing air, ¡°Keep climbing, child. The end is not too far off.¡±

    Gritting her teeth, she set out again, one grip at a time.

    As she progressed, she noticed that the smaller apple-width branches are slowly thickening into subs ¡ª no where near long enough to be an actual staff, but it was a clear sign that she was moving.

    Slowly, but resolutely, she climbed.

    The sound of skin over wood droned into her mind. The scraping sound of fingers gripping onto the bark, movement of her limbs regressing into an automatic movement, over and over again.

    Is was as if she was in a trace, a state of unawareness¡­

    Climbing, one hand hold, one foothold¡­

    Climb¡­

    Panther smiled.

    ~(*)~

    Thunder crashed, the world lighting up as if it caught on fire all at once.

    Despite the great golden canopy above, clouds formed on their own, evaporating from the great Tree into humongous monstrosities. Lightning flashed, wind howling, the rain blowing into her face like river ¡ª flowing sideways and full of fury.

    While she was climbing, she hadn¡¯t noticed the wisps of white rising, congregating into masses of grey and black. Before she realized so, she found herself in the middle of a storm, roaring like an unending chorus.

    Now that she thought about it, seeing Thunderbirds were a definite sign of an oncoming storm. She berated herself for being so foolish, not realizing what the flight meant with tinges of regret.

    She bit down on her tongue, holding herself close to the tree. An errant gust earlier had threatened to carry her off, and it would have succeeded if her grip had been any less. The thunder blinded her eyes, the rain and hail stinging her face like wasps, she could only try her best to hold on.

    Even the tree stopped its ever present glow, absorbing instead of releasing. The mighty strunk swayed in the wind, even with its legendary toughness and strength. She wobbled as she clamped tight with her limbs like a leech, blown about from every direction.

    It was at this point that she wished she got a rope ¡ª something that she had seen coiled idly, unused in a cave filled with assorted curiosities that she never saw the point of using. Yes, a rope would do fine. I could have used it to secure myself, or make grapples... Anything would help.

    She regretted her unpreparedness, yelling make-shift curses at Panther in her heart.

    The Guardian Beasts had taught her much ¡ª how to find food in the sandy wastelands, how to create shelter from snow, how to hunt ¡ª but never had they thought of including ¡®how to survive a storm on a tree¡¯ in their curriculum.

    The rain was cold ¡ª far colder than the snowy home of the Hare. The water seeped into her, leeching the heat from her skin. It was a biting, a snarling beast without mercy, ripping her apart at the seams. It felt like cold needles, digging itself into her with every impact.

    She couldn¡¯t open her eyes, not too sure if her tears had mixed into the rain.

    She couldn¡¯t breath, choking on the water every time her chest moved.

    Panther was nowhere to be found, gone the moment the first droplet fell.

    Or rose.

    Forget climbing, just clinging on was draining all of her energy.

    It was cold.

    I don¡¯t want die! I don¡¯t want to die...

    White ¡ª

    The little sticks in her left hand snapped from the tree, sending her careening and slamming against the trunk at an awkward angle, almost rolling off the branch for a few scant seconds before she sunk her fingers into another bushel.

    Her heart hammered inside her chest, every muscle tense and at its limits, shaking in exhaustion, ears ringing loudly with a dissonant hum, overshadowing even the rain. She felt the shockwave rushing over her skin, the wood beneath shivering and snapping.

    She felt something dripping in her head, hot and cold. Her fingers burned ¡ª she¡¯s sure they were bleeding. It took all of her willpower to not accidentally let go of the sticks in her hand. The wood beneath dug painfully into her skin as she scraped across the surface, lancing through her flesh.

    That was way too close.

    Everything hurts, the world spinning around her.

    It was so, so cold.

    She wondered if she¡¯s going to die. Here and now, up in the trees, becoming food for the birds like so many others.

    I don¡¯t want to die ¡ª!This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Unbeknownst to her, she started glowing. It was at this moment, she felt something within her go click! Something happened at that moment. For a few seconds, she found herself in a daze of green and gold.

    At that moment, she knew that all is right. She couldn¡¯t tell how or why, but she just knew, that she will survive. A mysterious warmth flooded her limbs, electrifying. The air near her shimmered, covering her, protecting her. A glowing image formed, likened that of a leaf, branching out over her, growing at an impossible rate.

    The rain that once hammered suddenly curved around her as if an invisible shell had been placed around her, forming torrents of water that washed over the barrier like watching a waterfall from behind crystals.

    Despite seeing this impossible spectacle, she found herself to be oddly at peace. It was quiet inside the shell, the impossible loudness of the storm somehow isolated.

    This is how it was meant to be, she thought to herself amidst her delirium, staring at the mirage of a leaf, protecting, protected. Safe...

    And when she blinked, her mind spiraled off again.

    ~(*)~

    When she came to, she found herself surfing on a great layer of white, her stomach lying on gnarly wood and splinted sticks clenched in her fingers. It was golden and silver above her and around her, extending upward as far as she could see.

    She felt the heat of the now glowing branches drying the water from her clammy skin, soothing the torn and bleeding muscles in her limbs. The wind was still, quiet.

    She didn¡¯t move for a while. Not until sensation eventually returning back to her extremities. She wiggled the rigid digits one by one, splinters flaking off, stained with blood and sap. She decided not to look at them for a while, sure in the fact that they would be flayed and bloodied.

