Spectral Shadows

Serial No. 1

Children of the Ommadawn

Episode No. 2

The Predatory Prerogative

Though Praline knew there was an extraordinary destiny ahead of her children, she tried not to let that awareness influence her in their rearing. Others in the forest suspected that there was nothing at all ordinary about Praline and her children, but Praline was not one to accept praise she believed was undue to her. No matter what honors the forest folk might try to impress on her, Praline remained always infinitely patient, polite and unassuming.

However, it was not possible to conceal from the children how revered their mother was among the inhabitants of Shinrin. She was the last Omman priestess. And as such, the keeper of the faith for all who chose to respect the ancient ways.

On the other hand, in the modern times in which they lived, there were many in Shinrin who had turned away from the Omman faith in favor of more self-serving ideals. Such people had little use for Praline. Yet they were rarely seen to be rude to her, for she was always gracious and polite, even to those who opposed her. And it is always difficult to be hostile with someone who insists on being so nice.

Praline was quick to begin her children’s education. When she would speak to the other forest inhabitants, Praline would use the modern language of Shinrin, which had been imported by creatures who had migrated from other places. But when she spoke to her children alone she would use the ancient language of her fore fathers, which was referred to as “The Old Language.”

She liked The Old Language better, because it was filled with polite nuances that allowed Praline to express herself far better than the somewhat rude modern language. However, The Old Language was of little use in modern times outside of religious rituals and spells. Still, Praline insisted that her children learn it. If for no other reason than that the knowledge of it should not be lost.

Praline also taught them the history of their clan, never missing an opportunity to pass on a legend about one of their ancestors. But Praline knew lots of stories about the other clans and tribes, as well. And the entire forest had grown to love Praline for her tales of Omman lore. Even those who now felt violently opposed to the old religion still could not deny how much they enjoyed the stories.

Praline also endeavored to instill a sense of courtesy and politeness in her children. Things like avoiding the word “animals” when referring to the inhabitants of Shinrin. That was considered a hurtful, degrading term. Further, one did not speak of “species,” for “species” was a racist term. Thus one spoke instead of “The Tribes of Shinrin.”

As tribes, the various forest families had the ability to ascribe to whatever set of beliefs they felt most comfortable with. And should an individual not accept the beliefs of his tribe, he could throw in with another tribe whose beliefs were more to his liking. And thus no one was necessarily bound to a certain way of life just because of the shape Nature had given them. Everyone had a choice, though it was highly uncommon for the forest inhabitants to go against the traditions of their tribes.

In those early days the two fawns were never away from their mother’s side. They followed her everywhere, hanging on her every word and soaking up her wisdom.

They liked to listen while she counseled members of the various tribes who came to her for advice and guidance. And the children would question the advice she had given afterwards, in order to understand it better. But they would never interrupt while she was talking to others, as they did not wish to disgrace their revered mother by appearing ill bread.

All in all the children were filled with wonder as they explored Shinrin with their mother. They liked making new friends and acquaintances. And they looked forward to all that was to be learned about the forest, its cycles and its various habitats. But they were disappointed to learn that they could not visit their friends in their homes above and below the ground.

This was the first understanding the children gained of mortal limitations. Yet Praline explained that they should not feel bad about such things, because a limitation, no matter how seemingly insurmountable, was never anything more than a challenge to be overcome through patience and understanding. Thus, if the children were to keep their minds open, someday they might attain the knowledge to accomplish anything they desired.

“Even a deer may fly,” she explained, “Once he has mastered the full knowledge of reality and understands how his thoughts affect his state of being.”

But not everything in the forest was pleasant. One day a wolf had appeared, and all the other creatures had run away, leaving Jonathan and Raelian to wonder what was this sense of fear that filled the air, and why were they, too, filled with the urge to run.

Praline had seemed like she was about to run away as well, but the wolf had called her by name, and she had stayed to talk to him – much to the horror of the birds and small animals who were watching safely from the trees.

Praline counseled the wolf for quite a while. Then he bowed politely and went on his way.

Later, when the children questioned Praline, she explained that not all the tribes of Shinrin got along with each other. The Deer Tribe generally had nothing to do with The Wolf Tribe because of an opposing philosophy. But as a priestess, Praline was not bound by such social standards. She would associate with anyone she might possibly be of help to.

But, because they did not ask, Praline did not explain to her children just exactly what the dispute between the deer and the wolves actually was. So this did not change the children’s perspective of their world. But another incident, not long after, would open their eyes to some horrifying facts of life in Shinrin.

