Marshmallow eyed the floating virtual screen before his eyes with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The optional quest presented to him was no small matter and what bothered him most was the mention of:

Threat level: high*

So SonicEcho had been swept away like a twig. The Grimgoat was free, and its wrath could decimate the entire forest. If Marshmallow were to face it again, he would do well to pray.

“What is this stuff?” Marshmallow asked, turning to the satyr Eilana. “It tells me I have a new quest.”

Eilana addressed Marshmallow with great solemnity. “Stranger, you have been chosen to bring peace to the Satyr Forest. Once we were not like this; we were a thriving society. We were a people.”

Marshmallow raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite his awareness that it was a fiction of the game. “Oh, really? What is it about? I'd like to know.”

Eilana gazed at Marshmallow with eyes that seemed to contain centuries of untold history. With a sigh that seemed to make the leaves around them tremble, she began her story.

“I will tell you of ancient times when our Ashenwood was known to all as the Satyr Forest. A lush place, full of joy and serenity, of celebration and abundance. Not a place of shadows and fear. Our realm was governed by two figures as beloved as they were wise: Aelondir, the king of the Satyrs, and Luminara, the queen of the Satyrs.”

Marshmallow listened, his curiosity hanging on the solemnity of Eilana's voice. Something in the way the story was told struck him deeper than he would have liked to admit.

“Aelondir, whose name means 'He who sings through the night,' was a king like no other. His voice not only enchanted every creature of the forest but also united our scattered tribes, making us all feel part of one great herd. And Queen Luminara, 'She who shines through the day,' was our light and our guide. Her wisdom and her beauty were our hope in times of darkness.”

Eilana paused, and Marshmallow took the opportunity to interrupt. “A beautiful story. But this story has its drama, right?”

Eilana nodded, and her face became shadowed by a veil of sadness. “Among us was a Satyr, Serthar, later known as 'the envious.' Despite being one of us, his heart craved power and control, not peace and harmony. Jealous of the king and the love our people had for the queen, Serthar lost himself to dark desires.”

“The classic power envious,” Marshmallow commented with a nod, anticipating the narrative's turn. Somehow, such a story wasn't new to him. He knew well that all these stories were inspired by the real world. Not a particularly original story, but one that conveys a sense of reality.

“Exactly,” Eilana confirmed. “In his quest for power, he summoned the Miasma, a dark and malevolent mist. He tried to subjugate us all, but the Miasma proved to be an untamable entity. In a desperate act to save what he loved, Aelondir faced the Miasma but was consumed by the darkness and transformed into what we now call the Grimgoat. Since then, the entire forest has changed. Now, at night, the animals of the forest become zombified versions of themselves, prey to the chaos and darkness.”

“A truly tragic ending,” Marshmallow said in a somewhat respectful tone. His expression darkened for a moment as if reflecting on a personal loss before he shook his head to dispel the thoughts. “So let me get this straight, that strange gray fog I found out there would be the Miasma?”

Eilana shook her head. “What you see is but the remnants of the Miasma. Once it was dark, poisonous, and toxic. Thanks to King Aelondir’s intervention, it’s now gray and turbid air, but at least breathable. A remnant of what the Miasma once was.”

“Oh, I see,” Marshmallow replied. But Eilana hadn’t finished her story yet. She continued immediately.

“And Luminara, with the help of us satyrs, followed the ancient writings of Ezechiel the Sage. We managed to imprison the Grimgoat, hoping to one day find a way to free Aelondir from its curse. But the price was high; now we lie here, trapped among the roots of the Shining Tree, our sacred tree.”

“And now it's my turn, you're going to tell me,” Marshmallow said, guessing where his mission began.

“Exactly.,” Eilana replied. “The Grimgoat has awakened, and you have been chosen. If you can restore peace to the Satyr Forest, the Treasure of the Satyrs will be yours.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Treasure? What is it?” Marshmallow asked with great curiosity. Surely it would be a worthy prize. But Eilana shook her head.

“Unfortunately, I cannot tell you, stranger.” She admitted with a spent tone. “You must ask Queen Luminara herself. You must find her and ask her. It's the only way. She is the key to stopping the Grimgoat and restoring peace.”

“Tsk. A mystery box.” Marshmallow scowled, crossing his arms and grumbling. “And where can I find this queen?”

“Follow the flow,” Eilana said, pointing the way. “It will guide you through the labyrinth of roots to her.”

