Trapped

Chapter 2

Before the dawn of civilization, our ancestors lived in the wild, amongst the Mother's creation. Every living creature was subjected to the same laws of nature – to hunt or be hunted. Animals that hunted in groups had a better chance of survival than lone hunters. People soon modeled after these animals and formed their own tribes.

With a greater chance of survival, numbers within the tribes grew. More food was needed to feed a larger group, and so they started looking for ways to sustain their lifestyle. The Whitehorns dwelled in the south of the Sage River, while the Fiorins, the north. The Whitehorns prided themselves in hunting big wild game. The Fiorins, on the other hand, were gentle people who had begun exploring the concept of caring for certain plants that brought them a consistent food supply.

Every morning, Oeda travelled back and forth between the Sage River and her orchard to keep the crops watered. To the Fiorins, plants are divine blessings from the Mother that provide them with nourishment and protection from diseases. Spells were often used to enhance the potency of their protective elixirs, granting them a long and healthy life.

One day, while collecting water from the Sage River, she spotted a man slumped beside a tree, his mangled leg drenched in blood. She waved and called from across the river, only to realize that he was unconscious. Fearing that he might be in danger, with no means of contacting his tribe, she brought him back to hers with the help of her friends.

She cleaned his wounds and staunched the bleeding with a paste derived from a yellow root. Throughout the night, his temperature rose, driving him into a state of delirium. With permission from the Head, she fed him one of their precious potions reserved for emergencies. His bandage was replaced with a spelled salve. He subsequently took a turn for the better, and regained consciousness a few days later.

Upon awaking, he was alarmed to find himself in an unfamiliar environment. He grabbed the nearest object, arming himself against any potential threat. Oeda quickly explained that he was found injured, and they had brought him back for healing. But the man could not understand a single word of what was said, and he replied in rapid bursts in his own tongue. Understanding the confusion, Oeda pointed to his legs and enacted what happened over the last few days, showing him the salves and potions, then offering him food and water.

He became calmer, though he refused to touch the offered food and water. It was only after Oeda drank a sip from his cup and took a bite from the food did he deem them safe for consumption. Oeda gestured to herself and said her name. The man stared blankly and did not reply, either not understanding, or was still on his guard.

Over the next few days, he slowly became more comfortable with the Fiorins. He patted on his chest and introduced himself as Raphael Whitehorn. During his short stay, communications between them were difficult but pleasant once they warmed up to each other. Conversations were filled with gestures and phrases in their respective tongues. On the day of his departure, he gave two thumps on the left of his chest with his right fist as a gesture of thanks, and they returned with one of their own.

From time to time, Raphael would bring wild game from his hunt to Oeda by the river. Oeda would sometimes accompany Raphael on his hunts, learning the basic use of spears and other hunting instruments. In return, she introduced Raphael to the various plants that were used for potions.

To cope with the food demands of an increasing Whitehorn population, the Head of the Whitehorns decided to expand their territory to across the river. Hearing this, Raphael proposed to have a discussion with the Fiorins to come to a peaceful resolution. The two Heads met up for a discussion, with Raphael and Oeda as translators for their respective tribes. The Fiorins suggested teaching the Whitehorns farming, but Whitehorns vehemently refused, claiming that their people would not be insulted and domesticated in such a manner. The Whitehorns insisted on fighting it out with honor like true warriors.

Fearing that the war would claim either's life, Raphael and Oeda planned to flee before the war broke out at dawn. They sneaked out in the middle of the night, but were caught by Raphael's father, who shot an arrow through Raphael's chest, declaring that he would no sooner have a dead than a disgraced son. Oeda was devastated. In a desperate attempt to save him from death, she began summoning the dark magic to bind his soul to hers.

Dark magic claims payment from the caster for a spell cast. The exact cost varies from caster to caster, though it was known that the cost will always bring back the balance that had been upset. Dark magic was the strongest during full moon, and the eclipse of a full moon is a night where dark magic is the strongest, but also the most unpredictable. Dealing with dark magic on a night such as this was to be avoided at all costs. Yet it was on that very night that Raphael was at death's door.

Raphael urged Oeda to let him go – he would see her in the next life if fate permitted. Oeda refused. She uttered the final words of the spell and sealed it with blood from his wound and a slash along the life line of her palm at the exact moment when the full moon was completely eclipsed.

Their soul threads that entwined during the casting were momentarily visible. The dark energy released during the binding was so great that it sent out a radial blast. Tremors were rumored to be felt even on neighboring islands. A sizable patch of the surrounding land was permanently charred, rendering it incapable of supporting life.

When the moon once again shone into the night, Raphael breathed his last. Even soul binding could not save him from death's claim. Oeda was crushed. She carried his body with her, refusing food until she died of grief.