Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) by Jonathan Michael (best ebook for manga txt) 📕

“You’re not dead.”

“Of course not.” She moves to jab me again, but I dodge it. A frown curls on her lips. “Why would I be dead?”

“I held your lifeless body in my arms. You were dead.” I know she was dead. I’m not dull. Her body was limp.

“At the crossing?” She ruffles her own hair, not making any visible difference in what was already unkempt and wild. “Didn’t you see the bark chrysalis form around me?”

“Yeah, what of it?” I shrug my shoulders.

“For Susy’s sake. Your knowledge of this world is like a child’s. What do they teach you at that Academy you went to? Are we going for that hunt, or what?”

“I…uh…I…” She’s right back at it. A near-death experience, and all she wants to do is jab and hunt.

“Never mind. I don’t want to hear whatever lame excuse you’re going to give me. What makes you so great, Goose, that you can’t spend some quality time with your favorite person?” She fakes a jab. I flinch. Then, she smiles and exits my hollow.

I walk to the doorway and watch her disappear into the tangle of organic catwalks. “You do,” I mutter to myself. “You make me great.” As do all the other inhabitants in this treetop village. And Stone and Jaymes. And Coloss. And my father. They all make me great. They have brought me here to this moment.

Despite the shock of her resurrection, a large smile presses into my cheeks. There is so much to learn. So much growth to be had. I cannot give up now. I must find Old Lady Windblown. I must get across that crossing.

With a surge of hope, I escape the gloom of my dark hollow and muster the courage to return to the Redcliffe Crossing and face Coloss yet again. Upon my arrival, the giant ape gives me his typical greeting, always trying to intimidate. But I’m insusceptible to his monkeyshines after all we’ve been through.

“Brilliant morning, isn’t it?” I speak to him through the conduit of my newfound Instincts. Though, I don’t know if I’m communicating what I think I am. It’s difficult to know when speaking to a beast. I’ll know soon enough, depending on his response.

He takes a step toward me and places one of his enormous hands on my shoulder, nearly knocking me to my knees. I know his intent is nothing more than a generous salutation, but he could go about it with a bit more finesse, if that’s possible for a beast of his mass.

“It’s time, my big, hairy friend. I’m ready to venture across the Redcliffe Crossing if you’ll allow it. Goose the Worthy has much to learn. What can you teach me?”

His fearsome, forest-green eyes are gentler today as he stares down on me.

“Your talents are limitless. Today is the day,” an unspoken voice states.

I look around for the old goat and his squirrel, but he is nowhere in sight. Was it Coloss? I’m still getting used to these Instincts.

Coloss, towering over me, gazes into the distant forest. I round on my heels to see the White Hart standing with grace and authority. It’s a hundred paces out in the underbrush, watching. Not so different from a startled blacktail, except this one is nearly impossible to take your eyes off. It makes a subtle dip with its head, only noticeable because the sizeable antlers shift with it. It’s almost as if it’s giving an approving nod.

I stare, mesmerized, for a long moment until a rhythmic thumping pulls me from my transfixed state. Coloss is at the base of his fig tree. His hand gripping the trunk and his feet beating on the ground. Another ape, a few branches overhead, joins in the rhythmic pattern. Then a few more join in, and a few more, until all of Coloss’ kin have the trunk in their palms, creating a captivating melody with their feet.

The ground beneath me rumbles softly, causing a light vibration that I feel in my core. Astounded as to what is taking place, I watch intently.

The calming vibration lasts as the siamangs serenade the forest. Eventually, after my fixation on the apes eludes me, I notice the tree branches are withdrawing. Each one gradually retreats into the trunk as if it were a turtle in danger. Whatever abnormal event is occurring right now, it’s unsettling, and I’m right in the middle of it. Then, enormous tree roots blast from the side of the cliff, easily spreading the distance of the ravine, and interlock with the roots on the far side. Every tiny root protruding from the granite wall becomes part of a massive structure that continues to climb and climb. A crossing forms, and a staircase evolves along the insurmountable wall.

I look back, admiring Coloss and company, and he offers a grunt of approval amidst the meditative croon of his feet. Why now, I wonder. Is it because I asked, rather than go it on my own, trying to force my way across? I may never know. I send him a nod of appreciation in return, then start on my journey to the top of the wall.

I feel guilty for having to leave the Redcliffe villagers so suddenly. Graytu, Fairview, and what of Helios? I cannot pass up the opportunity while I have it. That would just be plain stupid. Helios is in good company, and I will be able to return for him. Judging by the challenging climb forming ahead of me, I couldn’t foresee him keeping his feet anyhow. He’ll be fine here at Redcliffe.

And Graytu…he has been nothing other than a father to me during my stay. He would understand my sudden departure. After pondering it, I don’t feel so bad for Graytu. Today is the damned day, for Susy’s sake. He