She spoke to Erion many times, which always made her feel better after arguments with the twins. He soothed her worries, eased her guilt, and reminded her that this wasn’t her fault. She longed for the day his words would be accompanied by a loving embrace.
Five days after the avalanches and arctic freeze, the poisonous fog came. There was one spot at the edge of Everest Base Camp that lent sight to the world below, and Aria was standing there when she first caught sight of it. A light breeze circled her head, twirling her long white hair as it spun.
Dear Aria, the air spoke to her for the first time in days. Your voice has reached other disciples of air wishing to be saved. They’ve embarked across the aftermath of the avalanches and wait for you at the bottom of the mountain in the village of Lukla. We’ve kept them safe thus far, but cannot protect them any longer. The fog is slow rolling; you have a week to retrieve them if you so desire.
“It took us ten days to get to Base Camp from Lukla,” she said aloud.
You are capable.
“At what altitude will we be safe?”
In this region, the fog won’t rise higher than 17,000 feet.
“So we need to get them all the way back to Base Camp. Great. Send them this message: Climb toward Tengboche Monastery. It will save us time if they are already on their way.”
Surely, dear Champion.
The swirling air vanished and the voices were gone.
She looked into the distance and saw the rolling gray fog approaching.
She told her brothers first. Their spirits bolstered, they helped her gather a rescue crew. Together they’d expand their little family of survivors. The quest to save others reinvigorated everyone at Everest Base Camp and strengthened their faith in Aria. They would follow her loyally to retrieve those who sought salvation, and beyond this journey their devotion to her lead would carry them through this time of reckoning.
Chapter 20
Juniper’s week in the forest was exhausting. The trees rarely stopped talking and they infiltrated her with information she wasn’t ready to digest. The next attack would be devastating floods in South America and Africa. The Amazon and Nile Rivers would overflow, causing landslides and massive damage to all crops and livestock. All life would drown in those regions. Those who survived the flooding would face the onslaught of deadly mesocyclones and tornados from the convective storms raging overhead.
After the fresh water purge, the soil would attack next, turning all of Canada, Russia, and the Middle East into death pits. The leftover rain would cover these regions, causing mudslides to wreak havoc in the woodlands and lethal quicksand traps to cover the deserts. There wouldn’t be an inch of solid ground left to stand on.
The core was scheduled to attack after the soil. Those who happened to survive the flooding in Africa would be tried again when the volcanoes erupted. They would blast simultaneously and cause ruin across the land. Lava and volcanic ash would singe and snuff every living creature in the area. The moment Africa combusted, Juniper had to be on alert. The core would play a critical role in the strike of the trees. She wasn’t sure how yet, they refused to tell her, but she had to have her following safe in the Hoh Rainforest of Olympic National Park by the time Kilimanjaro erupted.
Receiving this information was draining. Not only was it burdensome, but also terrifying. Mankind had never seen natural destruction of this magnitude.
When Juniper returned to work on Friday night, news stories about the earthquakes, avalanches, and arctic freeze killing millions in Asia and Europe was all anyone wanted to watch. Jeb sat at his regular seat watching the television in horror. He glanced over at Juniper every so often in awe, having trouble believing she predicted such a fate. When the crowd died down after the dinner rush, they got a moment to talk.
“How did you know?”
“Do you promise you’ll believe me?”
“I’ll try.”
“The trees told me.”
Jeb choked on his beer and looked up at her incredulously. “The trees?”
“Yes. It sounds crazy but it’s true.
He took a moment, but did not question the validity of her statement.
“What’s next?”
“The fresh water spirits are up to bat. South America and Africa are next in line.”
“Fresh water spirits?”
“Yes, just like the tree spirits. Each element of nature has a voice. I was chosen to listen to the trees; I am their Champion. Other Champions were chosen from across the globe for the other elements. In the end, we are the only hope for the human race. Mankind cannot navigate the perils of nature’s turbulence without our guide. Without us, humans will cease to exist.”
“I won’t lie, this feels absurd, but all evidence leads me to believe you, and I am not one to toy with fate. I’m on your side.”
“You’re number two of my crew. Everyone else seems to be freaked out by me now. Maybe you can help me recruit others. I want to save as many people as possible.”
“You got it.” He took a swig of his beer. “I’ll get them on board.”
“Thanks.”
Juniper went back to work. Misty and Brett kept their distance, as neither were comfortable with her grim prediction coming true. Roscoe showed up right before last call and escorted her home. He stayed with her and updated her on his progress. His father was on board and Clark didn’t understand any of what he tried to explain, but said he trusted him enough to follow when the time came. This relieved Juniper immensely. Perhaps Roscoe was the key to recruiting others.
Carine and Teek were just as distant as Misty and Brett had been. She wondered if they’d been talking amongst themselves, doubting her as a group. It hurt her feelings but she let them have their space. When the world came crumbling down she’d still be there for them, ready to lead them to safety.
She called Irene on Sunday to follow up on her promise. When she answered, her voice was lined with great trepidation.
“How did you know?”
