Embodiment Of The Sun

CHAPTER 5 : THE HEAVENLY FOREST

What would it feel like if you had tree roots inside your mouth that was leaking some suspicious substance? Alora woke up with a shock then coughed up the sickly green roots that was inside her mouth still oozing some kind of green liquid. She was in a round room that had the shape of a large pea. The room didn't have any furniture, but it had a bed that was made out of wood and bark, though it was soft. It also had a chair and table which was also made out of twirling roots and wood. Through a hole in the room , sunlight was pouring in. A big leaf worked as a curtain for it. But Alora wasn't alone. There was a small figure sitting on the chair, sleeping with their head on top of the table. It was a child that basically looked like a sapling. It's whole body was glistening with a green hue as it was bathing in the sunlight. A few strands of roots on its head resembled it's hair which had a little flower bud in the middle. Alora was out of sorts but didn't want to wake that child up so she got up from the bed. She felt dizzy for a bit and was surprised to feel her head bandaged. What could have happened to her? She got closer to the window and felt her soul leave her body. Her fear of height surged in as she saw that she was at least 500 feet above the ground. All around she could see a cluster of gigantic trees soaring to the sky, completely covering it expect some spaces where sunlight was seeping. Thousands of big pea shaped pods were hanging from large branches of the trees. Many bridges were connecting different sections of the trees, swinging mildly with a light breeze. People looking like trees themselves were walking around and doing their respective things. Their hair as colorful and bright as that of a garden. She felt a gentle tug and the child said, "You were sleeping for so long, I thought my first flower will bloom before you wake up. Thankfully human language is taught to everyone in all the regions so we can talk to you guys. My teacher says I am great at speaking it too. Why do you look so shocked? " said the child.
"Um it's just new for me to see a plant like creature talk, if you were not cute, I would have screamed. Who are you? " Alora asked.
"My name is Fion. I might look like I was born some days ago but I am 12 years old. What's your name, human? "
"I am Alora Awasthi. And 12 years isn't that much, kiddo. I am nearly 16. Where am I? " she asked.
"Silly humans.. " Fion sighed. "I am a grown up boy, and time moves much slower than Earth. I have lived more than your five lifetimes at least, hehe. And we are hanging from the branch of our mother tree, the largest tree in our forest. It is said that all the other trees were born from this tree's seeds. Consider yourself blessed, " he laughed.
"Okay but, why is my head bandaged? Where are the others? " she asked while rubbing her head.
"Oh, let me.. " he took off the bandage which was also made from cellulose of the trees. "It was a nasty fall, we thought you wouldn't survive. But the sap of this very tree, helped you recover. Our forest is known for it's healing capabilities mostly. You had been out for nearly a week. Dad is waiting for you, " he said.
At the mention of his dad, she felt a sudden sadness and wondered when she would be able to go home again.
"Well, I always wanted to be sleeping beauty. Do you know how I can go back to my sister again? "
"Well, you need to prove your worth first, The Serpent must have chosen you for a reason. As a Grassweilder, you need to finish your job, " Fion said with a smile as he opened the door for her.
"Great. So great. Agh.. my head hurts. Let's just get this over with, " Alora grunted.

The atmosphere was peaceful, chirping of the birds filled the surroundings, gentle breeze ruffled Alora's curly hair as she stepped out. "Can you tell me about yourself more?" She asked Fion.
"Before the war, our main source of business was the shipping of healing roots and leaves. This forest itself can give you peace and heal you to the core. Because of it, we live the longest. We call ourselves the Seedan. As you can see, with age, our skin gets rough as hard bark replaces the tender skin. More flowers grow and bloom with age. As we represent the plant life, we eat the things normal plants have, " he said.
"So judging by the fact you guys represent all the plants.... by any chance... are some of you carnivores?" she hesitated.
"Oh yes, but don't worry, we won't eat you, some of us only eat small creatures, like fleubs and blubbers. I have heard that they are tasty. At least a different taste from eating basically the same water everyday, " he sighed.
"Fleubs and blubbers? " she asked with confusion.
"Fleubs are blob like small creatures, that are found near our Nacha river. Whereas blubbers are flying insects that build nests on our trees, " Fion replied.
"That sounds interesting. In my garden, I always grow tired of pests that harm my beautiful plants. Nasty little things. "
"Oh! thankfully the previous grassweilder, Enoc, got rid of a insect that were harmful for us too, the woodbugs. It spread like a disease, rotting our bodies. When the war began, he also healed this entire grove, restored our safe heaven," he said with a wistful look. "So many of us had to burn.... just because we wanted peace... it wasn't no normal fire either, it was black fire... Shadowy tendrils that engulfed this forest, I am glad I wasn't born at that time... Many saplings perished... "
"I am sorry for what your kind had to go through. This war that you speak of... Who started it? " she asked as they crossed a bridge and went to another section of the tree, while she nearly fainted looking underneath.
"The tyrant. No one knows about that person, " he replied. "Enter here. "
Alora and Fion went inside a room that had two people in there. One was like an older version of Fion, with some beautiful red flowers in bloom on top of his head. The other person looked much older, her legs were like tree trunks and her hair was dark with some flowers that looked like they would soon wither.
"Hello, human. I hope you found no inconvenience in staying here. I am Dion, Fion's father. And this here is Pauli, the elder of our humble abode, " the younger man said.
"Hello, I am Alora. Nice to meet you, " she said.
"I can feel his presence inside you...... maybe because of the gem but still... it feels like he is here with me again... Oh right, sorry. I got carried away.. Enoc was my lover, sweet as nectar... he was unfortunately killed along with the previous weilders except the lightweilder, " Pauli sighed.
"His memories will carry through you, miss. But I can't help but ask, can I please meet with my sister? " Alora asked.
"I am sorry to say, dear, but it's only in your hands... " Pauli replied.
"You need to train yourself to do that, if not for your injury, you could have made great progress. The Guide's abilities are getting weak it seems. Because of him, you had to fall from the treetops, crashing down to the ground. " said Dion.
"I really want to kick that man now, is there really no other way? Can I even do the things, the ones before me did? " Alora asked.
"You need to make a connection with your dragon, like everyone before you did, " said Fion.
"How do I do that?" She asked.
"By meditating, my dear. We will take you to our most sacred place, " Pauli replied.
They soon went downwards through wooden stairs. Alora could feel her feet hurting from all these walking. They soon reached the ground around the largest tree.
"Come here, you will like it, " said Dion.
The tree's huge roots had made a big opening in the middle of the trunk. The space was lit with flowers and moss shining bright. With a small space like a stage was in the middle. Small patches of grass made it look comfy.
"Enoc looked so breathtaking while meditating here.. " Pauli said.
"I really want to see the world outside this grove, so you need to train quickly and travel back here again so I can hear all about your adventures, " Fion requested Alora, looking at her with shimmering hope and will of an adventurer.

