The PureLights of Ohm Totem

by Brandon Ellis

  “Are you going to come out? We've been looking all over for you two. You had us all a little frantic and worried.” A gentle smile appeared on his face, half-hidden by his trunk, and the orange crystal glistened on his forehead.

  “The elephant’s talking!” screamed Coda, not taking his eyes off of it.

  Zoey shrieked. Not because of the elephant this time, but because her arm pointing at the elephant was no longer an arm. It was a wing! It was white and black, with all sorts of brown colors mixed in. Her arm was a wing!

  Coda? She looked desperately at Coda, wondering if he could see her wing, as well. But, the moment she saw him she forgot all about herself.

  Her brother, the small and skinny young man with brown hair, blue eyes, and buck teeth was now a large black panther with a beautiful red oval crystal glowing on his forehead, with another one on his chest. It looked like the same panther she'd seen licking him earlier.

  Before she could utter another sound, the long trunk of the elephant grabbed Coda by the scruff of the back of his neck, and pulled him out of the blackberry bushes.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” yelled Coda, as he was lifted over the elephant's shoulder and set upon its back.

  “Ouch,” said the elephant. “Watch those claws.”

  Without a moment's hesitation, the elephant stretched his trunk back into the blackberry tunnel and wrapped it around Zoey's little body. She struggled to move, but the elephant's grip was tight, but yet, like his voice, very gentle. In a matter of seconds, she went from inside the tunnel to over the elephant's head and onto his back.

  She perched on the elephant's back in shock. Her body trembled as the elephant turned on his haunches and started walking at a quick pace.

  “Zoey! Hey! Zoey!” echoed her brother's voice in the back of her confused mind.

  What’s happening? She stretched her wings, examining them. Her eyes widened and she tucked them back into her side as quickly as possible. She felt gross being something else. I'm dreaming. I have to be dreaming.

  She tried to pinch herself on the cheek, expecting to feel fingers, but instead, she felt soft feathers.

  “Zoey!” called Coda's voice again.

  Zoey shook her head and did her best to concentrate. She wasn't dreaming. Her body was slightly tilting to one side for a moment, then to the next side, over and over again, in tandem with the elephant's long strides. What's happening?

  “Zoey?” asked her frantic brother. “Where are we?”

  Zoey looked at him. There he was, a large black panther standing on the elephant's back like a terrified kitten with eyes as wide as saucers. His claws were fastened to the elephant, making sure he wouldn't fall. Her brother's mouth moved. “Why are you a bird?” Coda exclaimed.

  “Why are you a panther?”

  “And, you have a glowing red rock on your chest, and another on your forehead,” replied Coda. “What's going on?”

  “I don't know,” said Zoey. She looked around, hoping to find some clues. She saw trees of every size all around, glowing in the same way the Snow Tree did. Through the cracks between the trees, she could see a large, rushing river ten times the size of the creek. It dazzled in the rays of the sunlight as it splashed hard against boulders jutting out from underneath its surface. But nothing was registering. Her mind was a ball of nerves and confusion. Where was she? Who's carrying her? This just couldn't be real, could it?

  An owl swooped overhead. Zoey wondered what an owl was doing flying around in the daytime. She watched as it arched high in the blue sky, and then turned around for another pass at them.

  Zoey crouched down as the owl neared. She noticed that it wasn't far from her stomach to the elephant's back. She was a small bird and her legs weren't the normal size of human legs. This brought her back to her immediate concerns. All she knew was that she was a bird and they were being taken somewhere by a talking elephant. She went to scream, but nothing would come out.

  “Good day, Chev. You found them,” said the owl, as it flew by the elephant's ear.

  “I did,” replied Chev. “I'm taking them to Nova.”

  Coda was freaking out. His panther-face couldn’t hide his fear. He was also doing his best to comprehend what was happening.

  The owl swooped by Chev's big elephant ear again. “She's just around the trees ahead, next to the Snow Tree.”

  The Snow Tree? thought Zoey. But we aren't in the Cornell Forest, are we?

  Chev lifted his trunk and swung it around to pat the top of Coda's head, “Don't worry, you two. Everything will be positively fine.”

