Linked

Chapter XI

You're standing at the edge of the forest. The entire town looks at you. Their eyes are angry, their words are even more so. You've been exiled from the town for being different. You know you're different, you always have been. You're not like everyone else, so now they're getting rid of you. You turn around to run away, but end up at a clearing. It's the clearing where you found Terakial. You look around, but he isn't there. No one is there. The sky is pitch black, not even a star is shining. Suddenly, voices surround you, like a whisper. You can't escape them. You try to run away, but when you turn around, you are face to face with another person, clad in a suit of armor, and ready to fight. But you don't want to fight. You can't fight. As soon as you think that, the stranger lunges at you, ready to kill. They almost land their blow, but you parry. It takes you a second before you realize you have a sword in your hand now. And it freaks you out even more. You don't know how to use a sword, you've never even touched a sword before. You step back to get away from them. But the floor gives way under your feet, and you fall. You fall for what seems like hours, your screams unheard by anyone.

Loci woke up with a jolt, sweat covering his body and sobs shaking his core. he managed to stay quiet as to not wake the rest of the group, but Terakial was awake.

Be calm, Loci. It was only a dream. he said, his deep voice soothing Loci's thoughts somewhat. But his breathing was still heavy, and the images of the dream were still fresh in his mind. He got up, Terakial lifting his wing to let Loci stand.

"I just need to be alone for a moment." he said his voice breaking.

Alright. But remember, if you need anything, just tell me. Terakial lifted his head slightly, looking straight into Loci's eyes.

"Thanks, T." he answered with a smile.

Loci walked away from the camp, finding a convenient stump he could sit on. He crossed his legs and breathed. But no matter how slow his breathing was, thoughts raced through his head. After a good twenty minutes, he was ready to give up when Asmara emerged from the trees.

"Can't sleep?" she asked, sitting on the soft grass in front of him. The strange glow of the forest mixed with the white moonlight gave her tunic an eerie shine.

"Bad dream." answered Loci, looking down at his hands. "I don't understand why it's affecting me so much. I just can't seem to calm down."

"You need to clear your mind. I'm not saying ignore the dream: they can hide important messages. But you need to not let it get to you."

"How do I do that? Every time I close my eyes, I relive the horrors of my dream."

"Close your eyes, and listen," said Asmara. Loci was confused.

"Listen to what?"

Asmara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Listen to the trees." Even though it did not quell his confusion, Loci closed his eyes as well.

"The trees in this forest, as you may have already noticed, are not like normal trees. They are embedded with a different kind of energy. If you expand yourself, focus your ears, you can fell their energy, and hear their voices." Asmara spoke in a calm, meditative voice.

"Their voices?" whispered Loci.

"Just listen."

Loci inhaled deeply through his nose and exhaled through his mouth. He loosened his body and expanded his mind. After a few seconds, he could sense the strange energy the surrounding trees. They felt alive like they had a soul. He then focused his listening and heard the voices. But the trees didn't speak, they sang. He couldn't discern any words, but the melody was a mix of melancholy and hope, a tune that made him forget all of his worries. The more he listened, the more the melody grew. It was the most beautiful song he had ever heard. Loci opened his eyes and saw Asmara was smiling.