Warm rays of light scattered throughout the branches of The Silverlight Forest. The trees rustled with the cold winds of the approaching winter. The muffled crackle and crunch of dry leaves accompanied each footstep through the morning dew. This was where dawn Kaelen’s parents’ days of ego-hunting came to an end.
A large green-haired woman with an athletic physique and rough clothing strangely did not leave any marks on the humid soil beneath her boots. Her steps were steady and slow, yet her breaths were heavy. The all too familiar feeling of her home filled her with unwelcoming nostalgia: The desire never to reach what she used to call home. She looked over her shoulder.
“Aelara, I don’t need to be an empath to know you don’t want to go. We can still turn back. I can still…” the man said, walking behind her. His black hair was tied back by his copper framed goggles. He wore navy-blue clothes made from thick wool, highlighted by silver embroidery. On his side was a flintlock in perfect condition and in his backpack were 6 encrusted metal disks. He looked up at her, his dark eyes pleading. His boots sank deep into the soft mud.
“I told you that you’d regret it. It has to be like this. You knew…” Aelara refuted. She looked down and pressed her arm against her abdomen, letting out a sigh. “I knew.”
“Don’t say that. I don’t regret it at all!” he exasperated, his tone confused. “What? Do you? Is it because they will see me as an antithesis of their beliefs?”
“They’ll see you as an enemy and me a lawbreaker. And yes, they will. But no, it’s not that.” she said with a sorrowful voice.
“I’ve studied your customs and I’m sure I have an answer. You will have the hero’s welcome you so deserve.” He spoke in a tone that clearly aimed to reassure her.
“She’s going to die. They told me… They’re punishing her for our sin,” she argued, her tone growing darker and more grim.
“This is nonsense. Her constitution is weak…” he insisted, reaffirming his theory.
“Stop. I know better than you what’s happening in my own body, Cole.” Her dark tone slowly faded as doubt crept into her mind. Aelara’s thoughts were interrupted by a familiar rustle. Her arm reached out to tap his shoulder almost instinctively, eyes peering upwards to trace the origin of the sound.
“Quiet” she whispered.
Before Coleman could reply, a spark rippled and a disk shot out of his backpack as if it had been sent by lightning. Soon another spark formed in the air as the disk intercepted a stone arrow—both dropping into the mud.
The sound of metal on stone triggered Coleman to move, his hand immediately reaching for his gun, but he was slow compared to Aelara. Her hand shot out, stopping him from raising his arm.
Before he could utter a word more arrows whizzed towards him, prompting the disk to fly again in different directions. Aelara frowned, grinding her teeth before letting out a bear-like roar.
The booming roar slowly dissipated among the trees. After a moment, more roars echoed in response, followed by a restless silence.
The silence was broken by Coleman. “So that’s what you meant by unwelcoming. I’m starting to re–” Aelara quickly covered his mouth with her hand.
A few seconds passed before a parrot landed on a branch, quietly observing the pair. It descended as its body morphed mid-air—growing, shedding feathers—before landing in front of them. The person that stood before them could barely be recognized as one of her kin. His hair was red and mixed with vines and blossoming flowers. His skin was coarse and rough as though it were made of an old maple tree, yet his arms were covered in green feathers. His face curved with some semblance of the parrot shape it had before.
Aelara stepped closer to the figure, silently baring her fangs at him as her face twisted and distorted. Her form stretched to a size that no human could hope to achieve. She signaled Coleman with her palm open, expecting it to be filled.
Knowing just what to do, Coleman turned his backpack around, opened it, and reached in farther than what could be seen from the outside. With a great deal of effort he unearthed a claw bigger than any of their heads. He set it into her hand and she presented the figure with the claw. At this point her face returned to normalcy.
The man took the claw and set it on the ground, clasping his hands on top of it and watching it crumble as if it were made of sand. A flame sparked in his hand, and from the smoke, a sprout emerged, swiftly growing into a sturdy stump.
