Wind blasted past my face, my eyes streaming tears as I fought to keep my head lifted, watching the ground approach. I was looking for the forest. Gotta find the big lake with the waterfall.Focus.

I lost view of my landing goal as I plummeted through a cloud. Freezing water clung to me. Frigid air hit my face, freezing the water droplets to me, the air tugging at them as I slid through it toward the ground at literal breakneck speeds. Tipping one arm and leg, I reoriented toward my forest. I waited until I was a few thousand feet from the ground before spreading my arms and legs in an X, slowing my descent slightly. I was trusting the system and hoping that I wasn’t about to become a red smear. Five hundred. Four hundred. My stomach churned. Three hundred. Two. One. I crossed my arms over my face and closed my eyes futilely. Opening my eyes, I spotted the field two feet below me and a rounded rock directly under me through a wobbly haze. A moment later, I dropped stomach first onto the rock, knocking the wind out of me with a gasp.

A few attempts at breathing later, I took in my surroundings. The animals were quiet. Probably my fault. Turns out the whole ‘mushroom forest’ thing really meant that the ‘trees’ were actually massive mushrooms. Some of them were nearly thirty feet tall. I walked over to one and wrapped my knuckles on it. A dull thump. There was a deep rumbling reply from nearby. I stepped back and crouched, whipping my head around trying to find the source.

I screamed. I’m not proud of it. I full-on high-pitch screamed as I felt something land on my foot. I whipped my leg out and sent the several inch tall creature flying. That was when I realized it had been a frog. My first interaction with new life and I put my boot to it … I slapped my hand to my chest as I nervous laughed, tears welling up. A tiny little tree frog … thing. It hopped twice toward me, stopping just in front of me, puffed up its throat, and let out the same deep rumble from before. With a huge smile covering my face I crouched down and offered my hand to the creature. A tilt of the head and a short hop had the creature filling my palm.

Upon closer inspection of the little creature, I noticed several details, some of which I am sure I wouldn’t have seen as a human. The creature’s heavily wrinkled skin. Underneath its skin, I saw blood pump through the creature. The relatively large bodied toad-like creature seemed to be quite confident I wouldn’t hurt it. Maybe it recognizes an Elf? Noting the few details I could make out about it and comparing those against my memories of frogs from Earth all led to my gut telling me this frog was very old. I whispered, “Thank you for the laugh, my friend,” carefully placing the frog on a nearby log. I stepped back, sensing a feeling of gratitude and gravitas from the creature. A moment later, the sensation was gone, and the frog was hopping off towards the setting sun.

With a soft smile, I turned and walked the other way, deeper into the forest. I knew there was an Elf settlement in here somewhere, and the forest didn’t look too big compared to the nearby primarily human city I had spotted in the plains.

I was becoming accustomed to the little frog creatures’ seemingly constant ambient rumblings before I suddenly spotted movement out of the side of my eye. Jerking to a halt, my nerves jangling with fire, I focused on the spot, standing as still as I could. It stepped out from a thin shadow into the light. A creature that took me a moment to wrap my head around revealed itself in front of me. As light shifted across the antlers, they shimmered like waves of paint flowing upward, with dozens of false eyes running their length, each of a different eye shape and design. The muscles of this … deer creature bulged out in cords from the body of the creature. The non-antler eyes of this deer were reflecting light from the bright red sun and seemed almost to shine from within. A moment that stretched into what felt like a full minute, trying to mentally grasp or categorize this creature that appeared somewhat familiar but so twisted from what I recognized.

The sound of its hooves clip-clopping started as the deer turned away from me. It had made NO noise until just now. I can hear the croaks of frogs hundreds of feet away … but not a sound from this deer until it wanted to? I shook my head and decided to get the hell away from it. I was almost turned towards where I thought the Elven city might be when out of the side of my eye, I spotted the blank back of the antlers suddenly filled in with eyes, almost like they were apples bobbing to the surface of water. They were all focused on me.

I bolted.

