Axis's heart raced. The air around them seemed to grow cooler as they descended toward the forest, the vast expanse of mist creeping up to meet them. "What should I expect once we enter?"
Rida grinned. "Expect the unexpected. The forest can play tricks on your mind, but as long as you stay close to me and trust your instincts, you'll be fine."
With that, Lyra the Zephyris began to descend, her enormous wings cutting through the thick mist as they prepared to enter the legendary forest. The wind whistled around them, and the towering trees loomed closer, their dark shapes growing larger as they neared the ground.
As they breached the outer edges of the forest, Axis could already feel the strange energy radiating from the trees. The air seemed thicker here, almost alive, as if it was watching them. The mist clung to the ground in swirling tendrils, and the faint sound of rustling leaves echoed in the distance.
They landed softly in a small clearing, and Rida hopped off the bird first, helping Axis down with a quick hand. The ground was soft and damp, and the air had a faintly sweet, earthy smell that was unlike anything Axis had ever experienced.
"Welcome to the Forest of Illusions," Rida said, her voice low but filled with reverence. "Stay close. The forest is unpredictable, but if we respect it, it will respect us."
Axis nodded, his senses heightened as he followed closely behind Rida. Every step felt deliberate, like the forest was watching and waiting for them to make a wrong move.
Suddenly, a whispering sound filled the air, like dozens of voices speaking all at once. Axis froze, his heart pounding.
Rida glanced over her shoulder and smiled reassuringly. "It's just the forest. It's testing us."
Testing us? Axis thought, feeling a chill run down his spine.
As they walked deeper into the forest, the trees seemed to shift and move, as if changing their positions when he wasn't looking. The path twisted and turned in ways that didn't seem natural, but Rida moved forward with confidence, never hesitating.
"How do you know the way?" Axis asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Rida smiled. "The forest speaks to those who know how to listen. Just keep walking and don't doubt yourself. That's the key here—if you doubt, the forest will sense it."
They continued in silence for what felt like hours, though it was impossible to tell how much time had passed. The mist grew thicker, and the air felt heavier with every step. But then, just when Axis thought they might be lost, the mist parted, revealing a massive stone mansion nestled between the trees.
"This is your estate?" Axis asked, awestruck by the sight of the grand structure. It looked ancient, with ivy crawling up the stone walls and large, arched windows peeking out from behind the dense foliage.
Rida nodded. "Home sweet home." She gestured toward the mansion. "Let's get inside. There's a lot I need to show you."
" with it being like this it's too dangerous to be allowed be available to general public "
" yes that's why the main city is outside the forest "
" You live here because of your familiars, no ? "
" partially yes "
" then what's the whole reason "
" maybe i will tell u later now let's go in "
A mansion of completely different style than the previous.
Back in Archbron's mansion it was made to resist cold but this one is made to let the air flow and very spacious even compared to the previous one it's much more spacious.
As soon as we landed and got down from Lyra she screeched bent down bringing her beak near me, as if wanting me to touch it.
" Does she want me to touch her beak ? " Axis asked Rida, confused.
" she does go on she won't bite its rate to see her take the initiative "
Slowly extending the hand axis took a step forward in response Lyra moved a bit forward letting the beak touch his hand.
" axis " rida called seeing lyra not wanting to leave axis be.
" Yes? "
" how would you feel if lyra accompanies you for your stay here? "
Seeing axis fall silent rida continued " that a no ? "
" its not that i wont like it but i havnt taken care of anything in my life so i am not sure if i would be able to take care of her. "
Rida chuckled softly, her eyes warm as she watched Axis interact with Lyra. "Don't worry about that. Zephyris birds are independent; she'll mostly look after herself. But she seems to have taken a liking to you, and that's rare. You might even find her helpful during your stay."
Axis glanced at Lyra, who had lowered her head, watching him with her sharp, intelligent eyes. The idea of having her as a companion felt both exciting and intimidating.
"Alright," he said finally, giving Lyra's beak a gentle pat. "If she's willing to put up with me, then I'll do my best."
Rida's smile widened. "Good! She'll be your shadow while you're here. Don't be afraid to talk to her—she understands more than you might think."
With a soft coo, Lyra stepped back, then stretched her wings wide. Her body began to glow, shrinking gradually until she was no bigger than a common bird. She flapped her now-delicate wings and took flight, gracefully circling above before settling on a nearby perch, her presence now small but still powerful.
Rida motioned toward the mansion's grand double doors, which opened on their own as they approached. The interior was even more impressive—open, airy, and filled with intricate carvings that seemed to shift and change as Axis looked at them, depicting animals, plants, and flowing rivers in mesmerizing detail.
"Welcome to the Illusory Manor," Rida said as they stepped inside. "My family has lived here for generations, protecting the forest and its mysteries. This place is a sanctuary for magical creatures and a space for studying them."
Axis gazed around, captivated by the intricate decorations and glimpses of peculiar creatures he saw through the doorways. The space felt alive in a way he couldn't quite put into words, an underlying hum of energy pulsing with each breath he took, as if the manor were part of the forest itself.
"It's… amazing," he whispered, awestruck.
Rida placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "There's so much I want to show you. But first, you need to understand: staying here is unlike anywhere else. The forest—and this manor—will test you, but if you're open to it, they'll also teach you."
Axis nodded, feeling a thrill of anticipation. He'd already encountered things beyond his understanding, but he was ready to dive deeper. "I'm ready."
Rida's expression softened. "Good. Let's start with something simple—learning to listen. Out here, listening can mean the difference between finding your way and losing it."
As they moved further inside, Axis caught glimpses of other magical creatures—small, shimmering-eyed animals and birds that seemed to vanish the moment he looked at them.
"Take it slow," Rida advised. "This place can be overwhelming, but with time, it'll start to feel like home. And remember, Lyra's with you if you need her."
A maid who was sweeping the floor noticed Rida and shouted " the lady has come back!!!! "
Hi guys i made discord server for you guys and me to interact with each other if you guys interested join in.
Discord server link: https://discord.gg/htcCHBHjXd
see you guys in next chapter.