The creaking gate finally gave way, swinging open with a groan that echoed in the stillness. Catty and Fitzmaria stepped through, leaving behind the ancient stone walls. The transition was immediate as if they had crossed a threshold between worlds.
They found themselves in a deep forest. The air was different here—thick with the scent of damp earth and greenery. A mist clung to the ground, swirling lazily around the twisted roots of trees stretching endlessly into the sky.
Catty pulled her windbreaker tighter around her, trying to ward off the sudden dampness that had settled into her bones. She looked around, impressed by the sheer size of the trees. They were high, their trunks thick with layers of moss and vines. Some trees were as wide as the towers they had left behind. The light was dim, filtered through the dense canopy above.
Fitzmaria took a deep breath, his sharp eyes scanning the dense canopy above, "This is what they mean by the right way."
As they ventured deeper, the forest closed in around them. The thick underbrush encroached on all sides. Strange noises echoed among the trees—the call of unfamiliar birds, the rustling of fallen leaves as unseen creatures ran on the ground. Fitzmaria moved carefully, and Catty followed close behind—the magic of the forest surrounded them.
"Fitz," she called softly, her voice barely more than a whisper, "You've been here before, right? This is just another walk in the park for you?"
The man glanced back at her, his expression unreadable in the dim light, "Not exactly a park, but yeah, I've seen forests like this before."
He paused, gazing through the giant trees, "Just remember, it's not the forest you need to worry about—it's what's hiding in it."
Catty nodded and tightened her grip on the dagger handle. The forest was full of voices, and distant growls set her nerves on edge. With Fitzmaria leading the way, she knew she had to push forward, even if every step was further away from safety.
They went deeper into the forest. The towering trees, thick with moss and old as eternity, blocked out most of the light, leaving only faint, ghostly rays to filter through the branches above.
Fitzmaria moved with the ease of someone who had walked through countless forests like this one, an adventurer who had seen all dangerous things and lived. Catty followed closely behind.
A soft, glowing light appeared in the distance, flickering between the trees like a will-o'-the-wisp. Catty froze in place as she watched the light flit closer, revealing a small being with wings like a dragonfly. It hovered in the air momentarily, its glow casting an otherworldly light on the surrounding trees before darting into the twilight.
"What was that?" Catty whispered with her eyes wide.
Fitzmaria didn't break his stride. "Local fairy," he said calmly. "Harmless unless you give it a reason not to be. Best to leave it be."
As they continued, the forest came alive with more glowing beings. They flitted between the trees, and their soft light danced across the forest floor.
The low growl of something large and unseen echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down Catty's spine.
Fitzmaria paused, his sharp eyes narrowing as he surveyed the forest. "Stay close," he said, his voice low and steady. "And whatever happens, don't make any sudden moves."
Catty nodded, her heart pounding as she stepped closer to him. The forest was closing around them, the trees seeming to move of their own accord. Then, a creature as long and sinuous as a mighty river flashed behind the trees. Its scales shimmered in the dim light, catching the faint rays. The giant flying serpent paused, its head lifting to regard them with cold, unblinking eyes before it silently continued its way.
"That one's best left alone, too," Fitzmaria said, his tone as calm as ever. He glanced back at Catty, "You see something like that. You let it go on its way. No need to stir up trouble where there doesn't need to be any."
Catty swallowed hard, her hand not letting go of the dagger. She didn't trust Fitzmaria, but the girl had little choice in this forest. The man seemed to know what he was doing, and right now, that was all she had.
As they pressed on, the creatures in the shadows became bolder. Catty caught glimpses of larger beasts—hulking forms that prowled just beyond the edge of her vision, their eyes glowing faintly in twilight. But each time one came too close, Fitzmaria subtly changed their path, guiding them away from danger.
"Remember," he said quietly, as they stepped around a massive tree trunk, "this forest is old, and its inhabitants even older. They've seen travelers like us before. Some might be curious, others less so. Just keep your head up. We'll make it through."
Catty nodded, trying to follow his advice though every instinct screamed at her to run. The forest was a labyrinth of shadows and secrets, and she felt they were being watched by more than just the creatures behind the trees.
The forest thinned when they came across a huge rock, half-buried in the earth and covered in moss and ferns. It towered high above the trees like a mount.
Fitzmaria glanced up at the rock, letting out a low whistle.
"Looks like a good spot to catch our breath," he said, moving toward the base of the rock. "Best we take a moment before pressing on."