“Something happened to me out here and I’ve become deeply connected to nature. I can hear the voices of the trees. I have been entrusted with great responsibility to save the human race.”
“Trees have voices? You mean to tell me they are alive?”
“No, they are not alive in the way you are thinking. They are alive with the ghosts of humans. I heard my father. He came to me through the trees and warned me of the grave danger we face. They don’t desire the extinction of the human race, just a cleansing. Destruction of all structures and artifacts created by man and less bodies on earth trying to cause harm. They chose me to champion the cause. I am meant to be our savior.”
“You sound delusional.”
“How else would I have known about the natural disasters headed to Europe and Asia? Arctic freezes aren’t typical there, so how on earth would I have guessed that? I also knew about the tsunamis in the South Pacific, though I only divulged that to Roscoe prior to them happening. I was still unsure at the time.”
“Juni, I don’t know how you guessed any of it, but it’s terrifying and your claims are hard to believe.”
“You promised you’d move here if I was right, and I was. I need you to follow through on that promise. Not only is it imperative to your survival, but to mine as well. I need you by my side. I need to be surrounded by people I trust when leading strangers through the new world.”
“It’s not just me you’re uprooting, it’s also my kids. You do realize how large a task that is, right?”
“I do, and I promise I’ll help the moment you get here. I just need you to get here.”
“You also realize I can’t leave my mother or sister behind. If your claims are true, which I’ll have to force myself to believe if I plan to make such drastic decisions based on your tales, then that means they are in danger. You may not feel much loyalty to them, but I do. They are my blood, I can’t leave them behind.”
“Then convince them to come. Just promise me you won’t st
ay behind if they choose not to follow.”
“Give me a week. I’ll see what plans I can make.”
“Please hurry. I don’t think we have much time. Massive flooding in South America and Africa is next.”
Irene sighed. “I’ll do my best.”
Juniper sunk into her couch and closed her eyes. Her success felt hinged on the fate of half-hearted promises. Everyone was still reluctant to believe her and their doubt would result in a collective downfall; they’d die and she and her few supporters would end up alone. All she could do now was pray that these skeptical promises panned out. When Monday morning came, she was ready for a large dose of the forest.
Roscoe, are you ready? Juniper called out, practicing their newly realized telepathic connection. It took a few minutes before he answered.
This is wild.
Meet me at the end of Hurricane Ridge Road.
Roscoe obliged and followed her through the forest. She led the way on Jaden Jaunt and he followed close behind on his quad. He was ready to accept the trees, ready to embrace the destiny placed upon him. Juniper warned him he might not hear them again, that they only reached out to her Second due to time constraints, but he was hopeful to feel something. Anything to let him know he was on the right side. The last time the trees reached into his mind he was spooked. The images filled him with an uneasy sensation; one of dread and horror. Now he hoped to see what Juniper saw: optimism, survival, hope. Recent facts led him to believe her claims about their intentions were true; the trees were benevolent, they wanted humans to survive.
They traveled far and set up camp near Appleton Pass, which was a few miles from the edge of Hoh Rainforest. Juniper was ready to scout a location to bring everyone once the end arrived and wanted to make sure the path there was easy to navigate. They’d spend the week exploring, clearing trails, and hopefully speaking with the trees.
The forest remained silent until Wednesday night.
The fog is rolling through Asia. It lingers as it spreads. It will reach Ireland by Sunday and the floods will begin the moment it touches Tearaght Island.
“How long will the floods last?”
Roscoe dropped his hedge clippers and looked in her direction.
“Are they talking to you now?”
“Shh.”
Ten days. Then the water relocates to help the soil reclaim its territory.
“How long before it moves from soil to core?”
Five days. The soil spirits will be quick in turning their land into giant sinkholes.
“And how long until Kilimanjaro erupts?”
Six days from the completion of the soil’s chasms.
“So I have 21 days until it’s our turn.”
Correct. We see your struggle, but remain steady in our faith.
One voice rose above the rest. You will succeed, Little Blossom.
“Dad?” Tears welled in her eyes. “Please tell me it’s you.”
I have little memory of my human life, but my link to you is ardent. I feel as you feel, I sense your trials, triumphs, and trepidations. I have no doubt our bond was significant in my former life.
“Is Mom with you?”
The memory is hazy, but I recall her choosing the ocean. Every so often I catch a breeze of salty air and imagine a face. Perhaps that’s her.
“I wonder if she receives subtle moments like that from you.”
If so, it is unintentional. We do not retain memories from our human lives, but the relationships formed never fade. Even if we do not remember them, the connection lives on.
“It makes me really happy to hear that.”
Stay strong, Little Blossom. You are the light for those who survive the forthcoming dark.
“I will, Dad. I promise.”
His voice vanished, as did the melodious hum that accompanied him when he spoke, and the forest was quiet again.
“Your dad?” Roscoe asked after a few seconds of silence.
She nodded solemnly.
“I didn’t hear them.”
“I warned you that you wouldn’t. They only talk to the Champions. The reason they spoke to you the other day was to convince you to accept your role as my Second. Now that you have, they will leave you be.”
“But I want to talk to them.”
