Authors Note: I'm not even going to defend myself any more, to the point I am still writing this story but the release times will be all over the place due to constant unknowns showing up all the time. Thanks to everyone who still reads my story even after my slow releases.

POV: Unknown Group

At the edge of the forest of wolves a group of five can be seen making their way through the trees. The group dressed in simple light armour mostly of leather with their faces covered by a hood and armed with bows. Expertly passing through the trees the group came to a stop near their objective, at the sudden stop the hood of one member came loose revealing a feminine face with blue eyes, blonde hair in a ponytail and long pointed ears.

[Hood 1] “This is the location the elders told us to investigate about an unknown threat to the forest.”

[Hood 2] “There is definitely something wrong here can you feel it.”

[Hood 3] “A barrier, non-lethal but definitely powerful for covering such a large area, but this makes me curious.”

[Hood 1] “Well shall we investigate, the barrier prevents us from using scouting magic due to the barrier but nature magic should be able to bypass it what do you think?”

[Blonde Ponytail] “If I use my magic to communicate with the surrounding environment I should be able to see what’s up ahead.”

Closing her eyes in concentration the elf attempted to gain access to the natural forest network not realising she effectively released their location to the object of interest.

[Hood 1] “Well, what did you see is there anything we should be worried about?”

The female opened her eyes with a stunned look on her face, she eventually replied after seeing the group leader’s expression.

[Blonde Ponytail] “Nothing.”

[Hood 1] “That’s strange why would someone create such a barrier for no reason?”

[Blonde Ponytail] “You don’t understand, my magic didn’t work I can’t communicate with the forest.”

[Hood 2] “That’s impossible other nature magic users may fight you for control but no one can block it completely.”

[Blonde Ponytail] “Well I’m telling you the forest is not listening to me im shut out.”

[Hood 1] “That’s worrying.”

[Hood 4] “Does anyone feel like the forest is watching us.”

All members of the group faced the outspoken elf with the same confused expression as if to say, of course the forest is watching us.

[Hood 1] “You’re an elf, so why are you asking such stupid questions, as guardians of nature we are aware of natures will.”

[Hood 4] “I know that, but doesn’t it feel like there is more to these gazes than simply nature will.”

[Hood 2] “Are you losing it?”

[Hood 4] “I’m telling something doesn’t feel right.”

While the four in hoods were having their discussion the blonde turned her eyes to their surroundings and quickly noticed the danger they had unknowingly stumbled upon.

[Blonde Ponytail] “Ugh, guys I think we should leave now.”

[Hood 2] “What are you talking abo…”

The man was unable to finish his sentence out of shock by what his group saw when facing their female companion. Roots poking from the ground and slithering towards them like snakes ready to capture their prey.

[Hood 1] “RUN!”

At their leaders command the group raced back the way they came though the conditions were more threatening than before, roots sprouting from the ground attempting to capture them. The elves for the first time in their long lives experienced what it feels like when the forest is not on your side and it was terrifying. Escaping the barrier the group continued to run until they were a good distance from the forest of wolves.

[Hood 2] “What… was that?”

[Hood 1] “Whatever it was we need to tell the elders, nature turning on its guardians cannot be a good sign.”

At this point the blonde spoke up with an innocent question but one that would spark a panic from her entire race.

[Blonde Ponytail] “What if it spreads?”

MEANWHILE: The other side of the forest

POV: Unknown Group 2

A group of four humans are walking through the forest of wolves, clad in simple leather armour two wielding poor quality swords, one a bow and the only female held a stick. Unlike the elfs this group were unaware of the possible threat the forest now holds and as such strayed right into its den.

[Sword 1] “This is ridiculous, we need 10 wolf fur’s to complete a quest and the forest of wolfs should have plenty, but we haven’t seen or even heard any sign of them.”

[Sword 2] “Maybe there numbers have dropped from overhunting?”

[Bow] “Possible but it’s not right.”

[Sword 1] “What are you talking about?”

[Bow] “Even if the wolfs were overhunted we would still see signs of other animals, but there’s not even a hint of any wildlife.”

Thinking about what there hunter said the swordsmen failed to realise that his pace started to veer slightly. The second swordsmen followed, the bowman had a weird expression as he followed them only the female with the stick noticed their weird action.

