Sean Blazeborn wasn't one to be easily scared. When his surroundings shifted, his expression remained stoic. It seemed he was inside the forest now. Gabe, however, was nowhere to be seen.

The Liandel forest was grand, its canopy thick and impenetrable, casting huge shadows on the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and moss, and the rustling leaves created a symphony of whispers around him.

The surroundings rippled with each breath. One of the trees near him curled its branches in a slow, deliberate motion, seemingly beckoning him toward it. Another was raining on itself. Yet another was spewing fire.

Sean moved his wheelchair forward with his arms, the muscles in his shoulders and biceps flexing as he carefully navigated around the fire-spewing trees. Death by fire did not seem like a good idea to him. He couldn't afford to waste time; Gabe's absence gnawed at him like a persistent itch. After what seemed to be a moment of indecision, the raining tree called out to him.

"Sssss."

He made his way toward it. The tree was pouring incessantly on itself. With the size of the tree being close to a mountain, he felt like an ant next to it. He reached out his slender hand toward the rain, his fingers trembling slightly as the cold drops hit his skin like stones. He endured the harsh pelting of rain and managed to get inside, water dripping all over his body. As he touched the trunk of the tree, he could feel it rising and settling, similar to a heartbeat.

"How bizarre."

He snaked his hands up the trunk, feeling the bark twitch and pulse beneath his touch, as if it were alive.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Bizarre indeed."

It was not him who said it. A hand stretched out from the shadows, grazing the side of his face with a light, almost hesitant touch. He followed the line of it back to a rather unsuspecting young man. The man had his eyes on the tree, but when he looked up, pure gray filled Sean’s sight.

Was he blind?

"Bizarre to see another person in these parts."

"And you are?" Sean asked, turning his head toward him, though the man's eyes focused on the ground.

The stranger curled his lips, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

"I am a civilian."

Sean remained skeptical.

There weren't supposed to be people living in this part of the country. Unless...

Sean glanced at the man's wrist. A swirling pattern snaked around, kissing the tip of his ring finger. His suspicions were confirmed. A shadow guard. Despite the name, they were priests. Priests of the goddess of darkness. But they were rare. So rare that not even his father the king had ever seen one in his lifetime. The last time one was spotted was near one of the few remaining statues of the goddess of darkness in the northern end of the kingdom bordering Ilona.

"Do you live here?"

"Yes."

"I see. I came for a specific purpose. I wonder if you'd be willing to help me."

"If I find your purpose is worth the pain."

"I mean no harm."

"I can see that," he said, eyeing Sean's legs.

Was he not blind?

"Many have come here seeking something. Not everyone came with good intentions. So..." He raised his hand, moving his wet hair back. "Why are you here?"

"I'm looking for the goddess."

"The goddess?" He raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. "You seem to be in the wrong place. The temple of the light goddess is not here. It's in the capital."

"I'm not looking to pray. I want to meet the goddess."

"I don't know who misled you, but there is no goddess here. Only these old trees." He stroked the trunk of the raining tree.

"Why are you here then?"

"Me? I told you I'm a civilian."

"Is that so? A civilian of which country?"

He grinned. "You caught me."

"I don't know why you feel the need to lie to me when you so openly exposed your markings."

"At least this time, it's not an idiot."

"Tell me. Why are you here?"

"I'm a free man. I'm free to go wherever I wish."

"Was that your wish?"

"You're overthinking it. She grants no wishes."

"Why do you follow her then?"

"I don't."

All his questions hit a dead end.