Don't Run

Spirit of the Field

The air seemed to grow cold, and the wind blew strongly, the sky rolling over with sudden clouds. Even though they could feel imminent danger. They couldn't stop watching her. They felt they'd miss something important if they looked away.

Some other people in their community noticed them watching her and curiously they wandered up to see what was happening.

"What is a Rabbit doing in the field?" An older badger murmured, grumbling at Lia.

"This is no place for a Rabbit." His voice gritted out, shaking his head.

"She's the Witch. She said she would fix our soil." The woman responded and his eyebrows furrowed.

"We got no business messing with such a thing. Tearsay said to never provoke it. She told me herself a corrupted spirit is wicked and evil. Their almost like the Monsters. But they still have their minds." He explained, and people looked at him nervously. Trixie especially. Olaf now worriedly stared even more at the short Rabbit woman.

"She said she could... we should trust her." Lia mumbled out. The old man sucked his broken teeth. People looking now with curious thoughts and baited breaths. What was about to happen?

The ground trembled under her, and a slow fog started to rise all around her, piling up in a pillar just before her, it seemed like everyone was holding their breath as whatever she had called forth answered her, audible gasps and even a child beginning to cry as big terrifying black eyes peered through the murky white. It spoke with a grating tone that was like nails down your throat. 

"YoU dArE cAlL ME? AFter WHAT wAs DoNe. LIARS. liars." Its voice became sad near the end, and Alona's eyes sparkled with hope. her hand reaching out to it.

"Little one ...you have lost your way. you do not need to live from your hate. I can help you." Her powerful voice was very clear and sounded so sincere. the thing tilted its head.

"LIAR. ThEy WeRe "HeLpINg" ToO! BUT IT WASNT. tHeY pOiSoNeD ME!" Its voice breaking with anger, growling out, a giant wooden claw lashing out from the smoke at her. Alona's soft expression turned into a scowl, the light in her eyes starting to leak into the many small veins in her face, the wooden claw bouncing away just before it reached her, deflected by an invisible barrier. It roared loudly and unnaturally, sending chills through everyone as a cold blast of wind burst from the Witch, clearing the smoke to reveal the grotesque and wicked figure of the corrupted Spirit. Twisted branches protruded from its head like gnarled horns and cracked bark covered its body, looking like it was stuck to black inky flesh in patches.

The Corrupted one lashed out at her more, and she gracefully dodged its attacks, swinging her body around it in a circle and tapping her foot down at six different points around it. 

the being let out an agonized scream in frustration and roots sprang from the ground, trying to ensnare her. Strong Rabbit legs catapulted her up and off the ground spinning through the air and holding up her staff high, a magic algorithm appearing above them in a flash, trails of mana streaming to each of the six points and carving a sigil into the ground. they floated around the Spirit and closed in, restraining its arms to its sides. The sigils turned from purple to Bright white and Alona slammed her fist so hard into the side of its face that the crowd visibly recoiled and felt the aftershock from it through the air. BOOM. The wretched thing wailed and writhed as the Witch grabbed its face and looked deep into its eyes.

"You have lost your way, child. You were never a fool. Your kindness was never a weakness, and your trust and nurturing were a blessing. THEY were the ones to blame. THEY were bad. you are not." she said desperately and pleaded with the being. pressing her forehead against his.

"I'll remind you how to get back to the right path. let me in." The being closed its eyes and the sigils shined brighter, white light flowing around them and through Alona, into the Spirits head. It moaned and whimpered and began to sob, its body starting to shrink and change. The bark and inky texture receding. leaving a pale green boy with a leafy tunic and small antlers made from tree branches. The magic faded, and he grabbed onto her tightly, sobbing into her chest as she hugged him softly and nuzzled the top of his head. her hand rubbing his little back. he looked like he was 8 years old. A juvenile evolved Spirit. 

When A spirit gathered enough life and experience, it began to grow, and if it stayed awake and walked the earth it would begin to solidify and get bigger. Eventually, it became more solid and sentient. More powerful over its domain and throughout its body. Most spirits are small and sleep in their elemental body until bothered. The young were lazy by nature. it would take an event or a calling to keep them risen long enough to gain the wonder of watching the world around it. That is why most spirits knew a Witch before her or were corrupted by tragedies like pollution and over consumption. That, or they gain a natural curiosity and sought to learn more on their own. Some being so ancient and powerful they are almost inconceivable. 

The boy calmed down, and Alona rocked him a little. petting his head.

"What's your name, baby?" she whispered softly, the boy cupping his hands and leaning close to her ear.

"Twig." he said so cutely that Alona squeezed him lovingly.

"it's okay now, Twig. Did you understand what I've shown you?" she made sure he understood her correctly. He nodded, balling up his fists and smirking. The ground around them started to sprout grass, spreading out from them in a circle. The land looked like it took a breath, and the life spread out eagerly to reclaim its rightful beauty. Alona stood up, and Twig held her hand as they walked to the area where Trixie was burying seeds.

The Witch stuck out her hands and pointed all her fingers down like a claw, then flicked her wrist up, and the vegetable sprouted out of the ground and rapidly grew into full-grown plants. The people watching were in shock at seeing such strange things. Strange and beautiful things. Trixie's tail started wagging, and she howled in excitement, a couple other dogs joining in.

Alona leaned over the strange boy and kissed his cheek, telling him something they couldn't hear. Then, like he had never been there, he disappeared from view. The gate unlocked and swung open. Everyone rushing onto the open field and touching the grass, some people even rolling around in it, all of them filled with happiness. They finally had hope. 

Lia walked up to Alona and gave her a hug. Trixie joining them. 

"Oh, thank you. thank you so much. thank you." Trixie cried and Lia rubbed her back. Alona just nodded and giggled before she held out her hand. Lia looked confused before going to hold it, and Alona grabbed her wrist instead, a flash of light startling her. When she pulled back, Lia saw a glowing mark on her wrist and looked shocked.

"You'll understand what that is soon. Just be safe, okay?" And like she appeared she abruptly left. Lia looking at the mark curiously. She had this overwhelming feeling in her chest. But it wasn't a bad one. It made her smile and look up to watch as the Witch was leaving. but Alona was already gone.