About an hour had passed as we journeyed, the emerald canvas of grass giving way to the more intricate design of the forest. "Welcome to Galdunn's Forest," Matterinna's voice echoed, alerting us to the transition in the scenery. "Stick close, there might be unfriendly creatures or even people here."
Illyanna, her cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment, mumbled something about needing a bathroom break. As she scurried off towards a nearby bush, Matterinna offered to assist, but Illyanna politely declined, her voice barely more than a whisper carried away by the wind.
In the brief moment of solitude, I felt a sudden cold sensation against my throat. It was the sharp edge of a knife, pressed against my skin by Matterinna, her eyes seething with a dangerous mix of confusion and anger. "Who are you really, Max?" she spat, her voice barely more than a hiss. "A spy from Entrados? Aiyesha, the illusion witch? Where is the real Max?"
Tears welled up in my eyes as the cold steel pressed deeper into my throat. I could feel my resolve crumbling under the weight of her accusations, my mouth opening to spew the truth, the reality of my existence. "I'm not the Max you know," I stammered, "I... I come from a different world."
Her grip on the knife faltered for a moment as I divulged the nature of this world, a lucid dream woven by my subconscious. But before she could voice the whirlwind of questions undoubtedly brewing in her mind, Illyanna's voice called out to us, announcing her return.
In a flash, the knife was gone, replaced by Matterinna's arms wrapping tightly around me, feigning a hug. Illyanna laughed lightly at the sight, remarking about how cute we looked.
"Right, Max?" Matterinna whispered into my ear, her voice a soft threat. Playing along with her act, I mustered the best smile I could, assuring Illyanna that everything was just fine.
With our group reunited, we plunged deeper into the forest, but my heart was pounding, my mind swirling with fear and doubt. Every step felt like a countdown, every glance from Matterinna a harbinger of my impending doom. The cold sensation of the knife against my throat still lingered, terrifyingly real for a dream.
'What happens if I die in this dream?' I couldn't help but wonder, my heartbeats echoing my fear in this eerie symphony of the unknown.
The gentle rustle of leaves beneath our feet was the only sound that punctuated the silence between Matterinna and me. Illyanna, with her keen sense of empathy, noticed the unusual lack of interaction. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice trailing off, filled with concern.
"No, nothing at all," Matterinna assured her swiftly, an unfathomable smile dancing on her lips. I nodded in agreement, the lie tasted bitter, but necessary. Seeing our united front, Illyanna's eyes dimmed slightly, her smile wavered. She conceded the matter with a silent nod, choosing to fall back, her footfalls lagging behind us.
The sharp whisper of Matterinna in my ear sent a jolt through me, "Make things right, or I swear to the gods, Max..." The rest of the sentence remained unsaid, but the threat was implicit.
"Of course," I hissed back, my voice tight with annoyance and fear. "I don't want to make Illyanna sad, whether this is a dream or reality, she's important to me." I didn't miss the way Matterinna's cheeks tinged with pink at my words, a stuttering rebuke at the tip of her tongue.
"Well, don't just stand there," she retorted, regaining her composure, "Do something."
The command was clear, yet I was at a loss. The situation was spiraling out of control and I needed to think. But how to bridge the gap, how to mend the cracks that threatened to shatter this precarious balance? My mind raced, caught in the whirlpool of possibilities, as I continued our trek into the uncharted depths of the forest.
The words flowed out as a hushed whisper, "Is Tarvernia still far?"
Matterinna's eyes followed the path beyond the trees, resting on a small, distant mountain. "We're nearly there, just a few more minutes, behind that mount," she informed me, her voice soft.
An idea sparked in my mind. With a playful grin, I tapped Matterinna's back and sprinted away, shouting, "Tag! You're it! Last one to Tarvernia's a rotten egg!"
Matterinna sputtered, calling out, "Hey! We should stay close--" But her warning fell on deaf ears as I dashed through the underbrush, laughing.
Illyanna watched us with wide eyes, her smile blooming like a wildflower in spring. "Are we playing tag now?" She giggled, springing into action as I darted past a sprawling tree and back towards her.
My laughter was infectious, spreading to Illyanna as she joined the chase, our merry cacophony echoing through the verdant expanse. "Stick together!" Matterinna admonished again, her stern tone clashing with the joyful atmosphere. But we paid no heed, interpreting her words as playful threats.
Even as we frolicked, I noticed Matterinna's stern facade melting away. The harsh lines of her face softened, her eyes shone with unspoken joy as she watched us, a warmth spreading through her gaze. She murmured something under her breath, something that sounded like approval, even affection, for this other version of Max.
I noticed the transformation in Matterinna, her serious demeanor giving way to a lively spirit, her words becoming playful. "You'd better run faster," she taunted, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, "Or I'll catch you and smother you in kisses!"
I couldn't help but laugh at her antics, "Try your best!" I countered. Illyanna stuck her tongue out at Matterinna, her eyes glinting with the thrill of the chase.
And so we ran, shouted, and laughed our way towards Tarvernia. The air that was once filled with the scent of tension and fear now vibrated with laughter and joy. Our tears had been replaced by wide smiles, our sobs by peals of laughter. The only race now was to keep this happiness, to outrun the lurking shadows of sadness, to reach our destination bathed in the light of our shared joy.