Ch. 2

"Seiya… come on wake up, we have to get an early start!" my brothers voice called from somewhere beyond my blissful slumber, "Seiya now!" With a groan I moved to sit up, but found that I had wrapped myself so tightly in my groundsheet I could not move. After much doing, I finally freed myself of the warm wrap, only to be assaulted by the cold morning air.

"Wh-what time is it?" I asked with a shiver.

"6:35," he replied. I rubbed my eyes and looked around. We had stopped the previous night in a small clearing after walking all day. Deciding that the trees provided all the cover we needed, we had used only our groundsheets to keep us warm during the night. My brother was hunched over the glowing embers of the remains of our fire from the preceding evening.

"6:35!" I exclaimed, "Are the bird even awake yet?" I moved to pull my sheet back around myself, but Kai snagged it away from me.

"There have been a few chirping, but for the most part, no the birds aren't up yet," he said sarcastically, "Now hurry up and get dressed, breakfast is almost ready."

Grumbling darkly I pulled my pack over to me and rummaged through it for my clothes. I drew out a tight green tunic, a darker green skirt and a thick grey cloak. I dressed quickly and wrapped the cloak around me to shut out the morning cold. Standing up, I pulled on my boots and walked over to the fire, where Kai had already begun frying bacon. Biscuits had been set to warm at the base of the fire and I grabbed one, munching hungrily. My brother cracked two eggs over the bacon and let them cook. Once they were finished we ate in silence. Kai was likely deep in thought, trying to trace our route on the map the elders had given us. I however was still wondering what it was about these woods that our parents had warned us about. I decided to voice my question.

"Ya know what I wonder?" I said chewing a strip of bacon.

"Hmm?" Kai said half listening, still looking at the map, "What?"

"What is it about these woods that is so dangerous," I looked up, at the shafts of sunlight beginning to poke through the foliage, "I mean, our parents always told us 'Never go near Spargus Woods, it's an evil place'. And now we're doing just that."

"Doing what?" Kai said, still not listening.

"Going into Spargus Woods!" I exclaimed, heedless of the fact that he was ignoring me, "Don't you think they had a good reason?" For some reason, that got his attention.

"Actually, no I don't," Kai said, finally looking up, "I've been inside a few times myself, and nothing ever happened."

"I thought you said you'd never…" I began.

"I said I'd always been told not to go in to these woods," he closed the book and began to clean up our campsite, "Honestly Seiya, you should learn to listen." The irony of his statement was obviously lost on him, and I didn't have the patience to explain it to him. With a sigh I began to clean up, still developing possible dangers in my mind. By the time the sun had fully risen we had packed up and were underway. For the amount of gear we were carrying our bundles were surprisingly small and light. We owed that to father, he had always been a great woodsman.

"Well," Kai said with a frown, looking at his compass, "According to the map we should have reached the village by now… but I don't see anything," I had been re-lacing one boot. At his comment I looked around. He was right, trees, grass and bush as far as the eye could see.

"Maybe they moved?" I suggested.

"Maybe not," Kai persisted, "Let's try the Dragons Tear." I lifted my arm, where the jewel hung from my wrist.

"I don't even know how to use it," I said.

"Maybe it's like those magic color beads back home, you concentrate on it, and think what color you want it to be and it changes," he theorized.

"Why do I want it to change colors?" I asked slightly puzzled.

"You don't," Kai groaned, "At least I think you don't. Look, just concentrate on the jewel what you want to know." Looking at him doubtfully I decided it was worth a try. Laying the tear in the palm of my left hand, I looked at it, concentrating, all the while wondering where the next waker would be. The tear's colors began to shift, as an arrow of orange appeared to float inside the gem. It was pointing upwards. I slowly turned my head to look up, and gasped.

From a distance, the leafy boughs of the forest hid the sky from sight, allowing only thin rays of light to strike the forest floor. But their thickness hid a village, suspended in the trees. Pathways of wooden planks had been built across the large tree branches. Houses and small buildings had been constructed on platforms that had been anchored to the massively thick tree trunks by huge blobs of what appeared to be sap. Everything was made of wood, while vines, moss and thatch covered the roofs and hung from platforms. It was a moment before we noticed the people. They were tall, thin, their skin was a pale green in color, and they were garbed in various forms of lichens, moss and leaves. It was another moment before we realized that they were all looking at us. Any and all activity had ceased and every single inhabitant in view was staring at us. The crickets chirped in the glade as we stood in awkward silence.

