2. Unforeseen Encounters
Colmar, France
Thirty-six hundred miles away from the Savannah Region, in the quaint town of Colmar, Laoise lived a life marked by calmness and an overwhelming sense of indecision. She was the quintessential 'library girl' - introverted, unassuming, and shrouded in a veil of invisibility of her own making. Laoise's world was one of books and quiet corners, far removed from the spotlight, where her lack of self-esteem and confidence rendered her a pushover in the eyes of many.
Despite having completed her bachelor's in European Literature, Laoise's path forward remained unclear, clouded by her indecisiveness. It was her mother who, to help her daughter find direction, enrolled her in a four-week humanitarian trip organized by her college. The trip, intended to be a journey of self-discovery and growth, took Laoise and a group of ten students, to Northern Togo, her father’s country of origin.
The group mission was noble yet challenging. They were to work alongside the local people, assisting in the improvement of infrastructure and participating in various construction projects. For Laoise, who never left France, this was a venture far outside her comfort zone, a stark contrast to the quiet and familiar halls of the library she spends all her free time in.
To her own surprise, Laoise found herself deeply enjoying the trip abroad, far more than she had anticipated. From the moment she arrived, she was enveloped in a warm welcome that seemed to radiate from their hosts, a kindness that was both genuine and heartwarming. Each day of the mission brought with it a new sense of fulfillment and joy that she hadn't expected to find.
The sights and sounds of the region captivated her from the start. The vibrant colors of the local markets, the lively chatter of the vendors, and the exotic scents of spices and fresh produce were a feast for her senses. She found herself relishing the local cuisine, savoring flavors that were both new and tantalizing. The food was a delightful exploration of taste, from spicy, aromatic dishes that warmed her from within to sweet, ripe fruits that tasted like bursts of sunshine.
The weather, too, was a source of pleasure. She basked in the warmth of the sun, which was a welcome change from her usual climate.
As their adventure in Togo was ending, the group decided to embark on one final excursion – a walk to the serene Koumbeloti pond to admire the majestic hippos one last time.
The journey through the savannah was not just a trek; it was a celebration of the work they had accomplished, filled with laughter, and shared reflections on their experiences. The mood was light and joyful, with each member of the group contributing to the lively banter. Leading the way beside a local guide was Côme, Laoise's long-time secret crush. His presence added an extra layer of excitement to the walk for Laoise. She found herself stealing glances at him, admiring the way he interacted with the others and the ease with which he navigated the terrain. His laughter was infectious, and his enthusiasm for the natural beauty around them was evident.
As they traversed the sprawling savannah, the beauty of the wild landscape captivated them. The vast expanse of golden grass swayed gently in the breeze, the distant hills painting a picturesque backdrop, and the occasional sightings of wildlife added a thrill to their journey.
However, their tranquil walk took a dramatic turn when, suddenly, they came face to face with a leopard. The magnificent creature, with its striking coat and piercing eyes, appeared seemingly out of nowhere, its presence commanding immediate attention.
The group froze, a collective gasp escaping their lips as they beheld the wild animal. The leopard's unexpected appearance sent a jolt of fear coursing through them. In a moment of panic, Côme, who had been smoking, reacted instinctively by tossing his burning cigarette away. Unfortunately, it landed in a nearby bush of dry vegetation.
Within minutes, the bush caught fire, the flames quickly spreading and engulfing the surrounding area. The group, now in a state of alarm, scrambled in all directions, desperately trying to escape the rapidly spreading fire.
Amidst the chaos, Laoise found herself rooted to the spot, unable to move. Paralyzed by terror, she watched in horror as the flames grew, her mind racing with fear. The heat from the fire was intense, and the smoke began to cloud her vision. As her fellow travelers disappeared into the nearby village, seeking safety, Laoise remained frozen, her fate uncertain in the face of the encroaching wildfire. As the savannah began to burn, chaos ensued. Animals fled in panic, and the air filled with the thick smoke of the spreading fire. Overwhelmed by the smoke and her fear, Laoise lost consciousness.
In a twist of fate, Aja saw in the fire a validation of her beliefs about the destructive nature of mankind. Acting on instinct, she grabbed the unconscious Laoise by the foot and dragged her away from the flames. Just then, a red car, filled with what appeared to be firemen, approached the scene, adding urgency to Aja's actions.
