The Awakening

Chapter 7

Kiel had begun his gentle descent towards Yortin with a confident stride, but as he grew nearer, his confidence waned. Hisses and rumbles echoed out from in between the numerous trees. All I've ever heard is "Stay away from Mana Zones!" Now I'm told to walk into one with no clear path. Kiel shook his head. It was only through the adrenaline coursing through him that he could push on.

A break in the trees lulled Kiel toward it, the opening seemed more easily accessible then the wall of wood surrounding it. Taking a deep breath, he pushed aside a low hanging branch and plunged a boot into the bushes. The world beyond was foreign. It was a small grotto filled with lustrous shades of green from the canopy to the floor. The warm smell of pine and shrubbery filled the air. Kiel gazed at the forest in wonder. "I've never seen something so beautiful." Kiel had never felt a lack of vocabulary until now. There were simply no words to describe the scene before him. Tranquil, isolated, clean. That's all I've got, but it doesn't do this justice.

Kiel exhaled the wonder away and refocused. "Okay, I'm supposed to find this 'Sage'. How the hell am I supposed to do that? Would it have killed Master Lars to give me just a little more instruction?"

A noise close by interrupted Kiel's ruminations. A bush shaking, the sharp clatter of talons on wood, the guttural sub-bass of a growl. Yeah, not good.

Monsters had surrounded Kiel, long necked hawks with beady eyes perched on the branches above as far as the eye could see. Dark orange, cat-like heads pushed through bushes. Menacing fangs pronounced in a symphony of snarls. There was no way out.

Kiel's breathing grew ragged as the pressure in the air increased. The light seemed to grow to an uncomfortable intensity and every small noise grew into a deafening roar in Kiel's ears. Not again, why does this keep happening? The serene forest that had captured Kiel's breath was now wringing it out of him.

Just as the creatures prepared to pounce, a blue glow flashed in the small grotto. A cloud of particles floated gently, suspended a few feet above the ground. The monsters gave groans of disapproval and backed out of sight.

Friendly. Follow. The words bounced around inside Kiel's head like a whisper in his ear.

Struggling to focus clearly, Kiel followed the blue mist into the woods.

Kiel's senses slowly regained normalcy as he made his way deeper into the forest. Time had passed in a blur and he wasn't sure how long it had been. The blue mist had dragged Kiel deep into the forest. The surroundings changed gradually. Thick beams of light were now thin streams illuminating the mossy footholds. The forest had become gently luminous by various glowing flora, the dew from the heavy air shimmering like gemstones. The hot liquid air made walking through the forest exhausting. Kiel panted as his leather armor wicked off wetness. The previously rich and clean air was cut off by the odd pressure of the forest. "So this is a Mana Zone."

"Yes, it is. Although you've had a much easier time than most." A serene voice rang from Kiel's side, making him jump. Kiel turned towards the voice, and to his surprise, saw a short man with stern eyes. The man had long and wild grey hair swept back over his head.

"I've been waiting for you. Though I thought you would be a little more," he said stiffly

Kiel frowned at the jab. "So you're the Sage then? I'm not really sure what I expected, but it wasn't this. You've been around forever and live in a Mana Zone, shouldn't you be a bit more?"

The Sage chuckled, a controlled and polite expression. "You are a cheeky one aren't you? I cannot say I dislike that." A small smile grew on the Sage's face as he nodded. "Follow me then, Cheeky One." The Sage turned casually and waved Kiel forward.