Guided solely by instinct, Sera walked with an almost mechanical precision. Her mind was completely devoid of extraneous thoughts, with only a singular focus driving her forward.

She stopped in front of a particularly dense cluster within the mystic forest. Several brightly colored trees crisscrossed with thick, curling vines. Their branches hung low, weighed down by droplets of dew.

It was as if the entire forest had gone silent. The usual rustling and distant cries were replaced by an expectant stillness.

Sera reached out a hand, her fingers trembling slightly as she neared the vibrant bark of one of the trees. The moment felt heavy with significance, the air charged with anticipation. Just as her fingertips brushed the surface, she heard a sound from behind her.

"Are you alright, Boss?"

The elder dryad hesitated while her hand hovered inches from the tree. She turned slowly as she spotted Aermo approaching her from behind. "I'm fine, What are you doing here?"

Aermo raised an eyebrow, his keen eyes observing her closely. "Just wandering around, and uh, I saw Zoha heading out of the dungeon earlier for a walk."

"That's fine, thank you for informing me."

"Speaking of, are you sure you're alright, Boss? You looked… weird while you were walking here."

"I already told you that I'm fine, just go do whatever."

"Alright, I'll be around nearby."

The beastkin bowed lightly before whistling a tune while walking away. Now alone, Sera turned back to the dense cluster of trees and raised a hand to channel her magic.

The surrounding trees and foliage heeded her command. Branches creaked as they bent and stretched, weaving together like interlocking fingers until the wood formed the rough outlines of a portal.

As the final branches settled into their appointed spots, the faint glow grew stronger. A surge of dark energy flowed through the portal, one that made it blatantly obvious how dangerous it was.

Even still, Sera stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the portal. The vortex within reached out to her soul, beckoning her to step through.

***

As soon as Sera crossed the portal, a foul stench slammed into her senses. The odor was nauseating, akin to a combination of both rotting wood and decomposing flesh. She took a moment to brace herself against the overwhelming scent as her eyes adjusted to the darkness.

She was now in a sprawling swamp, one covered with gnarled trees and murky waters. Most of the trees were malformed, their bark peeling away to reveal sickly, decayed wood. All while the ground was a soupy mess of mud and stagnant water.

Yet, the swamp was sparsely lit by white wisps that floated aimlessly through the air, their ghostly glow casting faint shadows across the landscape. Despite the extensive knowledge Sera can usually recall when it came to monsters, she had no clue what these wisps actually were or how they came into being. I can barely sense any magic coming from them, are they even alive, or are my eyes just playing tricks on me?

Sera proceeded cautiously as she ventured deeper into the swamp. Ice coated the surface of the murky waters beneath her feet, forming a thin layer that cracked and reformed with each step. This frozen path allowed her to traverse the bog without sinking, but the foul stench that clung to the air did little to make her feel safe.

As she walked, Sera focused her senses, trying to detect any hint of other creatures lurking in the shadows. The swamp was unnervingly silent. At one point, she heard a sharp crack behind her and spun around, only to find a broken piece of wood that had snapped off and fallen into the water.

Eventually, a faint rustling caught her attention. She turned her head and eyed the dense foliage, but saw nothing. Then, from the opposite direction, a sudden splash broke the silence. This time, she spun quickly enough to catch a fleeting glimpse of antlers darting away into the darkness, their shadowy outline disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.

Sera raised her hand in the direction where she had seen the outline of antlers, focusing her magic through the decaying trees. The gnarled trunks and branches groaned as they parted. But as the trees shifted away, she heard a loud thud, as if they had hit something solid.

A piercing screech followed, causing Sera to wince slightly. The noise was followed by a series of splashing sounds, echoing through the swamp as something moved quickly through the murky waters.

Sera twisted the surrounding trees, shifting her field of view to try and catch whatever was stalking her. The forest reacted to her command, the branches bending and stretching as if searching with her.

Finally, one of the branches wrapped around what appeared to be a leg, trapping it in a firm grip. The elder dryad's gaze followed the branch upward and nearly jumped back as she saw a tall, lanky creature.

It walked on all fours, with long limbs ending in spindly fingers that clawed at the ground. Its torso was unnaturally skinny, the ribs visible beneath the taut skin. But what startled Sera the most was its head that looked almost exactly like her own face, complete with antlers, but was distinguished by a wide, unsettling grin.

The creature shrieked again as it lunged at her. Its lanky limbs slapped away the foliage that blocked its path with surprising force.

Sera commanded the roots and branches of the nearby trees to intercept the abomination's attack. The gnarled wood sprang to life, coiling towards the creature hastily. As she turned to run across the icy surface of the water, she heard the sickening snap of decaying wood being shattered by the abomination's force.

She glanced back to see the creature breaking through her barriers with ease, its unsettling grin never wavering. Panic surged through her veins, driving her to move faster. But before she could gain any distance, three more of the abominations emerged from the shadows. They circled her like predators, eyes glinting with a malevolent intelligence.

