The Hummingbird

THE HUMMINGBIRD.

PROLOGUE.

A little hummingbird zoomed by the leaves and flower buds. Her ruffled black feathers panted with urgency. A small sound of disapproval squeaked out of her beak.

Indigo, was the guardian of speed. Being a guardian was no easy task. It required you to attend meetings in your position of the Grand Council. You represented and enlightened your realm. And most dangerous of all, you had to face Garloi. A creature with no mercy and remorse.

Despite that, it was very knowledgeable and gave advice and predicted future. Of course, that is if he was full and did not want to eat again. Approaching him, without proper gifts- he would eat you up. He was able to communicate with the sun-rays, whisper to the wind, and hear the shouting of the river currents. His ear were very keen and could understand the ancient languages spoken by Nature.

However, he was the last of his kind.

He took a particular fondness for Indigo, he admired her feisty and stubborn spirit.

Indigo now needed to meet him, for she caught herself in an astonishing incident and needed Garloi’s wisdom and translating skills.

Flying past the tall towering skyscraper trees, quieting the woodland critters with her sudden appearance. They were confused and worried when they noticed where she was heading.

Indigo, however, kept her head up and ignored the chatters of the concerned creatures. Indigo flew in angles and felt her wings starting to ache.

To her relief, she spotted the Jaspon Waterfall. It’s green water rushed in the sharp treacherous rocks. It’s noise of cascading water was soothing but also a warning of the brutality to come.

It was called the Jaspon River and Waterfall because its water belonged to Jaspon, human-like creatures that embodied the water. They had the ability to change form to water. And if you dared to enter the water without permission, the Jaspon would drown you. Jaspon, however, were too young to know speak River’s Nature language, they could understand its pleas and needs but could not hear its secrets.

Indigo paid no mind to the playing Jaspon men and women, she zapped past them, to the big hut that belonged to Garloi. She spotted the open window with her beady eyes and raced in.

The cobblestone walls were covered with vines and moss hiding the cottage away with camouflage. The tree branches were tied into a roof, blocks of wood placed to make walls. A wide wooden door curved and round. The wood, a humble oak a sign of wisdom and care.

Torches surrounded the house, lighting it away and warding off pests. Both humans and insects.

The fire was special, Filia’s fire. With quick rash menacingly blue flames. With cackling heat the same heat as the surface of the sun. Created by mountain’s thoughts, Filia the first daughter of Earth shaped it.

The story goes, that Filia asked her mother for a gift. Mother Earth opened herself and rose a tunnel for her daughter to travel and collect Mountain’s thoughts to transform it as fire. The blue flames forever called Filia’s fire.

“Indigo?” A dark raspy voice asked. “Whatever are you doing here, my hummingbird friend?” It asked. Indigo steadied herself on the windowsill panting and catching her breathe.

“Garloi.” Indigo began. Coming out of the shadows, a creature appeared. With whisky white hair in his beard. His pale purple skin toned into rough edges and a tough hide. His long tangled white hair raveled.

His tall height prides himself. With sharpened teeth a shined cream. Horns decorating his head. All curved into green horns. Scales and bumps railed in his cheeks and face. His energetic green eyes shallow.

“Terrible news. The grove of Arbor Cortice spoke to me.”

Garloi rose an eyebrow, “Arbor does not speak to anyone, Indigo. It is stubborn. Besides it speaks the Tree language of Nature. You could not understand it,” He insisted.

Indigo shook her small head, “No, it did. Besides, Arbor is cunning but powerful. I was resting by its grove and I heard it. A whisper. Old and mysterious.”

Garloi gave Indigo an intrigued look, “But for Arbor to speak New is, well, impossible. It would have to learn the language and bend its voice to speak! That is out of the question!” Garloi exclaimed sitting down in a sallow yellow couch.

Indigo shrugged, “I know, but what’s worse. Is what it said to me, Arbor is mischievous but wise. An uncommon combination, it speaks in riddles and is older than most ancient creatures.” Indigo argued.

“Well, Arbor was Mother’s favorite. Oh, how she adored her little son. Gave life like her. It is not rare for Mother to send messages to Arbor. Perhaps, she is communicating to us by him. Ever since, her sleep, she has been,” Garloi moved his hands, “unpredictable. I haven’t heard from her since the Ancient Times.”

Indigo nodded, Mother Earth had many children including Garloi, and his triplet brothers. She bore Arbor and the first Japon. Her husband was Father Sky, but she had affairs with Water and Darkness.

“Arbor said, ‘Two shall be chosen, not from the hidden world but from the world with modern life. A daughter of Mother Earth, A son of Water. Together they shall overcome the frightful brother. A mother’s sleep slowly to be awoken, and a shadow rising out of darkness. Chosen and destined.’ I was frightened and I came to you. Could you speak to Arbor for more? This sounds dire.”

Garloi stared intently at the window, “I have an understanding of what it could mean, however, this is the sound of prophecy, the voice of an oracle. It must not be revealed but followed.”

Garloi turned to Indigo, “My friend, you must find the two chosen, from the world beyond the trees, this prophecy suggests you to scout them.”

“Yes. But, Garloi, is the prophecy suggesting the awake of your mother? Mother Earth has been in her slumber since eons! And the brother, who could that be?”

Garloi’s face turned grim. “My older brother, a son of Earth and Darkness. Let’s hope it is not him.”

“Go, Indigo. The search for the chosen must begin immediately. I will inform the Council of Guardians on your behalf.” He said.

Indigo bowed her fragile head, “Scarce times await us, Garloi. My search will be long. Pray, I succeeded in finding the chosen.”

Galoi bowed his head, “Until Aurora’s rise.”

Indigo ruffled her feathers as she launched herself out of the window, piloting herself. She flew above the canopy of the trees, her beady dark eyes hovering below searching to reach the outer world.

“I hope what happens next is good for the chosen.” She muttered to herself as the wind propelled her being.