A painful rhythm beat within Lilau’s head. Her eyes squeezed shut against the overwhelming onslaught that had plagued her since the golden serpent appeared. Once it dropped its hold on her, she had done what it desired, finding its reason with ease.

An unending river flowed across the sky in rainbow rivulets that merged into a whole. Like fire, it glowed in a way that obscured all light behind it, despite the glaring backdrop of the cloudless sky.

It was not the only new thing to appear. All around, shiny white tendrils had appeared within the earth, entwining around themselves and branching off in ways that reminded her of veins under the skin. Fortunately for her sanity, the trees and soil stayed as usual, although dulled next to the pure white flows. Less fortunate, creatures now crawled, flew and crept. She was used to the constant bustle of the forest, but these were not the creatures she knew.

Slender-armed, bulbous-eyed beings near the size of Makotae’s thirteen hands clambered through the treetops. Their long, brown ears and gray snubbed snouts were reminiscent of every rodent Lilau had ever seen, yet so different it made her skin crawl. Others surrounded them. A large, winged creature had plucked a man-faced deer from her path right before they kicked up a cloud of tiny flying snakes that glittered in crystalline shades of red, blue, and purple. So on it went until her head spun and her eyes ached.

She buried her face in Makotae’s fur as he chased the river in the sky. Although he had, much to her chagrin, showed her through his eyes that he could neither see nor hear the unfamiliar sights which accosted her, he could feel their presence, and could feel the westerly pull of the river.

They traveled at full speed for most of the day, only stopping for water at Makotae’s insistence. Something drove them on. Neither could pin down what it was, for they had left the village far behind, but still they drove onward towards places they had never seen.

A mournful cry halfway between a moan and a howl called out. Lilau tensed at the unfamiliar sound. Whatever it was, it was close. No sooner had it ended when three more rose in reply, their mourning turning baleful as their cries grew sharp. They were on the hunt, and Lilau’s gut told her she and Makotae were their prey.

She sat up, opening her eyes as a chill shot through her limbs. The path in front of them was clear.

Behind us, Makotae advised, his ears pinning against his skull.

She looked back. A creature born of tree, moss and predators hurtled towards them, its pack mates not far behind. Four long, silver-clawed legs struck the ground in an approximation of Makotae’s gait. Those legs led up to a long tailless body, a wolfish neck, and a flat-muzzled face full of silver fangs. It reminded her of the forest cat she had felled so long ago, except these things were not flesh and blood. Where skin and muscle should have been were twigs and branches woven into intricate patterns that pushed and pulled as they propelled themselves forward. Instead of fur, red-capped fungus and dark-green lichen coated them in rough patches.

The lead one caught her looking at it as it closed in, its milky-white eyes turning black as its fanged mouth split open in a long, eager grin.

Stolen novel; please report.

She relayed the view to Makotae, reaching around to slide her bow free from her shoulder. He growled in response before swerving to one side. The sudden movement forced her to abandon the attempt at arming herself as she turned, pulling her weight back to the center to avoid falling.

The lead creature’s form shot past her peripheral. This close, she could see it was the size of a full-grown Great Wolf, at least four full hands taller at the shoulder than Makotae. Unlike other Great Wolves, it was also faster than he was, and the sounds closing in behind them assured her that its comrades were no slower.

Makotae threaded through the trees and bushes. Their heavy spring growth afforded them just enough cover to avoid the attacks of their pursuers, who responded by increasing their assault.

The lead attacker pushed ahead as its pack mates fanned out. She knew this maneuver. They were trying to block them in.

Hold on. Makotae launched into the air just as the leader fell back with claws extended. Pain erupted along her thigh as it passed, a double echo telling her that Makotae hadn’t made it unscathed either. He twisted, catching purchase on a thick trunk. She wrapped her arms and legs around him as he pushed off, near perpendicular to the ground, before straightening out for the landing. Chilling wails called out from behind as the creatures realized their tactic’s failure.

Makotae pushed harder, evening out his path enough for her to pull her bow from her shoulder and take aim. The creatures vanished. They didn’t disperse or run; they were simply there then not. Her heart pounded in her ears as she whipped her bow back and forth, but they did not return.

A moment later, they weren’t in the forest anymore. The conifers and evergreens of the forest she had called home ended in a clean line, ankle-high grass and wildflowers covering every inch of the ground from then on. She rotated around on Makotae’s back. Her mind skittered, seeking something to shoot, but for the moment, they were alone. She placed the arrow back in the quiver and the bow on her shoulder before settling back over Makotae. Whatever was going on, she didn’t like it.

Although no animals or creatures were around, the grassland that stretched out all around them contained the shining veins. They merged and split like the ones in the forest, with a few larger ones running back towards the woods.

What do you think these are, Makotae?

I have never seen them, but I have always felt them. They feel like strength, breath and warmth. Like life.

Lilau considered this idea. Veins which flowed within the earth, carrying within them the essence of life. This is Earth’s Blood!

Makotae’s ears, which were easing into an upright position, popped up in interest.

Perhaps so, but why can you see it? Or the creatures?

I don’t know.

This all started when they had jumped through the Trial Bonfire. Yet gaining such an ability from it was not something she had ever heard about. Was it because they did it against the will of the tribe? Was it another punishment from the Fokla for taking what wasn’t hers?

The memory of the ritual came back. There had been no creatures, but there had been plenty of sounds that pointed to them. Plus, the Earth’s Blood and the bonfire both shone like the forest had that night. It made sense.

I smell fresh water, Makotae declared, veering off to the right. I am thirsty and tired.

She had to agree with him. As the adrenaline wore off, a deep fatigue took its place, weighing her limbs down, and she wasn’t the one running. She could tell, despite Makotae’s attempts at keeping it from her, that he was nearing complete exhaustion.

We will rest, she assured him.

The promise proved unneeded, as by the time they had drank their fill of the burbling stream, the sun was waving its last rays over the horizon. With its departure went their last grasp on wakefulness.