“You shall no longer be a Wild-Walker, but a guardian. Your sins are forgiven, but the son of Elnar may not enter.” The man lifted his face, his expression dark with displeasure.
As he approached the two he spoke with a hint of desperation, his gaze fixed on Aelara. “Elnar? I apologize, but I am no follower of Elnar. You perplex me. We have offered The Wilds the ego of the great wyrm Zorn. Surely that’s…” She remained silent, closing her eyes without interrupting him. His words trailed off as he realized they held no weight in this conversation.
“She may not be your ancestor and you may not have faith in her, but that doesn’t make my words less true.” He replied, offering at least some acknowledgement to the man.
“Elder, I do not wish to be a warrior. I have asked to become a progenitor. I would do anything to keep my daughter.” She spoke with the expression of a warrior—ready, if not willing, to accept whatever punishment was necessary.
“The Wild-Walker shall not sire a child, lest the spirit of such claims the child’s life the moment it takes shape. Only a progenitor would be able to safeguard the child, all with a cost, if it did not first invoke the wrath of The Wilds. Not even Auln would be rash enough to protect the child you desire to sire.” There was a hint of pity in his voice, despite his attempt to keep it dry and serious.
“So it’s true. My warrior spirit is crushing her.” She replied, though her voice began to crack and her eyes turned crystalline. Yet, no tears fell. “Great Guardian, I beseech you—let me forsake my spirit if I must, but spare her. I do not wish to taint myself with the blood of my unborn child.”
“You are willing to go this far for an outcast child? The pain you will endure, warrior…” The Voice of the man became more familiar, his cold demeanor softened by that of fatherhood.
“Daughter, there is still greatness in you. I have almost ascended. Please don’t make me spend my last moments as a guardian watching you cripple yourself.” As he held her cheek, they stared at one another for what felt like an eternity. In her silence he found his answer.
“So be it.”
“So what happened to Father, Mom?” Kaelen asked, neck outstretched with curiosity. She was supporting herself up on the table with her feet dangling more than a few inches from the floor.
“Well, he…” Aelara stopped herself short. She felt the heat of the sun against her skin as light pierced through the ceiling. Her eyes filled with motherly affection until her voice finally broke the peace. “Hey, it’s almost noon. My little sprout, you promised you’d go out. Eat your food and get going.” she added.
“But Mom… I think it might be better if I do this next season. I’m not ready… ” Kaelen pouted, gazing up at her mother with pleading eyes.
“Most may not know this, but you can’t skip your first blossom. It’s more than just a tradition. It sets you down the path to discovering who you are.” Aelara stated sternly. On this she wouldn’t falter, no matter how much she wanted to pamper her daughter.
“What if I stayed here… and learned to be like you?” Kaelen refuted, hints of fear and anxiety overshadowing the child’s face.
“That’s one more reason why you have to. You can’t and shouldn’t be me.” Aelara tapped her thigh with her index finger as she leaned forward, then stood up.
“I said be like you, not be you!” Kaelen refuted as sharply as she could.
“Little sprout…” Aelara towered over her child, her head nearly reaching the ceiling. She rested a heavy hand on Kaelen’s side, attempting to comfort her. “Calm down. I know how you feel, but right now the only thing you need to do is be Kaelen. Everything else, especially fear, is nonsense.”
“But I’m already Kaelen!” Kaelen pulled away from her mother’s hand, feeling rejected.
“Yes, you are, but you will change whether you stay here with me or not. It’s better if you decide for yourself which path you will walk.” Aelara caressed her daughter’s head. “Your grandpa was better at making sense of all this…”
Kaelen nodded and held herself back from speaking. She leaned into her mother’s touch until it was taken away. The child glanced into her mother’s eyes once more before they were fixed on the exit.
Kaelen’s feet dragged along the dirt path towards where the great sage’s dwell, as she left home, her fingers curling into the fabric of her sleeve. Her mother’s words echoed in her head, but they didn’t help. Maybe it was better to just stay.
