It must have been morning when my eyes first opened to the sight of an unfamiliar and foggy clearing. I could see no more than a few feet in front of me, which would've been far more unnerving if I had been less comfortable. My head rested against a tall tree, though the bark was, intriguingly, soft. Glancing down, I had been wrapped by numerous vines, roots, and bark. Underneath, something pulsed a dim green, followed by a a buzzing feeling in my upper abdomen. Finding my arms and legs unrestricted but tucked under the blanket of plant matter, I attempted to sit up and take stock of my situation. 

Key word, attempted. My stomach protested sharply with searing pain. Pain that went very deeply into my gut, and reminded me of the uncomfortable reality I found myself in.

If my memory served correctly, I had been all but impaled the last time I was conscious. Any semblance of my pleasant drowsiness vanished in an instant. Even better, I couldn't recall any other details surrounding me having been turned into a sapient shishkebab. So I was isolated in an unfamiliar place, eerie fog choking my sight, and I didn't know who or what bored a hole into my belly. At least the plants were kind enough to give me a delightful rest. Or maybe they were trying to eat my dead body, before I resurrected. I'll give the plants the benefit of the doubt.

While avoiding worsening my injury, I brushed the rest of the vines and moss and what-not off of me. That would be when I noticed the lack of an injury where my pain stemmed from. Instead, I found a diamond shaped patch of skin that pulsed a vibrant green, as well as a massive tear in my shirt. I'm not bleeding, I suppose. My situation could certainly be a lot worse than having an alien glow ripple under your skin.

I hope.

Anyway, with no immediate blood loss to worry about, there was nothing I could do about an internal injury, except allow it to heal on its own. I rolled over, and using the great tree at my side I began to get up. Every so often, my stomach liked to remind me that it was friggin glowing for whatever reason by buzzing. When I finally stood up, hand supporting my weight against the world's coziest tree, it spoke.

"You live to see another day, young Dryad. Congratulations."

My initial reaction to a loud voice from nowhere was to be expected, probably. I jumped backwards, nearly fell over, and yelled.

"A healthy response, young Dryad. How is your wound?"

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"Who the hell is talking to me?"

"Surely you joke, great Dryad. I am the tree who restored your body."

I glanced around and circled the tree, looking for someone who might be making a fool of me. The branches went far too high, and the leaves too dense, however, and I couldn't see the top of the tree.

"So you, a tree, healed me. Do you know where we are? Or who I am?"

"It was not me alone who healed you, but the will of the forest. You simply came into being at my base, born wounded. It is quite fortunate I was the tree you were born near." The tree lightly shook at this, clearly prideful.

"I just... I was suddenly here? And I was already wounded? Why do you call me a Dryad?"

"Yes and yes. To your last question, you were born of the forest, and from no mother or father. Legends speak of Dryads coming to life amidst the forest, and such is how you came to be as well." The tree said it so easily, so matter-of-factly, as if there could be no other explanation.

"But I have memories of receiving the wound I was "born" with, though none before it. I'm pretty sure I'm human, not a Dryad."

"Nonsense. All souls reincarnate, and yours may simply have been powerful enough to retain its memories and wounds. The heartbeat of the forest lives within you, and we can feel it." There was a kindness to its words, as if explaining how the world works to a child. "I quickly grow tired. You will find a river if you go the direction of the rising sun, and you may take fruit from my brothers and sisters' branches along the way."

"Uhh... thank you."

"It is not a problem, young Dryad. One last thing. A box came into being among my branches when you were born. It must have been the King of Spirits' gift to you. Take it."

A multitude of vines lowered from the higher branches of the great tree, and with it, something I can only call a treasure chest. Dazzling silver reinforcing beautiful uniform wood, it was clear that it was decorative rather than built for security. Lifting the lid with surprisingly little resistance, I found a wicked looking dagger with a curved, black blade. It fit my hand surprisingly well, giving a bit of credence to the tree's story, though it still seemed somewhat ridiculous.

After a few seconds, I nearly jumped, fell over, and yelled again, this time with a knife in my hand (that could have ended badly), when a small black rectangle with uniform white letters obscured my vision. It read;

First subject to open a silver rarity or higher chest. Your achievement warrants celebration. +1 distributable point(s).

First subject to open a bronze rarity or higher chest. Your achievement warrants celebration. +0.5 perception point(s).

With this, my 5 senses immediately began adjusting. It was slightly uncomfortable, but when I opened my eyes, I noticed an improvement immediately. Though slight, I could see... clearer. Not the most awe-inspiring change, but it did feel damn good to experience just about everything around me a little more. Looking back at the black box, I noticed three more messages above these two which were grey instead of white.

First subject to survive a life-threatening injury. Your achievement warrants celebration. +1 constitution point(s).

First subject to alter their race by magical means. Your transformation warrants celebration. +10 distributable point(s).

Additionally, transforming into race, "Half Dryad" grants a number of other benefits listed in your Status.

You have been randomly placed within the realm, and you may begin at any time. Good luck, subjects. Survive, thrive, kill, and most of all, have fun.

Well, that didn't exactly answer all of my questions, but it answered enough for now. So, it seems that, amidst the gloom, there may be hope for me yet. First things first.

"Status."