Chapter 117: The cost of disobedience

Trace panted from the mental strain of what he'd tried to do. And failed… well, mostly failed.

"I'm sorry I can't communicate with you better." He offered quietly.

"We'll figure out a way eventually," She sighed deeply, her forehead tucked against his neck as they sat on the floor of the cave, side by side.

He could feel the wheels turning in her head, tell by her little twitches and breathing changes that she was trying to work out the mystery he'd given her. He'd pressed hard against the commands given to him, and it had hurt. Badly. Much worse than he wanted to admit.

He had created his new world in this way to preserve the memory Sanders had shown him. To watch it over and over again, and understand Oakdown's power better. To see the tree in all its beauty, and marvel at it.