9 The Bear and Yggdrasil

"You. How did you find me? What gave me away? I was buried pretty deep this time!"

….is what it said.

Okay, fact number 1 this bear can talk. Yes, this giant bear! English too apparently. Is translation a perk of this new body?

Fact number 2, this bear was hiding in the ground. For what purpose?! What kind of bear does that?!

Fact number 3, that ferocious-looking ancient creature is now casually talking to me politely asking how I found him?!

Fact number 4, I have no clue at all how to react to this event.

"Quick tell me! Was it the soil consistency? Did I mess up in hiding my smell? Did …wait…who are you?!"

How am I supposed to answer that, what if he doesn't like my answer? Will I get eaten? As I'm thinking that …

"Wait just tell me how you found me first!"

Okay, this bear likes to hide. Either I play the hide and seek expert and give him tips or I try praising him and making him happy. If I insult his skills and he gets mad it will be game over.

Let's start with the praise first and if it doesn't work, I'll follow up by the classic…" this would be good…for a 3 years old, but I expected better of you brother bear!"

Alright here goes nothing! Please let this work!

[Actually, it was a coincidence, you were pretty well hidden in fact!]

Let's see his reaction…

"Oh, I see. Damnit! I forgot to account for the luck factor! How can I increase my luck? Either I do that or I somehow curse my would-be trackers to have the worst luck? How does a bear go about that? Hum what should I …?"

Wow. Just wow. This one is really dedicated to his craft. Most people get depressed when their failures are due to luck. Oftentimes they get over it fast.

You know the: that guy is doing better than me?! Must be luck! Not this bear! This bear assumes all his mistakes and even the ones he didn't commit. This is praiseworthy for sure.

"Wait…anyway who are you and where did you come from?"

Who I am might take a while to explain. I instead point at Yggdrasil.

[I was climbing downward, and I just landed there randomly, don't be too down about it.]

The bear remains silent. He is now looking at me with bulging eyes. His mouth almost touching the ground. He seems shaken for some reason.

"Y-You climbed down that tree?"

I nod. What is up with him? He is now looking at me suspiciously.

"Prove it!"

What? This is the weirdest creature I have ever met. Is there a need to verify such a common story? Does he not know how to climb? Is climbing even something hard? What?!

"Don't try to change my mind! I will only believe you if you climb!"

He is adamant. He seems to insist on some weird thing, but oh well might as well. I get nearby the tree and I start climbing it slowly. Why do I even need to do that again?

I turn to look at him and…. his jaw is now completely touching the ground. He looks at me like I am some sort of monster. He rubs his eyes with his paws.

Then I see him pinching himself, not once but 3 times. Then he rubs his eyes some more and …. Seriously I get the feeling he'll continue for ages if I let him.

[See! Have you never climbed in your life?! Why are you acting so surprised?!]

"How are you doing that?!"

…..

[You put your hands on the tree, you grip at it and then you start climbing. It is pretty easy actually.]

He slowly comes closer and slowly ever so slowly moves its paw toward the tree. How long will it take for him to climb at this rate? I'd tell him to hurry up, but I don't want to make him mad.

Also, this scene is kinda comical in a way. Big scary bear acting so fearful of climbing. What happened to climbing trees to get honey? Was my childhood all a lie?

Maybe it's just in this world that bears are so…. weird? He finally touches it.

*PIERCE*

"Oh GOD, IT HURTS!"

What the fuck happened?! He touched the tree. Some wooden spike came out and impaled his paw. There is a huge gaping hole in it now. Blood is splattering everywhere. Meanwhile, the bear is retreating backward to safety. Then rolling on the ground in agony.

What the actual fuck. Yggdrasil is that dangerous?! No wonder that roc didn't come nearby. It would have ended in a bird skewer. Now, this all makes sense.

Wait, he tried to climb because of me! Oh god, what did I do?!

[I'm sorry I didn't know about that! Damn you need a doctor, what should we do!?]

He rolls on the ground for a little while until he stops. He is now unmoving. No, don't tell me I've killed him. I wasn't trying to I just….

"*sigh* There goes my dream."

Wait he's still alive? That's good. What is that about his dream, however? Wait, is he going to have permanent sequels from that?! Probably. It is all my fault. How is he not trying to kill me at the moment?

[I am sorry I …]

He looks at me and gives me a reassuring glance.

"Don't worry it is not your fault, I kinda knew this was going to happen. I am just really disappointed. *sigh*"

[Wait, what about your paw? Will you be able to use it in the future?!]

"Oh, that? Tomorrow it will be all healed up. Don't underestimate the vitality of a great Ursa!"

I'm confused.

[If you are not worried about your injuries then why are you sighing?]

"I am still not able to climb this tree. It has been my dream all along."

Damn, that sounds so deep. Does he dream of standing at the top of the world and gaze upon the scenery? That is so poetic. His gaze seems sharp and focused as he stares into the distance. Then he says with a deep and wise-sounding voice.

"After all, there is no better hiding spot than a tree no one can climb."

Oh, my fucking god!

This damn hiding addict bear!

Can I facepalm?

Can I beat him up?

I almost feel like trying.