"Yeah, a break sounds good," Catty agreed, feeling the weariness in her legs.
Fitzmaria settled on a fallen log and pulled out his pipe, packing it with practiced ease.
"Just a quick rest," he muttered, striking a match and lighting the pipe. He took a deep drag, exhaling a plume of smoke in the still air. "No sense in pushing ourselves too hard. The forest will still be here when we're ready to move on."
Catty sat down nearby, her back against the rock, grateful for the pause. As she watched Fitzmaria puff on his pipe, she let herself relax, if only for a moment, unaware of that lurking beneath the rock's surface.
Suddenly, the ground trembled, and stones and branches rained from above. The mount behind the girl's back began to shift, groaning as it freed itself from the earth. Catty barely managed to jump aside as she saw how the rock became a giant deer. Its body was hewn from the stone, and enormous antlers turned out to be trees stretching skyward. The creature's eyes, glowing with a bright light, fixed on them, filled with fury.
"Who dared trespass on this sacred land?!" the beast's voice rumbled through the forest. It leaned down, its massive head inches from them, and its breath smelled of jeopardy. "What brings you here?"
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The ground trembled under its weight as the creature lowered its head and focused on the two travelers. "What business do you have here?"
Fitzmaria stopped the girls with a jerk and bowed down.
"Great Guardian," he began, "we are seekers of knowledge, come to honor the ancient ways and learn from the wisdom hidden in this place."
The guardian's eyes widened, and the light within them flared up.
"Lies!" its voice sounded like a thunder. "I see through your words, mortal. You seek power, not knowledge. You defile this sacred ground with your greed!"
Fitzmaria faltered, "...I assure you, we mean no harm. We only wish to..."
The guardian roared, a sound that shook the earth beneath them. "Enough! I see the darkness in your heart. Speak the truth, or die!"
Sensing the danger, Catty stepped forward, and for a moment, she feared they would be crushed under its wrath.
"Please," the girl said, her voice trembling but sincere, "I know our words might not sound true, but I promise you we don't mean to harm this place or take anything that doesn't belong to us."
The giant deer turned its gaze to the girl, and she felt the hot breath on her. The steam escaped from its nostrils.
"I have seen many like you come and go. What makes you different?"
Catty looked at the man, and he shook his head in denial, warning her.
"I'm just looking for something I have a connection to," the girl stubbornly raised her head, and Fitzmaria groaned.
The guardian laughed, and the trees swayed from the sound, "Child! Don't you know that there is nothing here that can belong to humans?!"
The girl held his gaze and said, "It's not mine, but I'm part of it."
Catty took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and continued, "There's a prophecy that speaks of a girl and a dragon..."
The guardian's gaze darkened, its anger flaring even more intensely. "A prophecy, you say?" it rumbled, its voice rising with suspicion. "How do you know about the prophecy?"
Catty swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper but steady with conviction, "I think... I might be that girl."
Fitzmaria squatted down and clutched his head in despair.
The beast straightened to its gigantic height and raised its head above the forest. The ground trembled as it lifted its front leg above the girl. Earth and stones fell from the hoof—it was the size of the pitcher's mound. The deer was ready to crush Catty where she stood, and Fitzmaria's eyes widened in horror.
Catty instinctively raised her arm, bracing for the impact. But as she did, the bracelet on her wrist suddenly began to glow with a radiant light. A soft hum filled the air, and within moments, a shimmering sphere of light erupted from the bracelet, enveloping Catty in a protective barrier.
The guardian's hoof came crashing down with an enormous force, but instead of crushing Catty, it collided with the glowing sphere. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, and the creature was thrown back. The ground shook when it landed heavily a few paces away, knocking down the trees. The fury in its eyes was replaced by astonishment.
Catty stood, still encased in the sphere of light, and looked at this scene in shock. The bracelet pulsed with energy, its glow gradually dimming as the sphere stabilized around her. The guardian rose and stared down at her, now wary. The massive creature hesitated, lowering its head to inspect the glowing barrier more closely.
Catty, realizing what had happened, lowered her arm slowly. The protective sphere shimmered around her, its surface pulsating gently with the bracelet's energy. She met the guardian's gaze, her voice steady as she spoke.
"This bracelet... it's connected to my dragon. And we are here to find his egg!"
The guardian's eyes narrowed, studying Catty. The forest around them fell silent, and the trees and all living things held their breath. The beast hesitated, still weighing the events that had just transpired. The protective sphere around the girl pulsed gently, a reminder of her power and connection to the dragon that the guardian was now beginning to recognize.