While Praline and her children were enjoying a peaceful sojourn, a rabbit had suddenly run across their path, followed close behind by a red colored creature, which Praline called Kitsune. Both creatures had been out of sight but an instant before a terrified scream filled the air, followed almost instantly by a silence that chilled the small family to the depths of their souls.

A moment later, Kitsune reappeared in the path, holding the bloody body of the rabbit in his mouth. There he took his first notice of Praline and her children, and he suddenly felt himself pinned to the ground by three pairs of accusing eyes.

For a moment Kitsune stared back at them, surprised by their interest. And as he did so, blood dripped from the rabbit’s shredded body and formed a small pool on the bare trodden ground of the path below.

Staring up at Praline, it would have been easy for Kitsune to be terrified of a creature five times as large as himself. Were she in a hostile mood, Praline could have killed him instantly with one well placed kick. But Kitsune was aware of Praline’s gentle nature and knew she would not harm him. Still, he did not understand why she did not look away, as any other deer with any sense would have done. And although it was against his better judgment, he decided he had better speak to her and clear this up.

Kitsune dropped the rabbit’s body and asked, in his characteristically nervous and stuttering voice, “Wha…Why do you look at me like that? Why do you pass judgment on me? Wha…Was he a friend of yours?”

“We have spoken before, Kitsune,” said Praline, in a soft voice. “I thought you would give up these horrific ways. You have disappointed me.”

“I…I…I did try, Priestess,” said Kitsune, feeling guilt that he knew he should not feel. “But…You ask me to be more than I am. I am just a fox, and…And you do not understand the pain of trying to live as something I am not.”

“Don’t I understand?” asked Praline. “Do I live like other does?”

“B…But…But you are a priestess, trained from birth to be better than the rest of us,” said Kitsune. “I am just an ordinary fox, born and raised to live by the beliefs of my people. They will not let me change, nor will the hunger that drives me to do what I must.”

“You are stronger than all of that,” said Praline, with great confidence. “You have a conscience that tells you when you do something wrong. You don’t need me to tell you. Nor can all the words of your people drive out the pain in your heart.”

“I am sorry to have disappointed you, Priestess,” said Kitsune, with sincere regretfulness. “But my conscience is not as strong as my hunger.”

“It is not me you should worry about disappointing,” said Praline. “I am merely your friend and counselor. It is yourself that you disappoint the most. You become small in your own eyes, because of what you perceive as your weakness. Though it would become your great strength, if you would but believe in it.”

Kitsune was moved, as always, by Praline’s willingness to speak to him in this fashion. As a rule, The Deer Tribe would have nothing to do with The Fox Tribe. But Praline offered him friendship. And this was an almost unheard of thing.

Kitsune did not know whether to revere Praline for her wisdom, or to feel sorry for her for believing in something that was probably nothing more than idealistic foolishness. But Kitsune also was something of an idealist – else he would never have gone to The Priestess to discuss his very unfox-like guilt. And he would never have leant such weight to his thoughts had she not supported them.

“I have tried, Priestess,” said Kitsune, regretfully. “But I cannot fight my nature. There is not supposed to be any honor in being a fox. We are a damned tribe, not a blessed one like yours. No matter how I might torture myself to appease my conscience, I still won’t be going where you are going. I will still be trapped among my own kind – a fool among foxes.”

“Don’t defeat yourself, Kitsune-chan,” said Praline, adding an honorific to Kitsune’s name as a gesture of affection. This left Jonathan and Raelian wondering how their mother could be so magnanimous towards such an obviously cruel person. “Try to understand that your origins and your shape do not determine who you are or where you belong. You are more than a fox, as I am more than a deer. If you strive to be more than tribal customs dictate, then you become my kind. You will not be alone, and you will not be unaccepted. If I have seen that you lived with honor, when the time comes for your judgment, I will personally speak on your behalf.”

Kitsune let out a little whine, as if having felt a sudden pain. The thought of this gracious and holy priestess standing before the throne of Ra himself to speak on his behalf was emotionally overwhelming. And as always when he spoke to Praline he wished with all his heart to be worthy of the potential she saw in him.

In the midst of this feeling Kitsune looked down at the rabbit. Then back at Praline. Then back at the rabbit again. At that moment he felt a terrible pang of hunger from deep within him, and he began to cry as though his soul were being torn in half by the two opposing philosophies that sought to dominate his life.

Praline would have moved to comfort Kitsune, had her attention not been diverted by the arrival of a dark cloaked figure on the scene. Kitsune instantly noticed Praline’s fear and was instinctively drawn out of his philosophical quandary into a mode of self-preservation.

“W…W…What is it, Priestess?” asked Kitsune, urgently. “I…I…Is there danger?”

