The Wȳscan Tree

The tanned boy couldn’t breathe.

Why?

Because he got punched in the face by his commander.

The skinny boy grabbed his tunic, showing the blood drops that smudged the pale green shirt. With his handkerchief stuck in his nose, he tried to breathe through his mouth, though it stung a lot.

“Not my problem. You’re the one who got yourself into trouble.” She scoffed at his pathetic act of playing victim.

“By all means, you’re the one who punched-”

“That’s because you wouldn’t even shut THE HELL UP! Who in their right mind would ever ask someone the same question over and over again? That too, for three hours continuous!”

Bird chirping overtook the silence that echoed throughout the inside of the carriage.

They both sighed.

“Look, I shouldn’t have-”

“My problem is not-”

“WILL YOU SHUT UP? " They said it simultaneously before retreating into their comfortable seats.

The rustled leaves flew in the autumn breeze before falling and withering into dark brown shades. As the carriage moved on the muddy and rocky path, they couldn’t help but hide their discomfort. Daylight shone through their carriages, reflecting the blazing heat from the hilts of their swords and bracelets. The knight covered his eyes to protect himself from the cruel sun while shifting towards his left. He dragged his bag, ensuring the newly stitched patches didn’t tear. After inspecting it, he rested his head against the window and started gazing into the dark barks of the deciduous forest they were passing through. He faintly heard his horse’s neigh and the grumpy coach’s swearing at the falling leaves. He chuckled in his carefree world, whereas she clutched her golden pendant before addressing her brother.

“Can you believe it? Even though we have been separated since birth,” She spoke cautiously of the topic, which they both have been avoiding like plagues for the past couple of weeks.

She took a quick few breaths and started fidgeting with the ends of her oily braids whilst waiting for her brother to be banished from his delusion escapade. With no further reaction, she reluctantly continued her speech.

“We share the same thoughts, and idiotic ideas and even finish each other’s sentences. We are becoming just like the twins from The Tales!" She looked up from her intricate heavily embroidered silk garment waiting for him to smile back at her. He hummed back at her without casting a look at her.

At least it’s somewhat of a response.

“Well, then we should talk about your co-”

“Do you think she will give us the answers to our dilemma?” He finally spoke with a hint of curiosity. She swiftly moved to his right and placed his hands in hers.

“Of course! She has to. It’s her duty to guide us safely on our path, our destiny.” She happily cleared out his doubt. She swiftly moved towards his right and placed his hands in hers.

“I understand that she’s been an integral part of our family since the last….what? 100 years?” He waved his hands away while he rolled his eyes at the most unbelievable truth.

“So?” Her voice echoed loud enough for the boy to roll his eyes at her.

“So? Isn’t she human? She is supposed to be the priest of this hidden cathedral in the middle of this forest, where we have been stuck for the past four hours. Right?” He clearly meant a sarcastic jab at her.

“If I were to say, it’s pretty close to what she is supposed to be and our situation.” She clearly didn’t understand.

“Right! If she knows the urgency of our…..problem, shouldn’t she let us into the forest by now?” His anger unwrapped its claws on his mind, poisoning him with such cruel doubts.

“It doesn’t work that way, she prioritizes the utmost imp-” She was cut off by her knight’s outrage.

“Yes! Isn’t our problem of THE utmost importance that you couldn’t even enter the forest before finding out the truth that you had a brother who’s now supposed to be…..to be….” The claws had sunken deep within his heart, and he could feel the dreadful future he would lead right after today.

The commander looked out while the sister trembled from within, knowing that fate was awaiting them and would finally decide the outcome for their ‘beloved’ kingdom.

But not trying is far worse than not succeeding.

“You may be in the worst situation, but don’t you dare to think that you’re alone in this.” She took her brother’s face in her hands and turned him towards herself.

“We may share the same bloodline…but our shared love for our motherland is what brought us together; along with Pili, Waris and Edna.” He looked at her and pulled her hands away.

