TRISTIAN
I rested my head on the rough tree branch, eyes fixed on the stars scattered above me. They glistened, unbothered by the endless night, while the moon poured its light across the forest, bathing everything in an eerie glow. It was beautiful, sure, but something felt off. The trees—the energy coursing through them, had different intensity. Each one had a unique pulse, but together, it was like they all fed into one point, a central force hidden somewhere deep in the forest.
I've seen strange things before, but never like this. I could trace the energy's path, watching how the threads of power intertwined, connecting everything like a web of secrets I wasn't meant to understand.
And here I was—lost, with no idea where this place even was. He disappeared as soon as he dropped the firewood, leaving me alone with nothing but the quiet hum of the forest and the strange energy swirling all around me.
Sigh
When was the last time I was all by myself? Probably when Jolt had fallen ill, about some rare condition. Mother had left with aunt Sally and dad had some artisan order that day.
Talking of Jolt.
I miss the way she'd blow bubbles with her ever-drolling mouth, the soft cries of joy when they popped in the air. Her eyes, always wide and curious, like she knew more than she let on. That all-knowing look she gave me, like she had life all figured out. She's probably giving Mom and Dad a hard time right now, stirring up trouble with her usual stubborn charm.
Huh!
I let out a soft sigh, my eyes growing heavy as I blinked twice before slipping into a dream. Everything feels eerily calm, almost too calm. I spot a blazing fire off to my right, around three o'clock from where I am. It stands out sharply against the stillness. Without really thinking, I find myself heading toward it.
It's a simple bonfire with two guys, probably in their late twenties. There's one empty seat, and after a slight hesitation, I take it.
"Salt!" one of them barks. He's wearing dark metallic armor, with long, curly hair falling over his face, though the sides are shaved.
"Excuse me…" I realize the salt shaker is clasped in my right hand, "my bad," I say, handing it over. He's roasting a blue turkey. Everything feels so real, like I've stepped into another world. They don't talk much—just focus on roasting the turkey. The other guy, dressed in a long golden robe and black pants, gets a piece from him.
"Here, kid," he says, handing me a well-roasted turkey breast. "Eat!"
I taste it—the juicy, tender meat melts in my mouth.
"What? Is it bad?" His deep, gravelly voice asks, a smirk playing on his lips. I shake my head, and a smirk grows on both their faces. They seem to find something amusing and start laughing—a dark, crackling laugh that fades into the distance. As their laughter and the world around me blur, I'm jolted awake by the morning birds' chirps. The breeze is chilly but has a warm undertone. I look around, my mouth dropping open in surprise.
I realized I wasn't in the same place. The entire forest had transformed. What had been blue flowers last night now glowed a vivid purple, and the scent in the air had shifted to something entirely new. Even the flow of energy seemed different, a subtle but noticeable change in its rhythm. As I descended the mountain, I found that the hut—or rather, the place I had assumed was a hut—was nowhere to be seen.
"You arrived early," came a voice, and he materialized above me, floating effortlessly. He wore casual blue clothing, his gaze locked on a massive cave entrance ahead. The entrance was grand, with a long wooden door etched with intricate and mysterious inscriptions. Flanking the entrance were statues of men, their eye sockets hollow and empty. Yellow tendrils danced gently with the soft breeze, adding an eerie, almost otherworldly touch to the scene.
"What is that?" I ask, following him, feeling the dense force coming from it.
"That's the fruit of the tree that grows at the center once you go inside," he explains, drawing an incantation in the air. The door glows and swings open with a powerful rush of wind and steam. "Go on," he says.
I push through the steam and step into a massive garden. It's vast, filled with all kinds of plants and flowers blooming in every color. They sway gently, and the energy here is almost overwhelming. I spot the tree.
It's elevated on a raised point, so I have to descend about two levels of ground to reach it. I take a quick look at it before moving forward, but a tendril from one of the plants lashes out and hits me, sending me crashing back toward the entrance.
I scramble to my feet, brushing off the steam and dirt, and rush forward as fast as I can. My legs stumble over what feels like a giant root. My left leg is coiled tightly by a tendril, pulling me back. I struggle frantically and end up slamming into the door as more tendrils start to come to life around me.
Again!!!
Again!!!
The tendrils seem to come alive with renewed intensity, swirling and thrashing through the air as if they're trying to warn me off.
What is this? Are they trying to force me to turn back?
"Aaaaang!" I yell as I leap into the now fully expanded garden. My body spins in the air for about three seconds before being violently thrust backward, but I manage to recover. Blood trickles from my mouth, and my heart races with a fierce, exhilarating energy. I'm more determined than ever to reach that fruit. I wipe the blood from the corner of my mouth and dart forward, moving as fast as I can to dodge the onslaught of tendrils that seem to fall from the sky, threatening to crush me.
The tendrils slam down with a thunderous impact, shaking the ground with each heavy thud.
Thud! Thud!
They rush at me with relentless force, pushing me back to where I started. I scramble to find a path through the chaotic mass of writhing tendrils, but they coil around me, dragging me away. I struggle against them, trying to push forward, but each attempt only seems to drive me further back. The tendrils seem to sense my every move, reacting with precision to keep me from reaching my goal.
Again!!
More fierce and strong!!
Again….
Again…
And Again!!!!
I collapse onto the ground, rubbing my rear as I take a moment to reconsider my approach. Rushing in blindly has proven futile; I need a more strategic method. Observing the forest around me, I realize that the plants are not merely flora but seem to embody a form of sentient guardianship, their vibrant life force pulsating with an almost conscious awareness.
As I raise my eyes, the plants sway rhythmically, almost taunting me with their deliberate movements. They appear to be challenging my persistence, urging me to retreat.
I study the flow of energy with renewed focus. It's evident that this energy is what detects my presence and reacts with defensive maneuvers. To advance, I must learn to navigate this dynamic force, to adapt my movements in harmony with its undulating patterns.
A thought crystallizes in my mind: what if I, too, could attune myself to their energy? If I could perceive their branches' movements and intentions, I might avoid their attacks. The idea of merging with the energy, rather than opposing it, begins to take shape.
Determined, I lower myself into a seated position and begin to meditate, aiming to tap into the Aether that pervades this realm. As I sink deeper into my meditative state, I begin to visualize my Lunaris, albeit in a rudimentary form. It is not fully formed, but I see its potential. I concentrate on refining it, striving to develop a deeper understanding of the energy's intricate flow.
By aligning myself with this force, I aim to sense the plants' movements before they strike. My goal is to transform this volatile energy into a controllable force. I breathe deeply, immersing myself in the pulsations of the Aether, preparing to harness its power to navigate this living labyrinth.
I feel it, bits maybe but I feel the power coming but it flows in bits.