Something Grows Amongst the Trees (Closed for Mr_Positive)

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan sat frozen for a moment, his fork suspended midair as he watched the faint glow ripple across her form. His pulse quickened—not in fear, but in pure, unfiltered fascination. The transformation was seamless, fluid, and eerily beautiful. One second, she was sitting there wiping her hands with a napkin, and the next, she was gone—replaced by the sinuous, scaled body of a bull snake. The creature’s movements were graceful, almost hypnotic, as she slithered to the floor and made her way toward the bed.

Ethan exhaled slowly, setting his fork down with a soft clink. Most people, he imagined, would’ve panicked at the sight of a snake suddenly appearing in their kitchen. But fear wasn’t what stirred in him. If anything, it was a deep, unexpected sense of calm. He leaned back slightly, observing her as she began to climb the bedpost. Her small, triangular head lifted, tongue flicking out as if to measure the world around her. There was intent in her movements, a deliberate carefulness that reminded him she wasn’t just any snake. No, this was Illy—her essence unmistakable even in this form.

“You didn’t warn me you could do that,” he murmured, his voice low and almost conversational. He wasn’t sure if she could understand him like this, but it felt natural to speak anyway. “Would’ve been nice to know.”

He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “Guess it explains why you don’t mind the dirt,” he added, more to himself than to her. Ethan stood, his chair scraping lightly against the floor, and walked to the stove, ostensibly to clean up. But his attention kept flicking back to her, watching the slow, methodical way she coiled and maneuvered. It struck him how vulnerable the transformation was—how it left her exposed in a way few would understand. Trust. That’s what it had to be, for her to shift like this in front of him.

He lingered by the counter, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “You’re full of surprises, you know that?” he said softly, half-smiling to himself.

 

[Poprockz]

When he first spoke, she looked at him and tilted her head to the left and then the right as if to shrug. There was intelligence in her eyes, and though a snake did not have the appropriate mouth with which to speak the common tongue, she understood every word spoken. A snake’s body was what was needed, the ability to move incrementally without slipping or losing ground. It was the perfect body to move onto the bed while she was largely weak.

He had previously seen her morph from a falcon to a human, so she assumed he wouldn’t be surprised. However, she supposed that he could have assumed that she could only assume one form other than her humanoid one. In that case, she could understand his shock. Some humans liked snakes, but it was more rare. It occurred to her that she could have scared him, and made a mental note to apologize once she had a working mouth.

His comment about her was met with a nod before she continued her journey. It was slow going, but eventually she made it onto the mattress, slithering up to the pillow before resting her head on it. There was a soft green glow again to reveal her human form. Instead of the composure she showed as a snake though, her human form clearly showed how much effort it had taken to get on the bed. She was sweating and panting softly, a look of exhaustion on her face. Though she seemed to be in good spirits from having accomplished her goal.

“My apologies-“ she panted, “if that…surprised you. I thought… *huff* that you knew I could shift.”

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan watched her climb with a mix of curiosity and silent admiration. The slow, deliberate effort she put into maneuvering her snake form up the bedpost wasn’t lost on him. Her movements were calculated, and though the body she wore was alien to him, her intelligence and determination shone through. He leaned his weight on the counter, arms crossed, and allowed himself a faint smirk as she finally reached the mattress.

“Not bad,” he muttered under his breath, though he doubted she could hear him. There was something oddly captivating about the way she moved—graceful but with purpose, every inch forward a testament to her willpower.

When the green glow returned, his eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued but no longer startled. It was as if a piece of the forest itself had slipped into his home and claimed space there. And then, just like that, she was back—her human form replacing the serpent. She lay on the bed, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath, her face flushed from the effort. Sweat dampened her skin, and the sight stirred something in him—a mix of concern and something else he wasn’t ready to name.

Her apology broke the silence, her voice breathless but steady. Ethan tilted his head, studying her as he pushed off the counter and approached the bed. “Not surprised, exactly,” he said, his tone calm but laced with quiet humor. “I mean, turning into a falcon was one thing. Guess I didn’t think snakes were on the list too.”

He grabbed the edge of the blanket and adjusted it over her legs, a small, practical gesture. “You don’t need to apologize,” he added after a moment. “It’s your body—your abilities. Do what you need to do.”

His gaze lingered on her face for a second too long before he stepped back, returning to the counter to busy himself with cleaning. “Just… maybe give me a heads-up next time,” he said over his shoulder, trying to keep his tone light. “Not everyone’s as cool with snakes as I am.”

He picked up a dish towel, but his focus wasn’t on the mess in front of him. Her transformation, her perseverance, the vulnerability she allowed him to witness—it all stuck with him. Ethan worked in silence, trying to shake the strange pull he felt toward her, the way her presence filled the room even when she wasn’t speaking. He let out a quiet breath, forcing his hands to stay busy. Whatever this was, it wasn’t something he could afford to dwell on—not right now.​

 

[Poprockz]

She watched him as he effectively tucked her in, the gesture somewhat foreign to her. It felt… comforting though. Being taken care of like this was something that hasn’t happened for almost three hundred years when she was a child, and even then it hadn’t quite been the same. He had a tenderness about him that was disarming, and the way he tended to her only highlighted how solitary her life had been up to this point.

