IKONGA!

15

As Kona made his way through the forest, he could feel bad energy as he walked through the forest grazing his fingers on the rough bark of the tree, his staff in hand.

Another gift that came with the blood coursing through his veins is the ability to connect with nature. Right something definitely did not feel right . Guess who he was going to ask about it? No one would believe it...

The trees.

Oh yes!

It was said the trees had seen and heard things that no one, alive or dead had heard before. Some of the trees, the grand trees had been in Ikonga for a thousand years. Lucky for Kona they were not in the path he was walking. They were grumpy trees. Very difficult to communicate with and only spoke when very necessary. Let's say when Ikonga was in danger of being taken over. Now In that case they would talk! but something as trivial as looking for a lost unknown girl's offender was something that wouldn't be given a second glance.

As he made his way through to find trees with their roots out of the ground surface he noticed the thorny bushes and pointed branches. There was no way someone would make their way through here without being torn in the process. His breath hitched.

That's why her arms were badly torn.

Just then his heart bled for her. He didn't know why but at that moment he wanted to protect the girl to the best of his ability. He couldn't help but think what else she went through at that night and how much pain she endured . He wished she could open up to him and tell him all of it. Everything.

But again, would she?

He bent down when he reached a tree with saplings around it's base. It's roots were protruding above the ground. He knelt close to them and touched one of the root with the palm of his hand.

"Talk to me...", he muttered.

The saplings around the tree curved to the side as if making way for his presence and a slight breeze picked up.

Kona smiled.

It was working.

He rested his palm fully on the root and splayed his fingers. He couldn't deny the excitement that was rising in him. Now for the questions.

"The girl, what's her name?"

'Onaya...' The name came carried in the winds and the sounds of the bristling leaves.

'Onaya', he repeated under his breath. It was an enchanting name...beautiful. He liked it.

"Where's she from" , he asked.

'You wouldn't believe us. It is not for us to say...' It came again to his ears. The message carried on the slight wind.

"What do you mean by that".

'You shall see in time'.

Kona was not in the least satisfied. He wanted more but he was ready for anything he would get.

"What happened to her?...the night before this morning. Tell me everything..."

Silence.

"Please..."

'Her heart... it's broken in a million pieces. She does not know what piece to follow anymore'.

This surprised Kona. The fiery girl she saw. How could she be broken. She had so much fire in her.

"What do you mean by that".

'In time you shall know it all...'

"Wait, what? I know you answer limited questions at a time. Can you make an exception just this once?"