“Lord Death is here,” said Praline solemnly, bowing to the raven-winged Omman Lord who had appeared before her.

Kitsune gasped in horror. Killing in the presence of The Priestess certainly did have its disadvantages. Only she could see such things. No other fox ever needed to be bothered by the invisible realities of spectral shadows.

Lord Death paused, surprised to have been seen by someone he had not come to collect. It happened sometimes, but very rarely. One had to be something just a little bit more than mortal to perceive him.

Lord Death bowed to Praline politely, and he drew back his hood to reveal a furry but gentle anthropomorphic face. “Forgive my intrusion, Mother of the Ommadawn,” said Lord Death in his very deep, but still attractive voice. “But I must not neglect even the smallest of souls.”

Praline observed that Lord Death was no fearsome individual, but was rather a gentle spirit whose eyes twinkled with a glint of kindness in contrast to his otherwise powerful and foreboding appearance.

His movements were delicate and bird-like as he knelt beside the rabbit, his large black raven wings flexing slightly as they stood folded behind him, as though being moved by the slight breeze.

He wore a black cloak, tailored with slits in the back for his wings. What small portions of his body that were not concealed by this cloak were covered in black fur with a smooth sheen that reflected the light. And his fingers ended in long deadly talons that he held aloft while he spoke, adding a fascinating theatrical flair to his simplest of gestures.

With skilled and precise motions Lord Death lovingly extracted the soul from the head of the rabbit, and he held it in his hand so that Praline could observe it.

A tiny thing, it seemed. A white ball, about the size of a marble, which expanded and contracted slowly, as though breathing.

Though it no longer had the shape of a living creature, it still had a presence and personality that Praline could sense and identify as a rabbit. But that sense of it being a rabbit was diminishing as, under Death’s expert care, the thing was evolving, or reverting, into a being of pure spirit.

“Wha…What is happening, Priestess?” asked Kitsune, nervously. “Ha…Ha…Has Death come for me?”

“Of course not, Kitsune,” said Praline. “If he had you would see him yourself.”

“No,” Kitsune gasped. “Ha…Has he come for you then?”

“You seem more worried about me than you were for yourself,” Praline observed. “I’m touched, Kitsune-chan. But Lord Death has not come for me. Only for your prey.”

Kitsune looked down at the rabbit and was seized by the guilt that he had originally consulted Praline about. He had done to the rabbit that which he so feared some dog or human would do to him someday. It was impossible for him to not care when faced with the reality that there was more to a rabbit than being food for his tribe.

Lord Death held the small white ball aloft to see if it would fly from his hand of its own accord. But it did not. Something held it down, keeping it too heavy to fly.

“Perhaps you can help,” said Lord Death to Praline, and he presented the disembodied soul to her again.

Praline released herself and communicated with the soul of the rabbit in a way that no one else could hear. And before long, the ball floated up from Lord Death’s hand and ascended out of sight.

“You’re good at this,” said Death to Praline. “We have met before. Do you remember me?”

Praline nodded affirmatively, projecting an image of her memory of Lord Death standing amidst his fellow Omman Lords during the vision she had seen when her children were born.

“Ah, you do remember me,” said Lord Death with satisfaction, holding out his taloned hand to touch her face. “I am so pleased.”

Then he drew away, spreading his long black wings wide.

“Do you know my true name?” he asked.

“Rinne Le Ciel,” she projected silently with her mind. “Rinne-Ra.”

“I see that The Goddess chose you well,” said Lord Death, poising his wings for flight. “We shall meet again, Praline Hikari.”

And with that, a sudden gust of wind seemed to rise up from the ground, catching Lord Death’s raven wings and lifting him gracefully into the air. Higher and higher he flew, seemingly without effort, until he had completely disappeared from view.

“You can breathe now, Kitsune. He’s gone,” said Praline.

“Wha…What did you see, Priestess?” asked Kitsune, breathlessly.

“Poor little soul,” said Praline, emotionally, looking down at the rabbit’s now completely lifeless body. “It couldn’t ascend until it forgave you.”

These words seemed to strike Kitsune hard. So hard that he let out another cry. Then Kitsune looked down at his prey. The face of the rabbit still grimaced in pain and fear. Somehow, knowing he had been forgiven didn’t make this any easier. In fact, it only seemed to enhance his guilt.

“Wha…What do I do now?” Kitsune cried, entreating Praline’s pity.

“Don’t let his body go to waste,” said Praline. “He gives it to you willingly now. He won’t be needing it anymore. But he asked that you be kind to those of his tribe who still need their bodies. He hopes you will grant his loved ones peace.”

