But by now, the songbird had grown quite used to hopping along the dusty paths by itself. Unwilling to be trapped again, the songbird refused to be taken in by anyone. It wished more than anything to be perched on the tallest branch, taking in the warm sunlight and looking down at all it had flown over. But no matter how the songbird tried, muscle had yet to grow on its tiny wings. It needed someone to teach it to fly again.
The pitch black Viscet stood in the center of the clearing, not showing any signs of aggression, but rather looked interested in my arrival. I stepped back into the clearing, focusing my eyes on the other Viscet. I would have missed him, had his bright monochrome eyes not glinted in the pale sunset light. Trying to make sense of what he said, I repeated his question as my own, “Did the Spirits call me here?”
He nodded, and took a step closer. Getting a closer look at the older Viscet, I could now see the silver streaks in his mane and in various spots of his body. His left paw was splotched silver, as well as his inner ears. “Chronos,” the elder Viscet spoke clearly, “is what I’m known as. Keeper of time by few, or Seer of All by some. Guardian of the Tree of Spirits by All. What is it you seek?” My head cocked to the side, confusion evident though my expression. My mind swirled, trying to put meaning to everything the other Viscet had just said. I responded after deep thought,
”what??”“Time spoke of you, Songbird, but not when of your arrival here. I’m pleased to see you have safely arrived” Chronos said softly, a hint of anticipation glinted in his eyes. I stuttered out a response, my mind still not fully processing everything that was happening, “Wait, wait.
What? I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.” Chronos smiled knowingly, but turned to walk to the base of the tree, and I noticed that the dark Viscet was missing his tail; no, not missing, just much shorter. I hesitantly followed the other, and he spoke once I got close enough once again, “This is the Tree of Spirits, known to most as the Spirit Tree. I’m sure you have noticed the aura of the tree?” It’s true. This close to the tree, it’s hard not to feel the sheer power rooted deeply within the wooden giant. But surprisingly, I wasn’t scared; instead I felt a sense of calmness, as if life itself was whispering into my sensitive ears.
I spoke, but was surprised at how shaky my voice was. “Y-yes, I can feel it. What is it though?” Again, Chronos just smiled and nodded, as if confirming something in his head. “Good, good. I knew you would.” He pressed a paw against the thick wood trunk before continuing, “What you feel is life itself. This tree is the link between the Living and the Passed, thus earning its name. But, Abuto, there is nothing to be afraid of.” My eyes widened as he said my name.
How would he know…? “Chronos, was it? How… How do you-“ “I’ve already answered that, Songbird. I see All in my path, and know of Time itself.” Chronos responded calmly. “Our paths were meant to cross, and I know what I have to do.”
I could practically feel my eye twitching now.
Did he expect me to understand what he is saying? I let out a heavy sigh, giving into the situation. At least it seemed like I have a place to say for a little while. I looked up into the star-covered sky, wondering what the next few months held in store for me.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
“Abuto, it’s time.” My eyes slowly blinked open, growling at the early morning sunlight. “
Now?” I asked. Surely it was too early for this! Chronos’ reply was sharp, and he hurried to the den carved into the tree while calling out “Time waits for no one, Songbird. Get up, it’s past sunrise.”
I stretched my legs and yawned. I had been up late the previous night getting ready for today. Today, Chronos and I were going to test my knowledge and apply everything I have learned up to now. It was fall now; a cool wind nudged the leaves above, sending a few tumbling down into the dusty clearing. Almost six months have passed since I stumbled upon this place, and I don’t regret it for a second. Looking back at my life in the Castle, I hardly had a chance to
live. I was caged; trapped. I didn’t know what to do, and I’m glad I had the courage to leave. The last several months have been hard, and I’ve lost more weight than I’d like to admit, but I’m happy here. The only thing I regret is leaving the poor King; as lie down in my mossy nest I can’t help but wonder what Nanashi could be up to. He never had any friends, after all. I do hope he found someone he can open up to in my place.
