Moss Makes a Realm

The sword plunged through my abdomen and was pulled out violently before my adversary moved on to their next target. I crumbled to the earth and struggled to catch my breath. I felt the warmth leave my body through my wound as my vision grew hazy. I waited silently until there was no movement in my proximity. Then, using what little strength I had left, fueled by adrenaline, I crawled away from the battlefield and into the nearby forest. 

I was losing blood more rapidly when I moved, and my breath was shallow. I couldn’t tell if it was my vision going, but I saw a large bed of moss that seemed as if it was sparkling in the sunlight that beamed through the trees, curved atop as if protecting it. I gave everything I had to make it onto that moss; it was plush and warm and inviting. The moment my body was on it, I lost consciousness.

I awoke much later, during the night, the vibrant moon inviting me to awaken. I felt alive; I couldn’t believe I was alive! I felt where my wound should have been, and while there was a tear in my gambeson that reminded me it was real, there was no wound. I felt only a slightly raised mark as if it had been healed for years, not hours. Shocked, I sat up and looked around my body; where the wound had bled, the moss had turned a deep brown, and it spread like veins until it dissipated into the earth. 

…

That is how our main city came to be. Once I had returned to my people, I told those whom I could trust; backed up by echoes of those who had seen me fall in battle, our leader and a few trusted companions made our way to that mossy bed. There it glowed, waiting to embrace those injured and wary. The darkness from my blood was already almost gone.

Once its powers had been established, a temple of marble was erected to guard it. It was exquisite. With an open roof and large pillars so the protective trees were untouched, and the sun and moon would still smile upon the mossy bed. The forest was untouched, but walls of the city and homes were slowly established atop the battlefield and further.

We would allow those in need to visit the sacred moss, no matter where they came from. Our people flourished and a wave of peace took over. Battles and lives lost over foolish squabbles, and the feign of power became that of distant memories.

…

What did you think of the story? Would you share the powers of the moss with your people? Let us know in the comments below!

Thank you so much for reading!

– Clever & WTF