    Out of nowhere, she abruptly reached an epiphany ¡ª So that was what clothes are used for! She yelled in her mind. Indeed, she realized that with clothes she could potentially gain a tougher and disposable outer skin that can protect her against scrapes and damage.

    She had never actually worn clothes before, having been able to weather most conditions without much issue. She had found these humongous rags with clearly-intended holes in them and asking the Guardian Beasts had revealed that the Ancient ones used to cover themselves in them. Then, in a chain event of revelations, she figured out the point of shoes, ropes, armour ¡ª

    After an eternity of existence, she had finally found out the point of tools. So that¡¯s why the Guardians Beasts were insistent that I should use tools!

    She registered that she was drifting off again in her shocked reverie, making a point to return to reality by shaking her head profusely, focusing her muddled psych.

    She felt like a squashed fly, unknowingly splattered onto the ground by some great beast, stained red and blue with bruises. Her throat ached, parched and cracked. I must had been screaming last night, she noted, not really remembering if she did or not. Not that she particularly cared at the moment.

    She did not do anything other than breathing, relishing the feeling of being alive.

    She laughed to herself, feeling preposterous in having survived that.

    Alive, indeed.

    Still alive.

    She saw a great form hovering over her, a large shadow that felt cool to be under.

    ¡°You did well,¡± it purred, ¡°Not many can faced the storm which spawns forth from the Tree and withstood it,¡±

    It was Panther, standing there. Its fur was wet, clinging to its impossibly lithe body, each muscle shining through the silver moister as they rippled.

    ¡°Now you¡¯ve rested, the final part of your journey awaits.¡±

    Rested? I felt as if I had narrowly avoided death. She thought to herself, I¡¯m going crazy.

    But she knew it was true. She¡¯s above the clouds now, much much higher. Somehow, in her slumber, she had managed to hold on, moving up despite it all. She couldn¡¯t remember anything much, just the occasional flash of white and the burning cold of the rain.

    Dully and slowly, she lifted her head up. She couldn¡¯t for the sake of her life remember how she got here.

    Yes, the branches are much narrower now. She could now see the curvature of the branch much clearer now, winding off into oblivion on at her sides.

    She could see it above and around her, the once far apart trunks now had spreaded out into a complex net of wiry branches, intertwining together into a mesh of glowing wood.

    It was quiet. The wind had ceased.

    ¡°.. did you know, that your ancestors made the pilgrimage to the crown of the tree before their expedition?¡± Panther said, stalking silently ahead, ¡°The Tree need them to prove that they are resolute. A trial to prove their worth to take a piece of the Sanctuary beyond. A test to see if they retained the strength to explore the great world.¡±

    She methodically hoised herself up, arms straining in fatigue. The branch was now thin enough to be able to straddle, which seemed both dangerous and thankful since she could both fall off and grapple more firmly. Balefully, she glared at Panther, her voice rasp, ¡°A warning would have been helpful before you dragged me into this test ¡ª¡±

    ¡°Would it have been sincere then? Would you know of every possibility of danger? If you had the opportunity to prepare, would it proof your ability to survive?¡± Panther said, tilting its head to the side, ¡°The Tree pushes you to the limit, child, for your benefit. If you couldn¡¯t make it to the crown, you are not ready to leave.¡±

    It paused for a few moments, resuming after seconds of thinking, ¡°I suppose a congratulations is in order. You survived, the tree deeming you ready to face the world.¡±

    She experienced an compliation of extremely complicated feelings. Anger, indignity, joy, understand ¡ª all rolled into a mash. She had many questions to ask ¡ª what just happened? How did she arrive here? Why would she need to go through all these trouble just for a stick?

    Most of all, she remembered that odd shimmering leaf-shaped barrier in the storm, of how it seemed to blossomed from nothingness and protected her before her mind gave out. What had that been?

    The Guardian Beasts each could do impossible things ¡ª Wolf running down a Thunderbird, Turtle bathing in molten rock, the Owl silently disappearing from thin air and reappearing somewhere else ¡ª but she had long accepted that as part of what they are, just like how fish can swim and worms can crawl.

    What she did back then in the storm was something beyond any of that.

    As if reading her mind, Panther said, ¡°Ahh, you must be wondering what happened in the storm.¡±

    How¡ª?

    ¡°Was that the first time you harnessed the power of the Tree?¡± it asked curiously.

    ¡°Power... of the tree?¡± she replied uncertainly.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ So it seemed that you¡¯ve never made use of the power of the Tree before. have we not told you about the origins of the Sanctuary, and that of the world?¡± Panther quizzed, padding back on silent footsteps.

    ¡°When the world was in turmoil, the Ancient Ones led all the enlightened and beasts into the Sanctuary, planting the seed that would become the tree,¡± she recited, her voice still too dry to be comfortable speaking.

    ¡°Indeed. The world outside then was chaotic, malformed and unfinished. Entire land would disappear overnight, oceans turning into fire and life perishing without even the time to save themselves. The energy ¡ª primal, older than the Ancient Ones themselves, were incredibly dangerous, but power nonetheless.¡±

    She tilted her head to the side, not understanding how this information is relevant.

