At the Edge of the World | Beckoned by the Ancient Trees

Progress up the path was slow. Only Arthur, Sayane, and Shinji seemed unbothered by the neverending steps that were smoothed from age and covered in moss. Hazuki and Matsumoto moved cautiously to control their footing. Naoe’s body was still weak. Several times the six of them supported one another, with Arthur and Sayane consistently lending their young, healthy bodies for aid.

The propagation vial had been tied to Naoe's hip and seemed to be enough. She was not in pain even after being this far from the grove.

Trees were now so dense around them, that the very air seemed heavier and more damp. What little light was left from the overcast sky was further blotted out by the comprehensive canopy of leaves and branches above them. Through it all, Hazuki’s hand never left Naoe’s.

Long lost relics of centuries passed lined the pathway. Trunks clumped together with such ferocity that the outside world vanished. Sweat clung to cloth and dripped from skin as the pilgrims continued their quest.

History and civilization faded. If not for their modern clothing, Hazuki wasn’t sure he would have been able to know what period they were in anymore. Thousands of steps later, they reached the top. Tingling dread along Hazuki’s neck told him he already knew the destination, and once he reached the peak, he was right. Before him was the largest tree he had ever seen. It was even larger than his nightmare.

At the base was the opening where the path stopped. Three of the vans could have easily driven under the opening which fed into a hollowed space where a single lantern waited. A flame was already lit inside the lantern. Someone was waiting for them. Arthur and Sayane helped the others reach the plateau, wherein every one of them, even Shinji, let out quiet gasps of awe and trepidation.

“Guji? Are you here?” asked Shinji as he stepped towards the tree.

Above them, the sky became even darker. Hazuki felt a tremble in his leg as his spirit sensed some sort of force surrounding them. Naoe and Shinji seemed to feel it as well. Gusting winds passed through them and shook the six’s footing. A voice that sounded both near and far spoke from within the tree.

“We have been waiting for you, Naoe. Caretaker of the Ume.” boomed the voice in the wind.

Sayane let out a quiet shriek as Arthur pulled her close. Matsumoto’s mouth dropped in awe. Shinji did not move, but inhaled deeply and grounded his feet. Naoe’s sweating hand clasped tightly against Hazuki’s.

Roots cracked and snapped. Branches bent and began to move. The tree itself seemed to rise slightly as though stretching from a long nap. From inside the hollowed opening, a single old man stepped out in tattered, moss-covered vestments. Leaves spun around him independent of the wind’s influence. Shinji bowed. The priest’s presence did not feel malicious, merely powerful and ancient. He spoke again and his voice echoed once more.

“Minenami Shinji. Why are you here?” asked the priest as the tree bent towards Shinji with deafening creaks.

Matsumoto and Sayane could not help but cover their ears. Arthur's eyes were wide with fear. Even though it was the priest speaking, the voices seemed to come from within the tree.

“Guji, I am in need of your wisdom. I am here on behalf of this girl, Naoe. Long has she been caretaker of the Ume. Now, her spirit is broken and depleted. How may we save her and free her from this burden?” asked Shinji.

Guji’s white eyes locked onto Naoe, who flinched instinctively but then held her footing.

“To be Caretaker of the Ume is not a burden. It is because of her decision she is weakened. It was never her burden to bear alone,” said one hundred voices at once.

“I’m sorry. No one or nothing ever told me what to do!” pleaded Naoe.

“Did you not eventually learn the truth on your own?” asked Guji.

“I was always alone! By the time I realized I was supposed to transfer the burden, it had been generations! By then, I had known more loneliness than any life was meant to! I never wanted another to experience that! Why did no one come to help me or explain what I was?!” shouted Naoe in defiance.

“DOES A TEACHER TELL A SAPLING HOW TO GROW? DOES A HAND GUIDE A SEED IN THE SOIL? NATURE EXISTS TO FIND ITS OWN WAY!” boomed the voices from the tree.

Naoe pulled back slightly, and Hazuki was there to hold her in place.

"You wanted me to be the caretaker for the plum grove, but who was supposed to care for me?!" Naoe screamed in a heartbroken challenge.

Hazuki joined Naoe in questioning.

“Why is Naoe like this? Why is she the caretaker? Why her?!” Hazuki shouted.

Guji stepped towards her in curiosity.

“You have forgotten who you once were?” the voices asked in a neutral tone.

Naoe nodded and bowed.

“I don’t know if I forgot. I think I buried it because it was too hard to remember…” she admitted.

Guji nodded. Roots snapped from the earth beneath her feet and raised before her like vipers. The familiar image terrified both Naoe and Hazuki. Naoe recoiled in shock and let out a cry of fear.

“Naoe!!” shouted Hazuki as he jumped forward to grab her in panic.

“These are not to hurt her, brash boy,” said Guji.

“I can unblock those memories so that you may understand your story. But I will not replant them in the deep soils of your psyche. Once you remember, you must keep them in your mind,” Guji warned.

Hazuki and Naoe hesitated and looked at one another as the roots hovered before her in waiting. Naoe felt Hazuki's hands on her waist and arm. His scent was stronger now as it mixed in with the perspiration and soil.

“I… I want to remember who I am. But I want Hazuki to know me as well, if possible,” said Naoe.

Hazuki nodded his head in agreement and did not release her from his protective embrace.

“Very well,” said Guji as Naoe’s fingers pressed against Hazuki’s back and pulled him closer.

Roots slowly wrapped around them but did not squeeze. Currents of radiating static emanated from their dirt-covered tendrils. Around and around they went, tying Hazuki and Naoe together until finally a single root touched Naoe’s head between her eyes. Just as she grimaced in pain, another root touched Hazuki’s head and everything burned away.