By then she had caught her breath enough to not need to pant as much as she replied to him. “I don’t intend on changing in front of anyone else, but I get your point. It occurred to me as well after I changed that some might be frighted by the form I chose, like if you were afraid of spiders and I changed into a large one. I will try to give you advance warning next time.”

Illy pulled the covers up further so that they went slightly past her hips, the woman propping the pillows up so she could sit upright. “So…” she pushed and looked a little sheepish, “you can decline this request, but… would it be possible for me to see the things you’ve been drawing? I’ve seen you do it frequently, but I’ve never been close enough to see what the drawings look like. There have been many times where I’ve tried to sneak a peek, but never have I been successful.” Her voice was hopeful, the nymph wondering if she would finally be able to sate her curiosity.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan froze mid-wipe of the counter, her question hanging in the air. His sketchbook. Of all the things she could’ve asked for, it was the one thing he hadn’t expected—and, admittedly, the one thing he was reluctant to share. He straightened up slowly, towel in hand, and turned his head just enough to glance at her. She was sitting upright now, the covers pulled snug around her, her posture giving her an air of innocence that seemed almost at odds with the ancient being he knew her to be. Her request had been made with such genuine curiosity, and yet, he felt the familiar flicker of unease.

He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “They’re just sketches,” he said finally, his voice low, almost dismissive. “Nothing special.”

But her eyes stayed on him, hopeful, unyielding in their quiet determination. She wasn’t going to let it go, and he knew it. Ethan sighed, setting the towel down and walking to where his bag rested by the table. He crouched, hesitating for a moment before pulling out the worn leather sketchbook. The edges were frayed, the cover scratched and dented from years of use. It was nothing fancy, but to him, it felt like handing over a piece of himself.

Ethan approached the bed and extended the book toward her without a word, his hand hovering for a moment longer than necessary before he let go. He didn’t sit down or make himself comfortable, instead remaining at the edge of the bed, arms crossed loosely over his chest as she took it.

“It’s just… stuff,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Things I’ve seen. Places I’ve been. People, sometimes.”

He stayed silent as she opened the book, the faint sound of pages turning filling the space between them. He didn’t offer explanations or commentary, letting her take in the images on her own terms. The sketches were detailed, precise, yet there was a rawness to them—an honesty in the way he captured the world. A gnarled tree with roots twisting like veins. A bird mid-flight, wings outstretched as if frozen in time. A crumbling stone wall overtaken by moss.

And then there were the portraits. One of an elderly man smoking a pipe, his eyes heavy with unspoken stories. Another of a woman sitting by a window, light catching her hair. None of them were perfect, but each carried a sense of life, of memory, as though Ethan had poured pieces of himself into the charcoal and graphite strokes.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, unsure what to do with himself as she looked. “They’re not… professional or anything,” he said, his tone awkward, almost apologetic. “It’s just a habit I picked up. Helps me focus.”

Ethan’s gaze flickered to her face, watching for any sign of what she thought, though he wasn’t sure if he really wanted to know.​

 

[Poprockz]

As the book was passed to her, she could almost sense how attached he was to it. Though it was worn, it was only so by the passage of time and use, for it seemed he took great care in trying to preserve its state. Her excitement peaked when she finally went to open it, her curious eyes seeing what she had longed to see for many moons.

So this was how he saw and captured the world...

Her delicate fingers traced gracefully on the edge of the page, not daring to come near the art he had so lovingly created. To say she was consumed by his drawings was accurate, the nymph having become engrossed in looking through the journal. Each page was given careful consideration. If she had decided to go through the entire book, then they would have been there for hours. She was able to reel herself in though, pausing on a page of the tree with the clump of mushrooms on the forest floor near its roots.

"I remember you drawing this..." she murmured to herself. "It was the day the river tried to take you..."

It was amazing how he had captured the calm, peacefulness of the forest that day. The tree looked old and wise, while the mushrooms looked rather adorable huddling in its shade.

Finally, she looked up and closed the book, holding it out to him. "Thank you for showing me your drawings. I have to admit that I am fascinated by them, and impressed by how you seem to breathe life into them. You must have a very keen eye and deft hand to be able to capture their essence like this."

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan’s arms remained crossed as he watched her carefully flip through the pages, her touch light and deliberate. It wasn’t often he let anyone see his sketches. It felt too personal, like letting someone peer into his thoughts without a filter. But her reaction—silent, reverent—wasn’t what he’d feared. There was no judgment, no criticism. Just... admiration.

