''How big is this fucking forest!!?'' I can't help but weirdly shout at another one of the strange critters I've encountered whilst walking through this forest. ''What am I even supposed to do, being reincarnated is just annoying.'' 

I've been walking for a few hours & I haven't found a way out of the forest yet, ''& I think that winged rabbit is mocking me....'' I glare at the small mammal as best I can, but like all the creatures in this forest, it just sniffs me for a second before scampering off (in this case flying off). 

''I wonder if there are even people here?'' not that it matters seeing as I will probably never find a way out of this damn Forest. 

Suddenly a rustling in the bushes attracts my attention, it's very faint but ever since I came here I have noticed I'm very in tune with the world around me.

''Is this another of those 'Beli' thins?'' having come across the strange creatures before I expected to see another like it, due to the faintness of the rustling in the bushes.

Silvan Elder Tree-Ent ???? Level ???? Status ????????????

''.....you ain't no weird deer'' I say to myself whilst looking at the strange 'Silvan Elder' in front of me.

I can't hide or move in time as the Silvan comes out of the Forest, he sees me as he steps out of the brush. 

He is quite rude I must say, he has been staring at me for a full five minutes. ''Hello there, Elder'' I speak first just to ease the tension.

The Elder looked at me for a moment longer before speaking ''Hello there young one....'' he spoke slowly with a deep a melodic voice, almost like...well a tree I guess.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

''Young One?? My name is Soul'' I guess I probably am young compared to this Old geezer.

''Oho, forgive me, young Soul. I am Labiru quite a pleasure meet you child'' speaking in his deep voice, he smiles at me with a soft grin, accentuating his walnut-like skin & twig beard.

''Well then, Labiru could you tell me where I am?'' hoping to get some information out of this Old man, I politely inquire as to where I am. 

''Of course young one, you are in the 'Ilu Forest' in The Forest Kingdom of Eridu.'' Labiru spoke slowly & provided quite a lot of useful information. 

''Eridu...huh'' Their naming sense is pretty good, though I can only assume 'The Forest Kingdom' implies the whole place is just Forest through & through.

Looking up at the smiling Old man, I notice he still has the same grin on his face ''Is something amusing Labiru?'' I pointedly ask.

In response, he just chuckles slightly before speaking '' I have never met someone of your kind before, The Mother usually does this in Yggdrasil.'' he doesn't seem hostile in anyway but he sure is curious.

I have to wonder if 'Yggdrasil' refers to the Yggdrasil from Norse mythology or not.

Thinking about the Information I just gained, It occurs to me that I am rather accepting of the fact that I'm quite literally talking to a tree. 

But hey, freaking out would probably be a lot worse.

''Who is Mother anyway?'' I ask Labiru, remembering his mention of her. 

He gives me an inquisitive look for a moment before answering, ''Mother is just as the name says, she is our Mother & our Guide. Mother sometimes brings Younglings into the world but I have never seen one of you appear so far away''

''Ah'' Is all I can really say after that, it seems he thinks this 'Mother' brought me into being & that I am one of these younglings. As it stands him believing this can only benefit me, after all, I don't know where I am or what I am for that matter.

''Should we go to Mother?'' I ask Labiru, he smiles softly ''Of course young Soul, we shall set off at once'' he says before turning around & walking back the way he came.

I stand there in slight shock for a moment, after all, he barely asked any questions & just turned around & started walking to this 'Mother' somewhere in this presumably enormous Forest.