At the break of dawn on the following day, amidst the desolate countryside, enveloped by darkness and emptiness emerging from the heart of the moor, the wind stirred, carrying a swirl of dusty particles that marked the passage of time. Within this new wind, ebony suns blazed, while a multitude of withered leaves were shaken loose from a distant autumn tree beyond the horizon.
The wind seemed like a chorus of countless souls in the throes of departure, lost and disoriented in the realm of eternal transition. It manifested as a fog concealed within a mist-shrouded in darkness, rendering this place devoid of identity, devoid of any notion of time. There existed only these individuals, adrift in a faceless void, suddenly immersed in frost, tempest, and the resounding roar of thunder that reverberated beyond the colossal green pane of lightning.
A sudden downpour cascaded upon the earth, saturating the turf until all faded into a breathless silence. Amidst this tranquil expanse, the two boys stood alone, their warmth a solace within the cool embrace of the surrounding sea.
"There," whispered Neil, pointing towards the majestic tree in front of them. Trees burned in bonfire-reds and golden-flame color. The clear sound of nuts hitting the ground could be heard. The bark of the trees became flaky and crumbly, and sunlight arrowed through the branches of the trees. The branches of the trees were shaped like lightning forks, and some of the old ones had wilted downwards in a droop.
Sitting on the top of the highest branch of the tree was their prey, the red Callyrx. The Callyrx looked to be as large as an eagle, with brilliant scarlet and gold plumage and a melodious cry.
"It's a symbol, life is full of symbols and omens. When demons lurked everywhere. And death swam in the wetness of an eye, the Callyrx is a fabulous bird associated with the sun god. And its essence lies in life. It's a symbol of immortality." Dove said as his eyes sparkled seeing the phoenix.
Neil ignored his comments and cautiously approached the tree to not alarm the bird.
The twisted limbs of the tree brimmed with promise, as the wind whisked away its foliage. Neil pressed his palm against the robust trunk, steadying himself with the aid of his arrow, encircling his arms around its sturdy form before finding purchase on the lowest branch just within his reach. Diligently, he commenced his ascent, the rustling leaves orchestrating a soothing melody, their earthy scent enveloping Neil's senses in a calming embrace.
As he stretched to grasp the branch above his head, voices resonated in the vicinity, enigmatic voices that seemed intimately acquainted with Neil. Their familiarity stirred a sense of unease, transporting him into a realm within his own mind.
Within this realm, the stone workers groaned and wept, their mournful sounds echoing through the air. Death loitered in the outer courtyard, his presence heralded by the clattering of his cane. The shadows of the room reverberated with the sound of poverty, akin to a damp cough that punctuated the silence.
Neil's heart sickened within him, like an autumn fruit upon an ancient tree. The flu had spread in his city like a pack of evil dogs. Shops closed. Funerals began to appear in the streets, though it was the middle of summer, a time when all should be tending and harvesting.
Neil's heart ached as he watched his mother, confined to her bed behind the silken screen. The past two months had taken a toll on her, leaving her weak and frail. His father had gone to the marketplace to sell the harvest, hoping to gather enough money for suitable medicine.
With concern etched on his face, Neil hurried into the hut and saw his mother's trembling hands struggling to hold the glass. Her face had lost its color, resembling that of a lifeless corpse.
"You could've called me for help," Neil said, his voice filled with worry.
"I'm not an invalid, boy! I still have a few more days left in me," his mother replied, her voice feeble but determined.
"Don't make light of this, Mama. It's serious. Look at how it's affecting you!" Neil's voice grew louder with his concern.
"I never said I was going to die. I believe I'll continue existing in some other formâa lower creature perhaps. When one hasn't led a virtuous life, they reincarnate as a punishment. And if I reflect on my own shortcomings, I haven't lived long enough to atone for my sins," his mother responded, her voice trembling, and her body swayed with a sudden impulse.
"Mumma!" Neil exclaimed, rushing to support her fragile form and prevent her from collapsing.
"Your condition has worsened. You need immediate medical attention. I'll take you to the doctor right away," Neil said, placing his mother's hand on his shoulder and bearing most of her weight. He whistled loudly, and a group of children around his age gathered near the farm, climbing over walls and running from nearby huts, drawn to the commotion.
Neil quickly explained his predicament, and the children scurried off, eager to help him find a means of transporting his mother to the local doctor, situated near the city.