    Panther continued, ¡°In planting the seed that would become the tree, the Ancient Ones drew primordial power into its roots, transforming and molding it¡­ until it could be harnessed with their very thoughts!¡±

    ¡°Heh?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I understand your shock. The earth-shattering powers, the sky-rending strength of the great primordial made subservient... Truly, the Ancient Ones proved their awe and might many times over,¡± it said gleefully, tail slapping the wood underneath with heavy whumps, ¡°As their companions, they allowed us to share from the same font, giving us a smidgen of the great Tree¡¯s power. Thus, we gained the ability to perform all sorts of miraculous feats¡­¡±

    ¡°¡ª is that how you can disappear in the dark, to take in light and jump between shadows?¡± she asked excitedly in awe with eyes wide. She glanced at the giant branch which she was straddling, imagining the golden sap that courses through carrying the primordial energy of the world. Suddenly, it felt like she was desecrating something by climbing the tree and eating its fruits.

    The Tree seemed to hum under her touch now, seemingly almost¡­ content.

    Panther remained ignorant of her predicament, having considered her question serious. Eventually, it answered, ¡°Yes¡­ And no.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°You see, young one, I have always had the ability to meld into darkness. It was something I have gained on my own in the time before the great Exodus to the Sanctuary, just like how Wolf can run swifter than the wind itself or how Turtle thrive with in molten earth. The tree merely¡­ enhance our abilities.¡±

    ¡°Then¡­ how were the powers granted?¡± she asked, thinking that this would be a good question, since she hadn¡¯t felt a ¡®rush of power¡¯ as she had expected from receiving some kind of miraculous power from the Tree.

    ¡°Granted? No¡­ The Tree does not grant powers. It only amplifies what you have, unlocking your ability to make use of the primordial ¡ª¡± Panther abruptly stopped speaking for a moment, it¡¯s great luminous eyes squinting, ¡°You¡­ Ah. You do not sense the power around you, do you?¡±

    What?

    ¡°... I see. As you¡¯ve only ever lived here, breathed the air of the Sanctuary, ate the fruits of the Tree and drank its sap, it would only be natural that you do not see the world as we do. A fish do not see itself in water, a bird knows not that it flies in the air, just as you do not recognise the myriad of powers that surround you.¡± Panther said, nodding to itself.

    Still just as confused, she made an effort to draw its attention again, ¡°Is there something I am not seeing?¡±

    ¡°No, I meant that all that you¡¯ve ever seen is it. Without seeing a world not so... refined in nature, I am afraid that you will not learn to see what is ¡ª what is not there, to be more accurate.¡± Panther shook its great head in dismay, ¡°Perhaps it would be necessary for you to go explore the outer worlds. Then, you might understand¡­¡±

    She wanted to say more, but Panther spoke on deliberately, ¡°We spent enough time speaking here, you¡¯ve rested and regained your vitality. The final step is within reach.¡±

    She closed her mouth instead, remembering to ask her questions later. She must first search for the branch she seeks first.

    She flexed her arms. They ached mightily, but it was not as bad she first thought. She knew that she had torn at least half a dozen muscle and broken no less bones broken than that, but now they had faced to a numb pin-prick. Slowly, she glanced down at her fingers ¡ª

    Impossibly, they were not swollen pieces of flesh as she expected them to be. The skin the should have been missing, the bones that should have snapped seemed to have reverted to how it should be. Sure, it was caked with dried blood and wooden flints, but there was not a single wound in sight.

    Tenderly and shakingly, she ran her fingers against each other, unsure if what she saw was real or that she had finally gone mad. Despite her misgivings, it seemed that her fingers were whole again.

    Wounds and injuries that would take years to recover from was gone within the time that they had spoken.

    Impossible.

    Shivering, she glanced sharply at Panther, who only replied with a tilt of its giant head, tail waving idly. Did I¡­ Did I somehow healed myself? She touched her ears ¡ª she realized that somehow she could hear again. In the storm, she was sure that she had gone deft before she passed out but now she could hear!

    ¡°Ha¡­ Ha ha ha ¡ª¡± she giggled to herself in disbelief.

    ¡°If you were wondering, you resembled a carcass when I first found you,¡± Panther said helpfully, ¡°Some of your insides were outside, but I am glad you got better somehow,¡±

    Wait what?

    She gestured to herself, running her fingers over her stomach frantically ¡ª no, her insides are not outside.

    Woah.

    Then, she understood why her mind had rooms of question instead of the blinding pain she should be in. She had healed in her sleep, as quickly as a Hydra could.

    Gingerly, she picked up a piece of splinter from her palm, staring at it. It was long and thin, like a spine from a hedgehog. Hesitating for a moment, she stabbed into her left forearm. She hissed as it stung, but it seemed far less than it should have been. The snapped in her fingers, leaving the splinter of a splinter stuck in her flesh.

    She dug it out, glancing at the blood covered stick ¡ª and stared at it. Blood.

    Green blood.

    She was sure that blood should not be green. The dried blood on her palms were red and brown, yet the shiny green residue on the wood piece seemed to refute it. It was sticky, like sap from a healthy tree.

    She looked at her self-inflicted wound again, only catching a sight of it faintly glowing before flowing together like water. In but a moment, the flesh was whole, not a blemish on her skin,

    She couldn¡¯t help but to giggle again at the absurdity of the situation.

    I have green blood, my wounds glow and they healed in seconds. I am sitting at the top of the highest tree to grab a stick.