"Uh…hi?" I said sheepishly. There was much rustling among them, and the crowd began to part as three tall men dressed in armor that looked to be made of some kind of bark ran across the platforms, leapt onto vines and swung down, landing in a perfect circle around us. My hand flew to my bow and quiver as they leveled their spears at us, but Kai grabbed my wrist and shook his head. One of the guards poked at me with his spear and made a strange whistling noise. I looked at my brother, who stepped forwards and looked up.

"People of the trees," he said, "I am Kai, son of Kairan, and this is my sister, Seiya. We come from Wyrtane and the dragon clan. We have come to find the waker." For a moment nothing happened, and then one tree man stepped forwards.

"I too speak the tongue of men," he said, his speech was slow and his vowels were slurred, but he was understandable, "I will take you to our village leader, he can help you." He looked to the guards and said something to them. They spoke back and then turned towards the vines they had swung down on. One offered me his hand, which I took rather suspiciously. He placed my hand on his shoulder, motioning for me to hold onto his back. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, watching as my brother did the same to another treeman. Then with amazing speed and skill, they climbed the vines straight upwards, leaping off and landing on the wooden platforms. The translator came to us.

"Follow me," he said. Kai glanced at me, sharing my curiosity, but we both followed him. The treeman led us across bridges, around tree trunks and over thick branches. The architecture was astounding, houses hung from limbs or wrapped around boughs seemingly suspended by feats of magic. We eventually found ourselves approaching a large wooden hut that wrapped around the trunk of a mighty pine. The treeman opened the door. And spoke in his whispering language. There was a lot of swishing inside and the treeman turned to us.

"You may enter," he said. We stepped inside and looked around. It appeared to be some kind of tribunal room. There were many ancient looking treemen sitting on large, ornate chairs in a semi-circle, facing the center of the room. In the center was a small dais and there sat a wizened, old treeman. He did not appear to be as old as many of the others, but he certainly had seen many hard winters. He looked at us and smiled.

"Shen-liu's light shines upon us," he said, "Long have we awaited your arrival Dragon Clansmen." There was a strange rattling all around, and we realized that the council was giving us their applause. Not quite knowing what else to do, I curtsied as my brother bowed.

"Wise one," Kai said, "We have come to find the waker that resides in these woods."

"Yes, sapling," he said nodding, "I know why you have come. But allow us to be introduced. My name is Ako, High Council of the Treemen and the Grassmen."

"I am Seiya," I replied.

"And I am Kai," my brother said, giving another bow.

"We are greatly pleased to meet you, Seiya and Kai," he said. He must have read the looks on our faces, for at the moment we were wondering why these elders seemed so happy to see us, "You do not understand what your coming means to us do you?"

"We cannot say that we do Ako," I replied.

"It was foretold, long ago that the world would be in great peril," Ako said, "And that at that time, the Treemen must aid the Dragon Clan in the saving of the world. For centuries we have passed down a light known as the Soul of Spar through our people. It has always gone to the one deemed most noble of our kind. Now that the Dragon Clan comes to us for help, we find that that prophecy has been fulfilled and the Soul may finally begin it's journey to find it's rest," he rose and hobbled towards us, "The bearer of that soul will be revealed to you in time, but first we would ask that you join us tonight, for there will be a great feast to honor the fulfillment of the prophecy."

I looked at Kai, and he looked at me. For a moment we wondered how long we could stay here, but it appeared that they would present the waker to us at or after the feast.

"We accept," Kai said, "We would gladly eat from your table." Another round of applause went up all around as the treemen swayed to and fro, expressing their joy at witnessing the event for which they had waited so long.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That night the glens were alive with the sounds of music, and firelight. A large fire had been built in the center of what Ako said was their Glen of Ceremonies. Most of the Tree people stayed a good distance from the fire… and those that did were considered exceptionally brave and skilled. Five tree women did a dance around the fire, leaping close and then flitting away, much to the excitement of the onlookers. Around the fire several cooks were hard at work. Some were roasting meats, while others were busy over many large bowls. When the dance ended all clapped and the feast began.

