NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14 — Meigetsu
Nicole sat in the large courtyard of her home admiring her tree, a Japanese maple known as a ‘Shirasawa Maple’. Nicole preferred to call it Meigetsu, as it was easier than calling it by its full name. The tree had been planted by her parents when she was born, then transplanted into the courtyard of her home on the island after they had moved here. While she didn’t typically get along well with her parents, she respected the amount of time they took to instill their cultural values in her and their respect for nature.
“Father? Are you sure it’s not too warm in here?” She called back into the house from the sliding door she had left propped open.
“The thermostat is set just the way it should be, do not go playing with it again!” Her father yelled back. “And if you’re going to stay in there, at least close the door!”
“Fine, whatever,” she said under her breath as she got up to slide the glass door closed.
The courtyard was surrounded by glass on all sides in order to create a controlled environment. Nicole’s parents wanted to maintain a perfect environment for the tree and were religious in the administration of their care.
“At least you listen to me,” Nicole said as she walked back towards the tree and took a seat beneath it, her back against its trunk.
As her body relaxed and nestled into the natural grooves of the trunk, she began recounting her day aloud to the tree. The leaves and branches swayed in the artificial wind as she spoke, the rustling gradually lulling her into a deep slumber.
“Nicole, wake up,” a soft, graceful voice suddenly called to her, urging her to stir from her sleep.
The voice rang delicately like the sound of raindrops landing gently on silver bells. Nicole opened her eyes, sat up and then was surprised to see that—this isn’t my house?!
“Where am I?!” she yelled in surprise, but quickly regained her composure.
With a quick glance around, she could see that her courtyard had transformed into a forest full of Japanese maples– a red moon hung in the night sky above. The view was stunning, but she pulled herself back from the distraction to look around, searching for the voice that had spoken.
“I’m here, silly girl,” the voice came from below.
Nicole’s gaze shot downward—she noticed a small winged figure resting on a sapling maple reading a book.
“A fairy?!” Nicole shouted in surprise.
“Indeed. I cannot remain here much longer but let us just say I am your benefactor,” the fairy stated simply.
“Why would you be my benefactor? Who are you even? Isn’t this just a dream?” Nicole asked, her questions shooting out at incredible speed.
“Relax girl. I can’t tell you that just as of yet. You will have no memory of me upon waking, that much is certain, but this is assuredly not a dream. Now, as I said, I have little time, and no time for any more basic questions of existence. I am here to provide you with your Dratmana,” the fairy said, her hand flipping out, a leaf from Meigetsu appearing in her hand.
The fairy blew a soft breath of air on the leaf causing it to float whimsically over to Nicole. As the leaf brushed against her wrist, it wrapped around forming a sturdy bracelet.
“This is a Dratmana? Like Cian and Alden’s?” Nicole asked as she stared down at her wrist, shocked and overwhelmed.
“It is similar, yes, but a bit more special. Now, enough dallying, it is time for you to awaken,” the fairy said, waving her hand towards Nicole, causing her to fade out.
“Are you sure this is a wise decision, mistress?” Nicole heard another indistinct voice as she felt her consciousness waver.
“Destiny is in motion, or perhaps fate. Whichever you care to call it, they’ve been brought together and we must steer them in the right direction,” the fairy stated, her voice carrying a tone of hopefullness.
---
“So, you fell asleep against your tree and woke up with that thing on your arm?” I asked, skeptically.
“Yes! That’s what I've been saying, are you dense?” Nicole asked, a clear tinge of annoyance in her tone.
“Yes, yes he is,” Alden confirmed.
Pointedly rolling my eyes at Alden, I continued to observe the bracelet carefully. It seemed to be made of wood with a very natural and earthy colour to it. I could also sense quanum emanating from the bracelet, steadily increasing ever since she had arrived at my house.
“If I may, Master. I believe that to be a Dratmana,” Cadeyrn interrupted my thoughts.
“Are you sure?” I asked, relieved that I wasn’t the only one coming to that conclusion.
“I would have to agree. That seems to be the most likely answer. I think it’s starting to wake up after being exposed to our Dratmana,” Alden said, and sure enough the steadily increasing quanum grew even stronger.
“Perhaps it requires a name still to initiate fully,” Cadeyrn stated. “Place your hand on it to increase your connection and try to feel within yourself for a name,” Cadeyrn continued.
Nicole followed Cadeyrn’s instructions and placed a hand on the bracelet wrapped around her wrist. After a brief pause, she could feel a build up of energy she hadn’t felt before and then a name suddenly popped into her head.
“Meigetsu!” Nicole called, causing the bracelet to flash in a bright auburn light before dissipating.
“You called, Master?” a soft voice nearly sang from the bracelet.
“This is wild…” Nicole said, staring down in shock at the bracelet, feeling almost as though she had done this once before.
“Well then, want to see what you can do with it?” I asked, mischievously.