    So that¡¯s what Panther meant when it said that I¡¯ve rested, she observed as she watched her fingers move, the dried blood flaking off. She glanced at the waiting Panther again, who stared back patiently.

    She proceeded to reflect on the fact that she was not slightest bit hungry ¡ª despite having climbed a veritable mountain for an undeterminable amount of time. Her stomach did not rumble, nor does she felt the call of appetite.

    She shrugged to herself, Well, I suppose it is time to get moving again.

    And behind her, on the sap-covered fragment of bark, a small flower bloomed, gently fluttering.

 Odd Godly Ceremonies

    Vines intertwined into a tangled mesh leaves sprouting out in bundles.

    She didn¡¯t notice the transition particularly, but somehow the woody golden branches had abruptly turned into a mass of ropy mess. They were not the attenuated, droopy greens one would expect from vines ¡ª they were tough as rocks but yet flexible like strands of spider silk.

    How am I supposed to find a stick here? She thought belligerently, casting her gaze around her. Unlike the previous blinding light cast by the Tree, the vine-branches here didn¡¯t glow at all. The vines formed into a heavy canopy, light barely penetrating through. When she looked up or down, she could only see more vines and branches, the ground nowhere in sight. Some of the vines were thin as her arms, some were as titanic as trees on their own, intersecting and climbing upon each other. She supposed that she had somehow climbed back into the tree instead of the outer branches as she had originally intended.

    I don¡¯t have to be afraid of falling then, she thought, testing another vine beneath her feet. Sturdy and sinewy, she couldn¡¯t imagine it breaking anytime soon. It was abnormally quiet here ¡ª no sounds of insects birds or even rustling leaves. No wind blew through nor warmth from the sun-leafs felt. It was as if they have stepped into another world, separate from everything outside.

    She could feel it. The raw primalness of the vines and greenery around her. It existed not in sounds nor sight, couldn¡¯t be touched or smelled. The solitude and the ie of the vines seemed to exert a tremendous, intangible pressure onto her. A kind of primordial grandness that struck awe into her heart.

    Before her was Panther, albeit quite a bit smaller then she remembered. Did it shrink sizes? She wondered, very certain that the grand matriarch of the Panthers was previously at least triple her height, not this little blot of inky blackness, tail waving in the air.

    Together and silently, the two trekked through this forest within the Tree. Panther would nimbly jump from vine to vine, leading the way whilst she stumbled over the uneven ¡®ground¡¯.

    As they progressed, the light grew darker, yet the thumping in her chest grew stronger. Deep within her, she instinctively understood where she was heading. The air seemed to shimmer in raw undulated power, tingling up and down the vines, her hair standing up on its ends. The vines pressed into an even thicker mesh, leaving little room for movement, forcing her to crawl through the gaps.

    It should be exhausting, but yet it was not.

    If it was anything, it felt right.

    As if she was heading home. A home that she had never been to or heard of, but yet it beckons. It was a perfect sense of belonging as if nothing could be more natural that she belongs within this jungle of wood and vine. Strength surged through her limbs, her movements quicker and more urgent.

    It beckons.

    Her heart hammered in her chest, excitement running through her veins with the fury of shaking earth. Her breath was shallow, pitched.

    Beyond the dense forest of green, something glowed brightly, light spilling around the edges and gaps.

    Before she knew it, she was not the one chasing after Panther ¡ª she herself had somehow changed to the one leading the way, rushing ahead of a bewildered feline in her maddened rush.

    The light grew brighter and brighter, the incandescence lit up her pale skin like diamonds, her eyes only seeing the bright light that draws her in. Her movement blew through the underbrush with a whoosh. Some far and detached part of her mind reminded her that despite her athleticness movement like that would be rather impossible ¡ª no, just like Wolf does.

    However, her mind was not on her frantic sprint. Her consciousness was bound for one place only: to be closer to the light.

    It was within sight now ¡ª the final few obstacles that she seemed to somehow swerve around without thinking about it, almost instinctive.

    In flash, she found herself in an entirely different place. Or did she lose her consciousness in the few final moments? In her drunken euphoria, she felt herself came to, to reform. When her seemingly intoxicated mind reorganized itself, she found herself disbelieving her own eyes.

    It was a cavern of vines ¡ª not covered rock like that of mountain caves, but of literal walls of stalks and creepers the size of monuments and trees, forming a circular cage that made up an entire world of its own. The vines merged at the ground, gradually composing into thicker and more robust lengths that were absolutely gigantic.. They bulged from the soft, mesh-like ground like veins within the Tree, leading to ¡ª

    What is that? She gasped.

    Upon the earth that is not earth, upon a flowery pedestal was a humongous seed. It was not a seed that was like of common flowers, all flat and brown ¡ª no, It was almost crystalline, a giant gemstone of immeasurable value and luster. It glowed from some unknown power from within, pulsating like a heart as it towered over everything. The light cast from it danced across the clearing, slowly drifting around this tiny world of it.

    It was warm, warm not in the form of heat. With every beat of her heart, the seed does too in resonance. Rhythmic steady, the invisible force thumped through the air, brushing along her skin, sending her shivering under its majesty.

    She advanced slowly yet certainly. Her hands trembled as she neared the seed ¡ª the World Seed, the first seed of the World, planted by her forefathers.

    And it beckons, like the open arms of a loving mother, to embrace her child.

