Mia found herself standing in front of the great old tree.
It however looked very different this time.
It had shades of grey between it’s leaves. Mia rubbed her eyes to check properly if indeed it was true or was she seeing things.
Suddenly she felt a strong pull. She tried resisting with her hands by ended up being tangled in the branches that were coming down like creepers that were mobile. It was like Mia was getting sandwiched between the ground pushing her towards the Tree and the vines trying to tangle her in its grip.
She fought for a few minutes, then realised that there was no use. She had willingly come there. She had willingly promised to sacrifice herself in exchange for her boy’s life. This was the end of her life.
The realisation made her give up. She stopped struggling. The vines slowly weaved a web around her when she suddenly realised that she had not asked the Tree of Knowledge how it was going to save her boy and her family from the curse.
” Hey. Hey. Stop. Please stop. Wait up. I have a question. I have a question… ”
She began struggling again as the web around her was being spun.
There was no reply. Neither did the spinning of the web stop.
” I said stop. I need to ask something. ”
Still no answer. The vines now started slowly pulling her up.
Mia struggled. But to no avail. Was this a mistake? Her thought suddenly became diabolical.
” You are not taking me anywhere unless I get my answers ”
She proclaimed as she snapped through those vines with one slash of her wolf claws. Being in the ocean had opened her faculties. She was now able to use most of her senses.
She dropped on the ground as the cocoon around her dropped in two halves beside her.
” Now, talk to me. ”
She was threatening the Tree with her claws bare.
” Silly girl! Do you think you can harm me with that? ”
The Tree of Knowledge finally spoke. But it appeared like it spoke with much difficulty.
” I don’t care if I have two die before ripping your trunk into two. I came here to die anyway. But I need my answer. I need you to tell me how you are going to keep my boy and families safe from the curse after I am gone. ”
Her voice was unshakable. Demanding.
“I, my dear girl, am unable to do anything about the curse all by myself. ”
The Tree became.
” Impossible. ”
Mia took a few steps back. She looked like she was in denial.
” Impossible.
If you are not able to do anything about it, why did you want me back? Was it all a trap? Did you want to draw in my life force to replenish your greying leaves? ”
Mia was quick to observe.
” Past! ”
Was it right? Did Mia hear the Tree scoff?
Before she could realise, another vine grabbed her from the back and pushed her body against the trunk. Mia thought she was bracing for a big impact but instead she got sucked inside like jelly. She was now standing on a dark ground, under a dark sky , against a dark backdrop.
” Was I just sucked inside the Tree just now? ”
Mia tried feeling what was around her with her hands. Panicking. Not afraid of death but afraid that she had left behind her loved ones in a difficult position.
She could feel the hard wood of the trunck when she touched around. It felt like she was trapped inside.
Suddenly she felt the ground she was standing in give way. She was having a free fall. It immediately felt like she was having a deja vu.
The moment the landing neared, instinct kicked in and Mia found herself landing on the soft ground on all fours.
” Where am I? ”
She asked aloud to herself.
” You are inside the Tree of Knowledge. ”
A very familiar voice answered. It was not the voice of the Tree of Knowledge. But she knew the voice very well.
Realisation struck.
Mia went on her defence format.
” Who is this? ”
She asked, knowing full well what answer she was expecting.
“Seeing you in that formation I can assume you already know who I am. ”
Mia gulped. Just as she had dreaded. The Wolf Prince Jin.
She was badly trapped. She had given into treachery. She had willingly abandoned her safe haven to end up in the enemy’s den.
” Yes Mia, I am your uncle Jin. ”
His statement made Mia angle her head. It called itself her uncle. Just like it had in her dream. It had been so vivid that she still had every detail of it in her mind.
” Don’t worry. I know what horrors my alter ego has caused you. It was the going of the curse. It had nothing to do with me. I am the real Jin. Your father’s brother. ”
Mia straightened up. Was she dead? In another dimension like the Dream dimension? How was she able to connect with the soul of the original Wolf Prince Jin?
“I know the questions running through your mind Mia. We are still inside the Tree Of Knowledge. When I was trapped in that tower, I was able to smuggled a portion of my consciousness out and latch onto this Tree. The Tress has been dying out ever since. Yet it was considerate enough to let me live. It’s been too long Mia. It’s becoming unbearable. I had no other option but to trick you into a bond to come here. You are the only one that can help me out. You are the only one who can help bring all these to an end. It’s killing me seeing by self degrading lower than the demons back in the world. Help me Mia. Help me stop this humiliation. ”
The voice was almost at the brink of breaking down as Mia carefully listened to every word.