Chapter 15: The Roaming Forest

Deep in the forests of the central continent, surrounded by mountains, sit a small forest. A lush forest, untamed and untouched by man. Rare species are abundant, living without fear of being hunted. “The Garden” is what it is called by the inhabitants. It is within this the Nymphs made their home, safe from prying eyes, they were free to roam and play, going about their days in seclusion. However, such joyful times were scarce as of late, for the forest has begun to go through changes, changes brought on by three intruders.

In certain parts of the forest, water was nowhere to be found, leaving the area dry and desolate. As the days go on more areas become desolate, making less and less areas habitable, are bringing about conflict amongst the nymph, those who would once call themselves sisters, would now partake in petty squabbling. Something must be done; it is with that thought that the nymphs decided to congregate and the largest lake of the forest. Still on touch and the furthest away from the creature, it was perfect to come up with a plan to stop the intruder from destroying anymore of the forest. Although they were supposed to be discussing how to deal with the situation, the sound of arguments echoed throughout the area.

Water Nymph: “How could you have messed up so badly, their wasn’t nearly enough to stop them, you dummy.”

Wind Nymph: “I messed up, I wasn’t the one who placed the traps so far apart, that was your team, you dummy.”

Water Nymph: “Who you calling a dummy, you dummy!?”

Wind Nymph: “Only a dummy, would call someone, a dummy.”

Water Nymph: “Then I guess you’re a dummy.”

Wind Nymph: “Right back at you dummy.”

Nymph Leader: “ENOUGH, we don’t have time to fight with each other, as we speak are homes are being destroyed.”

Both jumped at the sound of Saria shouts, she was the eldest sister and was de facto leader of the entire area, she was the one who brought together her sisters, when they were close to fighting.

Water Nymph: “Then what do you suppose we do “Saria”, nothing we tried is working.”

Wind Nymph: “Not only have they escaped all the traps we’ve set; they also have one of our own held captive.

Saria: “What of the “Grassvalley Tribe”, have they arrived.”

Wind Nymph: “No…… we haven’t seen any signs of them.”

Saria: “I was sure I sent them a message, why have they not arrived.”

The area became quiet, a growing panic within them, they were out of options.

Saria: “We have no choice……………we’ll have to wake mother.”

An audible gasp could be heard throughout the area.

Water Nymph: “How are you going to do that?”

Wind Nymph: “Celes is nowhere near old enough to wake her, plus she doesn’t know where mother is sleeping, none of us do.”

They were all nodded in unison, Celes was the youngest amongst them, but also her duty to awake their mother if need be. Though given her condition now, there was no way she could complete the act.

Wind Nymph: “By the way, where is Celes?”

Water Nymph: “What you talking about, she right over there, Huh, where she’d go, she was just hear.”

Saria: “Don’t tell she ran off to that forest again?”

Water Nymph: That Forest, that the direction, two of the intruders are heading, they could reach at any time.”

Wind Nymph: “Why are you to worried, that forest would never allow Celes to be harmed.”

Water Nymph: “I’m aware, but they both move extremely fast, they were able to dodge “Uzy” fire, not completely, but do you think that slow forest would be able to catch them?”

Saria: “You two, take some of our sisters and retrieve her, now.”

At her words, two groups set out to find Celes, hoping they did not run into the intruders.

Saria: (How in the world, did a “Lycanian” and a “Roden” get in her, let alone take one of us hostage).”

_

_

_

Nathan: “I’m sorry.”

Nathan and company set down to rest, there was an awkward silence between the three and Nathan decided to break it, he bowed his head to Iris and Anais.

Anais: “For?

Nathan: “I couldn’t control my powers and I took my frustration out on you two, so, I’m sorry.”

Iris: “Hero, please raise your head, there is no need for apologies.”

Anais: The fairies right, were not upset, but if you feel the need to apologize, then apology excepted.

Nathan: Oh……..okay.

Wants that was done, the awkward silence continued, then Nathan realize, it wasn’t the awkward between the three of them, just between Iris and Anais. It was like a strange tension between the two. Did something happen between the two of them when he wasn’t looking, decided to investigate and the best way to was to ask straight up ask.

Nathan: “Hey are you two okay, your acting like strangers.”

They two looked at each other.

Anais: “It’s not me, it’s the fairy that acting weird.”

Nathan: “Iris is something wrong?”

