Previous Chapter: http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/work.php?id=108724
Chapter 2: The Hana and the Island of Paradise
The Past
Osorezu and Hana settled in the forest, erecting a small hut out of fallen branches. Osorezu became a hunter, using a sharpened horn as his weapon. As the days began to grow colder, he clothed himself and his mate in usa furs and shika pelts (if he was lucky enough to kill one). (Shika were large, dainty plant eaters.) He came to the habit of thanking the dead animal for the meat and the pelt that it provided. When autumn came and winter began to approach, it became clear that the days would only grow shorter and colder. Osorezu began to hunt for days on end, attempting to gather enough pelts to cover their hut. By the time that the cold white (called Yuki) began to fall from the sky, Osorezu had covered their home in warm furs.
“We’re warm now, and we have plenty of meat and berries and nuts. We can stay in here for all of the cold days from now on.” Osorezu suggested. Hana shook her head.
“I am with child, Osorezu.” She said, holding her hands over her stomach loosely. “I want to spend my time on the Island of Paradise.”
Osorezu sat up the ground and began to light a fire within the hut, so that the heat would spread out inside.
“What is the Island of Paradise?” He asked as his hands worked.
“It is an island of spirits. It does not grow cold there. They have plenty of delicious foods. They are generous and have offered to care for me.”
"And will they care of you better than I would?" Osorezu questioned, taking some offense to the proposition. He felt that she was his mate and he could protect her.
“They can.” Hana confirmed. “I am sure that the spirits will allow you to stay with me on the island.”
Osorezu agreed to the journey and they set out at dawn. A spirit guide appeared before Hana as they emerged from the hut. He was a large silver bear, with drooping wise eyes and lips that curled down into a frown. He spoke few words, and when he did, he grumbled. His words were grand and seemed endless and ancient. His lips never moved, even as he spoke. His voice seemed to spill from the very air itself and it surrounded Osorezu with its deep rumble. The spirit guide led them through the forest and into the yuki covered grasslands.
As they reached the end of the grasslands, a floating island began to appear before the bear. It seemed like a mirage to Osorezu, as the outline of the island wavered and faded in and out of existence before his eyes. Trees grew from the island that Osorezu had never seen. They had few leaves, but they were large and had fingers. He called them Yashi. Strange ferns grew over the expanse of the island, frayed leaves hanging over the edge. Mizu would occasionally drip down over the edge as if a Kawa was circling the isle, hazarding the edge. In the centre of the large floating earth was a giant Yashi with leaves that draped over the expanse of the island. A silver staircase descended from the island so that all could climb to it.
The bear sat down in the yuki before he gestured for Hana to ascend. Hana nodded her head to the spirit before she began to the island. The bear waited patiently for the woman to reach the top before he began to climb as well. Osorezu began to follow after the bear. The bear turned around and sat upon one of the steps, blocking the entire walkway.
“You cannot follow.” He grumbled.
“Why can’t I?” Osorezu gasped out, eyes widening. He couldn’t leave his mate.
“Your soul is filled with fire and darkness. You cannot connect with the spirits, so you cannot set foot upon the island. You will fall through and plummet to your death. You must stay here.” The bear explained before standing, turning and following after Hana. No matter how the Ningen fought, he could not pass the spirit. At every attempt to ascend, the bear would simply plop down and block the walkway.
Hana did not look back, and Osorezu was left to live on earth without her. In the time that passed, Osorezu found that many more men and women had grown from the earth and he had a child with each woman. When Hana finally returned to earth in summer, she carried with her her child: Hikaru. Like his mother, he could see and speak with the spirits. The other children could not.
Points: 1883
Reviews: 806
Donate