He spat in her face.

She didn’t flinch when the spit landed. Not because it didn’t sting, but because she knew it came from a place even he didn’t want to look at.

“Patriotism is something that comes from my heart, but you guys don’t have that or even want that! YOU wanted glory, to be written down and remembered for their greatness. While Pili wanted to stand out and be better than her married elder sister. Waris needed to get the honor to get his father’s approval and his freaking title. As for Edna- "

“Edna is Edna,” She completed his rant after wiping her face clean.

“Yeah, that should suffice it…” He slouched back in his seat to recall all the harsh truth that he spouted-

“Well, I agree that we were a bit of hypocrites who joined the army for our own greed,” She went on her knees and placed her head before him.

At that, he flashed his golden eyes at her in shock as she hated being called ‘names’ or even bowing to someone who was lower than her ego.

“What on the goddess Gloria…WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THE FLOOR!” His pupil dilated at the sight that had happened for the first time in his life: his commander kneeling for him.

“If I may,” She asked for silence before continuing.” Then, you were the youngest of us and, for the most part, the most rational and responsive. Your insight towards the situation made us reflect on our poor choice-ES S-” She lunged towards her soldier’s kneecaps while the carriage went over a bump.

“But, if it wasn’t for you… then none of us would have changed for the better,” She brought her hands together, folding them.

“Look at Waris,” She gave an example. “Before he used to boast about his status like it was gold and never dared to mingle with others if it wasn’t for gaining something. Now he’s providing and organizing free voluntary service to the orphanages when he should be spending his weekend with his fiancé. Similarly, Pili used to bully others by projecting her insecurities onto them, but since then she has been seeking help whilst trying to undo every damage she inflicted whenever she got the chance to. "

“While Edna is Edna,” He scoffed at the Gothic nun who decided to commit warfare crimes rather than preach about God. To be fair, her medical education was what deemed her an esteemed, valuable team member. Or else they all would have been six feet below ground.

“And you made me to under-STAND-” The carriage bumped up and down, causing her to fall and hit her head on the floor.

They both laughed.

“Alright, enough of that formal apology.” He chuckled while extending his hand towards her.

She shook her head.

“You, of all people, should realize how much of a pure, kind-warmhearted your soul is.” She climbed over the seat to grab her weapon.

“You proved your right by preventing a full-on-scale launch of the civil war by providing a favourable negotiation,” She stopped to unsheathe her broad sword, revealing its intricate golden designs and its distinct bonding pattern along with trailing scratch marks on its double-edge blade. The blade narrows slightly towards the sharp point and has a fuller to make it lighter and more flexible without losing any strength. It was topped off with sapphire gems on the hilt.

She lifted her head while mustering up the courage to reveal the truth.

“You made us realize that there is a way for tranquillity without spreading seeds of violence or requiring the needs of ANY weapons. From here onward, my blade shall be yours. It will slaughter every enemy that threatens our peace and lives. I shall become your blade that protects the innocent whilst mercilessly ending tyrants’ lives.”

She bowed her head down while extending her sword towards her brother.

“You’re becoming more ridiculous, sister. Aren’t you like 3 minutes older than me and the crown prince-” But she cut him off.

“A princess can never become the ruler of the kingdom. She can only become a wife of one.”

Though this universal truth long reigned before her birth, the truth would be such a burden to carry on all the royal women’s shoulders for the entirety of their lives. Each time she spoke out the words, it left an unbearable ache in her throat. Waking up each day, getting reminded of what she has to do as her role in the society. No matter how she does her work, she will always be judged upon and frowned upon because she is a woman. The stored-up emotions finally broke free through her volte-face.

But, her brother was still not able to comprehend why her gender barred her from being considered as the candidate next in line of the hierarchy.

Every spar they had, she was always the last one standing.

In every race they had, she always came first.

Every exam they had, she would get centum.

