Chapter 12
The first thing Karis noticed when the light faded was that she was back in her world. She recognised the clearing, the locations of the trees, even the noises she had added. Everything, however, seemed to be a little blurry. Focusing her mind, Karis brought everything into focus.
A beautiful world you have created, young one.
Karis almost jumped out of her skin at the sudden voice that formed in her head. Turning around, she spotted Remulos, who seemed to be admiring the grass beneath his hooves.
"How did you get in here?" she asked him, quickly followed by her hand slapping against her forehead. She had forgotten, talking with spirits and the such was something that Remulos specialised in, and as had been explained to her, the world she had created was somewhere for her to commune with spirits, so why couldn't he arrive here?
Good, Tylira explained the purpose of the world to you Remulos said again, although it wasn't exactly like speech. She had watched him intently this time, and he hadn't moved his lips at all. He had, in fact, been smelling a flower at the time, seeming quite happy with the smell it produced.
"How are you doing that?" she asked him, walking over, smiling slightly as she felt the blades of grass underneath her bare feet, and between her toes. "How are you talking without…well…talking?"
Young one, this is a spirit world, a manifestation of your mind Remulos said, walking around the clearing some more, taking in all the sights as if he had never seen a tree before, as if he had never been outside. The usual rules of logic and reality do not apply here. When communing with a spirit, it is often easier to use direct communication via your mind. It is something you are able to do. You did it before I sent you here. Try it.
Karis looked at Remulos with a slight feeling of disbelief but let out a sigh. He was more versed in these matters than she was, after all. So, if he said she should be able to do something, who was she to doubt him?
Like this? She thought, unsure of how exactly to go about doing it. Remulos smiled and nodded slightly, although his back was turned to Karis at the time.
Yes, like that, although you need to learn to project your thoughts better he said, turning around and walking over to Karis. He stood beside her and placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
Why are we here, anyway? She asked, looking up to Remulos. He looked down to her and smiled gently.
We are here to find out what the spirit wanted of you. As if on cue, from between the trees and bushes the fog started to approach again. It swept its way across the ground, covering the grass from sight. It soon came to a stop just in front of Karis and Remulos.
Greetings, again, Karis… came the voice again. Karis noted that, although it seemed to be similar to talking by thought, in that the words just seemed to form in her mind, there was something different about it. It was something that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Have you thought about my request?
Karis looked up to Remulos with a slight questioning look, who simply shook his head. You need to speak with the spirit, not I she heard him say, or rather think, to her. I am merely here to aid you, if needed.
Karis looked back at the fog, which swirled gently on the spot as it waited. She wondered whether to lie and say she had given it a lot of thought, or perhaps if she should just come clean about everything.
"I…" she started, stopping herself quickly as she noticed she was actually talking with her mouth. Something in the back of her mind was telling her that the spirit had told her off once before for doing that. I don't remember what your request was…I'm sorry.
There was a long moment of silence between the three of them. As they waited, Karis was sure she felt something looking into her mind, reading her like a book. She shivered slightly, trying to stop it, but found herself unable to.
I see…the voice said, the fog seeming to hold and freeze in position. Your young mind was not fully prepared for what I subjected it to. I apologise, but my need is urgent.
What need? Karis asked, looking at the fog. She was still totally clueless about what she was expected to do, and was still no closer to finding out what it actually was.
The fog started to swirl again, getting faster and faster. As it did, Karis was sure it was starting to take shape and form, collecting in one spot. There was a gust of wind, as if the fog was blasted away, leaving only the shape of a fox behind. Karis blinked slightly as she looked at the shape.
It was slightly larger than a usual fox, almost the size of an average dog. Its fur was also not orange; it was instead a mixture of grey and light blue, as if it was made from the fog itself. Around its paws, some of the fog remained, swirling around as it gently moved towards Karis and Remulos.
My name is Vulpiera, the fox spirit the fox said, bowing its head slightly. I believe we can aid each other in our tasks. You are looking to complete your beginner druid training, whilst I have an urgent matter that only those of the physical world can deal with.
Karis looked at Vulpiera for a moment, then up to Remulos, who seemed to be studying the spirit fox intently.
What task is it? Karis asked quietly as Vulpiera sat on the ground, licking at their paw for a moment before looking up to Karis.
We spirits are beings of cycles the fox said, resuming its cleaning process, something that Karis found odd, considering that it was a spirit. Our existence runs in cycles, whether it's the seasons, or the years or the position of the stars, everything in our existence has a designated time.
It is now approaching the time for me to head into the physical world. This is where I will need your help.
