Before True Light: The Awakening 2nd Edition

A month had passed since Izanami awoke from her coma. Zane still had not recovered – his mind was lost deep within himself. By this time, the full intensity of the summer’s extreme heat settled upon the oak forest. So far, the summer had been very dry and the inhabitants did all they could to keep the trees from catching fire. The crops were dying from lack of rain, and water had started becoming scarce. Often, the Grand Elder would stare off into the distance. Some people thought that, perhaps, the heat was tampering with his mind, being of the old age that he was. The heat was also affecting the village of the secret society, both mentally and physically. Several newborn babies had died from heat exhaustion. Many animals that were used as a food source started dying from lack of water and vegetation to feed on. So much death in the forest was touted as a foreshadowing of events yet to come, according to the more ‘superstitious’ inhabitants.

  Lying on her bed, Izanami stared up at the straw and mud roof of the hut, and then looked over to Zane. “He won’t be able to wake up in this heat. Geez, it is way too hot in here – I need some air!” Izanami muttered. She looked around. The subordinates of the Herbalism Elder were nowhere in sight, nor the Elder himself. Looking out the window, Izanami could see that the sun had almost set and the moons were rising. Izanami decided to wait for nightfall so she could wear her cloak to blend into her surroundings, since she had been told not to leave the medical hut. After a few more minutes, the sun was completely gone. She put on the cloak, and covered her face with the hood. She set off, moving as swiftly as an eagle, but as quietly as a cat. She weaved through the village, unseen by the people still bustling about outside their huts, probably because it was also too hot for them inside. Hidden in the shadows, Izanami headed towards a small hill located just on the outskirts of the village to the south. Here, tree branches did not cover the sky, providing an unobstructed view for stargazing. On the other side of this hill, no one from the village would be able to spot her. Before she reached her destination, a voice spoke out to her, “Well, young Izanami, it is good to see you moving about. But, isn’t it a bit late for a stroll?”

  “Elder…I, uh, was… just, uh, needed some air.”

  “I see. Well, do try to not stay awake for too long.”

  In a puzzled voice, Izanami replied, “You aren’t going to send me back to the medical hut?” The Herbalism Elder smiled as he walked away. Izanami stood, confused, until the Elder was out of sight. She turned and continued heading to the side of the hill that was hidden from the view of the village. The grass was almost completely dried out. Each blade pricked Izanami’s skin through her clothing, as she lay on her back to gaze up at the stars. With her left hand she reached out towards the sky, as if she could grab the stars with her fingers. In the other, Izanami held the silver feather with the black tip. After several moments, Izanami let out a big sigh, “It’s still too hot!” Rolling onto her stomach, Izanami rested her head on her arms as she quietly coughed from the dust exposed through the dying grass. SNAP! The sound of brittle twigs breaking came from only a few feet away. Bolting upright, she caught a glance of a baby deer and its mother from where the sound originated. “Poor creatures, you two aren’t gonna find any food here.” Reaching into her cloak, Izanami pulled out a small biscuit from a pouch. “I was going to eat this later, but you guys can have it. You probably need it more than I do.” Izanami slowly walked towards the mother deer and its baby. Breaking the biscuit in half, she carefully brought the pieces near their mouths and watched them eat. As soon as they realized she could offer no more, they bolted into the darkness.

  The luminous greatness of the moons grew. The shimmering colors of red and blue complimented each other in the clear night sky. The soft glow fell on the village at the bottom of the hill, and Izanami watched over it from where she stood. It was all she knew of her life, hidden away in a massive forest; but hiding from what, she did not really know. She had always trusted her teachers and Elders to tell her what was best for her, and the rest of the villagers. And it wasn't that she questioned their good intentions - she just wasn't sure that it was enough for her anymore.

  Most of the villagers were quite content with their lives. The roles of most of the inhabitants within the settlement were simple, but distinct. Domestic duties were shared by everyone - cooking, cleaning, caring for the weak and elderly, making clothing, and other such tasks. Others looked after construction and hunting. Gender was never a consideration, or obstacle, for determining the role a villager performed throughout their entire life. Some days, Izanami wished that she could just spend her life as the rest of the villagers, with not a care in the world. As one of the gifted, she knew her role allowed her a bit more prestige, but she often felt it was more of a curse than a blessing.

  She turned away from overlooking the village, and towards the thick darkness of the forest, where even the magnificent luminosity of the moons could not penetrate. She imagined what it was like, beyond the eternal sea of trees, and wondered the same thing she had often wondered for a long time. There was one role that was even more important to the well-being of the village than any other, and she often daydreamed about what it would be like. A very few, select individuals were chosen, carefully, by the Elders to be observers of the outside world. Once they came of age, he, or she, would leave the forest to learn all they could of the outside world by studying and living among its people. When they felt they had accumulated enough relevant knowledge, often after a period of years, they would return to the forest and convey the information to the Elders. There were few instances where some had not returned because they had become too attached to the outside world, or...worse. The majority, however, did return. The responsibility and trust that was granted to the observers was considered a great honour, for it was necessary to keep the Elders aware and informed. Izanami always dreamed that, one day, she might find favour with the Elders to be allowed to observe the outside world...the world of her father.

  Izanami's thoughts were drawn back to reality and, after a lengthy yawn, she decided to walk back to the medical hut. She had no time to prepare herself for the sight upon her return. Walking through the entrance of the medical hut, Izanami stopped suddenly and her heart thumped in her chest. At first, she could not believe her eyes, but then she smiled and let out a shriek of delight. “Zane!” As Izanami shouted his name she ran over to him, who was sitting upright in his bed. She wrapped her arms around him while her tears of happiness and remorse fell on his scorched skin. “I’m… I’m so sor… sorry, Zane. I didn’t mean to do this to you. I’m so glad you’re alive! But look at you! You must be in so much pain and it’s my all fault!”

  In a soft and calm voice Zane quietly spoke, “Izanami, I’m fine. I promise you that, and there is no need to be sorry. I don’t blame you.”

  “You don’t? But why not?” Izanami began wiping the tears away from her eyes.

  “Well, for one, a Mage must always be prepared for the worst, be it mock battle or real. But, also, because you’re my friend and I know you wouldn’t do anything like this intentionally.” Hearing Zane's words, Izanami quickly pulled back in embarrassment. Izanami’s face had turned red. She and Zane were close friends not only because they grew up together among the gifted, but because they had always shared common beliefs and had a similar inquisitive nature. Now, sitting cross-legged at the foot of Zane’s bed, Izanami’s head was tilted downwards and the hood of the cloak hid her face, and her long golden hair. “Um, by the way, Izanami, my father came here a few hours ago and told me that you’ve succeeded to Red Mage Warrior. Congratulations, Izanami. But, of course, I’ll be joining you as well.”

  “You succeeded to Red Mage Warrior as well!? How do you know?” Izanami perked up as she asked curiously.

  “As I said, my father was here not too long ago. Apparently, my survival from that explosion of yours decided my succession. I guess a regular Red Mage would have been killed in that situation. Anyway, it is getting kind of late. We should probably get some
rest since we begin our studies tomorrow.”

  “What! Since when do we have studies tomorrow!? This is news to me!”

  “Izanami, you should really start paying more attention when people are talking to you,” replied Zane.

  “I do pay attention!” Izanami insisted.

  Zane chuckled as he got up to blow out the candle next to his bed. Izanami returned to her bed and lay down on her stomach. “Good night, Izanami,” said Zane.

  Chapter 5