"Thorn, if you unroll yourself from that blanket, I promise the day ahead will only be mildly tedious," Elleisia's voice floated lazily across the cozy cottage, wrapped in the golden hues of dawn seeping through the windows. The cool morning breeze carries with it the earthy scent of moss and dew-kissed leaves, invigorating her senses as she stirs from her slumber.

"Mildly tedious? It is too early. I really enjoy waking at this hour," grumbled Thorn, the enchanted hedgehog, peeking out from under a heap of warm blankets. His voice was muffled, but the sarcasm was crystal clear.

With a contented sigh, Elleisia stretched languidly. Rising from her bed with graceful movements, she opened the window. "It's either that or you help me collect dewdrops to cleanse our tired eyes. And we both know how you feel about water," Ellesia smirked.

"I'd rather wrestle a skunk than bathe this early," Thorn shot back, emerging from his blanket fortress. He shuffled toward Elleisia, his quills clinking softly like tiny bells.

As the tranquility of the morning embraced them, Elleisia glanced out the window, her gaze lingering on the lush expanse of the Inner Forest. "We should visit the Mother Tree today. It's been a fortnight since our last visit."

Elleisia took a deep breath, relishing the crisp, clean air that filled her lungs. The forest was alive with the songs of birds and the chatter of woodland creatures. She absorbed the essence of her surroundings, feeling the energies around her accumulate in her body.

"Elleisia, are you awake?" She heard a deep voice from outside. Mossy, an ancient tree spirit, was already waiting with a basket hanging on one of his branches. Elleisia stepped out her window into Mossy's extended hand and landed gently on the ground. "Good morning, Elleisia. I've prepared some magical stones for your visit to the Mother Tree. And try not to dawdle; we wouldn't want the sunlight to outpace you."

Elleisia grinned, accepting the basket. "Mossy, you do realize every time you rush me, I'm tempted to move slower. It's a delicate rebellion."

Thorn came rolling down to catch up. "Wait for me!" Elleisia giggled at the sight of the sleepy familiar stretching his small feet. "I feel tired today too, Mossy," she said, hugging the Tree Spirit familiar.

"Now, now, we each have a duty to this forest. Yours is to take care of the Mother Tree every fortnight," Mossy prompted her up and handed her the basket.

"Wouldn't it be grand if I could just fly there as Aldrich does?" she recalled dreamily.

"Once you get a knack for controlling the flow of your powers perhaps, but I cannot allow what happened last time to happen again," Mossy said and a sudden stillness came between them.

Last time, over three years ago, Aldrich left for a mission, leaving her waiting at the little cottage. She was only a little girl when Aldrich left, and she could not understand why she was abandoned. She still doesn't know why today. She spent many nights in tears waiting for Aldrich's return. Mossy had felt sorry for Elleisia and ventured out of the inner forest to look for Aldrich. By the time Mossy returned, the Mother Tree had grown weak, so Mossy had no choice but to ask Elleisia to take over Aldrich's duty of Essence Healing to the Mother Tree.

At first, Elleisia did a splendid job, though she was just a child; she performed better than Aldrich, who was 3 centuries her senior. However, one day, the Mother Tree stopped talking to Elleisia, and she got worried, thinking the Mother Tree had faded away. She gave the Mother Tree an outpour of her essence, almost killing herself in the process. Her physical form could not take the outpour of magic and mana coursing through her body, and the Mother Tree almost drained all of her life energy.

"Last time," Mossy interrupted the silent atmosphere, "you try to fly, and all my leaves were blown out of my head." Mossy said, holding his head.

"But you only have so few now, a bit of wind won't make much of a difference," Elleisia pleaded prettily.

"You may not use elemental magic without me present or until Aldrich returns; he entrusted me with your safety."

"Very well, walking it is," she said with a sigh, tying her outer clothing together.

"Do not forget, Elleisia," Mossy said with a tone of finality

"Do not go beyond the Veil," the three of them chorused. They knew the warning too well because it was repeated every time they set off outside the cottage. Those were the parting words of Aldrich just before he left for his journey years ago.

