The Last Tree

Chapter five

Adam wakes to the aches in his body. He lost consciousness when he got to far from his tree. It scares him that he only has a few days unless he gets around more of the stones. The van jerks and makes him cough, he hides the blood on his hands.

“Finally awake Adam?” Eric looks back with a frown. He looks almost concerned, “why do you look like you are on deaths door?”

“I have no idea what you mean.” Adam looks away stubbornly. “Where are we?” He looks out side the window but all he sees is desert.

“We’re about a day’s drive from the capital. Soon you will meet the Emperor. We heard back from the capital and his highness is really excited to see you.” Ethan grinned back through the rear view mirror.

“I thought it took almost three months to get there from tree haven city.” Adam looked at them confused.

“Ah, you’re probably thinking by horse. Automobile vehicles do not need to stop and rest like them. All you need is a full tank of gas and two people to drive and you only need three days.” Adam paled he’s been unconscious for two days? That’s not good. Shakily he takes deep calming breath like brother squid taught him. He clutched at his chest, he only had one more day left until he would die without another stones magic. And that would only be a temporary fix because it was not his tree’s stone. He would only last for seven months after that. His chest burned from the shard searching for familiar magic. He shudders to think about the pain he will be in when his life ends. If it hurts him so much now how much more will it later when it burns him from the inside out. Humans were not made to keep the stones within them. That is what the trees are for. He and brother squid had only lived so long because of the trees, brother squid would live longer away because the stone changed him to better live with it. Plus it is not a shard but an actual stone. It use to be in a tree. Adam’s was not made to be away from his tree.

“Wow we humans make such amazing things, why isn’t it what everyone else has?” Adam squints at the bright sun.

“Most people can’t afford it. Before his highness took all of the stones it was more wide spread. But because of the drought people just try to survive now.” Eric sounds almost melodic, “but once he has all the stones, the planet will flourish again.” He grins while looking back but then frowns again with how pale Adam is. “What is wrong? First you faint now you have blood on your mouth. You should be pretty much immortal with a stone inside you.”

“Let me go and maybe I’ll tell you.” He snarks back before coughing up more blood and leaning back tiredly. “What ever happens to me will happen. Just know that if I die there will be nowhere for you to run.” He closes his eyes in pain as the burning intensifies before he hears the sobs from the stones. The constant whimpers, they cannot speak with out a vessel though. But they always reach out for the sister trees. Hoping for brother squid to come save them. The pain begins to ease slowly as we get closer. It will only go away though if he goes back to his tree. He wonders how much it has grown the the days he’s been gone. The stones recognize him and send their power. He sucks in a ragged breath, it feels like the first breath he’s had in days. As the day wares on he see’s scattered trees barely clinging to life. They look sick like they are plagued by unhealthy magic. The stones aren’t happy here so they do not send their love out to a forest that will just get cut down. They pass loggers on the road. The tree’s are depressed, the bird no longer roost or nest in them. He does not see any squirrels or small animals that live in them. He does not see any deer or other wildlife roaming in them. Does not see any horses or rhinos grazing in the grass covered fields. Or lakes or rivers that have not ran dry. Where is nature in this man made world. The trees barely even hang on and the grass has long since dried.

The day pasted smoothly as we drove finally reaching the city. It was huge, so many people here. Everyone just packed together, bunching up then dispersing. How particular they act like the fish in the lakes and streams at home. They parted way as the car head towards the Emperor’s palace.

The stones cry constantly, they pity me, they never wished for me to be here. I comfort them that brother squid is coming for us. I feel their fleeting hope as I get closer and closer to them.

“We’re almost there,” Ethan scanned the street for the entrance. “Only a few more minutes.”