Trial by Fire

Chapter V

He opened his eyes to see red and orange trees stretching far above him. He sighed, closing his eyes before opening again and deciding to get up. He shook his head, ridding it of tiny branches and leaves from where he was sitting. He stood up to find himself nestled in the roots of a grand oak tree. The sweet melody was playing again, eerie and echoing through the seemingly empty forest. Arron lazily looked around, not as scared this time trying to see where he was. Shadows and light danced on his face as a light breeze rustled the trees.

"Hello! Is anybody out there? if you're going to scare me, I suggest you do it, because I don't have all day!" Arron shouted cupping his hands over his mouth. Nothing answered. He looked down to find himself in a strange outfit, a red and black tunic, and leather pants, falling loosely at his hips. The fabric was soft and light but warm at the same time. A necklace felt cold against his chest as he pulled it out to examine it. It seemed to be some sort of tree, silver twisting and turning to form a circle. There set a gem in the middle, changing color as the light reflected off of it. Arron deemed it opal as it sparkled in the sunlight.

He froze, hearing a rustling in a bush. He felt around for his knife before remembering that he didn't have it. He muttered a curse steadying himself on the ground. A stag immerged out of the bush tall and strong. Its antlers seemed to have gems draped over it and it's four eyes gleamed brightly. Arron's eyes widened at the fantastical creature. He tilted his head watching the Stag mirror his movements.

"What are you?" He muttered confused. He didn't expect to answer him though.

"I suppose you decide that," The stag answered, it's voice strong and wise. Arron stumbled back not expecting it to talk.

"You can talk!" Arron sputtered not fully understanding.

"Of course I can, this is a dream after all. Well, at least that's what you would call it,"

"Right um... where are we?" Arron asked the stag looking around. The forest seemed to become fuzzy at the edges, like a painting that hasn't been finished. The stag looked around too, though Arron suspected that it was already familiar with the forest.

"I suppose you would call it the astral plane, but I call it home," it replied watching Arron slowly understand the information.

"How'd I get here, I don't have powers and it takes a lot of energy to access that astral plane?" Arron pondered, looking into the green eyes of the stag. It let out what Arron could only assume was a laugh before answering.

"You really know nothing, don't you," It observed as the gems slowly began to glow. Arron's world began to spin as the color faded away, the last thing he saw was the eyes of the stag.

He awoke with a jump, his breaths short and rushed. He looked over to see the rest of them still asleep, save for Finn who was driving the car. His mind spun, the image of the stag stuck in his head. And what did it mean by him knowing nothing? He had hoped that he knew all the secrets that were hidden from him, but the universe seemed to love to torture him. A slight ache was felt in his head as he brushed through his hair. His hands slowly prest against his chest feeling something new. It was a necklace. His eyes shot open as he pulled the metal out into the open.

"Che cazzo," he gasped slipping into his native language. The opal sparkled in the cold gray light of the overcast sky as he hid it back in his shirt. He didn't trust them fully and felt that this was something he should keep to himself. It was almost comforting having a secret. He didn't like feeling exposed like he was bare for all the world to see. He smiled softly sensing that he wasn't going to go to sleep anytime soon.