    Her fingers reached for the glistering seed. Her breath hitched. In the back of her mind, she could hear Panther calling out to her at the edge of the clearing, but she ignored it.

    All that was and is, was the seed before her.

    Then, as her fingers touched the crystalline surface of the seed, she vanished in a flash of white.

    ~(*)~

    Something held her within its arms. Warm, soft and gentle.

    She could feel the light shining down on her skin, shining through her eyelids, pleasantly heating up her body. She breathed rhythmically, her chest slowly bobbing up and down as she breathed in the air, a flowery fragrance drifting through.

    Did she fall asleep? She didn¡¯t know, nor did it seem to matter to her at the moment.

    She nuzzled her head against the softness that held her, opening her eyes as the someone brushed her hair, smoothing out the knots.

    It was bright ¡ª wherever she was, she knew that it was home. Long waving grass stretched on the plains as far as the eye could see, yet there are no walls at the end of the world. Instead, blue shone from the where the earth disappears up to the top of the world ¡ª a bright shining light all the way to the other end of the world. A gentle breeze blew through, cool yet inexplicably warm.

    Slowly, she gazed up into the visage of being that was idly grooming her. It was a face that was ¡ª

    Huh.

    The face gazed back at her gently, a smile gracing the ruby lips.

    It was a face that, with all improbability, looked like her¡¯s. A smooth face, no protruding maw or teeth, no fur aside from the fine stripe that lined the top of the eyes and running down from the back of its head. A small nose lies in the center, two small ears that decorated the side of its face.

    With all certainty, she concluded that this being is unlike any other in the Sanctuary. Not a wolf, not panthers, snakes or apes ¡ª though the last one did come close.

    No, it is something much more¡­ refined than that of beasts. It is a face that looked so infinitely close to that of her own reflection, the one that gazes back from the water or shiny rocks.

    It¡¯s me. It is something like me! She yelled inside herself, jubilant. Wolf had its pups that looked like her, just as Panther did, or Snake, Owl and all of the Guardian Beasts.

    It is one of her kind ¡ª or something close at least, she noted. Coyotes look like wolves but are apparently different, such are the tigers different from the lions despite being almost the same.

    But still, as long as she had lived and breathed she had never seen another one of her kind before.

    She almost flinched when the face spoke, ¡°Child¡±.

    This strange-not-me speaks!

    ¡°You¡¯ve done well reaching me, the descendant of Kung¡¯ar¡¯ra. It is not often that I ever receive visitors, especially from my own,¡± the face continued.

    She gazed in wonder at the strangely familiar way the lips move, the way the skin creases and the way eyes blink and stare at her. The voice was airy, like the morning dew, the first ray of sunlight, the waters of the stream ¡ª and many more.

    Then, she realized that she should probably reply instead of staring back.

    Stuttering, for the first time since she could care to remember, she carefully asked, ¡°Who- who are y-you? Where am I?¡±

    ¡°Who am I, indeed?¡± the face spoke, the lips stretching to show a row of pearly white teeth. Despite having done so, somehow she knew that the being in front of her meant no harm, ¡°I have many names. Some had called me God, the Maker, the World Will¡­ But the ones who lived under my branches had called me the Tree.¡±

    The Tree? She thought, then suddenly she realized that the being who held her had just claimed to be just a giant plant that is as tall as the sky could be.

    ¡°Huh? The Tree?¡± she cried out, unsure and uncertain if she should probably get off this being¡¯s lap. She trusted her memories, and that the Tree was as it was called, a tree, not a look-alike.

    The world, as it seemed to be, suddenly started to rumble. Suddenly, brown roots and bark erupted out of nowhere from the green plains. Like mushrooms after rain, a forest sprouted with a speed that rivaled that of water flooding over land. Before she could blink again, the endless plains had been filled with trees without a warning. The end of the world disappeared behind the canopy, the light above shining down into a small clearing around the two.

    The being smiled mysteriously again, trailing a pale finger down her forehead, brushing a stray strand of hair away, ¡°I suppose, it must be difficult to believe. I¡¯ve watched over you as long as you have lived, the days that you had spent under my branches, atop my roots. I¡¯ve watched over lives of all that lives and lived. I have held the world together for countless life cycles of beasts and plant. It is good to finally meet you in person, my dear, though it is not our first meeting.¡±

    She found herself momentarily not able to speak, shocked silent.

    What was that?!

    The Tree(?) continued to idly comb her hair as if it had all the time in the world and unaware of the turbulence in her mind. If it was the being, the Tree, she supposed it would truly have all the time in the world.

    As if her mind was read, the not-her resumed it¡¯s speech, ¡°Of course, as you can see, I¡¯ve adopted a form like you for our little conversation. Where you intend to go, there are more that looks like you.¡±

    ¡°More that looks like¡­ me?¡± She asked excitedly, ¡°On the surface?¡±

    ¡°They look like you, but they are unlike you in any way, child. They called themselves Humans, Elves, Dwarves ¡ª many more of the same. Some look like beasts but behaves like them. More importantly, they are Enlightened¡± Tree said, looking up at somewhere she could not see, ¡°They are the¡­ descendants of your ¡ª no, our forefathers, I suppose. They live short lives, brief and bright like so many fireflies in the night. They are unruly, always bickering amongst themselves...¡±

    ¡°How many?¡± She asked, curious that Tree said the¡­ humans and such are Enlightened. In the Sanctuary, only the Guardian Beasts and their direct descendants are Enlightened, while others are mere animals that could not converse.

