by Tom Hoffman
Chapter 25
The Timere Forest
Edmund’s vision blurred, his world went dark. He blindly stumbled into a gigantic tree trunk, grasping it with both hands so he wouldn’t fall. He leaned against the rough bark, his vision gradually returning.
“A2, what’s wrong?”
Edmund gave a low groan. “Ants. I didn’t know there would be ants here.”
“Not just ants. Huge ants. Twenty feet long and over four thousand pounds. Their mandibles can crush a scout ship. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve seen a battle between the red ants and the black ones. There were hundreds of them slaughtering each other. It was one of the most horrific things I’ve ever witnessed.”
With an odd whispery moan, Edmund the Rabbiton slithered down the side of the tree into a tangled pile of gleaming silver on the forest floor.
Five minutes later he woke up, Edmund the Explorer shaking his arm. “A2, wake up. It’s okay, I’ve been through the Timere Forest before. I know how to avoid the ants. We’ll be okay. Don’t forget, you’re indestructible. These ants can’t hurt you. You could take one out with a single punch to its head. They have a weak spot right under their tongue.”
Edmund sat up with a groan, his thoughts traveling back to the Swamp of Lost Things and his meeting with the Blue Spectre.
“You must face the transforming fires of life... it means you will be transformed by your earthly struggles, transformed by directly facing your deepest fears.”
This was what he was talking about. Ants. Everything had been leading him to this moment. The signs were clear now. The fear of ants, the doorway to Nirriim, the Blue Monks sending him here to relive this memory, and the story told to him by the Thirteenth Monk. He looked up at Edmund the Explorer, who was returning his gaze with a look of deep concern. It was almost the same look the Thirteenth Monk had given him. Edmund the Explorer was his first true friend, and Edmund would do anything to help him. They had to retrieve the time throttle, and to accomplish that Edmund must face the ants. Of his own free will he must walk directly into the fires of life.
“Sorry, I don’t know what happened. I was just surprised when you told me about the ants. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not as bad as it sounds, A2. Ants feel vibrations in the ground through their legs, and they smell with their antennae. If we walk slowly and quietly we won’t create strong enough vibrations for them to pick up, and you’re a Rabbiton so they can’t smell you. As for me, I have a clever little device called a scent magnet, made precisely for a situation like this.” He pulled out a small sphere on a chain that hung from his neck. “Scent is nothing more than molecules floating through the air that ants smell with their antennae. The scent magnet attracts all the scent molecules within a ten foot radius of me, so I have no scent for the ants to smell. We’ll be fine. Worst case, you punch him in the face and we’ll both run home like scared little bunnies.”
“Ha ha ha ha.”
“That’s more like it. Time to head out, my old friend. We’ll be fine, I promise.”
The two Edmunds stepped quietly into the Timere Forest. Edmund was feeling better. In some ways not knowing why he was afraid of ants was worse than actually facing the ants. He also realized he was reliving the memory that lay behind his fear of ants. He had survived this once before, even if he couldn’t remember it, and he would survive it again.
“We can talk, as long as we whisper. Our voices are vibrations of the air, but I’m not certain if ants can sense that.”
The two Edmunds strolled silently along the forest floor, and as the minutes and hours rolled by there was no sign of the ants. Edmund’s fear diminished enough that he found himself marveling at the beauty of the majestic trees. He looked up, the sight of them almost dizzying. He wondered what it would feel like to be so high up, then laughed. He had been that high many times in the Adventurer II. On his arrival to Nirriim he had fallen from an altitude of almost five miles. Maybe Edmund the Explorer was right, these ants couldn’t hurt him no matter how big they were. They were just ants and he was a Rabbiton, and not just an ordinary Rabbiton, but one with upgraded internal dynamics.
“Shhhh. Hear that rumbling noise? Get down between these trees and don’t move. I think we’re on an ant trail.” The Edmunds ducked out of sight in the dense brush between two gigantic trunks.
“They can’t fit between these trees. We’re safe here.”
