Warm light and a mild breeze fluttered across her face as she unexpectedly inhaled crisp mountain woodland air while being struck senseless by branches as thick as bodies. Unable to scrabble around a bough to stop her descent, she barreled through the treetops helplessly. Just when the onslaught seemed never-ending, an open free fall gave her a single breath of reprieve before ground impact.

Never before had she felt so deathly alive and yet able to pass out any moment. The two conflicting sensations confounded her already muddled awareness. As her slowly returning mind restored her visual senses, she took in sprawling mazes of branches hundreds of feet above her and the itch of flattened brush grating against torn skin.

A profanity slipped softly from her harrowed breath, too lethargic to properly express her burst of anger and confusion at her situation. She stretched her senses to her feet and hands, expecting something broken from her multi-storied drop. But she only felt utter soreness and discomfort in the angles her body landed.

Cautiously, she inched her body upward and observed the squashed bush on which she sat. Strange shrubbery and foliage extended from all corners of her vision. Puzzling sounds, the warbles of something not quite like a bird, echoed tensely against her pounding heartbeat.

Where am I? She blinked. Is this even real? She gripped her hand, staring blankly at her fist. No. That was too much pain for me to be dreaming. But… She slowly stood up and picked her way out of the disfigured bush. How is my body okay? Scratches and scrapes covered her exposed arms along with rips in her black jeans, but she could move just fine. Yet, a few seconds ago, her body had felt tattered and beaten beyond function. Had her mind been so shocked to have imagined it all? Or crafted the reasonable feelings for such an absurd fall? Nothing made sense.

I was walking to the train station, crossed the street, stepped up on the curb… She wrinkled her brows in serious bewilderment. There were no cars nearby, so I definitely didn’t die getting hit, but… She goggled at the treetops as her mouth hung open in defeated confusion. Her mind flipped through various possibilities, but none of them stuck. Her analytical, logical mind wouldn’t take any of it.

At least, she could cross off transmigration or reincarnation since she was in her own body wearing the same clothes. They were even a little damp still from the rain and mist in the city. Although, her umbrella and backpack were nowhere to be found. She lifted her fingers to her ears. One hanging earring survived, so the other had either been lost in her tumble or never made it over to…wherever this place was.

She squinted her eyes at the fire wisps that rose above the grass tops. Definitely not normal. She concluded. No way have I never seen or heard about this and this… She poked a nearby plant whose thin petioles formed lattices interweaved with adjoining mini leaves and florets. The spiderweb-like structures drooped from a sturdy stem, the entirety resembling that of weeping willow with wings. …this weird but beautiful looking plant…flower?

A low rumble nearby roused her from her observations. Alarmed by the threatening growl, she shot up from her crouch, accidentally striking the plant. The mesh structure shimmered as if it was covered in a veil of glistening water. But she no longer paid attention to it, for she had locked gazes with glowing crimson eyes.

Heh, red eyes. Never a good sign in the movies. Her sarcastic mind quipped before she sprung away, running for her life. First rule of survival, trust nothing that looks like it could potentially kill you.

Spurred by its prey running away, the midnight blue beast, resembling a wolf on steroids with two tails and two sets of ears and eyes, pursued giddily. The girl swore it was laughing manically as she hastily searched for an escape. But the trees, as she had well experienced prior, were much too tall to climb.

The only good news, however, was she was gaining a sliver of distance from the horrifying creature. Yet again, she experienced another shock. Like how her body somehow withstood the immense fall, her running abilities were far greater than she ever remembered. In fact, she was sure she was breaking world record multiple times over.

Should I be happy or glad I’m finding this out now? Her mind internally spun, grasping for solutions. But before she could even consider outrunning the monster as one, banking on her stamina having also improved, the wolf vaulted forward. Unable to dodge the unexpected lunge, she watched in horror, in uncanny slow motion, as the wolf’s enormous maw clamped her left arm.

