The morning greeted me with a foggy stillness, the cold biting yet bearable. My sleep had been surprisingly peaceful, a rare gift in this forest. As I climbed out of the tree that had sheltered me through the night, I couldn't help but miss the world tree. It was more than a shelter—it was life itself, and it had everything I could need. Out here, the forest seemed hostile, endless, and unyielding.
While walking east, a question struck me like a sudden gust of wind.
How had I survived something so unnatural as having the roots of a mystical tree pierce through me? Why me? Where was everyone else? Was I the only one left in this world?
But focusing on questions I couldn't answer wouldn't help me survive. My priority was to escape this forest.
After hours of walking, I saw a small stream cutting through the dense trees. The water shimmered under the soft light filtering through the canopy above. Crystal clear, clean, and teeming with fish, it seemed like a blessing. I crouched to wash my face in the refreshingly warm water. For a moment, it felt as if the forest wasn't entirely hostile—just wild and untamed.
I decided to follow the stream, letting its course guide me. It became my lifeline through the vast and endless trees. For three days, I walked. By day, I moved steadily, encountering strange creatures that regarded me with either disinterest or cautious curiosity. By night, I climbed the tallest trees I could find, tying myself to sturdy branches to avoid falling while I tried to sleep. The nights were the worst—filled with distant howls, predatory roars, and a bone-chilling cold that seeped through even the densest leaves. Sleep became a battle of endurance.
On the fourth day, as the fog began to thin under the morning sun, I saw it.
A city.
It rose like a mirage, nestled among the trees as if the forest itself had shaped it. The buildings blended seamlessly with their surroundings, and their colors were a harmonious mix of green and white. Some homes perched high in the trees, connected by elegant bridges of shimmering vines and wood. Other structures rested on the forest floor, their walls covered with intricate carvings and glowing runes. The air felt alive, humming with an ethereal energy that made the city pulse with life.
For the first time in days, I felt hope.
I ran toward the city, relief and excitement driving me forward. But as I neared its outskirts, my steps faltered.
A group of tall, graceful figures emerged from the trees ahead of me, their bows drawn, arrows trained on me with unnerving precision. they had white hairs and pale skin they had pointy ears. I thought to myself
Are these guys elves? and why are they aiming at me do they think I'm a threat to them?
Their faces were strikingly beautiful, but their expressions held no warmth—only a steely determination.
Among them were swordsmen, their blades glowing faintly with an otherworldly energy. Their stances spoke of deadly skill. Others wore flowing robes adorned with swirling patterns of gold and green; mages, I realized, as faint auras of light shimmered around their hands. One elf summoned a glowing orb that hovered above his palm, radiating power.
At the center of this group stood their leader, a man who seemed to embody the spirit of the forest itself. His tied long hair, a blend of green and white looked so elegant. His armor was unlike the others'—a masterful blend of elegance and function, adorned with intricate patterns that mirrored the forest's beauty. He raised a hand, signaling his soldiers to hold their positions.
He came forward his eyes focused on me his one hand on his sword and said
"State your purpose, outsider," he commanded his voice calm but edged with authority.
My heart pounded as I tried to find the words. I wanted to explain, to tell them I meant no harm. But the way their eyes bore into me, distrustful and unyielding, left me speechless.
This wasn't the welcome I had hoped for.