AbCatchem
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| Joined: 20 Nov 2010 |
| Total Posts: 31757 |
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| 29 Sep 2012 02:24 AM |
I scurried through the empty streets, protected only by the morning fog that shrouded the village. I stared at a puddle of water, viewing my reflection. A small “humanoid”, a foot high with pale green skin and a perfectly round head. My limbs were stubby and my eyes were misshapen hollow pits. The roads were dirt, and the houses made from stone and wood. It was fairly natural, but I still felt out of place in a city for HUMANS. By now, I was starting to feel worried for leaving the woodlands. Many Kodama and other spirits alike had ventured from the wood to meet humans. I remembered my youth; when I sat at the foot of my tree listening to the noble Kitsune Clans tell their lore and adventure with the humans. Only a few creatures had direct contact with humanity, and those who did seemed to influence them heavily, according the Kitsune lore.
Humans were…bizarre. No particularly incredible powers other than strength and wit (not so much as a spell). No magic, no particular talent, nothing. But their personalities were just so STRANGE! In most races and cultures of spirits and creatures, we all usually had similar personalities, and if they were different, they were divided into factions. Take the Kitsune for example. Zenko were righteous to the bloody end, whereas their counterparts, the Yako, spent their time harassing creatures and humans alike (often ruining their crops and inventions). But humans had their own personalities and traits; they differed! Suddenly, I heard something from one of the alleyways and saw leather shoes clacking against the pavement, and ducked behind a well. A well. It is an invention created by humans. A deep hole is dug deep into the earth, to a point where it reaches underground water sources. You dip a bucket in and…you’ve fetched water. Human “inventions” as they were called, were very odd. It was so simple, yet so intriguing. One could draw water from the earth, make creatures carry loads for them, they could even make objects to burn food on. They were almost as powerful as a spirit. Even more so when they made “cities” and “houses” to live in. They could actually UNIFY.
The footsteps drew closer, and I huddled into a ball. I heard and odd noise, then a splash. I realized somebody was drawing water from the well and shivered, but bobbed my head up to see. I remembered once, early on in my life, when a small Dragon passing by offered to tell me its stories. It told me what humans looked like. We had a similar build. We both stood on two feet with two arms and a head, but we still looked very different. All the same, I could tell it was a human when I saw it. It was male, obviously a young child with tousled dark, dark brown hair on the top of its head, and wide, round bright green eyes. It was thin with sharp features, some parts bonier than others. It wore leather shoes with long white socks going to its knees, as well as a white button-up “shirt” and brown “shorts” reaching its knees. The child drew away, lugging the sloshing bucket of water with him. I began to feel somewhat sympathetic for him and stepped forward, then took one side of bucket and helped hold it up. He immediately looked down and gawked at me. “Uh…uh...” I stepped away, ducking my head. He began to bolt and slipped, and I backed away, trembling madly. “I was only trying to help…I promise!” I pleaded from across the way. He stared at me for a long while (at least it felt like it), then relaxed. “A…Alright. Thank you.” He picked up the bucket again and I hurried over to help. As we walked, an odd, unsettling silence began to rest over us. I eventually broke it. “So…do you live here? Who are you drawing water for?” He smiled. “Yes, I do live here. My family runs a small shop on the edge of town…just getting some water back.” I blinked, curious, then continued. “And you have to carry this whole bucket all by yourself?” He nodded, looking quite confused. “Yes. I make good luck charms with my sister and try to help the customers as well. Why’s that odd?” I paused. “It’s just… Spirits can summon all those things, but humans have to do it all by themselves. I’ve never thought of it like this, but in way you’re the stronger of the two.” He didn’t seem to understand, and managed a modest shrug. “So…I’m Emeric. What is your name?” I was quiet for a long moment. “Spirits often do not name themselves. We just recognize each other, and situations for names are seldom, only noble spirits like the Kitsune or the Dragon get names. Do humans have them?” he nodded. “You should get a name! It’d be fun!” he smiled. I thought for a long time, and then said, “I am Viren. Is that a good name?” he nodded eagerly. “Yes, VIREN.” He smiled.
Within minutes, we’d reached his home: a narrow, two-story house with splintery boards and stone shingles. He slipped through the door, then reached a stone tub and tipped the water into it. A girl who appeared to be a couple years younger than him with a striking appearance sat at a rickety stool at the foot of the hearth, making little necklaces and charms with olden symbols for good luck etched into them. I ducked behind Emeric, realizing she hadn’t seen me yet. I honestly feared her reaction. “Yuki?” he asked softly and she turned. “Look what I found! It’s a real Spirit! He helped me carry the water!” before I could really say anything, he dragged me forward and placed me near the stool so she could look. I winced, waiting for some shriek of terror, but instead saw her slip down from the stool and examine me. “What are you?” I sighed. “A Kodama.” She eyed me worriedly. “I’ve never heard of those…” I shook my head a little. “Kodama are…they’re…Kodama are like little spirits, right? Well, we’re forest Spirits. We’re born in a forest, that’s our stronghold. Most stay in their own forests, but I’ve been getting curious lately about other places there are.” The girl’s eyes widened. “I’ve never spoken to a spirit! Please answer my questions!” Soon enough, it was morning time and the sun was beginning to show, I’d already immersed myself in a rather interesting conversation with Emeric and Yuki. I heard heavy footsteps making their way down the stairs and looked up to see to fully grown humans. They must have been the parents of the two.
