Five years ago, Eternal Island.
It is a sunny day in Eternal Island.
A picturesque scene unfolded, a youthful Elf with long brown hair styled in charming pigtails sat cross-legged, her chin cradled in her hands, as she gazed up at a majestic tree reaching towards the sky. Her emerald-colored eyes radiated youthful vigor, accentuating her beautiful face.
"Ah, Fryde, here you are, huh?" a voice called out from behind the woman, but she remained fixated on the tree.
"Yes, has grandfather finished meeting with the other elders?" she replied softly, her voice as melodious as a bird's chirping.
Her white-haired grandfather, a beloved figure among the Elves, smiled at her. Fryde was his youngest and most cherished grandchild. It was a rare joy for him to have three grandchildren, as Elves found it difficult to bear children. Two of his children and one grandchild had already departed from the world, returning to the embrace of their mother. He was determined to safeguard the remaining members of his family from a similar fate.
The elderly Elf approached Fryde, settling down beside her in a cross-legged position, his gaze also fixed upon the towering tree. "Well, that's how it is. That's why I came here to relax and see our mother," he spoke slowly, his words filled with a sense of tranquility.
They both contemplated the Tree of Eternal Life, the revered entity known as the Mother Tree, or just a Mother among the Elves. Its grandeur reached above the clouds and held the legacy of the first Elven race.
A serene silence enveloped them as a gentle breeze brushed against their skin. After a brief pause, Fryde finally turned to her grandfather, her eyes sparkling with an unspoken connection. "Every time I gaze upon Mother, it feels like being cradled in her comforting embrace," she whispered, her voice filled with deep reverence and love.
As they bid farewell, Fryde embarked on a solitary stroll through the enchanting groves that adorned Eternal Island. The harmonious melodies of her fellow kin, be they Elves, Dryads, or Fairies, filled the air as they danced and played, creating an ethereal symphony of laughter and music. Her heart swelled with joy, cherishing this moment of bliss. She fervently prayed to the Mother Tree, her silent wishes intermingling with the rustle of leaves, hoping that this idyllic harmony would endure for eternity.
Lost in the serenity of the island, Fryde wandered deeper into the verdant woods. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting intricate patterns on the forest floor. Each step brought her closer to the heart of the ancient realm she called home.
As she navigated the winding paths, Fryde's thoughts dwelled on her failed attempts to communicate with the Mother Tree. She longed for a profound connection, a profound understanding of the tree's ancient wisdom. Determination ignited within her, fueling her resolve to persist in her quest.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze caressed her face, as if a gentle whisper from the spirits of the forest. Fryde paused, her senses attuned to the subtle rhythms of nature. With renewed hope, she closed her eyes and extended her hand, reaching out to the vibrant energy surrounding her.
Alas, the response remained elusive. Despite her earnest efforts, the Mother Tree's secrets remained locked away, veiled in an enigmatic silence. Undeterred, Fryde took solace in the knowledge that her journey was one of patience and perseverance and that her heartfelt intentions would eventually find their way to the venerable entity.
As the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow upon the land, Fryde reluctantly turned her steps back towards her dwelling. She carried with her the memories of the joyous melodies and carefree laughter that resonated within the depths of her being. With each footfall, she reveled in the knowledge that, even amidst the unanswered prayers, the harmony of Eternal Island endured.
With hope and determination intertwined, Fryde stepped onto the path leading back to her home. The fading light of the sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, mirroring the passion and resilience burning within her heart. As she walked, she couldn't help but smile, for she knew that tomorrow held new possibilities and another chance to connect with the Mother Tree, to unravel the profound mysteries that lay in wait. And so, embracing the promise of a new day, Fryde ventured onward, guided by the enduring spirit of Eternal Island.
…
In the depths of the night, Fryde found herself standing at a distance, her gaze fixated upon the towering figure of the Mother Tree. To her dismay, a sinister dark mist shrouded the once majestic entity, casting an eerie pall over the surrounding landscape. As she observed, a sense of unease gripped her heart, for the people in the vicinity displayed visible signs of distress and anguish.
Whispers, barely audible, reached Fryde's ears, carried on the chilling wind. Amidst the cacophony of pain and suffering, a voice, faint yet distinct, seemed to resonate within her mind. "Go!" it beckoned, its meaning obscured in the nebulous recesses of her subconscious.