Iris: “I assure you, I’m fine, it’s just-”

Nathan: “Just what?”

Iris: “Who is this girl?”

Nathan & Anais: “……………Huh?”

Iris: “I feels as though I met her before, her mana signature is familiar, but I know that this is impossible.”

Anais: “Wait, wait, wait, you never told her?”

Nathan: “Me, I thought you would introduce yourself.”

Anais: “When would I have had a chance, since we reunited we’ve been getting attacked, besides it would be better coming from you, she hates me remember?”

Nathan: “She doesn’t hate you, she hates what you did.”

Anais: “Is that going to change her reaction?”

Iris: “Excuse me, but could someone please explain to me what going on?”

Nathan and Anais turned to Iris, Anais ushered Nathan to tell her.

Nathan: “Well, you see you do know her, not as well as me, but you have met.”

Iris: “I don’t understand.”

Anais: “Stop beaten, around the bush.”

Nathan: “Okay…… well, Iris, Anais here was the…………….third occupant of the study.

Iris expression change to that of frustration.”

Iris: “Hero please don’t question my intelligence, there were only two people in that study, you and I.”

Nathan: No there was a third she just wasn’t a person yet.

Iris, thought for a moment, she look over to Anais, a mouse therian. Then as if struck by lightning, she realized exactly who she was.

Nathan: “This is Anais, the Scribe Eater.”

Iris: “The Rodent!?”

Anais: “Who’s a rodent, stupid fairy.”

Iris: “How did this come about, there was no mention of such an ability.”

Nathan: “Yeah about that.”

Nathan explained to Iris how her transformation came about, she wasn’t sure herself, she had suddenly transformed a couple of days prior to their meeting. She didn’t understand but once she had transformed, she could locate Nathan where ever he was. Like a beacon, she found him with pinpoint accuracy. That how she found him when they were being attacked. Nathan must have cause her to undergo the transformation, the only thing that made since was his blood.

She had ingested some earlier, plus for the past few days Nathan had been activating his “Gardener” ability periodically. By activating the ability, he caused her to mutate or evolve, it was a stretch, but the description never said it couldn’t work on anything outside of plants.

Iris: “I see, the results of the rodent injuring you, your blood effects more than just plants.”

Nathan: “Isn’t it great, now Anais don’t you have something to say to Iris?”

Anais: “Nope.”

Nathan: “Come on, apologize.”

Anais: “Why should I, I was hungry, and they were the only thing around to eat, Besides, they weren’t her books anyway.”

Nathan: “Anais.”

Iris: “No need to worry about that, Hero.”

Nathan: Iris?”

Iris: “An apology is not needed, she was correct, the books are not mine and she has no reason to apologize.”

Nathan was surprised, she was so angry about the books before, although most of that anger was probably about his injury. Still, he was proud that she took the mature path, this time around.

Iris: “Honestly, Hero I don’t what you expected, an act such as apologizing, is far beyond mental compacity of “VERMIN” such as her, her outer appearance may have change, but that doesn’t her intelligence is still that of a RODENT.”

*lighting strikes*

Nathan laugh to himself and sighed, this was just your classic case of thinking a little to soon.

Anais: “You sure like to say such complicated words, but I guest INSECTS have to make themselves sound smarter, otherwise they just come off as annoying PESTS.”

*more lightining*

Nathan wanted to intervene, yet his mouth would not move. At the moment the aura the both of them was emitting, was so frightening, Nathan was sure he saw them take physical form. The two continued to spit venom at one another, with a smile so terrifying, Nathan decided it was wiser to just walk away. Though that didn’t help much, for as he started walking, the two auras followed. He knew it was not directed at him, but something inside him screamed “Don’t look Back”. He just kept on moving forward, keeping a safe distance and his head locked straight ahead.

_ _ _ _ _

Nathan: “Come you two can’t, you get along?”

Iris & Anais: “Hmph!”

Nathan: “*sigh*”

Nathan and the girls, were nearly to the lake Iris had seen earlier, though the path to the lake was dense with trees, Iris said it wasn’t away around, so they had no choice but to past through. All the time they walk Nathan would look back to the same thing, Iris and Anais scowling or just plain ignoring each other.

Nathan: Well eventually you’re going to have to get along, when we form our team, we’ll have to work together.”

Anais: “Team?”