He shifted his weight, his gaze briefly dropping to the floor when she murmured her memory of the tree. The river had been unforgiving that day, and she wasn’t wrong—if it hadn’t been for her intervention, he might not have made it back to shore. He’d drawn that tree after the fact, its roots gripping the earth so tightly it seemed immovable, steadfast against the current. Maybe it had been a subconscious attempt to make sense of what had happened.

When she finally closed the book and held it out to him, he stepped forward and took it back, his fingers brushing against the worn leather. Her words caught him off guard. Fascinated? Impressed? He wasn’t used to hearing that about something so deeply his. He tucked the sketchbook under his arm and offered a small shrug.

“Just… practice, I guess,” he said quietly, glancing at her. “You spend enough time looking at things, you start to notice the details.” He hesitated, then added, almost as an afterthought, “Not everyone sees the same way. Figured I’d try to keep what I could.”

He turned, moving back to the table where his bag lay, and slid the book inside with a care that contradicted his casual tone. “Glad you liked them,” he said over his shoulder, his voice low but genuine. He paused, his hand lingering on the strap of his bag before he glanced back at her.

“Some people just walk past things,” he added after a moment. “Guess I’m not built like that.”

It was as much as he was willing to say. He left it at that, turning his focus back to tidying up the remnants of their meal.​

 

[Poprockz]

“Hm.” She hummed softly in acknowledgment. No, he wasn’t like most humans she had come across. He had a quietness about him that denoted thoughtfulness and intelligence. More than that, he seemed very in-tune with nature, perhaps connecting to it in a way that most wouldn’t take the time to do.

Illy couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like in his eyes, and how she might look if he captured her upon his pages with his careful pencil-strokes. Would she be thunderous and unwelcoming, or would she be sick and frail? There was no telling what he thought of her at the moment, but she supposed something’s were better left undisturbed.

At that moment, there was a scratching at the door, as though an animal was trying to get in. It wasn’t a loud or intimidating scratch, and one got the idea that whoever it was, they were a rather small creature. Illuvian perked up and looked at the door curiously.

If one peeked out the window or opened the door, they would find a raccoon there, clutching a baby raccoon to its chest. If one looked closely, they would see that the baby raccoon was drooling black goo, the stuff leaking from its eyes as well.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan paused, the faint scratching at the door pulling his attention from the dishes. His brows furrowed slightly, and he straightened, wiping his hands on a towel before crossing the room to the window. The rhythmic sound wasn’t urgent or threatening, but it carried a peculiar insistence that gnawed at the edge of his thoughts.

Through the small pane of glass, he saw the raccoon—its small, wiry frame illuminated in the faint light outside. It clutched something close, its movements deliberate but clearly distressed. As Ethan narrowed his eyes, he noticed the smaller bundle—a baby raccoon. Even from the distance, the glistening black streaks running from its eyes and mouth were unmistakable.

“What the hell…” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He turned to the door, his hand already reaching for the latch.

The raccoon didn’t flee when he opened the door. It stood its ground, staring up at him with an almost human desperation, the baby still cradled protectively in its forelimbs. The sight of the viscous black substance—the way it oozed, thick and unnatural—sent a chill crawling up Ethan’s spine. His first instinct was to step back, but something in the mother raccoon’s eyes made him pause. It wasn’t just an animal’s gaze. There was intent there. A plea.

Ethan crouched slowly, keeping his movements deliberate and unthreatening. His eyes flicked to the baby again, studying the way its small body shuddered with uneven breaths, its fur matted with what could only be described as decay. His jaw tightened.

“This isn’t normal,” he said under his breath, as much to himself as to the creature in front of him. His mind raced through possibilities—poison, disease, or something worse. Whatever it was, it wasn’t something he could fix here and now.

Still crouched, he extended a hand slightly, palm open, though he didn’t move closer. “You’re not here by chance, are you?” he murmured, his voice low and even. The raccoon didn’t move, its grip on the baby tightening.

Ethan glanced over his shoulder briefly, his thoughts heavy with questions. Whatever was happening, it wasn’t natural—and it wasn’t just an animal’s problem. Something deeper was at play. He felt it in his gut.​

 

[Poprockz]

"Come in," she called softly to the mother in the language of the fae, "bring your child to me, that I might see him."

The raccoon shuffled into the cabin with its fluffy tail dragging behind it, and made its way to the bed. Instead of simply stopping at the bedside, mother raccoon climbed up the bedpost and made her way to Illy's side. She seemed reluctant to relinquish her offspring, but did as Illy had requested. The kit was lowered gently into Illy's arms, those small paws lingering upon the patchy fur before letting go. Once this was done, the mother's paws curled anxiously toward her chest and she leaned over her lap to watch what she would do.

Such decay... Illuvian's eyes watered and she felt an ache in her heart. Such pain... Nature could be cruel, and it wasn't uncommon for animals to experience injury, disease, or death, but that didn't mean that her heart was callus to such things. Grieving for the innocent was natural in and of itself. Besides... This affliction was not natural.