Chronos is a Seer; he can see vague events in the past and future, but not how they got there. We are both getting on edge, as one of his most recent Seeings was of a hunter. In addition, the elder black Viscet lives here and protects the Spirit Tree, and in return is protected by the mysterious tree’s aura from any with ill intentions that get too close. He described it to me once, but I’ve never seen it happen. “You see,” He explained, “Spirit Tree can sense the life in each one of us. Any creature with a cold heart and negative goals is misguided away from here. There are few who seek the Tree for its power, but in turn is sent in an endless circle by the Tree’s energy as a way to remain hidden from those not of pure heart.”
The Tree of Spirits, being the source of Life itself, results in countless wild flowers, plants and herbs on all it touches. Chronos uses this to his advantage; taking the plants to use as potions and medicinal purposes. He told me when I first arrived that I was called here by the Spirits, that they wanted me for a greater purpose. Upon arriving in Chronos’ clearing, he knew I was the one he had Seen and set to work right away teaching me all he knows. I’m not sure why he chose me specifically, but the other Viscet always replies “Because you are the one They chose, and you have a greater purpose in all this.” Though Chronos would never say what the ‘greater purpose’ was. I don’t think even he knew.
“Are you going to spend all day absorbing the sun, Songbird? Hurry it up.” I was shaken out of my thoughts by my mentor’s call from his den. The nickname ‘songbird’ confused me. I do not know where he got it from, but I do recall that that’s the first thing he called me by.
Must be another one of his strange riddles. I hurried to the base of the Tree and reached out to touch it with my paw, feeling the energy that surged through my being at its touch. “Good, that will help. Now then, shall we get started?”
All through the morning and afternoon, I demonstrated everything Chronos had shown me. How to stop bleeding. How to disinfect a wound. How to get a headache under control. How to aid an infection. How to settle a broken bone. All of this I picked up quickly, and I felt something I haven’t in a long time. The feeling you get when you
love doing something. It took a while, but I feel like I finally found my calling.
Literally. “Excellent! I couldn’t have done it any better myself.” I couldn’t help but puff my chest fur at my mentor’s praise. “Now, Abuto, have you been practicing your alchemy as well?”
Not only plants and herbs, but thanks to the Tree’s energy, I’ve been meditating on alchemy as well. It was strange, at first, but it has its practical uses. Though I wasn’t very good at it yet, I was still trying.
I have my mind set on it, so it can’t be long until I pick it up as easily as I did an herbalist “Yes,” I responded, “but I’m still quite confused by it. I can’t seem to get the flow of energy correct.” I demonstrated my limited skills on the stack of herbs on the table, turning them to dust and reaching forward to scrape the crushed leaves into a small pouch. “You’re getting there, just keep it up” came Chronos’ reply.
A twig snapped on the other side of the clearing, and both my mentor and myself perked up and snapped around, quickly scanning the area for the intruder. I opened my mouth slightly and smelled the area; there it was. Another Viscet. Though, if the Tree let him walk the path, surely he isn’t a threat…? My fur bristled despite this; Chronos' mention of a hunter had me on edge.
I slowly padded into the clearing, and the other looked just as confused as I was. I was a bit taken aback; a solid set of horns sat atop his head. I have not seen horns on another Viscet other than Nanashi. The other Viscet must have sensed my interest, and questioned, “What is it?” His voice was soft, contrast to his appearance. His head a pale grey, contrasting the rest of his dark body. A bright spotted pattern littered his fur in bright oranges and yellows that seemed iridescent under the sun’s light. “Who are you?” I responded with my own question, ignoring the other males. Chronos remained hidden in the shadow of his den at the Tree’s base.
“I’m the leader of a pack of refugee Viscets. My camp is not far from here, and I was just patrolling the area when I felt drawn to this area. I never knew such a place existed, actually.” Came the younger male’s reply.
“I’m Hunter.”
