The sun filtered through Elderwood's silver-blue canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor as Ethan and Lysandra continued their journey toward the Heart Tree. They had been walking for several hours since their departure, and Ethan's initial amazement at the otherworldly beauty of the forest had settled into a steady appreciation—interrupted occasionally by moments of pure wonder when they encountered something particularly magical.
"So, these 'phase-sicknesses' you mentioned," Ethan began, breaking a comfortable silence. "When exactly did they start appearing?"
Lysandra ducked gracefully under a low-hanging branch laden with shimmering leaves. "The first signs appeared at the last full moon. Small at first—just a few shimmerbloom patches near the borders showing instability."
"And then?"
"Then came the animal incidents," she said, her melodic voice growing somber. "Forest creatures caught between existence and non-existence. Some we could help, others..." She trailed off, her opalescent eyes darkening with memory.
Ethan's wristband vibrated gently against his skin.
[ INTELLIGENCE GATHERING ] VALUABLE INFORMATION ACQUIRED TIMELINE ESTABLISHED: ANOMALIES BEGAN APPROXIMATELY 28 LOCAL DAYS AGO PROGRESSION PATTERN: PLANTS → ANIMALS → DIMENSIONAL RIFTS NOTE: ACCELERATING DEGRADATION SUGGESTS COORDINATED RATHER THAN RANDOM PHENOMENON
"Do you know if anything unusual happened around that time?" Ethan asked, carefully stepping over a tree root that seemed to shift slightly as he approached—though whether it was moving or experiencing a "phase-sickness" wasn't clear.
Lysandra paused, considering. "The Council might know more, but—" She stopped abruptly, holding up a hand for silence.
In one fluid motion, she nocked an arrow to her bow, her entire body tensing like a coiled spring.
Ethan froze, straining to hear whatever had alerted the elf. For several seconds, there was nothing but the gentle sounds of the forest—then he heard it: a low, guttural growling that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"What is that?" he whispered.
"Shadowfang," Lysandra replied, her voice barely audible. "A forest predator. But something is wrong with this one."
As if on cue, a creature burst from the undergrowth ahead of them. It resembled a wolf, but with unnaturally long limbs and gleaming silver fur. Most disturbing, however, was how parts of its body seemed to flicker in and out of existence—its back legs occasionally disappearing completely before reappearing a split second later, causing the creature to move with a sickening, jerky gait.
[ THREAT ANALYSIS ] ENTITY: SHADOWFANG (PHASE-AFFLICTED) THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE AGGRESSION: HIGH REALITY STABILITY: CRITICALLY LOW (17%) WARNING: UNPREDICTABLE PHASE SHIFTING MAY CAUSE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR
"It's heavily phase-sick," Ethan said, backing away slowly. "Can we help it?"
Lysandra's expression was grim. "Not this one. The sickness has progressed too far." She drew her bow taut as the creature stalked toward them, its partially translucent jaws dripping with saliva that sizzled when it hit the ground. "These creatures hunt in packs. Where there is one—"
Two more shadowfangs emerged from the forest on either side, effectively surrounding them. Unlike the first, these appeared physically stable, though their eyes glowed with an unnatural purple light.
"They've been corrupted," Lysandra hissed. "The phase-sick one is drawing the others into madness."
Ethan's mind raced. His repair energy was still depleted from sealing the rift, and even if it wasn't, he had no idea if his abilities would work on a living creature.
[ COMBAT ADVISORY ] DIRECT CONFRONTATION NOT RECOMMENDED ENERGY RESERVES: 31% (INSUFFICIENT FOR REALITY MANIPULATION) ALTERNATIVE: ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTION MAY PROVIDE ADVANTAGE
Ethan's eyes darted around, looking for anything that might help. About ten feet away, a shimmerbloom patch grew at the base of a massive tree, its blue flowers glowing softly. More importantly, the flowers were flickering erratically—phase-sick.
"Lysandra," he said quietly, "when I give the signal, shoot the lead shadowfang. I've got an idea."
