The Shaman's Tree: Rise of the Shaman

Chapter 1: The Opened Tomb

CHAPTER 1

The Opened Tomb

         The morning was young, as the early morning sunlight was creeping into the bedroom from the window above. Dakota was was lying in bed deciding whether to get up or not. He looks over to the bed next to him; it was empty and unmade as it was every morning. His roommate Thoran was on his usual morning jog around campus. Thoran normal wakes up an hour before Dakota even thinks of getting out of bed, so he can get his jog in before breakfast. Dakota laid there thinking why could he not just sleep in today.
         Thoran and Dakota have been the roommate for the past two year at South Eastern Academy which is a boarding school right next to the Appalachian Mountains. Thoran is a striker for the school's soccer team and could have easily have been rooming with some his teammates but decided to room with Dakota instead. The amount of time they spent together now, you could never tell the two belong in two separate worlds. Thoran parents were big business people and are hardly ever at home. So boring school for Thoran was something he has been using too. Dakota, on the other hand, has been here for as long as he remembered. His mother died when he was young and his father has never been heard from. The Dorm mother Wakanda found him and took him in and raised him here.
         Dakota decided it was time to get up and headed over to the dresser to get dressed. At that moment, Thoran walked in. He was wearing his tank top and gym shorts, the same that he wore every morning when he went on his jog. Thoran had a very muscular build, he was a typical blond hair and blue eyes kind of guy and loved the sport he played. Dakota, on the other hand, had a very slight athletic build and had brown hair and brown eyes. In other words, the two were complete opposite almost.
         “Just no getting up Dakota,” Said Thoran when he walked in.
         “You know very well that I am not a morning person,” Dakota said putting his shirt on. He looked on the top of the dresser at his chemistry book and remembered that they had to redo a lob today.
         “I know, meet you down at breakfast,” Thoran said and Dakota gathered the rest of his things before heading down to breakfast. Thoran knew his friend well and knew that he was nervous about the lab today, since last time it blew up in their face literally. Of course, it was not there fault the beaker was broken and could not handle the heat from the bunsen burner. At least the instructor was going to let them redo the experiment.
         “Hey are we still going to the gym later this afternoon,” he asked and Dakota was exiting the room.
         “Yea,” Dakota said heading down to breakfast.
         Breakfast was made every morning in the dorm by Wakanda. The dorms here are like houses. Each house has about ten to fifteen students. In Dakota’s and Thoran’s house, you could smell what she was cooking the moment you step out of your door. Dakota could tell it was going to be a simple breakfast with pancakes. He could already smell the fresh maple syrup and bacon. He headed down to sit in his usual spot, which was near the end of the table. Thoran came and set right across from me and our friend Autumn said next to me.
         The dining room were the had most of their meals as a house. Dinner and Breakfast were to only meals during the week, the only time lunch was offered was on the weekends, when many of the students went home to their parents. There was a single long table with about 10 chairs that sat everyone that lived here at the house and each meal was prepared by Wakanda.
Autumn spent most of he time at the stables with the horses, she was planning to be a vet when she went to college. She was the one girl who tried to know everyone in the class. Dakota meet by accidentally running into her as they bother were running down the hall late to their class. After that they became real close, they found out they had a lot in common over the years and have been friends since. Autumn also had a sister named Mary who went here as well.
         “So your not going to fail going to fail your lab today are you,” Autumn said. Dakota shifted in his seat before replying. He hated whenever that was brought up.
         “I’m sure they will do fine,” Said Wakanda placing another platter of pancakes on the table.
         “Besides,” Thoran said,” It was not our fault it exploded last time,”
         “Of course it wasn’t,” Autumn said sarcastically. “Can you pass the peanut butter Dakota?”
         Dakota handed her the peanut butter and she began to put it on her pancakes, It was something she did every time they had. Wakanda has gotten used to making sure there were maple syrup and peanut butter on the table. It was a habit that she grew up with. Dakota always wondered about it but never said a word.
Wakanda came and sat at the head of the table by Dakota as she did overtime they had a meal. Wakanda really was the closest thing to mother Dakota had since he died when he was young. All she told him was that he was left here after they found him in a house with his mother dead. She tried to find the father, but never could so after about a year with his she decided to adopt him as her own. Wakanda was of native American decent, which by look at her it was not hard to tell from the black long hair and tan skin.
         They finished their meal and then headed off to class. Dakota and Thoran headed to the chemistry lab to redo the experiment that they failed. Autumn when to her class.
         “See you at lunch,” she said as they split ways.