Sera made a quick cut on her hand using the sharp end of her antlers, hoping to summon her dark tendrils forward. She felt the familiar sting and flow of sap trickling down her palm, but nothing happened. The dark tendrils remained completely unresponsive.

For the first time ever, Sera actually felt fear. How is it possible for me to be this weak? It's almost as if this place is draining me of my strength.

Just as one of the abominations lunged at her, a sudden, bone-chilling cold filled the air. Sera's breath hitched as the temperature plummeted. The attacking creature froze solid mid-leap, encased in a thick, crystalline layer of ice as its grotesque features were locked in a snarl.

The remaining abominations retreated swiftly into the darkness, their shadowy forms vanishing among the twisted trees. Their retreat was a swift blur of movement as they melted into the shadows, leaving Sera momentarily alone.

Relief was fleeting as she tried to move, only to realize her legs were encased in ice up to her ankles. Panic surged through her as she struggled to free herself. She twisted and pulled, but the ice held firm, unyielding.

A calm, authoritative voice cut through the swirling storm. "I'd suggest against doing that."

Sera glanced up and could only fall silent at what she saw. Before her stood a woman that appeared to be the source of the chilling cold. No, this doesn't make any sense.

This woman was almost certainly another elder dryad, evidenced by the antlers that grew from her forehead. But unlike any antlers Sera had seen before, these were made of pure, crystalline ice.

The new elder dryad's eyes were a mirror of Sera's: silvery and luminous. Her skin, too, was pale and almost luminescent, glowing subtly in the dim light of the snowy swamp. Yet, there were distinct differences. Her dress was a pristine white, blending seamlessly with the surrounding snow and her hair reached only to her shoulders.

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The world felt as if it held its breath as the two dryads stood face to face. The snow continued to fall, the flakes swirling gently in the air before settling softly on the ground.

Sera felt a mix of awe and confusion as she looked at the elder dryad. "Who are you?"

The elder dryad met Sera's gaze with a calm look. "You may address me as Winter."

Sera's eyes narrowed slightly. "Is that truly your name? And were you the one who called me here?"

Winter remained composed, breath visible in the frigid air. "Calm yourself. Do not exert too much energy, or else the enemy will notice."

"Who is this enemy you speak of?"

"For your safety, I cannot reveal that information. Nor can I divulge my true name."

"What is this place, then? And why bring me here if you're not going to provide answers?"

Winter's gaze flickered around their surroundings. "Follow me," she said, turning away and beginning to walk.

"I will not follow a stranger who speaks in riddles and refuses to even give a name." Sera said.

Yet, Winter continued walking regardless. She only stopped for a brief moment to glance back at Sera. "You will follow, because deep down, you seek the truth, and I am the only way to find it."

For a moment, Sera stood frozen, watching Winter's retreating form. The cold felt as if it seeped deeper into her very being, a chill that went beyond the physical. Her breath misted in the air, mingling with the frosty tendrils that Winter left in her wake.

It was impossible for Sera to stay still, there was something about Winter that spoke to her soul. It's as if I'm talking with myself, it feels… odd, but not bad.

Winter walked with an eerie grace, her steps light yet purposeful. With each step she took, the ground beneath her feet froze solid, the murky water transforming into a pristine sheet of ice.

Sera watched in fascination as Winter's presence seemed to reshape the very landscape. Ice crystals formed on the branches, sparkling like diamonds in the ghostly glow of the floating wisps. The stagnant water turned into a mirror-like surface, reflecting the warped, gnarled trees.

"Out of curiosity, why am I not affected much by your frost?" Sera asked. She could feel the intense cold radiating from Winter, yet it didn't seem to touch her. The icy air bit at her exposed skin but didn't freeze her as it did the rest of the swamp.

Winter glanced over her shoulder. "After thousands of years of experience rotting in this swamp, I have managed to hone my magic greatly."

Sera's eyes widened in shock. "Thousands of years? You lived in this place for that long?"

"I had only lived for four years in the material world. And if you are not careful, you will share the same fate."

"How could you have only lived for four years in the material world?"

Winter raised a hand, signaling for Sera to be silent. She glanced around, looking around the darkened swamp with a wary gaze. "We should move to somewhere safer."

Eventually, Winter stopped in front of what appeared to be a wall of ice. With a dismissive wave of her hand, the ice shimmered and parted, revealing an entrance to a cave made entirely of glistening ice.

Sera hesitated at the threshold, her instincts warning her against stepping into the unknown. "Are you certain this is safe?"

Winter turned to face her. "Of course it is. Just step inside."

Taking a deep breath, Sera stepped into the cave. The interior of the cave was filled with furniture made of intricately carved ice filled the space: a grand table, elegant chairs, and even a few shelves adorned with frozen trinkets. The air inside was cold but oddly comforting, the oppressive stench of the swamp replaced by a crisp chill.