A long wooden table was ready in the Glen of Celebrations, and we were all ushered to certain spots at the table. Once everyone was seated, the cooks came in. Large platters with all sorts of fowl were placed on the table. Bowls containing a rich dark substance were placed around as well and the people helped themselves. Some took meat, while others shunned the platters in favor of the dark stuff, which they piled on their plates in heaps. Someone next to us served both Kai and I two plates piled high with meat. Normally we might have gagged at the sight of so much food… but we were hungry and went to with a will. I looked around, curious as to what the dark stuff was, and noticed a grassman across the table from me.

"Excuse me," I asked him, "But what is that stuff?" I pointed to his plate. He laughed.

"This here is a hearty blend of soils, minerals, fertilizer and compost," he paused when he saw my confused look and laughed again, "Its dirt ma'am." I was astounded. It looked and smelled so good. The feast went on for about an hour, as many talked and ate. Some asked us of word from Wyrtane and we found that a great many of these tree people knew some of our friends back home. The feasting came to an end when Ako rapped his staff on the table.

"Friends, councilors, saplings and our honored guests," he said, "We celebrate the end of a long wait for our people. The Dragon Clan has come to take the waker on her journey!" A roar went up from the crowd. It took us a moment to realize they were cheering, as it sounded more like a stormy wind ripping through the trees. "Kai, Seiya, would you please come forth?"

We stood and walked to the end of the table to stand beside Ako. He motioned with his left arm and from a seat a little further down the table a tree girl stood and began to walk towards us. She was pretty enough, long green hair that fell in glamorous wavy locks over her shoulders. Her skin was slightly green, though her body was otherwise identical to that of a human. A crown of sunflowers adorned her head, and chain of bluebonnets that attached to a blue rose hung around her neck. She wore a dress of green moss; it was strapless and held just below her shoulders with a low neckline. It conformed to her hour glass figure and the flared out just below the thighs, where it split in the front and spread out to sweep the ground. She walked barefoot, and her skin had tiny gold sparkles all over, which I assumed might have been pollen. I looked at my brother and could tell he liked what he saw. I gently closed his mouth.

"Kai and Seiya," Ako said, "I would like to introduce you to Mandra. She is my daughter, and the waker you seek." We were both silent for a moment… then Kai was the first to speak.

"It is an honor to meet you Mandra," he said with a bow, "Our road will be perilous, and our troubles many, but we ask that you sojourn with us to save our people."

"I thank you Kai," Mandra replied with a curtsy, "And will be honored to walk this road with you. Together we will wake the dragon." While their language was unnecessarily formal I knew that my brother had chosen his words because he felt they fit the occasion… apparently they did.

"And now," Ako said, "To Celebrate!" Another roar of approval went up from the crowd and the real celebration began. Dancing and music, wine and laughter went long into the night. I remember falling asleep in a hammock of vines, watching the moonlight trickle through the leafy boughs, as lutes and panpipes played in the distance.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following morning Ako sent us off with these words.

"Though you're road is perilous, be strong," he said, "The Dragons Tear will show the way, trust the gem in all things. Also, know that your tribesmen are not the only descendants of the dragon race. There are others that will join you in you're struggle against evil. But beware, for even dragons may fight for a darkness they believe to be light."

As we tromped through the loam I pondered these words, while watching the tear. I had learned that it took focus to use it, and I hoped to make it respond to my wishes with greater ease. I focused the gem's magic towards Mandra, after a moment the gem changed to a milky grey color, a color that indicated uncertainty. She had every right to be uncertain. She knew only that she was following us wherever we might go. It occurred to me that I didn't know where we were headed next either. I voiced my uncertainty to my brother.

"We are heading north, to Whale Cape," Kai said, "According to the map there's a port town there. We've got about a day's march till we'll head east out of the forest."

"It's hard to keep north," I noted aloud as I watched his compass, "The trees keep getting thicker in that direction and we keep detouring to go around."

"The path changes," Mandra said softly, "The trees move as they please and sometimes change position to try and deter travelers from going deeper into the woods."