***

         Lunch was always served in the cafeteria at the school, which is this huge dining hall. They normal have different types of thing you can get. There are always sandwiches and pizza, plus a few another thing they offer each day. Dakota and Thoran were happy that this time nothing exploded and they passed their lab. They say down at the table they usually did every time they came to lunch.
         “I am so glad that that is over with,” Dakota said putting the reminder of the condiments on his sandwich.
         “Well am glad you passed,” Said Autumn sitting down, Mary also joined them. Mary was almost the exact opposite of her sister while as Autumn is outgoing, she is the ideal introvert. She always calm and collected. The only real thing they have in common is their looks and brains. Autumn was very pretty and Dakota was very aware of it. Being friends has almost become something more. Thoran was first to pick up on it and made sure to pick on Dakota about. Even if Dakota hated the subject and did not wish to talk about it. Of course Thoran had his share of crushed and nasty breakups. So it was not one side when it came to this subject.
         “I am glad we did not have to evacuate the building again,” said Dakota since last time the explosion set off all the fire alarms in the building and the sprinklers. That was something that I think everyone enjoyed since even the teacher was hoping they would so he would not have to be the one blamed for it since it was his lab. At least they do not have to worry about doing the lab again and now they can move on from. Of course as in any school, there are people who will find anything to pick on someone for.
         “Look who it is,” A voice said behind him. Dakota cringe, he knew who it was and hated his very existence. “Look like someone actually passed the chemistry lab, did your fake mom help you with that.”
         “Jack doesn't you have anything better to do,” Said Thoran. Jack was the typical school bullies and his favorite target was Dakota. Jack always had something to say and it always involved Wakanda, or that Thoran always stuck up for him. Dakota just sank into himself as he was there trying not to hear a single insult that comes out of his mouth. It has gotten to the point that he was garnered to hear at least one insult from jack a day. There was nothing he could really do about except pretend not the hear anything. If he hit Jack all it would do is get him in trouble or worse expelled.
         “What are you going to do about,” Jack said. Thoran got up out of his chair. The entire room got silence, Thoran towered over Jack and was stronger if there was anything close to fighting Thoran would win.
         “Thoran doesn't worry about it, you're making a scene,” Dakota said to him. Dakota did not want to make more of the scene that was already playing out. It was exactly what jack wanted. All the attention and to have an audience as he tried to get under Dakota’s skin. Jack was getting his way, and everything was playing out like he wanted it to. Dakota just wished he could hide away and never have to face it every day.
         “I suggest you go before someone head ends up in the table,” Thoran said, he voice hinted at the fact that he was not playing around. He did not like someone picking on his friend, and he has the power to where he could do it.
Jack took the hint and went on to other things, probably finding someone else to mess with. Dakota just struck back in his chair try not to be noticed. He felt embraced that he could not stand up for himself and that Thoran had to for him. His cheeks were red and for the rest of lunch he didn't say a word. He hated being embarrassed like this, but this was exactly what Jack wanted. Dakota just wished he go away and hide, that what he would normal do, but this situation was to public for that.
         “Dakota, why do you let him do that to you,” Thoran said as they walked out of the lunchroom.
         “Because there is no use in trying to confront him about he just going to do it anyway,” Dakota said, he just wished he could go back to his room, he hated all the attention, even if was good. There were times when Dakota deserved recognition for a thing he did in school, like the time he got an award for his history paper. The paper was about the freemason and how they shaped the United States of America. He won an essay contest that his teacher entered him in without her telling him, but he still did not want the credit and hid from it. We can say it is humble, but in reality he just does not want to be in the spotlight at all. Thoran does not understand why, but either way he supports his friend.
         “So you still going with me to the gym later,” Thoran asked?
         “Yea right before dinner,” He replied and the separated to their classes for the remainder of the day.
For the most part of the rest of the day they just attended classes and went about their business. There was really nothing else that was eventful.
         The schools grounds were composed of several buildings, The main building served to be most of the offices and classroom space. While the gym and athletic facility were located on the north end of campus. Stretched around the north end were the athletic fields of Soccer, track, and baseball. At the south end was a lake with a central fountain with a walking trail. Around lake situated the several houses in which students lived along with their supervisor. Each house was corresponded with a name of a gem. The house in which Dakota lived was Alexandrite house. At the end of the year, there was a contest between the houses and the reigning champions had to be the ruby house.
