Warmth ~<GreenWind>~

❄️{Ten

What appeared wasn't just something.

In fact, it was a house.

Not just a house.

A house-In the trees.

A treehouse.

Lloyd stared at it in confusion. His eyes wandered from there, to the button, and so on and so forth. He had a feeling he wasn't supposed to find that.

But since he did, what was the harm in exploring a little? He walked closer and touched the bottom step with his foot, checking to be sure it was really there. Then with his hand he touched the railing.

Sure enough, it was real, and really sturdy, too. He took a brave step up and then ventured on upwards. 

Curiosity had gotten the best of him. He couldn't go back now.

It wasn't until a few more steps left until he was inside when he heard voices.

Voices.

Talking.

People.

Lloyd instantly felt encouraged and much better about his decision. He walked up faster, his back straight with confidence.

Covering the entry way were beaded strings. Lloyd cautiously reached out to them, shaking them together lightly to make sound so the people inside new he was there and wanted to come in. Or at least to be spoken to.

The voices fell silent. He couldn't really see it but Lloyd felt everyone in there look over towards him. It seemed like forever he just stood there until someone finally came and pulled aside the strings.

"Who are you?" The older man asked.

"Um. Lloyd. My name is Lloyd." 

"How did you find us? Why are you here?" He asked, his tone strict.

"It was an accident, I didn't really mean to come across this. I'm on a journey to save someone important to me. And a lot of other people."  Lloyd gulped after finishing his long string of words.

The man squinted. "Come in."

Lloyd did so.

All of the people inside were gathered around a table with a ball of crystal in the middle of it. And of course, they were all staring at Lloyd in question.

"Sit." The man said, motioning to an empty chair. Lloyd took a seat and the man cleared his throat. He took his own seat and murmured a few words with the others.

"You are searching for one called Morro, yes?" One asked.

"Uh, yeah, yes I am." Lloyd agreed.

"You've come a long way."

"I never knew there was this much out here."

"You've been kept in the dark. We cannot say whether or not that was intentional."

"I don't think so...?" Lloyd trailed off. Now he was confused.

"On your journey through each kingdom you're going to meet each season. Each season has its own ruler."

"Really?"

"Morro is not the birth heir to the winter kingdom. Due to the death of the king, Morro was chosen as he was an adoptee of him. Morro belongs to...Another worldly kingdom."

Lloyd blinked. "Does he know that?"

"We are not sure."

Lloyd stayed silent. Now he needed to find him even more. Then a thought came to him. "How do you know all this?"

They stayed silent for awhile, until one spoke up. "We know a lot; not all, but close. We are a small society of gathered people."

"Do you guys have like...magic?" Lloyd asked.

They all laughed and motioned to the ball. "Our powers lie here," they motioned to their heads next, "and here."

Lloyd ran a hand through his hair. "Can you tell me if Morro is okay? Where he is?"

They shook their heads. "We cannot directly interfere with destiny. We can only guide. Continue the path you are following."

With that, Lloyd found himself magically out of the treehouse. When he looked up, it was gone. It had moved to a new spot someplace else.

How??

They said to continue the path he was taking now. So he had to follow his gut and keep going.