Memories (Of Dreams and Demons)

Typhoon of Light

Draft. Massive draft.

I can feel my eyes grow wider, some tiny semblance of strength returns at the sight of the surreal tree towering over me, one too wondrous to let myself drift away and die to just yet.

As I take in the surreal tree towering over me, I feel the weight of the world bearing down on my shoulders. It is as though I have been transported deeper into another layer of this fantastical realm, one more primal, more surreal. The tree's twisted branches reach up into the sky, each one a gnarled, stringy appendage twisting and turning in the wind. I can hear the rustle of leaves and the creak of wood as the tree sways and dances, the sky above it a canvas of shifting light and shadow.

This tree is the ash tree we used to visit as children; the one we sat beneath its branches to sing, kiss, and puzzle out the mysteries of life. But now, it stands like a natural skyscraper, higher than any tree or building I have ever seen. Its bark is patterned with deep crevices and waterless rivers that have been naturally etched over thousands of years of existence. The others, as they dragged me here, must have been able to see it soaring high for miles around.

"What has happened to it?" I gasp, Naoko too struck by awe to give any reply as she gazes up the trunk.

A million leaves flitter about as they loosely sway on string-like branches, the stars behind them flickering in and out of sight as their presence is repeatedly blocked and announced by their gently movements. It's awash in every hue of green and blue, with thousands of little streams of light streaming between individual leaves. I narrow my eyes to try and peer closer, they're butterflies made of light, translucent and nimble, dancing upon their own little fields of green.

The ghostly howls of hunting shadow beasts and boarhounds on the wind seem to only sway the leafed long branches further, filling them with a sense of urgency, of action. But somehow, I know beneath these branches lifetimes of drama have unfolded, and still the tree stands. No matter what happens to Naoko and me, this enormous tree grows on almost indifferent. I gulp at the thought of what might happen.

But even as I gaze up in wonder at the towering masterpiece, I see the shadows close in on the edges of my visions, as if I were slowly going blind. We're trapped at the base of the tree, the things we flee pursuing us even here, from every direction, every angle. There will be no escape from the oceans of shadow that always follow.

And in their depths, the man of shadow walks towards us, surrounded by baying dogs and twisted creatures of nightmare. Screaming at the darkness, their teeth gnash and grin at the coming feast of blood, monstrous beasts at his side.

The Realm grows dark alongside him, blackness sliding along the sky to encase us. Only the tree and dying light surrounding us keep him at bay. But he draws closer, forever closer. He must have followed us here, always coming, never sleeping, no matter what Naoko or I, or Cale, or anyone might believe.

You keep running, his voice fills my mind, it's all you know. But you cannot run from me forever.

I try to sit up, but I am numb from the waist down, the world grey and lifeless. Naoko's hands on my shoulders are the only thing keeping me from falling, and even that feels like a dream. I have to do something, anything, but I am stuck here, useless, numb, and broken.

Naoko says something, final and urgent, but I do not quite catch it. She kisses me gently on the cheek, and then she darts away. I

Wait, I try to shout.

She dashes forward to face the boarhounds that charge, nothing but an empty void at their backs. watch her run towards them, and I cannot believe what I am seeing. Why would she do this? Why would she risk everything for me? And she runs at them, in my defence even as my death is certain. Naoko. Why would you?

A flash of fire ignites the skies, a burst of light that illuminates the darkness. The lightning runs wild, darting across the heavens before everything turns pure white in an instant, a blinding flash that leaves me dazed and disoriented.

Slowly, sight returns to me, and I'm standing in a clearing surrounded by corpses, a circle of death that tells a tale of violence and savagery. The hounds lie scattered on the ground, their bodies broken and twisted, their eyes still wide with fear.

As I try to make sense of the chaos, motes of light begin to float across my vision, dancing and twirling as if alive. They seem to be leading me somewhere, drawing me towards a figure of light that looms over us, a creature of pure radiance that stands at least twelve feet tall, from hoof to horn.

The creature is a sight to behold, with a body that is partially scaled, glistening in the stars a surreal rainbow hue, shaped like a sleek but muscled horse with cloven hooves. Its head is the most striking feature, with eyes that are adorned with thick lashes, a mane that flows upwards, and a glorious silken beard of strands that seem to shimmer with every move.

What.. is this? What is this being of light is called? Flames flicker across its body, some a brilliant white, others a more natural glow of red and orange. Its hooves rest an inch above the ground, refusing to walk upon the grass for fear of harming a single blade.

Naoko turns towards the creature, her eyes filled with a sense of awe and wonder as she gazes upon its otherworldly presence. As if in a trance, she slowly extends her hand, reaching out to touch its fiery mane, but stops short of making contact. Instead, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, attempting to establish a deeper connection with the mystical creature.

In this moment, Naoko and the creature share a wordless greeting, each attempting to gain a deeper understanding of the other. Though they do not speak, they communicate through subtle movements and unspoken emotions, a dance of mutual curiosity and admiration.

"Your presence here.." she whispers, and closes her eyes.

Meanwhile, Chi kneels between Naoko and the Kirin, his head bowed in reverence. I'm unable to determine whether pays homage to Naoko or the divine being that has appeared. As he observes the two entities, I catch an unspoken twinkling of understanding in his eyes, a connection that transcends language and defies explanation.

Chai rests one hand upon the grass, the other upon his sword, which is embedded deep and covered in blood. Zen holds him steady gently at his side, her eyes bright with tears as she too stares at the beast.

"The legends were true," Chi basks in the light of the creature, "the Kirin heralds your arrival. Your destiny is about to be revealed."

Kirin. I reach out to try and pat the Kirin alongside Naoko, but time slows. The Kirin standing serene within a scene seemingly from a dream fades. And just like that, the air within which it shimmered is empty again.

Minerva rests with her eyes closed upon the lowest branch, as if waiting for us, waiting for peace to fall upon the fields around us. She basks in a gentle glow brought about by the light that's followed our arrival, little orbs and rings magical patterns rolling over her feathers.

She opens her eyes, and they rest upon me, running down my hastily wrapped and bloodied chest, and upon my legs.

"It's time to see how far your belief may take you," she says gently. "The path ahead is fraught with danger, but with the blessing of a Kirin, you shall not falter. Embrace your destiny, for it is time to fulfil your true purpose."

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