Her eyes flicked to Ethan for but a moment; she knew he wasn't going to like what she was about to do next, but there was no helping it- it was her duty. Fortunately this was merely a flicker of the shadow she now knew was present in her forest, so the consequences would hardly be as severe as they were previously.

A hand was held over the kit and she started chanting, that familiar green glow enveloping both her hand and her patient. The kit started to cry weakly, shivering and tensing as black goo started to drain from it and form into a similar bubble to what Ethan had seen her do three days ago. Mother raccoon's paws twitched and she held them out as though she desperately wanted to comfort her kit, but knew she couldn't interrupt.

Once the black shadow had been drained, it condensed into the size of a pearl. When she had consumed the shadow, it had been about the size of a coconut. Similarly though, she leaned forward and consumed the small pearl of darkness.

Immediately, a grimace of pain came to her face, though she tried to hide it. It felt as though there were needles in her blood, and she made an effort to breathe calmly and deeply. Her arms shook slightly as she lovingly placed the kit back into Mother Raccoon's embrace. Through the pain, a genuine smile came to the nymph in the knowledge that this animal was no longer tainted and would get another chance at a life.

Though the kit still looked a little worse for wear, now there was life in its eyes and the black goop was gone. She needed her things. If more animals showed up needing healing, she wasn't going to be able to keep up like this without great cost.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan stood motionless near the door, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before him. He had seen her magic before—three days ago, when she’d pulled that same black taint from her own body—but witnessing it now, with the small, frail creature in her hands, struck him differently. There was something deeply visceral about it, the way the kit's tiny body convulsed, the black substance draining into that unnatural, shimmering pearl.

His fingers tightened around the edge of the doorframe. He didn’t flinch or look away when she consumed the pearl—he was past being shocked by that—but the strain it brought to her was impossible to ignore. Her grimace, the tremor in her arms, the effort she made to mask the pain—it all left a sour weight in his chest. She was trying too hard to act like this wasn’t taking a toll.

Ethan finally broke his silence, his voice low but steady. “You can’t keep doing this,” he said, stepping closer to the bed. His tone wasn’t sharp, but there was an undercurrent of tension beneath it. “Not like this.”

He stopped a few feet away, his hands settling into his pockets as he studied her. The raccoon curled protectively around its now-breathing kit, and he could see the faintest flicker of life in the young one’s eyes. It was hard not to admire the miracle of it—whatever magic she possessed, it was powerful. But it came at a cost, one she seemed all too willing to pay without hesitation.

Ethan exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening as he measured his next words. “You need more than just… whatever that was. You said before that this thing isn’t natural, and if more animals show up…” He let the implication hang in the air, his eyes locking on hers.

Her smile, despite the obvious pain she was in, made him feel oddly helpless. There was no doubting the sincerity of her joy at saving the kit, but Ethan couldn’t ignore the way her hands still trembled or the faint pallor in her face. “What do you need?” he asked finally, his voice softening. It wasn’t a question of if she needed help—he could see that much. “If there’s something that’ll make this easier, tell me. I’ll get it.”

He glanced toward the mother raccoon and her kit again, watching the way the small creature nestled into its parent’s embrace. For a moment, he wondered how much pain and grief the forest had seen before this shadow crept in. How much worse it would get if they didn’t act.

When he looked back at her, there was quiet resolve in his eyes. “You don’t have to do this alone.”​

 

[Poprockz]

Her gaze was steady and guarded as she regarded him at his words.

He was very astute... Without having even explained what it was that she did or how it affected her, he seemed to have already gauged that doing things the way she was demanded a heavy toll on her. It also hadn't escaped him how poorly things would go for her if she continued on as she had. Illuvian wanted to say that she could handle it or that she didn't want his help, but the words were impossible as the fae couldn't lie.

She wanted to curl up and shut her eyes, to try to block the pain out, but that was not a luxury afforded to those who were caretakers. In order for the forest to remain strong, so too would she have to endure in the face of such discomfort.

Always had she done things alone. Walking the forest, looking after for those who lived here, shielding this plane from more insidious beings... All of it had been done merely with the knowledge that if she didn't step up to do it, then there would be dire consequences for the place she called home. Never had anyone offered their hand like he had.

As much as she would have liked to continue to do things this solitary way, sometimes one had to think of the bigger picture. Her pride was nothing compared to the safety of this place, and so she decided to accept his help.

There was a resigned sigh before she closed her eyes. "I need my things..." she said quietly. "While taking on the burden of the poison within myself is effective, it is not sustainable. I need to go back to my cave if I am to recover and be prepared to purge the sickness from this forest."

Illy opened her eyes and fixed him with a gaze of hesitant beseechment. "I need you to help me to a tree, that I might walk the hidden paths between. And... I need you to come with me. I am... unfortunately I am in such a condition that I suspect that my legs may fail to carry me and my arms may fail to carry what is needed."

