Chapter 2
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The ancient ash tree which had been standing since time immemorial was like a guardian spirit protecting the Pink Rabbits. To ensure the peace and comfort of the guardian deity, the Pink Rabbit tribe, self-sufficient and thriving, had established a small enclave a short distance away from the tree. As always, they lived in tranquility.
Ruby, who had a reputation in the village for being a troublemaker, stuffed a large carrot from the back garden into her bag and headed for the old ash tree.
“Mmmm, it smells so good.”
Ignoring the common belief that one should not casually approach the revered azalea tree, she boldly ascended its branches. With branches reaching for the sky in all directions, she had a clear view of the entire village from her perch.
“Oh, revered guardian, please overlook my impudence; I am too cute to be angry at.” With that narcissistic statement, she sprawled out on the thickest branch of the ash tree. Though the brisk wind hinted at the passing autumn, it had no effect on her. Her pink fur made her hardier than the average rabbit tribe, especially in winter.
There was no happier moment for Ruby than lying on the ash tree, using her bag as a pillow, and taking a nap. As usual, she surrendered herself to nature, closed her eyes, and embraced the contentment of the moment.
Just before she drifted off to sleep, a wizened-looking old man gently brushed her forehead.
Ruby giggled and mumbled. “I’m sleepy, revered guardian…”
“Rest comfortably, little one.” The gentle voice trailed off, the sound of soft snoring echoing around them.
* * *
Ruby found herself standing in a pitch-black space, a familiar setting where her premonitions always manifested. She had a lot of them, and they were always different. She dreamed of carrot soup for dinner, or her friend stumbling over their own prank. The dreams were so trivial that they seemed more like whims than premonitions, so instead of fear, she always anticipated what unexpected event might unfold that day.
Soon, the black space became distorted and reddish in color, and she heard a voice, muffled as if they were underwater. She approached the reddened space, realizing only then why it appeared so crimson.
Her village was engulfed in a fierce blaze. Screams rang out, and people scattered in confusion, in a town that had been so peaceful before her visit to the Guardian Tree.
Startled, Ruby rushed towards the scene, only to be confronted by figures clad in golden armor.
‘Take them all, leave no one behind!’ came the ominous command.
She immediately called out for her mother and grandmother. Panicked enough to forget she was in a dream, she spotted her mother and grandmother in the distance, silently watching her.
‘Mom! Grandma!’
Both of them, after lowering their heads as if in silent acknowledgment, placed a finger to their lips, signaling for her to be quiet.
Then, her grandmother’s voice resonated in her mind, ‘My little one, the only clan that can catch a lion is the Black Wolf. Remember this well.’
‘Grandma!’
Before the echoes in her mind could fade, an imposing figure of a Golden Lion, much larger than her grandmother and mother, appeared behind them.
Ruby screamed, ‘No! Get away!’
‘Run, Ruby!’
Hearing her mother’s urgent cry, a figure appeared behind Ruby and hugged her tightly. A soft voice whispered in her ear as she reeled from the stranger’s touch. ‘The future is predestined. Only you can change it.’
Shedding tears, Ruby turned her head to see the speaking entity, she found the guardian deity of the ancient ash tree—a figure with long, flowing, faded blue hair that had always regarded her with kindness.
‘Come on, dear one, get up and run,’ the guardian deity said.
And with those words, Ruby’s consciousness was pulled back into reality like a whirlpool.
“Gasp!”
She scrambled to her feet, her body drenched in sweat from the unusual precognitive dream. In the distance, she saw her village engulfed in flames, just like in her dream…
“Mom, grandma…”
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