Emeric ran up, dragging me along. By now I felt used to it, and went along with him. Yuki hurried up and began explaining (rather breathlessly) about what Kodama were and who I was. They seemed more concerned than excited, and stared at me as though I were some freak. “Emeric, Yuki, you should go outside for a while….Viren can go as well.” Emeric nodded swiftly and I followed the two out the door. As we wandered through the streets, Emeric sighed. “You only left your forest to explore?” I nodded. “I’ve heard so many stories I thought it was about time to see if they were true. I’d hate to live like a fool.” He nodded slowly in agreement. “Humans really aren’t that interesting…I wish I were a spirit, and then I could do so much more! We can’t even get enough paper for a book! The Kitsune won’t let us cut down enough trees, only enough for this village, and there are so many trees!” I suddenly realized way I could help. “Wait…I’m a spirit. I can talk to them, convince them to let you get more resources. Just think of what humans can do with the right resources! Please show them to me!” Emeric smiled, then began to march forward. “I never met a spirit that thought so highly of us.” I shrugged.
By afternoon, we’d reached the edge. I could see a path winding into the forest. It was dark and…rather foreboding and ominous. I waved goodbye to Emeric and Yuki, then slipped into the autumn brush. I sat down and waited a few moments, then heard something padding over the autumn leaves. I saw a large silver fox with five elegant tails and red fur around its amber eyes. “Kodama,” it addressed severely, “Why are you here? You came from the village. What were you doing there?” I dipped my head in respect and began to explain. “I left my original home. All for the humans. So many interesting inventions and methods from them…I had to help them. Please, let them use the resources of this forest! How could anything go wrong?” the fox stared at me for one long, pain-staking moment and I stared back. “Humans are odd creatures. You can never predict them. And that’s what bothers me. If their creating takes a wrong turn…then a disaster could happen.” I stared, now confused. “But…What could go wrong? That answer is far too vague! Please let them use the forest! Please…” the fox sighed. “Alright. But please…be careful.” With that, the fox stalked into the wood. I never saw it again. I emerged from the woods, to find Yuki and Emeric playing with each other, my expression sullen. “They allowed us to use the forest.” I murmured. I felt more worried than happy. I’d gotten what I wanted…but I felt so little. I could only ponder how it could go wrong.
It’d been precisely ten ye.ars since that day. I sat in the local library, watching Emeric sort through the piles of books excitedly. I hacked and coughed violently, curling up in my tall armchair. Thousands of books lined the shelves, wooden desks, and furnished chairs. A brightly lit chandelier lit up the room, keeping it warm. I started to remember the decade ago. I was so happy and healthy. Ever since they’d began hacking away the trees, my health worsened. I was deteriorating. I hobbled away and Emeric looked up. “Where are you going?”
“For a walk.” I replied simply, as I hobbled out of the library with a scroll of paper and a bottle of ink. I dragged on through the town, looking about. Water systems, brick homes, and metal pipes. It’s amazing how a single decade changes things so much. All because I was curious. And now I was rotting away. I coughed again, more violently. I’d been keeping the sickness hidden, and it had proven not to be contagious. I didn’t want them to know. But they’d have to. I stopped. There was the forest. Black stumps of ash and wood rather than a forest…this place would have to do. I sat at the foot of a stump and began to write upon the paper.
“Emeric, Yuki, and all others reading this letter. A decade ago, I convinced the local Kitsune to allow us the resources of this forest. I was…CURIOUS. I wanted to see what humans could build if spirits helped them. I saw no reason we could not. But that’s because I knew no limit, and saw no consequence. I AM like the forest. And so are other Kodama. The moment the trees began to be hacked away, I could feel my very life sapping away from my soul. But I ignored it, I pursued and helped humans create. Soon afterwards, both Yako and Zenko fled to the mountains, and the Dragons burrowed deep under the surface of the Earth. I am not the only one damaged by the flames of industry. Other spirits humanity saw as guardians are dying away. And perhaps one day it will hurt you. I urge you to tread carefully. By the time you have read this message, I will have disappeared forever. I am no longer a spirit but a ghost. A ghost of regret for my past decision. Heed my words.”
(I am honestly ashamed of my work. I should have done better. My apologies, Creativemystery.)
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