The end of the flower field began a dense, close growth forest. None of the trees are anywhere close to the size of those I’m used to. Looking between the forest and the flow field, it was almost like a barrier was protecting the field. There was a definitive line between the two, with no
So, a dried husk… is what awaits us here after ascension. At first, I couldn’t handle how it looked. There was something irreconcilable about the shriveled taut skin and thin bony frame. After heaving my stomach’s contents onto the ground, I noticed the smell of my own bile mixed with that of the dried
Before us was the most amazing sight I’ve ever seen in my life. For as far as the Tree’s sprawling canopy stretched, there were miniature trees growing out of the foreign soil. Barely coming up to my knees, they had the most stunning, colorful fruits on top. They almost glowed, their small leaves colored
I was suddenly filled with both fear and excitement. Had we really survived purgatory? It seemed so easy. All that was left to move forward, but what did that entail? I didn’t know what to expect, but surely it would be an adventure. At the same time, if the trees did not provide after purgatory,
Silence reigned. Not only did he keep his voice to himself, his animated memories and thoughts were gone from my regular training. My seething anger had waned quickly and was replaced with guilt that perhaps I had gone too far. I had irreparably damaged our relationship, the sole person I had felt kinship
Time marched on. I found my training difficult, because his thoughts were so noisy, and ever present. He continued to think about his memories of the past, but then those slowly gave way to bizarre imagery of what I could only describe as deformed people dressed in blocky colorful clothing that appeared to
Following that stunt, the next several sleep cycles involved little focus on our runes, and very lengthy question and answer sessions. That is to say, he had many questions, and I did my best to answer them. I had several questions of my own, but rarely asked them. To begin with, he indeed was,
Time went on inside purgatory. As the voices of the enclave became quieter and more distant, Tristian’s voice and memories became more vivid. At first, it was incoherent, but soon, it was repetitive memories of a strange world, with metal contraptions, buildings and rooms furnished with objects made from dead trees, among other things.
The elder guided myself and Tristian, who was being carried by several people, to what I know as the oldest tree. The bark was slightly different from the other trees, the fruits it bore were often misshapen, and sometimes contained unusual flavors. They were neither better nor worse, but unusual. Although my toddler years were
The Elder stood in the doorway. Mika looked down. I was still, holding my breath. Silence reigned. I swallowed and began opening my mouth, still not sure what I was going to say. I felt maybe it would be best to explain that we weren’t prepared. Or, we hadn’t prepared?