In the center of the room stood a table with a chessboard, the pieces differentiated by one set being a darker shade of ice while two chairs sat opposite each other. Winter sat down in one of the chairs and gestured for Sera to join her. "Sit, let us play a game."

Sera's eyes widened in disbelief. "You said we don't have much time. Why are we playing chess?"

Winter's gaze was steely, her voice carrying an edge of pride. "I set up the chessboard to teach you something important. Trust me, start playing."

Reluctantly, Sera took a seat and began to move her pieces. As the game progressed, it became clear that Winter was a master of the game. Sera, despite her best efforts, found herself struggling to keep up as it only took a few moves before Winter had her in checkmate.

Sera frowned. "Why am I losing so easily? I've managed to get the hang of chess quickly before."

Winter's lips curled into a cold, condescending smile. "Where do you think you received your chess abilities from?"

"What do you mean?"

"I cannot reveal much, but you should know this: you are not the first elder dryad created by the Spirit Tree. And if you're not careful, you won't be the last."

"How many elder dryads has the Spirit Tree created, excluding the abominations in the swamp?"

Winter chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. "I never intended to count the living failures in the first place. However, there have been four elder dryads before you. You are the fifth."

"Do you know who the other three are?"

"You will meet them in due time."

"Like you, I was created by the Spirit Tree to restore balance to the world. I destroyed mortal empires, fought off armies, and spread the influence of the Spirit Tree. My power was as unmatched as my purpose was clear."

"But what happened to you?" Sera asked.

Winter's gaze hardened, her voice turning bitter. "In the fourth year after my creation, when most of the mortal empires had fallen, I simply died."

Sera's breath caught in her throat. "How did it happen?"

Winter's expression was unreadable. "I cannot tell you how. Only that it was sudden and unexpected. Every other elder dryad after me has experienced the same fate, which will likely include yourself if you're not careful."

"How can I prevent this inevitable death, then?"

"You must continue to become stronger, strong enough to defeat the foe that has been with you from the very beginning."

"Are… you not referring to the mortal races?"

"No, I am not."

"Then who or what is this enemy and how can I defeat it?" Sera asked.

But Winter sighed and shook her head. "Unfortunately, as much as I wish to tell you, I cannot."

"What was the point of this entire conversation if you aren't going to say anything useful?"

"Calm yourself. You will likely forget this entire conversation when you leave the swamp. However, all I hope to do is plant the seeds of doubt in your subconscious, so that hopefully, in the future, you will remember what you need to do."

Sera stared at Winter, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Doubt, frustration, fear, and a flicker of hope all churned within her. The idea that she might forget this conversation was infuriating, but the possibility that some part of it might stay with her gave her a strange sense of reassurance.

Winter rose from her chair, the ice beneath her feet cracking softly. "We must move on. There is still much for you to learn, and time is not on our side."

Sera moved to follow Winter, her steps cautious on the icy floor. Suddenly, the ground shook violently, causing her to stagger. She grasped the edge of the table for support. "What's happening?"

Winter's eyes flashed with urgency. "Run!"

Before Sera could react, black roots burst out of the icy floor, impaling Winter through the chest and stomach. The elder dryad's eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening in a silent scream as the dark tendrils twisted and coiled around her.

More roots erupted from the ground, snapping and thrashing like serpents. Sera didn't need further urging. She turned and fled while the icy ground splintered beneath her feet. The cave echoed with the sounds of Winter's strangled gasps and the violent thrashing of the roots.

As she burst out of the cave and into the swamp, the foul stench of decay hit her senses again. She forced herself to focus, the terror in her heart driving her forward. The ground trembled beneath her, and she could hear the distant roars of the abominations.

Sera moved quickly but cautiously. She ducked behind gnarled trees and crouched low in the dense foliage, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

She paused behind a particularly thick tree, peering around it to survey her surroundings. In the distance, she saw the shadowy forms of the abominations, their antlered heads darting back and forth as they searched for her. Sera held her breath as she waited for them to move on.

When the creatures finally moved away silently on the frozen ground. The portal was still some distance away, and she knew she had to be careful. One wrong move could give away her position. And I'm still not confident that I can take on any of those abominations myself.

A sudden crack behind her made her freeze. She turned her head slowly, her eyes scanning the darkness. One of the abominations was moving closer, its antlers glinting in the faint light. Sera pressed herself against the tree and hoped for the best.

The creature paused, its head tilting as if listening. Sera's heart raced, her mind racing on trying to figure out a way to distract it. When the abomination took a step closer, Sera reached out with her magic, coaxing the nearby roots to shift and create a distraction.

The roots responded sluggishly, but it was enough. They rustled and cracked, drawing the abomination's attention. The creature turned its head, and Sera took the opportunity to slip away, moving as quickly as she could.