Orphan 4
KiNa slipped on the pair of boots that SoYa left for him. They were a size too large, but certainly better than what he had before. The man also provided him with clothes, all much more sturdy than what he was used to wearing.
Though SoYa didn’t say anything about the origins of the garments, KiNa could sense a sadness about the man. Not sad that he was providing clothes, but sad about something related to the items. It was a sadness so deep that not even the mind-silence could hide it.
The boy thought it was better not to ask about it and decided to just thank him. He made a mental note to take proper care of the gifts, as they appeared to have a hidden meaning.
SoYa also brought him food, some books and a few more blankets from a place that he called home. It was strange to KiNa that the man didn’t choose to make this awesome tree-house his home, but it was something he didn’t ask about, either.
Maybe it’s something about the super secret spy life. He maintains a secret identity outside of the base so the Manor doesn’t know the truth.
SoYa was apologetic as he left, saying the Manor expected him for classes and instruction that day. He made it clear that he would return as often as possible to teach and ensure the boy was cared for, but there was a lot going on outside of the base that would call his attention away.
KiNa just reassured him that he was fine. After all, up until then, he spent all his time without adult supervision in the city. He knew how to take care of himself. Living there in the forest with food, clothing and shelter was far easier than he ever had it.
It’s time to check this place out.
Free to do as he pleased, the boy’s first order of business was to learn about the glade and the forest. He also wanted to better understand the feeling he got from the place… why it felt familiar and seemed to call to him.
The boy stuffed a bunch of white pebbles in a cloth and tucked it under his belt. As he struck out through the forest, following what appeared to be a path, he left a trail of stones behind him as a guide to find the way back. He didn’t know exactly where he was going, but he could pin-point the source of the feeling. That was as good as any place to start.
KiNa walked for the better part of an hour, picking his way through brush and over fallen trees. The forest was very old, that much he could sense. The mysteries that surrounded it appeared to be even older. Though he found mostly lots of trees and the occasional forest creature, KiNa did stumble upon old ruins littered with odd artifacts. While curiosity would usually hold him there, he really wanted to find the source of the feeling before taking a detour. The boy gathered a few of the strange box-like artifacts there, and putting them in his discovery pouch, continued on his way with all intentions to return later.
As he travelled, he could see the ground becoming more worn with the sign of consistent and recent passage. Whatever was out there, something came to this place often. Wary of what he might meet, KiNa began to pick his way more cautiously.
He also noticed that the trees were adorned with long strings and colored twine, much like the decoration he saw back at the base. The boy pulled on one, finding it securely tied to a branch above. Whatever it was, someone had purposely placed it there. He decided to leave it alone and continue on his journey.
The journey, however, didn’t last much longer. A wooden structure appeared before him, like a tall fence with many doorways. Everything sat silent as KiNa watched the structure warily. He didn’t sense anyone inside, and after a while, decided to approach.
It’s in there… whatever it is…
That’s when he realized he didn’t have a choice. Whatever the feeling was, whatever was calling him, it was too near for him to resist. Everything in the world could have indicated this was a trap, but KiNa wouldn’t have listened. His mind was full of the strange, lulling sensation.
He passed through the doorway unaccosted. In the center of the structure sat a huge blue-violet stone, shrouded in a silent slumber.
It’s like the crystals. This must be the protection Stone SoYa talked about.
KiNa crept closer to it, squinting, “You’re the one that called me here.”
The Stone didn’t reply.
“What are you? Why does it feel like I’ve seen you before?” he asked, craning his head back to see the tall formation.
A slight glitter of blue traced the surface. A crystalline sound pulsed through his mind once, so distant, KiNa couldn’t tell if it was just his imagination. Drawn forward, he reached his hands towards the stone, eyes widening as the crystal began to glow softly in anticipation.
Then his palm met the smooth surface, and his world became nothing but brilliant blue.
The sounds of distant cries filled his mind. The blue light enveloped him, the sensation of movement washing through his limbs, as if he was being picked up and placed somewhere else. Clouds began to churn and sweep across his vision, shapes forming from their depths.
People. KiNa could see the outline of people. No features, just the shadowy flux of clouds that formed images, which flowed in and out of true shape.
A woman, holding a child close to her chest. Her voice came to him, echoing through the very fiber of his existence.
– Take him, Lady Zazo! He’s just a little boy! Please, take him!-
The woman reached out, holding the child’s shape to a swelling shadow within the clouds. KiNa gasped as a second larger shape formed, that of a huge wolf. The creature opened its huge fanged maw, reaching for the child-shape. Though KiNa watched in mounting horror, the unexplained happened. The wolf took the child by the collar and lifted the shape away from the mother with great care.
-Mommy! Daddy!-
The child cried, reaching arms back. Not for fear of the wolf. But grief of loss. Something wrenched in KiNa’s chest, so powerful it took his breath.
– GO! GO!- Another shape formed in the clouds, one with a man’s voice. The father.
The huge wolf rounded away from the man and woman, still carrying the child in its mouth. Then with a great bound, it leapt and vanished into the swirling light.
The glow intensified, blasting through the clouds, and ripping away the visions. KiNa stumbled back from the Stone, losing his footing and crumpling to the ground. Shaking all over, the boy gasped for breath, trying to gather his wits. It was only then he realized his face was wet, streaked with tears.