CHAPTER II: Alynthi (part 1)

An abundance of greens with all its shade harmonized with the dark, yet gentle color of the earth. The sky, on the other hand, has never been so clear—giving out its best hue of blue.

It was a lustrous day, the sun shone loudly and proudly. Animals of different sounds continued to play their own melody, following the wind’s tempo as it blew the dancing trees in unison. It was a magical orchestra.

However, at the center of this accordance, a metallic smell is forcefully blending itself in the surroundings. 

A woman, drenched with what it seemed as her blood, lay flat on the ground. Disheveling the symmetric arrangement of the pointy grasses that grow from it.

Her back started arching as she groaned, squeezing her head hard. Her eyelids are shut, creasing towards the bridge of her nose, 

Startled by the woman’s wail, animals began approaching her. Their heads titling alternately on both sides—wondering about the new entity that has entered the forest.

The woman sluggishly opened her eyes. Unconsciously, her hand made its way on the top of her face, hindering the sun from flaunting its greatness.

What happened?

The woman recalled the last memory she had. It was pixelated, but she was sure that she drowned at the river she fell in.

Thinking if she was already in the afterlife, she was instantly puzzled as she remembered herself wincing in pain. I can still feel pain in the afterlife?!

Slowly, she lifted her back and sat on the ground. As soon as her eyes became adjusted to the light she turned her head and carefully scanned the surroundings.

The luscious trees that continued to boast its abundance reached the woman’s sight. In an instant, the latter felt clear-headed.

And as if on cue, the woman began hearing the animals’ sing of joy. The birds are cheerfully chirping right above her. While the four-legged animals continued to surround the woman—eager to meet her.

Her hand landed on the ground, feeling the sharpness of the plants that grew from it. On the contrary, it did not hurt her. Rather, the woman felt that her calloused hands seemed to have relaxed and smoothen.

As her senses felt at ease, she breathed—taking in a familiar scent that she has always adored. The smell of dew!

With nature awakening her senses, she became convinced that she was in the afterlife. Howbeit, she found herself, once again, grimacing.

Her head started ringing. Her eyebrows met, revealing the folds on her forehead. 

Instinctively, her hands clenched her head. As if by doing so would lessen the pain. Her breathing became unsteady, and her body began to shake.

Meanwhile, the animals around the woman conveyed their distress by lowering their heads and getting near her bit by bit. 

A brown animal with white spots on its body, gave the woman a light nudge. Eventually, rubbing its face against the woman’s arm—wishing the latter’s agony would end.

After some time, the woman calmed down. She looked at the animals that found their way on her lap. Earnestly looking at her with teary eyes.

“Were you guys startled? I’m sorry,” she said—hugging them at once.

Her movements halted when she felt a viscous liquid trickling down from underneath her ear. 

As she touched it, her eyes widened at the sight of her bloody hands. There, a pang of reality hit her.

“Where… In the world am I?”

The woman looked around, this time, not with the intention of admiring nature. But to find even the tiniest clue on where she is. 

There, she finally noticed how everything seemed odd. 

The trees that looked ordinary at first glance are now gleaming due to the crystals etched on it’s trunk. It’s strange twisting branches are now visible, swiftly moving with the wind.

The woman was in awe. 

She then glanced at the animals that surrounded her. In an instant, her jaw dropped, witnessing the unusual features of every animal. One had four eyes, while others had flowers growing from their antlers. 

The critters on the woman’s lap moved, softly bumping their scarlet nose against her. Their gem-like eyes widened as their irises dilated in excitement. 

The woman responded to them, carefully caressing their faces. As she bowed down to meet the critters’ gaze, strands of her hair got loose from the back of her ear. Promptly, the waves bounced. Revealing its bright red hue. 

Without thinking, the woman brushed her hair with her hands, gingerly examining what had become of her once brown hair. 

She let out a sounded sneer. Eventually gritting her teeth, trying to suppress her bewilderness. 

“What in the world is happening to me?”

The woman remained frozen for a few more minutes before finally deciding to get up. With her carelessness, her body swayed in dizziness. Thankfully, the animals with long and wide antlers aided her until she found her balance.

She took a deep breath, calming her senses. With her eyes full of questions, she started walking towards the East. 

“Well, according to the Quora website, I should always go North at times like this, but…” she moved her head to the left. Her eyebrows creased as she felt chills all over body. “I don’t think it’s gonna let me in. That is why we should follow the light! Yes! To the East!” She raised her right arm with her hands clenched in fist. Convincing herself that her decision was right.

Nature must have heard her woe, and so, the animals made a path for her to follow. Even the trees moved themselves!

“How… How is that even possible?! Oh my goodness, I’m going crazy. The tree just uprooted itself! And what?! Changed its position?!” Her hands that are facing each other, not touching, are moving side to side with conviction. Beckoning how and where the trees moved itself. 

