Great Tree

[Mazier]

A soft breeze blew through the woods, rustling the turning leaves. A few released their grip on the trees, falling slowly and gracefully to the ground. The brown, red, and yellow leaves flew through the air, falling slowly, ever so slowly, to the ground where they would remain for all winter. No, the first snow had not appeared just yet, but who knew? Someday, any day, it would arrive, and bring fierce cold with it, striking at all living things, trying to hold them in its freezing grasp, crushing the life from them. And the winter would, indeed, claim the lives of many, many who were not strong enough to survive. For strength was key. Winter was harsh, and did not let up for anyone or anything. It hit just as hard as it wanted to, slicing through trees, freezing water, and, of course, taking lives.

The dog watched as a browned leaf tumbled through the air directly past his honey-golden eyes, flying without wings. As it descended slowly, the dog turned away and looked up. The sky was a clear, shining blue, with not a single cloud. The breeze was soft, and surprisingly warm for an autumn wind. It whistled softly in the dog’s ears, and he closed his eyes. At first, all he could hear was the gentle breeze, but then other sounds came to him- a squirrel scrabbling in the slowly hardening dirt, a cardinal’s beautiful song, the leaves rustling slightly in the wind. Mazier opened his eyes again. The world was so colourful in the fall, a huge mixture of red, yellows, browns, and, on some plants, purples. The cardinal’s song continued, Mazier hearing it as clear as a fox’s yip. Autumn truly was beautiful. He swung his head to the left, to see different patterns of the leaves’ colours as they died, losing their holds on the trees. He could see the squirrel jabbering as it dug through the dirt to hide its acorn. Stupid animal. They could never find their acorns and nuts in the spring again. Truly pathetic. Mazier shook his head, and began to trot in the direction of the Eltrym Tree.

The air was crisp and cold as Mazier trotted through the woods. The smell of dying leaves filled his nostrils. He found it a pleasant smell. His way was well lit by the shining autumn sun, its sunlight streaming through the trees, dappling the cool shade. The thoughts in Mazier’s mind were pleasant as he went- there was no need for unhappy thoughts now, as he headed to the Eltrym Tree and its mysterious keeper, the vixen called Rukia. But as he neared the Great Tree, Mazier felt something odd in the air- something had changed. He swung his head slowly left and right, and hurried his pace. He was almost there, he was sure of it! Almost at the Tree, almost to the vixen, almost to a new power- whether it would be a curse or a blessing to him, Mazier still wasn’t sure.

As he swung his head back straight, Mazier froze in mid-step, his left paw still in the air, his jaw hanging open. There it was- a huge clearing, and in the center, an equally huge tree. The Eltrym Tree. The massive trunk, the huge, reaching branches- Mazier could not go another step. His haunches dropped almost automatically into a sitting position. “Oh…” he whispered, his voice barely louder than the breeze. The grandeur of the Tree was splendid. It was better than all of the tales he had heard about it. And he had actually found it. He had found the Great Tree, with its winding, curving branches, its massive trunk, the magical feeling about it- but had he found its keeper?
Mazier swung his head left and right again, golden eyes searching...

[Czar]

((OOC: I will reply IC eventually but incase you want to rp elsewhere as you're waiting for me, your power is calling. By saying Miku, you can call woodland animals to stand before you as you kill them for food. Or in a bind, call a larger predator and have them attack your opposer. But be warned, if you are within their sight when they arrive, you are in danger of their attack. You do not control, only call.))

[Mazier]

ooc: Alright. I'll wait until Rukia comes.