Nathan: “Yes, you plan on traveling with us right, why not form one?”

Early while Iris scope out ahead, Nathan decided to ask Anais about the content of the letter, but she wouldn’t tell him much. Just as he did with Iris, Nathan didn’t push for information, but what could Amelia have told them that would make each of them put on such a face, was it about him, something about themselves, he was curious and if they couldn’t tell him he would find out on his own.

Iris: “I was not aware of this.”

Anais: “Oh I’m sorry, I forgot the part where, I have to tell you anything “BUG”.”

Iris: “I was not speaking to you “RODENT”.”

Nathan: Seriously, how are we supposed to get anything accomplished if you keep fighting.

Iris: “Oh hero, I won’t do such a savage act, that is left to those, born in holes in the ground.”

Anais: “That goes double for those born from a pulsating, fluid cocoon.”

The two continued staring daggers at each other, Nathan just continued on, he had to think of something that would bring the two together, a common interest.

Nathan: “There has to be a way to get you both to be friendlier.”

*smack**smack*

Nathan: “Awroooooo!?”

Iris: Are you okay!?

Anais: What was that noise you just made?

Nathan: *Blush*…………….. When I said get friendlier, I meant with each other.

Iris & Anais: Huh?

Nathan, face flushed red, half frustrated, half embarrass. He looked at the both of them, playing innocent, as if they didn’t just slap him on his butt. Nathan took a deep breath and let it go, they must be playing a game or something if that helped them become closer he wouldn’t pursue , but not again.

Anais: “Did he ever do that before, make that noise?”

Iris: “No, that was the first I heard that noise, it was……… really-”

Anais & Iris: “(Cute)”

The girls giggled, playing the sound over in their heads. Though that only lasted a moment, they remembered they hated each other and went right back to that. Nathan, looked back, they had stopped giggling and went back to fighting. They need to hurry up and decide if they want to be friend or not. If they were going to hate each other right after, why do it at all.

*smack**smack*

Nathan: “Awroooooo!?”

Iris: “Hero, why do you keep making that sound (not that I mind)?

Nathan, turned around this time he was heated.

Nathan: “A-Alright, fool me once, fool me twice, both of you, in front.

The two stared in confusion, they didn’t understand why they were being scolded, but they walk in front.

Nathan: “Sheesh, you’re doing the same thing the woman of my world did, every chance they got, there is a such as too friendly.

Iris: “Honestly, I don’t have any idea what your referring too.”

Anais: “Yeah, I didn’t do anything at least.”

Nathan: “Uhn hunh, keep playing innocent. ( I wanted them to getting along, but not over slapping my ass, I expected better from them…………….. well better of Anais anyway).

Nathan felt his backside, it didn’t sting too much, but it was noticeable.

*Smack**smack*

Anais: “*Gasp*”

Iris: “Kya!?”

Nathan: “What’s wrong now?”

They both stared at accusingly at Nathan, both their faces now the same as Nathan’ moments ago.

Anais: “Now who’s being overfriendly?”

Iris: “Hero.”

Nathan: “What?”

Anais: “Don’t play dumb, you just smack us on the ass.”

Nathan: “I wouldn’t do that and even if I did, the two of you just did the same thing.”

Anais: “What, I did not.”

Iris: “Nor did I, I would never do such a thing.”

Nathan & Anais: “……………………”

Iris: “How cruel.”

Then out of nowhere, Anais conjured up a fire ball and tossed it amongst some nearby trees.

Nathan: “What was that about, don’t just throw fireballs in th middle of a forest.”

Anais: “Something moved, do you sense anything.”

Nathan: “No, just flowers and trees, you sure you’re not seeing things.”

Anais: “My senses might not be as good as yours, but I confident enough to tell when the scenery shift.”

Iris: “Hero, there is a mana signature slightly different from the trees we’ve seen earlier.”

Nathan: “Oh?”

Iris: “Well when I scouted out before we entered the forest, it should not have taken more than fifteen minutes or so, however we’ve been walking for quite a while, and I still cannot see the end of the trees.”

Nathan looked in every direction, it was true their was no end in sight, plus he was sure they were walking in a straight line, why was the path gone. Nathan turned towards a nearby tree.

Anais: “Hey, somethings wrong, with this forest.”

Nathan: “Yeah, Hey Iris, where do you feel that signature?”