She had nearly convinced herself when the distant, unintelligent murmuring began to be heard. The village elder, Lush, sat on a fallen log near the communal fire, his hair long falling from green to orange down to the floor, his withered hands resembling mahogany, clutching a steaming wooden bowl—He fixed his green marble like eyes on her.
“What are you doing here alone, child?” His voice cut the murmuring into a stop, carried heavy and clear, unbecoming of his age—He took a sip from his bowl, still piping hot.
“I’m here for the blossom” Kaelen froze. Her throat tightened. Lush eyes looked empty, but the few people nearby stared unpleasantly at her.
“Blooming is not meant for everyone.” His mouth steamed with the warmth left by the hot liquid, taking a second to finish his warning, “If The Wilds only protect those it chose, others may find their life at risk.”
“I promised I would do it” Boomed Kaelen, her voice trembling, unable to hide her nervousness.
“Kid, you have no right, doing this would be an insult to The Wilds” Said a man covered in animal leather, his hair golden, carrying a bow larger than their torso.
She knew he meant something else. Not meant for the Wilds. Not meant for the tribe. Not meant to belong
“Child, you were born on this land, you have the right.” Said Lush—the archer refuted silently as the elder averted a further interruption with just a glance—His voice then carried a subtle spite “Kaelen, your grandfather was not only her great guardian, but a friend of mine. But given the choices made by your mother, going through the Blooming, will bring you no blessing.”
“What? Why does everyone get a blessing?” Kaelen said innocently while feeling sick in her stomach.
“As your mother, but as all, you must travel to the First Tree alone, and bring the symbol of your blessing to burn in this fire” Lush mentioned before finishing his bowl, letting a pause take place while he drank “You will fail, do you still want to attempt to participate?”
“I said I promised… I don’t, but I will do it, I promised.” Kaelen felt challenged by Lush and the other people, She turned away before she could hear anymore—She would do the Blooming. She had to.
Once, Kaelen arrived at the edge of the village, breathed in the fresh air of the verdant forest that surrounded her village. The filtered sunlight barely met the floor. The all too familiar forest felt immense and full of peril. Kaelen knew the loss of her mother’s guidance was what made it all too scary.
The ambience was serene, but Kaelen was unable to feel at ease. She took a step forward into the forest. There was no clear path for her to take. Leaves crunched beneath her feet as she walked, their sound blending with the occasional chirp of a bird and the familiar rustle of the trees.
The first blossom was a ritual of self discovery for those who have not gone through the development of their ego. The custom was primarily practiced by children as most forest dwellers went through the process naturally through their lives.
As an adult, The first blossom should have been a simple task. Yet, with no roads in the Silverlight Forest, the journey was still unpredictable—safe, but daunting for the inexperienced.
Just a few steps into the forest, Kaelen encountered her first hurdle. Walking through the thick undergrowth alone was a challenge—branches blurred her vision instantly, and she stumbled over the thicker roots. She fell, scraping her arms and legs. The sting was mild, but she remembered her promise. She stood up again and pushed through, using her hands to part the bushes, barely making enough space for her small body.
“Come on, it’s not that far away,” Kaelen murmured to herself, realizing the bushes were draining more of her energy than she expected.
“Wonder what kind of animals I’ll see,” Kaelen asked aloud, attempting to fill the silence as the overgrowth let in less and less light. As she stepped onto a clearer path, the branches and the scent of wet soil lingered—a sign that she was on the right track.
“Why does it have to be so far…” Kaelen complained, though she was relieved to leave the thick undergrowth behind. Her body felt lighter without the resistance of the bushes. She ventured further into the deeper, darker parts of the forest until she could hear the steady flow of water.
The sound of the river calmed her. She focused on its steady rhythm before deciding to search for berries near the stream as a short break. It was late in the season, so there weren’t many, but the task was hardly a distraction. Still, it helped her focus her young mind away from what she saw as an annoying and boring tradition.
