Chapter 7: Divine Tree

A soft, sorrowful cry drifted into the abyss, its sound fading into the inky darkness.

…

In pitch-black darkness.

Hah?

I… I am…? Where… am… I? Who… am I? What… is this feeling? What is… happening?

This feeling… this feels good!.

"…"

I want to stay like this forever… forever.

…

Birds chirping.

The sound of wind gently moving leaves and branches.

He regains consciousness, slowly opening his eyes. The birds sing, the wind hums, and a blurry green stretches before him.

He wakes up under a small tree, in the middle of an unknown forest.

Sunlight pierces through the gaps between leaves and branches, warming his face.

A single bud clings to the tree above him. From it, a golden flower struggles to bloom.

Gradually, he pushes himself up, planting his hands behind him for support.

Closing his eyes, he lets the summer breeze wash over him. The wind consoles him. His senses sharpen—he can hear the distant song of birds and the faint rush of a waterfall.

He rises to his feet. Looking around, he notices the only visible path is to his right—a narrow trail flanked by bushes and scattered rubble.

As he steps forward, he glances back at the tree where he awoke. It stands alone, surrounded by soft grass and small flowers weaving through them.

Peculiar.

Something feels off. A strange sensation creeps up his spine. His instincts tingle.

He shakes the thought away and focuses on the path ahead.

As he walks, his gaze drifts upward.

Sunlight streams through the canopy, forcing him to shield his eyes.

Blinking against the glare, he spots a nest nestled in the branches above. A mother bird feeds her chicks. The tiny creatures chirp noisily, their impatience evident. The mother, calm and deliberate, ensures each receives its share.

A faint sadness washes over him.

He smiles.

"Aren't you noisy little fellas."

The mother bird pauses, her gaze locking onto him for a moment before resuming her task.

He continues down the path. A brighter exit shimmers ahead.

As he steps past the tree with the nest, a strange sensation overtakes him—like surfacing from water.

He halts.

Turning back, he scans the path he came from.

It looks… different. Bushier. Unfamiliar.

His gaze shifts forward. The road ahead feels just as foreign.

A trick of the mind? Or something else?

He exhales softly and moves on.

Halfway through, the rustling of bushes to his right stops him in his tracks.

He tenses. His calm demeanor remains, but his guard is up.

The noise grows louder.

A rabbit bursts from the undergrowth, sprinting in the opposite direction.

He exhales, a chuckle escaping his lips. A faint smile graces his face.

Up in the trees, the birds watch him again.

Then—

An arrow strikes the rabbit down.

"…"

His expression doesn't change. The smile lingers, but his eyes darken.

"Got it…"

A voice echoes from the bushes.

A young boy steps out.

"Yes! Finally, I got it! Grandma will be so proud—she won't have to worry anymore!"

The boy bends down, reaching for the rabbit.

"I caught this way faster than before—"

He freezes.

A tall man stands before him, his face unreadable—a mix of disappointment and something else.

The boy's breath catches.

"Crap. What's this? Who is this old man?"

"…"

"You can move now."

The boy exhales sharply.

"I thought I was gonna die holding my breath! You scared me, mister!"

"… Is that so?"

"Yes!"

They stare at each other. The boy shifts awkwardly.

"Um… mister, what are you doing here? Hunting?"

"I don't know. I just woke up."

"Huh? What kind of answer is that? Are you an idiot, perhaps?"

The boy grins, one hand on his hip, the other clutching the rabbit.

"It seems that's not the case either. I can't remember much," the man replies.

"Heh? You lost your memory? That seems… sus."

"Sus?"

"Yeah, like suspicious sus."

"..."

"Well, I gotta go. Grandma's waiting. This is our dinner, after all."

As he turns to leave—

Growl.

"…???"

The boy looks to his right.

Growl.

"…??"

"Um, mister, you seem hungry."

"… Oh, do I?"

"Are you kidding me? You just—!" The boy sighs. "Your tummy just growled. That means you're hungry."

"… I know."

The boy side-eyes him.

"You hunt every day for food?"

"Yes."

"Isn't it dangerous? Do your parents allow it?"

"Yeah. It's the only way we get by. I can't catch something every day, but I try my hardest."

The man observes him. A kid—couldn't be older than thirteen. His eyes sparkle with determination.

"You should eat. You look like you haven't in a while."

"I don't have anything."

The boy frowns, taking a closer look at him. His robe is stained—dirty in a way that suggests more than just dust from travel.

"Is that so?"

The boy brightens.

"Then why don't you come with me? Grandma would be glad to have you!"

"… Oh, can I?"

"Yes! Sure!"

The sun begins to set. The birds retreat to their nests.

"Then I'll do that. Thank you."

"Haha! Even if you lost your memory, you still remember to be polite!"

The man stays silent.

"Aww, you seem embarrassed!" The boy teases.

"No, I'm not."

"Well, follow me quickly, or I'll leave you behind!"

They walk side by side.

"By the way, mister, I haven't asked your name yet."

"My name is Kayle! And yours?!"

"… My name—?"

…