    ¡°Hmm? I would give you a number, but it would be described in a word you don¡¯t know, yet.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    Tree looked back at her again, ¡°But as they are, they will always be just that, children in your¡¯s and my eyes. Precocious and angry children to be sure, but children nonetheless. Wherever you go, keep that in mind. Be patient with them¡­ However now, this conversation is not about them, it is about you!¡±

    ¡°Eh!? Me?¡±

    ¡°Of course it would be about you, my child,¡± Tree said mysteriously again, stressing out the last two words in an extremely conspicuously.

    Her child? She thought.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Then an epiphany came over her.

    ¡°I - I am your child?¡± she stuttered out, not sure how this person in front of her could be her¡­ mother, father?

    ¡°Not in the way Wolf had its pups, child,¡± it humored, ¡°I am quite different from those that live in my realm, and so was your birth. However, you are my child ¡ª my daughter. There is no mistake in that.¡±

    There was a period of silence. Not the kind that would make one uncomfortable, but one that conveys an unfathomable love. Tree¡¯s fingers continued to brush her hair, under the light that shone down upon them.

    Daughter, she tried out the unfamiliar yet ever so naturally intimate word in her mind. A word beyond just she-child, a word to describe what it means to have a parent. And now, she felt content, simply lying down on her mother¡¯s lap.

    ¡°Why did you never talk to me? If you...¡± she suddenly asked quietly but without malice in her voice.

    ¡°You were too young. You were living a peaceful life. I will not take that from you to worry about the world as I do,¡± Tree said simply.

    She was not too certain what Tree does in its time, but it must be something awfully important and complicated. Managing a world seemed to be a weighty task.

    After a while, long enough that the light had moved, that the shadows had lengthened at the base of the surrounding trees, Tree finally spoke again, ¡°Being my daughter means many things. It means you are powerful, even before the Trial. It is unlikely that you can find anything that can truly harm you in the world above. It means that you will always find a home in nature, that I am always at your side Most of all, you are unique. There are no others that are truly like you but me... Do you understand what that means?¡±

    She shook her head slightly. She was not too sure what the gesture meant, but it seemed fitting somehow.

    Tree shrugged, ¡°That is fine. You will learn in your travels soon enough. On your path you will walk, there will be danger ¡ª to you and those around you. The world is unkind, the people are harsh and wary. You will need to wary as well.¡±

    She promised, ¡°I will!¡±

    Tree laughed, ¡°So quick to make a promise? Not so wary, is it?¡±

    She blinked.

    ¡°The people above do not fight like beasts, deary. Seldom do they speak the truth, unlike the guardian beasts here,¡± said Tree.

    ¡°If they do not speak the truth, then what do they say?¡±

    ¡°Things that take advantage of kindness. Lies that circle and masks themselves like spiders¡¯ webs waiting for prey. They care about themselves too much, as children do,¡± Tree frowned for the first time, ¡°As I¡¯ve said, they are unlike you and me.¡±

    ¡°... I will try to be careful then,¡± she answered gradually. She had seen Spider hunt before, and it wasn¡¯t a pretty sight. It was fascinating but rather disturbing to watch. She wasn¡¯t sure how people can do things like that, but she made the promise anyway.

    Tree patted her cheeks, ¡°Sure you do.¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡±

    Tree laughed again.

    She giggled, she had never done so before and decided it felt rather nice. The tension that had somehow built up disappeared to the sound of her voice.

    They sat there in the meadow together, held in each other¡¯s arms, content. Listening to the sounds of cicadas, birds chirping in the back, wind blowing through the grass.

    ¡°Where¡­ where are we?¡±

    ¡°This? Tis simply a figment of reality. I¡¯ve brought you to a space that is not in the Sanctuary but neither is it the surface, made with my will and power.¡±

    She looked up at the ceiling above ¡ª no, she was confident that there is no ceiling in where ever she was. The darkening blue above that seemed unreachable far away surely wouldn¡¯t be below the earth. Tentatively, she asked, ¡°Are we not on the surface?¡±

    ¡°No, we are not.¡± Tree said, ¡°There is little purpose to complete your journey for you. I doubt you would appreciate my interference with your path.¡±

    She nodded mutely, not answering.

    She looked up at the sky (for it must be), even though now she knew it wasn¡¯t real, it seemed so incredibly open she had the odd sensation of being weightless, as though as she could be whisked away into the void if she wasn¡¯t being held down by Tree.

    Tree sighed, ¡°There are so many things that I would wish to say to you, to teach you before you set out in the world beyond your home, to protect you ¡ª But I must not.¡±

    She tilted her head at Tree, who continued on at her action, ¡°Some lessons learned couldn¡¯t be taught, as you well know. Wolf, who taught you how to hunt, would tell you that no amount of speech would allow you to learn the art. Much like this, the happenings beyond couldn¡¯t be done with mere words. The future, your future, must be decided by you alone.¡±

    How sage, she thought.

    As if suddenly remembering something, the personification of the World Tree blinked and said, ¡°Ah, before I forget, there is something that must be done. We must give you a [Name].¡±

    ¡°...hn?¡± She quizzed, caught off guard by the sudden declaration. That last word Tree had uttered was decidedly unfamiliar to her tongue. The Guardian Beasts had taught her the language that the Ancient Ones spoke, the speech that went deeper than blood ingrained within her being over childhood. However, the word that Tree had spoken sounded completely nonsensical to her ears, appearing to be nothing more than a short random sound produced by flapping fleshy bits.

