Watching can be a fascinating hobby, seeing things grow and change. The amount that a tree can see is vast due to our long lives and my perch atop the tallest mountain doesn't hurt either. Every day was a struggle back then, stuck in frigid isolation with nothing but snow for company. My bare branches desperately reaching away from the stinging cold. There wasn’t much to watch yet. My roots were planted on a small island covered in snow and everywhere around me was a sea of clouds.
For a long time that was all there was to watch, just the gentle rolling of the clouds. I have always found life to be beautiful and the first living thing I laid eyes upon was startling and magnificent. The creature came to me slithering upon the endless clouds and she is what would later be called a serpent. She was pure white, like the clouds she swam upon with black lines running in a helix pattern around her body. The lines crossing over her eyes that still hold my attention. Her eyes were a crisp grey unlike anything I had ever seen and they seemed to be rolling just as the clouds do.
I could sense her curiosity as she approached me and I expressed my fascination with her. I did not use words as such for verbal communication is something others would come to use, we more or less shared images or concepts with each other. It was easy to share our curiosity because, I realized we were the only living thing the other had seen. She was able to move much more freely than me and I wondered what it was like. After I told her how I was able to perceive all around me and if I focused feel it as well, she told me “I am only able to see what is in front of my eyes and feel what touches me.” I found the distinction fascinating and spent much time sharing with her. We spent a long time like this, her curled around one of my branches, the company having shifted the cold to the back of my mind.
**********
Golden light began spreading across the top of the clouds and they began to roil with more motion than we had ever seen. At this point I had grown into more of myself and my pink blossoms were shivering under the force of the wind. A massive bolt of lightning strikes down near our island sending clouds flying all around as webs of lightning spread from the impact rippling across the clouds. Under such forces I was not afraid but captivated, in awe by the display.
Under the intense movement the clouds began to evaporate growing thinner and thinner until in their place we could see the world be born. I had thought the sea of clouds was endless but what I saw before me was incredible, hills and valleys, forrest and rivers, oceans of water almost as vast as the one of clouds before it, and even mountains yet not as massive as the one I perched upon.
With the curtain finally open my hobby of watching could really begin and with so much going on I had barely noticed I had outgrown the cold and now instead of struggling I thrived basking in all I could see and I could see everything.
I have found that many are fascinated by certain types of creatures that they have deemed legends. Creatures like the phoenix, unicorn, and dragon. My bais was fairly noticeable for I held a deep love of serpents or one serpent in particular. She is always by my side and we have grown together always watching and always captivated.
The first interaction we had outside ourselves was with a dragon. She had been the first creature we saw but never expressed interest in us. It wasn’t until long after she had reached maturity when we finally conversed.
As the dragon had grown we were very excited to interact with someone new and yet she never came near us. We had become content with her distance when she finally flew directly to us cautiously landing upon one of my branches. Norochi, my serpent as I had come to think of her, was curled around my roots as they were warmest at the base of the mountain. She raised her head, the dragon framed within one of her eyes, feeling the dragons nervousness I address her “What can we do for you little one?”
“I have seen the world change, nothing seems to stay the same except for the both of you. For as long as I can remember you have been here.”
I pondered her statement before answering “I believe we have always been here, watching as things change for it seems almost all things do and it is fascinating. We have grown as we watch the world, seeing it when it was just a sea of clouds.” I said.
Norochi adds “I have been so excited to speak with you, for you seem to have similarities with me that Sakura does not.” Sakura being the name she chose for me.
“I am a tree after all.” I say, rippling the roots she is still coiled around and her responding chuckles sends a rumble through my branches.
“You are welcome to stay as it seems Norochi has much to discuss with you and I will never turn aside the chance for more company.”
The dragon’s curiosity was palpable but so too was her nervousness. I think she was not accustomed to others being larger than her, but she did not seem scared so I left it alone enjoying one more presence as I returned to watching.
