Chapter 28: Test of Spirit
Location: Gwyrdd Island
Fifteen minutes earlier…
Amongst the jungle that stretched across the majority of Gwyrdd Island, a humanoid with amethyst skin moved through the underbrush, following an unseen path. Naked, the youngster had pointed ears, clawed fingers and toes, and a thickly muscled tail. Cutting his way through the underbrush, the boy headed in the direction of the river, reaching the riverbank minutes later. Resting a hand against the trunk of a nearby tree, he took a moment to survey his surroundings.
"I think I'm going the right way," the boy muttered, his crimson eyes scanning.
Having only been instructed to follow the river, he quickly discovered that something had halted the flow of the river. Now he couldn't help but begin second guessing himself, concerned that he had taken the wrong route. Carefully making his way down to the riverbed, he trekked through the mud before arriving at a small cave. Seated on a boulder located just outside the entrance was Mother Sruthanna, a shaman of great renown and experience amongst the Ologs. Highly respected, Shamans weren't beholden to the rivalries that had long dominated the clans. Though she was many decades older than his father, Mother Sruthanna remained in her physical prime.
"Hello, Carraig; Son of Ghrian," she greeted, "Today is the day of your Triail Spiorad."
"W-what will happen?" he asked, trembling uncontrollably.
It was not because he was naked or cold, but from the excitement and uncertainty that he felt.
"We shall descend into the cavern beneath us and pay tribute to the Elemental Spirits, it is there that we'll see what destiny awaits you."
"How will they react? Will they hurt me?"
"The Elemental Spirits are many things, but malevolent they are not," Mother Sruthanna said, rising to her feet, "Let us not keep them any longer."
Carraig swallowed hard and attempted to move forward, instead the youngster found himself rooted in place.
"Whenever you are ready, Carraig."
Eventually the boy was successful in willing himself forward, stepping shakily through the entrance and descended into the bowels of the earth. A strong wind was blowing out from the interior of the cavern, which was cold enough to cause his skin to breakout in gooseflesh. The only source of light was what came spilling through the entrance, and he half-expected to be assailed by some terrible creature. He felt more at ease knowing that Mother Sruthanna was right behind him, but that didn't prevent him gazing at the shadows with suspicion. The tunnel was becoming darker the further they moved away from the entrance, while the stench of wet earth continued to hang in the air. Eventually the tunnel opened into a small chamber where a small lake was spread out before him.
"Come," Mother Sruthanna said, "We must present yourself to the Elemental Spirits, Carraig."
The Shaman led him onward, leading him to another chamber with a smaller pool of water directly in the center. Roots were protruding from the low-hanging ceiling, but Mother Sruthanna was short enough that they barely touched her hair. She led the way the cavern's inner chamber and gestured for Carraig to take a seat at the water's edge. He took a seat on the hard-packed earth, crossing his legs, and waited patiently for Mother Sruthanna to begin the testing.
"Since finding refuge on this world, we Shaman found ourselves drawn to his cavern," she stated, "The world of our birth maybe lost to us, but we continue to hear the call of the Elemental Spirits. When a child like yourself enters their seventh year, we bring them here to receive judgement."
"What am I to do?" he asked, eager to begin.
"Stare into the water before you," she said, "and their answer shall be made clear."
Carraig did as was instructed, gazing into the depths of the underground water source for any kind of sign. Mother Sruthanna took seat next to the boy and watched as the cavern suddenly became host to the Elemental Spirits. There were four spirits, each one governing a particular element that the universe was built upon.
"He leaves me dry and parched."
"He makes me fall still."
"He grinds me beneath his feet."
"He robs me of my fuel."
Mother Sruthanna glanced over to Carraig, finding the boy gazing unblinking at the water, neither hearing the Elemental Spirits, nor seeing them. Sorrow filled her heart, but despite that, she knew there was nothing that she could do for him. The Elemental Spirits had made their decree; he lacked the spiritual awareness that was present in all Shamans.
"It is time to go, Son of Ghrian," she stated, rising to her feet.
"B-but...nothing happened."
"Something did happen, your inability to see or hear the spirits is proof enough of that."
"You mean...I can't be a Shaman?"
"Your path lays elsewhere. It will be up to you to discover what that is."
"But I wanted to be a Shaman," Carraig said, disappointment in his voice.
"If everyone had the ability to be a Shaman, there'd be far more of us."
He couldn't argue with her, if Shamans were a dime a dozen, then they wouldn't be as widely respected as they were. Resigning himself to the fact that he would never be a Shaman, Carraig rose to his feet and followed Mother Sruthanna out of the cavern. He couldn't help but feel relief at being back outside, the forest being significantly warmer than the cavern. He could feel his shivering body beginning to settle down, but nearly leapt out of his skin when there came a deafening crash.
"WHAT WAS THAT!?" he cried out.
"Quickly! This way," Mother Sruthanna ordered, wasted no time in vacating the cavern.