But that only made her careless. Distracted by the riverbank, she suddenly walked into a low-hanging branch, snapping her focus away from her search. She yelled out in complaint, “Ah! My head!”
“Dumb tree.” She looked at the tree and kicked it, pouting as if it were the tree’s fault. The tree remained unaffected, but suddenly, the rustling leaves were joined by the sound of approaching footsteps. Alerted, she quickly hid behind the tree. With the silence broken, a sense of unease crept over her.
Kaelen watched as three kids came into view. “Come on, we’re here to become real men! If we catch the raccoon, we’ll be warriors for sure,” said the tallest kid. His bones were almost visible after a recent growth spurt, dressed in pelts similar to Kaelen’s. His hair was a bright yellow buzz cut. Realizing they were around her age and undergoing their test, she felt a wave of relief.
“But what if it’s not a raccoon… or worse, what if we run into a wolf?” the smallest one said. He carried a crudely sharpened branch and wore well-woven clothes made of fiber. They were loose, as if they were hand-me-downs, and his hair—various shades of green—flowed down to his chin.
That would be a first. The Wilds won’t let that happen—no one has ever died during a First Bloom. Now hurry up, unless you’d rather be stuck doing a girl’s job,” snickered the red-haired boy, clad in armor-like clothes made of what appeared to be tree bark. Kaelen recognized the boy as her cousin, Cedar, who appeared to be leading the group.
“Yeah, don’t be such a coward. Besides, I come from a hunter’s family—if a wolf comes, I can take care of it easily,” said the bony boy with an air of self-importance.
Kaelen contemplated stepping out, but the decision was made for her before she had the chance to decide. “Boys, I think we found our raccoon,” said Cedar, glancing in her direction.
“Hey, I’m not a raccoon!” Kaelen yelled as she stepped out, quick to express her frustration. She didn’t interact much with her cousin, but she could sense that something about him was different and felt a pressure building in the air.
“Huh, a girl? Girls don’t do the Blooming,” commented the bony boy, as if he had just seen something rare.
“Yeah, they shouldn’t. It’s a waste—they all just become helpers anyway. Did my aunt tell you to come?” asked Cedar in an unfriendly tone.
“That’s not true! My mom was even a Wild-Walker. And you shouldn’t be doing the Blooming as a group—the whole point is to do it on your own,” Kaelen added, her voice loud and certain, though their words stung.
“What’s a Wild-Walker?” asked the smallest one as the other two began to surround Kaelen.
“Something she made up…” the taller kid argued.
“Cousin, come on, just go home. The Wilds won’t even recognize you,” said Cedar.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Kaelen asked, slightly intimidated by the two kids towering over her.”
“You’re cursed—you have the filthy Wrecker blood,” Cedar snapped, shoving Kaelen. He glared at her with rage in his eyes.
Kaelen tumbled back, staying on her feet despite being pushed. “I’m not! You are the wrecker” she shouted, slowly backing away. She didn’t know what a wrecker was, but from Cedar’s attitude it couldn’t have been anything good.
“Shut up!” Cedar lunged forward, grabbing her forearm. “Go back to your blind mom, unless you’d rather be our raccoon instead.”
“No! Let me go! I made a promise—I have to see this through!” Kaelen retaliated, slapping Cedar’s hand away with her free hand, only to find herself backed against a tree.
“Wait, Cedar, should you be touching her? You said she’s cursed,” asked the small boy, eyeing Kaelen as if she were a dangerous animal.
“Oh, that’s why she has that ugly black hair,” added the bony boy.
For the first time, Kaelen had no one to rely on—but this was when she finally chose to obey her gut. Before Cedar could act again, she took off, running with all her might.
“Dirty Wrecker! Get her!” yelled Cedar before sprinting after her. The bony boy immediately followed suit, while the other seemed to doubt for a minute before he decided to run after the other two, fearing the unknown forest.