"Well they're certainly doing a good job," Kai said stopping, "Dead end." We looked around. A path led westward to our left, and as far as we could see, it didn't turn right. Thick bushes, branches and bramble blocked our path through the trees, and the trunks were closer together as well.

"We could just hack through," I said. No sooner had the words left my mouth than a mighty shudder traveled through the pines before us. The shudder seemed somehow menacing rather than in recoil or fear. As if the trees were daring us to try.

"No, I will lead you through," she said quietly, "Though if the trees are trying to stop you… there is usually a good reason."

"Whatever the reason, we have to get through," Kai said, "Exactly how do you intend to lead us?" With out speaking Mandra stepped forwards and walked straight into the thicket of thorns. But instead of getting tangled, the brush, thorns and even the trees themselves shifted to allow her passage.

"Follow me," she said, "Stay close please." We hurried to follow her, as the thicket closed behind us. We followed the compass, Kai checked his map every so often, and gave Mandra directions. We continued on, crossing paths and marching into the dense forest again. The trees were whispering. At first I thought they were simply rustling in the wind… until I realized there was no wind. I looked at Mandra.

"The trees, are making sounds," I said.

"They… they want us to turn away," Mandra said, "I have told them that we must travel this path, but still they speak."

"What are they saying?" Kai asked.

"They say, 'Beware the elm trees'," she looked puzzled after she'd translated.

"Why the elm?" I asked.

"Among trees each race is known for some attribute," Mandra said softly as ever, "The oaks are known for their great age and wisdom, the pines are most valiant and brave. The beech is a tree of laughter and good cheer… but the elm is a dark spirited tree. They despise men and most others who walk the earth in which they grow. They waylay travelers when they can." We broke onto another path… but this path lead straight in the direction we wanted to go. The trees behind us whispered urgently, while the plants ahead of us were silent. The trees before us were covered with moss and lichens and were bare of their leaves. So far we had been traveling through evergreens, pines, oaks and such. These trees had lost their leaves long ago when autumn had come. The floor was covered in a carpet of tattered red and gold. I picked up a leaf. It had mostly rotted, joining the compost of the forest floor, and it was impossible to make out what kind of tree had dropped this leaf.

"These trees are silent," Kai said as he began walking. Mandra and I fell in behind him, though Mandra looked considerably more worried than she had before.

"I once heard that trees sleep in the coming of winter," I said.

"These trees are not asleep," Mandra said, "They are silent… and refuse to speak to me." We continued on wondering what could have caused these trees to remain so sullen. Several times I thought I heard something following us, but I could see nothing… and so I said nothing. The path began to curve once more, and Mandra took up the lead to walk through the bramble. She stopped just before a large thorn bush.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"They deny me passage…" she said quietly, "I can't… I can't walk through."

"Then maybe the path will lead around," I replied.

"Somehow I doubt that," Kai said checking his map, "There's not much we can do now, and it's getting dark. We could end up getting really lost. I say we make camp."

"Fine," I sighed, and moved to drop my pack.

"No," Mandra said suddenly and urgently. She was always quiet, and her sudden burst of volume actually scared us, "No," she repeated more softly, "Not here... a little further down the road… under that rowan."

She pointed further down the road, where an old rowan hung over the path. It's golden branches reached out, and the elder and elms around it did not venture near it's spread. Here we camped. I unpacked mine and my brother's packs, while Kai took up the task of finding firewood. Mandra told him to be careful, as the trees would not take kindly to his purpose. He came back soon enough with dry wood, though he looked a little unnerved.

"What happened?" I asked as I worked at striking the fire.

"Something's out there," he said, unpacking our meal supplies, "Something was watching me."

"There are creatures that live in the deep forest," Mandra said, standing a good distance away from the fire wood as it caught alight, "They are not friendly, but usually are not savage either."

The fire flickered to life and I kept it alive until it became a full blaze. My brother set to cooking as I unfurled my ground sheet. Mandra was unpacking her own things when I noticed a very large leaf she had taken off her back. I asked her what it was.

"This is a leaf taken from one of the Great Wise Trees of this world," she said proudly, "It is an aspen leaf from the Wise Aspen on the eastern shores. It is used as a shield, and is imbued with protective magics to aid the one would be the waker from my people."

"An aspen…" Kai said thoughtfully, "The shield tree. I never knew it was to be taken literally."