[Stick] “Uhm, do you realise you’re walking away from the forest centre?”

[Swordsman 1] “What are you talking about?”

[Stick] “You’ve been moving slightly off, didn’t you notice?”

[Bowman] “She’s right were walking around the centre, I thought something was off.”

[Swordsman 1] “Well then let’s go see what’s trying to keep us out.”

The group having decided to travel deeper into the forest were stopped by the sight before them. Roots sprouted from the ground and created a simple thorn barricade to ward them off.

[Swordsman 1] “Huh like that will stop us, mage use your fire on them.”

[Stick] “I don’t think that’s wise.”

[Swordsmen 1] ”Oh right, never mind IL deal with it.”

The man strolled towards the thorn barricade without any worry in his posture, he raised his sword intending to slash the root but was immediately halted. The roots replying to his aggressive action shot a tendril out and pierced the man in his right shoulder that held the arm with the sword, the arm made a click noise as the tendril withdrew. The man dropped his sword and collapsed on his knees howling in pain at his dislocated shoulder.

[Swordsmen 2] “Quick heal him while I distract it.”

[Bowmen] “No, she can only heal simple cuts and bruises nothing that severe, and you can’t handle that thing. Grab him and run while the thing is still playing dead.”

The group grabbed their friend and escaped the forest aiming to get their friend to a healer while also informing the guild of the new threat in the forest.

3 Days Later

POV: Returning Elf Group

Returning after informing the elders, the elf group was sent back towards the barrier followed by an addition. This elf was dressed in a fine coat with colours ranging from emerald green to glowing silver and wore a crown that appeared to be fashioned from silver branches. He had long blonde hair and blue eyes and a face of silk, his body was tall and thin stereotypical of the elfen race. The group was cautious as they passed the barrier and reached the same place as their last expedition. Roots sprouted from the ground as if to warn them away, but the elfs stood their ground. The smart dressed elf strolled forward with the air of a noble looking down on an insect. He raised his hand to point at the roots as if to command them while wearing a smirk on his face. The roots were unaffected by his attempt, noticing this anger started to creep on the elf’s face and with a wave of his hand the roots were shredded by the winds he conjured. The elf turned to face the group with a smirk on his face.

[Smart Elf] “This was the issue you all were prattling about, this hardly requires the assistance of the elders let alone someone like myself. If something won’t follow your commands you simply have to make it obey you with force. (whispering to himself) This was a waste of time, this was supposed to assure my position as a future elder but this will hardly reinforce my claim.”

[Hooded Elf] “Umm, sir.”

The hooded elf pointed behind the smartly dressed elf as if to warn him of the root slowly rising from the ground with something in its grasp, the smart elf turned to face what the hooded elf was pointing at with arrogance in his step.

[Smart Elf] “What are you snivelling abou (CRUNCH) ugh…”

Before the elf could finish his sentence he had already turned to face the root only to be met with a plant version of a dropkick right into the elfs family jewels. The root pulled away while dropping what it had in its grasp, the elf group realised it was a rock. The smart elf who had just received the blow teetered on the spot for a moment before his eyes rolled back and he fell backwards like a falling tree (TIMBER). The elfs quickly dragged the smart elf away before any more roots started to assault them leaving behind a disturbed patch of grass with a wet patch in its centre and a few speck of blood. Girlish giggling could be heard on the wind as well as a vibrating hum that came from the trees almost like laughing.

4 Days Later

POV: Unknown Human Group

Four shadows racing through the forest; darting through leaves, jumping from branch to branch; all heading towards a single goal. The group came to a stop at the edge of the invisible barrier contemplating their next move. Unlike the last human group they were not amateurs that stumbled upon the unknown, they were experienced adventures who had performed many requests for the guild. Their current request by the guild was to look into the mysterious accounts about the forest of wolves and to report back about what they found. All group members wore black cloaks to hide their profession from others, the group moved quickly and silently suited for scouting the unknown.