***********
Many humans believed themselves to be the first mortal species but the Ningami, a nomadic civilization was around quite a bit earlier. The reason some believe humanity to predate the Ningami is due to their nomadic culture. They believe that their way of life is less developed and inferior to their own.
The Ningami are a lovely race, heavily focused on spirituality, developing and understanding relationships as well as accepting change. Tall for a mortal race many stood over seven feet tall their horns stretching even further. A strong but peaceful people they did not use their magic for war but for the love of the world around them. As I said some find them to be primitive, but they simply do not need humanity’s industrialization to survive.
Due to their nomadic nature they never developed cities or even settlements for that matter. So I was surprised when they built a shrine in front of me. My tree is surrounded by forests and just at my base is a clearing, this is where they placed their shrine. They spent some time arranging an elaborate stone altar surrounded by plants they cultivated. What surprised me further was what they used it for. Many left gifts such as items crafted by their own hand, or a special flower or blossom that they appreciated.
Norochi never left my side but her presence was not as visible as it once was. If I had thought her size was intimidating to a dragon, I had no idea how the younger races would react. My presence was a comfort to most. I was a constant unyielding force. Norochi on the other hand was the biggest moving creature they had laid eyes upon. Her size combined with her spiritual presence inspired terror in some. There were a few who only showed curiosity but they were rare indeed, for Immortals even fear that which is more powerful than them. Thus Norochi tended to stay coiled around my roots underground, always watching just like me, but simply becoming more discreet.
The shrine became a type of camp. A place for them to come and rest, or celebrate.There was singing and dancing, some full of happiness others of love. Some would gaze at the beauty of the world while others would study it making a craft from gazing at the stars. They were full of such joy and it was amazing for them to share some with me.
One of the most beautiful moments was when they performed a ritual of avowal within my shrine. These rituals can mean many things, this one was a declaration of love. This particular avowal contained three women. Each had a crown of my blossoms, fitted around their horns resting on their heads. They stood together holding hands creating a circle, massive smiles spread across their faces. Spread around them in a larger circle was their families. Also, hand in hand.
Minerva, the one with raven black hair and rich green eyes took a deep breath, holding the other two women’s eyes one at a time. “Rachel, Nezah, I love both of you so much.” She swallowed and turned her eyes to the woman with hair almost as white as the snow atop a mountain “Rachel, I have known you since I was a little girl. We did everything together, hunting, Cultivating plants, weaving cloths, and even falling in love.” She shifted her eyes to the right and stared with obvious adoration into the eyes of a woman with deep brown hair and hazel equally brown eyes.
“Nezah, when our daughter was sick,” she gestures between herself and Rachel “Everyone told use there was nothing to be done, that she was going to die. Everyone had given up, but you.” Tears begin to spring from her eyes and she let them fall over her cheeks never looking away from Nezah. “We thought we would lose our little girl, but you never left her side. You stayed when everyone had lost hope. And you brought her back to us.” A sob punctuates what she says and she sniffles “You did not just heal our daughter, you took care of Rachel and I as well. I was heartbroken, I could not bare the thought of losing my little girl. You were so kind, always there when we needed you. All you had to do was heal her but you nurtured me as well. I can never thank you enough for giving us our daughter back and stealing my heart in the process.”
Breathing heavily she smiles through her tears at Nezah and then turns her attention to Rachel.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Rachel smiles at Minerva and squeezes her hand before turning her attention to Nezah “I struggled through my daughter's illness differently than minerva did, I had withdrawn from everything. I had become so numb to all around me because I did not want to feel the pain. Within my shell I was no comfort to Minerva as I was pushing everyone away. Then you came and coaxed me out. You brought kindness and hope back into our lives and our daughter with them. I can never thank you enough for what you have done. There will always be a place in my heart for you”
“And a place in mine.” Minerva announces.
They look between each other and then back to Nezah, “We have grown to love you for you kindness and patience. We wish to share the love you gave to us when we felt none. You have become a part of this family and we don’t know what we would do without you.”
“I promise to love and cherish you,” Minerva says
“And I promise to care for you with the same kindness you have given us.”
