Part 13 || The Final Dream of Guidance
As she stared down into the long tunnel that led back into the world from which she had fled, Hal whimpered slightly. She wanted so badly to return, to see her friends again and bask in their presence. She didn't like being the only wolf for miles, which her seer powers had confirmed to her was an absolute certainty. But she felt as if she couldn't leave this place, the paradise she had found between the mountains. She could live there, undisturbed and well-fed. Why would she want to leave that place behind for a world she had fled from, afraid for her life?
Sighing, she sat herself down and continued to stare into the taunting depths of the tunnel. Her ears were cocked to the side as she whined to herself, completely torn. She felt as if this should have been an easy decision. Wouldn't someone normally pick their friends above everything else? She supposed that's how it should be, but for some reason she couldn't decide. This place had been good to her, and she didn't want to leave it.
Sinking down to her belly, she lay her head down upon her paws and continued looking down that same tunnel. Just on the other side and about a day's run away, she would be back with her friends. How were they, she wondered?
The sun at her back, she sighed again. She then rolled onto her side, yet she remained peering into the darkness. It almost called to her, and she thought she heard some voice call her name. But it was impossible. No one else but herself lived here. Yet, as she continued to look into the tunnel, she thought she saw a silver light begin to glow and grow ever larger. Was it coming closer, or simply staying in one spot and growing larger that way?
Lifting her head, she blinked and squinted her eyes, wondering if she was just imagining things. Surely there couldn't be something there? Grunting, she rested her head down upon the ground again and closed her eyes. Sudden sleep overcame her, and it almost scared her back awake again.
Everything was black, and she felt herself stationed in one place. Her head could swivel back and forth, but she couldn't move any other part of her body. Confused, she grunted and attempted to pull away. When she was met with failure, she figured that this was another one of her dreams. She had never really been able to figure them out quite so much, but she knew that they were important and all happened for a reason. Thus, she remained quiet and simply waited for the message to be delivered.
Minutes passed, but still nothing came. Worried, she attempted to wake herself up. Nothing. Worried that she might be suspended in the black abyss forever, the seeress struggled.
"No," she breathed, unwilling to let herself go this way. And, really, it wouldn't even be dying. She'd just be stationed there, forever lonely and bored. She figured she'd go insane sooner or later, though. With her high mentality, it was only a matter of time before she ate up her own mind.
Thankfully, however, a light began to appear. Relieved, she hung her head for a moment then lifted it back up, eager to see what awaited her.
Not too long after the light appeared, it began reshaping itself into the form of a very feminine but very old wolf. Yet, even as it was old, it was quite intelligent and was full of wisdom, as she could see in her eyes. Her tail slowly wagging behind her, she was pleased to learn that this was the same wolf that had come to her in her first dream like this.
The spirit wolf smiled warmly and calmly at the younger wolf.
"We meet again, young Hallie," she said in that powerful yet at the same time very quiet and delicate voice. This time, though, there were more wolves gathered around her. Alarmed, Hallie attempted to take a step back. This wolfess had been kind to her before, but she had some trust issues sometimes.
The other female, sensing her unease, shook her head and explained. "They are here as witnesses. Do not fret, young Hallie. They will remain behind me, I assure you." Hal, somewhat assured, settled herself down. She supposed she shouldn't have been so untrusting. Then, as if reading her thoughts, the other wolfess spoke again. "Continue to question strangers, it will save you one day."
Somewhat surprised, she looked up and tilted her head slightly. The other wolf smiled, almost grinned in an amused way.
"You are old enough now, and I feel you are ready for this. I am Hyzenthlay. I was once a seer, when I was alive. The wolves behind me, they were also seers in their lifetimes. We have been observing your progress, fledgeling seer. We have silently been directing you on your quest and we have made sure that you did not stray from your training. Not more than two times did we have to interfere. You have done excellent, Hallie. Your power is great but your strength over that power is greater. You have fulfilled your potential. You have yet to learn everything, but you are well on your way."
Wondering what this all meant, Hallie shivered with excitement. For some reason, she felt that this would be a turning moment in her life, a moment that would make her into something different but something she had been destined to become all along.
Hyzenthlay raised her head, suddenly make herself look even more important. "This is the passing of the torch, so to speak. We have all come to council, and we believe that you are ready for this task." She paused for a moment, creating dramatic suspense. Randomly, Hal wondered if she did this all the time or if she had planned this out specifically.
"You, Hallie, are ready to become a seer," she announced. "You have progressed well since I had first appeared to you in that first dream. We all feel that you will be able to handle and use your powers appropriately. So this is your task, young wolf." She paused again, adding more suspense. "We are giving you all of the powers that a seer is capable of possessing. With these powers, we are expecting you to improve the life of others, help them when they need it, even if they don't ask for it. Use good judgement, and use your powers for the good of your species, not for any evil or destruction. We may be dead, but we are fully capable of punishing anyone that does any wrong," she informed Hal, though it came out as more of a hinting threat.
She took this into great consideration, not letting herself forget it. But, even with that threat hanging over her, she couldn't help but to be excited. Hyzenthlay had said that she was to become a full seer with all of the powers they possessed! Sure, she had to help others when they needed it, but that couldn't be too hard right?
Nodding her head respectfully, she spoke politely in turn. "I will use my powers for good, I solemnly swear. I will do all that I can to learn and understand, as well as respect, my powers."
The wolves seemed pleased with this, and so they then began to fade. But Hyzenthlay remained the longest, perhaps to share a final word with the newest seer of the land. "Hallie," she whispered, almost urgently. "Your road to understanding your powers fully will be rather difficult. Do not let them overcome you. If you ever need help, chew on the seed of a dandelion then sleep immediately afterwards. That will call me to your dreams."
Then, within a few moments, the wolfess had disappeared and Hallie was awake again, still at the entrance of the tunnel. Rising quickly to her paws, she stretched then sped into the tunnel towards the world that awaited on the other side.
She was a full-fledged seer now, and she was ready to test her powers.
