Chapter 277: Seeing the Forest for the Trees (2/2)
Additional devices have been incorporated into its structure to provide food, water, and air to the subject, as well as creating a means for the subject to broadcast their thoughts.
The modifications have lowered the rank of this device from (Tier 3, Rank 4) to its current state.
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A quick search around the room eventually located something that looked a bit like a control console, and after a bit of experimentation, he found a button that seemed to do the trick.
With a hiss of escaping air, a portion of the Stasis Array swung open, giving Mike his first good look at the cage's inhabitant. His initial impression was largely correct, in that the creature inside was basically an unusually shaped tree, however, it quickly became apparent that there was more to the story.
It was vaguely humanoid, with bark taking the place of skin and branches functioning as arms and legs. A head-like knob of wood rested on the creature's shoulders, crowned with several small branches that looked like they should have had leaves, but were currently bare. Sprouting from its back were several other branches that curved towards the ground like some kind of cloak. These even had a few dried chestnut husks still hanging from them.
Mike waited a few moments, wondering if the creature was even capable of movement, before asking hesitantly, ”Hello? Are you alright?”
With a sort of graceless awkwardness you'd expect from someone who'd been trapped in the same position for decades, the tree man attempted to stand, barely managing it by grasping the cage for support. Two slits opened up on its head, quickly revealing a pair of pure green orbs that appeared to be eyes. They swiveled for a bit before focusing on Mike.
After a few moments of staring, the creature opened yet another slit, to reveal a toothless gash of a mouth, and started speaking. ”H- *cough* - Ugh! Sorry, been a long time since I've actually talked. Quite forgot how to do it. Apparently, I don't really remember how to move, either.”
”No problem. Take your time.”
It nodded, a strangely fluid motion accompanied by a creaking noise reminiscent of the sound of tree branches straining under the force of the wind, and proceeded to take a few minutes to grow accustomed to moving again. Once it seemed mostly capable of functioning again, it stepped out of the cage with a slight gasp of inhaled air.
[I guess it breathes. Carbon dioxide, maybe?]
After a few further moments to adjust, it fixed its gaze on Mike. ”Ah, now that hits the spot. Nothing like a good breath of fresh air...Although I suppose this place doesn't exactly have the best air...and it's not exactly fresh… Anyway, let me introduce myself. In this life I am...or perhaps was...Reber Wentil, a druid of the Circle of the Whispering Grove.”
[In this life? Some kind of druid thing?]
”I'm Michael, but please call me Mike. This is Tal. We don't really have a definite affiliation, I'm afraid. If you don't mind my asking, what exactly happened to you?”
The creature who called itself Reber looked down at his wooden hands. ”Well, you know the old story. Boy meets girl. Girl turns out to be a psychopathic researcher bent on turning humans into plants. Boy becomes an experimental subject that's slowly tortured until he masters the ability to become a tree. Girl is unsatisfied with that and makes the boy into a glorified lawn ornament. It's a tale as old as time.”
”Um...I guess?” Mike offered, a bit confused. ”You seem to be handling this rather well.”
”That's the tree bit, I think. Old Fatima mentioned that plants don't really have emotions like humans do, even the sentient ones. Something to do with glands, if I recall. Anyway, it makes this whole insanity thing much easier to deal with.” Reber shot back with the tree man equivalent of a wink. ”On another note, any chance we can move this conversation outside? I've been jonesing for a bit of sunlight.”
”Sure.” Mike replied quietly while moving to the door. The three of them walked in silence up to the front entrance and out into the illusory sunlight.
As soon as he was outside, wooden feet firmly planted on the dirt, Reber looked up and said. ”Even though I know it's all fake, this much better. Thanks.”
They waited for a few moments as he bathed in the light of the demi-realm's artificial sun. Finally, Mike broke the silence. ”I know I might not look like it, but I'm a fairly accomplished healer. Do you want me to try and fix your...condition?”
The tree man broke out of his trance with a jolt and gave him an incredulous look. ”I literally just finished explaining how being a tree is the only thing keeping me from going fully batshit...Ah, whatever. Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass. Believe it or not, this form is actually pretty comfortable. All I need is a little water, sun, and soil, and I'm in paradise. Quite frankly, this is loads better than being a human with all of their feelings and needs and whatnot.”
”That's fair, I guess...”
[Well, whatever floats his boat. Speaking of which, he's been using an awful lot of colloquialisms in his speech. I wonder if that's just the way he is, or it's some kind of effect from my Communication Magic. Hmm, maybe I need a second opinion.]
He turned to Tal. ”Out of curiosity, what's your take on this guy?”
”I am unsure, truth be told. Since you have been communicating in that strange language this entire time, I haven't been able to follow what's going on.”
[Huh?]
Reber suddenly broke in. ”Man you've really adapted to living here, haven't you?”
”What do you mean?”
”Well based on your age, it can't be that long since you've reincarnated here, and you've already mastered another language. Some kind of Elven, right? Sounds totally badass.”
Mike held up his hand, ”Wait, how do you know about the reincarnation thing?”
The tree man shrugged. ”Well, since you started talking in English, I figured you must be from Earth. Was I wrong?”
[Ah, the old 'we were speaking a different language the entire time' bit. I used to think it was just a cheap narrative ploy, but I guess universal translation effects make it a bit more believable.]
”You're not exactly wrong, but does this mean that you reincarnated as well?” Mike asked.
”Sure does.” Reber replied cheerfully. ”Apparently, I have a 'fat soul,' so some goddess had to send me to this world to get reborn. Ordinarily, this would have meant wiping my memories, but I managed to convince her to let me keep them.”
”Oh? How did you manage that?”
”Let's just say that it involved a whole lot of begging, a little bit of crying, and a fair amount of terrified gibbering.” He leaned over a bit conspiratorially. ”Between you and me, she's got a bit of a soft spot for the desperately pathetic. Anyway, I ended up regretting it afterwards. No one ever tells you how much it sucks to be a baby, especially with the whole birth process. Had nightmares about that for years...So, how about you, same deal?”
Mike glanced over at Tal, who was patiently watching the two of them. He was starting to feel a little guilty about leaving her out. ”Not exactly…can you give me a minute?”
”Sure thing. I'll just be over here, enjoying the sun.”
He motioned to Tal and walked a few dozen meters away. Once he was sure they were out of earshot, he turned and faced her.
”What's the matter?” She asked after seeing his facial expression.
After pausing for a few moments, and confirming that this was the route he wanted to take, he looked her in the eyes and started. ”There is something I've been meaning to tell you…”