Red burst, scattering across her vision. And suddenly, she was livid. Not two minutes in this godforsaken world, and I’m already going to die? Possibly again too, depending on how the hell I got here anyway?! Incited by anger, she swung her body and other arm around, ramming her knuckles into the wolf’s left eyes.

Astonished by the human fighting back and the greater than anticipated hurt delivered, the wolf let go and skidded back. As it shook its pounding head and snarled indignantly, the girl gasped heavily in equal shock as the wolf.

But wasting no time for delay, she sprinted off, ignoring her injured arm that trailed blood through the air. Within seconds, she could hear the now incensed wolf racing behind her. Anticipating another lunge, she readied her body while scanning the surroundings. Sure enough, the wolf leapt again, and she sprung sideways, dodging by hairs.

However, instead of immediately falling back down from her jump, she found herself still moving upwards. What the f—?! She whipped her head around, nearly smacking face-first into a tree trunk before clumsily kicking off. In the air once again, she found herself soaring higher. Seeing a potential escape, a grin triumphantly bloomed across her solemn face.

Although the largest trees were far apart, the smaller ones, which were still enormous by normal standards, were close enough for her to vault off onto higher ground away from the wolf. Encouraged by this prospect, she prepared to kick off the upcoming trunk. But her hopes were dashed yet again as navy fur hurtled past the girl onto that very trunk ahead of her.

Oh great. And now it can jump-climb onto trees too. Lovely. She grimaced and twisted her body midair right as the wolf launched itself at her. Just barely, she caught the snout of the beast with her right arm and propelled her body over it. Flipped upside down through the air, her back smacked into a bough. Plowing through the startling initial pain, she clung onto the bough for dear life with her legs while reaching up with her good arm.

Shit. She clenched her jaw. How did I make it up? Beyond all reason, her body had actually responded as quickly as her mind and moved in ways human reaction speed and strength should never be able to accomplish. Scrambling securely onto the bough with her entire body, she spied the vexed beast prowling below.

Knowing she wasn’t safe yet, she hoisted herself onto her feet and tottered hurriedly toward the trunk. With a quick scan of the treetop area, she marked a rough jump escape plan in the few seconds she earned before the wolf could reach her again. Confirming her chosen path right as she jumped, she could hear the splintering crack of wood from the obsessive beast.

Like a sick game of tag, the girl and wolf vaulted through the treetops, shattered branches in their wake. Noticing that the wolf’s gigantic figure would nearly snap most tree limbs, an idea presented itself to the girl. She retraced her path backwards, landing on previous branches that would collapse if the wolf jumped on them again. Dearly, she prayed that it would continue chasing without second thought and fall into her trap successfully.

Without fail, the wolf in its blind rage leapt onto the branch the girl just left from and found itself tumbling backward. Inwardly, the girl cheered and gulped a breath of relief. Anxiously, she watched the grounded beast shake itself off, hardly injured though seemingly stunned it had been fooled. It looked up at the girl with uncertainty.

Seeing this, a glimmer of hope emerged, and she gripped her left arm tensely, wondering if it would finally stop pursuit. To her dismay, it plodded menacingly toward her tree, but its unhurried pace gave her slight reassurance. Nevertheless, she cautiously readied herself to flee.

To her surprise, the wolf halted a few meters from the base of her tree and stared, as if deliberating. Then, it barked, or rather, roared. She couldn’t decide which. Either way, it was an odd sound, but not more than the noises it uttered afterward.

Wha…? Her eyebrows raised in disbelief. Is it trying to talk to me? She narrowed her eyes, cautious for any tricks the creature still had in store. When it stopped, she quirked her head to the side, doubtful of its purpose.

“Look, I’m not tasty, okay?!” She yelled down. “I don’t know what you’re saying, but trust me, I’m boney, yeah? Humans no taste good!” With a final glare, she carefully backed up and crouched, partially hiding from its view.