The elf didn't acknowledge him verbally, but he saw her adjust her aim slightly, targeting the most corrupted creature.
The shadowfangs began to circle them, the phase-sick leader letting out that disturbing, multi-tonal growl that seemed to echo from several places at once.
"Now!" Ethan shouted, sprinting toward the shimmerbloom patch.
Lysandra's arrow flew true, striking the lead shadowfang in the shoulder. The creature let out a howl that seemed to fracture and multiply, as if coming from multiple dimensions simultaneously.
The other shadowfangs leaped forward, one lunging directly at Ethan as he ran. He could feel its hot breath on his back as he dove toward the shimmerblooms, his hand outstretched.
He didn't have enough energy for a repair, but maybe...
Ethan grabbed a handful of the flickering flowers and rolled onto his back just as the shadowfang pounced. With all his strength, he thrust the phase-sick flowers directly into the creature's face.
The reaction was immediate and violent. The unstable reality of the flowers collided with the corrupted nature of the shadowfang, creating a localized disruption that sent the creature howling backward, its form temporarily distorting like a glitched image.
[ SYSTEM ALERT ] REALITY INTERACTION DETECTED PHASE RESONANCE CASCADING WARNING: UNPREDICTABLE OUTCOME
The distortion spread from the second shadowfang to the first, their unstable natures enhancing each other's instability. The creatures began to flicker wildly, their howls distorting into frequencies that made Ethan's teeth ache.
"Run!" Lysandra shouted, firing another arrow at the third shadowfang before grabbing Ethan's arm and pulling him to his feet.
They sprinted through the forest as chaotic energy erupted behind them, the shadowfangs' howls dissolving into a cacophony of dimensional static before abruptly silencing.
After several minutes of running, Lysandra finally slowed, her breathing barely elevated despite their pace. Ethan, on the other hand, leaned against a tree, gasping for air.
"That," Lysandra said, giving him an appraising look, "was either incredibly clever or astonishingly foolish."
"Can't it be both?" Ethan managed between breaths.
To his surprise, Lysandra's stern expression cracked slightly, the ghost of a smile touching her lips. "Perhaps among your kind, the line between cleverness and foolishness is thinner than among elves."
[ STATUS UPDATE ] COMBAT ENCOUNTER SURVIVED TECHNIQUE DISCOVERED: PHASE RESONANCE MANIPULATION NOTE: UNSTABLE REALITY ELEMENTS CAN BE UTILIZED AS DEFENSIVE TOOLS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS CAUTION: HIGHLY UNPREDICTABLE RESULTS SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 29.3% (+0.8%)
Once Ethan had caught his breath, they resumed their journey, now moving with greater caution. Lysandra explained that the shadowfangs' corruption suggested the phase-sickness was spreading faster than the Council realized.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"Your arrival may be more timely than I first thought," she admitted as they crossed a small stream by hopping across stepping stones that glowed faintly from within. "The Elders believe these anomalies will pass, as they have in cycles past, but I have never seen corruption spread so quickly or affect predators so severely."
"Cycles past?" Ethan perked up. "You mean this has happened before?"
Lysandra nodded slowly. "The ancient texts speak of 'Times of Thinning' when the barriers between worlds grow weak. But these cycles were said to occur once every thousand years, not within living memory."
"And how long is 'living memory' for elves?"
"I myself have seen three centuries," Lysandra replied matter-of-factly. "The eldest on the Council, Sevandril, has seen nearly a millennium."
Ethan whistled, impressed. "And none of you have experienced these 'thinnings' before?"
"No," she said, her brow furrowing. "Which is why many believe this is merely a natural fluctuation rather than a true Thinning. But I fear they are wrong."
