The night passed in a dreamlike haze. After setting up camp, the party settled around the tree, their wariness still present but dulled. The sense of peace in the clearing worked its way into their minds, lulling them into a deep, unguarded sleep. None of them thought to set a watch—an unthinkable lapse in such dangerous territory, but the idea seemed unnecessary here. It was as if the clearing itself promised safety.
Kael slept deeper than he had in weeks, his body sinking into the soft grass as the warmth of the night wrapped around him. When he finally stirred, the world had changed. He blinked against the morning light, slowly realizing the clearing looked… different.
It wasn't just that the air felt brighter or that the grass seemed softer beneath him—it was that the edges of the forest, once visible around the perimeter, had vanished. The clearing had expanded, stretching out farther than it should have. The familiar wall of trees was nowhere in sight, replaced by a vast, open space filled with the same beautiful flowers and captivating light.
Kael sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes, trying to shake off the strange fog that clung to his mind. He glanced at the tree they had camped under, and to his surprise, it now bore fruit—luscious, golden fruit that shimmered in the morning sun, almost begging to be picked. His companions were already awake, and, to his growing unease, they seemed… different.
Lireal was laughing softly, plucking one of the fruits from a low-hanging branch, her usual sharp, guarded expression replaced by one of serene joy. Aldric was polishing his armor, but there was a lightness to his movements that Kael had never seen before, as if the weight of their journey had lifted entirely. Nyxara leaned against the trunk of the tree, eyes half-closed, a peaceful smile on her lips.
Kael's stomach twisted. Something was wrong. He stood up, glancing around in a growing panic. "Where's the forest?" he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.
Nyxara opened her eyes lazily, but instead of her usual sharpness, they were distant, unfocused. "Does it matter, Kael? This place is wonderful. Why worry?"
"Why worry?" he echoed, his voice tightening. "We were in enemy territory last night. We didn't set a watch. We—" He stopped, realizing something even more alarming. "We were on a mission. Do any of you remember why we came here?"
Aldric laughed, a sound so uncharacteristic that it sent a chill down Kael's spine. "Kael, you're always so tense. Just relax for once. Look at this place. Why would we want to leave?"
Lireal tossed a piece of fruit to him, her eyes gleaming with joy. "Here, have some. It'll make you feel better."
Kael caught the fruit in his hand, but he didn't take a bite. His grip tightened around it as he looked at his companions—at the unnatural bliss on their faces. It was as if the purpose of their journey had vanished from their minds, leaving only this strange euphoria in its place.
Something was very, very wrong.