Even if she tried escaping, she didn’t know if it would continue chasing despite its current pause. Just how far was it willing to track her down? And why was it so attached to her? She couldn’t understand. While her body could press on longer, she didn’t want to tire herself out needlessly and eventually succumb to its pursuit. Then… do I have to kill it? She anxiously bit her lip. But how? The thing’s freaking more than five times as big as me! She sighed and glanced at the beast stalking the base of the tree.

She clutched her left arm, gauging the level of injury after so much exertion. To her bafflement, the gashes that had stained her arm with rivers of red were now mere indentations that were slightly sore to the touch.

Eh? She blinked at the ludicrous discovery. Self-heal…? She patted herself all around, searching for the previous scrapes she had sustained in her initial fall from the trees. But to her amazement, those had all but disappeared. …Just what is going on? Is this actually a dream or…? Her body suddenly shook, and she hugged herself, trying to calm the growing euphoria that foolishly blossomed in her center. She gripped her loose blouse and pressed against her heart. This can’t be… magic?

“Haha…” Her hand clamped her mouth. “…hahahaha…” Her fingers slid slowly off her face, and she stared at them. They trembled. Fixed upon them, she stared as gentle light gradually emanated from her fingertips and hollow of her palm. She flexed her right hand, unblinkingly, and watched as the light amassed into a soft orb. Bending her fingers, she twirled the orb into another form, a sharp curve.

A deep inhale heaved her body, almost making her cough. She had been so focused, she hadn’t breathed for subconscious fear and awe that magic actually existed.

“Haha–” She clamped her mouth. Ah… I’m going insane. She couldn’t still the pure joy that exploded, resounded within her. Like how one may look at birds and wish to fly, she had always desired to live in a world of magic. How beautiful magic was, destructive, convenient, magnificent… She peeked below at the encircling wolf and frowned.

So I can self-heal and create…this? She peered at the magic curve doubtfully. As delighted as she was at her discovery, she couldn’t be sure how using magic affected her body, whether it drained her energy quicker or somehow took a part of her life, much less how exactly it worked.

“Am I overthinking this?” She muttered, uneasy. For once, all the fantasy stories and magical systems she knew did her disservice. Having nearly lost her life twice and still in a life or death situation, she didn’t want to ignorantly blow all her efforts away from incorrectly employing magic. Then again, do I have a choice? She quietly huffed as she eyed the exasperated wolf pacing below.

No idea where I am. Possibly even what I am. What that thing is, what anything is. A weary sigh escaped her lips. Should I let myself die and just be done with it? Memories of her life on Earth bubbled to the surface. She quickly shook her head. Stop. What are you even thinking of, even if just a joke. Positive thoughts, positive. This doesn’t seem to be a dream anyway.

“Haah…” She tousled her hair in agitation. No point in stressing over this ridiculous situation now. I have to deal with the current headache; otherwise, I may not even be alive to find out how or why I came here.

Passing the magic curve with her left hand, she noted its solid and consistent shape despite a fair time having passed during her agonizing. She let go and observed it float, waved her finger, and watched it follow. A plan of action quickly formed in her mind. She gripped her hands before relaxing and releasing a slow breath.

You got this.

The prowling beast jerked its head up at the sound of rushing air, not expecting to find the human to be falling straight at it. Unsure why its prey was offering herself up, but still confident that the reason didn’t matter, the wolf sprung up, snarling. But its anticipation was cut short. A streak of lavender light burrowed inside the wolf’s open maw, carving bloody spirals down its throat before severing it from the stomach and lungs.

Taking advantage of the wolf frozen in midair from shock, the girl rammed her fists into its eyes. The force struck it back to ground, and the girl followed, landing heavily on its belly. Blood erupted from the wolf’s mouth, and she stomped on its neck, inducing more to spill. The wolf wriggled, striving to flip the girl off, but she only spun the magic faster until it ripped free from the neck and turned, shooting tip first into its eyes. As mercilessly as the beast had hunted her, the girl persisted in shredding its head right off.