"Do this for me, and when I recover, I will offer you a boon of your choice as long as it is within my power to give," she added quickly, not wanting to take advantage of him.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan took a slow breath, absorbing her words. She needed her things. Needed help. Needed him. He studied her carefully, noting the exhaustion in the way she held herself, the way her breath came a little too shallowly, the way her fingers still trembled faintly where they rested against the sheets. She wasn’t just tired—she was drained, her body struggling to keep up with the demands of her magic. He knew stubbornness when he saw it, but she wasn’t asking him out of pride or convenience. She had no other choice, and that fact alone made his gut twist uncomfortably.

His gaze flickered toward the raccoon and its kit, then back to her. The mother had begun grooming the little one, their ordeal already slipping into the past as instinct took over. That was the way of things, wasn’t it? Life moved forward, pain endured, survival won out. But Illy… she had no such luxury. She couldn’t just shake off the damage and move on. He shifted his weight slightly, running a hand over the back of his neck before finally speaking. “You don’t need to offer me a boon,” he said simply. “I’ll help you.”

There was no hesitation in the words, no bargaining. He didn’t need a reward. He just needed to make sure she didn’t collapse under the weight of whatever she had taken into herself. He moved toward the bed, crouching slightly as he extended his arm toward her. “Lean on me,” he instructed, his voice quiet but firm. “We’ll get you to the tree.”

Ethan wasn’t entirely sure what walking the hidden paths meant, but that was a question for later. Right now, all that mattered was getting her on her feet. Getting her where she needed to go. Because despite the cool reserve he tried to maintain, despite the distance he so often kept from others, he wasn’t the kind of man who could just stand by and watch someone struggle alone.​

 

[Poprockz]

He didn't want a boon? Illy seemed confused by this declaration. Why didn't he want a reward? Perhaps he felt indebted to her for having been saved by her thrice. Though he didn't need to feel that way in her opinion. He had given her honey for saving him from the bear, and his care-taking of her had more than made up for the first and third time she had intervened on his behalf. If he didn't want to ask a boon of her, then maybe she would come up with one herself and bestow it upon him when she was back to her full strength.

Unconsciously, she reached out and laid her hand delicately on his arm, though she made no move to get up from the bed. “I am… grateful for your willingness, but if I am to be able to walk even with your help, I will need more rest. As I am now, I would only be able to manage a few steps before my strength failed me.”

What she wanted was to be able to walk with him, albeit with some help and support. Illy didn’t want to be dead weight for him to have to drag along- that would be asking too much of him. One might assume that she could shift into something small for him to carry, but she was afraid of what might happen if she used any more of her magic at the moment.

His arm felt warm, and she felt a great deal of comfort from the physical contact between them. So much so that she didn't want to let go. He felt like a buoy in a storm- he couldn't take away what she was struggling with, but he was something to hold on to so that she wasn't swept away. Illuvian wasn't a child though. She couldn't simply ask for him to cater to her whims... And so, she pulled her hand back from him and laid her head back against one of the pillows she was propped up on, closing her eyes and trying to focus on her breathing. Like all things, this too would pass.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan watched her, saw the quiet struggle in the way she hesitated, the way she pressed her fingers lightly against his arm but did not try to rise. The way she spoke of needing more rest, of wanting to walk rather than be carried.

He understood pride. Understood the instinct to push through pain, to endure rather than lean too heavily on another. But he also understood limits, and hers had been reached.

“You’re not walking,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She needed to get to her cave, and they weren’t going to waste time waiting for strength that wouldn’t come fast enough. She could rest once she was there, once she had whatever she needed to recover properly.

Ethan stood and moved to the side of the bed, reaching down without hesitation. Carefully, he slid an arm beneath her shoulders and the other beneath her knees, lifting her with practiced ease. She was light in his arms, too light for someone who carried so much weight upon herself.

“Just hold on,” he murmured, adjusting his grip slightly to make sure she was secure.

He didn’t look at her as he moved toward the door, his focus instead on steady, deliberate steps. He wasn’t rough, but there was a certain matter-of-factness in the way he carried her, as if this was simply the only logical course of action. There was no need for debate. No need for her to exhaust herself trying to do what she could not.

Outside, the forest was quiet, the air thick with the damp scent of earth and leaves. Ethan barely noticed. He had a destination now, a purpose, and nothing else mattered.​

 

[Poprockz]

The nymph chirped in surprise when she felt herself being lifted from the bed. Likewise, Mother Raccoon looked up and held her kit protectively until she realized that Ethan wasn't going to harm anyone. It was clear that they were about to depart though, so she slipped down the bedpost and waddled her way a few feet behind them before closing the door. She had to stretch up to do so, but likely the raccoon figured it was the least she could do given the circumstances.

Illuvian could have struggled and flailed, scratched and bitten him, but she had no fight in her when he told her simply to hold onto him. Her arms went around his shoulders to do just that and her head rested against his chest. From that position she could hear his heart beat in his chest.