    She blinked again, noting that despite the word registering to be rather brutish and crude, the odd thing spoken by Tree undoubtedly held some kind of meaning that she was not privy to.

    No, she knew the word, somehow, just like how she mysteriously also knew how her strange new powers work. Slowly, she tried out the strange word on her tongue, teasing out the sound and referencing to how her mouth should form when producing the word.

    ¡°N-na-[Name]?

    Meaning? Identity? The word meant something similar. However, it seemed notably different from what her understanding of identity would be. Such as, Wolf was known as Wolf, for the word describes all of it in its entirety in the same way wind defines itself.

    ¡°Indeed, you will have need of a [Name],¡± Tree said, brushing a strand of hair off her forehead, ¡°The people on the surface understands not our speech nor their meaning. Their rudimentary language requires us to say it in convoluted ways.¡±

    ¡°Then what is a name?¡±

    ¡°It is a symbol, a thing that you carry around to let others know who you call yourself. The concept of [Names] is different from what greet each other by,¡± Tree smiled, ¡°It is a strange, stunted language, is it not?¡±

    Indeed, listening to the word conveys it meaning despite sounding wholesomely different to the words of the Ancient Ones ¡ª no, it was not entirely dissimilar. The syntaxes of the words were almost the same, yet the words themselves seemed entirely unalike.

    Somehow, it gave her the impression of dew, snow and all that glimmers in the sunlight. It was rough, fragile even, but despite being a pale reflection of the radiance majesty of the Ancient Ones it gave the feeling of being much more earthly, novel even.

    She spoke, giving in to her unspoken instincts, ¡°N-n-name? D-do-I have a name?¡±

    Tree¡¯s mouth curled in a smile at her attempt at speaking this new language, ¡°Ah, that. I hadn¡¯t thought too much about it, there had never been a need for a name, after all. Now is a good time to do so. Let¡¯s see...¡±

    She let Tree to do what Tree wanted.

    Eyes scanning, Tree leaned in and suggested, ¡°Child? Hmm, no. You are not a child to them. There would be no sense to name you that. Birth? Sapling?¡±

    She had no idea how names were supposed to be made, having never needed one before. However, she was taken by a mysterious intuition that the suggestions Tree just made were absolutely atrocious.

    ¡°... Joy? Oh no no, that wouldn¡¯t do. You aren¡¯t a Flower either, though that would be a rather nice name.¡±

    ¡°Mother Tree ¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªPetals? Hmm? Oh, I know. Fruit! Ehh, nah¡­ No, that was terrible.¡±

    She gave up.

    Asking for a name from an omniscient entity turned out to be lost cause, especially one that seemed hopeless infatuated with plants. Her opinion of Tree rapidly declined from worship to exasperation as the unknown dislike for the foul caricatures of names it uttered filled her entirety.

    Tree thumbed its chin with the very guise of thought, staring off at the direction the sun set in for a while. She didn¡¯t interrupt Tree as she surrendered herself to Tree¡¯s embrace, allowing the godlike entity to decide her name in peace. Suddenly, Tree¡¯s face lit up with a mischievous smile as if it had come to some kind of conclusion, muttering, ¡°Huh¡­ That would work. Oh well, might as well. Sounds mythical enough, so that should be fine.¡±

    Tree abruptly hoisted her into the air, standing up with a fluidity that shouldn¡¯t be possible for one sitting crossed-leg on the ground.

    Being jolted by the unexpected movement, she found her attention returning with the wrath of lightning.

    With an exaggeratedly serious voice and planting her firmly back onto the dirt, Tree uttered with its hands on her shoulder, ¡°Listen closely, child, for I have decided the name you shall carry along your path.¡±

    Frozen in trepidation ¡ª and a not so misplaced sense of dread ¡ª she awaited the verdict.

    ¡°You shall be called ¡ª¡±

    Breath held ¡ª

    ¡°Dryad.¡±

    There was a moment of silence as the place was gripped by the solemnity of the statement. The birds stopped singing, perhaps in respect ¡ª or horror.

    ¡­

    The two stared at each other for a while, not proceeding, waiting for something to happen.

    What exactly, she couldn¡¯t tell, but she felt that there should be something indicating that the world had acknowledged the grand historical point in time that had firmly carved itself in existence there.

    But that time never arrived.

    She gazed awkwardly back at Tree¡¯s intense, unwavering stare as the world revolved around.

    Weakly, she tentatively asked, ¡°Um¡­ does the name... mean anything?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°O-oh. Um..¡±

    She didn''t know what she expected, but this definitely wasn¡¯t one of them.

    ¡­

    ¡°...So?¡±

    Tree blinked as if waking up abruptly, ¡°Oh. Apologies, I drifted off for a moment. There was something else that required my attention. So where were we ¡ª oh right, names.¡±

    Dryad, newly named, couldn¡¯t help but ask a very simple question, ¡°Why? Why did you name me that? The name holds no meaning.¡±

    ¡°Well, obviously, the name holds no meaning yet. You have yet to do anything noteworthy to have others call you that.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    For a moment, Dryad felt rather disturbed at how Tree seemed to be able to shift its inclinations from being an ageless entity to a thorough airhead, though it wouldn¡¯t be particularly fair. She couldn¡¯t hope to comprehend how such a being think, with such power and responsibility, so judging would probably be pointless.