Crack! The neck bone snapped, and she grappled the head, chucking it several yards. Heaving a labored, adrenaline-high breath, the girl still stood on top of the now motionless body. The magic curve hobbled in the air toward the girl and melted within her clutch. Slowly, she staggered and collapsed to the ground, grasping the grass. Over. It’s finally over. Disbelief, jubilation, nausea surged throughout her all at once. A spurt of paranoia flicked her head toward the body of the beast. It’s dead, right?

Again, her lack of knowledge on this world and its creatures and magic was both her greatest source of distress and joyful curiosity. Now that the immediate danger was over, her mind swam with theories and delusions on a beautiful, magical world full of promise and the crippling torment of homesickness.

A harrowing whimper reverberated in the silent forest. Loneliness, loss, perturbation, isolation, turmoil, wracked her hunched body. Smiling faces and lighthearted laughter flickered across her mind, the clink of dishes and aroma of hearty stew, piping honeyed tea, and the warm voices welcoming her home after another humdrum day.

Who knew that the monotonous days I wished to escape would be the only thing I remember and long for now? She laughed mirthlessly at her weakness as thickness swelled in her eyes. Wiping away the stacking emotion from her eyes, she picked herself up and stumbled over to a tree. Knocking her head softly against the smooth, caramel bark, she clung to the trunk listlessly.

Pause.

Lifting her head up, she peered at the tree’s golden leaves. Gentle light shimmered about it, similar to sunlight pouring through foliage. Is there even a sun in this world? A distant chuckle emitted from her dry throat.

“Heh.” She swung her arm back and propelled it harshly onto the trunk, contorting the ecru dapples on the bark. Her fist shuddered, and she gazed at her grazed knuckles, uncaring. The pain of being alive. This wasn’t a dream.

Snap out of it.

She clenched until her nails dug and whipped her head around, scrutinizing the forest. Steadily, she walked forward. Quicker, she increased her pace until she was running, running breathlessly with blank eyes. A leap, she kicked off a trunk, onto another, onto a bough. Dashing through the treetops, she searched for an end to something. A beginning of something else other than this damn forest.

Higher she jumped until she hit the ceiling of––

Blink. Leafy homes, sidewalk stalls, and bobbing lanterns filled her sight along with tiny, stunned faces. She slowly slunk her head back down through the hole she had created in their branches and leaves intertwined road.

What. The. Who-? Hah?!? Her mind shrieked and flailed its figurative arms in disbelief. In her oblivious run to nowhere, she had seemingly happened upon a fairy village. Just how did I miss this?! She pointed both hands at the interlocked ceiling, or rather, floor of the treetop settlement. Spinning her head around, she searched for the end of it. As she backed away, she noticed an optical illusion that made the bottom of the hidden settlement look like the typical undersides of tree canopies. At just a short distance near and away, the illusion appeared and reappeared instantaneously.

Oh gosh, my eyes. Closing them, she scrunched the center of her brows with her thumb and forefinger, massaging. When she opened them, she was mere inches away from a fairy with two hands on her hips, staring pensively with her little head to the side. A stiff smile auto-appeared on the girl’s face in greeting.

“Um, hi?” She squeaked, wondering if she should leave before a swarm of fairies attacked her for breaking into their home.

“Hey there!” The fairy zipped nearer, making the girl flinch. Gossamer light fluttered on the fairy’s back, and the girl couldn’t help thinking that the fairy was rather pretty and cute despite her apprehension in their meeting.

“You want to visit? I’m D’yrwin! Although, most call me Didi or Diwi. If I could choose another nickname, I would, but unfortunately those two stuck.” As she shrugged, her little silver blue dress shimmered.

“Ah, okay?” The girl didn’t know how to respond.

D’yrwin sighed. “Well anyway, you’re new here, aren’t you?”