She even has a room filled with gold of various shapes and sizes, each with her name and title ‘Victor’ engraved with delicate handwriting in silver.

If she had shed her blood every month to prove her capabilities to life itself, then why hasn’t life given her the title that she deserves?

Because she was born of the wrong sex.

He still couldn’t understand the nonsense over the reason their ‘father’ gave.

“A crazy world we live in. We preach about equality, but in hindsight, there are higher status within the sex itself. We talk about worthiness, yet we check who came first.” Her blood-red eyes smiled at the reply, which could land him a few years in prison if the aristocrats were ever to hear about it.

“And that’s why I chose you-”

“— Because I agree with your opinion every time, and you are the riGhtEous commander.”

“Now, knight me. Your Highness.” She regained her previous posture with her blade in her hands.

“How? I don’t even know-” His giggles came to a stop when he saw what gently came down.

“Look at the blade.” The cautious commander whispered, at which he rolled his eyes at the obvious sight.

A golden leaf laid bare on the cold iron metal while the carriage halted.

They have finally reached the entrance of the cathedral.

Without wasting any further time, they launched themselves out of the carriage, dragging their belongings behind whilst gently cupping the leaf in the commander’s hand. Their lungs brimmed with a surge of adrenaline as their eyes locked onto the Wȳscan Tree—the myth among all fairy tales.

The tree who never shed green, as for those who shall always leave a lingering spectacle in their awake. It remembers all who pass beneath it — and ensures they are never forgotten.

The twins' eye couldn’t blink their tears away at the ginormous trunk with golden apples dangling down, eagerly encouraging their hunger to get the best out of them.

“Are you seeing what I am seeing?” The brother whispered to his amazed sister.

Before she could answer, the leaf flew from her hands towards the tree leaving them both in unending reveries.

Gliding, guiding them midst the glimpses of the falls faded into the ethereal escapade.

They both nodded before walking forward, holding hands.

“Once your problems and doubts are considered a need for time, a gold-leaf ticket will be delivered to you. Therefore, the Paradise gates finally opened for you.”

She repeated the lines of the story her lovely yet strict nanny Bella Rigida once told her as a bedtime story. Who knew it would be so useful to the now-adult?

“I am sensing an upcoming ‘but’.” He turned for confirmation, to which she rolled her eyes back at him.

“But before entering the newly blessed world, you must show the purity of your soul and the real desire of your heart to the Wȳscan Guardian. To pass the test, you must make your statement about why you are here to the guardian, sincerely.”

She gulped at the sight of the Guardian.

“And I assume that’s the so-called guardian.” He asked for confirmation, to which she silently nodded.

“He doesn’t look that bad.” He made hand-shift binoculars, bending a bit forward for a better glimpse of the approaching invisible guardian.

“Although… the name ‘Keeper‘ is better suiting than the former one, get it—”

“No, you idiot. On the tree.” She passive-aggressively pulled his so called ‘binoculars’ on the tree.

The Keeper was a hundred-headed serpentine dragon that entwined around the huge Wȳscan tree. His scales glimmered like polished bronze in the setting sun’s rays, and his head had eyes of different colours. One of them didn’t even have eyes. Each head oozed a different sense of eerie emotions. One of pride, the other of taunt, while the others were shifting around sensing the newcomers into their territory.

“Once you get approval, you must bite the golden apples of the tree. Then you should give the guardian a seed of your—”

“Which seed by the way?” He questioned it while looking dead-straight at the threat in front. At once, he heard a hundred hisses in his direction.

She widened her eyes to keep his mouth close before proceeding the final lines.

“If he vomits after eating it, then your soul is tried from the wrong world. You will be eliminated on the spot and transported to the world you belong to. If not, he will become your guide and lead you to the celestial ho—”

“HEY!” The uproar from the coach startled the twins from their world.