  What was going to be positively fine? Zoey had no idea what Chev was talking about.

  “Can you take us home now?” Zoey pleaded with the elephant. “I think we're lost.”

  “Let me take you to Nova first. Then you can go home.”

  The elephant picked up his pace as Zoey and Coda held on tighter.

  Zoey could see that the trees ahead were beginning to thin out, leaving more space for grass to grow. And what beautiful grass it was—it was the most beautiful green grass she'd ever seen.

  Then the trees suddenly disappeared, and they were in an open meadow, sparsely populated with oaks and maples. The sun's rays, no longer shadowed by the trees, had burst into full view, showering them with light. The meadow was gorgeous. It was filled with colorful flowers and long, plush green grass. Zoey and Coda both “ahhhhed” in appreciation.

  Then Zoey gasped. She'd been here before. This was the meadow in her dream where she had met the dragon and the wolf! But, it couldn't be! That was just a dream, wasn't it?

  Taking in a deep breath helped to shift her mind from the dream to the air. She took another deep breath, instantly bringing a stream of energy into her body, making her feel refreshed and more alive. The air was rich with something, but with what she did not know.

  She glanced at Coda and saw him breathing deeply, as well. He wiggled his whiskers in delight as the air brought a smile to his panther face. It was strange, though, to see Coda as anything but Coda. It was almost like he was a fake mechanical panther robot that had the same voice. He looked real alright, but how could he be? He's a big black cat. Coda caught Zoey's eyes with a look that seemed to say he was having the same thoughts about her.

  Chev came to a halt. He dipped his head. “Hello, Nova. I've found them.”

  Zoey peered around Chev's right ear to see a large twisted tree. The Snow Tree! Zoey became excited, then curious when she noticed a big white and black spotted leopard sitting at the base of the Snow Tree. It had a violet crystal embedded in its forehead, and one on its chest.

  Chev lifted Zoey into the air, carefully placing her on the ground a few yards in front of the white cat.

  As Zoey's feet touched the grass, the Snow Tree made a crackling sound that sounded like branches were breaking.

  Within the bark of the tree, eyes started to form, then a nose protruded outwards, and lips creaked into place. It was the face of a beautiful woman. The Snow Tree's eyes opened and her nostrils flared, taking in a big breath. A moment later, her mouth moved. “Welcome home, Zoey.” A flash later, the tree creaked and the face slowly melted back into bark.

  Zoey's head jolted back. She searched Coda’s face for confirmation, hoping that he had seen this, too. He stared, motionless, at Nova. He looked bewildered, but she could tell he hadn't seen or heard the tree talk. She looked at Chev, who smiled back at her. Nothing in his face showed her any recognition toward the Snow Tree woman-face, either.

  She desperately wanted to talk to the Snow Tree, but before she could say anything the white leopard turned and stared at the Snow Tree, then back at Zoey. The leopard nodded. Did that big white cat see the talking tree, too, or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

  The white cat bowed her head, smiling. “Welcome. My name is Nova the VioletLight. I'm a PureLight of the Sihu lineage.”

  Immediately, Zoey’s apprehension melted and she felt completely at ease with this creature. And, strangely enough
, she felt loved as well, but didn't know why she felt this way. It was a similar feeling that she had received from the Snow Tree.

  “Are these the ones?” asked Chev.

  “Yes, you found them. Thank you.” Nova looked at Zoey and Coda with a calm, light expression. The air around Nova's body sparkled for an instant, taking Zoey off-guard and calming her down even more.

  “Are you hurt?” asked Nova.

  Zoey and Coda shook their heads, no.

  Coda took a step forward. “Um,” he said, a little unsure of himself, “we need to get back home.” He looked at the vast trees and shrubs that circled this place, adding, “To our forest.”

  “Yeah,” responded Zoey. She also took a step forward, which, because of her short legs, only moved her a couple of inches. “It's back in the direction we came from,” mumbled Zoey, pointing with her wing, which she quickly hid by her side when she realized, again, that her arm was now a wing.

  “I didn't understand you, child,” replied Nova.

