Chapter Two: The Bells
"It's alright, the Harvest Goddess would never hurt you, she just needs your help!" Finn said, reassuring her for the tenth time. "I know… I am just a bit… nervous. It's not every day you meet a deity." Hikari pushed past the tall grass. The spring was a few ancient ruins covered in ivy. At the center was a tree, although it had no leaves and was a sickly tan color. Hikari quickly stood before and Finn cried out. "Harvest Goddess! I have brought the human as you asked! Please wake up!" A deep pulsating energy filled the spring, and a woman of blue green colors appeared before them. Hikari bowed her head reverently to the beautiful being. "Thank you for coming Hikari." Hikari nodded sheepishly.
"And Finn, you've done well." Finn fluttered gently into her outstretched hands. "Hikari, do you know why you're here?" The Harvest goddess asked, cradling Finn. "You need my help. May I ask something?" The Harvest Goddess nodded. "Why do you need my help? Since you're a god, can't you fix your problem easily?" The Harvest Goddess smiled sadly. "If I could you would not be here. This tree…" the Goddess turned to stare up at its leafless boughs. "This tree is my life, it ties me to the land. If this tree is weak, then so am I. I am unable to cure this land, and I cannot leave this spring."
Hikari stared up at the tree sadly. "I need you to waken the Harvest Sprites. I would call them myself, but as I said, I am weak and they are all lost. In order to wake them you must ring the bells to restore the elements to their former glory." "Is that all?" Hikari asked, looking away from the tree and at the Harvest Goddess. "For now." Hikari wanted to ask more, but she sensed that the Harvest Goddess preferred not to answer. "Will you help?" Finn asked in a squeaky voice. Hikari looked down at him. "How could I say no?" Finn flew into her arms, muttering thanks over and over.
The Goddess nodded and a new light seemed to sparkle in her beautiful blue eyes. "Now, I will tell you what I can to aid you in your quest…"
A ripple in the blackness. A disruption. This will not be tolerated. The Harvest King mentally reinforced the blackness, pouring a small amount more energy required for maintaining his black existence. He sighed in satisfaction. Blessed nothingness. He turned back into himself and delved into his dreams.