As night descended upon them, Casey and her companions found themselves sitting inside the cosy and dimly-lit home of the fauns. The gentle crackling of the fireplace filled the room, providing a sense of warmth and comfort amidst the eerie silence of the forest.
Casey sat cross-legged on the soft fur rug, lost in her thoughts when suddenly she heard a faint whisper. At first, she brushed it off as just her imagination, but the whispers persisted, growing louder and more urgent. She strained to listen, trying to make sense of the garbled words that seemed to be coming from all around her.
She looked around. No one else noticed the whispers. Or maybe she is the only one who could hear them. She tried to focus on the sound, trying to grasp where it is coming from. When the corner of her eye caught a glimpse of some golden colour glitter in the air near the entrance gate.
As she stepped out of the faun's home, the glitter became brighter and more intense. She could see the golden butterfly fluttering just ahead of her, its wings beating rapidly.
Casey followed the butterfly through the dark forest, her eyes fixed on the glowing insect. The whispers grew louder, and she could now make out the words: "You are going the wrong way."
She froze on her foot. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling. No response, yet again.
The butterfly approached her slowly, circling her and moving forward as if it was asking Casey to follow.
The butterfly led her deeper into the forest until they came upon a clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a towering tree, its branches stretching toward the sky.
Casey approached the tree, her eyes fixed on the glittering butterfly as it fluttered around the trunk. She reached out and touched the rough bark, feeling a surge of energy rush through her body.
"Evervale is the place!" the whisper came to her like a wind.
"What is that?" Casey asked touching the bark of the tree.
As Casey's fingers grazed the bark of the tree, she felt a strange sensation coursing through her. Suddenly, the air around her started to shimmer, and a black shadowy figure materialized before her. She gasped as she saw the figure, its dark and eerie aura sending chills down her spine.
The figure let out a piercing scream, "Evervale!", before fading away into darkness.
Casey's eyes shot open as she let out a piercing scream, jolting upright in her bed. The memories of her dream flooded back to her, and her heart was pounding furiously in her chest. She glanced around the room, her breathing heavy and labored, as she tried to shake off the feeling of terror that had consumed her.
Serenya, who was sitting at the table nearby, immediately rushed to her side, concern etched on her face. "Casey, what happened? Are you alright?" she asked, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Casey struggled to catch her breath, her mind still reeling from the vividness of her dream. "I...I don't know. I heard a scream in my dream, and then...then there was this shadowy figure," she stammered, her voice shaking with fear.
Serenya hugs her making a small space for herself on the bed next to Casey. "It's okay! Calm down, calm down! Tell me what you saw slowly. Okay?"
Casey held her hand tightly as she nodded. "Okay, okay..." she whispered.
Rowan opens the door with a thud. "What happened?" His sword is ready to kill anyone in sight. His eyes scan the room as he gently puts down his sword. Aricen followed him, entering the room without thinking much.
"You guys never learned to knock?" Serenya said. "Casey just saw a nightmare."
"No," Casey claimed. "It wasn't a nightmare, I saw the golden butterfly again. It led me to..." she gestured with her hands trying to remember each part of her dream "to a big lone tree and the whispers were telling me that I was going the wrong way."
"What butterfly?" Aricen asked curiously leaning against the wall.
Serenya explains, "It's the same butterfly that brought Casey and Lane here to Rothania."
"What do you mean brought her here?" Rowan asked.
"Even you don't know?" Serenya's jaw dropped in shock.
"Mr. Lucius only gave me brief information so I don't know."
Aricen smiles as he looks at Casey. "Who are you exactly?"
Serenya exhales a deep sigh as she starts to brief them about how Casey and Lane ended up here in this mess. Casey took the time to calm herself from the horror she had just experienced. She raises her head and her eyes move towards Aricen catching him already looking at her. Their eyes met. No one's looking away, 1, 2, 3. Both of them look away as the seconds pass by and catch a last glance at each other before focusing on Serenya's talk.
"Now you both understood?" Serenya's voice reaching Casey suddenly make her shake, her hands on her hips as if she was ordering them to understand the situation, which was funny to see. "Casey, now, continue... what happened after that?"
Suddenly the attention of the room shifted to her, nervousness building up for god-knows-why?
Casey struggled to find words to describe what she had just witnessed in her dreams. "I-I saw a shadowy figure. It screamed 'Evervale' before disappearing," she stammered.
"Evervale? Is that a place nearby?" Serenya asked.
Rowan and Aricen glance, "Yes, it is a place but it's not really nearby." Rowan explained.
Casey looked at them in confusion. "What's so special about this place, Evervale?"
"It's not just any place," Aricen replied, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Legend has it that Evervale is home to some of the most powerful magic in the world. It's said that the trees and the land itself hold ancient secrets and are guarded by powerful spirits."
"Really?" Serenya asked. Her interest was piqued.
Aricen nodded. "Yes, and that's not all. Evervale is also said to be a gateway to other realms, a place where the boundaries between our world and others are thin. It's rumoured that some have even found portals to other worlds within its borders."
"And you think we can find what we're looking for there?" Rowan asked.
Aricen's eyes dropped with disappointment. "Not really, What is the possibility of finding clues about Snow Witch there, that's not the place for her to be. But it's weird, why did Casey see this in her dream?"
Casey nodded, pondering over what he was saying, "then are we going to the black market today?" she asked, as she had no clue why she heard that name 'Evervale'
Aricen looked at her, "Yes, we are. Me, Serenya, and Rowan. You are staying here."
Casey shot up from her bed, "And why is that?"
Rowan tries to explain, "Because the butterfly said you were going the wrong way. So, it's better not to take any chances."
"I don't want to be here alone," she pestered.
"No, means No," Aricen declared.
"Aww," Casey shot her cute glance at Serenya, "Please!" she blinked twice.
Serenya was sweating even though it wasn't that hot yet. "Uh oh, I am terrible at this game!"
"I don't want to be left here alone, it's scary!"
Aricen couldn't help but laugh. Trying his best not to get noticed.
Serenya turns her head, "It's still a NO," she sees Casey dropping from the corner of her eyes as she gives in, "Okay, okay! Fine. Let her go, I will take care of her."
"You weakling!" Rowan teased Serenya as he made his way out of the room.
"Say that again and you are losing your job," Serenya warned. "I am serious!"
Rowan waves with his sword as he took his stride to the hall.
"Get ready soon, we will leave as soon as possible." Aricen stopped by the doorway. "Cover yourself as much as possible."
******
As they approached the dark and dingy alleyway where the black market was hidden, the group of adventurers felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. Aricen led the way confidently, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, ready for anything that might come their way.
Rowan trailed behind, his eyes darting around nervously as they weaved through the crowds of shady characters. "Hard to get used to this kind of place" Serenya muttered.
Finally, they spotted the shop they came for, and their faces lit up with excitement. It was open. Finally, they could be done with Aricen's business and set out for the witch. But as they drew closer, Rowan's expression turned to one of terror. He grabbed Casey's shoulder and turned her face away from the shop.
"Now, I know what that butterfly meant," he expressed.