  “She said,” Coda replied on Zoey’s behalf, “our home is back in the direction that we came from.”

  “Of course. We won't hold you here against your will,” Nova assured them.

  Zoey looked over Nova's shoulder for a moment, noticing a small hut. It looked as if it was built out of shining, golden hay.

  Nova followed Zoey’s gaze. “That's my home,” she said with obvious delight.

  Nova's serene demeanor instantly softened any residual fear that Zoey was having in this new place, just as the gray wolf had done in her dream. Can I talk to the Snow Tree? she thought, but said nothing.

  Zoey stretched out her wings, pulling them back again as fast as she could. In a barely audible voice, she asked, “Why am I a bird and why is Coda a big black cat?”

  “I'm a snow leopard,” Nova said. “Coda, you're a black panther, and Zoey, you're a skylark.”

  Zoey frowned. “What's a skylark? And why are we these animals?”

  “Excellent questions,” Nova replied enthusiastically. “And, Zoey, it would be much easier to hear if you spoke with greater force. Trust me when I say this—you're a great force to be reckoned with.” She smiled. “Please follow me.”

  Nova turned and walked eastward, without glancing back.

  Chev, sitting on his rump, bowed his head to the children. He gestured with his trunk for them to follow Nova. “She won't bite,” he reassured. “She's as peaceful as a ripple in water.” Looking thoughtful, and speaking mostly to himself, he added, “Well, is a ripple really a peaceful thing?” He stared off into the distance, suddenly lost in thought.

  Coda shrugged his black furry panther shoulders and walked in Nova's direction. Zoey followed along.

  They walked on a path that led past the golden hut, toward the curving river. Zoey inched along, having to run to keep up with the long paces of the two cats. The path was wide, soft, and open to the light of day. Friendly birds and large animals of all shapes, sizes, and colors watched as they walked past the few trees that dotted the edge of the path. Some animals simply nodded their heads in kindness and others smiled.

  Zoey noticed that the trees around the meadow were sparse, but were as healthy as any tree she had ever seen. They were mostly maples, with leaves of orange hues cascading to bright yellow tips. Colors of the fall, but it didn't seem like fall in this strange land. In fact, it seemed like mid-summer, with a cool breeze. The temperature seemed perfect.

  The sound of rushing water, mingled with the sound of trees creaking in the wind, became louder as they approached the river. Zoey paused for a moment and listened. She could hear someone whispering. She shook her head, hoping the whisper would disappear. The opposite occurred. It became louder.

  “It's been ages since you've been here. Welcome back,” said a female whisper. It didn't sound like the Snow Tree. Was it another tree? Zoey shook her head again, running to catch Coda.

  “Did you hear that?” she asked him.

  “Hear what?” Coda's shoulders hung low and his long black tail hid between his legs. Zoey wondered if that meant he was scared or nervous. She'd seen cats do that in her neighborhood when a car would drive by. Nova, on the other hand, walked confidently. Her chest was out, her shoulders were strong, her head was up, and her tail reached toward the sky.

  “You're a tad late,” said another whisper, male in tone.

  “She's come, that's what matters. She arrived when she was meant to,” stated a third whisper, much softer than the first two. Zoey looked around, but didn't see anyone talking to her. “I hear whispering, Coda.” She paused, waiting to hear more.

  Before Coda could reply, Nova stopped at the bank of the river and sat next to a giant boulder with a flat top. The boulder had to be as wide as a bus and twice as tall. Zoey and Coda looked at each other wide-eyed, almost to say without words, “What a rock!”

  With one giant leap as effortless as a leaf falling to the forest floor, Nova landed lightly on top of the tall boulder, and then turned to look down at the children.

  “How did you do that?” asked Coda.

  Nova smiled. “It's something that took me many moons to master. As it turns out, it's actually rather simple.”

  Zoey looked to Coda, whose shrug said I don't know. Then she looked at the ground. I can't do that, thought Zoey, dejectedly.

  Nova nodded. “You don't need to. Spread your wings and fly, Zoey.” Nova sat patiently on her hind legs. “You're a skylark. Like most birds, a skylark can fly.”

  How did she hear my thoughts? wondered Zoey.