It crossed Kitsune’s mind that Praline might be making all this up just to torture him, or to force him to change his ways. But he dismissed the thought right away. Praline was far too honorable to betray his trust by misleading him. And she was not telling him anything that he had not already suspected.

“Wha…What is the point?” wailed Kitsune in his turmoil. “I am what I am. I cannot make penance for the lives I have taken. I cannot change the ways of my people. I cannot even control my own hunger. These things were decided long ago by powers far beyond you and I. We cannot fight them. If you care about me at all, let me forget my foolish notions. Grant me the ignorance of my own heart that I may be happy in life, as no reward awaits my kind in death.”

“Such absolution is not mine to give, Kitsune-chan,” said Praline regretfully. “The heart is the source of truth, and I am the priestess of truth. I cannot help you turn away from your heart.”

Kitsune bowed politely to Praline, trying to hide his eyes from her view lest she know the full depth of his pain. Then he picked up his prey and disappeared into the forest, leaving Jonathan and Raelian staring at the pool of blood he had left behind, which gradually was absorbed into the ground.

After a moment, Praline continued on her way, and her children followed in silence for a while, questions swirling in their minds, afraid to be asked. But soon they could bear to stay quiet no longer, and the lesson began.

[Note: The conversation that follows was spoken entirely in The Old Language. It is presented here translated.]

“Who was that?” asked Raelian.

“That was Kitsune, the fox,” said Praline. “His real name is Renard. I call him Kitsune to do him honor.”

“What has he done to the rabbit?” asked Jonathan.

“He has killed the rabbit so that he can eat him,” said Praline, showing no indication that this was anything unusual or particularly disturbing for her.

“Why would the fox want to do such a thing?” asked Raelian.

“Why do we eat the leaves and the grass?” asked Praline.

“Because we are hungry,” said Jonathan. “But the leaves and grass don’t mind if we eat them, do they?”

“We are plant eaters,” Praline explained. “It is not our way to eat any part of a plant that ends its mortal existence. And because we eat the fruit of the plants their seeds are scattered so that their children may take root and grow. We are as necessary to them as they are to us.”

“Is the rabbit necessary to the fox in the same way?” asked Jonathan.

“Does the rabbit not object to being eaten?” asked Raelian.

“A rabbit is not a plant. It is an animal being,” Praline explained. “There is no part of an animal being that can be eaten which will not end its mortal existence. And there is no way to end a mortal existence that is not painful and frightening. So yes, the rabbits do object. They do not benefit from being eaten, and the rabbits are not necessary to The Fox Tribe. There is no reason why The Fox Tribe cannot be sustained by the plants as we are. But their ancestors chose long ago to live this way. And the habit has grown so deep that it is difficult for them to fight. They do not believe it is possible to live any other way.”

“What happens when a mortal existence ends?” asked Jonathan.

“All creatures that live on Chikyu are mortal beings,” said Praline. “That means that their existence is temporary. They will all eventually die, either by naturally living out their time, or by having their time prematurely ended by their bodies being damaged. When a mortal creature dies, its soul is separated from its body so that it may depart this world and seek a new existence somewhere else. But it cannot return to life on Chikyu. Not without losing all memory of the life it lived here before.”

“Do foxes care that rabbits don’t want to be eaten?” asked Raelian.

“Kitsune cares,” said Praline. “But he is no ordinary fox. Most foxes do their best not to consider such questions. They believe it is their hereditary right to not have to think about it. But Kitsune is not convinced by the argument that he was damned from birth by Taiyo Kami Sama along with his tribe and all others who claim The Predatory Prerogative. It does not really matter to Kitsune that he believes no redemption awaits him after death, as is the belief of his entire tribe. He knows only that harming others causes him pain, and that he is torn between that pain and the pain of his tribal habit. He also knows that if he is able to overcome his habit, his tribe will shun him for being different. He will lose all of his friends and have to live his life alone.”

“Wouldn’t the rabbits be his friends if he stopped eating them?” asked Raelian.

“Just as Kitsune’s tribe has learned to eat rabbits, so have the rabbits learned to fear foxes,” Praline explained. “So, even if Kitsune tries to be kind to the rabbits, they will still be afraid of him. They will not be his friends.”

“You are his friend,” Raelian observed.