The three of them come together for a hug in the center, and then proceed to exchange kisses, while the circle around them begins to sing. A song full of joy and love.
Watching this ceremony, like so many others I am filled with awe. Joy of my own that they wish to share this with me, pride that I can be apart of something so beautiful and contentment that something so extraordinary takes place before me.
***********
For the longest time life was filled with laughter and dances under the stars. Sure there was difficulty, the Ningami are not immortal and thus death is another form of change they learned to embrace. This does not mean there was no grief but that they had to learn to accept it.
My link to the Ningami might have become strong due to my kindness. The first occurrence was a surprise to me though the outcome was pleasant.
Just as the sun began setting a solemn woman began the walk to my shrine. In her arms she carried a bundle of cloth wrapped carefully around a motionless child. She did not shed tears upon her walk, her face only seemed tired, her brown hair threaded with grey, dark bags underneath her eyes, her horns having lost their polish.
As she made her way toward my tree her steps were measured her gaze out in front of her and yet focused on nothing. Upon reaching my shrine she stands staring up toward the sky and my branches far above.
I can feel her devastation as she places the child within my roots kneeling before me and the bundle of cloth. The infant nestled close, I can feel the cold surrounding him. The sensation a faint reminder of the cold I endured so long ago. Focussing on that cold I let it run over me, deep within I sense something faint like and ember struggling to grow. Hesitant to cause damage I try coaxing the small light into burning brighter. Under my gentle ministations the ember begins to grow into a small crackling fire within his spirit.
Suddenly the cold retreats and in its place color flushes the baby’s face and he lets out his first cry, small hands reaching up for their mother.
At such a drastic change the mother is frozen in shock, struggling to comprehend what has happened. She finally grabs the baby and clutches him to her chest, sobs racking her body. Looking up she simply says
“Thank you.”
Walking away she still sobs but I can feel her joy and being able to cause such a powerful emotion is enough to bring me joy as well.
This act became a sort of ritual after the first encounter. Many mothers would bring their stillborn child to me and lay them within my roots. Frequently I would feel a struggling ember buried under the cold and gently coax it to grow. Sometimes though, I would find no such ember. In such circumstances my devastation was almost as great as the mother’s for I could not help heal such a gaping wound in their hearts. I would take the child into me, giving them a place to rest.
**********
Of all the creatures Norochi and I have seen none are so jealous as humans. I do not mean to say that humans are horrible, just that they are terribly easy to influence. I was not paying close attention so I did not know who it was, but humans were being led down a path of violence and cruelty.
Love and joy were not the only emotions I experienced, due to human’s extensive jealousy I was exposed to sadness and horror as well. When humans first encountered the Ningami there was mostly curiosity, but some harbored fear. As time progressed and humans learned how the Ningami were stronger this fear grew and continued to grow when they learned that almost all Ningami possessed a high aptitude for magic, a trait exceedingly rare among humans.
At first some humans would simply be wary of Ningami, but it slowly grew to the point that humans would attack the traveling bands with steel and fire, driving them away. Things only became worse from there. Human hunting parties would find isolated or vulnerable Ningami and capture them, slavery profitable due to their strength or magical capabilities.
At first it was just a few almost not enough to notice, but the humans grew bolder taking full caravans. Often tracking them for days just to fall upon them when they slept. No longer camly traveling the world, the Ningami now fled, many not knowing how to fight others unwilling to.
Many retreated to the forest surrounding me, most humans too afraid to venture within for a fear of what awaits in such and ancient woods. My shrine once again become a haven but days that used to exude joy were now filled with despair. People that only knew kindness grew distant and cold. The moments of dancing under the stars replaced by grieving the ones we have lost.
Almost an entire civilization enslaved. Children ripped from their parents and forced to work all for the jealousy and greed of others. Normally, Kind, joyous, and peaceful race brought to their knees.
************
Time dragged by, my mind clouded over by the cold so many had begun to feel. With no idea how to turn the tides of their oppression the Ningami did something they rarely ever do, they asked me for help.