I signed up for adventure. I signed up for fun. I signed up to explore this new world. I did NOT sign up for THAT! I was in the zone, full-out sprinting my way through the forest like only an Elf could. I don’t know what time it was when I saw the glint of light off metal and skidded to a stop just in front of a pair of Elven guards carrying fancy spears who seemed almost to materialize out of the shadows of the trees.

“You are quite a … unique Elf. Are you in danger to be so disheveled and out of breath?” The Elven guards eyed me up and down, seemingly never having seen an Elf who wasn’t perfectly put together at all times.

I glanced down at myself. I wasn’t too dirty considering I had just plummeted through the atmosphere and face-planted on a rock, and I wasn’t breathing anywhere near as hard as I used to when I was a Human.“I’m Je … You can call me J. And no, I’m fine, just a bit frazzled at the moment. Can you please tell me where this is?” What do I want to be called? Nobody prompted me for a name. I wasn’t asked to fill one out. If I don’t want to be a Human, I certainly don’t want the same name I’ve had for a century…

“Yes, well … J. You’re in the forest of the La’Ganthia Wood Elves.” The first guard spoke slowly and their brows were furrowed as they continued their inspection. The other guard pulled out a blue shimmering rock and waved it over me like a metal detector, Eventually, I must’ve passed inspection because the guard with the stone nodded to their partner and stepped back. The first guard turned back to me. “Wonderful, you may proceed in to the city. I’m unsure how you forgot where you were born, but I suggest you seek out Thahnial and ask them to check if you have any head injuries. Down this path for a few minutes at your pace, or ten minutes at a more leisurely walk.” He smirked slightly at his own joke before gesturing for me to pass.

Focusing on the recently manicured pathway where he pointed I could make out minute details, such as the faint imprint left by a deer hoof, which must have been days old. The ends of a few branches had been bitten or crushed off. The more I focused, the more these tiny details filtered through to me. I started down the path, paying close attention to details that could clue me in to what else was around me that I had never been able to see before.

The colors of the Elven city sprang out to my eyes even as they blended soothingly with the trees and nature they were sculpted to. Just after the pop of the colors I heard the soft lilting of some flute like instrument from beyond the walls. I stepped up to the entrance, a guard on either side bowed very slightly.

One guard looked at me and with a deep, prestigious voice and said, “We were told to expect a new comer. To where is your purpose laden … maiden?” His voice trailed off at the end. He shook his head, looking down and frowning.

The other guard glared at him. “Stop bothering her with your pathetic rhymes, Theravin. Nobody likes them.” They sighed. They were more straight-forward when they asked, “What’s your purpose here? And from where do you hail?”

I shrugged. “My purpose is … to find my purpose, I guess.” The guards looked at me like the other guards, quizzically and wondering if I had hit my head. “As for the ‘where do you hail from’ question … The sky? Earth? I dunno what you would call it, another world I guess…”

“From the sky? Are you joking, traveler? You are claiming to be Lashu. Nobody would claim that, even Lashu. It is dark tidings to say, even in jest.” Both guards put their clenched fists under their chin with their thumb tucked inside, pressing out before breathing once more.

“I … What? Lashu? Dark tidings? I mean … what do you even mean? I’m not bringing tidings of anything.” I was waving my arms around and speaking quickly. I’m not great under pressure, especially when I feel like I’m being interrogated for no reason. “I’m just lost. I want food, I want shelter, and your city sounded nice from the little … thingy before. The booklet or whatever that talks about this place … uhhhh, La’Ganthia or some such?”

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The guards shared a look. They shifted their feet, seemingly unsure how to handle the situation.

You could at least pretend to be subtle about it … I AM right here…

The guard hesitated before responding. “It is not our place. If you are claiming to be Lashu, then you have right to the city access. Your immediate goal is now to locate the queen. She will be taking requests from the local populace for the next few hours. If you leave now, you should have enough time to garner her attention. She will be most interested to hear about a Lashu at the gate.”