Intrigued and unnerved, Fryde ventured forward, her steps hesitant yet resolute. As she drew closer, the intensity of the dark mist heightened, engulfing her senses with an otherworldly chill. Her heart raced with trepidation, but an inexplicable pull compelled her to press on, driven by an indomitable curiosity and a desire to unravel the mysteries veiled within the enigmatic realm of her dreams.
Navigating through the ethereal haze, Fryde approached the Mother Tree with caution. Its gnarled branches stretched outward, seemingly reaching for solace beyond the ephemeral realm of dreams. She sensed a deep sadness emanating from the ancient entity, intertwining with her own growing apprehension.
A sudden realization struck her: she bore witness to the anguish of the Mother Tree, an empathetic connection forged within the depths of her slumber. The dark mist, a manifestation of the tree's torment, mirrored the pain etched upon the faces of the island's inhabitants.
Summoning her courage, Fryde attempted to communicate, to offer solace to the suffering tree. She spoke softly, her words laden with compassion and understanding. Yet, her attempts fell on deaf ears, swallowed by the ominous mist that enveloped the Mother Tree.
Undeterred, she persisted, her voice growing stronger, her gestures infused with determination. And in that moment, amidst the haze of despair, Fryde sensed a flicker of response. A subtle shift in the tree's aura hinted at a glimmer of hope, a glimpse of connection.
But as quickly as the ray of hope materialized, it dissipated, leaving Fryde in a state of desolation. The dark mist swallowed her surroundings once more, obscuring any progress she had made. And so, reluctantly, she retreated, the whispered command to "Go!" lingering in her thoughts, guiding her back to the realm of wakefulness.
With a start, Fryde awoke from her nightmarish encounter, her body covered in a thin sheen of sweat. Her heart was beating fast and her breath was rushing, she had never had such a bad dream in her life.
As she took a moment to collect herself, she couldn't shake the weight of the dream, the urgency to understand and aid the Mother Tree.
Then she turned her face towards the Mother Tree, seeing it bathed in moonlight. Nothing changed about her.
Doubt flashed her eyes, as she try to remember and understand her dreams more.
…
As the night wore on, Fryde's doubts about her haunting dreams grew stronger, leaving her restless and filled with uncertainty. Tossing and turning in her bed, she finally opened her eyes, her heart pounding with the remnants of her unsettling slumber.
"I cannot shake these dreams from my mind," Fryde murmured to herself, her voice betraying a mix of confusion and concern. "What do they mean? Are they mere illusions or do they hold a deeper significance?"
Attempting to reassure herself, she reasoned, "Perhaps it is nothing more than a product of an overactive imagination. I should not allow myself to be consumed by these thoughts."
But try as she might, Fryde could not dismiss the nagging feeling that there was more to her dreams than met the eye. Despite her attempts to find solace, the weight of uncertainty clung to her like a stubborn fog, refusing to dissipate.
As the hours passed and sleep continued to elude her, Fryde knew that the dawn would soon arrive, heralding a new day. Determined to seek guidance and clarity, she resolved to share her troubling dreams with her wise and cherished grandfather.
With a deep breath and a flicker of hope in her eyes, Fryde readied herself to meet her grandfather. She knew he possessed the wisdom and insight that could help unravel the mystery of her dreams and bring peace to her restless mind.
As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the horizon, she stepped out into the soft morning light, her steps filled with purpose and anticipation. The path to her grandfather's dwelling lay ahead, and with each stride, Fryde's resolve strengthened. She would face her doubts head-on, seeking his guidance to navigate the labyrinth of her subconscious.
The dawn's arrival marked a turning point in Fryde's journey of self-discovery, as she embarked on a quest to understand the hidden messages concealed within her dreams. With her grandfather's wisdom as her guiding light, she was ready to confront the uncertainties that lay before her, embracing the opportunity for growth and revelation.
And so, with a heart filled with both apprehension and hope, Fryde ventured forth, eager to share her dreams and find solace in her grandfather's comforting presence. The path to understanding lay before her, beckoning her to delve deeper into the realms of her own mind and discover the truths that awaited her there.