A few days went away, Fion kept Alora company while she was meditating here. Alora was becoming frustrated.
"Maybe you should imagine the people you want to meet and then direct that feeling to the need to go to them and then the dragon might show up, " Fion advised.
After few tries that day, Alora was finally able to see the green dragon. It was huge and more like a snake. She could see and feel the dragon's essence pouring into her slowly as she glowed with a green hue.
"I did it! Yess!" She screamed.
"Quick , try to do something!!" Fion replied.
Alora closed her eyes and concentrated on that feeling. Then she opened them and brought out her hand in front of where she was sitting.
"Grow! " she yelled.
Grass began to grow, flowers rose high above as that empty space was filled with beautiful plants too.
"Come let's tell the elder! " they both went above to meet Pauli.

Alora was slowly learning, with encouragement, she could make a big branch grow more big and make the bark and roots of the trees to make a big bridge too.
"With enough focus you can make any shape you want with the plant life around you too. Enoc once made a whole castle rise out of the ground made with wood as our anniversary gift " Pauli smiled. "Healing will soon be a piece of fruit to you too. "

Two days later, Alora was sleeping in the same room she found herself in first time, which was now her room. She woke up because of a huge boom sound and people screaming. She looked out her window to see a few black shadowy creatures attacking the treetops and the people there.
She ran out and found Fion in danger as a big wolf like shadow creature was striding towards him menacingly. She came in front of him and took her hands out. Vines rose to capture the wolf, but with little struggle, it soon freed itself and started running towards them again. With a swift motion, Alora made wooden spikes grow out from a nearby branch and hurled them into the wolf. It howled in pain as it disintegrated.
"Are you okay??? What are these things?? "
"Shadow creatures , they say these things are drawn because of the aura of weilders. Be sure to stay safe, " Fion grabbed her hands.
"It's okay, go find your dad, I won't let them hurt you people. " she said after reassuring him.

Alora was saving people from the wolves by making them disappear one by one. She stabbed one with spikes and sprouted a carnivorous plant that gobbled up two of the wolves.
She saw a young girl bleeding on the ground and went to help.
"Don't worry, I am here, please heal, please!! " she waved her hand above her grave wound that was bleeding green blood. For a moment, nothing was happening but soon Alora's hand began to glow after enough focus and her wound was slowly healing.

In that moment, Alora was oblivious to a wolf slowly coming from behind to strike on her with huge claws. But the moment it was about to lunge on her..... a huge block of earth hit the wolf.
"DON'T TOUCH MY SISTER! " came a scream as two more boulders hit the wolf and it disappeared.
"Aneya!" Alora screamed and went to hug her sister. "I missed you so much!! "
"I missed you too, brat. Now help me defeat these nasty things."
Two sisters stood back to back as one lifted huge pieces of earth above the ground to strike while the other trapped them with huge vines.
Fion came to help too as they all defeated the remaining monsters.
"Are you sure you are okay? " Aneya asked her sister, finally reunited.
"I am. I am. Oh meet this guy. He is Fion. Talkative but great. "
Aneya patted him on the head as the people gathered.
Soon it was time for Alora to go even though her training to healing was cut short. Aneya had taught her the method to teleport.
After saying her goodbyes, they were preparing to leave but suddenly Fion came running with a backpack.
"I want to go with you, and don't worry I have taken dad's permission and can take care of myself too. I won't be a burden." He said.
"Are you sure? You can finally see the outside world too haha." said Alora.
"I am sure we can make space. Hold on tight, " Aneya laughed and the three of them teleported with the will to meet with the boy with light.