Heretical Fishing

Book 2: Chapter 1: Ascension

***

***

The shade of the forest's canopy was a welcome relief from the sun's heat as I strode forward. I had a bucket in hand, my trusty straw hat atop my head, and excitement bubbling up from within.

It had been a week since Maria's ascension, and for the first time since my arrival in Tropica, I'd taken some time to relax. Well, I told myself it was relaxing, but after two days of lounging around and working on nothing, I'd gone a bit stir crazy.

The accidental pillar of light that exploded from me during our time away had been a wake-up call, and even if it was just a side-effect of ascending—and had nothing to do with the uncomfortable truths I'd been avoiding—I had to ensure it never happened again.

With my self-imposed vacation finally at an end, it was time to get back into it. With that thought in mind, a grin spread over my face, I hastened my steps, and within minutes I found my quarry.

"G'day, Barry! How are ya?"

My farming neighbor spun, cutting his conversation off mid sentence.

"Fischer! Thanks for coming, mate! I'm good—how ya doin'?"

"I'm wonderful, thanks." I turned to the other man. "You must be Leroy—I've heard a bunch about you, mate."

I strode forward, holding out a hand.

He grasped it and shook, giving me a friendly smile.

"Likewise, Fischer. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Pleasure is all mine, my man. Were you gonna join us today, Barry?"

He shook his head.

"I've gotta get tilling on the new fields, but I might see you later?"

"Sounds good! See you later."

Barry gave us a wave and jogged off, his pace clearly identifying him as a cultivator.

I turned to Leroy.

"So, Barry tells me you have some sort of nature power?"

"That's right. It's not as advanced as Corporal Claws' lightning or Sergeant Snips' water, though."

"Mate, I'd be surprised if it was—those two are kinda terrifying."

"They're certainly impressive..."

A gust blew and rustled the trees above. Leroy's eyes watched them as he took a deep breath, and a small smile crossed his lips.

I let the silence stretch, and I looked up, similarly enjoying the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest.

"It's so nice to be back," he said, his voice wistful.

"I can only imagine, mate. I only know a hint of what you've been through, but I'm glad you've earned your freedom."

"Earned?" He let out a chuckle. "If not for those 'terrifying' creatures of yours, I'd be on my way back to the capital by now."

"I'm sure you'd have found a way eventually—or Barry and Helen would have busted you out. Those two are scary in their own right when they get an idea in their heads."

He barked a laugh.

"You're not wrong there, Fischer. They're both amazing in their own right."

Another silence stretched, and before it could get awkward, I broke it.

"Well, should we get going?"

He nodded.

"Aye. Lead the way."

***

I led us a little out of the way so I could show Leroy something, and when we reached it, he let out a whistle.

"This is the pond you made?"

"Yeah, mate."

The morning sun peeked through the leaves, lighting the water, rocks, plants, and the log with a soundly sleeping Corporal Claws atop it. She glanced at us through lidded eyes, chirped a greeting with a raised paw, then rolled over and showed us her back.

"Is this the one that heals?" Leroy asked.

"Nah, that's the saltwater one. I don't actually know what this one does, but it does... something. I'm pretty sure it helped Claws ascend."

"Interesting..."

Claws half sat up to scratch her ear, then flopped back to the log.

"Let's leave Claws to her nap—the patch I wanted to show you isn't far off."

We kept moving, heading further south toward where I wanted to try my little experiment.

When we caught sight of it, I pointed.

"That's the spot, mate."

A large tree sat amidst the others, its hue identifying it as a different species. Its trunk was thicker than most and covered in a thin veneer of blue bark. Other than the color, another thing made it stand out against the rest of the forest: its canopy sprawled out, spreading out on thick branches laden with fat, glossy leaves. A large circle of grass was left clear around its base, the other trees giving it space.

"Know anything about this tree, mate?" I asked.

Leroy nodded, his eyes fixed on it.

"They're called sapphire mesh trees. It's considered terrible luck to fell one."

"Sapphire mesh...? I get the sapphire bit, but why mesh...?"

"I couldn't say—maybe something to do with their wood? If it's mesh-like, it'd make sense why the tale spread that it was bad lack to cut them down—they'd be almost impossible to work with."

"Yeah... maybe..."

I gazed over the trunk, remembering the sensations I'd felt when seeking trees to harvest.

"When I was looking for wood to use for my fence, I came here. Before I could even think of cutting it, this tree pushed me away, like it was warning me from taking it down."

"Really...?"

Leroy stepped forward and placed a hand against the tree. He closed his eyes, a line forming between his eyebrows as he concentrated.

"Feel anything, mate?" I asked when the moment stretched on.

"Nothing," he answered, smiling to himself as he stepped back. "My abilities do lend me some nature knowledge, but it's more like instinct, if that makes sense. I know what plants need to keep them happy—more sun, less water, fertilizer, that sort of thing."

"Did they let you do that in the capital?"

He snorted.

"No, though I did come across plenty of trees and plants when we'd go out on expeditions."

