#and after that another one from HW Rael's PoV

[avirael]

(above screenshot taken by Khian)

The Mother Tree

Rael had grown accustomed to the Forest Sanctuary very quickly. No, in fact it had felt familiar from the first second. They had never seen this place before and yet it felt like home. The sanctuary was a vast area filled with lots of different places connected by serpentine, hidden paths, and yet Rael had no issue whatsoever to find their way in this maze. The place still filled them with endless wonder but at the same time it was as if they had walked these pathways a million times before.

Their training with the oracle had so far not consisted of any powerful magic spells like Rael had expected, but instead of a variation of different meditation techniques as well as training their awareness of their surrounding, the animals and plants, Golmore itself. The raven Frelsi had been Rael’s constant companion and training partner these last few weeks, always somewhere close or hopping back and forth between the oracle and Rael.

So it had been that morning too. As Rael had left the small room they had been given - a tiny wodden cabin that seemed partially grown and partially built with a translucent green roof on top - Frelsi had already perched on one of the branches nearby and fluttered over with a happy caw. Rael had raised and arm for the raven to land on and had obediently scratched the birds head with a smile.

One of the guardians had left breakfast in front of Rael’s door - clear water, some fruits as well as a piece of bread and some honey. As usual the benefactor wasn’t visible, just like the guardians were rarely to be seen at all. Rael would have liked to thank them and wondered if one of them was watching right now. “Thank you.”, they said gratefully, sat down in the grass in front of their cabin and ate while Frelsi curiously observed them. Once again Rael wondered what the raven was thinking and tried to feel it’s intentions just as the oracle had tried to teach them the other day.

“What do you want? Food?”, Rael asked none the wiser after a moment and first offered the raven a small slice of apple before trying a crumb of bread instead as the bird tilted its head with a clicking sound. But that didn’t seem to be right either. Instead it fluttered up to Rael‘s shoulder and snuggled up to the side of their head. “You know, I have more important things to do than cuddle you all day, right?”

The raven protested loudly and proceeded to make itself comfortable on Rael’s shoulder as the Viera finished their breakfast. Absentmindedly Rael ate the last slice of apple while raising their face to the sun shining down onto the small clearing from above. With closed eyes they breathed deeply. The air here was wonderfully fresh and clear while at other places in the sanctuary it could be heavier, with more mossy or floral scents.

Rael tried to let their mind wander, focusing on their surroundings, just as the oracle had instructed. Slowly they began to feel the warmth beneath the grass that tickled at Rael’s palms and bare feet. With every day they got better at feeling the energy flow through the forest, from the ground, through the tree trunks and branches up to the highest leaves of the jungle. It felt like a network of glimmering golden streams that connected all life to one another. Peaceful yet lively, in perfect harmony. Rael tried to feel where the flow was directed and find the biggest vein in this spiderweb of energy.

Slowly they stood up, curled their toes into the grass and hesitantly turned this way and that before finally deciding on a path. With slow careful steps they started walking, leaving the clearing behind and following the golden streams to where the energy seemed strongest. It was not a straight path but instead lead them in turns and loops through different areas. Quite some time Rael wandered through the forest, seemingly without aim, wondering if this idea was going to lead them anywhere at all, when suddenly they emerged from a thick layer of trees and found themself standing in a familiar place.

It was the big circular glade surrounded by ancient looking trees with white bark and colorful leaves, where Rael had met the oracle for the first time. The pavilion at the small pond in the middle of the meadow lay empty this time, the oracle no where to be seen. This place already had an aura of great importance the first time they had been here but now Rael could feel that all the energy streams seemed to lead to this place.

Rael was not sure if they were allowed to be here at all but nonetheless stepped onto the glade and followed the golden streams to the opposite side. There all of the energy lines met at a point where a particular tall tree stood. The white tree was covered in heartshaped leaves in all hues of gold and amber and its trunk was so wide that it would probably take at least a dozen people to surround it once. Its massive roots peaked out of the ground in uneven curves and stretched out in all directions. It looked incredibly old and powerful.

Frelsi, who had so far preferred to be carried around, cawed and took flight. In wide circles the raven ascended around the tree and Rael followed it with their eyes and watched it land on a strong branch far far upwards. In awe Rael stared at the wide canopy and listened to the rustling of the leaves. Suddenly it seemed like hundreds of voices were whispering in their ears at once and Rael felt the urge to reach out and put a hand on the colourless bark.

When they did the pure amount of magic they felt made Rael gasp and shiver at first. Then however they realised that the tree with all the life running through it actually felt warm beneath their fingertips. It was strangely calming and familiar feeling. Slowly Rael closed their eyes and focused once again on the energy cursing back and forth and suddenly it was as if they were elsewhere entirely.

One moment they flew through the forest on heavy wings looking down at a band of Wood-Warders, the next they stalked through the thicket hungrily observing through slitted pupils a bunch of soldiers clad in metal armors.

What was this? Different places in Golmore? How did it work?