         After their last class, Dakota and Thoran made their way to the FitRec center. The FitRec center housed all physical activity for the school, the only things there were not help were the sport which had their own field on campus. The center had a gym, several classroom space, and a pool. The two did a simple workout, and then went to the pool to swim. At a young age Wakanda tough Dakota how to swim and over the years he became pretty good. The swim team at the school have been trying to get Dakota to join the team. He decided that he would join the team next year after Thoran talked him into it.
         Dakota found that the workout was a great stress reliever and could forget what happened today at lunch. For the past year he actually enjoyed this, it was a time to where he thought he could get away and not worry about anything. The best part for him was the swim afterward. He would do about twenty laps in the pool, which was refreshing to him. Thoran would even time, this how the swim coach found him was after a workout. He happened to sneak up behind Thoran when he was timing Dakota laps and was surprised to see how fast he was going. They sat in the pool for the little while longer after Dakota did his laps.
         “Why do you think Jack always come after me,” Dakota asked? He really did not understand why he was a target for jack and he wanted to know why.
         “Honestly I don’t know,” Thoran said, “It might be because he sees you as the threat, or because you have a tie to the school.” His tie being Wakanda, since she been her for almost twenty years or more she pretty much gets anything she asked for. Most people at the school respect her including the headmaster.
         An hour had passed by the time they were done talking about it. “I guess we should get going. Do not want to be late for dinner,” Dakota said heading to the locker room to get changed. Being late meant you missed dinner and he would never hear the end from Wakanda if he was late, plus he would be hungry all night.
         It was still light outside when they walked up to the house. You could smell the food the was being prepared inside. Around the house you could hear people getting ready, they were a couple of students there were on the front porch of the house studying for a test. The house itself was an old victorian house. It was two stories tall with an attic space that could be used as a room, but the school decided against it for safety reasons. It also had a basement which was a storage area and a safe place if there were any bad storms. During World War Two it was used as a bomb shelter just in case if there Germans or the Japanese ever made it to the American coast.
         “Do you think she knows about what happened today,” Dakota asked even if he knew the answer.
         “You know she found out. She always does,” Thoran said and they both entered the house. The first thing they did is both head up to their room to take a shower and get changed and ready for dinner. Dakota was particularly trying to avoid Wakanda as he walked, lucky she was still cooking in the kitchen and did not notice.
Dinner was fried catfish with fries and cole slaw. This happened to be one of Dakota’s favorite meals. This also meant that Wakanda did know what happened since she was planning on doing Italian for dinner instead. They sat were they normal did, but it was in silence until Wakanda came with her plate and sat down.
         “So I heard you passed you lab,” She said,” I also heard about lunch, want to talk about it.” There it was for a second Dakota hoped she would not mention it, but she did.
         “I don’t want to talk about it,” Dakota said going back to his meal. Wakanda knew he did not, but she had to get out of him. She cared for him and this year she has not become a fan of this Jack person who has been going after Dakota.
         “Well if you do, you know I am here for you.” Dakota always was glad to have her around. She was the mother he never had and he loved her for it. She has been there since her first steps all the way up till now. All through his childhood she has been there, when he was little she would tell him bedtime stories of different native American legends, he always loved and now wish she would write them down so he could read them when he wanted to. Each of the stories had a lesson to be learned about life and about our plant. One of his favorites was that we must respect the planet that we will live on so it will respect us.
         “You should not let him get to you,” Autumn said chiming in,”He just someone who feels threaten by you.” That was just it why Dakota thought. Why did he fell treated by him?
         “I am not going to worry about,” He said.
         In the last couple of years, Autumn has played a big part in their friendship. She has been there almost as much as Thoran has. The three have become best of friends and almost did everything together. Lately, Dakota has been noticing something different between him and Autumn, he just could not explain it. Thoran had his own idea on what it was, but Thoran track record with that has not been outstanding so Dakota pretty much dismissed the idea from the beginning.
         “Well I am going to bed,” Dakota said getting up, “It has been a long day.”
         “Ok good night,” Said Wakanda.