[ INTELLIGENCE GATHERING ] VALUABLE INFORMATION ACQUIRED HISTORICAL CONTEXT: "TIMES OF THINNING" OCCUR IN MILLENNIAL CYCLES CURRENT ANOMALIES: UNPRECEDENTED IN TIMING AND SEVERITY HYPOTHESIS: ARTIFICIAL/ACCELERATED WEAKENING OF DIMENSIONAL BARRIERS RECOMMENDATION: INVESTIGATE COUNCIL ARCHIVES FOR HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS
As dusk approached, the forest began to transform. Bioluminescent fungi sprouted along tree trunks, and the shimmerbloom patches glowed more intensely in the fading light. Floating orbs of gentle blue energy—which Lysandra called "dreamlights"—began to appear among the branches, drifting lazily through the air.
"We approach the first waypoint," Lysandra announced, pointing ahead to where the trees seemed to form a natural archway. "Silverbow Haven. We will rest there tonight."
As they passed under the arch, Ethan gasped. What had appeared from a distance to be simply a clearing was actually a small settlement built seamlessly into the trees themselves. Graceful structures curved along massive branches and spiraled around trunks, connected by delicate bridges that seemed too insubstantial to support weight—yet elves crossed them with casual confidence.
The entire haven glowed with soft, natural light, making it appear like something from a dream rather than a physical place.
Several elves turned to look as they entered, their expressions quickly shifting from curiosity to wariness when they spotted Ethan. A few reached for weapons, but Lysandra raised her hand in a gesture that clearly signified "he's with me."
"Word of your sealing the rift will have reached them," she explained quietly to Ethan. "But humans are rare enough in Elderwood to cause concern, even with a Guardian's escort."
They were approached by a tall male elf whose silver hair was elaborately braided with what appeared to be living vines.
"Guardian Lysandra," he greeted formally, before turning a skeptical gaze toward Ethan. "This is the human from beyond? The one who claims to seal rifts?"
"He does not merely claim, Silvren," Lysandra replied coolly. "I witnessed him contain a rift that would have consumed half the Western Grove had it expanded."
Silvren's expression remained doubtful. "And yet more rifts appear daily. The Council has sent word—all Guardians are to return immediately. The situation worsens."
Lysandra's posture stiffened. "How many?"
"Three new rifts since yesterday's dawn. One near the Eastern Glade, another at Moonfall Basin, and a third—" Silvren hesitated, his composure faltering for the first time. "A third within sight of the Heart Tree itself."
Lysandra's sharp intake of breath conveyed the severity of this news more clearly than words could have.
[ MISSION ALERT ] SITUATION DETERIORATING DIMENSIONAL RIFTS SPREADING TOWARD CRITICAL LOCATION TIME PRESSURE INCREASED RECOMMENDATION: EXPEDITE JOURNEY TO HEART TREE
"We leave at first light," Lysandra said firmly. "The Between-Walker's skills will be needed at the Heart Tree."
Silvren nodded, though his skeptical glance at Ethan suggested he wasn't convinced a single human could make much difference.
They were provided with a small dwelling for the night—a graceful structure woven from living branches that somehow formed perfectly smooth walls and floors inside. The single room contained two sleeping platforms covered with soft moss and a table bearing fruits, bread, and a carafe of shimmering liquid that reminded Ethan of starlight.
[ ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS ] ACCOMMODATION: LIVING ARBORWEAVE DWELLING FOOD: NATIVE FRUITS AND GRAIN PRODUCTS BEVERAGE: MOONLIGHT NECTAR (MILD REGENERATIVE PROPERTIES) ALL ITEMS SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION RECOMMENDATION: REST AND RECOVER
As Ethan sat on the edge of his sleeping platform, his wristband pulsed softly, displaying a new message:
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ] ENERGY RESERVES: 47% UNSPENT SKILL POINT AVAILABLE SKILL OPTIONS: - ENHANCED PERCEPTION (DETECT REALITY ANOMALIES AT GREATER RANGE) - ENERGY CONSERVATION (IMPROVE REPAIR EFFICIENCY BY 15%) - ADAPTIVE RESILIENCE (INCREASE RESISTANCE TO DIMENSIONAL INSTABILITY)
"Which would you recommend?" Ethan whispered, glancing at Lysandra, who was examining her bow on the other side of the room.
