Giggling, a small figure dashed through the dense forest underbrush. The verdant green of the summer leaves stood in contrast to her orange hair. The roots beneath her feet grabbed her ankles, holding her up as she tilted forwards. “Kaori dear, you know you can’t win, right,” a tall woman with vibrant green hair dotted with pink and white blossoms chuckled, stepping out from between the trunks.

“But Mama,” Kaori whined, freeing herself from the wood. “That's cause you cheeaattt!”

“Remember, daughter; there is no cheating in nature.”

The pair continued giggling and talking as they reentered a large grove.

“Daughter! Granddaughter!” A giant figure atop a throne called from the center of the clearing. His bark skin creaked as he waved them over. “Grandpa Lesh!”

Kaori bounded over, moving a yard at a time. “I almost made it home today,” she stated proudly.

“Good Job, my girl. Not many could outrun your mother in the wildwood.” Kaori beamed at his praise. “Soon, you shall begin your training. To become one with the wild, you must learn to think like it.

Sighing, Apple lay the sleeping Kaori under her tree, the starlight filtering through. “She’s so sweet. I wish we didn’t have to ruin her with all this… War.”

“Indeed, dear daughter,” the lord said, approaching from behind, “but the humans could come back to the forest anytime. Already a generation has passed outside our grove, and the winds tell me they speak of our trees. The girl needs to be able to protect herself.”

Apple kneeled next to Kaori, running her fingers over the bumps on her head. “Let’s hope she never needs to….”

Kaori dashed from side to side, her branching antlers scraping the canopy above her. Throwing out an arm, the bone guard deflected a blow with a shinck. “C'mon, Willow, you can try harder than that!” Kaori stood across from a tall, thin dryad with long dreads. Both women wore makeshift combat armor built from the bones and hides of many animals. Kaori wore gauntlets with extended claws hanging limply at her sides.

Smirking, Willow burst forward, a giant wooden axe arcing down at Kaoris head. Dodging to the side, Kaori thrust her hand out, piercing Willows arm. Eyes widening in surprise, the dryad dropped her axe and ripped her arm out of Kaoris grasp. Stamping a foot on the ground, Kaori reached out, grabbing the now airborn axe with ease.

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A series of roots pushed their way out of the ground and propped willow on her feet. “Good job Kaori. You’ve made good progress.”’

“Well,” Kaori rubbed the back of her head bashfully, “I try.” Kaori and Willow held each other's hands, walking into the forest.

“Hey Willow,” Kaori asked, starting off into space, her nose and pointed ears twitching.

“What's up Kaori?”

“Has anything in the wildwood felt, I don't know, strange recently?” Moving her head from side to side, Willow pondered Kaori's question. “I don't think so, have you tried asking grandfather lesh?”

“Every time I try asking Ma, or grandfather lesh, they brush it off…”

“I'm pretty sure it's nothing,” Willow said, leaning over, and kissing Kaori on the cheek.

“Now come on, we should get back before they worry.”

The women walked calmly among the evening trees, the last flickers of sunlight reflecting off of Kaori's eyes, leaving them glowing gold. Passing through the barrier, they entered the lords grove, Lesh sat on his throne, all the dryads of the forest stood around him. Apple ran over to Kaori and Willow, panic in her voice, “your both okay, yes?”

Kaori looked between Apple and Willow, “uh, yes ma we’re fine, why what’s wrong?”

Apple sighed, the worry on her face replaced with dread. “I-. Father will explain it to everyone all at once. Come.” The girls followed Apple, standing on the edge of the crowd.

“MY CHILDREN!” The forest lord called, the world shaking around him. “The time has come again. The mortals have trespassed into the wildwood!” Shocked gasps and faint whispers filled the grove. “Today children of the forest. We march to war, and end this threat once and for all!”

Kaori and Willow stood off to the side, watching all of the older more experienced dryads prepare. Trees came to life around the grove, forming large animal constructs. Bears, wolves and deer stood towering over the swarm of figures. Monsters and animals of the forest gathered in herds, snorting and huffing at each other. “My granddaughters,” lesh said, walking over. “I have gifts for each of you, please hold out your arms.” Reluctantly, they both held out their arms, forearms up. “For you Kaori, I give the Berserkers might. Feel the trees in your bones, and the blood of predators in your veins. Your skin is bark and your flesh metal.”

His long pointed fingers carved a series of runes into Kaori's arm, the flesh burning and glowing deep earthy brown.

“And for you Weeping Willow of the mountain pond, I give growth.” An aura of green surrounded Willow, as she grew taller and fuller, her hair reaching the ground. “Maturity at a quickened pace comes with a price. Do not lose yourself in it.

Kaori gathered near the dryads, who had clustered away from the more enraged denizens of the woods. The forest lord could be seen bending emaciated pale creatures to its will. With every strike of his hand, a scream echoed from across the forest. Across the clearing a large flock of ravens perched themselves across a large tree. The lord's ravens, many times larger than their brethren, surveyed the gathering army.