Allister wandered barefoot through the forest, his feet brushing against the soft grass with ease. The plants around him seemed to part, creating a path for him to follow. It was like the forest was alive and moving with him, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe.
His body felt young and strong, and he reveled in the feeling of being fit and healthy. As he walked, he felt a tug in his heart, a pull towards something unknown. He didn't know where he was going or what he was looking for, but he had to keep moving.
The forest was alive with sounds he had never heard before. Strange bird calls echoed through the trees, and curious creatures with large, round eyes peered at him from the undergrowth. He had never seen anything like them before, and they seemed unafraid of him.
Allister had stopped to marvel at the creatures, and even ran a gentle hand over their backs. They chirped happily in response, and scampered away to continue their search for food. It was a strange interaction, one that he couldn't explain. Perhaps this place was so secluded that the animals knew nothing of humans, or perhaps there was something else at play.
As he continued his journey, Allister couldn't shake the feeling that he was no longer human. His body was different, his senses heightened, and he wondered what he had been turned into. The forest seemed to hold the answers, and he felt compelled to explore every inch of it until he found them.
Allister reached a large tree in a big clearing. It was old and had an absolutely enormous crown. Everything in this forest was different from what he knew, but still, it felt so familiar and right to him, and this large tree was no different. The trunk seemed to twist, and it had a huge amount of branches.
For a time, he just stood there in awe, but he felt that strange tugging again and moved close to the large roots. As he reached the tree, he put a hand on the trunk and felt a jolt of something. It wasn’t electricity, but it was definitely energy of some kind. It wasn’t uncomfortable, though, and on instinct, he closed his eyes to focus on it.
A voice, small at first but slowly growing in strength, spoke in his mind. “Ah...a young Dryad! We have been waiting for you.” Allister had only recently spoken to what he suspected was some kind of benevolent god, so a talking tree was not exactly shocking at this point.
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“Greetings old tree, I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” Allister said, feeling a little nervous as he addressed the towering tree before him. The tree seemed to vibrate with pleasure, and Allister wondered if it could sense his anxiety. “Such manners, and from one so young too. Dryad children are usually mischievous and rude. What is your name, little one?”
Allister was taken aback by the tree's words. He was no longer a child, but an old man who had been given a new life. However, he supposed that to a tree of this size and age, he might as well be a mere sapling. “My name is Allister,” he said, “I am a newcomer here, so I can't say much about other...Dryads...Is that what I am?”
The tree seemed to shake with amusement. “You are indeed a dryad, little one. We see you as you are, we know you as true as you know yourself. Allister was your old name, but this is not the old you anymore. A new name must be given. Will you allow us to bestow a name?”
Allister was hesitant at first, but he felt that a new name might help him shed his old self and fully embrace his new life. “I would be honored to receive a name from you,” he said.
The tree seemed delighted, and a large purple fruit fell to the ground next to him. Allister jumped in surprise at the unexpected sound. “This is an Arcadian Bloomberry,” the tree explained, “eat it, and then we will proceed.”
Allister inspected the fruit, which was about the size of a large orange and had smooth, purple skin. He took a bite and was immediately hit with an explosion of sweet and tart flavors. It was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. He devoured the rest of the fruit, feeling a sense of wellness and energy spreading throughout his body.
Once he had finished, he put his hand on the tree, which began to vibrate and speak once again. “I am glad you enjoyed it, dear. Now, for your name. We have decided to name you Calanthir.”
Allister felt a jolt of energy rush through him as he heard his new name. It wasn't a physical sensation, but rather a feeling that a part of him had been rearranged to better suit his new identity. He let out a breath of air and smiled, strangely feeling a bit more at home in this strange new world.
“We welcome you to Mystral, Calanthir,” the tree said, vibrating with pleasure. “We are the spirit of Arcadia, the ruler of this forest. We are pleased to welcome you as a denizen here.”
Calanthir smiled. “I was brought here as a caretaker, dear spirit, to provide any assistance that I can.”
“We know,” the tree replied. “But for now, you must simply live, Calanthir. Eat the fruits of this tree and grow stronger. There are no longer any dryads in Arcadia, so we will teach you in their stead. There is much to learn.”