"There are many trees said to have strange powers," Mandra nodded, "Most are true. This rowan is among five planted in this forest for the purpose of protecting travelers from the darkness and enchantments of the deep forest."

"Wait… if this is one of those five then we are…" I began.

"…in the deep forest!" Kai finished.

"Yes," Mandra admitted, "We have been driven into the deep forest."

"But the path I plotted sent us around the circumference of the deep forest," Kai said unfolding his map, "This map is old… but certainly it hasn't changed that much."

"Remember that for a while all we could do was go north," I said, "Perhaps the trees still managed to make us go where they wanted us to go, while making sure we still traveled generally north."

"It is possible…" Mandra said, "I have seen elder trees about us. The elder is not as wise as the oak, but it still is crafty. Perhaps we have intentionally been led astray."

"But led to where?" I asked. No one answered. I looked at Mandra, she may have known, but she did not speak and instead lifted a small wooden shovel from her pack along with a clay bowl.

"Excuse me," she said as she stood and walked a little way off from the camp.

"Seiya," Kai said, after a moment of silence, "What is it that's stalking us?"

"I don't know… why do you ask me?" I asked.

"You were always the better hunter," he shrugged, "I supposed you might have figured it out."

"I haven't," I said as I turned the meat over the fire, "But we are not alone here. Keep an eye on Mandra, something is in the woods to our left. It hasn't moved, but we don't know what it wants." I saw my brother's eyes flit leftwards, though he had the sense not to turn his head.

"Finish dinner will you," he said as he stood, picking up his sword, "I don't like Mandra being alone too far away."

I nodded as he walked after the tree girl. I took a couple of roasted apples away from the fire and waited for the meat. I played with a throwing blade in my free hand, waiting. Mandra and Kai eventually returned and we all sat down to eat. Apparently Mandra had been collecting soils to eat, while we munched on our own food. We finished our meal, cleaned up and turned to our beds. Mandra demonstrated suprising agility as she lightly climbed into the branches of the rowan, where the tree responded to her, cupping its branches to form a bed for her. My brother and I turned to our own beds. I lifted my quiver and bow to stow them near the trunk of the tree, when I saw it. A large bulky creature dashed across the path in the darkness. It was swift, but I saw it. I dropped my quiver, shoving it into the ground to stand upright. Drawing an arrow I set it to the bow, waiting for the creature's next appearance. My brother saw my action, and without a word, lifted his sword, hand on the hilt, waiting to unsheathe it. We were quiet, watching the darkness, as I scanned the area. And then I saw it again. My arrow flew as the thing shot between two trees, and I heard the disappointing thunk of wood. I drew another arrow, believing I had missed, and then it came at us.

It was made of wood, resembling a leafless tree, though considerably shorter. It had two thick wooden claws and a single great eye set in a large knot on its trunk. Though large, it was fast and I shot another arrow into it's wood. My brother's sword sang from the sheath as he lunged at it. His blade bit deep… deep enough it seemed to harm the beast. It shrieked, making a terrible whistling noise and swung at Kai with its claws. He leapt away, as it dived back into the tree cover. I pulled three arrows and waited for my target.

"Kai, I need a shot at the eye!" I cried.

"Done!" Kai said as he jumped after it. He kicked off of two tree trunks, before I saw him slash downwards. The creature was knocked off course and tumbled out of the growth. My bow twanged as the three arrows shout out. Though I was swift, it too was fleet and it dashed past me, its claw outstretched caught my rib. I was knocked to the ground, but rolled over in time to watch it sway in mid-run and crash to the ground. It fell face up and I saw that two of the arrows had hit their target. I smiled and moved to get up, when the pain struck me. The claws had done more damage than I'd thought, slicing open a decent gash in my side. I grabbed the wound whimpering with pain as my brother ran up.

"Good shot sis, you…" he stopped when he saw the wound and ran off to get his med pack, "Ya know, the point is to kill him, while not getting yourself hurt."

"Well it's not…nnngh!," breathing hurt as my torso expanded from air intake, " It's not like I did it…mmph, on purpose!"

"Yeah, yeah," He said as he knelt next to me.