She slammed her hands against her face, stopping herself from shouting. After a few seconds, she laughed crazily, eventually turning it into a frown.

“Let’s just accept everything, Alessandra. We can’t afford to get shocked every minute… Right?” 

Instead of stretching the debate inside her head, she decided to follow the path made for her. 

The woman walked at a slow pace. Her eyes remained restless as it wandered to see every creature inside the forest.

She witnessed how a tree with snake-like vines literally danced, extending and wiggling its vines everywhere. The moment she stopped in front of it, the tree stopped dancing. It aimed its vines toward her, the latter froze. 

Stand still, Alessandra. It won’t hurt you… I think? The woman mentally shouted in frustration and fright as she struggled to keep her body still and balanced. 

After some time, the vines hissed gently. Which made the woman let out a hiccup. She immediately covered her mouth, trying to silence herself.

While she was busy doing so, a mellow laugh escaped from the tree in front of her. 

“Do not be afraid, child. They are just glad to see you once again,” the tree spoke, gently. 

Again, the woman’s jaw dropped. Her mouth trembled, unable to exact the words she wanted to say.

The tree moved to give way to the woman. Its copper-colored branches bended downwards, shaking the copious leaves that stem from it. It was bowing to her. 

Meanwhile, the vines sneakingly gave her a peck on her cheeks before finally behaving themselves, twirling around the tree’s trunk. 

Rather than be afraid, the woman surprisingly felt at ease. It was as if she was longing for it.

She smiled and mouthed ‘thank you’ at the tree before taking the path it gave her. Her eyes are still full of questions. But she was calmer than a while ago. 

She continued trekking out of the forest. The once thick surroundings, slowly scattered, making the light that seeped through the trees stronger.

“I must be nearing an open field.” 

“Why do you continue walking into the unknown?”

The woman stopped walking. The magical feeling she felt slowly turned into a sinister one as she listened to the whispers behind her.

“Aha! Are you glad that you finally have the chance to redo your life? How… Selfish.” 

The woman clenched her chest. Her mouth opened, gasping for air. Her body began to shake as she earnestly searched for the source of the voice.

At first, the whispers were coming from the back. But as it grew louder, it circled the woman--mocking her.

“You said that you live for your family? That you will do anything… Anything for them...:” The once mere whispers now became a loud mockery. The woman felt that the speaker was already beside her, clenching her shoulders.

Ironically, her trembling body was stiff. Without her head moving, she glanced at her cold shoulders, eventually closing her eyes as the voice continued speaking.

“Such a hypocrite. You have always loathed those who enjoy themselves, while you break your bones. Trying to earn money for your needy family.”

The woman tried to move her head to ask help from the animals that accompanied her. But to her surprise, everything had become pitch-black. 

“Who are you trying to ask for help? The magical trees and animals that you saw? Your… Phantasm?”

Droplets of water started falling from the woman’s eye. Was everything an illusion? Am I this desperate?

“Yes… Everything was a product of your imagination. I had to save you before you fall any deeper. “ The woman felt something cold that touched her face. Gently caressing it. But instead of feeling thankful and at ease, her tears flowed even more.

“Stop. Please stop!” 

The voice let out a laugh, it was a wicked one. One that you can hear from the villains of every movie. 

“Why should I stop? You asked to be helped, and here I am helping you. Fantasy would never be your answer. Now, walk forward. You must leave this illusion…”

The woman mindlessly followed what the voice said. She slowly lifted her left foot and started walking forward. She was blind on what path she was taking, but she was guided by hands that were forcefully pushing her forward.

“Child! You must fight it!” 

The woman halted when she heard a familiar voice calling her. She looked around, but it was still pitch-black.

“What are you waiting for? Escape this illusion! The voice that you heard was just another product of your imagination. Do not hesitate!” The low voice became an angry one. The hands that guided her, became even more forceful in pushing her. 

“Enough!” The woman halted her movements with all her might. “Who’s the real illusion? From whom should I really escape?!” she shouted. 

“Follow what your heart dictates.” The soft voice once again emerged. It was then that she remembered its owner--the tree that she just met.

“Imbecile! Your heart is the source of your illusion!” 

The woman covered her ears and thought hard about what she should do. 

The only way to escape an illusion is to go against it.  It was a sentence that she remembered from a movie she watched. 

Slowly, she lowered her hands and started walking to the opposite direction. However, she was too late as one slight push made her trip.

It was still pitch-black, but she was sure that she was about to fall.

“Pity… You are too dumb for this world.”

As soon as the voice left, everything became clearer. As she was falling, instinctively, she extended her hand and grabbed anything she could, to stop her fall. 

Luckily, she was able to hold onto something. Her eyes widened as she looked down. Ah… I could really die if I fell, huh?

She gritted her teeth as she desperately held the branch she was grabbing. 

“Child!”

***

TBC

Lluvia Ramirez 2021