“Y-yeah?” The girl’s eyes flicked nervously toward some fairies peeking from the opening she had created, and the few that zoomed a little closer.

Paying the distressed girl no mind, the fairy continued chittering. “So typically we don’t have visitors of your kind, though it IS rare for humans to be in this forest, what are you doing here anyway? But luckily I will permit it as the laecait of Miqun, so come on, don’t be shy! Oh this is exciting! It’s been at least a hundred years since we last had a new human!” D’yrwin giggled and clasped her hands together while bouncing from side to side.

Hold up! The girl mentally held up a stop hand. What is this fairy blabbering on about? Humans are rare? Last human? A hundreds years ago? …Why does this sound like I’m going to be eaten like a delicacy? She shook her head, extinguishing the speck of returning paranoia. But better safe and come off stupid than sorry.

“You’re not going to eat me, right?”

D’yrwin stopped bouncing and stared incredulously at the girl. “Tymyo! What in demons are you talking about?! That’s disgusting!”

I feel oddly insulted, but I also agree, so thanks! “Good to hear.” The girl gave a stoic thumbs up.

“And if you’re asking because that bælukos wanted to eat you, please don’t lump us dignified faelytes with that insatiable demon beast! Absolutely unrefined, eating anything that moves and enjoying playing with them too. Tch!” D’yrwin tapped her foot in a huff with arms crossed.

“Bælukos? You mean that wolf creature that chased me? How did you know that happened?”

“Of course we know! Faes know everything that happen in the Spirit and Demon Forest. Our comms are the most advanced, don’t underestimate our speed! And yes, bælukos, a demon beast. Annoying brutes, really.”

The girl was disturbed by the fairy’s words. So by the name of this forest, that must mean that many other demons like bælukos live here… That’s not reassuring at all. “So then, you are a… spirit?”

“Bingo! Human, you learn fast!” D’yrwin snapped her fingers. “And by your utter lack of knowledge about this world–seriously, who doesn’t know what a demon and spirit is?–I’m going to guess that you are a traveler!”

The girl sighed, mentally face-palming at the ceaselessly chipper fairy. After the ordeal she went through, she felt oddly annoyed by what felt like a stereotypical introduction from one of the many portal fantasy stories she enjoyed. If only this was my first experience instead of being nearly eaten to spare me the trauma… But I suppose ‘real life’ isn’t as convenient. She waved her hand. “I probably am, don’t know.”

She wanted to ask more questions, but the words wouldn’t leave her tongue. Where would she start? And what would she do with those answers? The girl felt overburdened with the constant unfamiliar stimuli that bombarded her no matter where she turned or looked. The forest felt ‘natural’ and yet foreign in the same breath. Plants grew from the ground; animals walked on ground; some plants and animals sorta looked like those she knew from Earth. But besides that, everything else was different. Despite its vastness and immensity, she felt a pressing isolation and a distorted sense of claustrophobia from being inside these woods with no end.

“Hm, well no matter. Now come along human– uh, what’s your name?”

Hesitant brown eyes peered into silvery white. My name… She frowned and looked away. Does it matter? In this world that’s clearly not Earth, with no one I know, not a single soul from my family, friends, neighbors, or even celebrities and historical people, does it matter? How can I continue to be that same person…?

She looked at her hand, feeling like it had been dirtied; even though, it was in self-defense, simply survival. But she couldn’t tear away from the hauntingly beguiling gaze of the bælukos and its ripped flesh and blood. Had she not been fighting for her life, she likely would’ve admired it as a fan of mythical, hybrid, and other fantastical creatures. That would be how she would have reacted in the safety of her world on the pages and screens of imagination. So here, with no preexisting identity, was her name important? Should she keep it as a reminder of her past? The girl unclenched her hand. If I can return… She opened her mouth. Ambivalence choked her words.

“…Essairyn. You can call me…Essairyn.”