She hadn't wanted this- to be carried to a tree. And yet... now that this was happening, she wouldn't have been able to say that she disliked it. It satisfied two of the competing desires she had: to be held and to get back to her cave. Her eyes closed and she simply enjoyed his arms around her, his steps rhythmically padding on the forest floor as he brought her where she sought.

It was all too soon that they came to a stop and she found that he had stopped right in front of a tree, close enough that she could reach out and touch it easily.

"Once we are inside, you will not need to carry me until the end as the rules are different there." Her tone became very serious, indicative of a sincere warning. "No matter what happens on the paths, do not lose physical contact with me and do not stray from where I tell you to go. It is dangerous for humans... but you must keep in mind that weak as I am, nothing will touch you so long as I am with you. If for some reason we are separated, do not speak your name or give anyone anything of yours, and above all do not accept anything offered to you."

"Are you sure you want to do this? I would do my best to manage if you chose to stay and wait for my return." She asked, looking him in the eye.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan felt a surge of determination as he carried her toward the tree. He listened intently to the steady cadence of her warnings, each word resonating in his mind. She explained—through her tone and careful gestures—that once they were inside her cave the rules would change, and he must remain in contact with her at all times along the hidden paths. Any separation, she cautioned silently, could bring danger not only to her but to him as well. She stressed that if they ever parted, he must not speak his name or accept anything from strangers, no matter how enticing.

Ethan’s grip tightened around her as he walked, every step measured and deliberate on the soft forest floor. Despite the seriousness of her instructions, he felt no hesitation about accompanying her. If anything, the more she outlined the risks, the more resolute he became.

“I’m coming with you,” he said quietly, his voice firm and resolute as he met her gaze for a brief moment. “I won’t let you face this alone.”

There was no room for debate. Though he was a human, and these paths were dangerous for one such as he, he felt a fierce need to be by her side. He mentally noted every part of her warning—keep in contact, do not stray, do not accept offerings, and above all, do not utter his name if they become separated. He knew the stakes were high; the forest was unforgiving to those who disobeyed its ancient rules.

As they approached the base of the tree, Ethan paused for a moment to steady himself. He could see the determination in her eyes despite her weakness, and it stirred something deep within him—a promise he wasn’t willing to break. Gently, he lowered her toward the opening of a hidden path that led toward her cave, ensuring she was secure in his arms.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured, more to himself than to her, as he carefully set her down against the tree. Then, before she could signal otherwise, he took a step forward. “I’m coming inside with you,” he added, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. He would accompany her all the way, no matter how treacherous the hidden paths might prove.

Ethan’s heart pounded in his chest as he followed her lead, his resolve unwavering. In that quiet moment beneath the ancient tree, amidst the soft rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of the forest, he vowed silently that nothing would break the connection between them. No matter what dangers lay ahead, he was ready to face them—so long as he could be by her side.​

 

[Poprockz]

His words made her wonder whether he assumed that this would be dangerous for her as well. It was touching to see how insistent he was to come with her despite knowing the risks, but if he had made that assumption then he was largely mistaken. While the paths could pose a small risk to her depending on what entities drifted across their path (for example if a shadow decided to confront her), most of the beings they would come across meant her no harm being that she was the guardian of this forest. The most difficulty she would have was gathering her things in her cave with what little strength she had.

In truth, Ethan was much more at risk than she was, but at least he seemed to understand that he was entering a place that didn't have his best interest at heart.

She glanced at him once more over her shoulder, the words 'I've got you' still seeming to linger in her mind; it made a strange ache come to her chest. His eyes were fierce with his resolve and she knew he wouldn't be persuaded otherwise. It begged the question of 'why' yet again. Why was he willing to go so far?

Illuvian reached back and took his hand in her own before pulling him forward and into the tree. In a flash of green light, they were no longer on the human plane but somewhere adjacent. Contrary to what one might have assumed when she described it as dangerous, the place they ended up in was beautiful beyond words.

It was bright and pleasant, looking like something out of someone's cotton-candy dream. Pink clouds floated lazily in the pastel-blue sky, the trees surrounding them catching the light and glimmering with gold leaves and bronze trunks. The land was laid out similarly to how the forest was, though with some distinct differences. The river was not simply sitting in the land, but flowing through the air like a colossal snake, its form twirling around itself at points. In the distance there was a waterfall that was flowing upwards, its white bubbles blending into the clouds above.

Now that they were here, Illy was able to stand without issue. The rules were different here, based more one one's mind than physical being. Usually she would just fly to her destination, but she didn't think Ethan would be able to do the same yet.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan’s breath left him in a quiet exhale as he took in the world around him. It was unlike anything he had ever seen—beautiful, surreal, and unnerving all at once. The air itself seemed lighter, humming with an energy he couldn’t quite name. The shimmering trees, the river twisting through open sky, the impossible waterfall—everywhere he looked, reality bent in ways his mind struggled to grasp.