"Wait…" I heard Mandra's voice from somewhere above me, "Let me." Kai moved away, and I heard some rustling above me. Then a soft glow descended over my body. I could feel the pain flow away and for a moment my vision was a white out. Then I could see again. Slowly I got up, and looked myself over. Blood still stained my clothes, and my hand, but the wound itself was gone.

"You're a healer?" I asked half in wonder as I tested my re-knit flesh.

"We of the trees have always had an affinity towards the magics of life," Mandra said modestly, "I'm not very good yet, but I hope to learn greater magic later. That was just a low level Cure."

"Good job," Kai said, "But we'd better get some rest now… I think we ought to sleep up in the tree like Mandra."

We all agreed to this and moved into the tree. The rowan clasped its branches for us, as it had done for Mandra and we settled in for a good sleep. The night passed without further incident, though I knew that we were being watched. Kai woke Mandra and I when breakfast was ready, and by sunrise we were marching down the trail once more. My senses were dulled by grogginess and early morning mist but my brother was alert as ever. I trudged along, slowly coming to full wakefulness when my hearing alarmed me.

"Duck!" I cried and everyone's heads went down. With a screech and a flurry of wings a black winged hawk nearly took Mandra down in the back of her head. Denied its target the bird screeched angrily and zipped skywards once more, shooting up through the leafless trees to the cloudy steel grey sky.

"What in flame's name?" Kai said looking up. I reached for my bow and an arrow, but my brother stopped me, "Leave it. Someone sent that bird…"

"Exactly why we should kill it!" I exclaimed as I took aim again. He grabbed the arrow from me.

"No, leave it," he repeated, "They can't have learned much, other than that we are in the deep woods, and have a tree girl with us. I doubt many demons can even know of our presence, so I'm curious as to who is spying on us."

I lowered my bow and with a grumble pushed past my brother to walk down the path. They followed and the path curved northwards once more. As we continued, the path grew steeper and steeper, going downwards. Mandra began to mumble something. I could see a break in the trees below and headed towards it. We reached the opening and Mandra gasped and clutched my brothers arm.

"What is it?" he asked her.

"The heart!" she whimpered, I had yet to see her this fearful, "The heart of the forest!"

"So?" I asked. I stepped out of the tree cover… and saw what caused her discomfort. It was a hill, a great grassy hill uncovered by the trees, laid bare to the slate sky. At the zenith of the hill stood an ash tree, like no tree I had ever seen. It was enormous, much larger than any of the other trees we'd seen. It's branches spread outwards and skywards, and its mighty limbs swayed in the gentle breeze. Even more alarming however was that the hill was peppered with little stumps… stumps with eyes. Scores of those tree monsters sat motionless on the hillside, their eyes all searching in different directions. I drew a pair of arrows from the quiver as my brother's sword slowly snaked from its sheath.

"No!" Mandra whispered urgently, "We cannot go this way. We can't!"

"We have to," Kai said, "This hill lies between us and the other side of the forest!"

"That!" she pointed to the great ash tree, "That is Yggdrasil! The greatest Wise Tree in the world! He is powerful, but nearly a year ago he became violent. None may see him, nor trespass upon his sacred mound. And those that do… die!" My brother looked at me and I returned the glance before speaking.

"This is the first great peril of our journey," I said, "What of the others? Surely on a journey to accomplish what we hope to accomplish, won't be as easy as it has been. We don't have to take out the tree, just get past it."

"Which means we run," Kai said, "For our lives."

"Fight only when we have to, dash beneath those branches and just fly down the other side," I looked at Mandra, "We have to do this."

After a moment she nodded and released her hold on my brother's arm, looking slightly embarrassed. She unstrapped her shield and slid it on her arm. I drew my arrows to the ready and Kai lead the way as he stepped out of the tree cover. Immediately every stump on the hill turned its eyes towards us. Kai froze… so did the stumps.

"What are those things?" I asked Mandra as Kai began to carefully, and slowly walk forwards.

"They are called the Trunks," Mandra said as she and I followed my brother, "Long ago a savage race of treemen decided to forsake knowledge and wisdom in pursuit of conquest and power. Without wisdom given by the gods, their minds began to fade, and they began to turn into normal trees. Through the magic of a spirit in these woods known only as Green, they remained living, and became the dark creatures we call Trunks."

