"Now, just what did you say to her this time? I hope it wasn't about the ridiculous stories again. And speaking of stories, I heard one today. Were you home this whole time?"
Misha tries to avoid his father's question by going after Fray, but his father stops him.
"Ok, yes, I was out earlier."
"Anywhere in particular?"
"Huh, why do you ask that? I was everywhere." He shrugged.
"So, you didn't happen to scare an animal today? Say, a goat, perhaps. Again, for the one-hundredth time." His father said very sarcastically.
"Oh, that. Yeah, I may have pulled a prank on a baker." Said Misha chuckling while scratching his head.
"It's the same baker from all the other times. The last one, you nearly gave a heart attack."
"That's not my fault, and I didn't know that the baker's friend was a fainting goat. They all looked the same to me."
"Don't do it again because then I have to hear about it. Understand?" He said sternly.
"Yes, father."
"Good, now whatever you said to her, go apologize. Just try to be home before dinner."
"I understand, father."
:
:REVERT:
:
On all fours, Misha ran towards the direction Fray's scent was coming from and followed it into town.
"Hey, no running through the streets while transformed, Misha." Yelled a bystander.
Misha, of course, ignored the bystander. One key thing about the animal's process of evolution is transformative abilities. While they look somewhat human-like and walk on two legs, they all have the power to revert to their original state. Granted, they are all born human-like, but they can learn to transform back to what their ancestors once were.
So not every animal can do this as some choose not to learn how or some do not possess enough magic. This type of magic is called Revert or Revert Transformation. It only allows one to revert to their traditional form. Every cell within one's body carries memories or rather a trace of magic from their ancestors that's been passed on. If one has enough charm to read the cells, Revert is possible.
One of the best things about Revert is that one's clothing suppresses inside them. So, clothing never tears when they transform; it disappears and reappears; it's magic.
Misha eventually arrives at the meadow. He sees Fray sitting alone on a rock, looking towards the forest.
:
:REVERT:
:
"I know you're going to go outside The Garden. I can feel it, Misha. You've always been one to keep your word."
"Fray I…"
"You don't have to explain yourself anymore or try to justify why you're doing it. We have been here in this situation; how many times, Misha?"
"Too many to count."
"I won't tell your parents, but I just want you to know that things on the other side aren't always better. Sometimes one should stop to notice the happiness they are not seeing. Tell me, Misha, are you happy?"
"That depends on what type of happiness you mean. Happiness isn't just about your life in general. I'm happy with what I'm doing. And what I'm applying to it too. That's my happiness, Fray."
"And you have every right to feel that way, Misha, but within that type of happiness. There lie illusions, and that's when you should notice the happiness you're not seeing."
"Fray…"
"You should notice your happiness because things are not always bright on the other side."
Fray decides to leave the meadow. Misha is left alone to stare into the distance. He could hear the children laughing and playing. As well as see some other animals in the distance not too far from the meadows. They seem to be trading rare minerals with one another. "They are too carefree," he thought to himself. He stood wondering about the true purpose of The Garden, but in the back of his mind, he already knew. To him, it was a prison robbing him of what nature intended him to be.
He could recall a time when he went to the library in Aliceseal. He had read all the books about The Garden and its history. Why would a boy make a place like this, whatever creature he is? Why put animals inside? Why not his kind? Why save us, or what purpose do we serve? Does he have an end goal when the day he returns?
So many questions ran through Misha's head that day at the library.
But then, just now, he remembered a book. Yes, that book. The Book Of Knowledge. It said it records all of history, and when you ask it a question, it will answer them for you.
Before anything, he thought that no matter what, he must get his hands on that book. It was the only book that he could not read from the library. The librarian had told him, "No one can read God's book, for if you do, you'll be brand with The Forever Curse."
Misha, of course, never brought that silly old owl's words. That owl himself was hiding something.
Just what happened in the past that they don't want us to know? And how come we can live longer? The books about animals make no sense, and science is entirely wrong. What troubles me is that there is no mention of magic; the old books said magic isn't real. But here we are in The Garden, using it every day. And what about the water? They said drinking makes you feel connected with the Boy, and it's just regular water.
Misha eventually got frustrated asking himself all these questions and Reverted. On all fours, he began making his way back home. Misha couldn't be late for dinner; otherwise, his parents would most likely get upset with him. After arriving home, he greeted his mother, followed by his father. They asked about Fray, but he told them she had important things to do at home. His parents took that as a clear message that something must not have gone well between the two. However, both were reluctant to show it to their son.
The family dinner went like usual. Everyone went around the table, asking each other about their day. Some laughs and awe here and there. But for some odd reason for Misha, it felt like this would be the last one for quite a while. "Wherever my journey takes me, I hope I can look back to this moment and know I made the correct decision." Misha thought to himself.
"Misha, dear, are you alright?"
"I'm alright, mother. I was just thinking about something."
"Well, if something is bothering you, please let me know. Or at least talk to your father if needed."
"He's fine. Probably just thinking how to apologize to Fray again."
"Lerd! He's your son."
"What? It's young love we've all gone through."
"Mother, Father, I appreciate your concern, but I am quite alright."
Misha walks off as both his parents watch. His mother was more concerned as they could feel something was off with her son. She's always worried about her only child as he tends to get into trouble in The Garden. She watched as her son headed upstairs. A moment passes, and she dismisses all worries she has. "Perhaps he must be heartbroken. I do indeed pray things to get fixed between him and Fray." She had thought to herself.
After reaching his room, Misha had officially decided that tonight was the night to head to that library again. So, when night came, and things quieted in The Garden, he decided to slip out the window just as if he would on the nights to see Fray. It was fun sneaking out of the cottage to head to the meadows. He remembered back then when they would pretend to catch the shooting stars. And they'd decide to put on a light show when the lightning bugs were in the area. Those were sweet memories. It was until he reached the library that it occurred to him that he's been thinking about things as if he was leaving The Garden forever.
Misha clenched his fist.
"This place, it's as if it's trying to keep me here. That makes me even more curious about what lies beyond The Garden, and I have to ask The Book of Knowledge."
Suddenly a voice called.
"Where do you think you're going at this time of night?"
"Your... you're The Rabbit!!"
"That is what they call me; perhaps that is the name I gave myself eras ago. Now, please answer my question. What business do you have here? Especially the library at this time of night."
"There is a book I wanted to read. I finished the other series and couldn't wait to read the next one, and I wanted to see if it was still possible to get the next one."
"Hm. I see, so you're the son of Lerd. Misha."
"You know my father as well as my name?"
"But of course, The Owl did tell me of a particular strange animal that is serious about the history of The Garden. Especially before The Garden."
"I see. So, will you allow me to pass and get the book?"
"But of course. Why should I stop a young animal from learning? After all, knowledge is power. But I warn you, Misha, asking The Book of Knowledge questions is prohibited, and if you do, The Forever Curse will come for you."
"The Owl has already told me about this as well."
"Then I have no more to say to you; you may go ahead."
Misha passes by The Rabbit, who has a calm and collective face. To Misha, it was as if he knew what he came here to do. But all that matters to him was The Rabbit let him pass. Of all the people, he had to run into a significant animal.
The Rabbit stood outside and watched as the young lion made his way inside. The Rabbit himself knew very well what Misha came here to do, but he wished not to stop him. Anyone is free in The Garden and may enter any place they like except a part near his home. He wished he could tell the young lion about the dangers of knowing knowledge from eras ago. But The Rabbit firmly believes you must find things out for yourself and live with the consequences.
"I pray you'll be willing to live with whatever you ask."
Comments (0)
See all