Yet despite its beauty, a deep wariness settled in his chest. This place did not belong to him. He was a visitor in a realm where the rules were not his own, where even the laws of nature bowed to something older, something untamed.

He tightened his grip on Illy’s hand instinctively, grounding himself in the one familiar thing in this strange place. It was a small gesture, but a necessary one. He might not have belonged here, but he wouldn’t let himself be lost in it.

Ethan cast a glance at her. She stood steady now, her earlier weakness seemingly left behind the moment they crossed the threshold. It was clear—this place obeyed her, or at least acknowledged her in a way it never would him. Good, he thought. She was stronger here. That meant he could worry less about her and more about whatever else might be lurking on these paths.

The thought unsettled him. He knew danger was a possibility—she had warned him enough—but standing here, surrounded by the ethereal glow of this world, he realized how little he truly understood. What kind of threats moved through a place like this? What would happen if he took a wrong step, if he spoke the wrong word?

He exhaled slowly, forcing his mind to settle. It doesn’t matter. Whatever came, he would deal with it. He had made his choice the moment she asked for help, and he wouldn’t turn back now.

His voice was quiet when he finally spoke. “Lead the way.”​

 

[Poprockz]

"Alright... Let us be off," Illluvian nodded and gave his hand a comforting squeeze before looking forward and starting to walk. She wasn't sure why she had the urge to reassure him, but perhaps she felt responsible for his unease. Whatever happened though, as long as he stayed with her she would make sure he left the paths without issue.

They walked the winding path for a time, the trees seeming to lean in curiously as though interested in the fact that a human was wandering around with an escort. One could hear faint whispering, though the words just escaped recognition. Having walked the paths many times, Illy knew they were gossiping about Ethan.

What he may or may not have realized was that the world here was linked both to the human and fae realms, many beings here having direct ties to places and beings in his realm. Many of the trees were familiar with him from his daily walks in the forest, and most had a neutral opinion of him (a few of them were even fond of him). They were likely very surprised to see him on the other side, so the news traveled between trees very quickly.

The two of them came to a fork in the road when a beautiful woman came out from the side of the path and cave them a big, friendly smile. She had lovely orange and green wings that almost looked like the panes on an autumn-themed, stained glass window. Her long ears stuck out proudly past her white locks of hair, and her blue eyes looked at Ethan curiously.

"I had heard that a human walked these paths for the first time in a long time! May I have your name, human?" she asked in a warm voice.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan's gaze flickered around the strange world they had entered, his unease deepening. The colors were too vivid, the air too light, the ground beneath his feet somehow solid and insubstantial at the same time. Even the trees felt alive in a way he couldn't quite define, their leaning forms and hushed whispers making his skin prickle. He didn't need to understand the words to know they were talking about him.

Despite the strange beauty, despite the soft press of Illy’s hand against his, this place was not safe. Not for him.

As they walked, Ethan kept his shoulders squared, his posture firm. He was being watched—he could feel it. By what, or who, he didn’t know. He only knew that he was an intruder here.

Then, at the fork in the road, she appeared.

The woman was striking—otherworldly in the way that everything here seemed to be, but more deliberate. Her wings caught the light like stained glass set ablaze, her white hair spilling over sharp, elegant features. There was warmth in her voice, in her smile, but Ethan did not trust it.

His jaw tightened as she asked for his name.

He didn’t answer.

Instead, his eyes flicked to Illy. He remembered her warning. Do not speak your name. Do not give anything of yours. Do not accept what is offered.

This woman was beautiful, but she was not safe. Nothing here was.

So Ethan stayed silent, waiting. His answer—if there was to be one—would come from Illy first.​

 

[Poprockz]

Illy was pleased that he hadn't answered as a knee-jerk reaction, showing that he still had his guard up. This was good- it would serve him well to keep that wariness around any of the fae who happened across them.

"You may not," Illy answered, her gaze direct and steady.

The other fae giggled, "I wasn't asking you, was I? But since he seems rather shy, I suppose I'll let it go." She twirled some of her platinum blond hair around her finger mischievously. "What is a human doing in the paths anyway? Shouldn't he be sitting around a campfire roasting the sugar clouds or something?"

Fae were notoriously curious creatures, so she couldn't necessarily blame her for asking. That being said, she didn't particularly like the idea of revealing the exact circumstances that led to them being there. It was time for some good old-fashioned evasiveness.

"Is it against the rules for me to bring a companion with me on the paths? Unusual perhaps, but those that govern this realm do not care whether a human wanders lost, much less a human with an escort." Was the aloof answer she received.