  “You're made to fly!,” yelled Nova. “Don't think—just do! We have a saying here—empty your mind and proceed from the heart.”

  Zoey knew that Nova had a point about her being a bird. She might look like she's made to fly, but did Nova know she'd never flown before? I can't fly!

  “Flying is your nature. It's imprinted inside of you. Once you flap your wings, all memory of flying will come to you as if you've been doing it your entire life. Remember, empty your mind and proceed from the heart.”

  Just like the Snow Tree, Nova's words made Zoey feel at ease. In fact, her whole body seemed to relax. She made Zoey feel as if anything in the world was possible, even flying. It wasn't what Nova said, but more how she said it.

  With growing certainty, Zoey stretched out her wings. She glanced down her right wing and then down her left, cringing at how strange it felt. Then started flapping them up and down until she knew, deep down in her heart, that she could fly. It was more than a feeling. It was a knowing, just like Nova had said. She could do this.

  Nova closed her eyes and a strange wind picked up. It helped lift Zoey off the ground. Zoey felt confidence surge through her feathers as her wings pounded against the air, becoming stronger with each flap. Almost instantly, a huge flow of energy coursed through her wings, lifting her high into the air, above the rock and above Nova.

  Zoey looked around at her new view. The river was rushing below, pulsing with white rapids as the water bumped and pushed against the rocks at the river’s bottom. She was amazed at how natural and easy it felt to fly.

  She looked at the forest where she had entered this strange land, seeing how vast it was. It seemed to go on forever. To the west she saw that it started to thin out into grasslands, slowly disappearing into a white-capped mountain range covered with low-lying white clouds.

  Looking to the north she saw a vast forest, with gigantic trees the size of skyscrapers that vanished in the clouds. Slightly turning to the northeast, she viewed rolling hills topped with sporadic green trees and reddish-brown soil, spreading like frozen waves in an ocean, until she couldn't see any further. She wondered how far they had actually traveled.

  She looked down at the meadow. It was much larger than she'd thought.

  Twisting her body, she eyed the south, feeling the warmth of the sun on the top of her head and the breeze ruffling her feathers. She glided effortlessly toward a large body of water miles away. She thought it mus
t be an ocean. It was turquoise blue and its waves threw ferocious tufts of water into the air, onto the southern cliffs. She peered to the east to see the meadow transitioning into small hills that eventually flattened into a vast, golden ocean beach, with slow moving waves from an ocean tide.

  She turned around in mid-glide, facing north, flapping her wings to pick up speed. The freedom and exhilaration of flight thrilled her. Flying even higher in the sky, she imagined she could do this forever. She rolled to her right and went for a dive, but suddenly hovered as she eyed something strange a mile or so beyond the river.

  A dark fog, like the one she’d seen rising up from the earth around the gray wolf in her dream, cut straight across the forest, reaching from the ocean on the east end of the land, going west, further than her eyes could see. Spinning around, she saw the same fog miles away nearer to the ocean, stretching across the southern portion of the land, also going from east to west. Before she could investigate, she heard her name being called from below.

  Her attention shifted and she flew down toward the large boulder where Nova stood, then hovered inches above the boulder and gently made a perfect landing. Zoey peered over the edge to see Coda staring up at her.

  “Did you have fun?” asked Nova.

  “Oh my gosh! I had so much fun! Did you see me?” Zoey's excited voice was loud and beautiful. She'd never felt so excited before. Zoey stretched out her wings, adding, “It was so easy.”

  Coda was looking at Zoey like she was crazy. “How'd you do that?” he demanded.

  “I don't know. I just did. It was easy.”

  Nova turned to Coda. “Now, Coda, would you like to come up here and look at the view?”

  “Sure,” replied Coda, “but how do I get up there?”

  “Yeah, how's he going to get up here?” echoed Zoey.

  Nova closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Again, sparkles of light filled the air around the snow leopard for a heartbeat, and then disappeared. Nova opened her eyes and Zoey felt her skylark body relax as Nova’s appearance seemed to change. It almost looked like Nova was glowing. Her crystals surely were, but even her fur was brighter than before.