Those Who Sharpen the Mind

Rabbits and Gambles

Un'tra's feet stung and his muscles burned. The strain of his body moved through the chaotic geometry of street life. He was near the south gate that would lead to the dark forest. To his luck, the gates had not been closed for the evening. Several Holi-com stared at him as he put his entire effort into each stride. The guards did not budge at this sight as someone leaving the city would not be their problem.

The men resumed their games to stave off the boredom of parameter duty. The sun was now beginning to be swallowed by the mountains and the long watch of night would commence. To their surprise, several hunting dogs bolted past the gates. They now knew that this poor soul who passed them twenty minutes before had done something wrong. The guards could almost predict the time that the dog's owners would pass the station.

"Your mutts got the scent of some poor soul. Make sure to return here as soon as you exact your justice. We shall give you one hour before we close the gates. If I were you gentlemen I wouldn't want to spend the night in the Green Caverns. That forest makes my skin crawl even during the day." One of the guards said in a voice that could be heard by the running men as they passed the gates. The farmhands gave nods of understanding.

Un'tra could hear the faint sounds of dogs as the forest got darker. It seemed almost pitch black even before the setting sun. What chance did he have in darkness against the noses of these dogs? He moved as quickly as he could using all his limbs to test the surroundings. If he fell he may be spatially lost in this darkness. A faint beam shone through the canopy. He saw some rabbits bounding through the forest uninhibited by the darkness. Un'tra was doubting every step he took. He may have trapped himself in a puzzle of darkness.

Then Un'tra saw it. One rabbit in the beam of light turned and charged toward the growing sounds of the dogs. Tears welled in his eyes as he remembered his mentor and his most recent vision. This could not be a coincidence. He knew through his tears and doubt his only chance was to follow this rabbit. It broke from its Path and charged toward danger. The repercussions of radical change may not matter if Un'tra was caught by these hunting dogs. He had to trust that this rabbit had left its Path for a reason and he must follow it.

The rabbit moved quickly and Un'tra concentrated on moving his body efficiently through the dense forest. Tiny pockets of remaining sunlight allowed him to catch faint glimpses of the rabbit. If he broke concentration or did not keep up his speed, he would lose the rabbit. If he were to lose this rabbit, or if he was not meant to base his escape on a dream, this would be the end of his Path. With each step, fear grew in his heart as the dogs became louder and closer. The growing cacophony of the dog sounds stung his ears. He finally saw the rabbit bolt into a burrow in a space created by roots and earth. Un'tra dove into the space and landed near a strange bioluminescent plant stem.

Un'tra's mind raced as he scoured through his memory to any study or lesson he had on plants. He remembered what this plant was. It was the Drullic Oncitus plant. He tightened his eyes trying to remember what was special about this plant and maybe what secrets it held. There was no time to think as the dogs were so close he could smell their foul odors. He ate the plant in a desperate move to hopefully unlock something from the plant. A calmness washed over his body and his mind had more range to search for information. The lack of anxiety and adrenaline startled Un'tra. He lay in this hollowed-out space and realized what he had done.

The Drullic Oncitus plant was commonly referred to as the "Gambler's Last Call". The plant lived in the dark hidden areas of forests. It used its glow to attract insects to their demise. Over its existence, it had to develop some defenses from bigger animals eating it. The plant had developed a poison that changed the very existence of a creature. Many people had consumed the plant and experienced pure bliss from viewing the world from a new form of existence. Many more people consumed the plant and never returned to their existence. Their Paths were instantly erased, only leaving behind the mindless body. It had become so deadly that it had been outlawed in Haimore to even possess the plant. The days of spiritual journeys had given way to desperate men wagering they could live through the experience of altering their existence. No one knew what happened to the minds or spirits of these poor gamblers.

Un'tra's Path had led him to a precipice and he wondered if the secrets of the plant would reveal themselves. Was he worthy enough for the plant's grace, or had the gods created a cruel end to his Path? He had one good thought as the plant's poison spread through his veins. The poison would fundamentally change his existence. This meant his scent would no longer be his. He may have a bigger problem than dogs if his mind and existence became incompatible with the world. He closed his eyes and hoped he was worthy of returning from this otherworldly experience.

Would he even know if he had?