White Strings

Episode 4 - Connected

Fall had passed and so did winter. Ash had frequented the Feathered Trees once in two weeks or so, and Silk found it was becoming harder and harder to wait each time. During spring Ash had to face a trial again and told Silk he will return in the beginning of summer, making Silk feel almost devastated.

What Ash hadn't told Silk, was that people had started suspecting him. Questions were being asked, suspicions were being raised and eyes started to follow his turned back. He knew what he was doing was going to have an effect on him, and he decided to lay low for a while until everyone would be busy with summer chores and trials.

He missed Silk, he found himself picturing her in his mind whenever he went idle. It felt as if he could feel her presence even though she was far away, almost as if their thoughts were connected. He tried his best to try and find more information about what he was afraid Silk might be, but it was so scarce that Ash started pondering about breaking into the Temple's main library. In there, all and every bit of information could be found, banned or not.

Back in the forest, Amani was confused as to why Silk was looking so down while looking so healthy. And in spring, too. Silk loved spring, she would always be late and receive scolding because she loved staying out collecting flowers and animals. Amani hoped that it was just her age starting to show, and that her young adolescent niece was just starting to mature.

But she knew something was off. Silk started carving two very distinct looking weapons that Amani knew nothing about. All Silk ever knew of the world outside the forest was from stories and pictures Amani showed her. At first she thought that the odd shape these wooden weapons were taking was just Silk's wild imagination. Then, however, Silk made them into such a specific shape, as if she was copying them from something.

Amani wanted to forbid Silk from meddling with weapons, but Amani already felt so weak. If one day her spirituality ends up fading once and for all, at least Silk might have some ability to defend herself. Even if it meant giving her false hope that she could ever fight off the likes of people that would want to possess her.

Silk was oblivious to her aunt's suspicions, but not to her deteriorating health. She grew worried by the day seeing Amani's complexion becoming worse, and how she stopped going on her daily hunts and stayed home. Silk took matters in her own hands and started hunting and collecting food instead. She had tried to ask her aunt about her other bloodline but Amani just smiled softly, shaking her head slowly. Feeling lost and without answers, Silk yearned to see Ash again and share her worries.

It was the early days of summer. Silk visited the Feathered Trees every morning before she went on her daily duties. She held onto Ash's promise that he would come back in the Summer, and tried not to let her spirit down every time she couldn't hear him jump off the trees.

At that one day, however, it was almost like she could feel him. His presence, she felt as if she could smell it in the air that morning. She parted from her aunt after making sure she had everything she needed, and left the hut. Walking through the familiar path was like running down a slope, she felt like she was unable to stop herself.

Ash felt her getting closer. Usually he would be able to tell by her strong and rich scent that he'd gotten to love. But this time, it was as if he could feel her excitement, her rush. The intensity of her emotions mirrored themselves inside his head, she missed him. He felt those words repeat over and over again as her presence got closer, and he had to try and tune her out of his thoughts.

She finally showed up through the green thicket, looking around as if she knew he was there. Ash would usually jump down and reveal himself as well, but he wanted to try something. He wanted to make sure.