This was the furthest I’d ever been into the Wychwood, likely a school record since entry was forbidden a hundred years prior. I often found myself here during the weekends, while the other students relaxed amongst friends and family. I… didn’t quite have the same luxury.

In spite of its reputation, the forest was pleasantly serene. Not a single mote of light could wiggle down to the mulch carpet, and the metafauna that called it home gave me a wide berth. I spent countless hours over the preceding months enjoying the solitude.

So I was surprised when I found myself pulled from my body into the presence of a mysterious light. It stretched into an ovoid shape, pinching at the center to form two monstrous eyes, stained with a tinge of yellow mist. Pursed mandibles sat tight beneath them, and behind, the body of a colossal spider emerged.

“What are you, little glimmer?” a voice, rough and deep with a steady lilt, not so much heard as felt.

“What business is it of yours?” I asked, defiant in spite of my shock. The sound didn’t seem to fall from my lips, but instead reverberated through my body.

“Ah, a creature in the shape of a man,” the spider said. “I am the lord of this forest, and you are an intruder. So, I ask again, what are you?”

I had a very bad feeling, certain any wrong move would spell disaster. “I’m an S-Ranked Nova Mercenary, so if you don’t want any trouble, you’d better leave me be.”

“What a funny little bird.” The spider made a raspy clicking sound. “You are right to fear me, but there is no point in the deception. You can’t hide a thing with your peculiar shimmer.”

“What do you mean?”

The spider hummed. “A young one indeed, perhaps not even a hatchling.”

“Don’t ignore me!”

“Fret not, pretty fly,” the spider said. “You have my utmost attention, but first, I must see you up close.” I felt myself pulled through the forest, down a winding path into the dark heart of the Wychwood. “Ask for the one called Wickham.” The spider’s voice whispered as the light faded away.

Glimmerfly, I thought you were dead.

That’s funny, coming from you.