Nodding at each other the group had decided to enter the barrier to search for these moving roots that they have heard about. They were not disappointed and were met with a physical barrier of roots blocking their path. Not wanting to waste time one of the cloaked figures drew a sword with a long needle like blade and a round guard that covers the fingers (sabre). With a quick motion the figure cut the roots to ribbons allowing the group to continue forward. The roots returned more aggressive than before attempting to grasp, knock over or even impale. Still the group continued avoiding the roots with quick footwork that the attacker could not respond to. Eventually the group came to a stop by their first real obstacle, a young wearing a skirt of leaves with green hair and eyes was staring at the group.

Realising they were being blocked the figure with the sword stepped forward with her blade faced forward at a slight upwards angle. The green girl raised a wooden club and leapt forward to attack the intruders who had invaded her home. Standing ready the figure prepared his strategy to take out this being, waiting patiently the cloaked figure leapt to the left as the girl brought her club down which managed to leave a decent dent in the earth. The cloaked figure became wary though slow and inexperienced this girl had enough strength to break bones. Deciding to end this quickly the cloaked figure thrust forward with his sword as the girl recovered intending to pierce her heart.

It was deflected, as the blade neared the girls’ flesh a root shot from the ground and parried the attack skywards. With the opening provided the girl charged and swung her club into the figures right side sending him flying into a tree. The sound of the collision was deafening as the cloaked group realised this girls strength and link to the moving roots. Recovering from the collision the figure now held his blade weakly in his right hand. Another figure from the group charged forward with the fencer, the new figure brought out two daggers and wielded one in each hand. The two struck as one but all three blades were parried allowing the girl to once again swing her club, this time towards the dual wielder.

The fighting continued but no one came close to victory the attacking figures could not get through the roots while the girl could not hit her agile opponents after they learnt from their first mistake. Eventually the group decided to split up, the two fighting would remain as a distraction while the other two went ahead. Their job was scouting not extermination while the girl was strong she did not pose a threat to those who could dodge, but they could waste no more time especially if the roots could block all four of them.

The two remaining figures continued until seeing another figure approaching, another girl this one was more endowed than the other girl and had a brighter green to her eyes and long hair. Keeping their distance the two wanted to observe how she would react, big mistake. The new girl raised her hand and roots rose in a circle around them attempting to cage them. Moving quickly the two leapt out of the cage as it closed, one of the two rushed forward towards the girl with his fists raised revealing himself as a martial artist. His intention to push the girl mage into close range fighting was halted as once again roots came from the ground and shielded the girl. The girl then tore leaves from her dress and tossed them at the fighter; the leaves glowed with green aura and accelerated towards the figure. Acting on instinct the fighter jumped back only suffering a slight cut as one of the leaves brushed by his arm. This was getting problematic for the cloaked group they have met two being in this forest one a mage and one a berserker, normally they would not last against the group alone but the passive root defenses were difficult to counter especially when the cause is unknown.

The fighter nodded to the last figure signalling him to continue, the figure started to run past the girl but this time there was a response from their opponent. Jumping back the running figure avoided the deadly leaves by a small margin. This reaction was all the two needed to know, the fighter rushed his attack with more conviction drawing attention away from his teammate as they went forward to see what it was the girls were defending.

Continuing to run the lone cloaked figure noticed a clearing ahead, reaching its edge the figure focused his sights ahead. A giant tree with white bark and pink leaves stood in the center of the clearing with a group of girls at its base. The figure could identify the girls as members of the fairy race but what about the tree. He was unsure about its purpose until it responded personally, in a quick movement the figure was knocked on his back, looking up he saw a single root much thicker than previously seen come crashing towards him. Jumping to the side the figure avoided an untimely demise only to see more roots breaking through the soil and attacked him with the ferocity of a wild beast. Making the connection the figure made his escape back to his team while being followed by erupting roots seeking to end his life.

Reaching the location of his teammate battling the mage, the two made eye contact before looking at his back and seeing the erupting forest before deciding to leave. Back towards their other two teammates who were fighting the first girl, the two fighters noticed their returning comrades and the new threat and decided to retreat. Continuing to flee the group was chased by angry roots even after passing the barrier only after reaching the edge of the forest near the plains did the roots stop. With the new information the group returned to the guild; with a story, new dangers and new name for the forest with a hidden fairy hideout ‘The Living Forest’.