Ibis no Hypnos

My recollections of any past events prior to the the last seven days are entirely nonexistent...

1:1 Yumei

The Matahari was just beginning to creep over the horizon whilst I stepped onto the ever winding path that’d lead me from the village, into what my people call the grazing meadows. It was a large expanse of foliage that tended the needs of the some many, of natures brood. With one of the most profound views in all of the forest, this meadow sat quaintly in the middle with two enormous mountain ranges on either side to the north and south. It also harbored a sparkling river that ran through it’s heart of the meadows’ flowers, and grasses. To the east if one were to walk towards the forest’s edge, one would make it to a barren, and dry landscape which my people rarely ventured too unless in dire emergency for certain herbals that are required for very special ailments, these lands boasted the name Torridead. While the west laid the great waters of Sanna as they were known. Within this vast world, my people laid their heads in the heart of the forest of Torinitī, where it is to have said to begin so too it is said to end.

The autumnal air was crisp with the slight chill of the ever approaching winter, I sped hurriedly along nature’s træ’s as they danced in the morning’s breeze. After about 20 minutes of winding my way through the brush led me to the opening of grazing meadows. Just before reaching the doorlike opening the træ’s provided, I strayed from the path of my ancestors to find the perfect hiding spot for the days hunt. Walking for roughly an extra five minutes, I stumbled upon a space where a træ had fallen, and perfectly wedged itself between two others to create a nice barricade to prevent my prey from noticing my presence.... As I slink beside the fallen brother of Torinitī, I offer my thanks to the day and all who live to see it’s beauty. After finishing the slight prayer, I take a deep breath, and just wait in silence for any food to present itself. As the rosy rays of morning came into fruition one thought invaded my mind, I don’t remember as to why I was the one hunting as seemed unfit for a woman nor do I understand why I’m alone.

Typically a hunting party from my village consisted of no more than five individuals at a time. So that in itself was peculiar. Yet I shook the thought away just as an Aila darted from the northeastern most point of the meadow to collect her breakfast in peace. By now all my thoughts construed of my own breakfast, as primeval instinct took over allowing all my focus garnering on the kill. Yet when I went to reach for any weapon of any kind, none could be found. Only an absolute imbecile could venture into the depths of the forest alone without some ill fortune awaiting. Rarely if ever did anyone come back in one piece. This thought alone frightened my inner being but alas what could I do; I knew I was too far from another living being or anything beneficial to help my cause. I sighed & just watched the scene before me. The sky growing a brighter shade of bleu by the minute, causing the dullness of the scene to spring into life with a brilliant array of colours.

The giants that stood many men above me started off brutish, and strong with a thickly skin of brown that grooved within themselves twisting up towards the Cyki. As they grew ever so taller the sprung out as if to embrace one another out of kinship; Out of the many brænches sprung læfs of deep grenes. I’ve always loved the complexity of the forest & her inhabitants. It’s a beautiful place full of mysteries, very magical indeed.

Just as I was about to creep from my little hideaway, a sudden dread ran over me. As if a thinly shrouded veil was being placed upon the entirety of the world. The eerie feelings of dread lingered, while thick beads of perspiration began across my forehead, causing a chill to hit the back of my neck. I sprang to life as the need to get out of the claustrophobic atmosphere of the surrounding forest was far too great. Into the great expanse of the wild flowers, I darted as fast as any Aila. It was only as I was running that I noticed something terribly amiss. Time didn’t seemed to have a presence here, for I remember getting here just before dawn, although the darkness that invaded my vision seemed off. Not only was it dark, there’s no way I’d spent an entire day sitting idly doing nothing. Whereas I also didn’t have anything suitable for protection for myself let alone against anything nature could potentially fling itself at me. Fear, and sheer waves of loneliness crept over the edges of my being; Why was it dark? How long as it been? Why is my memory detesting my patience? Out of the many unanswered questions that ran over my thoughts like haywire two persisted. Which way is home, and how do I get back?