Three of his friends returned with a simple carriage, the horses looking strong and ready. They assisted Neil in settling his mother inside, while he took his seat, mentally preparing himself for the bumpy ride ahead. Giving a reassuring pat on his friend's back, he promised to return the carriage once they were back from the doctor's.
"Hiya!" Neil exclaimed, signaling the start of their journey as the carriage set off, jolting and bouncing along the road.
As they traveled, the horses galloped along the shore, their hooves crushing sleeping flowers with little regard. Neil's mind was consumed by a mix of fear and uncertainty, his gaze fixated on the deathly pallor of his mother's face. The village seemed to stretch endlessly, with new vistas of trees, paths, and natural beauty unfolding before him. The yellow-lit stream meandered past grassy banks and beneath marble bridges adorned with stone idols and pagodas.
A drizzle of water began to fall, adding an eerie touch to the atmosphere. Progress became more challenging as the horses struggled to navigate through muddy puddles and slippery roads. Unbeknownst to Neil, a screw on one of the carriage wheels had come loose, but his adrenaline-fueled determination to save his mother kept him oblivious to the impending danger.
However, their journey was cut short when the wheel suddenly gave way, causing the carriage to tilt violently to the left. Neil felt the abrupt shift in weight and quickly brought the horses to a halt. Panic and terror engulfed him as he surveyed the carriage's damaged condition. He frantically rushed to his mother's side, but it was too late. She was already taking her last breath.
"Beta..." she tried to speak, her voice barely audible. Neil, overcome with anguish, repeatedly struck his forehead against the carriage's wooden frame, his body convulsing in grief. In the midst of an epileptic fit, he moaned, "No, please no! Don't leave me, mumma!"
Tears streamed down Neil's face as he cried out, his desperate pleas for help echoing through the air. Yet, people around him paid no attention, their indifference compounding his anguish. His mother's lips formed a serene smile as she peacefully closed her eyes for the final time.
The rain continued to pour down upon them, drenching Neil and enveloping him in its sorrowful embrace. He held her tightly against his trembling chest, his tears flowing freely as if his very heart was on the verge of shattering. In that moment, the world seemed to hush as if holding its breath in reverence, and no sound except for the occasional croak of a frog or the faint chirping of a belated insect dared to disrupt the sacred scene. It was an eternal calm, a poignant melancholy, a wordless tranquility that enfolded his lifeless mother, as though her spirit whispered it into the very fabric of nature, soothing its restless soul.
It was his fault.
He couldn't save her.
He kept looking at his mother's face when it suddenly changed into a much younger-looking girl's face, someone very dear to his heart.
"Pia?" Neil's voice trembled with uncertainty and disbelief. In an instant, his surroundings transformed, and he found himself submerged within the river's depths, witnessing Pia's desperate struggle to stay afloat. Her limbs flailed aimlessly, a reflection of her mounting panic. Yet, as she turned towards him, Neil's heart seized within his chest. The sight that met his eyes filled him with a bone-chilling dread as if his very soul had encountered an unspeakable horror before his senses had fully comprehended it. In that haunting moment, a primal scream tore through his throat, its raw anguish blending with the tears that streamed down his face. The weight of despair settled upon him, and the depths of his sorrow seemed bottomless.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. It's just me. Open your eyes, look," a voice whispered, gently coaxing Neil back into consciousness.
As he slowly opened his eyes, Neil found Dove's face filled with concern and sadness. His head was resting on Dove's lap, and Dove was doing his best to comfort him.
"The leaves of that tree release a scent that triggers hallucinations, bringing people face-to-face with their worst nightmares. That's why you were reacting that way. I don't know what you saw, and I won't ask you to relive those painful moments by talking about it. But I want you to know that it's all in your head. It's not real. So, hold my hand and try to breathe, okay?" Dove explained, his voice soothing.
Neil nodded, grasping Dove's hand tightly, following his instructions as he focused on his breathing.
"What about the feather?" Neil inquired a few moments later, his curiosity piqued. Dove smiled, revealing a single feather clutched in his arm.
"When you fell from the tree in your hallucinated state, the Callyrx bird became alarmed and flew away. It shed a few feathers in the process, and while it did, I quickly collected one," Dove explained.
Though Neil usually felt guarded and suspicious of Dove's actions, for the first time, a wave of affection washed over him. He looked into Dove's kind eyes, finding solace in their gaze, and held onto his hand as if his life depended on it.
A/N
Hi thanks so much for the read! If you enjoyed please leave a vote or a comment that's the best way to support me! Thanks so much xx, Anne.