Kaelen’s legs burned, but she didn’t stop. She ducked under branches and vaulted over roots, her small frame slipping through gaps the boys found difficult to navigate, keeping her pursuers at bay. She could hear Cedar’s frustrated yells.
Just a little further past a clearing Kaelen saw a big patch of grass taller than the eye could see. She sought the opportunity to hide. As she passed through the clearing, a sharp pain jolted through her back—the impact of a stone striking her. The pain was not enough to deter her from her objective, but it hurt. She entered the tall grass.
Kaelen lost them there, changing directions as the tall grass concealed her from anyone giving chase. She dampened her tears against her arm and felt something warm slide down her back. Touching it, she realized it was blood.
Emotionally, Kaelen didn’t know how to process this, but she was certain it wasn’t supposed to happen. Questions flooded her mind—ones she had no answers for. Time passed before she managed to steel herself. She wanted to see her mother, but something inside told her she had to keep going.
She couldn’t follow the river trail if she wanted to avoid them, so she decided to believe in her sense of direction. Taking a different route to The First Tree made the path more complicated, yet it remained easy to traverse—until the light between the branches slowly faded. To make matters worse, she was becoming tired and hungry.
Kaelen was close to the First Tree when she began to feel observed. Something was looking at her—the pressure in the air thickened once more. She looked around, unable to pinpoint its source. And then she saw them—two white lights, bright and reflective, catching the last remnants of light from the sky.
Kaelen backed away, knowing this was nothing she wanted to face. She moved slowly, keeping her eyes locked on it. She tried to make out what kind of animal it was, but a bad feeling settled in her gut. In that moment, she wondered—was this the curse Cedar had spoken of?
Kaelen’s breath caught as the glowing white eyes followed her, drawing closer with every step. She backed away carefully, but suddenly, her foot snagged on an exposed root. She stumbled, the sharp crack of snapping twigs breaking the tense silence. The eyes blinked. With a single, fluid motion, the creature unfurled its wings. They were massive, green, and menacing.
The creature was still several paces away, but Kaelen felt hopeless. It loomed over her—easily three times her height—poised to strike. Now, she could see it clearly: a tusked bird. The beast was hunting, its hunger plain. It was eager to launch itself at her.
Strangely enough, the pressure on her back kept building—growing sharper until it turned into pain. She flinched, her eyes darting to the side. That’s when she realized—she was trapped between two massive creatures. The tusked bird loomed before her, and behind, an enormous, eyeless snake dangled from a tree. Its tongue flicked through the air, sensing her, drawn to the scent of her blood.
The snake lunged straight at Kaelen, its movement almost instantaneous. In a blur of motion, a flash of green streaked over her head. The bird leaped, its spear-like tusks piercing the snake and pinning it against the tree.
Kaelen fought against her fear, the urge to freeze nearly overwhelming. The snake, impaled but undeterred, writhed against the bird’s tusks—its maw still fixed on her, ready to strike the moment it broke free. It didn’t care if it was torn apart.
With terrifying resolve, the serpent clawed its way closer, ripping itself free from the bird’s relentless assault. Feathers and scales scattered as the bird, consumed by fury, tore into its flesh. Yet, despite the onslaught, the snake kept coming. Kaelen couldn’t outrun it. She couldn’t hide.
It didn’t take long for Kaelen to see the snake’s gaping maw reach less than an arm’s length away. She thought all was lost. Closing her eyes, she braced to accept her fate. But the pain never came. Instead, the pressure suddenly disappeared. When she opened her eyes, the giant snake’s head stood before her, lifeless. Its body was missing, along with the bird.
Like someone who had been holding their breath too long, Kaelen let out a gasp of air. She breathed heavily, her eyes watering. She held back her tears as she clutched her head, trying to process what had just happened—how powerless she had been. But she was alive. She knew there was more danger in staying where she was. Even though she was young, Kaelen was good at tempering herself.