If the darkness of absolute obsidian hadn’t seemed eerily enough, the silence that perforated it’s crevices almost drowned out the darkness entirely. The silence that suspended my being during these intangible moments. A silence so deafening, my ears rang out as if to combat the intrusiveness of the invasion at hand. As my breathes grew more ragged, and my mind becoming more erratic by the moment, I froze when the world decided to spring to life. It’s as if a spark had ignited the whole ground. For mother shook violently causing me to hurdle over, lazily thrashing me about. As the earth beneath my feat curdled, the darkness only seemed to magnify. Trees shook violently with the sounds of splintering wood, slicing through the air the only sound that could be heard. As the only other noise, my heartbeat clamored in my chest providing the only other company I had. What persisted for about 7 minutes, the earth slowly lay back, deeming her temper tantrum over for some time.

By now the panic within myself was far too great for anything other than survival. Racing straight ahead, I managed no more than ten measly steps before Gaia decided to grumble about again, only this time a great flourish of light could be seen igniting the dark expanse of nothingness. This light was originating from Mount Laoza towards the north, staring at the scene in horror, I watched as the mountain range exploded in fiery reds and oranges. Never in any of the recorded teachings of my people has anything like this happened. Looking away from the harshness the light brought into the insurmountable darkness proved to be difficult, for its all my eyes wanted to stare at. From the brightness, cast out like a shooting star, came rocketing out the orangey backdrop something relatively large. The intensity of the blaze upon the mountain top made it very difficult to see the creature although it was probably the largest animal my eyes have ever laid waste too. It seemed as if it were some sort of gigantic bird, it definitely resembled a dæmon Ouwl but I couldn’t be sure. Not only was the sheer size of this creature mesmerizing, it had seemed to be hurdling directly towards me.

As if all the energy that had been uprooted suddenly shot out. With exponential speed, my flight activated allowing my feet to set sprinting in the opposite direction of whatever decided I was dinner. Not even taking the chance to glance behind me I soared through the forests pasture. Scrambling with the undergrowth underneath, trying to make at least make way to the forests opening. For at least i’d be safe within comfort of the træs... hopefully. Everything was cast in a dull orange that created an eerie presence to the forest, although it didn’t detest my discomfort, it allowed my vision back. From the looks of the ways I was managing in the darkness, I was smack dab in the middle of grazing meadows with a 15 minute run on either side of the circles circumference giving me little if any time to evade my attack. The pit that had been steadily placed in my stomach finally upchucked at the sudden realization of my predicament. Pray be to the gods, that I make it out safely with little effort, and much poise.

By now the ckyi was fluttering with specks of smoke, creating a sinister take on what could have been confused with snow. My lungs ached, my legs croaked, and the tree-line was still roughly 7 minutes away. I’d successfully ran majority of the way without looking back, but with every foot trekked, the urge to glimpse grew. Sweat billowed from my body, as my muscles angrily screamed out in agony. Suddenly a noise boomed across the valley causing myself to fling towards the ground. I hit the earth with a painful thud, landing on my chin causing a warmth to seep down my neck. Before I had the chance to pick myself up my pursuer was upon me. Flinging itself on top of me, it’s large talons gripped me up and away I was whisked.

I awoke clutching my chest. As the sweat descended from my body seeming as if I were part waterfall I speedily shot up. My whole being shook to its core. Frantically searching for anything to save me from my fate, something dawned on me. I looked at my surroundings, taking in everything in as I try to regulate my breathing. I was in the mews... I must’ve fallen asleep tending to the animæls. Just as I was recollecting what felt like the last hours of my life, had all been dream. Creeping slowly past the door, I peered into the dark expanse of the pasture, with Lua rising high in the newly freckled night. As the hairs on the back of my neck still risen due to inflictions past, I gazed into the openness and was met with nothing. Slowly shutting the door I slunk back to where I lay. Turning my back towards the door laying on the furs I had sprawled out. I glanced at the window above my quarters for something compelled me so. My eyes instantly met her gaze, and I froze... There sitting in the windowsill was my purser waiting, the ouwl, alas my dreams relentlessness to cease even while waking. I was so afraid that doing anything but making sure I saw the creature at all times caused anything but stress. Staring at me with her cold lifeless eyes she beckoned to tell a secret. Stretching her wings widely in the direction of the the north plains, she pondered a moment, then looked back with eyes who knew how deathly afraid I was and let out a shriek so violent it spooked not only myself but the many creatures in a two mile radius. Even before I could blink the creature rounded the mews thrice before thrashing down on my head, then swiftly soaring out the window towards the great mountain of the north. My head throbbed, as blood trickled down the back of my right side. Whatever had just happened, one things for sure something far more terrifying is about to come.