Stepping into the clearing is three tiered women. Bags underneath their eyes, their gazes determined as they approached my shrine. Startlingly I realize that I should have recognized these women for they are here so often yet they are more haggard than I have ever seen them. Nezah stands out in front with Rachel to her left and Minerva to her right both slightly behind her.
They all exchanged glances before Nezah focuses upon me, her gaze traveling up towards my canopy of pink gently swaying.
“They have taken our daughter.” She does not scream this nor say it through sobs, her voice is almost empty.
“We never provoked the humans. In fact we did all we could to assuage their fears. We invited them to join us in song, to gaze upon the stars as we do. We shared our food with them and opened our hearts as if they were a member of our family. We never felt that difference should be a cause for fear, the opposite, we choose to celebrate that which makes us different. Always kind, always careful and yet they still feared us. Maybe fear is just a part. They have enslaved us for what we can do for them just as much to prevent the monsters from causing harm.” She practically snears as she finishes.
Sighing deeply she continues, “We do not care for violence. I am tired of running, and I just want our daughter back.” she shivers slightly her eyes drifting downward
“They have begun enslaving some into marriages. Their lives fit for nothing more than becoming breeding stock or some pigs plaything.” heat suddenly returns to her voice as she continues. “My little girl forced into a life like that. Never to experience the joy of falling in love, but to be paraded around as someone's trophy.”
Breathing deeply she clasps her hands together and looks up at my branches once again.
“We rarely ask you for anything. You are Di’a Vera and the world is merely your extension.” as she says this Rachel and Minerva fall to their knees, placing their palms upon the ground and slowly lowering their horns to touch in between their hands.
Their ritualistic actions gives me concern and it only increases as Nezah with draws a knife from her sleeve, the colorful clothing at odds with the solemn mood permeating the clearing.
“I ask.” she pauses her jaw working, “I beg you to spare my daughter from the horror that awaits her. In exchange for her life I offer you mine.” As she said this she carefully raises the knife to her throat.
Her explanation of what happened not only to her daughter but many others filled me with such despair. That so many had been stolen from their families, friends and lives they would have had, but as she raised the knife to her throat I felt a new emotion. It felt like a fire was burning on the inside, scouring through me. I was unsure what this feeling was as it continued to grow, as if devouring me.
As the sensation grew in intensity my mind focused on one thing, I had to do something. The Ningami I knew were full of so much happiness. They had been battered and abused so much that they have been pushed to this point.
Focussing on that intensity and the desire to act I did something I had never done before. I stepped forward and out of my tree. Partially, I am still the tree but a part of me stepped forward and I could tell that I am somewhat taller than the Ningami. My hair is a rich brown reaching down to my waist, interwoven with cherry blossoms just like those of my tree. My eyes are as deep and dark as the earth and my skin is tan like the wood of my tree, with the same ring like pattern barely visible.
Nezah stands the knife frozen, her mouth hanging open.
“No” I say, the air shuddering around the potency with which I spoke the word. Nezah drops the knife as she falls to her knees, slow sobs racking her body.
Seeing this reaction I walk to her and carefully lay my hand upon her shoulder.
“I..I..Can’t save her.” she says
“I do not mean I will not rescue her. I mean I will not have you sacrifice your life for hers.”
At my words she looks up at me her eyes puffy and red a flicker of hope within.
“You will help?” her voice almost a whisper
“I have seen so much needless suffering. A people brought to their knees for the sake of convenience.” As I speak I grab Nezah below the arms and gently place her feet on the ground.
“I have long been a bystander to what happens, simply watching as the world changes. Change is not my enemy and suffering is unavoidable, but this..this is an act of cruelty that I do not wish to let stand.
As I talk I grow more certain. This new sensation, a burning flame roaring to life, is anger. An anger that could shake the game so many immortals play.
“I have watched long enough, It is time that I take action.”
My words softley reverberated through the air, carrying the weight of my promise.