When Kaelen finally let go of her head, her fingers ran along her braided hair. Looking down at her hand, she found one of the bird’s green feathers. She decided it was the forest that had protected her, and the feather was hers to keep.
She looked around. No stars could be seen where she was, only the moon—and it did little to help Kaelen figure out where she was. The weather posed no challenge, but she wanted to return to the safety of the village. She held the feather tightly
“You protected me once, show me where to go,” said Kaelen to herself. No reply came.
Kaelen’s head turned, her face tingling with a prickling sensation, as if drawn by static. She no longer felt alone, and a smile formed on her lips. “That is the way…”She tucked the feather behind her ear and, before departing, whispered, “Thank you, whoever you are.”
Kaelen’s body ached—exhausted and bruised—when she began to see a path of vividly colored leaves, covering the ground like a well-woven tapestry. She raised her head, taking in the view. It was so clear. One of the moons bathed the tree in light, its glow spreading across the scattered leaves.
There were so many leaves scattered on the First Tree. It was dazzling even though other trees dominated the horizon. The First Tree stood lush and full, its vibrant leaves in a spectrum of colors constantly pouring down. As they fell, new ones sprouted in their place. Its branches twisted in intricate patterns, and though its age was unassuming, its thick roots crossed the forest floor like ancient veins.
Kaelen could feel it—alive, breathing. The tree was both old and young at the same time. She looked down and could swear the earth moved to a steady beat. The thought of a giant’s heart resting beneath her feet playfully lingered in her mind.
At that point, Kaelen had forgotten her aching muscles and pain—completely taken by the tree. She stepped forward, clasped her hands together, and opened them beneath the rain of leaves, waiting for one to rest in her palms.
She already knew that the colors represented blessings—primal blessings of The Wilds, the god her tribe followed. She looked up, realizing that no leaf had fallen into her small hands.
Worried, her lips twisted as she wondered if all her effort had been for nothing—only to be rejected. Then, she noticed the tree was not perfect; one of its main branches was broken. The tree was supposed to be flawless, so something must have been wrong. But her distraction didn’t last long. While she looked away, she felt a leaf settle between her palms.
She looked down at it—the leaf was pristine white. Something inside her shifted. Doubt left her mind and clarity took its place.
She happily closed her hands, smiling from cheek to cheek. She had completed her First Blooming. All that was left was to show the leaf to Lush, the village oracle and leader.
She walked to the river near the tree and began to follow its bank until she heard footsteps. Instantly, she knew it was Cedar and his goons.
“Come on, Cedar… It’s dark already and getting cold. Let’s just go back,” said the smaller boy in the distance. Kaelen hid, making sure this time she wouldn’t be as easily discovered.
“No, I’m a guardian… Father said I have to protect the village from Wreckers. They have no place here,” Cedar said, deepening his voice in an attempt to sound valiant.
“Well, even so, I’m hungry… and I’m not collecting berries. That’s Berries’ job now,” the boney boy said.
“That’s not my name,” replied the smaller boy shyly, afraid to defy the other.
Kaelen stood there, listening to them go back and forth until it was safe to move. Once she could no longer hear their voices, she stepped out.
“You can’t hide from a hunter, you know,” the tall boy’s voice pierced the air, only an arm’s length away from Kaelen. She turned around, and the pressure she had felt before suddenly returned—sharp and precise. Her muscles tensed and she ducked just in time. The tall boy’s arm swept right over her head.
She turned around and jumped back, but soon, three more pressure points appeared from the side. She lifted her arm to shield her head. One after another, three stones struck her—pain stinging her arm.
“How could you react to that?” asked Cedar, who had thrown the stones with precision from the other side of the river. He seemed to discern her location perfectly in the dark.
Kaelen felt the sharp pressure again. The tall boy’s movements were quick, reaching out to grab her wonded arm. She tried to react, but her body wasn’t fast enough. Her body felt stiff, the scrapes, and bruises took their tool. She pushed with her free hand—but he caught, her the arm wounded by the rocks paralized. Swiftly overpowering her, he dragged and held her from behind.