The rumbling noise grew louder, gradually turning into an intense pounding. Edmund peered out, spotting a thick dust cloud moving towards them along the trail.
The ants were remarkably fast. Edmund’s jaw dropped at the sight of them as they thundered past, the ground shaking for hundreds of yards around them. They were black ants, at least eight feet tall and twenty feet long, racing along the trail in single file. Their passage stirred up thick clouds of dust and debris, safely concealing the two Edmunds. Edmund saw one of the ants carrying something in its mandibles, but the ant was traveling too fast for him to identify it, and truth be told, he didn’t really want to know what it was. It struck him that the ants were almost too big to be afraid of. It was like being scared of the sky or the earth. He also realized he didn’t have to fight them, he could simply hide where they couldn’t go.
Finally the last ant had passed. Edmund the Explorer whispered,“You did great, A2. I’m proud of you. Now you know what it feels like to be an ant in our world. Just find a good hiding place and wait till it’s safe to come out. Ready to go?”
Edmund was feeling much braver. “Strap and roll, rabs.”
Edmund the Explorer put his paw over his mouth to keep from laughing. “You might just be the funniest adventuring partner I’ve ever had, A2. There’s something about you, my friend. I can’t put my paw on it, but you are one of a kind. It was my lucky day when I plunked down those three credits and brought you home.”
“Ha ha ha ha! Three credits for a Rabbiton with upgraded internal dynamics and the optional Interworld Positioning System!” Edmund laughed at Edmund the Explorer’s joke, but he also beamed with delight at being called an adventuring partner. He could hear the wind rushing through the branches high overhead. It was a sound he hadn’t heard before, it was almost a melody, almost the ocean’s wordless song of incomparable beauty. Maybe the trees had their own song.
“Let’s head out, partner.”
The two Edmunds stepped back onto the trail heading northwest. Neither of them was in a very talkative mood, but Edmund could tell Edmund the Explorer enjoyed the forest as much as he did. A day later they found themselves passing a group of the gigantic trees that appeared to be growing in a huge circle. The trees were too close together for the ants to pass through.
“This looks like a safe place for us to spend the night. Looks like a natural defense barrier against the ants.”
Edmund slipped between two of the huge trunks and into the dense foliage beyond. He could hear Edmund the Explorer trailing behind him. Edmund pushed forward through the thick stand of trees and underbrush out into a broad clearing. In the center of the clearing lay a small lake, and standing on the edge of the lake was a single tree. It was not exceptionally large, but it was covered with eyes. Edmund froze like a silver statue in the middle of winter. He could not move. “Good heavens, it’s the Tree of Eyes.”
Edmund the Explorer broke through the thicket into the clearing.
“What in blazes is that? Are those eyes?”
Edmund couldn’t lie and he couldn’t reveal what he knew. What he didn’t know was how the Tree of Eyes could be in this world and in his world. “I think I heard it talking.” Edmund wondered how Edmund the Explorer would deal with the Tree’s immature pranks.
Edmund the Explorer gave a dubious look but said, “Well, I’ve seen stranger things than a talking tree.” He walked towards the Tree, but stopped short when the Tree began to speak.
“We are pleased to meet you, Edmund the Explorer. We have a mutual friend in Bruno Rabbit.”
Edmund�
�s eyes widened. “You know Bruno Rabbit?”
“When we were young we knew our creator as the Great Tree. When our depth of understanding had grown, he revealed to us his true name and the purpose of our creation. Using the Eleventh Ring, Bruno Rabbit created us from his own life force. The twelve worlds accessible through the World Doors all exist within the same physical space, each in a parallel dimension and invisible to the others. We are one tree which exists simultaneously in all twelve worlds, but the natural ebb and flow of time has caused us to age at a different rate in each world. We are far older and wiser in Nirriim than we are on Earth.”
“Why would Bruno create a tree covered with eyes?”
“We were created to experience the joy of our own self-awareness. It was Bruno Rabbit’s intention that we never experience loneliness, so he created us as many. As we grew older we came to realize we were many eyes, but we were one Tree. Being many was the illusion, being one was the reality hidden beneath this illusion, the order beneath the chaos.”
