You awaken to the rising sun. The first rays peek into your room, waking you from sleep. You sit up quickly, looking around at your wooden room, carved into the branch of your home Titan Tree.
"Was it all a dream?" you ask yourself quietly, examining your right arm. You activate your Token, attempting to become the golden light that you achieved last night. After some concentrating, it works, and your arm glows and begins shooting out the sparks of golden luminescence which look dwarfed by the sun's rays shining through your window.
You turn it off excitedly and get up from your bed, practically buzzing with energy like last night. You don't remember flying back home nor getting in bed at all. This puzzles you as you begin to stroll through the awakening streets, tunnels, and pavilions of your home. All coming alive again to greet the morning sun. People appearing from their homes carved out of wood.
You let your mind wander as your body does the same. You munch on some fruit as you walk, barely caring where your legs carry you.
"I should name my newfound power," you think as you continue your stroll through the branches of your home, the moist morning air tickling your nose with earthy and floral scents. You walk past several people taking morning walks like you. You greet them kindly, and they return the favor.
You smile as you walk, taking in the light.
***
Later, as you wander, you begin to hear a commotion up the path. Excited murmuring and chattering can be heard over the whistling wind in the leaves all around you.
You walk over and you find a crowd has formed around a small group of people who are chatting in a formal manner.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Der’ii the Branded One, we are honored to host you in our home.” A middle-aged man, who is clearly putting on years, announces loudly to the crowd and the grey-haired boy across from him. The man looks familiar, and he wears extravagant, flowing robes that feel even more flamboyant than the Ben’Marmenent’s. Such robes could only mean one thing, this man is Elder Rag’nash, the Aam'ein'xulaa, and his similarly decorated son next to him is undoubtedly your friend Poi'Niuu.
Your friend looks tortured and barely hanging on. He is constantly fussing with his white robe and his expression is distant and tired. Staring past the newcomer blankly. His characteristically spiky black hair is styled into a much more conservative style that looks ready to fall apart at any moment.
The stranger stands across from the Elder and his son as the Elder showers him with praise and honor, appearing quite unsure why an Aam'ein'xulaa is treating him like this. The stranger looks older than you and is around the same height as Melonaa, who is rather tall for her age. Der'ii, you recall, wears traditional baggy, brown clothing that is suited for the manual labor that is necessary to keep us alive for the good of L'Oos.
"Thank you, Elder Rag'Nash... for your hospitality..." Der'ii says, glancing around at the gathered crowd somewhat nervously. "I must know, do you have a Branded One on your home Tree?"
"Oh, yes! Our pride and joy, L'Neeri Een'Mokk!" The decorated Aam'ein'xulaa responds with fervor. His voice is watery and flowing, denoting his canopy descent. It feels oddly calming somehow, despite his excited demeanor.
You and Poi make eye contact. He seems to come alive again, rising from a stupor he didn't even know he was in. You smile at him and he gives you a thumbs down, shaking his head.
Der'ii looks at the thinning crowd, suddenly resting his eyes on you. You make eye contact and you flinch at how hard and piercing his gaze is.
The Elder continues talking, "Ah, but unfortunately we cannot have him present. I do wish-"
"Who is she?" Der'ii asks roughly, cutting him off and pointing at you. You jump at his question and begin quickly speed-walking away, eyes wide and blood pumping.
Elder Rag'Nash looks thrown off balance, confused why anyone would cut him off, but he looks where his guest is pointing.
"Hum, I'm not sure. I-"
You don't catch the rest as you turn the corner down the path. You need to stay away from that boy.
You activate your Token, transforming into golden light. You zip through the branches of your home, just running.