Chapter 288: Chapter 288 Inside the Tree
Left with no other choice, I turned to scan my surroundings. The space was almost dark except for the faint line of light running through the walls like veins.
It was hard to see anything.
The air inside the tree was damp, it smelled flowery like fresh wild flowers but held a faint smell of rotten wood.
’Wait is it this part where a terrifying monster comes out and hunts for food?... okay don’t play with me universe... scary movies are never my thing.’
I stared at the veiny light walls, ’they look kinda pretty... if I wasn’t trapped in here.’
’Wait, Ember. Why don’t you think of those magical movies... maybe there is a codeword to open the door.’
I rose to my feet with a new hope. Staring at the door, I inhaled sharply. "Dooor open." I waved my hand in the air.
Nothing happened.
"Open sesame."
Still... nothing.
"Abragadabra."
Nothing.
"Fucking open... You fucking door, I don’t have all day here and if you must know I have a fucking revenge to take and you are fucking making me say a lot of F words, JUST FUCKING OPEN AND FUCKING SPARE ME THE TORTURE!"
My throat strained, veins popped under my skin, my eyes squeezed tight, breathless and my fist clenched tightly like someone who is having constipation.
"That is one hell of an outburst." A tiny soft voice whispered from behind me.
I spun around so fast that my foot caught on something. Thud.
A frustrated groan tore from my chest as my face pressed against the wooden floor.
I raised my head, shaking it a little bit to clear the stars dancing in my eyes.
"Arghh," I screamed at the top of my lungs as a giant round plum-feathered creature with tiny feathered hands and little tiny feet stood in front of me. Its wide round amber eyes blinked at me in confusion.
"Don’t eat me... I taste very bad." I cried out.
’Wait a minute, am I not the bad ass who took on witches and werewolves, why am I scared now? I have magic.’ one part of me thought.
’Wait a moment...’
I pulled away from the creature and it appeared smaller and smaller... The creature only appeared bigger because it was literally in my face.
"Who... What are you?" I asked, a little composed this time, knowing it was a huge scary creature.
The little bird flew closer to me. "I’m a type of bird, but my friends call me yellow because of my colour."
I breathed out a sigh of relief, unwrapping the roots from my ankle. "Okay... Yellow... Do you know why I’m here?"
Yellow shook her head. "But the path will show the way." She moved to the side of the wall, and the ground beneath began to light up like crystals, illuminating the surroundings with a light blue light.
My mouth opened in awe as colourful insects began to fly, scattering everywhere. While other crawling insects crept on the ground and the wall.
I pushed myself to my feet. "Where will the path lead me?"
"Only you can find out." She giggled before flying away.
"Hey, hey, I’m not done with my questions yet."
But she continued giggling, her little form got farther and farther away.
I sighed. "I guess, I’ll have to find it out by myself."
Shudders ran through my spine, as I walked down the illuminated path. Small flowers blossomed at the foot of the wall and on the cracks of the wall, they shimmered faintly with gold.
As I walked farther inside, the smile on my face slowly disappeared, the flowers became scanty and the glow of the path became dimmer.
My step faltered as I approached the part where there was no sign of life, the flowers were no more and the wooden walls were rotten like they had been eaten by insects.
The space before was in the shape of an oval... a dead end. I raised my head, staring at the roof or what seemed like it. Brown liquid dropped from it, it was badly decayed and looked like it wouldn’t hold.
"Finally, you are here..." a soft melodic voice rang through the air.
I snapped my head forward, and the oval wall which I swore was empty a moment ago, now stood a lady with white flowing gown backing me.
Her silver white hair cascaded down her back. My voice caught in my throat.
She slowly turned around, her calm blue eyes met mine. Her features looked similar to mine... and the royal family of fae.
Unlike the first fae I had met who had golden eyes... This lady’s eyes were the same shade as mine.
"I’ve been waiting for a long time." Her voice sounded tired and heavy, almost like someone carrying a heavy burden.
I stepped closer to her, I could feel her pain... almost like she’s a part of me.
"Who are you? And why am I here?" I asked, walking closer to her, intrigued by the calm aura around her, it was welcoming and somewhat familiar. She smelled like the breeze of the sea.
A faint warm smile formed on her lips. "I’m Princess Anastasia."
A look of surprise flickered through my eyes, which I quickly masked.
"Aren’t you supposed to... be dead?" My voice wavered a bit.
"I am dead... You can meet me because you are like me." She answered, stepping closer to me.
"Because I’m supposed to be a Chosen?" I felt a faint tug in my chest.
"Yes, and because the seed had chosen you." She answered with the same warm smile. "Not every Chosen is chosen by the seed, it has only happened once since the dawn of life."
"What do you mean? Isn’t Chosen the same as chosen by a seed? And what is the seed you are talking about?" My throat felt dry.
"Being Chosen means you are the next sacred tree caretaker, and being chosen by its seed means you carry the duty of bringing it to life again."
"And I’m both?" I didn’t know if I was supposed to be happy with that information.
"Yes, but before anything you must learn about the past... and the reason you are here." Her blue eyes shone brightly. "Because it all begins with betrayal." The ground beneath swirled, disappearing.