I laid on the ground of the woods, bearing the pain from my mana core and mind. I couldn't even fall unconscious due to the foreign memories and emotions invading my mind, so I laid there, eyes bloodshot, screaming in pain with no one to come to my aid.
It was agonizing.
Memories rushed through my mind, I tried rejecting them, but the more I did the more the pain grew. I couldn't bear the intense pain that came with rejecting them so I ended up giving up and accepting them.
I realized the more I accepted and ‘watched’ the memories, the more the pain would subside. Even just the thought of getting out of this torture trap was alluring, so I gave in.
I watched the memories as if I was reliving them. I seemed to be reliving one in particular.
I was in some type of cave in a tropical forest. I could hear the sounds of birds and other animals in the distance. The emotions I felt in the memory were curiosity and hesitance. Who's ever memory this was, was curious of the outside world, but hesitant to go.
I soon figured out why, as a voice I had never heard before rang in my mind. ‘Rye, you mustn't go outside while I'm gone. It's too dangerous.’ The voice seemed caring, motherly even. These words came across to be some type of reminder, and the reason this person, or Rye, felt so hesitant.
At the mention of a name, I as Falyn became curious of who “Rye” was, and why I was seeing his memories.
The memory continued. I tried to accept but ignore the random emotions and focused on details that would indicate who this “Rye” was. It wasn't until “Rye” laid down that I noticed a familiar striped paw. My emotions of shock and surprise clashed with his.
These memories and emotions were the titan tigers. That little bastard somehow implanted his memories in my mind.
But how? And...why?
My curiosity led me to continue ‘watching’. After a while, the emotion of impatience started to overwhelm the memory. It felt like Rye was waiting for someone.
The impatience disappeared as the sound of loud running footsteps entered the cave. What entered, was a sight to behold.
An all mighty white tiger entered my view. Its white fur glowed even in the dim cave, Its black stripes looked more like ancient art. Beautiful art. Even a blind man could tell this beast was more than it seemed. I was only ‘watching’ the memory and wanted to bow down in reverence.
Even so, I couldn't help but notice its distraught. I felt Rye notice this as well, and his emotions changed to curiosity and worry.
“Rye, my son come quick,” The white tiger spoke. Her voice was the same motherly tone as the one that rang in my head earlier.
Rye quickly followed the white tiger; who I assumed to be his mother.
“Rye, you must listen carefully. I can only tell you so much, we have little time.”
Rye complied, I felt confusion overwhelming him.
“Ever since I gave birth to you I've had you held up here. Being the young cub you are, I am sure you are curious about the world and what it holds. But being who you are, I couldn't let you live your life. I couldn't let them discover you.”
Her face began to grow more sad as she kept speaking, “I know this is sudden but I'm going to open a portal to a faraway place, you must stay there and wait for the boy who holds the eyes of the world. When you find him, follow him, bond with him, truly live.” Tears started to form in his mother’s eyes, “Hide your lineage, only show the boy. Once I open the portal, they'll know my location. You must go fast, I can't let them know you're alive.”
Rye inched closer to his mother, and overwhelming sadness invaded my mind.
Rye was crying.
His mother looked at him, her heart seeming to break at the sight of her crying son, “I'm so sorry Rye.” She said, rubbing her head against his. “This will all make sense someday.”
The white tiger lifted a paw and swiped down, opening a portal. She looked at Rye one last time, her eyes filled with tears, and said her last words before nudging him into the portal, “I love you, my son..”
The portal took Rye to the woods, the same woods we met in. The emotions of sadness from losing his mother were still strong, making me shed tears. He was now alone in a whole new environment, waiting for someone he had never met.
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The boy with the eyes of the world…
Was Rye showing me these memories because he thought I was who his mother was talking about? Even if this was the case, how could he be certain?
The memories went on. They consisted of him exploring and hunting small beasts for food. He stayed in the woods as his mother told him and eventually I reached the memories of tonight. I watch the whole night from Rye's perspective, from the two-headed serpent and him killing it to save me. After this memory, there were no more. The pain from my mind dissipated like it was never there. My mana core still ached but not as bad.
I was still laid out, flat on my back in the middle of the woods. It was still night out but this didn't stop me from turning my head attempting to search for Rye. I couldn't help but respect the cub. He was able to live on his own after going through something like that.
He reminded me of myself. Alone, waiting to find my purpose.
My search abruptly came to an end as a storm of exhaustion and weariness ravaged my body. Not even attempting to stay conscious, I closed my eyes and told myself to worry about my problems when I wake up.
