7: The Bear

    I don't know where I am, nor do I know who I am. I look around and see that the sky is white. I'm not sure how I know what the sky is, or what white is, but I know what they are, so I continue on. There is a black crescent in the sky, a waxing crescent. That strikes me as odd, though I don't know why. I looked around where I was sitting and found myself in a clear stream. That's when I realize that I'm wet. I stand carefully, not sure if I know what I'm doing. I walk out of the stream onto dry land. That's when I notice a boy standing not too far off. 

    "Hullo." He greeted with a slight bow. "Are you feelin' well?"

    I stare at him, then say "I think I'm fine, but I'm not too sure what that is." I'm not sure how I knew how to speak either, or how I understood the boy. He seemed just as surprised as I was. 

    "Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise," he chuckled. "Another one to transcend. It won't take that long before the moon opens the way to transcendence, then you only need wait for the doorway to open."

    I'm not sure I like this child, nor do I understand what he is talking about. He raised his had and beckoned. I followed. We walked for what seemed like a very long time, the moon always hanging overhead. Eventually we saw a tree in the horizon. I was blue, which struck me as odd, though I don't know why. A dim white orb hung from one of its spidering branches, and there were other people sitting beneath it. Something seemed off about them, but I'm not sure what. I wonder if the boy brought them here too.

    "Right, with you added, that'll make seven." said the boy. I'm not sure what seven is. "So, do you have any questions before I head out?"

    A question, what is a question? Maybe that was the answer, though I'm not sure what an answer is. The boy tapped his foot impatiently. My brow furrowed as I tried to think of a question to ask.

    "Look, I have a lot to do. Hurry up and ask a question or I'll leave." He grumbled.

    "Okay," I said. I could only really think of one thing to ask. I pointed to the orb hanging from the tree. "What is that?" I ask. The boys eyes light with excitement. 

    "That, there, is either a curse, or a blessing, depending on what the Key decides to do with it. He'll bestow it unto one of you once you've transcended, and that will determine you'r role as you serve beneath him. You could consider it the fruit of knowledge." He smiled pleasantly. "I have a good feeling about you." he said. Then he changed into a magpie and flew off to the unchanging horizon. After further thought, I realized I'm not quite sure what a magpie is.

    I looked around for a bit and tried to place what i found so off about the other people beneath the tree. After a time, I decided to let the issue rest and sit with them. They all had their heads tilted up towards the sky, watching the moon as it slowly filled itself out, bit by bit. We waited. That was all we could do. Every now and then the magpie boy came back with another person, then he would answer their one question before he left. Afterwards, they would stand and stare for a time before they sat with us bellow the tree. 
    
    Then the thirteenth arrived. 

    "Right. Now, as you've all noticed, the moon is almost full. When it does reach that point of completeness, you will all change. What you will become when that happens, I don't know. But shortly before that, the Key will decide who will receive that fruit." Everyone's head turned towards the glowing fruit, which had turned a vibrant red as it ripened. "Who ever he chooses will then have a tasked assigned to them. You'll know it when it comes. As for any other matters, they are of no concern at the moment. I'll be back when the moon in ready to turn." And with that he flew off. 

    We waited, all thirteen facing the black moon. We watched as it filled out, bit by bit. There was nothing more we could do in this simplistic world. I would also look at the others around me. I still couldn't quite place what was so odd about them, and the more time had passed, the more it disturbed me. I still couldn't place it. I felt like I almost had it just as the magpie landed before us. 

    "Right," he started. All our attention was on him now. He pointed towards me. "You there, you've been chosen. You go collect you fruit. Quickly now. Once you change it'll be too late." He urged. I stood and reached up to the glowing, red orb. I felt no resistance as I plucked it from the branch, only a dull warmth. 

    I looked at the so called fruit in my hand. It was terrifying and enticing. Not sure what to make of it, I raised it to my lips. There was no pressure, nor any substance to attempt to consume, so i placed the whole object in my mouth. It turned to liquid and trickled down the warmth of my body. A cool sensation ruched through my head, giving me substantial clarity. I looked back to the people surrounding me, and saw the feature that had left me so unsettled. They had no faces.

    My shock only lasted a short time, however, because at that moment a strange blackness clocked itself over all of us like a veil. It then darkened itself until nothing could be seen. A tingling sensation engulfed my entirety, and then the darkness began to lift. When our sight was returned, I peered about at my reformed comrades. A horse stood on the far side of the tree, and next to was a wolf. To my left, a snake lie in a pile of massive coils, and above me was a few barn owls and half a dozen ravens. Each of us was completely black in color, except for the barn owls, whose faces and chests were marked dark brown. A raven opened its maw and called out what sounded to be "Bear! Bear!"

    The boy chuckled at that. "Indeed your right. He is a great bear indeed." Then he tilted his head back, and gazed up at me with a smile.