Rael wondered if they could willingly see whatever place they wanted and tried to focus on a thought. After a moment it was a if they blinked and suddenly crouched in the corner of a tidy wodden house, feeling incredibly small in comparison to the furniture. With surprise Rael squeaked as they in fact recognised the room and more importantly the woman standing by the fireplace. It seemed impossible but this was without doubt their mother.

Abruptly the scene changed again as Rael felt a presence approaching them in the corner of their mind. At once they looked down from a tall tree of white and gold over a shiny black beak and saw themself standing between the tree roots. They were too transfixed by the strangeness of seeing themself from outside their body that they didn’t realise the person approaching them until a voice spoke behind them.

“Now focus your mind on the future instead of the present.”

Shocked Rael whirled around, the connection instantly lost. Somewhat dizzy they stared at the small viera in front of them and suddenly felt caught. Their milky white eyes looked eerie and expressionless and Rael was never quite sure if they looked at them or were focused on something else entirely.

“Hello Rael.”, the viera spoke softly.

For a few more seconds Rael just stared, finding it strangely difficult to form thoughts and to speak them out loud.

“Hello Green Oracle.”, they said unsure how to properly address them and found their own voice sounding weirdly unsteady. “I am sorry... I don’t know if I should be here…”

But instead of scolding them the oracle smiled gently. “Where else should you be? And please, call me Kelta.”

“What did I just see?”, Rael suddenly blurted out and hesitantly looked over their shoulder.

“Come, child. Let us sit down and I will answer your questions.”, the oracle offered and led Rael to the pavilion, before beginning to explain. “This is the Mother Tree. It is the oldest tree in this forest and the heart of Golmore itself. It also provided the nectar you drank that day you arrived here.”

Rael understood the words but it did little to explain to them what they had just seen. Almost like asking a question they said, “I was in different places just now…”

The oracle nodded. “At least your mind was, yes.”

“How is that possible?!”, Rael didn’t intend to sound upset but suddenly their heart was racing in their chest. As if it felt Rael’s nervousness Frelsi swooped down from the giant tree, landed on the floorboards of the small pavilion and hopped onto Rael’s lap. As the raven made itself comfortable and Rael visibly relaxed too, the oracle smiled.

“Let me answer with another question. Why did you touch the tree?”

Slowly Rael explained how they had noticed the energy streams in front of their cabin and had followed them all the way here. How the tree had whispered to them and the things they had seen as they had touched it.

“You were talented before but now that you have chosen your path you are even closer connected to the forest and every living thing in it. Golmore’s energy enhances your abilities. It can guide you, if you let it. Just as you now looked at different places, with a bit of practice you will be able to catch glimpses of the future. The magic of the forest can boost your vision but soon you will be able to use your talent without the help of the Mother Tree.”

The whispers of the forest had been nothing new to Rael but in this intensity and with the visions added to them it still felt a bit much. Rael didn’t know what they had expected but it occurred to them that with such skills as the oracle suggested there was no need for powerful spells if you could foresee any trouble stirring in the jungle before it even appeared and prepare counter-measures accordingly.

By why were they still struggling to keep out the invaders then? Or was this the only thing that allowed the Rava and Golmore to fight back so efficiently and slow down the attempts to conquer the forest?

“But how can I learn to use these powers willingly?”, Rael asked instead, eager to learn and take part in keeping their home safe.

“Patience and practice.”, the oracle explained. “First you need to learn calming your mind. The fact that you were able to follow the energy here without help is a good first step. But focus will also help you control your visions. As long as there are other things occupying your thoughts, it will be difficult to unfold your full potential and control your powers.”

Rael understood what the oracle said but wasn’t their mind already fully focused on their task and their training? There had to be more to it than this…

The confusion must have been visible on Rael’s face or maybe the oracle had simply read their thoughts. Somehow Rael suddenly thought that this was not impossible.

“What I am trying to say is this: You are still only seeing with your eyes and hearing with your ears most of the time. But there is so much more… For example: Tell me, how many people or animals are nearby at the moment?”

Rael was aware this had to be a catch questions. With a bit of uncertainty they scanned the glade for animals, the treeline for Rava and the branches for birds, without seeing any. “Just the raven and us?”

A little smile appeared on the oracle’s face.

“Now try again. Close your eyes like you did earlier but instead of only focusing on the energy lines take a look at how me and the raven look to you in this network. And then try to find similar appearances in the surrounding.”

Rael did as they were told. Seeing the energy streams was easy enough here since there was so much of it in this place. With the massive glow of the giant tree outshining anything else, focusing on people and animals was harder. There was something for sure but it seemed less solid, somehow fleeting like fog. Colorful swirls of energy, in the oracle’s case a powerful glow of the same golden shine as the energy lines and for Frelsi a weaker and more bluish aura.

Slowly Rael tried to extend their awareness to a wider area and at first there was nothing but the bright golden spiderweb of trees. But then in one tree to their left they noticed another bluish swirl not much different from the raven’s. Eyes still closed their raised one arm and pointed towards it, “I think there is another bird over there.”

“Mhm, a few actually… what else?…”, the oracle’s voice encouraged them to continue.