Iris: “That direction.”

Nathan: “Okay, were head in that direction, let me know how close we are.”

The three begin walking, they walked for about ten minutes.

Iris: “I don’t understand?”

Nathan: “What’s wrong?”

Iris: “We are still the exact same distance away from the signature, its not moving any closer.”

Nathan looked up, it was pretty, dark in this forest. Except for a few spot where the sun showed through, you couldn’t really tell, unless you paid close attention.

Nathan: “……………………This forest, it’s alive.”

Anais: “All forests are alive.”

Nathan: “No, I mean this forest is following us, look over there.

In the direction Nathan was pointing was a tree that had a small purple mark on it, it’s not even noticeable, if Nathan had not pointed it out.

Anais: “What is it?”

Nathan: “When I checked out that tree earlier, I smashed a berry on it.”

Anais: “So, we could be walking in circles.”

Nathan: “Perhaps, but I got an idea.”

Nathan scooped Iris out of the air, set her on his shoulder and picked up Anais.

Iris: Hero, you’re going to-”

Anais: W-Wait put me down I don’t-”

Before they could finish, Nathan had already taken off at full speed. Nathan speed stat was undoubtedly his best. At his current speed, he could dodge a bullet. Though his speed wasn’t as much of a rush to his compatriots, as sped through the trees they were feeling sick. But, it was working, the trees that had hidden it movement so well, were now openly trying to keep up with Nathan. Some branches even made swipes at him, though now that he was fully aware, they were useless.

Iris: “Hero, we’re getting close.”

Up ahead Crouching behind a branch, was a green skinned little girl, her hair darker green with roses sprouting from her head. As the three approached, they could see the fear on her face. The trees must have caught her and now keeping her prisoner and were attempting to impede any form of rescue. As Nathan passed by Anais reached out and grabbed hold of her, pulling her close enough for Nathan to grab her up in his other arm and continue his sprint.

The trees in the forest let out a roar that startled the trio, roots and limbs begin to grow and every which way, trying desperately to keep them from escaping. In comparison to the Uzy, the trees were basically standing still Nathan would agilely ducked and leaped over anything he could and what he could not was burned down by Anais and Iris.

Nathan: “Damn, ass slapping trees!”

Anais: “This girl must be really important to them.”

Iris: “What could they possibly need her for?”

Nathan: “Doesn’t matter, were not letting them get her.”

Nathan took a large leap, successfully propelling him from the forest, but right before he landed a root coiled itself around his leg. Nathan quickly tossed both girls from his arms before unsheathing his sword, attempting to cut the

Girl: “(NO PLEASE DON’T)”

Nathan: “What?”

*shnap*

Nathan stopped for a moment from the sudden voice, in that instance, the tree creatures was able two grab Nathan hand, forcing it to his side to and entangling itself around his entirety. Iris was ripped away from his shoulder and was being dragged, back into the trees, they were having more trouble with Nathan, who refused to be caught.

Anais: “NATHAN!!”

Anais ready her spell, it wouldn’t do much damage normally, but a fire spell no matter how weak would still burn wood. Just as she was about to release the flowered haired girl moved to stop her, grabbing her hands and preventing her from firing. With the interference, Nathan and Iris who were still trying to on tangle themselves, with a loud *Schwip* were swallowed up by the trees, sealing the spot with roots. Anais who had miss her chance to save them, curse out loud. Turning to the girl, she gave her a quick strike to the face, before kicking her away and freeing herself from the girl’s grasp.

Anais: “WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO; WE WERE TRYING TO SAVE YOU.”

The girl held the spot where she had been kicked and looked up at Anais who was, who was readying another strike. The girl braced for the blow, but it never came, for in her rage Anais had forgotten the roaming forest was drawing closer and was also caught and bound. She tried desperately to aim her spell at the girl, but to no avail. The trees had her and just as her companions before, she too was swallowed.

The girl stayed down for a moment before rising to her feet, the spot where Anais still throbbed, but she fought through the pain. The trees now had become still and quiet once more. With a wave of her hand, a small opening was made amongst the limbs and the girl casually reentered the forest, sealing the entrance behind.

A little way off, three nymphs watch the entire scene fallout. A moment later one of the nymph turned around and begin flying away, the other two followed.

Water Nymphs: “Quickly we must tell Saria, Celes caught the intruders.”