As Mandra told the story we made our way up the hill. We looked around, not one of the Trunks moved to stop us, but simply watched our progress. As we drew closer and closer to the ash tree, it began to sway even more… though now I realized it did so of its own accord. The wind had died and the tree shook at our approach. As we began to pass under its shadow, it did the last thing we expected. It spoke.

"Hrmmm, Whooo dares defile this… grrrm sacred ground!"

We looked up. Mandra trembled, but stood with us. I could see that she was conjuring a healing spell. I tautened my bow string as we continued to pass under it's shadow. We had almost reached the other side of the tree when the earth before is released a loud ripping sound as a great root tore up through the earth, creating an impassible wall of earth and wood. The root continued to rise, tearing all the way down the hill, keeping us from passing the tree at all on that side. I looked at Kai.

"Around," I whispered.

"I say again…hrrmmm, whooo dares defile this sacred ground!"

We wasted no time and ran. Mandra was not as fast as us, so Kai slowed down, whil I sprinted around the massive tree's trunk. I could already hear the earth tearing and widened my gait. The root tore up and I jumped. Landing on the huge wooden appendage, I rose with it, and leapt upwards catching a branch with which I was about to swing myself to the other side. The branch shuddered and swung, throwing me upwards into the higher branches. I shrieked in surprise as I landed on another limb, and rolled just in time to dodge a large branch that tried to crush me. I fell into more branches, which pulled at me and swung at me, attempting to crush the life from my form.

"Yggdrasil, please!" Mandra cried, "I am one of the Tree people, daughter of Aok! We seek only passage through this sacred ground!"

"Aok!" The tree roared wrathfully, "That treacherous shrubbery and his tribe will pay for their crimes. I shall see the day that they come to their end!"

This surprised us, but not as much as what happened next. The entire trunk bent forwards, and its mightiest branches swung downwards at Kai and Mandra. My brother picked up the tree girl and threw himself backwards, rolling down the hill. The limbs struck the ground with a loud crash and grass and dirt flew upwards. The trees distraction gave me a chance to escape. I hopped onto a large branch and surfed down its length before jumping to another and finally landing on the ground. And then I saw an opening. Part of the root rising out of the ground had left an empty arch beneath it. I knew only a little black magic, but what I knew just might save our lives, and our quest.

"Kai!" I cried. He looked up and followed my gaze. He nodded and lifted Mandra into his arms. I drew my hands together to form a circular hole between my palms.

"Fire!" I yelled.

An orange spark flickered between my hands, before blowing a fireball the size of a pumpkin at the tree. It batted at the fire ball with one of it's limbs, but in the process it's leaves caught fire. I began to run, following my brother. I saw him stumble as a mesh of branches smacked him in the back, but he kept running. I blasted another fireball, though this one was weaker than the first. However the flames were keeping the tree occupied. As it's leaves began to catch and burn it groaned loudly, and rammed it's limbs into the dirt attempting to smother the flames. I stopped and focused on the spark between my hands.

"Fire!!!" I cried more forcefully. A very large fireball, stronger than the first two, flew at the tree. My aim was true, the blazing orb flew through the large limbs and into the leafy boughs near the tree's center. With a whoosh of flame the leaves went up in flames and began to spread. The tree cried out and shook, batting itself with its limbs.

"Grooom! You shall not… hrrrm pass!!!" It roared and then shuddered, "Hrrm, Tetra Wave!"

A spike of magic surrounded us and the earth responded. With a mighty upheaval, spires of stone shot upwards as huge chunks of dirt were blow skywards. Rocks and stone battered us and we fell to the churning dirt. The tree shoved its greatest limbs into the earth and lifted the huge slab of stone beneath us high over it's trunk.

"Be…grrrm gone!" with a powerful heave the tree hurled the slab of stone into the air, with us as its helpless passengers. The stone turned and flew, as we were held against it by sheer centrifugal force. I could see the tree as we flew away and it shook its limbs and trembled. The dirt and soil beneath its roots rose and flew over the tree, covering it and smothering the flames in its branches. Then with a jarring shock we struck the ground. The stone absorbed the brunt of the impact, but we were thrown from it. I sailed and then struck the ground. The world reeled and then darkness claimed me.