Donned in a simple blue frilly shirt and loose pants, he furiously dabbed his sweats down his bald head with his pink-white checkered handkerchief. A man in his forties, weathered and sharp-eyed, he clung tight to the reins of his two black and white polka dots horses.

“Aren’t you both forgetting something?” He barked, narrowing his calculative eyes down on the well-dressed girl who was rummaging into her own bag for the fee, as for the boy…

Well, he was in fact broke.

“We have a problem.” She mumbled in defeat.

Her face darkened as sweat began to pile up under the unimaginable tension.

Of all the things the twins didn’t have, it had to be money. It was a well-known fact that… you get beaten up if you don’t pay up.

Or so her maids had warned her.

“What should we do?” Her hands trembled over the leaf, eyeing her brother for help. Her face grimed with a dark impression of her chaotic mind rummaging through the future confrontations possibilities.

“Well, since this is your first time outside your ‘bubble’. Let this be your first lesson.” He reassures her, patting her shoulder aside to deal with the matter.

“Why! Good sir, it is in your hands!” He displayed his deadliest skill of all — his hazardous smile.

The coach blinked. “The reins?” he asked, wary.

“No, but you’re close.” The girl glanced at him, now doubting where this was going.

“… the horses?” At that, he burst out clapping at the coach, who was momentarily getting annoyed per second.

“That’s right! Two magnificent—no—the finest breeds of Glen-horse!” he announced, marching proudly toward the confused animals. “Famous for their natural ambling gait—smoother than any old trot!”

He gestured dramatically, presenting them as if unveiling royal treasures.

“Graceful, slender frames! And don’t forget—gentle, intelligent, obedient creatures who thrive on friendship and love!”

He leaned in and squished one of their faces fondly, stretching its lips into a smile to show off its neat, whitish teeth.

“See? Perfectly aligned! Polished by the Hector themselves!”

The girl lifted her hand but forgot what she was about to say.

“NOW! NOT ONLY THAT—”

“Kid!” The coach cut him off, wiping sweat from his bald head with a checkered pink-white handkerchief. “I didn’t come here to listen to your salesman talks, which is splendid. Good for you, I might as well add. Whatever, the point is—”

“BUT THAT’S YOUR PAYMENT! THE HORSES—” he insisted, dramatically gesturing at the steeds.

“What payment? I got paid long back, at the palace.”

Dead silence.

The twins shared an unspoken hatred for their butler, Mister Burness, for never ever informing them ahead of time. Even forgot to mention a few messages.

Like that time when their Father asked them to deliver a blow.

A blow to their enemies.

Stuff like that.

I mean, who could ever blame the 98-year-old man?

Death is taking its time with the old fellow.

The coach looked him dead in the eye.

“Don’t tell me you forgot the—”

“That’s what the orb was for!” The girl interrupted, pulling out a glowing cyan glass sphere from her bag. She tossed it with great accuracy towards the coach, having been closer to the carriage during the talk.

The boy eye’s widened but soon masked his shock upon the silent glances from his commander.

With in shifting gazes the commander soon wore another one of her facial masks.

Though they have spent the last 2 years together, the boy couldn’t shake off the nasty itch at his neck, while his commander’s smile twitched, as if almost slipping her grip on her mask.

The man caught it with both hands, blinking down at the soft glow.

“That’s it? This tiny ball will get me back home?” The coach double-checked the sphere for any cracks.

“Yup! All you have to do is think of the place where you feel at home the most.” She mimicked the action with her hands.

“Once it appears, smash the orb between your palms and let the magic work its way through!”

The coach stared at the orb.

Then back at them.

Then at the orb again.

“… You-you sure this isn’t going to send me…. Well…. To the bottom of the sea?”

The boy shrugged. “Only if your heart lives there.”

He returned his crooked smile to both of them who had the unfortunate circumstances of being within the five-meter radius of his distasteful mere presence.

“What??” He crossed his arms upon the glares.

