Under The Oak Tree Ch 7 Novels & Stories

A moment that was supposed to bring every mother joy filled me with only dread. The frustration was palpable - we were making no progress. We were simply wandering blindly through the maze of trees. Dread settled heavier in my gut with every fruitless step. Finally, as the last rays of half-light faded, Ophelia stopped and turned to us. "Let me try something." I watched apprehensively as she stepped up to a gnarled oak tree and pressed her palms against the bark. Her eyes slipped closed as she began whispering under her breath. Old tongue.

Its calm surface invited Chai to approach, offering solace and respite from the demanding journey he had undertaken. Seeking shade and respite, Chai found refuge beneath the boughs of ancient trees that stood sentinel-like around the oasis. The interplay of light and shadow created a mesmerizing spectacle as the sun's rays filtered through the dense foliage. The gentle rustle of leaves provided a soothing melody, as if the trees themselves whispered secrets of ancient wisdom to those who would listen.

“Alright! Alright! My bad! I know you don’t do your niece! That’s completely incest!” The girl laughed as she received a stern look from Silas. I bowed my head. I just looked at the noisy dry leaves whenever I stepped on them. Do they have a relationship? The girl was just laughing at his irritability. They seemed used to each other. “What tree is this?” I asked while touching the big tree we stopped at. “Oak tree,” the girl replied shortly and stood beside me. We were out of the forest, but this area still seemed to belong to the homeowner. There was not a single person in sight, and only one type of tree was planted. The environment here is pure green—with dark green grass, big oak trees,

“What…?” I nodded to the tree. “I’m going to lift it, Mer. I need you to pull Charles out. Can you do that for me?” “Beta…you can’t…you…” “Can you do it, Mer?” I growled at her. She nodded and hobbled over, favoring her twisted leg. Falling down to her knees next to me, she looked up at me. I looked down at the tree. This tree had to be in the eighty-foot range. It stuck out the back of the yard; the roots pulled up with clumps of dirt and grass still clinging to them. The top of the tree branches reached into the road in front of the house. My jaw set and I took a deep breath.

The path beneath their feet grew uneven, the forest growing thicker and more ancient as they walked, until they arrived at the base of the oldest oak tree in Valenwood. The massive oak towered above them, its gnarled branches stretching out like protective arms, creating a canopy that filtered the moonlight. Caius stopped beneath the tree, his shoulders tense as he exhaled a slow breath. Lira stood beside him, unsure of what to say, the weight of the prophecy hanging between them.

“We must go. Now!” Grandma hesitated for only a second before following him. The messenger ran ahead, leading the way through the dark forest. The old man moved surprisingly fast for his age, his long cloak billowing behind him. Grandma struggled to keep up, her heart racing as they pushed through branches and tangled roots. The air soon filled with the smell of smoke. By the time they reached the edge of the clearing, the sky above glowed orange. The “powerful room” — the secret chamber hidden beneath an old oak tree — was burning fiercely. The fire crackled and roared, sparks flying into the night.

The white tree was there too, smaller now, but still standing. A pup asked him: “Were the old wolves stupid? To fight over trees?” Oka laughed. “No, baby. They were brave. They taught us that choice isn’t between right and wrong. It’s between different kinds of right.” “What kind are you?” the pup asked. Oka looked at his moon. Pink, with one white spot. “I’m a Thorn who takes naps under white leaves. What kind are you?” The pup thought hard. “I’m both too.”

The night sounds surround us. Crickets. Wind. Branches shifting overhead. The closer we get to the clearing the stronger the pull becomes. My chest burns again. Dad notices immediately. “You okay?” “Yeah,” I say quickly. “It just… keeps pulling.” He nods slowly. “I feel it too.” We step past the last row of trees. And then we both stop. The clearing is glowing. Not a little. The entire place shines like someone poured liquid moonlight over the ground. The huge Moon Tree stands in the center with its white bark glowing softly and silver light pours down through the branches from the full moon above.

“Well, looks like we’re stuck here together for now. We need to figure out how to get off this place.” Nora nodded weakly. “Do you think anyone’s coming for us?” “I don’t know,” I said honestly. “But we can’t sit around waiting.” I got to my feet, my legs were shaking but I tried to maintain composure. “Let’s find food or water. We’ll need strength to survive.” I offered her a hand, and she took it, her grip surprisingly firm. I scanned the horizon, my eyes settling on a cluster of trees swaying gently in the breeze. My heart lifted at the sight of their green foliage, dotted with vibrant red fruits.

She rushed over and slapped me hard, pointing at the black shrouds draped throughout the house, shouting, “You little brat! Are you insane? Do you want to die? I see you’ve gone mad! “You called to curse your Grandpa into prison, and now you hang these shrouds in the house? What do you think you’re doing?” Sophia, linking her arm with Mom’s, tried to appease her. “Yes, Charlotte, you can’t be upset just because Mom and Ethan went to Moonlake with me and didn’t bring you. “Look at all this is so morbid! And cursing Grandpa… Please don’t do that. Next time, we’ll take you with us, okay? Don’t blame me. I’m sorry…”