“I am not like other deer,” said Praline. “I chose a different path from my tribe. And in many ways I am as outcast as Kitsune fears to be. It is true that I am respected, but I am also feared. And many of those who call themselves my friends do so only because they think I have the ear of Taiyo Kami Sama, and that I may put in a good word for them if they are nice to me. But the majority of our tribe is afraid of me and what I represent. They want to forget the old ways and deny the prophecies. They can’t do that when I’m around. So they prefer that I stay away. Because of this I sympathize with Kitsune and offer him friendship so that he won’t be entirely alone if he changes his ways. But our tribe fears me even more because I will show kindness to our traditional enemy, and they would not like to think they have to follow my example to win Taiyo Kami Sama’s favor.”

“Is that true?” asked Jonathan. “Does Taiyo Kami Sama listen to you? And will he bless those who are close to you?”

“That is just a silly notion that our tribe has about me,” said Praline. “I’m not really all that special. I believe that I have seen the Omman Lords on special occasions. But I have no power to change anyone’s destiny. I know some things that others don’t because of the education I received from our family. But they are not things that anyone else can’t learn if they want to.”

“Lord Death is one of the Omman Lords, isn’t he?” asked Raelian.

“Yes,” said Praline. “Did you see him?”

“Not with my eyes,” said Raelian. “I could see him in your mind as he spoke to you. He seemed very kind.”

“To die is a very frightening thing,” said Praline. “Part of Lord Death’s job is to calm the spirits of those who die. That job requires a kind person. But he does not decide who will die, as many think he does. He just goes where he is needed and does what he must, like all the other servants of Ra.”

Jonathan was still wrestling with the idea of animal creatures being eatable. It drastically altered the concept of life he had been developing. And he dreaded to ask the question that was nagging at his mind.

“Mother,” asked Jonathan. “Are there tribes who eat deer?”

“I’m afraid so,” said Praline. “The Fox Tribe is not much of a threat to us. They can attack you while you’re small, but not after you’ve grown much larger than them. However, there are other, more powerful tribes who have adopted The Predatory Prerogative, and you will always have to keep your distance from them.”

“What do we do if they want to eat us?” asked Jonathan.

“You run away, of course,” said Praline.

“The rabbit ran away,” Jonathan observed.

“Yes, and he got caught,” said Praline. “There’s not much you can do if you get caught. So you have to be clever and make sure they don’t catch you. Run through places where they can’t follow you. Go to places where they can’t reach you. And if all else fails, you defend yourself. Though you may have to kill them to save your own life. And that is not the way of our tribe.”

“If we kill them do we get to eat them?” asked Raelian, flippantly.

“Don’t joke about things like that,” said Praline, seriously. “You don’t ever want to see what happens to a deer who eats the flesh of an animal creature.”

“Is there nothing we can do to change the way things are in our world?” asked Jonathan. “Is there no way the predators can be shown a better way of life?”

“Sometimes you can reach ones like Kitsune who want to be shown,” said Praline. “And if you can convince some to change, maybe others will follow. But you can’t just set out to change the ways of a whole tribe. Change takes place in our world, but it is a gradual thing. You have to conquer one heart at a time, and the first heart you have to conquer is your own. You have to resist the temptation to hate the predators. You must learn to pity them for their lack of understanding, and for how much they miss in life because of it. You must be able to love them before you can help them.”

“That will be difficult,” said Raelian. “Rabbits are my friends. How can I love someone who kills my friends?”

“By knowing the truth,” said Praline. “If you know the truth you cannot fall prey to unreasoning hatred. You will know that Taiyo Kami Sama made us all, and so we are all of one family and meant to love each other. It is only through a misunderstanding of our true nature that such horrible things happen. And the more people who understand the truth, the more peaceful our world will be.”

“Mother,” asked Jonathan, “Is there a predator who wants to eat Shinrin?”

“That’s very perceptive of you, Jon-chan,” said Praline. “There is a predator who eats Shinrin a little bit every day. And someday Shinrin will die because they ate too much of it. Everything in this life is temporary – even the planet on which we stand. So never count on anything to be around for long. Enjoy everything you love while you have it, for it may be gone tomorrow.”

“But that’s so sad,” said Raelian.

“It’s life,” said Praline. “Life never stays the same. But life is beautiful because of its impermanence. You’ll see. You yourselves change every day. You grow bigger, you become wiser. The trick is to mark the changes in your mind. Never forget where you started, nor anywhere you’ve been along your journey. Then you will see how everything that happened in the past was necessary to create the future. And you will behold the beauty of change.”

Praline’s logic seemed to make the temporary nature of life easier to accept for the children, and so the event they had witnessed did not jade them or hinder them from being happy children, eagerly soaking up the knowledge of their world. It remained only as a shadow in the back of their minds for the time being, happily ignored in favor of the more pleasant things they were learning.

Next Episode

Previous Episode

Serial Index

Home

Support us on Patreon

Check out the official Discord Server!