Aja, with Laoise in tow, found a hiding spot, waiting patiently as the fire was extinguished and the humans retreated to their villages. It was only after ensuring they were alone that Aja began to drag her captive towards the Tree of Life.
As Aja proudly presented the unconscious Laoise at the feet of Kae, she announced with a hint of triumph, “See what I found.” The leopard's eyes gleamed with a mix of defiance and satisfaction.
Kae’s response, however, was tinged with sadness. “Now is not the right time. We are in the middle of a tragedy,” the tree replied, its voice echoing the sorrow of the savannah.
Aja, undeterred, pressed on, her voice rising with urgency. “Look! The said tragedy has been caused by this thing and her kind. I saw them. We need to attack the village now.” She gestured towards Laoise's still form, her stance aggressive and accusing.
The other animals of the savannah, drawn by the commotion, gathered around, their eyes fixed on the still body of Laoise, curious and apprehensive about Kae's impending decision. As they watched, the leaves of the Tree of Life began to fall gently to the ground. With the support of a sudden breeze, they swirled and coalesced, taking the form of a deer - Kae’s mobile form.
“They have fire in their fingers, and I saw them throw the fire,” Aja continued. “They want to burn us all.”
Nosso, the oldest panther, interjected with a note of skepticism, “Usually, they are very respectful of us. They have been for countless moons. Why would they do that now?” He approached Laoise, sniffing cautiously. “This human is not from here. She’s a stranger to the village,” he observed, “and she seems to be alive, but barely.”
“We should get rid of her and all the rest of…” Aja began, but Nosso cut her off, “It is not your decision to make. It is Kae’s decision.”
The leaf deer, remained silent, observing Laoise intently. After a deep breath, Kae delved into Laoise’s mind, unraveling her fears and the sequence of events that led to the fire. “I see that some individuals in the new human group coming from over the sea bear fire in their hands,” Kae stated.
“I told you so,” Aja interjected triumphantly.
Kae, however, continued, revealing her insight into Aja's disobedience. “I also see that you intentionally left Sadori land, followed them, and confronted them which you were not supposed to do.”
Caught off guard, Aja stammered, “Ummm…I was hunting and got lost…”
“You are also part of this tragedy, Aja,” Kae said solemnly.
“No. You need to see the bigger picture here,” Aja protested, but Kae’s voice grew stern.
“I was there for the sake of our safety…” Aja tried to explain, her voice shaking.
“Then you will be punished both,” Kae declared. Another thunderclap echoed as Aja felt her body collapse next to Laoise.
“I told you not to lurk near the human town. How many times did I tell you to behave and follow the rules?” Kae's voice sounded almost thunderous, reflecting her frustration. As if on cue, thunder rumbled in the distance, and rain began to pour down heavily.
“Kae please,” Aja begged, her voice filled with desperation.
Ignoring Aja's pleas, Kae pronounced a transformative curse. “Since you are obsessed with Laoise kind so much, I am sealing your life with hers. The moment she wakes up, you will be trapped in her mind and bear her human form by day. By night, she will shift into your leopard form and be imprisoned in your mind. This shape-shifting spell is both a punishment for you, Aja, and a lesson for this human as her group brought fire to our land.”
Kae’s words were absolute, her decision final. “Laoise will now understand the importance of all life, from trees to the wild. And you, Aja, will gain an understanding of humans by traversing their cities, accumulating information about them, and reporting any potential threats they might pose to us. While both Laoise and yourself will retain your consciousness during the shift, you will be unable to express yourselves in your alternate forms.”
Aja's cries of protest, “Kae pleeeeeease. Don't do that! Kaeeee....I...am begging you...Don't do that...!" echoed through the savannah, but Kae remained resolute, her decision irrevocable. The fate of Aja and Laoise was now intertwined, a punishment and a lesson woven together by the ancient wisdom of Kae.
As the storm above intensified, thunder rumbling with greater ferocity, the atmosphere around them became charged with an unseen energy. In that moment, under the formidable power of Kae's spell, Aja too, succumbed to the overwhelming force.