Marshmallow's hands rose in the air. With a soft voice, almost a whisper, she began a chant that seemed like an ancient melody of the Satyrs of the forest. The words were incomprehensible, but her voice was like the flow of a river: powerful and clear.

The leaves around them began to vibrate, and a faint aura of light emanated from them, converging on Eilana's hands. Marshmallow watched in surprise as the light condensed into a solid form.

“Legends speak of a light that guides the lost,” Eilana said, her chant now a fading whisper. “A light that shines brightest when the path is true.”

With these words, the light fully materialized into an intricate lantern, with engravings that seemed to tell stories of ancient Satyr heroes. The lantern detached from Eilana's hands, hovering in the air for a moment before gently settling into the outstretched hands of Marshmallow.

“This is the Lantern of Flow.” Eilana's eyes shone with reflected light. “It will guide you, but only if you remain true to the path. You must promise to use it to find Queen Luminara and restore peace to our forest.”

Marshmallow, still surprised by the gift and the way it had been conjured, nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility now upon him. “I didn't expect to receive a gift,” He replied, trying to sound light but betrayed by a hint of reverence.

“It's not a gift.” Eilana corrected. “It is a pact. The lantern will help you, but in return, you must help us. It is the way of the forest, the fair exchange of gifts and promises.”

With the lantern now firmly in his hand, Marshmallow felt a new determination surge through him. The light inside the lantern pulsed softly as if it had a heartbeat of its own, synchronized with the river running beneath their feet.

“Observe, stranger.” Eilana continued, her voice now carrying the weight of an ancient command, a power long forgotten. “The flow is life, is guidance, is the path you must follow. Use it wisely, and it will protect you from danger and show you the way.”

Marshmallow studied the lantern, its engraved surface reflecting light in ways that suggested paths and passages. The way the light inside moved and undulated seemed to indicate its own will, an intelligence that could guide him through the roots and hidden dangers of the Shining Tree's underground labyrinth.

“And if I should... deviate from the path?” Marshmallow asked softly, aware of the temptations he might encounter.

“Then the light will fade, and with it your protection,” Eilana replied, her tone brooking no argument. “The forest rewards those who respect its flow, but it will not forgive those who are swayed by greed.”

Marshmallow watched the river as it flowed down the slope. He noticed that it was liquid, viscous. He crouched down and scooped it up in his hands, noting its honey-like consistency.

Eilana said this river is life... and I'm still starving. I haven't put anything in my mouth yet. But could it be that this river, or whatever she calls it, is edible?

Without a second thought, Marshmallow tasted the river. Yes, it tasted like honey, but it also had a hint of mint and cherry. A real treat for the palate. Marshmallow felt instantly invigorated.

Eilana watched as Marshmallow enjoyed the flow. At first, he wanted to limit himself to a small sip, but as the sweetness of the nectar touched his tongue, his eyes lit up with insatiable desire. Hunger, a constant and often relentless companion, made its presence known, and Marshmallow prepared to drink more.

“Marshmallow.” Eilana stopped him, calling him by his nickname. Her voice was calm but firm, a sweet command that was expected to be obeyed. “That's enough. I know your body craves more nourishment, but you must resist. The flow is powerful and healing, but in large amounts, it can harm rather than help. It's a massive concentration of life, and an excess can lead to poisoning. You must use it very sparingly.”

Marshmallow halted, his hand still wrapped around the lantern, the pulsing flow against his lips. He was a soldier, accustomed to commands and discipline, and his iron will prevail over hunger. With a sigh, he put down the lantern. Did he think it would be that easy? Marshmallow felt revitalized but was still starving.

“You will find more suitable food and water deeper inside.” Eilana continued. “Food that will satisfy your body without risk.”

With a nod of acknowledgment, Marshmallow thanked Eilana. “Then I'll continue. And I'll be cautious. See you soon!”

As Marshmallow set off, the thought of the food that awaited him buzzed in his mind almost as loudly as the hunger in his stomach. Eilana had promised he would find sustenance in the depths of the Shining Tree, and for a soldier used to surviving in the most extreme conditions, that promise was a beacon in the dark. “The mission comes first!” He reminded himself, of the discipline that had always distinguished him.

With the lantern of flow in hand, Marshmallow began the descent, the light cutting through the darkness like a sword. Now and then, the light revealed dark figures moving with quick jerks in the shadows: the Evolveroach. The sight of these creatures sent a cold shiver up his spine.

“Damn. These bastards are everywhere.” Marshmallow muttered. “Wonder if they’re edible?”