Out of the corner of my eye, shimmering lights flicker between the branches and leaves, catching my attention. Ethereal trails of fairy dust swirl through the air, drifting like delicate smoke. The tiny creatures flit between the trees, their small, curious eyes focused, sensing the unusual energy that ripples around me. It’s as if the forest itself is alive, observing, deciding whether I’m friend or foe.
After the eerie stillness of the ride out here, the sudden spark of life is a relief. I didn’t realize how much the silence was bothering me until now. At least out here, in the heart of the forest, there is movement, magic—things watching, shifting. It feels like I’m not alone anymore, and for the first time since entering the forest, I breathe a little easier.
A fallen log in my path has me clambering over it with some effort. As I plant my foot on the other side, the ground beneath seems to rise ever so slightly, catching me before I stumble. I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. It’s only now that I notice the subtle movements—leaves rustling when there’s no wind, branches shifting to the side, vines parting just enough to let me through. The forest is helping me. Guiding me. My magic must have connected with it, and now the very terrain is bending to assist my passage. I press a hand to the nearest tree trunk, feeling the faint thrumming of life within its bark, an energy that resonates with my own.
I curl my fingers, pressing them into the soft bark, and smile. But then something shifts in the air, and I freeze.
The temperature drops, and an unsettling mist begins rolling toward me, thick and unnatural. I swallow hard, the tension snapping back into my chest. The mist is different—there’s something dark about it, something not quite right. I unclip my dagger from my hip, gripping its hilt tightly.
Up ahead, I can just make out the outline of a tree. It’s massive—larger than anything I’ve seen before, its thick roots twisting out of the ground like ancient serpents. This is the tree I saw in my mind’s eye, the one my magic has been leading me toward.
“Everly!” Raiden’s voice bellows through the trees above, making me jump.
“Seriously, Batman? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I breathe, my palm on my chest.
Shaking my head, I cautiously approach the towering tree, my gaze traveling up. How on earth am I supposed to get up there?
As soon as the idea has formed in my mind, a tangled mass of emerald vines bursts from the gnarled roots of the tree. With an audible rustling, they weave a makeshift ladder, reaching skyward, creating a path for me to take.
Swiftly, I sheath my dagger and start climbing, eager to escape from the encroaching mist. I can’t explain it, but something feels off about it. Something unnatural.
Goosebumps skitter across my body, and shake them off, climbing quicker. The rough texture of the vines against my palms keep me grounded as my anxiety urges me forward. I do my best to focus on the lush scent of the leaves and the sound of the breeze as it passes. But then the vines stop abruptly. I frown, my hand brushing against a thick knot where the green tendrils cease their climb. My gaze sweeps upward in confusion, but as I look around, I realize this isn’t the end of the path—it’s a landing of sorts. The branches begin here, weaving together like a network of bridges, forming a natural platform. Nestled within the twist of roots and bark is what looks like a den, a protected hollow shielded from the open sky.
Relief surges through me, and I carefully hoist myself from the vines, crawling onto the wide branch, solid beneath me.
“Zaria?”
A low, menacing growl fills the air, making my muscles tense and tremble in response.
Shit, this is your friend. Pull yourself together.
“Zaria, it’s me. Everly. I’m here to take you home.” I push to my feet, my eyes searching the dark. “Zaria?”
Pulse thundering in my ears, my vision slowly adjusts to the darkness, revealing two enormous amber eyes peering at mefrom within the depths of the tree. I halt at the boundary of the shadows, nerves rattling through my body.
“Zaria, please come out,” I whisper. “I need you.”
The eyes blink and slowly rise. Instinctively, I take a step back and watch in awe as a massive leopard gracefully emerges from the dark depths of the den. Its head is lowered, and a fierce gleam sparkles in its predatory eyes. Fear tightens my throat, and I clench my fist to stop myself from grabbing my dagger. This is Zaria. She is not capable of causing me harm.
Slowly, I reach my hand out, hating how it shakes.
“It’s time to go home, Zaria.”
Lowering her head, she pins her ears back. A low, guttural noise rumbles from her throat, a menacing sound that is a cross between a hiss and a growl. The air feels heavy as I straighten my shoulders and slowly sit down and cross my legs. My heart pounds in my chest, but I refuse to break eye contact with her, knowing the importance of maintaining this connection.
“Fine, you want to stay here, then I’ll stay, too. But just so you know, our friends need us. Our king needs us. Raiden, he needs you. Hiding away won’t change what’s happening out there, and it won’t make the pain disappear. But together, we can face it. You’re not alone. You’re never alone.” I draw in a shaky breath before continuing, “But most of all . . . I need you now more than ever. They have him, Zaria.” My voice cracks, but I keep going. “Let’s show them that we’re not giving up.”
A whining sound comes from Zaria, and she seems to crumple in on herself. Everything inside me shatters at the sound, and I scoot closer, pulling her massive head into my lap. She buries her head under my arm, as if trying to get as close as possible. Tears stream down my face, as I cradle her massive head in my lap.My fingers gently glide over her velvety fur as she trembles and shakes.
God, the lump that forms in my throat swells to encompass my chest. I can barely breathe.
“I’m so sorry, Zaria. Rayna–” I choke on her name, my throat completely closing up.
I tip my head back, blinking away the tears and jolt at the sight of Asrai perched on the branch above. Her dual-colored eyes—one brown one blue—are filled with tears.
Her tiny hands come up and sign,‘She has been stuck in this form since the battle.’
“Oh, Zaria.” I drop my face into her fur and silently cry. My tears soak into her, but I can’t stop them even if I wanted to.
