chapter 4 New land with a large Tree
Kreed found himself, in a rather similar position. He was seated just as he had been before, except his entire environment had changed. The broken bench was replaced with the thick bark of an enormous tree, Kreed was seated on one of the giant branches of the tree.
From where Kreed was sitting he could see quite a lot the branch beneath him was as wide as the lecture hall he had once suffered in severely. He judged it to be at least 20 meters wide. From his view the branch was curved precarious, leaning outward. The bark of the tree itself was completely onyx, radiating the same immense pressure Kreed could feel when looking into the creatures eyes. Be it to a way lesser degree.
The branch broke of into several smaller counterparts blocking Kreed's view completely.
However there was an opening directly Infront of him, leading from the branch he was perched on. Standing in that opening was the creature.
It was surrounded by white leaves that sparkled ominously. It contrasted beautifully with the onyx bark of the gigantic tree. It look almost surreal and perfect as if it had been alive for over a millennium. No it seemed to transcend the concept of time itself.
The leaves parted as it creature moved amidst them. This time it look different, again. It changed it's appearance from that of a human like being with black hair to an almost unnerving beast. Kreed struggled to find the suitable words to describe it. It had 4 human like hands, each ending In a pair of claws and talons. It's back which was turned to Kreed had 4 large wings that resembled that of a eagle, they were tucked comfortably on it's back. From what Kreed could see it's feet were that of kangaroo or the hind legs of a deer.
Of course Kreed only knew what, a kangaroo, eagle and deer was, because of the books he managed to collect and read after adapting to the deadly poison that covered the island.
The creature presence was similar to how it was before however the immaculate darkness tha surrounded him was now gone. Replaced completely by the faint glimmer that the white leaves emanated.
The creature shifted slightly before saying.
"Come here, child"
It sounded as clam as ever. Still struggling to comprehend and digest his situation. Kreed got up grabbing onto the bark of the onyx tree for support. As he stood up, he focused on using his legs, staggering to the edge of the branch where the creature stood. Although his bones weren't broken, he was still malnourished and poisoned. It pained him more and more with each step.
Upon reaching the intersection in the branches where the creature stood. He stopped, completely frozen from the sight Infront of him.
Moving to stand side by side with the creature, Kreed let out a horse chuckle. He was standing on the onyx branch of a tree hundreds of meters from the ground. Below him Kreed could see an enormous river leading from the base of the tree. The river stretched fort separating into 4 rivers that each were as large as it's source. They split apart moving into all directions.
The land although distant looked rich and fertile. It exuded purity of the highest form.
Although the scene before Kreed was stunning and inconceivable. Kreed was more taken aback by something else. Staring into the vast expanse of the sky Kreed's eyes were filled with complete satisfaction and pleasure. He was staring at the sun intensely. Who would have thought that after all he had been through, that after 10 long years Kreed would finally get to experience the sun's amazing radiance once more.
A feeling of awe and hope ignited within his heart. The creature before him had just giving him his greatest desire without even breaking a sweat. He finally understood, what the being meant. To the creature Kreed, his problems and his concerns were the simplest of matters.
'wait, so that's what it meant. But then what matters could be so important to desire such a creatures attention?' Kreed thought.
Turning to look at the creature, Kreed finally noticed it's face and other features from the front.
It was unlike anything Kreed had seen before.
The chest of the being was contorted. Strangest bulges could be seen scattered across it in no particular order. The skin of the creature looked as rough as asphalt but exuded a profound dominance, unlike anything Kreed had ever felt. The creatures head resembled that of a lion. His gorgeous and intricate mane, covered his neck and a larger portion of his chest.
There were two large fangs escaping from the creatures jaw, they looked as white and pristine as the leaves that grew from the gigantic tree.
The creatures eyes, were more or less the same, Its eyes, vast and transparent, held the weight of countless ages and untold experiences. Each glance conveyed memories of an eternity, leaving them filled with dark and incomprehensible emotions. The eyes seemed to shift and change with every passing second, a window into the enigmatic depths of a timeless existence.
Kreed tried fruitlessly to determine the age, gender and height of the being, But despite it's change in form these key traits remained the same.
After noting a few more details of the creatures appearance Kreed asked.
"Um, where are we?"
The creature remained silent for a while staring into the great expanse of the land below.
"Where we are, isn't of importance." Turning to look at Kreed it raised one of it's four arms, touching Kreed on the chest with it's respective claws.
"You wished to know what matter's, do you not? Then allow me to enlighten you, my child."
Kreed shivered sightly as the creature outstretched another of it's arms to gesture at the giant river that escaped from the base of the giant tree.
"Long ago, I gave this very land to my children. For a while they lived happily, enjoying the magnificence of this great land. Yet, in the end, I was betrayed. Time and time after that I choose to believe and trust in my children, after all what else can a father do but, correct his offspring when they falter. Yet my children, continued to find ways of growing more and more defiant. I decided to let my children grow up, always allowing them to choose their path.
Strangely the battle between the gods and daemons, began as a result of these very actions. This planet, know as Sihe-Rimaz, was created by the alliance of a million plus gods.
After it's creation, a link to the other planets under the jurisdiction of the gods was formed. Resulting in the creation of 'Asterion' the voice of the mind. It was used as a way to strengthen the bond between the gods and there followers." The mighty creature paused turning to Kreed with a captivating smile. It looked rather strange coming from a beast who's mane covered it's entire chin.
"The bond of 'Asterion' allowed for mortals to ascend into the realm of divinity. But to every action there's an equal and opposite reaction.
Hence 'irregulars' came to be. Anything or anyone can become an irregular as long as they defy the law of the universe in some way. Yet some irregulars are more dangerous than others." Shifting it's gaze back to Kreed it continued.
"You my child are one such irregular."
"You are unlike anything I've seen before, for a human child like your self. Your ability to control every cell in your body, is unheard of. Yet since your brain lacks it's 'ANS' more strain is placed their. Making every thought that you have equal to a heavy burden. Even now you struggle to think clearly. Because of that flaw you need sufficient rest and more food than the usual human. But living on that island for 10 years you never managed to find enough food to satisfy you unending hunger."
A frown appeared on the lion-like beast face
"I truly pity you my child, yet you called to me in your darkest moment. Now... Answer me this what is it that you seek?"
After hearing the creatures explanation Kreed couldn't help but feel cold. He would need to go over everything he learnt. Kreed knew that he was different to other humans but not to that degree.
There was also the fact that the creature wanted to know what Kreed wanted.
' what I want. How should I know. Ive already seen the sun, but what happens when I return? Will I return? No... What I want is to be healed. To get of the cursed island. I want to meet humas again. What I seek the most is freedom.'
As if reading his thoughts the creature spoke once more.
"Freedom, is the greatest gift yet the most destructive of curses. I am afraid this is the only wish that I cannot grant. At least not to the extent that you want it."
Turning to the tree the creature continued.
"However I can give you something much, better."