When the creature looked at the sphere around Catty, its glowing eyes narrowed, conceding something familiar—magic long forgotten but deeply tied to the prophecy. The bracelet's energy pulsed in rhythm with the forest, a connection the guardian could not ignore. The anger that had driven the creature moments before began to dissipate.
The deer paused, understanding that harming the girl could disrupt a balance older than the forest. It could feel the ancient bonds of the prophecy tightening, reminding it of its true purpose.
The deer said, "I cannot harm someone who dragons protect."
Slowly, the guardian's posture relaxed, and its eyes softened. The anger melted, and the creature bowed its head slightly, a gesture of respect that Catty had not expected.
"So you really are the girl from the prophecy! I was wrong to judge you by the company you keep," the guardian rumbled, its voice now carrying confession. It cast a distrustful glance at Fitzmaria, who stood frozen in place, his mouth open in surprise.
The deer's giant form began to recede, its stone body melding back into the ancient rock from which it had emerged. The trees that made up its antlers swayed gently, and the forest around them exhaled, the tension in the air easing ever so slightly.
"Beware," the deer said, "for not all who seek the dragon egg do so with pure intent. The one who walks beside you may be your greatest threat."
Catty instinctively glanced at Fitzmaria, who had regained his composure but avoided her gaze. A chill ran down her spine as the guardian's words echoed in her mind. Could it be possible? Could Fitzmaria, who had been her guide through this perilous journey, truly be a danger to her?
The guardian's voice rumbled again, softer this time, "You have shown courage and sincerity, child of the prophecy. For that, I offer you a token of my favor."
Catty watched as the guardian lowered its head, the trees that formed its antlers rustling gently. From within the canopy of branches, a cloak began to take shape, materializing as though woven from the leaves that crowned the guardian's head. The leaves shimmered with a soft, green light, their edges glowing with a golden hue.
The cloak floated gently down from the guardian's antlers, hovering before Catty.
"Take this," the beast said, its voice resonating through the air like the whisper of the trees. "This Cloak of Leaves carries the essence of the forest, and it will protect you from those who would seek to harm you in your time of need."
Catty reached out with trembling hands, and when her fingers brushed against the cloak, a warmth spread through her, a comforting presence connecting her to the forest. The cloak draped over her shoulders, its leaves rustling softly, welcoming the girl into its embrace.
"Remember," the guardian continued, its voice barely more than a breath in the wind, "the greatest danger lies within. Trust in yourself above all."
The guardian's words hung in the air as its massive hooves sank into the earth. It was returning to its rock form, melding entirely with the ancient stone. The trees that formed its antlers swayed gently, guided by a soft breeze, and the creature's body gradually merged with the rock from which it had emerged.
"You have been given a chance," the guardian finished, its voice fading as it became one with the forest again. "Do not squander it."
The glowing eyes were the last to disappear, leaving behind only the faintest trace of its presence—as if the forest had breathed a sigh of relief. Catty stood stunned in silence, her heart still racing. Fitzmaria, too, seemed shaken, though he quickly masked it with a forced grin.
The protective sphere around Catty dissolved, its energy retreating into the bracelet.
The forest around them resumed the incessant noise. The Cloak of Leaves rested lightly on the girl's shoulders—a shield that would guard her on the treacherous path ahead.
Fitzmaria cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"Well," he said, slightly unsteady, "that went better than expected. It seems you've gained more than just the guardian's favor."
Catty glanced at him but simply nodded. The cloak's presence gave her a renewed sense of confidence, but she knew she had to stay vigilant.
"Let's keep moving," the girl finally replied, her voice firm.
Fitzmaria glanced at the cloak draped over Catty's shoulders, then back at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You know, if we keep running into these guardians, you're going to end up with a whole wardrobe by the time we're done."
Catty raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Maybe I'll start a new look—forest chic. Who wouldn't want a cloak that doubles as camouflage and armor?"
The man chuckled, his earlier unease slipping away. "Just make sure you don't get too attached to it. Wouldn't want you to blend into the forest permanently."
"I'll take my chances," Catty shrugged, adjusting the cloak slightly. "But you'll know I went all in if you suddenly see me turn into a tree."
They both laughed and stepped forward. The path ahead seemed clearer, and the forest parted slightly as if guiding them onward. But Catty couldn't shake the feeling that the true test was yet to come.