It was idiotic.

“You're nothing but a walking disaster!” Yzen, a pixie, exclaimed in utter disbelief and distress over the abrupt end of their soiree, which had been ongoing for quite some time.

Their land, once a serene and beautiful haven of nature, had been abruptly disrupted by the arrival of this pathetic, pitiful figure.

I'm getting tired of this! Why is she smiling like a fool?

The pixie had been harboring pent-up rage over the past three days as they watched the ridiculous figure wake up and wander through the forest. Her presence not only cast a shadow over the woodland but also drew in even more unwelcome creatures to the area.

She's not even bothered by my words! She still has that stupid grin on her face!

The girl’s unwavering smile—even in the face of a pixie’s fury—began to appear increasingly foolish with each passing moment.

“Look at you,” Yzen continued, eyes blazing. “The forest can’t stand your presence! You’re nothing but a cursed blight!”

The older blue pixie was determined to express her growing rage, but she was taken aback when the figure suddenly opened her mouth and began to speak.

What... What language is that? What is she saying?

She couldn't decipher the words, and the unfamiliar message being conveyed only deepened her frustration and confusion.

After living for such a long time and having interacted with humans all over the world, the pixie was accustomed to the language and behaviours of the species, developing a high level of familiarity with them.

But why can't I understand her?

----------------------------------------

"Are you okay?" Noticing the stunned look on the pixie's face, the girl tilted her head curiously and asked. The girl took a moment to examine the stunned-looking sprite—who seemed to be a little confused and possibly in disbelief.

Did I say something wrong?

A wave of concern and genuine empathy washed over the girl's heart and mind. She felt genuinely worried about misinterpreting the pixie's gestures.

The pixie gave a small huff to show its frustration and annoyance over the girl's lack of understanding. It then gestured toward the withering patch where the girl had lingered before crossing its small arms in a deliberate 'X,' clearly signaling that she needed to leave.

The girl's expression became dejected as she finally understood the purpose of their motion. She nodded her head, and in a disappointed voice, she asked, "Oh, you want me to leave?"

The pixie’s irritation was evident, yet beneath it lay a trace of guilt, a flicker in its eyes that showed it understood the pain of its actions—especially when it saw the girl's dejected expression. Yzen took a moment to scratch her head, likely trying to figure out a solution to the situation.

The pixie then quickly beckoned the girl to come over.

“Huh? You want me to follow you?” The girl asked, her voice laced with cautious hope.

Its actions were abruptly cut short as a group of other pixies rushed in, dragging the blue sprite back behind the trees. The girl was left standing there, confusion and uncertainty twisting inside her as she tried to grasp what had just happened.

The girl remained where she was—confusion swirling in her chest, yet a fragile hope lingered that the pixie might return. As she waited, she noticed the sidelong glances from the other sprites, their wary eyes only deepening her unease and making her question what was truly unfolding around her.

Is it okay for me to leave? Do I want to?

“I don’t want to hurt anyone...” she murmured, her voice barely audible as she clenched her fists tightly against her chest.

There was a rapid ringing of bells as the blue spirit returned, their hair slightly disheveled and messy—as if they had just come back from a scuffle. The sight of the pixie made the girl flinch, worry tightening her chest as her thoughts spun with questions about what might have happened.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The others edged closer but kept their distance—except for the blue pixie, who boldly flew forward. This time, the pixie beckoned the girl clearly with a look and movements that expressed their frustration and impatience.

Oh, she looks very angry this time. I should just follow her.

The girl swallowed her fears—pushing aside her hesitation as she took a step toward the barrier, preparing to cross the ring of mushrooms. As she moved closer, she noticed the darkness creeping, inching its way toward the mushrooms with each step she took.

The girl was caught off guard by the seemingly soft and gentle nature of the grass beneath her feet, which soon withered into a pure black colour, causing her to stumble back in surprise. "Ah! N-no!" she cried, her voice trembling as she scrambled to keep her distance, desperately avoiding contact with anything living.

It withered in mere seconds! And I... I was the cause of it.

"I'm sorry.. but I don't think I can follow you." She said in a shaken voice, her hands starting to tremble slightly from the panic and anxiety gripping her heart. The girl gazed at the pixies, her eyes wide with fear and despair.