“And here Cedric was worried you would become a guardian…” he snickered, tightening his grip. Kaelen’s body was already covered in bruises. The pain sharpened as his hold strengthened, his hand forcefully keeping her mouth shut.
“Hey, Fern-boy, check the leaf. I’m curious what she got,” Cedric called from a distance.
The tall boy peeked out and slowly walked closer, his poorly made spear still in hand. He reached for Kaelen’s pouch and pulled out the leaf.
“White?” Cedar said, confused, before adding with a smirk, “Guess that’s it. You get no color because you’re not one of us.”
“Huh, never heard of white… Well, that’s disappointing. Hey, Berries, how about tossing your dumb old leaf and trying again?” said the tall boy. Kaelen, still struggling pointlessly, felt a darker pressure pressing against her stomach.
“W-what do you mean, Folg?” Fern asked, though his face showed more unwillingness than confusion.
“Come on, your prey is ready… You’ll surely become something actually important if you kill this invader. I’ve got it all nice and ready for you.” The bony boy smiled sadistically, while Fern looked in horror realizing Folg was not joking.
Kaelen’s face went pale as the dark feeling consumed her entire body—except for her left foot. When she looked down she noticed that Folg’s foot stood at the edge of a sharp rock.
Seizing the opportunity, she stomped down as hard as she could. Blood spilled as Folg yelled in pain, releasing her to clutch his foot. “Ahh, my foot!”
“Let me go! I didn’t do anything wrong!” She felt the rocks coming and raised her other arm just in time as Cedric struck her once more.
“You didn’t do anything wrong? You killed Grandpa!” Cedric snapped. Kaelen didn’t know her grandfather and had no particular feelings about him. But right now, she only wanted to survive, not argue over morals.
She then felt the prickling sensation again. It was telling her to jump into the river. She didn’t think twice and dove right in, not considering how fast and dangerous the river was, especially in the dark.
The water quickly began to drag her away. She turned around and saw her aggressors shrinking in the distance. She saw that Folg grabbed the spear from the Fern’s hand and pointed it at her.
But then, before she could react, she felt the sharp pressure from behind. Rocks were ahead. She pushed and did her best to avoid them, but soon, it would be impossible.
Guided by the pricking sensation, she grabbed onto a branch. But with her body at its limit, she couldn’t pull herself up. She clung to the branch for a minute before she saw something being dragged by the river.
Folg’s body looked pale. Kaelen tried not to think too much about the scene, but it was obvious—the boy was dead. He wasn’t moving.
Not a few moments later, she felt another sensation. This one was new, like hot air blowing. She reached out and suddenly grasped something else being drawn by the river, dragging her back into the current.
She tried to focus. Even as the water slowed, she could tell more rocks were near, and she definitely didn’t want to end up like Folg.
That’s when she realized she was holding the crudely made spear. As the rocks approached, she used it to push herself toward the center of the river.
The spear hit the rocks, bouncing off them in her weakened grip—and there were only more rocks ahead. She could feel her body telling her to move, but she didn’t have the strength. She could barely lift her hand to try and brace for the impact.
All of her strength was knocked out by the impact, and she began to sink. Floating along the river, her body slowly sank as her vision blurred beneath the water. She was barely awake. The river slowly drained the heat from her body.
A future filled with pain awaited her, and she was not strong enough to fight it. But one thing was certain about her—she would rather not give up. There was anger boiling inside her. Though she struggled to control her body, she pleaded to push past her limits. Then, her body began to move again. Each stroke through the water ached like nails. She felt the earth. Her fingers blistered as she crawled up.
Reaching out, her whole body burned with pain as she coughed up water. Kaelen was exhausted and cold—but alive. Relief sent her body into a stupor, and she lost consciousness before she even hit the ground.