The Beasts of Knowledge
Touched by the misery of the Great Father
Unleash a white beast unto the forest.

Its howl is the Requiem of souls...

Chief Grotta poke first. "Hordes of winged insects have broken through the 'Divine Barrier to attack the village! Such a thing has been unprecedented in the history of Syrus! Have Elhrim's day of Judgment come?"

Jibara exclaimed, "Something must be done! The Forest has attacked! Who knowswhen another could occur? The barrier of Gehenna won't hold up forever. Don't you think so, High Priestess Garai?"

Garai spoke then. "Nothing like this happens without a reason. Destruction often comes from the Beasts of Knowledge. This could be an acct of Man. They couldnn't have broken through the Divine Barrier on their own."

Jibara scoffed under her breath.

Grotta spoke up. "Whatever the cause may or may not be, when the insects flew off, many of the villagers fell into a deep sleep. Nobody seems to be able to awaken them!"

Garai shook her head sadly. "Alas, those were the Onibubu; The Locusts of the Apocalypse. They spread a dust that plunges those it touches into a deep slumber, from which they will never awaken."

Jibara said, "Someone must venture out there and find out what's going pn. What of yourself, Garai? You're rther knowledgeable about the Forest."

"What good would it do to send me? I'd be swallowe up and never heard from again."

'That might be for the best, in my opinion.' Jibara grumbled below her breath.

"What was that, Jibara? I didn't hear that." the chief said.

"What i said was that we should find someone who can fight the creatures within the forest." Jibara quickly corrected herself.

Garai nodded. "Yes. A Cocoon Master must be called upon. Only they could possibly face the dangers there. And survive, that is."

Grotta hrinned. "Yes! Yes! We must have our-"

Garai interrupted. "Alas, our previous Cocoon Master is nowhere to be found. Howeverm his son has recently come of age. I believe his name is... Levant."

Grotta grumbled. "I know of the boy. As much as i hate to send pne so young into those dark depths, we have little choice in the matter."

Garai bowed her head, eyes closed. "Alas, it is so. We must prepare him for the journey ahead. It is also time for the Ceremony to begin. Mahbu should not object. She is a maiden of the Nagi, after all, and this is for the sake of Syrus."

"So it is decided!" Grotta said authoritatively. "Summon both to our Temple of Judgement."

Levant was back upon the lighthouse's highest point, playing his flute, as usual, when he recieved the call to the temple.

Before he ceremony known as the Sacred Ubuib was to be performed, Chief Grotta was explaining to Levant of his duty and the weight of his responsibility. Oh, and what he was doing too.

"For the good of Syrus, yium our new Cocooon Master, must venture into the forest, as your father did in the past. There you must seek the Calabas Herb. Only with that may we awaken those affected by those accursed insects. I know that this is a lot to take in for one so young as yourself. Do you have any questions?"

Levant asked, after a moment's thought, "How well did you know my father?"

"Intimately. In fact, he was my half brother. (1)"

Levant's eyes widened at that.

"I knew him well enough to know that he was no coward, fie on whatever the citizens here say."

Levant smiled at that.

"Oh, yes! That reminds me: You must also cherish your wife and be a devoted husband, as she will to you. Make us proud, both of you. After all, a devoted husband is a Nagi woman's only salcation."

Levant had nothing to say to that. Things were confusing and overwhelming as it was.

"You will understand all of this someday. May fortune be with you in battle! Now come; It is time for the Sacred Union."

Shortly thereafter, he and Mahbu were stood before Garai, in her full High Priestess garb.

"As through the generations, according to tradition, I now conduct the Sacred Union."

Levant and Mahbu held each other's hand, going to their knees, heads bowed.

Garai raised her hands high, incanting, "Elrhim, God of the Forest; Forest, Mother to all. We, the Beasts of knowledge, also born of the Forest... Once again, grant us here this day that which touches and moves thy worried heart. That we, as beasts, may live in harmony with the forest. Oh, so wise.... Oh, so wise..."

She then passed Levant an earring, giving Mahbu a matching one. To Levant, she said, "This is the Earring of the Hunter. symbol of your coming of age. Furthermore, as long as you have it, you may escape death, even if defeated in battle in the Forest. It is my gift to you, who journeys into the Land og Ordeals."

To Mahbu, she said, "As yours is the Earring of the Hearth. Your counterpart to his. So long as you wear it, the both of you will know of each other's condition, and may draw strength from your bond."

The now joined couple attached their earrings to... well, their ears. Levant's on the left; Mahbu's on the right.

Garai nodded before saying, "Now, listen well, the both of you. Some fear Cocoon masters, calling them Impure Hunters. Many may be prejudiced toward you. Nevertheless, you must strive to move forward on your sacred journey."

:evant looked up, confidence in his countenance. "I wouldn't do otherwise. It is how I was raised, after all."

Garai smirked at that nefore sxhooling her expression. More to Mahbu, she said, "A terrible burden also awaits the women of the Nagi."

She explained, "The infections on their bodies are the side effects of the Purification Process. Those are known as Cursed Brandings. In the worst case, this nay even cause death."

Mahbu npdded. "I accepted that long ago, High Priestess. I'll bear that burden as long as i shall live."

This caused Garai to smirk again. "Please, care for each other insixjness and in health."

To Lecvant she said, "Come morning, you will have to be prepared ti keave ob your sacred journey. Rest well this night, that you may be fresh for the journey ahead; to depart come morning. Come to my house. We should prepare what you need."

Author's Note

1: Until someone corrects me on this, that's how i'll work this.