She noticed some of the pixies beginning to mirror her fear, their tiny faces paling and their movements growing hesitant—as if they too sensed an approaching danger.

One of the pixies, sporting vibrant pink hair, suddenly struck the blue pixie on the head, leaving the startled creature momentarily dazed. The pink-haired pixie then spoke in a melodious tone, her words ringing like distant bells in an unfamiliar language.

It was clear they were engaged in a serious discussion, and the tension in the air made the girl feel a wave of nervousness and anxiety wash over her as she pondered what they might be saying.

What is happening? Are they fighting?

The blue spirit cast an exasperated glance at the girl, pointing at her with an unmistakable gesture that seemed to command her to stay put. Then, without another word, it darted away, joining the rest of the group in a flurry of wings.

"Wait! Where are you going?" The girl felt a wave of confusion and uncertainty wash over her as she was left behind alone again, unsure of what had prompted this sudden departure.

“Did you... not want to help me?” she asked, her hands reaching out instinctively. But as she watched them fade into the foliage, she felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her and quickly withdrew her outstretched fingers.

Am I cursed?

Did 'that' person curse me?

Will I forever be stuck here until that person arrives? A wave of anxiety and dread washed over the girl, the thought of being bound to this forest and its enigmatic depths filling her with an escalating sense of fear.

With the sudden departure of the pixies, the harsh reality of her isolation struck her like a cold gust of wind. The prospect of being trapped within these shadowy confines loomed larger and more terrifying with each passing moment.

Has it been hours? I can't even tell how time works here. The sun is still shining ever so brightly.

After a while, the pixies returned, flanked by an unfamiliar spirit that towered over them all—its stature even surpassing that of the girl.

"Hm?" The figure seemed to radiate in the sunlight, their ethereal beauty leaving the girl momentarily breathless. Who could this be?

The spirits appeared to be engaged in a hushed conversation, deliberating their circumstances, before the larger spirit stepped forward to approach the girl. A swell of fear and anxiety gripped her as it drew near, leaving her uncertain of what to expect or what message it sought to convey.

The male figure's gaze was a tempest of emotions, a stern authority cloaked in curiosity and tinged with displeasure. His eyes flickered between scrutiny and intrigue, as if grappling with the weight of unspoken thoughts.

The spirit initially expressed itself in a language unknown to the girl, perhaps a tongue of antiquity. Sensing the girl's confusion, the spirit halted and fixed its gaze upon her for a good minute—each moment stretched with tension, revealing the complexity of his feelings; an unyielding facade masking a deeper conflict within as he assessed her.

What does he want from me? I can't understand anything he said.

“Please... I don’t—” The girl began, her voice a timid whisper, like the rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze. Before she could finish, the male spirit’s expression shifted dramatically, a flicker of delight mingling with an undercurrent of fear crossing his features. Leaning forward, he regarded her with wide eyes, as if she were a rare and unpredictable creature. “You speak this language?” he asked, his tone a curious blend of wonder and trepidation.

In an instant, the girl’s entire demeanor transformed, as if a warm sunbeam had banished the shadows of fear and anxiety that clung to her. A delightful sense of relief washed over her, blooming into joy and optimism like flowers unfurling in spring.

For the first time, she realized she wasn’t alone; there was a kindred spirit nearby with whom she could truly communicate.

The girl immediately nodded in excitement and fear at the same time, relieved and grateful for the chance to communicate with someone after being left alone for so long.

“Ah, now I understand why the pixies were baffled by you,” the spirit said, its voice laced with empathy and a sprinkle of concern. His voice was flowing like warm honey, rich and velvety. Each syllable seemed to shimmer in the air, accompanied by a soft chiming that danced around them. He then paused, and the air around them shimmered with unspoken thoughts. “But tell me, what brings you here to taint my beloved forest?”

A wave of despair washed over the girl as the spirit’s question hung in the air, wrapped in an antagonistic tone that felt like a sudden chill in a sunlit glade. It was as if she were being painted with the brush of blame for a mischief she had never intended, leaving her heart heavy with an unwarranted guilt.

The last thing she wanted was to cause destruction or receive the anger of the spirits.