The Chronicles: Green Night

The Seed of Life

The rolling hills spread out beneath me, the air crisp and invigorating. Birds flew by, disappearing into the unknown beyond. I observed my hands and realized, to my relief, that this time I remained in my human form, not some wild animal. Still, the dream held a sense of familiarity and peace, much like the previous one, despite an underlying tension. I found myself surrounded by towering mountains and lush grass, lying on the ground, gazing up at the sky while watching the birds.

"What message do you bring me this time?" I inquired of the enigmatic power behind these dreams and visions. It felt as if I'd been transported back in time, with an inkling that this dream held great significance, not only for me but perhaps for my coven. My coven. Its weird saying something like that after what happened, but still, it feels somehow good to know that maybe I'm not all alone anymore.

Since the last dream, I'd begun to ponder its meaning and purpose. I was uncertain whether what I witnessed should be interpreted as a warning, a clue, or maybe even a memory.

I closed my eyes and let myself relax. The birds' melodious tunes filled the air, gradually fading into the distance. Inhaling deeply, the crisp air entered my lungs, rejuvenating me with the much-needed energy I had been lacking since my dreaming began. I stretched my legs and arms, luxuriating in the sensation of the morning grass beneath me.

As I extended my body, my right hand brushed the surface of water. A smile crept across my face at the contact. After a few moments of silence, I became aware that the water hadn't been present before. Still holding my hand above the surface, I glanced to my right and was captivated by a breathtaking sight. The valley I had admired initially had transformed into a lake, or something resembling one, given its remarkably shallow depth. If I dipped my feet in, only half of my shoe would be submerged and damp. It didn't resemble a typical lake, possibly a collection of rainwater, even though no rain had fallen since my arrival in this valley.

Over time, I decided to set aside my questions and simply savour the mesmerizing view before me.

To my surprise, the water was warm, despite my lofty mountainous location and the surrounding cool temperatures.

Before I could drift into slumber, a sudden explosion pierced the silence, and I abruptly opened my eyes. My head shot up from the ground toward the source of the disturbance.

An elderly man stood in the midst of the lake, encircled by at least 30 individuals. They wore leather armor and brandished axes. Barbarians? Vikings? Or perhaps the ancient Celtic or Germanic tribes?

The old man displayed no fear; he appeared remarkably serene, as if meditating, despite the imminent threat surrounding him. His eyes remained closed. I had expected the elderly man to be swiftly dispatched by these warriors, yet they appeared uneasy and didn't attempt to close in on him. None of the warriors dared to approach the old man.

While observing the unfolding spectacle, I noticed that the old man wore a green robe adorned with intricate engravings that appeared to be made of gold. He sported a long, snowy-white beard, resembling a wise elder.

"Hey, you scoundrels! Attack him! He's just an old man. Once we dispose of him, that foolish kid who thinks he's a god will surrender, and we can claim this place as our own," one of the warriors shouted. He, too, had a beard, though not as lengthy or white as his target's, it was still quite conspicuous.

Upon the command, approximately 20 men charged toward the old man, who remained at the centre of the lake. However, the situation escalated before any of them could reach their target.

The old man opened his eyes and raised his hands. Suddenly, pillars of water shot up around him. The warriors, who had just been so tough and confident, were taken by surprise, frozen in their tracks.

A fluid dance unfolded as the old man's hands moved in a mesmerising pattern, conjuring tentacle-like extensions from the columns of water. The liquid appendages mirrored the intricate dance, fluidly and ruthlessly striking down the frozen attackers. Each movement of the old man was a command to the watery limbs, and the warriors fell before the watery assault.

As the last enemy crumpled in defeat, the old man strolled calmly to the edge of the nearby lake. Sitting in the lotus position, he brought his dance to a serene close. As his fluid movements ceased, the water constructs dissolved, leaving only the peaceful ripples on the lake's surface.

"Why are you just standing there?! Attack him!" one of the earlier warriors shouted, appearing frightened as he inched away from the old man.

The remaining warriors remained frozen in place, showing no inclination to approach their intended target. However, they needn't have bothered. While in the lotus position, the old man gestured with his hands in the air, forming intricate symbols. After a while, colossal snake-like water creatures sprang from the lake and immediately descended upon the remaining warriors.

None of the warriors had time to react; the serpentine entities coiled around their bodies and began to suffocate them. The more the attackers struggled to free themselves, the deeper they sank into the water, transforming into watery snakes.

Amid this dramatic spectacle, I focused my gaze in the direction of the old man. He appeared before me as if by magic, locking his piercing blue eyes with my green ones. I could sense the man's palpable frustration and the fear that burdened him.

"The time approaches. Like me, you must safeguard what is precious. Protect your followers," he declared with such a commanding voice that it made the water vibrate.

"As ever, darkness looms. As ever, we must prevail. I failed to fulfil my mission entirely, and the empire has fallen, thanks to the darkness and my own incompetence. The moon will illuminate your path, and nature holds the key to unlock the black door," he added.

Before I could respond, I awoke from my dream, lying on my bed in a highly uncomfortable position.

"Well, I have the feeling I'll need to discuss all these bizarre dreams with Lys and attempt to decipher their meaning, otherwise I will probably go insane. But first, I must undergo the ceremony," I muttered to myself, panting heavily. My face was drenched in sweat.