    Tree suddenly poked her in the nose, ¡°Congratulations. You are now a unique name bearer. In future times, your name shall come to define many others ¡ª but not now.¡±

    ¡°...¡± Dryad said nothing in return, not entirely sure how to proceed.

    ¡°Right, I have impeded your journey long enough, child. It would be rude of me to stop you from progressing from here on.¡±

    All at once, Dryad was reminded that she did, in fact, came here for something, that meeting Tree wasn¡¯t exactly on her to-do list.

    Letting go, Tree clapped its hands twice as if to summarize its speech, ¡°I suppose now would be the time to say ¡®Good luck¡¯ or ¡®see you later¡¯, but that would be rather strange in this context seeing that I am quite literally everywhere. Anyway, good luck, though I seriously doubt you would need it.¡±

    Snapping out of her reverie, Dryad yelled out. ¡°Wait! ¡ª¡±

    Tree waved its hands as if it couldn¡¯t hear her at all. Suddenly, the very land itself seemed to twist and turn, rumbling. In the blink of an eye, the earth shattered into sand, dust, and dirt, flashed of green leaves and watery light erupting around her.

    It was as if the very world itself decided that being in one piece was no longer a pressing concern and spontaneously deconstructed itself. Dryad found herself flung downward, sliding through the stone as if it didn¡¯t exist, submerging under as unidentifiable things slipped past her as quickly as beams of sunlight.

    With strenuous recollection from the future, she would firmly place the experience of being sent through layers of existence in the ¡®do not try¡¯ folder. Nowe, however, she could only freeze in place as she moved through everything at a pace of exactly zero.

    Then, everything stopped. There was no flying dust, no falling dirt, no humming of powers. It was the unceremonious feeling of a rude awaking, where as if the simple act of blinking had suddenly allowed one to walk through worlds.

    The world around her was very different, however. It was neither the forest environment at night or the cavern of vines that she so laboriously traveled to. Noting the fiery grass around her, the waves of golden strands dancing without wind like the surface of the water, she gave into the compulsion to look up.

    There, towering once more before her, was the Tree ¡ª the woody variant. Titanic gnarled roots formed mountains before her, supporting the drunk that held the golden and silvery sky up. Calmly breathing outward, Dryad came to the conclusion that Tree, in all its foresight, had decided to send her down to the very base of the tree, as if the entirety of the past¡­ ¡®while¡¯ had been a horrifically bad dream.

    She breathed again, staring at the bark.

    ¡°Ah, I see that you¡¯ve returned,¡± A far-away voice said. Turning around numbly, Dryad saw Wolf trotting from a distance, having a string of vine tied around its neck like some strange ornament, carrying shiny stones and crystals in the bean pouches.

    Dryad didn¡¯t say anything as Wolf drew closer, depositing its load onto the floor.

    ¡°You came back earlier than I had expected, and that is good¡­¡± Wolf said, trailing off towards the end with a rather concerned tone, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, child?¡±

    She didn¡¯t reply, head turning back the tree.

    On the ground, amidst the blazing fields was a small spot of grey, rapidly growing larger and larger. Soon, her ear registered some kind of sharp whistling, as if something was approaching with an absurdly fast speed.

    ¡°What was that¡­?¡± Wolf asked, head tilting.

    Then, out of nowhere, something impacted the very spot the grey was at ¡ª it was a shadow of something falling from a great height, and that something was a lengthy piece of green metallic wood. Impaling the soft dirt after falling literally from the sky, it quivered in its position as it absorbed the force but somehow managed to avoid sinking down from its velocity.

    Dryad felt the urge to explain the mysterious happenings to Wolf but reasoned against it. The stick wasn¡¯t particularly long, barely reaching up to her chin. It was strangely shaped and colored for a piece of wood, seemingly glinting like the shiny things occasionally found in stone.

    Etched clearly on the side of the brass-colored stick was a set of words, traveling down the oddly flat length of the shaft with the solemnity of a memorial.

    It spelled, ¡°Apologies¡± in the word of the Ancient Ones.

    Dryad really couldn¡¯t be surprised anymore as she regarded the words. At least, she contemplated, I got a stick.

    ¡°Oh¡±, stated Wolf uncertainty.

    Despite not feeling physically tired, Dryad felt inexplicably drained for some reason. Grabbing the stick, she decided that she would take a nap before starting her journey or trying to figure out just how useful a stick could be.

    Yes, a nap would do just fine.

    ~(*)~

    Somewhere, very very high up in the canopy sat an irate feline ¡ª The Feline, some would argue. Whilst there had always been a stereotype that cats couldn¡¯t climb down very well due to their claws, they could, in theory, survive most jumps if they face the correct orientation from the start.

    That is,a scholar in feline studies would note, if the height wasn¡¯t literally sky high.

    Cursing itself for its lack of foresight, a certain dark-colored fuzzball started its treacherous journey downward. With the lack of convenient shadows due to the Tree glowing its heartless radiance, it found itself in quite a bit of a predicament.

    It would quite some while before anyone sees Panther again ¡ª but no one was particularly worried. Cats were known to disappear only to reappear, after all.