Pompods

POMPODS - Intro

Vermillion and amaranthine danced across the landscape as the crimson sun's image reflected off the silver lake. Its smaller amber counterpart spun gracefully around it as they made their slow descent towards the horizon, reflecting their warm hues upon the valley.

A gentle breeze warmed the early evening air and tickled the viridescent leaves across the landscape as distorted images of azure and emerald rippled across the lake's surface.

The congregation of varied beings advanced towards a series of erected stones that faced the lake and distant mountains. They descended the familiar path as it cut its way through the tree lines.

All manner of creatures progressed along the well-worn path as they made their way to gather near those great stones. Many travelled the path on four, six or eight limbs but the largest percentage walked along on two. The group was closely followed by smaller round beings that took great pleasure in rolling around and under many of the others as they made their way.

One particular orange ball was enjoying itself as it got under foot of an eight legged creature. It rolled around its legs as it walked and purposefully placed itself under foot on more than one occasion. It played this game long enough to annoy the creature who swiftly kicked it and sent it soaring into the air. The ball hummed a sound of pleasure as it bounced off another creature with a shelled carapace.

As they proceeded down the path towards the stones, more balls of colour could be seen darting around the travellers. Few caused trouble as they made their way but some were subsequently launched into the air for their efforts.

To outside eyes, one would account the variance in creatures to multiple species that were coexisting with one another and travelled the path not unlike migratory animals would do in large numbers to ward off potential predators.

More than twenty varying species could be seen as they travelled past the tall grass towards the stones. Many shared similar traits with minor variances between them and yet many did not share the same colour or patterns. Each was unique in and of itself.

This world supported many forms of life, but all the creatures present were of the same specie. Each one starting their journey the same way and then evolved as time passed. Their ancestors had been of two worlds but now they had become one. Each distinct from one another, but all shared the same heritage.

As they gathered, the round ones made their way to the center of the stones as the remaining creatures surrounded them to bear witness to the ceremony that each one would participate in.

Kaia watched the ascension ceremony unfold with enthusiasm. It was an event that brought many of the villagers with podlings to the hallowed stones for their transition from podling to Pompod. As a teacher, it was one of the events she was most honoured to bear witness to as each podling chose its evolved form.

Each absorbed a small amount of water gathered from the silver lake that would help them evolve into their final form so they could take their place in society.

Kaia's son accompanied her but had chosen to remain outside the ceremonial stones to observe. This day's group of podlings included Zaree, and Kaia wondered which form she would choose to ascend to and was sure her son, Oku, did as well.

When it had been his time to ascend those manycycles ago, he had been unable to. But then again, he was unique among them ashe had never been a podling. It felt as if that unforgettable day was but amoment ago and recalled it as if nary a day had gone by.