Phrocylan & The Tree of Life (The Spirit of the Tree Book 1)

Chapter Three: Annoying

Ouch!

I tried to suppress my screams as the girl applied some wax coats to my ribs, which seemed to become harder and harder as she pressed the wax with more strength. Her eyes were brilliant blue, with creamy-magenta hair coming down her shoulders. She wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans, and a wrist-watch, and looked about 16. She seemed to have an annoyed expression on her face as if she was getting tired of treating near-dead people with broken rib cages from being beaten by a whale.

Or maybe she was just annoyed to be doing healing duty.

But she seemed to be careful while handling the supplies, so I'd guess she had experience. I tried to sit up, but my bones had other ideas.

I winced.

She looked both annoyed and worried. "Hey, don't try to sit up yet. You need time to heal" She said gently.

Her voice was soothing and perfect, in an intimidating way.

"Wh- Where am I?" I asked

She raised her eyebrows, "You don't remember?"

"I don't even know my own name..."

"Oh." She shifted in her seat. "Well, we're at a temporary camp near Mount Horey."

"Mount what? Where?"

"Oh.. It's that bad, huh."

"Look, I'm very confused. Who am I? Who are you? Where am I? WHAT'S GOING ON?", I shouted, then I conveniently collapsed. I guess my body wasn't ready to think about my messed up state yet.

I woke up and looked outside the window, the sun was setting in a beautiful orange-red sky, so it was probably around 7pm now. I was alone in the room this time and feeling a bit more relaxed, thought still very confused. I still couldn't move my chest much, though it hurt more like okay I'm dying slowly instead of oh my gODS IM GONNA DIE MY LUNGS ARE EXPLODING, so that was at least some good news.

My pain was mild enough for me to look around without dying, so I scanned the room, and I appreciated just how well-useful the room was only now.

It of course had the 4 beds for medical emergencies, with bed sheets, an IV-drop stand, food tray and a jug for water on a side table. The walls were scattered with weapon holsters with a few weapons on display/for jabbing into enemies and countless others empty. The ceiling chandelier had a connect chain with an automatic dropper system- probably for dropping on enemies. There were 2 lights, one each on both the walls, and a beige switchboard near the entrance.

There were also countless things I had absolutely no clue about, like a big megaphone type bronze structure, with a handle grip of gold and red ribbons coming from who-knows-where, a triple decked cap with a skull logo on each and a ball-shape on top, and many other I can't even describe.

I struggled to sit upright, holding back screams and yelps. I drank a cup of water, and sat in silence until the girl from before came back, around 13 minutes later.

This time she wore a combat dress as if ready to charge into battle, with an axe in her hand.

She made her way to my side, along with another guy of about 12-13 with sun gold hair and red amber eyes, in casual home clothes with floral designs. He looked scared, like he had just seen a ghost. Considering what I'd just experienced, that wasn't fully out of question.

The girl said, "You're awake."

"Y-yeah. Still a bit dizzy", I replied, careful of my words. I did not want any risk of being decapitated with an axe.

"I'm Cylla, this is Molto. Are you sure you don't remember anything?"

"Afraid so.. But your names.. Cylla- Molto- I think we've met before, but I can't place when or where.." I was very confused myself, and felt like the information I needed was just yanked right out of my brain and left me to deal with it. I hated that feeling, which is a constant feeling right now.

"Your memory... I think it was friebenned by some earthly creature. Who would do that.. I'm not sure." She pronounced the word like fry-bunned. I somehow knew what the word meant, but it seemed an entirely different language..

"My memory was compromised? Who would do that? And who am I...?" I asked wistfully, hoping she would answer.

"So you remember zornadian but don't remember your own name? So it's.. Oh god. It's a case of virmita fierben.. When only bits and pieces of your memory are taken.. As if trying to..." She let the thought hang like saying it was a lot of work.

But I understood what she meant, As if trying to hide something important. What had caused that? What could I have known that was so dangerous my memory had to be wiped? Even thinking about it gave me chills.. I had a momentary flashback to a scorching room, with a silhouette of a figure on the far end, and blank.

I was yanked back to the present.

The boy- Molto- Looked at me like I was about to explode any second now. "How are you feeling now?" He asked, worriedly. I wondered how I knew him, or how we were related, and why he cared so sweetly.

"I'm- better than before." I was reluctant to tell them about a moment just engulfing me now, but I found myself speaking about it before I could decide.

In return, Cylla's face turned a strange expression- a mixture of amazement and horror. "How did you- it's not possible..." She exclaimed with horror.

What was not possible?

Then her expression softened. "Anyways, come on, you need to visit the heirumphia."