“Essairyn? That’s a beautiful name! Never heard of it before, though. Kinda unusual honestly. Now come along, let me show you something amazing!” D’yrwin proudly puffed her wings and gestured for the girl to follow.

Still unsure but feeling oddly defeated and emotionally tired, she acquiesced and returned to the hole her head had created. The previously snooping fairies had gone back before her, clearing the way as she dubiously peeked her head back inside their town, Miqun. While she had no idea what a ‘laecait’ was, she gathered that it meant D’yrwin had some kind of authority to allow her to visit.

Gingerly climbing onto the leafy road while wondering how it could hold her weight after breaking it so easily before, Essairyn nearly knocked over some vendors’ carts before sitting down. With knees bent and the heels of her black combat boots near the edge of the hole, she readied herself to leave should this decision to visit turn out to be a poor one.

“Look, look!” D’yrwin flew over with wooden figurines in hand. “Isn’t this charming?”

Essairyn squinted at the figurines no larger than a nail clipping. “Erm, very nice. Very…intricate.”

“You think?” D’yrwin held up a crudely shaped cat, inspecting it. “Liukell always makes fun of them, hmph! I’ll tell him so that a human thought they’re nice n’ intricate! Hahaha!”

Essairyn cracked a small smile at the fairy’s adorable stance of triumph.

“Talking behind my back again?” A whiz of teal light looped from behind Essairyn. “Didi, you know those don’t sell! A human’s opinion means nothing in these artisan matters!”

D’yrwin huffed in affront. “Ask the next human in a hundred years what they think, then!”

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned that in five hundred years you have still yet to master the craft of woodcarving?!”

Mortified, D’yrwin gasped loudly. “How could you reveal my age like that you insensitive dovo!”

“Who’s a dolvol?”

“You, you!” D’yrwin flew in a tizzy around Liukell. “Why can’t you just say something nice about my carvings for once, you dovooo!!”

Essairyn wrinkled her brows. “Erm, so is that what you wanted to show me, or…?” She didn’t feel like staying for a childish spat between spirits centuries of years old when she could be exploring and figuring a way out of these woods. Not only that, she had expected D’yrwin to show her around Miqun, not some tiny, rough figurines. Although, she was able to view mostly everything from her height just sitting.

“Oh!” D’yrwin cleared her throat. “Here, take this as a token of our friendship good human.” She shot a glare toward Liukell.

“Ah, thank you…” Essairyn offered her hand, and the fairy tossed down a cat figurine. The girl blinked blankly at the figurine that fit into a single crease of her palm. So how will I be able to not lose this? She gently nudged the figurine with her nail.

Liukell clicked his tongue. “You don’t even have any respect for your own craft, look at this disrespect to the figurines, throwing them away so casually!”

“Why? You want one? Here, take it!” She chucked a figurine at Liukell who easily dodged.

“Don’t throw it like a projectile you– hey–!! Stop that!”

Essairyn wordlessly watched the two fairies zoom around as the neighboring fairies laughed at what was probably a common occurrence. The miniature town was vibrant with flowery terraces, colorful clotheslines, and trinkets strewn about haphazardly. One with nature, cozy houses appeared built into the very curve of the trees and branches. The warm glow of the lanterns strung like holiday lights cheered her unstable frame of mind. Essairyn’s eyelids beat languidly from the tender nostalgia as she drifted off with the aroma of sweet flowers and savory street food tickling her nose.

“Is she finally sleeping?”

“Looks like it… Careful! She’s tipping backward!”

“Ah!! Catch her, don’t let her hit her head!”

“Considering how she bonked right through our road, I don’t think you need to be concerned about the hardness of her head, Didi…”

“Shut up Liukell!”

A defeated sigh whispered by Essairyn’s ear as Liukell and other fairies lightly set the girl supine.

“Hmm, now then.” D’yrwin stretched her arms. “Let’s get to work.”