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I slowly opened my eyes. I was in the same spot I had fallen asleep in. The uncomfortable ground didn’t allow me to sleep well, causing insomnia. I tried to ignore it and looked at the sky. Through the tall trees I could make out the sun, it looked like it was still rising so I couldn’t have slept long, maybe four hours at most.
Even so, I still needed to make it home before my family woke up, which would be soon.
As I attempted to stand up I noticed most of the pain was gone. My legs were still exhausted and sore, but my mana core and mind felt fine.
“I guess sleep really does work wonders,” I said, as I dusted the dirt from my torn clothes and wiped the dried blood from my face.
I looked around for Rye one last time. He did save my life after all, It was only natural I worried for him. Besides the pain the memories caused my mind, they left a big impression on me. Even if I couldn't find the cub before I left, I would most likely end up coming back and looking for him.
After about fifteen minutes of looking for the cub, the sun started to shine even brighter, reminding me that I had to get home. “Dammit Rye, where the hell did you go?”
I gave up my search and made my way home promising myself to come back another day.
I didn't run into any beast on my way out. I assumed they all went deeper into the woods, wary of the bright light Rye had made. I also assumed this was the reason no beast attacked me while I was asleep. In the state I was in, I was literally free food to any mana beast that just happened to pass by.
I broke a cold sweat imagining a beast like the two-headed serpent eating me while I was asleep without a second thought.
One more thing to thank Rye for when I see him again…
I continued my path, after running for what seemed like an eternity, I broke into a relieved smile at the sight of large grass fields; the fields I labeled as the exit.
I started running to the exit like there was no tomorrow. The challenges I had faced in the hellish woods were the most difficult challenges I had faced in a long time. But to be honest, they were the most fun.
I had almost reached the exit, but out of nowhere, I felt terrifying mana fluctuations aimed at me. The pressure coming from my left was so suffocating I fell to my knees instantly, clawing at my throat trying to find air to breathe.
What kind of beast could emit such a suffocating pressure?
It was no iron or bronze rank beast for sure. I had never run into a bronze rank beast, but I could tell It was nothing compared to whatever this monster was.
I stared in the direction of where the mana fluctuations were coming from. A dark lone figure stepped out from behind the tree entering my vision.
The figure was not a beast, not a monster, but a man. He was dawned in a black cloak, his long shaggy black hair hung freely at his shoulders. The only other noticeable detail about him was the shining silver hilt of his sword strapped to his waist.
The dawning realization that a person emitted this pressure was horrifying. Unlike the iron rank two-headed serpent, a person would actually use their head in a fight and not just instincts. And just by guessing the man's strength I gathered he could probably kill me with ease.
The man walked toward me, and while doing so he calmed down his mana fluctuations allowing me to breathe again, “What's a little brat like you doing out here, and so early? This place is dangerous, you know.”
I couldn't just tell him I was out here training to become a mage. Who the hell would believe that? So I said the first thing that came to mind, “Just passing through. Sorry to have bothered you sir.”
The man looked at me for a moment, then let out a laugh, “You think Im stupid kid? The way you came from only goes deeper into the woods and eventually into the Lunar Mountains.” The man focused on me more, he seemed to have realized something but I couldn't tell what, “You're a dark red core mage? How old are you?”
Not having any other choice but to respond, I told him the truth, “I'm four, I turn five In a couple of months.”
“Impressive kid, you must've been out here training all night even more impressive that you survived. But surely your parents didn't approve of you going by yourself?”
I looked at the man, curious of what his motive was.
In the end I decided to lie to him so he could end the meaningless questions and I could go home, “As a matter of fact they did approve. I was told to be home before midday.” I looked at him, my expression hard, “Now if you'll excuse me,”
I attempted to walk past him, but he pulled his still sheathed sword out to block my path, “I somehow doubt that, but if what you say is true, then I'm sure they won't mind if we spar a bit.”
I looked at the man. He had a big smile on his face. A scheming smile; almost like he was in on a joke that I didn’t know about.
It didn't feel like he wanted to kill me, but if I didn't spar with him he would probably keep me from leaving until I did.
Was this his motive? He just wanted to spar?
If so, I didn't see a problem with it, but made sure to set some conditions “Fine, but I'm only at red core so I would appreciate it if you showed some restraint.”
“I swear it upon my honor kid.” He let out a chortle, “I just want to see what you're made of. I’ve never seen a four year old mage.”
I let out a sigh and mumbled under my breath, “I just can’t catch a break, can I?”