***

         It was cold and damp, the walls were a rough stone. He must be in a cave Dakota thought. There was no light except the little lantern that was lit about two hundred feet ahead of him. Why was he here Dakota thought? It made no sense why he would be in this cave. He decided it was best to walk toward the light. As he approached he could hear water droplets hitting the stone floor of the cave. He was serving with how cold it was. It was towards the end of summer, but it was still hot outside, he never thought he would need a jacket now. As he approaches the lantern that was on the wall he notice that it was actually a torch that was lit. There was nothing around it except the passage that led deeper into the cave. He decided to cognate on hoping to find a way out. He took the torch from it holder and went down the cave.
         He could hear his footsteps as he continued to walk bouncing off the stone walls. He knew if there was anyone down there could know that he was coming. Dakota look behind as walked hoping that was nothing there. He had to admit this was creepy, he still did not understand why he was here in the first place. It was creepy being alone in a cave that the things he could see was what was right in front of him. His only light source being the torch in his hands. It was about ten to fifteen minutes he felt like before he came to a door. The door was wooden with decretive decorations. There were two torches on either end of it that were not lit. He placed his torch to them and they both came a bit illuminating the door further. It was a double door with a latch and it was unlocked. Every bone in his body was screaming at him not to open he door, but what if it was the only way out he thought. He quickly made his decision and opened the door.
         Inside was plan open room still with stone walls. As he walked further he noticed something at the end of the room. There was a stone sarcophagus. On its side was a decorative picture of a battle around a single big tree. The artwork was beautiful, Dakota never had seen something was done so well. At the top of the artwork was a name. It must be the name of the person that was buried here, Dakota brushed away the dust that covered the name so it could be read. The name was Hakan The thought crept his mind, why was there a tomb in this cave and who was this person was buried here. Then he noticed the top of the sarcophagus, it has been opened. At first he thought to dart towards the door and go back to where he came from maybe there would be a way out, but curiosity got the better of him and look inside.
         The body of Hakan laid there was in perfect condition like he was just buried there. There was no sign of decomposing or even spider webs. He was dressed like he had seen a battle with an armor of pure black that covered every part of his body except his head. Then he notices that movement of his chest, Dakota could feel his chest tighten and his heart began to race. He was breathing. For Dakota that was it, it was time to go and run as far way from here as he could. He quickly backup, but it was not soon enough for that when he was about to walk away Hakan eyes open. His eyes were red as blood and there stared directly in Dakota eyes. Dakota tried to let a scream, but he could not. He was scared now whoever this was, was supposed to be dead and he was now awake staring into Dakota’s eyes. Dakota wanted to run, but now he could not move a muscle in his body, he was petrified with fear to where he could no longer move and then everything went black.
         When he awoke he was in the woods and above the tree line rose a tower. The roof was green and the building itself had a facade of red brick. Below the roof was a window. The window was made of two parts the top part was a circle with eight section and below was a two windows that were tall with a curved top. The structure looked like a church to him, but of what he could see of a sign it was a courthouse.
         Then something grabbed him from behind, he quickly turned and found the man that was in the sarcophagus behind him. He tried the let out a scream as he spoke. “I am coming,” He said in a deep voice full of evil.
Dakota awoke startled and in a cold sweat in his room. It must have been a dream, no, it was a nightmare he told himself. He had not has had one of those in a long while. He must have been making a lot of noises since Thoran was standing above him, with a worried look on his face.
         “Are you ok,” He said. He was concerned he has never seen Dakota like this.
         “I am fine it was just a dream,” Dakota said and he laid back down and once again fell asleep this time with no dream.