I sighed. I really just wanted to relax and unwind, probably mope … with ice cream! As I was heading away from the guards toward where they had pointed, my ears tilted back to catch one of the guards whispering.

“We just avoided a LOT of paperwork … and would you STOP with the rhymes! Seriously, just practice at home. … Hey, it’s not my problem that your wife is sick of hearing them, too.”

I let out a “snirk”.

I walked along a path of smooth stones, with every fourth stone emitting its own light in a slow blink. Foliage in a multitude of forms dotted the pathway, giving off a smell sweet enough that I couldn’t resist twisting my head to crack my neck, luxuriantly roll my shoulders, and let all the bunched up muscles relax, even just ‘being in the moment’ for the moment.

I walked the path for a while, lost in my thoughts, stuck spiraling just like the path. I bounced back to the present when I heard the thud of a staff clinking softly as it was gently leaned against the wall nearby. A woman and four guards stood at the other end of the spiraling pathway. I didn’t know them, but they clearly knew me. They had apparently been waiting for me.

As the woman stepped forward her eyes reflected light like a cat. The guards filling in the space. “I am Queen Rial’di’neeve. You are … J, correct?” The queen arched a sculpted eyebrow, dark with some makeup over a tattoo. The details my new eyes picked up were going to be surprising to me for a while, it seemed. She looked like she was in her thirties or forties … in a semi-timeless way.

“I am J. I am still … discovering myself. I apologize for not approaching you while you were holding court. Except, if I’m being honest, I don’t do public occasions, ever really, if I can help it. I prefer my privacy.” I stooped to brush a hand nearby a bright purple flower with a dull yellow stripe running down the middle of each petal.

“The guards reported that you claim to be … Lashu, is that correct?” The queen was watching me intently. Her body was relaxed, but her eyes were focused, looking for any tells. Would Human tells work in an Elven body? Is she thinking I’m angry right now, or cold, or whatever else? And their facial expressions might not even match up to Humans.

I kept back a grimace, just barely. “’I am from another world.’ That’s what I said. He took that as ‘Lashu’ or whatever term you folks are using. I’m just here to grieve, to have some privacy and solitude. I am not asking for special treatment, and I’m certainly not looking to have the public eye turned on me for being some special thing.”

Overhead, the sky lit up with two parallel fiery streaks through the twilight. I focused my eyes, squinting for more detail. They were humanoids! I couldn’t make out more detail, but it was people, and they were doing the same as I was a few hours ago. I hadn’t expected to be visible until I reached the ground.

I pointed, trying to give them proof. “I’m like those people up there. I just landed maybe three or four hours ago, though I don’t have a watch or a phone to know how long exactly.”

The queen was still focusing, silently intent on the two forms streaking across the horizon. I waited with bated breath. “Those two will be far from here.” She said quietly. She turned her attention back to me, eyes sharp. She began barking out orders with with a voice that expected to be followed without question. “We don’t have time for pleasantries or politics. Rouse the Triumverate. They must be in the Hall as soon as they are able. Rush them if you must. I will deal with the rest. Go!” She shooed out three of the guards, who sprinted through the door and split up, their footsteps echoing eerily. Then she turned toward me again, and for the first time in a looong time, I felt the piercing gaze of somebody older than me focused on making sure I made the ‘right’ choice.

She put on her best “I’m being nice, but I don’t have to be” voice. “Would you be so kind as to come with me, Lashu. I would be honored to test your claim in the ancient ways. No harm will come to you, no coercion. And if you pass and are, as you claim, ‘from another world,’ then you gain social status, a sponsor to make your life more comfortable, and that privacy that you wish for, along with the backing of this city and my people if that is of interest to you. The favor of a Lashu would be a boon to my people.”

I eyed her with suspicion. You think I’m some big fish, yet why do you seem comfortable manipulating me? Do I seem pliant or easily swayed? Is this more of the body language of Elves stuff? Though I suppose if it won’t hurt and it proves my point, I’ll get some benefits. Worst case scenario I run away or I call an admin.