This earned a pout from the blonde. "Do I look like a stickler for rules? That's not what I wanted to know. What I want to know, is why a forest nymph brought a human here in the first place. I know you have been known to guide the lost ones back, which is rather boring of you in my opinion, but this one you actually brought here. Are you going to lead him to the middle and see if he can find his way out on his own? Now that would be fun to watch!" Her bright blue eyes lit up in excitement at the idea, as though it would be the most enthralling

Her gaze turned to Ethan and she asked, "don't you think so, human? Wouldn't you like to explore the paths and all the beauty they have to offer? There is fresh fruit bursting with juice, so ripe and delicious that you would never want to go home again! Besides, isn't it boring traveling with the Whispering Maiden? Don't you want to have some fun?!"

Fae couldn't lie, and she wasn't lying. There was indeed tasty fruit here that would have a mortal astounded. That was the problem though: The undiluted fruit was so succulent, so delicious, that they would develop only a taste for the fruit and nothing else. There had been a time where she had unfortunately not been able to get to a human in time to prevent them from eating it, and they had been lost to themselves ever since. Even after having been returned to their own world, they had gone mad and refused to eat anything as though any morsel that passed their lips tasted like ash in their mouths.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan remained silent, his expression hardening.

The fae woman’s voice was light, teasing, but there was something in it—something slippery, something sharp. He could feel the weight of her gaze on him, searching for cracks, for weaknesses. Her words were like hooks, bright and enticing, but he wasn’t foolish enough to bite.

She was playing a game. He knew that much. He just didn’t know the rules.

So he stood still, feet planted firmly on the path, his eyes unwavering as she spoke. When her attention turned to him directly, when she tempted him with fruit, with beauty, with fun, he said nothing.

She was trying to make him want. That was the trick, wasn’t it? It wasn’t just about taking something—it was about the desire to take it.

He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

Instead, he let his gaze flick briefly to Illy before shifting back to the woman, his silence a clear refusal. He was here for one reason, and one reason alone. Nothing she offered could change that.

His hands clenched at his sides, and he waited.​

 

[Poprockz]

An eyebrow was raised as the other fae addressed Illy, "is he mute?"

"No, he's just smart enough to know that eating strange fruit probably isn't the best idea," Illy chuckled, prompting an eye-roll from the blonde.

"Well whatever the case, this is boring. I'm bored. You two are perfect for each others' company in that way," she huffed, her wings buzzing with annoyance as she lifted from the ground and floated away, likely off to find something more entertaining.

Once she was out of sight, Illuvian turned her gaze to Ethan and had a look of appreciation in her eyes. "The fruit is indeed as delicious as she claims, but to taste something so sweet... one wonders if it is you who is consuming the fruit or whether the fruit is consuming you. The only food I would offer you safely here would be nectar, a sweet drink that tastes like sunshine. However, I would only ever consider giving you a little of it as it too can be intoxicating in the same way wine can, and I would recommend only accepting such things from myself. I have no desire to lead you astray nor do I delight in the downfall of others. Sometimes the fae forget that every life has its own merit... Or perhaps some simply don't care."

Her lips pressed together before she turned from him and continued leading him with his hand firmly in her own.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Ethan kept his grip firm in Illy’s as they pressed forward, the path shifting subtly beneath his feet, like walking on something that wasn’t entirely solid. The ground had a dreamlike quality—there, but not, steady, but unreliable. It made him wary, but he kept moving, letting her lead, relying on her presence to anchor him in this strange place.

Her hand was smaller than his, delicate yet strong. There was a steadiness to her touch, a quiet assurance in the way she held onto him, as if she was making sure he didn’t drift away rather than the other way around. It was a contrast to everything else here—the shifting terrain, the whispering trees, the impossible sky above them where pink clouds swirled like spun sugar.

The air was thick with a scent he couldn’t quite place, something floral and sweet, but layered with something deeper, older. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it made his instincts prickle. This wasn’t a place meant for him. The land itself watched, the trees leaning in curiously, their whispers constant and unreadable. It reminded him of walking into a crowded bar where everyone already knew each other—only here, he wasn’t just a stranger. He was an intruder.

Still, he kept his head forward, following Illy’s lead as the path wound towards their destination.

The river, flowing impossibly through the air, pulsed with light as it twisted in graceful arcs around them. In the distance, Ethan could see the waterfall she had spoken of, rising instead of falling, its white foam dissolving into the pink-hued sky above. It should have looked unnatural, but in this place, it was simply part of the dreamlike landscape.

As they drew closer, he found his focus narrowing to the rhythmic movement of their steps, the warmth of her hand in his, the feel of her fingers curled lightly but insistently around his own. It was an odd thing to fixate on, but in a world where nothing else seemed real, her touch was solid. Grounding.

She had told him before that she had no desire to lead him astray, and he believed her. Yet he also knew that this place was dangerous in ways he probably couldn’t fully understand. He had no business being here—no right to walk these paths. And yet, here he was.

Because she had needed to come. And because he couldn’t let her go alone.

The waterfall loomed ahead, its mist catching the light in shimmering waves. Their journey wasn’t over yet, but they were close. Ethan tightened his grip just slightly, a silent reminder—to himself as much as to her—that he was still here. That he would stay.​