The next day I continued with my search for those who were doing the village harm, unfortunately I received the same results as the first time. I followed what was left of the darkness left by the clones, it took me to the same place, but this time there was more dark mist, but there was no sign of anything, absolutely nothing, this couldn’t just be it.

The third and fourth days were the same and no activity from those who had survived my attack, and no further visions on the matter either.

The fifth day again the same. I ended up laying out on the ground staring up at the wilting ancient tree, which looked even worse today, it probably didn’t have much time left, but I didn’t know what else I could do.

“I am missing something,” I moaned to myself. Those that carried a dark aura, attacks on a peaceful village and a wilting old tree that has been this places form of a Guardian from day dot. “Wait.” I rolled over glancing over at Arata. “Could they be harming the tree?”

“Why don’t you check,” responded Arata.

“Check?” I gave him a weird look. He didn’t actually answer me after that. “Hey, don’t leave me with no answers.” Larana giggled away on my shoulder. “And you know do you?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “Trees have a flow of water transfer in them and in most forests, trees have an endless connection.”

“Don’t keep giving him all the answers,” snorted Arata.

“Can you at least try to like me?” I asked.

“No.” He looked away, placing his head on his great paws.

“He’ll come around,” responded Larana. “Back to work master.”

“I suppose. I’ll see if I can connect with the tree.” I moved closer placing my hand on the large trunk. I’d felt nothing the last time I touched it, but this time I would ask. “Help me find what it is doing this to you.” I closed my eyes. I waited for what felt like forever. “Talking to a tree what are things coming to.” But I had to at least try.

“Water flows through each tree, and each tree is connected, especially this one master.” Mila spoke. “Legends says our first master planted this very tree, his blood runs through your veins, and you have a connection with him more than anyone else as you carry us with you.”

I had listened intently to Mila’s words, I always wondered about the connection I shared with the legendary Fang, after all I seemed to walk a similar path against the darkness and held power over his talismans.

I felt a gentle pulse come from the tree, had I made a connection. I heard a whispering voice from deep within the tree. “It has been a long time my old friend.” I was surprised by the voice and pulled away.

“It spoke back.” I noticed a smirk on Arata’s face. “You knew.”

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Arata stood up, moving closer to the tree. “Most believe this to be a simple tree planted by our first master, it is not.” He shook his head. “This is one of many sites where battles between light and darkness was fought.” I listened to his words as it was the longest, he’d ever spoken. “This tree is where one of our first master’s closest friends fell in battle, he used his power to spare his life in a way, making him a guardian protector of this place, giving him the power to protect this place from the darkness.”

“Turned him into a tree,” I said. “Sounds impossible.”

“You’d understand if you had your awakening already,” hissed Arata.

“That’s not my fault,” I snapped back. “Dad seemed to think I need to come into contact with a much more powerful source of dark power, and with so much about I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet!”

Larana was shaking her head on my shoulder. “You don’t have to explain anything, you’ll have it when the right moment arises, until then keep walking the path you have chosen, like right now we have a job to do.”

“Right.” I nodded, taking in a deep breath, letting go of our pointless argument. “Alright.” I reached my hand back out. “I’m here to help if you’ll let me.”

“Arguments with your talismans, not like you.” The tree seemed to laugh.

“We’ve never got on,” I responded. “You act as if you know me.”

“From a time, yes, but you have more pressing matters than how I know you.”

“True.” I nodded. “Let’s get to it then, why does this form you take look so sick?”

“The new life I had been given had been a peaceful one as I have sustained light here for centuries now, but something is poisoning the land and me.” His voice drained away for a moment. “I can feel myself growing weaker each day, I fear I cannot fight it off for very much longer.”

“Hang in there,” I encouraged. “Do you know where the source is?”

“You have already seen it with your visions from Mila and Larana; the darkness simply stops everything that comes into contact with it, including wind and water.”

“I see.” So, it was the darkness preventing me from completing my search.

“You must hurry there before too many more are made, and lives lost,” his voice hastened.

“What are they really trying to do with those clones?” I questioned.

“Only the darkness knows what it wants, perhaps to recreate his lost armies or his strongest servants,” replied the tree. “An enslaved beast who calls this place home needs your help, do not waste another second.”

“Thank you.”

“Follow what they have shown, it will guide you, but be warned of what you might see, the danger that awaits and perhaps a glimpse of the darkness true form.”

The tree abruptly broke the link, I thought how rude, but perhaps the connection with me used energy. I needed to hurry to save him, this enslaved beast and those they might have captured for the cloning.

I looked up at the sky, it was early afternoon, if I left now, I would be there quite quickly, I stopped that thought as Larana chimed in.

“Do not go alone master.” I glanced at her. “You have skilled allies with you, those who listen to your command.”

“You’re right.” I stood up heading back to the heart of the village.

“Fang.” Ibiki walked over. “Found anything yet?”

“I have and we must hurry,” I replied. “I need everyone’s help with this.”

“Alright.” Ibiki headed off to quickly gather the others. I just hoped we made it in time to prevent whatever it was they were doing in this area. I couldn’t see them setting up camp just to kill a tree, this was something bigger.