Chapter Text
Wood chimes echoed a hollow tune in the soft breeze. Somewhere deep in the woods, a river flowed through, quiet laughter flowed along with it. The forest gave off a magical aura to anyone who passed through it. It made everyone’s skin tingle. If you stepped onto the ancient land that stretched on for miles you could feel the magic buzz around you. But fear stopped anyone from crossing the entrance. Many lingered only a few steps into the forest. Once you take a few steps you start to feel the magic crawl up your spine, almost like it was suffocating you. Even if you try to pass further into it, hoping the feeling would fade as you go deeper. You’ve been mistaken. For it only gets worse until you drop dead to the ground. No one survives and the last thing you see is gold eyes staring at you through the forest.
Deep inside the forest, a witch sang softly pushing blonde curls out of their eyes. Nearby a fairy lingered around the garden, baby blue wings sparkling in the sunlight. “It happened” it whispered fluttering closer to the witch. The singing stopped and the witch stared up at the fairy. They snapped their fingers and a black dog emerged from the forest. It’s ear pointed and tail wagging. A spell was murmured and the dog disappeared into the forest.
“This is wrong” the fairy whispered to the witch landing down near the witch sitting on a rock, fearful of getting the silk clothes dirty. There was a sad aura around the fairy. The awful feeling could be felt throughout the forest. A fairy. Especially such a beautiful and loved one was feeling sad.
The witch sighed softly stopping their spells for the moment to look at the sullen and sad fairy beside him. They gently cupped the fairy’s cheek. Careful with their hands, afraid of one bad move and they’d break the fragile skin. “I wish I could change everything. I really do. But this is how the forest made itself. Wove itself on these ancient grounds for no one to touch besides the creatures inside. We have the same magic in our blood. I wish I could change that but these are the rules of nature. Nothing can change that.” The witch spoke softly wanting no more pain to reside in the fairy. For the fairy already trembled under their touch. They moved their hands away letting them drop into their lap. “I’m sorry” they whispered.
The fairy only nodded. Numbly getting up with its wings fluttering behind him “See you tonight” it whispered before fluttering off into the forest.
There were no certain pathways in the forest. Even a mythical creature’s life would perish if they come from the outside world. No one besides the creatures inside is allowed through alive. But even they are injured at times. It’s impossible to remover around and if the forest doesn’t like you, well then all hope is lost for you. That’s why every creature was careful with their every step. You never know when the forest could turn on you. Dying was never easy either. You were slowly tortured.Forced to watch your hard work crumble in front of you until the forest got bored of you and ended our life. Sometimes you were crushed by trees other times the ground would open up and swallow you up. There was a story among the elders of the forest how one minotaur whose head was taken off by a tree branch. Cut right off with a single swipe. It was a dangerous land but home to many.
The fairy fluttered away from the witch’s home off to his own. In the heart of the forest there was a waterfall then fell over a cave. It was the only place the river water was rushed and dangerous but it flowed into a pond where the waterfall fell. The delicate creature landed by the pond. A tired smile was given to a frog that popped onto a lily pad. The fairy’s home was just beyond the waterfall. It was a beautiful cave that was home to two fairies.
Somewhere in the forest not far from the fairy, a wolf lurked around a hurt bird. It came closer sniffing at the injured creature. It wasn’t magical. Only a mere animal who had been allowed shelter in the forest. One of many but rare at the same time. Nudging it with his nose he managed to push the bird atop his snout and cared it until he reached a cottage. One of the three cottages in the forest. This one belonged to the enchantress. The wolf walked towards the door and nudged it. Paws scratching at the wood finishing. The door open and the wolf whined. The enchantress at first stared at the wolf marks on their door but then their attention was caught by the bird on the wolf’s snout.
The enchantress had pure magic healing unlike the witch of the forest. It was much more dangerous and riskful. But animals were a safe option for a quick and easy heal. Murmuring a spell softly they placed a few fingers on the bird’s injury. A gash on its head. Closing their eyes they murmured another spell and in a few moments, the gash was gone replaced with the thin white scar. The bird lifted his head. It stayed on the wolf for a moment before fluttering his wings and flew off. The enchantress smiled softly red hair falling into their eyes as the wolf was pet “Good boy” they whispered before shutting the door.
The wolf whined softly scratching at the door but it knew it was never welcome for too long. Untrustworthy and someone with literal two sides. More than two sides even. Howling outside the cottage it ran into the forest once more, off to find shelter in the forest wherever it would offer it.
A bit closer to the waterfall a forest nymph lay on the ground admiring its reflection in the river water. It hummed softly. The tune to a very familiar song most knew in the woods. The nymph was the closest to the elders. Being the grandchild of one of them. Its mother had been a nymph-like them self but their father a human. A forbidden relationship. A reason the nymph had grown without a father. Till five its father was around but after that, the forest wouldn't allow him access. So he had become forbidden and the nymph was never allowed to venture out of the forest.
Beyond the waterfall near the edge of the forest where almost no one went an ancient elemental stood there. Watching the nearby waves of the ocean. The forest ended with a cliff. No one knew where it came from but it had rocky edges and a steep fall. The elemental stared down at the rough waves hitting the rocks and cliff. A storm was approaching. Dark clouds were coming closer from the west. Bringing with them a terrible gift for the creatures of the forest. He’d been holding them back for days now but it grew too strong too quickly. There was no stopping it now and the preparations had to begin.
Nearby the wolf was curled up on a rock watching the same storm approach their forest.
The witch looked up frowning as it heard loud booms from far beyond.
The two fairies looked at each in alarm when a group birds emerged from the forest and flew off.
The enchantress frowned shutting all the shutters and blinds in the cottage storing away ancient artifacts to hide safely.
The nymph shuddered feeling strong winds come through the forest. Quickly it darted into its hut between the trees to hide away.
"An evil is coming."