I spoke carefully, planning my words. I didn’t want to say something that would bite me later. This had started as a conversation with a random guard and turned into a political scandal or something. “I am willing to come with you and hear what you have to say.” I was trying not to seem nervous. This lady was both a queen, which was a power I didn’t want to mess with, and had a death stare thingy that very few people could get to work on me. AND she did public appearances. Avoiding those was top of my list after having privacy, which is almost a ‘six-of-one’ kinda thing.

We walked in silence up to a curving structure wrapped around a tree. Mostly white with slim gold vines running up it decoratively. Impressive, but it would only be called large in a rural area, like the forest. When I stepped through the door, I was assaulted by almost blinding light. It came from everywhere, and seemed sourceless. The queen seemed immune to it, somehow, and strode directly up to and sat on her throne, a twist of vines that seemed like it had been shaped to fit her. A small, very rotund bird flitted down to her arm and she whispered to it. I could hear the sound but I couldn’t understand the words. Probably more magic. It pays to be the queen I bet.

“We have a few minutes before everyone shows up, in a huff, I might add. I’m sure they won’t be pleased to hear your claim. No offense to you, but prophecies aren’t usually very positive and are always followed by the clouds of risk and change. If you would come forward and cup your hands, I can begin the ritual to ascertain your true abilities and your origin.” The queen was being decidedly open with me, given my knowledge was based off books as I never met any royalty, it still left me curious what she was trying to get me to say or do acting like she was.

I already said where I was from. Yeesh, these people do NOT want to believe me … Worst case scenario, I still just run screaming and call a dev still, right? K, then this seems like the best choice. If I’m part of some prophecy, they’ll at least have to respect me, and therefore my wish for privacy, right?

I hesitantly stepped forward a few feet until she held up her hand. I raised my hands and cupped the air, doing my best not to roll my eyes at what I felt was a very ham-fisted and awkward cult initiation. I smelled smoke as it began to fill my nostrils.

Beth mae'r fenyw hon yn ei wneud? A yw'n beryglus? A fyddant yn marw? A allant newid eu tynged?

I almost felt like I understood what the queen was chanting. Something about asking for a persons fate or plan, if they were dangerous to themselves? No… if they were dangerous to others?

Dark red light flared in my cupped palms, with scintillating vibrant yellows peaking through the red haze, spiraling and twisting as I simply stood there, truly dumbfounded. The overall light level dimmed slightly, and then it began to grow up my wrists. It clung to my arms as I flailed in a panic, trying to swat it off of me. It kept growing, methodically covering my arm. My arm felt uncomfortably hot. There was a dull, repeating thud in my chest and ears as the light spread from both my shoulders, up my neck and down my chest. In the span of twenty seconds I was fully covered. Everywhere I looked, I saw two overlaid images, dark red and bright yellow fighting for focus, for dominance. The dark red image was of destruction, or maybe my power? The queen lay dead at my feet, blood covering the walls and floor of the throne room, weapons in both hands. I stilled my thoughts and focused on the brighter yellow image and could see the same room decorated with flowers; I was handing a newly crafted tool to the queen for the people to use and increase the harvest with less damage to the local fungi growth.

I tore myself away from the images, disassociating into myself. I closed my eyes and narrowed my being down to its core. Yellow light, construction projects, helping the injured and the downtrodden. Eleanor smiling after a long shift helping those who had been hurt. I grabbed the now physical yellow light in a crushing grip, holding onto the hope it provided like a raft in a storm. Two dozen eyes, each different from another, drifted up into view, all focused on me. The yellow light shone through my fist, growing as I held on. Expanding beyond what my hand could hold onto, I started to slip. Clenching my arms and legs onto the yellow light, grasping onto it to save me from a fall into the poisonous cloud of red-light that opened up below my feet. Holding on tightly, too tightly. The light flared brightly and vanished in a wisp of smoke.

Falling. Dark red. Darkness. The Void.