How could I help, though? Karis asked, slightly bewildered. She looked from Vulpiera to Remulos, looking for some kind of explanation, an explanation that Remulos provided.
When a spirit is due to return to the physical world, they inhabit the body of a member of what they represent he said, his "voice" remaining slow as he explained. In the case of Vulpiera, she would inhabit the body of a newly born fox kit, where she would reside for several years before her body died and she would return to the spirit world, waiting for when they cycle travels round to her again.
So, what does that have to do with me helping? Karis asked both of them. She found herself starting to get frustrated. No one had given her a straight answer, and it was starting to annoy her. Above them, the clouds started to darken as heavy clouds formed. Remulos threw a quick glance at the forming clouds before returning his gaze to Vulpiera, who didnt seem to notice the clouds.
Karis, there are some things you need to understand Vulpiera said, moving towards the young girl and sitting in front of her. Whilst we spirits are powerful, it is a shared power. There is only a finite amount of power in our world. If one of us ceases to exist, the remaining spirits gain more power. The older the spirit, the more power they have been allocated, as you were, through the loss of other spirits. This is one of the many balances in life.
Karis tapped her foot impatiently as Vulpiera explained things to her. She was still waiting for an actual explanation from the fox. Picking up on the young girls impatience, Vulpiera hurriedly continued on.
Being reborn is a dangerous time for spirits. For the first few months, we are extremely vulnerable. It is a time when malicious spirits try to destroy us, so that the power that we have is shared amongst those that remain. For the first few months, whilst we adjust to being in the physical world again, we are unable to re-connect with the spirit world. If we are killed during that state, our spirit is lost forever.
Karis stopped tapping her foot as she looked at Vulpiera. As the fox had been speaking to her, images had flashed in her mind, conveying with it expressions of fear and worry. She was starting to understand what the problem was.
You need someone to protect you… she said slowly, to which the fox nodded in response.
Yes, that is correct. But you would not need to do much. There is a place that I can go to where I will be protected for the first few months of my new life. If you can get me there, I will be safe.
Where? Karis asked. Vulpiera slowly stood up again and walked over to Remulos, who reached down and gently stroked the fox.
I can only tell you if you promise to take my task she said, turning her head to look at Karis. Complete my task and I will grant you the right and the ability to take on the form of the fox, allowing you to complete your basic druid training.
Karis prepared herself to accept the task but was stopped as Remulos lifted up is hand to stop her. He looked at Karis quietly for a moment before he spoke, using his own mouth this time.
"Karis, you must be sure before you take this task" he said quietly, looking down at Vulpiera. "Vulpiera will be putting her entire existence into your hands. If you fail to protect her, she will die and never exist again."
Karis stalled for a moment as Remulos' words struck deep. The more she thought about it, the more worried and daunting things seemed to become. Over head, the dark clouds grew thicker, licks of lightning streaking across the sky.
Could she do it? What if she failed? Could she live with herself if it went wrong? Karis closed her eyes tight as she tried to block out the questions and worry. It was too much pressure! She was only 12 after all! How could she be expected to do it? She had made a mistake, surely, thinking she could be a druid.
Karis…
The soft voice of Vulpiera struck through the turmoil in Karis mind, striking to her heart. Karis opened her eyes slowly and looked at Vulpiera.
You can do this she said slowly, sitting down in front of Karis and looking up at her. You have a brilliant talent for this. You are only twelve, and you have come this far already. And remember, you will not be alone in completing my task. I trust you, Karis, and I believe in you.
Karis nodded slowly, the storm overhead subsiding as her mind and soul started to calm down. She tried to control the beating in her chest, finding it slightly odd that in a place of her mind she still had a rapidly beating heart. Taking in a deep breath, Karis exhaled slowly, addressing Vulpiera.
Vulpiera, I will take your task, and I will protect you from harm she said in a determined voice, nodding as she did so. The fox seemed to almost smile at the response and took a step away from Karis.
I am glad to know… she said bowing her head slightly.
So…what do I need to do? What now? Karis asked quietly. She watched with a slightly raised eyebrow as Remulos stood away from Karis, Vulpiera crouching down close to the ground, as if getting ready to pounce on an invisible prey.
You will know soon enough… Vulpiera said, her tail twitching slightly.
Before Karis could ask any further questions, Vulpiera pounced forwards towards Karis. With a look of shock and bewilderment, Karis watched as Vulpiera collided with her chest, seeming to merge with her own body.
All around her, thing started to fall apart as Karis fell to her knees. Once again, everything started to turn white, the world around her turning fuzzy before finally she slipped into unconsciousness.