“You trying to curse me, boy?” The tired man once again glanced down at the glowing orb like it might bite him.

“Don’t be dramatic. If it was cursed, it would’ve turned black by now.” The boy scoffed at the accusation.

The girl snorted behind her hand.

“Comforting,” the coach muttered dryly, holding it up to the light just in case.

The orb glimmered a tranquil cyan, pulsing gently like a heartbeat.

“Looks stable,” the boy said as if he were an expert.

“Worst case scenario? You end up in your ex-wife’s garden.” The girl tried to ease up the discomfort made by the salesman, but alas, he couldn’t control his tongue just like his pants.

“You take that back, boy.” The coach was dead serious.

“Mister, I’d rather go to the bottom of the sea.” He declared.

Silence echoed louder than those hissing in the background.

Impending dangers of ignoring the—

“Whatever. Let’s get this over with.”

The coach’s hands glowed with bright amber, the hustle, and bustle of men’s evening with the women serving drinks and customer services. A prominent sweet melody was belted in the background, drawing the attention of all the people, including the duo.

“My sweet Carolyn! HERE COME YOUR-”

He couldn’t finish his dialogue.

Why?

The orb didn’t burst in his palms.

Instead, it erupted into a swirling void of amber sparks—a bright, black maw pulsing with rhythmic flares, alive with crackling energy.

Within a split second, it swallowed the whole man into its domain.

Leaving behind only….

The……

……… Pink-white checkered handkerchief.

The girl picked up the dropped orb from the ground along with the handkerchief.

“May your voice heal in time for your festering hunger for justice, Carolyn.” She mumbled a silent prayer, the orb clasped within her hands. The honest solider finally let his lungs breathe in, chest thumping in sync once again after his commander’s mask came off.

It's not a small feat hiding your true feelings against a criminal like…that…

“Did you really had to go to that extent?” Commander’s eyes sharp at the boy solider, mouth holding back her fierce, bloody tongue.

“Yes, commander. I understand my feelings would have caused unwanted variations to the plan.” As robotic as it may sound, this explanation seems to be the only appropriate thing to say other than cursing the bastard for taking away a young girl’s innocence.

Sensing her brother’s demons trying once again to rip his pure heart out, she pulled him in an embrace. His sister always knew of how his heart went out of its way for the young innocent children and youths alike.

No wonder, he’s the great fit as an heir for the people.

All she ever knew was the atrociousness, gaucheness of battle contingency planning for upcoming hypothetical wars, set by her strategic plans tutors.

Warmth like the sun…

You look so pretty my radiance… Nevian… It has been a long time since she got any letters from her childhood friend. Time wore down the memory like wind on stone, but his name still clung to the walls of her heart like moss after rain. It’s also no wonder she gets reminded of that meek white hair boy, whenever she was alone with her brother, his shadow curling in the corners of the room—soft, familiar, and quietly watching.

It's getting harder to differentiate them from each other’s hearts.

“Exploitation and scamming. That’s the only charges he will—” She didn’t get to finish.

Her knees hit the dirt, air knocked from her lungs, stunned by her brother’s sudden, furious shove. Her face fell flat on the ground, still processing his sudden action.

“Those charges will be…” His voice drowned in the tears, streaming down off his hidden pain.

“Yes… What more could he have done to his niece? That’s... all I could come up with.” She dusted herself off, getting up to meet her brother’s gleaming auburn bright iris only to be pushed again.

Harder this time.

“You never know.” His voice was low. Ragged. “And you… you’re still more privileged than most girls.” A bitter laugh scraped from his throat. “Probably even more than those polished aristocrat brats.”

He turned away, limping toward the carriage. The horses—spooked and trembling—twitched as he gently unhooked their bridles, muttering something too soft for her to hear.

Without turning his back, his spooked sister followed behind, trying to unravel the mystery behind those tears.

Whatever he had seen... whatever truth he carried...

It was devouring him from the inside out.