“It doesn’t work that way. The only person you can speak to telepathically is me.”
Roscoe’s shoulders slumped and he returned to clipping overgrown branches along the trail. He did not argue any further as he understood there was nothing Juniper could do to change this.
“So, three weeks?” Roscoe asked, changing the topic.
“Yeah. The moment Kilimanjaro erupts, it’s our turn.”
“Did they say how it will happen?”
“No, just that I need to be in the Hoh Rainforest with whoever I’m saving by then.”
“And what happens if we aren’t?”
“I’m not sure.”
The grim uncertainty lingered between them as they carried on clearing the path. There was no telling the outcome if they failed, but they both suspected it would be devastating to the fate of the human race. Not only those she planned to save locally, but the other Champions working hard to procure the survival of mankind in their own regions. Juniper was a pivotal piece in nature’s puzzle and she could not fail. A direct connection to the trees, for all parties involved, was crucial.
Chapter 21
Mont Rose, Swiss Alps, Europe
The avalanches were over and the arctic freeze had passed. All that remained of this attack was the toxic fog. Sierra Dale, Champion of the Mountains, kept her following and Aria’s safe at Dufourspitze summit atop Mont Rose. It was uneven, rocky terrain without large sections of flat land to set up a comfortable camp, but they made the best of the situation. Any lower and they’d be in range of the toxic fog. It would rise to 14,500 feet in Switzerland and the Dufourspitze summit sat at 15,203.
Sierra was not connected to the air, did not know when the fog would roll through, but she regulated the mountain’s edge with strict patrol. Hours were spent scanning the horizon, looking for signs of the next attack. She checked in with Aria often, but hadn’t heard from her since she went down Mount Everest with a rescue crew to retrieve survivors.
Erion bugged her daily to see if she received word from Aria, but a week had passed since she told them of her latest quest and neither heard from her since. It worried Sierra, but she did not relay her concerns to Erion. He was too anxious. Any doubt from her would compound his fear and she needed him to remain strong. He was her partner until the completion of the cleanse. They had to work together until she and Aria were able to switch locations to be with their proper Second. He was tolerable when he wasn’t twisted up in his own anxieties regarding Aria, so Sierra did her best to keep him calm.
“The mountains said they’re still climbing. They cannot speak to her but feel her on their snowy hillsides. She’s en route.”
Erion’s stature remained tense. “I hope she reaches out to one of us soon. I can’t do this without her.”
“She will. Have faith.” She gripped his shoulder and smiled, then walked over to the edge of the mountain.
There was still no sign of the fog and she was growing impatient. She wanted desperately to move on with the process. She was tired of hiding and was ready to thrive in the new world. Her eagerness radiated.
Patience, dear Champion. The mountain’s voice shook beneath her feet and reverberated up her body until it circled her head.
“When will we be free to roam? There are too many people up here and it’s beginning to feel claustrophobic.”
You have a long wait ahead of you. You cannot leave this spot until all of nature’s battles are won.
“When will that be?”
It’s hard to say. After the trees strike, there will be one final attack from the core, then prolonged darkness. You must wait here until those shadows fade.
“I need to speak to Aria. I need to know she a
nd Bram are okay. Neither of them have talked to me since they went on that rescue expedition.”
You need to worry about the people under your care. Your stay here will be long and you must ensure food, water, and shelter for those you claim as your chosen. You brought them here successfully, but your crusade for survival isn’t over. As Champion, they are your responsibility until the end of time. It is your duty to keep them safe, alive, and in accordance with the will of Gaia.
“I know, I just wish we could spread out. I’ve got all of Aria’s followers in addition to mine and it’s cramped. Our space is littered with tents and bonfires; people can barely walk around without bumping into shelters and each other. I’m shocked no one has accidentally fallen off the mountain yet.”
Make it work.
The slight vibration shaking her core vanished along with the voice. Sierra was alone in her leadership once again.
She sat at the edge with her legs dangling over the side. The horizon was calm and steady; no sign of incoming doom. She remained in this spot for hours, anticipating the arrival of the smog, but it never came.
As night fell, she returned to the tent she shared with her sisters and slumbered peacefully. The frantic chattering at sunrise woke her.
She left her tent, hurried to the mountain’s edge, and peered into the distance. The cause of worry was easily found. A thick line of gray blocked the sunrise and grew larger with each second that passed. By early morning, the sun rose past the smog and illuminated it from above. Swirls of green and purple chemicals entwined throughout the gray, making the sight appear more lethal than imagined. Sierra shivered as death crept closer. Though it grew clearer it never rose higher than 14,000 feet. They were safe where they hid atop the mountain.
The toxic fog encircled the base of Mont Rose in five minutes, leaving the view over every edge blocked by chemical-ridden gray. They could see the fog snake onward to the west, but its tail remained as the head carried on. It merely stretched, letting the backend linger while the front consumed more. The ground below was still. No noise, no movement. The silence of its sudden vacancy roared louder than the avalanches and Sierra no longer wished to watch. The world below was officially lifeless and her heartbreak more potent than ever.
Hall of Mosses Page 18