“You remind me of some friends of mine called the Blue Monks.”
“We are familiar with the Blue Monks. We have exchanged thought clouds with them for over thirteen hundred years.”
“You’re a shaper?”
There was a flash of light behind the two Edmunds. A complete campsite had blinked into existence, including a large tent, cooking facilities, and all manner of fresh foods and beverages.
“We are. Our skills mirror those of our creator. Please help yourself to whatever food you would like. There is also a feather bed waiting for you inside the tent.”
“Any chance you could teach Emma how to do that? It would sure help our grocery bill.” Edmund the Explorer grinned, stepping towards the heavily laden table.
The Tree of Eyes shifted its gaze to Edmund.
“You are the A2 Carrier Rabbiton purchased by Edmund the Explorer?”
“I am.” Edmund felt uncomfortable being the focus of a thousand eyes.
“Please approach us. We would speak with you.”
Edmund stepped nearer to the Tree.
“Closer, please.” Edmund drew closer still. The Tree’s leaves brushed against his silver metallic skin.
A dozen leafy tendrils unraveled from within the Tree and wrapped themselves around Edmund. The moment they touched him his fear vanished. He knew the Tree of Eyes would never hurt him. When the vines had ceased moving he heard the Tree’s voice in his head. There were many voices, all harmonizing as one.
“Edmund, the Thirteenth Monk has told us who you are and why you must relive this memory. We drew you and Edmund the Explorer to us with our thought clouds. Listen carefully to the two things we shall tell you. First, when you are in need of help, you must come to us. Do you understand this?”
“Yes. Why would I need help?”
“We cannot tell you this. You must experience the fires of life without any knowledge of the outcome. All we can tell you is a very complex and difficult transition is occurring.”
In me or in Edmund the Explorer?”
“It doesn’t matter. We are many, but one. All living creatures are many, but one. What happens to one happens to all. You may have heard this before, perhaps from your dear friends Bartholomew and Clara. Secondly, you must be aware of your actions and the effect they have on others. A single act of kindness can ripple across your world with a life of its own, across the fabric of space and time until it has altered beyond recognition the world you know. Treat all living creatures with kindness and respect. You must remind Edmund the Explorer of this when the time comes.”
The tendrils unraveled, withdrawing back into the tree. “In the morning you and Edmund the Explorer must leave for the Mountain of Klaatu. There is not much time left. The Anarkkian warrior is growing impatient.”
Edmund looked at the Tree curiously. “Why is the universe interested in anything I do? I am only a Rabbiton.”
“Have faith in the perfection of all things, Edmund the Rabbiton. We promise you the day will come when you clearly understand the purpose you have served.”
Chapter 26
Neilana
“Creekers, I feel like a new rabbit after a night in that big feather bed. I think I found my new favorite campsite. Ready to go meet an Anarkkian warrior?”
Edmund noticed Edmund the Explorer had a vape pistol strapped to his hip and the vaporizer rifle slung over his shoulder.
“Why are you carrying those weapons?”
“There’s a war going on, in case you hadn’t heard. The Thirteenth Monk said the Anarrkian would be well armed. I know the Blue Monks mean well, but sometimes a good vape gun is a great negotiating tool.”
“We should not be unnecessarily hasty in the choices we make.”
“You’re not turning into a Blue Monk, are you?” Edmund grinned. “All right, I promise you I won’t go in with my guns blazing. We’ll see what the Anarkkian has to say, though I suspect her heavy particle projector will do most of the talking.”
“Thank you.”
After bidding farewell to the Tree of Eyes, the two Edmunds slipped through the circle of trees, first peering up and down the ant trail. Edmund the Explorer put his ear to the ground and listened. “Nothing. Let’s head out.”
They traveled for another day and a half without running into any ants, although Edmund did spot some in the distance from the crest of a large hill. He could also see the Mountain of Klaatu.
“The Forest ends in a half mile or so. You did it, Edmund. You made it through the land of ants in one piece. You’re a brave one to face your fears like that. I’m not sure I would be able to make it through the land of spiders, if there was such a place.”