After a moment Rael felt something else at the other side of the glade. “There’s something a bit taller and more greenish over there…”

Without looking to where Rael was pointing the oracle replied, “This one is a deer. Any more Viera except us?”

With this Rael struggled for a few moments and in the end it was only a guess based on size alone. Their colors were different from the oracle and also from each other but Rael could not think of any other creature of this size. “Three ones? Spread out in different directions.”

“Four. You’ve probably missed the yellow aura to the north.”, the oracle corrected. “And also a badger to the east, the more brownish one.”

Rael had missed them since their colors blended in easily with the golden energy lines but now that they knew they could distinguish them clearly. “Yes, I see them…”

Pleased the oracle nodded. “This was very good for a first attempt. I think it took me at least a few months to learn this.”

Surprised Rael opened their eyes and looked at the other Viera’s face. The oracle seemed so omniscient and powerful, it was hard to imagine that they had needed to learn all of this too at some point.

To be honest Rael had spent quite a while thinking about how old and powerful the oracle might be, how long it would take to reach their level and how it was possible that the two of them were here at the same time. They certainly looked similar and it also felt somehow like they had always known each other, so much was hard to deny. But it seemed impossible for Rael to be a reincarnation of someone who was still alive.

“If you have any questions, feel free to just ask them.”, the oracle offered, apparently sensing Rael’s curiousity.

As if they had just waited for such an invitation, Rael asked the first thing that came to their mind. “I am supposed to take your place, right?”

The oracle shuckled. “Yes, but don’t worry. I am not going to drop dead any time soon. At least not before I‘ve made sure you are ready to take my place.”

Rael’s brows furrowed. Something about this seemed wrong.

“And the oracle gets reborn among the Viera time over time again, right? But how can both of us be here at the same time then?”

“Ah, I was wondering when you would notice…”, the oracle said and paused for a moment. “The truth is that there is not one but two of us.”

“Two oracles? Why?”, Rael asked. Maybe it was a silly question but it somehow seemed to them like it would make their existence less unique, less special, if there were more than one of their kind.

“There has always been two of us.”, the oracle simply replied unbothered by such doubts. “If one dies, the other waits for their reincarnation to appear and teaches the new oracle how to use their powers, so that one day the student might do the same in return.”

“Do you remember the oracles before you?”, Rael asked wondering how they were different from each other. Kelta and Rael looked almost identical, Kelta’s hair was longer and maybe they even looked slightly younger than Rael, but their characters seemed different enough.

“Only the one who trained me.”, the oracle explained and almost grinned. “You remind me quite a lot of them. Always so serious…”

“I‘m not--…”, Rael wanted to protest but felt that it might be disrespectful to disagree. Instead they embarrassedly looked down remaining silent and scratched Frelsi’s head.

“I apologise, this was not nice. I realise we barely know each other…”, the oracle admitted and put on a friendly but more distanced face again.

It made Rael feel bad to have discouraged them just as they were beginning to speak more openly, not just in their role as oracle but more like an individual person for themself. Rael also still had so many questions, so they tried to keep the conversation going. “Is it okay if I ask what happened to your teacher?”

The Oracle nodded.

“Mjara died I think around eighty or ninety years after they started training me. Yes, I’m sorry that’s about as long as you will have to listen to my instructions…”, the oracle - Kelta - joked with a dark sense of humor. “Now they rest below the roots of the Mother Tree, as most of the former oracles do.”

Rael had not expected this. As if there would be anything to see, they glanced over their shoulder at the large roots of the white tree and tried to imagine how many viera might lie buried there. It still looked exactly the same as before and yet suddenly Rael felt like staring at their own grave.

“Most of the former oracles? What about the rest?”

“For you this may feel new and special but you are not the first one to leave the forest. We watch over this forest since thousands and thousands of years and cases like this happened a few times already…”, Kelta explained.

“And not all of them returned?…”, Rael added to the sentence and wondered if this fact was a bad omen for their own journey, which still lay ahead of them.

“No… I assume some simply failed at their tasks and were killed. Who knows, maybe some didn’t dare to return with the shame of failure or decided that the outside world was more to their liking…”, Kelta pondered for a moment before their gaze returned to the massive tree. “But every oracle for whom this was possible was laid to rest right here. Their souls returned to the circle of rebirth and their bodies nurturing the Mother Tree, who in return will forever grant us access to our full powers, so that we might protect Golmore from all harm.”

In a way all this information was a bit much at once and at the same time Rael’s mind swirled with more and more questions. It would take a while to answer all of them and let it all sink in.

Disillusioned Rael understood that while they always had thought themself so smart, talented and special, in reality they had barely scratched the surface of everything that was still to learn and to know.

They had come here as a selfish child, looking for answers. Trying to find a place where they belong, trying to find out who they truly are. Slowly Rael realised that the path they had chosen put a heavy responsabilty on their shoulders. This was more than a prophecy, more than a riddle they needed to solve. This was about who they would need to become.

More than a magic-gifted child, more even than a powerful seer.

A guardian.

Lifes would depend on it.