[ SYSTEM RESPONSE ] GIVEN CURRENT SITUATION AND INCREASING RIFT ACTIVITY, ENHANCED PERCEPTION OFFERS IMMEDIATE TACTICAL ADVANTAGE
"Enhanced Perception it is," Ethan muttered, mentally selecting the option.
A warm sensation spread from his wristband up his arm and into his head, like a wave of gentle pressure behind his eyes. When it subsided, he blinked several times, adjusting to a subtle but definite change in his vision. The edges of objects seemed slightly sharper, and he could detect faint auras around certain items—particularly those that exhibited phase-sickness.
[ SKILL ACQUIRED ] ENHANCED PERCEPTION (LEVEL 1) ABILITY: DETECT REALITY ANOMALIES WITHIN 50 METER RADIUS PASSIVE EFFECT: +10% TO SPOTTING HIDDEN DETAILS NOTE: WILL IMPROVE WITH USE
"You should eat," Lysandra said, interrupting his thoughts. "Tomorrow's journey will be demanding, even if we secure mounts."
"Mounts?" Ethan perked up. "Like horses?"
Lysandra gave him a look that clearly communicated the absurdity of his question. "Elkstriders," she corrected. "Horses would be useless on the pathways we must travel."
"Right, of course," Ethan nodded, as if elkstriders—whatever they were—were perfectly obvious. He picked up a piece of the strange bread, which had flecks of blue within it that seemed to glow faintly. "So, how much farther to the Heart Tree?"
"Normally, two days' ride," Lysandra replied, sitting cross-legged on her platform. "But with the rifts spreading, the paths may be compromised. We must be prepared for detours."
She regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. "You handled yourself well against the shadowfangs. That was... unexpected."
Ethan shrugged, trying to appear more confident than he felt. "In my world, I'm what's called a systems analyst. I guess looking for unexpected interactions is kind of my job."
"And is that why you were chosen? To be this... Between-Walker?"
The question caught Ethan off guard. "I honestly don't know," he admitted. "One minute I was in my apartment, the next this System activated and told me I had a 26.7% chance of survival on a mission to repair reality. Not exactly the kind of job offer you can refuse."
Lysandra's expression softened slightly. "The old tales say Between-Walkers are chosen for qualities not visible to ordinary eyes." She glanced at his wristband. "Perhaps your 'System' saw something in you that you yourself have yet to recognize."
Before Ethan could respond, a distant howl echoed through the forest—similar to the shadowfangs from earlier, but deeper, more resonant, and somehow more wrong.
Lysandra stood immediately, her hand going to her bow. "That was no ordinary shadowfang."
Ethan could feel it too—a faint ripple in reality that his newly enhanced perception detected like a shiver across his skin.
[ THREAT DETECTION ] ANOMALOUS ENTITY DETECTED DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 2.1 KILOMETERS NATURE: HEAVILY CORRUPTED PREDATOR REALITY DISTORTION: SEVERE WARNING: ENTITY APPEARS TO BE TRACKING PREVIOUS REALITY MANIPULATION SIGNATURE
"I think it's tracking us," Ethan said quietly. "Or tracking me, specifically. My energy signature from sealing the rift."
Lysandra's eyes narrowed. "The phase-sickness is not just spreading; it's becoming intelligent." She moved to the dwelling's entrance, peering out into the now-dark forest. "We must reach the Heart Tree sooner than I anticipated. Whatever force drives these corruptions, it knows you are here now—and it does not welcome your presence."
As if in response, the howl came again, closer this time, and accompanied by others—a chorus of distorted predators converging on Silverbow Haven.
The elven settlement, so peaceful moments before, erupted into activity as guards took positions and civilians retreated to higher dwellings.
"So much for a good night's sleep," Ethan sighed, rising to his feet as his wristband displayed a final message:
[ MISSION STATUS ] FIRST OBJECTIVE: REACH HEART TREE COMPLICATION: HOSTILE TRACKING SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 27.9% (-1.4%) RECOMMENDATION: PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE CONFRONTATION
"Just keeps getting better and better," he muttered, following Lysandra into the growing chaos outside.