Bitterness tinged his features as he spoke, and I winced.

"Sorry, mate. I shouldn't have asked."

He took a deep breath, looked at the tree, then at me. As he exhaled, the bitterness left him entirely.

"It's fine, Fischer. It's still hard to think about."

"Well, do your ‘nature instincts’ or whatever tell you where it would be a good place to plant a lemon tree?" I asked, not-so-smoothly changing the subject.

"Lemon...?"

"Yeah, mate. I got some seeds from a few lemons I bought."

"Fischer..."

He gave me a friendly smile, but it was the kind you'd give a child when they said something adorably stupid.

"You can't grow lemon from seeds. The lemons they sell are modified to not produce more trees."

"Oh, yeah, I know that, mate."

"You do...? Why are you planting them, then?"

"Leroy... I have a crab pal that shoots aura blades, a lobster companion that shoots blasts from his claws like an anime protagonist, and an otter friend that rides the lightning like some sort of Metallica fangirl."

He blinked at me, his face blank.

"I don't know what most of that meant, but I think I get the idea—stranger things have happened, right?"

"Exactly. It can't hurt to try, and with your nature power, I was hoping you might help. So... any ideas?"

"Can I see them?"

I reached into a pocket, then dropped the four seeds I'd brought with me into his open palm. He moved them around with one finger, then closed his eyes, his brow once more creasing.

He blinked, looking around the clearing.

"Huh..."

"What is it?"

"I'm pretty sure the whole area surrounding the tree is a good place, but I'm not certain..." He shrugged. "It's vague."

I grinned.

"Good enough for me!"

I stepped back and grabbed a spade from my back pocket, then started digging a small hole in the ground.

"I've been meaning to ask," Leroy said. "What's in that bucket? It smells terrible."

"That would be our fertilizer, mate."

I moved the wet tea towel aside and removed part of a cichlid's frame.

"Leftover fish is a great fertilizer."

I dropped it in the hole, layered dirt atop it, then poked my finger in the aerated earth.

"If you'd do the honors."

Leroy dropped a seed in and tenderly covered it.

"Would you meditate on it with me, mate?" I asked.

His head cocked to the side, and he gave me a strange look.

"Meditate...?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure that's how my pond ended up transforming. Just close your eyes and imagine life pouring into the seed. I'll do the same."

"Oh... sure."

I held both hands out, willing life and sustenance toward the seed. I pictured it turning into a mighty tree, bearing countless citrus, and sending thick roots deep into the earth. The thoughts took me over, and I leaned into the pleasant musings.

Time stretched, and though I didn’t feel any shifts in the world, it was an entirely enjoyable moment of peace.

"Er, how do we know if it works, Fischer?"

“Oh, sorry. It happened pretty quick last time—it might not be working.” I rubbed the back of my head. “I’ve kinda been making it up as I go, but it was worth a shot..”

We repeated the process three more times, creating an invisible square around the light-blue tree with my lemon seeds. When the last one was finished, Leroy cleared his throat.

"Do you want to try meditating toward the tree...?"

"The tree? I mean, I'm down, but why?"

"Just a hunch."

"My man, considering you have the ability to ride vines like some sort of superhero, I'll trust your hunches on anything plant related."

He gave me an abashed smile.

"Someone told you about that?"

"Corporal Claws hasn't shut up about it. Considering how much she chitters and chirps about you, I'm surprised she didn't launch herself at you when we went to the pond."

He let out a soft chuckle.

"It's not as impressive as it sounds, especially compared to the abilities of your animals..."

"You're being too humble my man, but I get it—anyone would down-sell their cultivator abilities if it was something so scorned by society."

I shook my head.

"I'm taking us off course—let's meditate."

We sat down at the tree's base, and I leaned my back against it.

Its bark was smooth and firm against my spine, and I closed my eyes, easily slipping into a meditative state.

***

In a place of darkness, surrounded by the comforting scents of wood and dirt, something ancient stirred.

Though it remembered neither who nor what it was, one thing was certain: it had been asleep for a very, very long time.

Something was nudging it, calling it from its slumber, and it reluctantly listened.

Its senses expanded as it reached out, seeking what had disturbed its rest. Something was just beside it; touching it; reaching out and offering power.

No, not something—two beings.

A part of its soul—an instinctual nexus hidden deep within—reveled at the offering. But then, it tasted what they had to offer.

The tribute was pitiful.

Even without any memories, it knew the power offered was a mere trickle of the torrents it had once consumed.

It scoffed at the insult and went back to sleep, content to wait until the world's essence was properly restored.

***

My eye twitched, and I darted a glance at Leroy.

Did I just feel something...?

It had been a tiny blip, and quick as it had come, it vanished.

Maybe it was just my imagination...

I gazed up at the sky; the sun had climbed halfway into the sky, so I stretched and let out a soft groan to get Leroy's attention.

When he peered at me through sleepy eyes, I gave him a grin.

"The meditation was fruitless, but what do you say we try a bit of fishing?"