Edmund smiled, but his thoughts were now on the Anarkkian warrior and the uncertainty of what their meeting would bring.
A few miles after exiting the forest, Edmund the Explorer found a small cave where they could spend the night before heading up the mountain.
“It’s not a feather bed, but I guess it will have to do.”
Edmund grinned. “I will sit at the cave entrance and keep a watchful eye out for gigantic venomous spiders. Sleep well. Ha ha ha ha.”
Edmund the Explorer groaned. “You’re starting to sound like me. That’s even scarier than spiders. See you in the morning, my friend.”
The rising sun found Edmund the Explorer standing at the base of the mountain, his paw tapping the side of his glasses. He moved his gaze across the mountain.
“Got it. I found the ship’s signature, and there’s definitely a life form next to it. The Anarkkian is still there.” He took the vape rifle off his shoulder, then saw the look Edmund gave him. “Okay, fine.” He slung the rifle back on his shoulder and they headed up the rugged mountain trail.
“It’s not the steepest mountain I’ve ever seen, that’s for sure. Did I ever tell you about the time I had to climb a four thousand foot vertical rock face while being chased by deadly poisonous snow spiders?”
Edmund grinned. He suspected there was a certain amount of embellishment in the tales told by Edmund the Explorer. He didn’t mind though, that’s what made the stories interesting. “Great heavens, did you say deadly poisonous snow spiders??”
“Why do I suspect your unbounded amazement is not altogether sincere?”
“Ha ha ha ha!”
After three hours of climbing the rugged mountainside, Edmund the Explorer held up his paw for Edmund to remain still, then pointed over the tops of the trees. Edmund could see a section of the disabled Anarkkian scout ship gleaming in the afternoon sun. Edmund the Explorer signaled for Edmund to circle around to the left of the ship and he would take the right. Edmund nodded, creeping forward through the trees, staying as low as he could.
Edmund the Explorer moved stealthily around towards the right side of the ship, carefully avoiding any dry twigs or branches that might give him away. Several times he was forced to climb paw over paw up steep rock faces. He grinned as he was climbing, “Thank goodness there�
��s no deadly poisonous snow spiders chasing me.”
Almost an hour later he was peering at the Anarkkian ship through a dense grouping of trees. It didn’t look damaged, and it certainly hadn’t crashed. Maybe there had been a mechanical failure. The sight of the ship sparked a thought. “If the Anarkkian would be good enough to let us borrow her ship, we could use it to get back to the World Doors. Or even if she doesn’t let us.” He put his paw on the vape pistol hanging from his hip. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
A voice called out from near the ship. “You do know I’ve been watching you for the last hour with a botscanner, right? Your climbing skills are most impressive, by the way. ”
Edmund the Explorer cursed. Sometimes the new technologies took all the fun out of being an explorer. He hollered back to the Anarkkian, trying to sound as much as possible like an A6 Warrior. “We have you surrounded. You may as well hand over the time throttle right now.”
“Well, since I’m completely surrounded by a furry explorer and his little A2 Carrier Rabbiton I suppose I have no choice but to surrender. Oh, wait, I just remembered – I have a Model 14A Heavy Particle Beam Projector. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe it is quite capable of turning both of you into space dust.”
Edmund the Explorer gave a deep sigh. In his heart of hearts he knew he wasn’t much of a warrior. What he liked was exploring new lands and worlds and learning about the inhabitants. After many years he’d come to realize all lifeforms had far more similarities than differences. He also knew the Blue Monk was right – kindness resolved conflicts far more easily and quickly than a vape gun battle. “What happened to your ship?”
“Power core is gone. They don’t put spare CDETS in the scout ships.”
Edmund the Explorer knew what a CDETS was – a Cross Dimensional Energy Transfer Sphere. They were a source of unlimited power transferred from the tenth dimension. At least until they ceased functioning and were transformed into an astronomically expensive boat anchor. “That’s tough. Why haven’t your scaly little pals come to rescue you?”