"I am serious, Elleisia. I won't be here today. Now, best get going or else you'll have to walk under the Morning hour of Serenity."

"That's because the two suns are up high in the sky; the heat makes me too tired," she pouts.

"Rest assured, Thorn is with you while I am away. Your walk from here to the other side of the Sacred Grove will be a short one," Mossy patted her head.

"Thorn, do not let Elleisia out of your sight, understand?" Mossy sternly said. "As the Familiar on duty in the Inner Forest, you are the primary caretaker of her safety." He patted Thorn's spiky head.

"Yes, Sir!" Thorn responded enthusiastically. "Most importantly," Mossy highlighted specifically, "do not let her go beyond the Veil." Mossy's final reminder.

"I will return after two moons; do not worry," Elleisia hugged him longingly she felt reassured. Mossy always tells her when he plans to return. He knows it gives her comfort.

Elleisia and Thorn share a peaceful moment, basking in the serenity of their secluded sanctuary. "Imagine a day filled with nothing but this," she muses while collecting some morning dew.

Thorn, nestled in a patch of sunlight, sighs contentedly. "That's a dream that could only be improved with an endless supply of berries."

Elleisia chuckles, the sound mingling with the soft rustle of leaves. "We should probably start our day, though I'd rather stay here and plot ways to avoid our chores."

Indeed, Elleisia thought if only all mornings were this peaceful and serene. She takes 13 days to gather essence around the forest, and on the 14th day, she pours it steadily and smoothly into the Mother Tree.

If only her body could manage to outpour of more essence. It seems it has no limit in gathering essence, but manifesting it into the physical realm is something she has not yet mastered. If only Aldrich were here, he'd teach her how to do so. If Aldrich were here, she wouldn't have to make the familiars in the forest worry about her safety. Aldirch would know how to care for the Mother Tree better.

Their path took them through Seraphine Meadows, where the air was rich with the scent of blooming flowers. Here, the vibrant petals seemed to compete with the morning sky. Elleisia collected some flowers gently, placing them in her basket.

"Good morning, Elleisia," came a delicate voice as Blossom, a faerie familiar with wings like spun glass, fluttered into view. "The Mother Tree awaits your visit."

"Good morning, Blossom," Elleisia replied.

Blossom hovered closer, her glow softening. "She has been quieter these days, but your visits always seem to lift her spirits."

Elleisia nodded solemnly, her heart heavy with the weight of her responsibility. "I will do my best today, Blossom. I am sure she will return to her normal self. Maybe it's just because the cold winters in Ropiae and Chinru affect her continental roots."

"Maybe she needs just a touch more joy, and a bit less of my complaints about early mornings," Thorn added, looking at Elleisia.

As Blossom handed Elleisia a luminous fruit, she said, "Take this; it might make the morning seem less daunting." Blossom has been giving me more and more fruits since Aldrich left the Inner Forest. She too had to step up to take care of me.

Gratefully, Elleisia took the fruit, its light pulsing against her skin. "Thank you, Blossom. I am truly grateful. Would you like to join me on this visit to the Mother Tree today?"

"No I cannot today, I must return to my duties today. The fruit trees need tending to. The humans in Polenia need a bountiful harvest season after the long summer." Then Blossom fluttered off.

"Take care!" Elleisia called, placing the fruit in her basket and waving to Blossom. "We'll be in the Sacred Grove," she said.

In the Sacred Grove, ancient trees draped in moss, reached for the skies, their roots mingling with the fertile earth. Even though no one was present in the forest, Elleisia always knew and felt that life existed here. At its heart stands the majestic Mother Tree, its formidable presence surrounded by a crystal-clear lagoon reflecting the sky. Here, ancient magic and divine energy pervade, making this a revered sanctuary.

As Elleisia approached the Mother Tree, a sense of reverence washed over her, engulfing her in a wave of tranquility. As she reached the base of the Mother Tree, Elleisia knelt before its ancient roots, one by one placing the flowers and stones from her basket at the roots of the Mother Tree. Her hands gently caressed the rough bark.

"Good morning, Mother Tree. I hope you're feeling well today. The forest seems particularly vibrant and alive, doesn't it? Thorn and I took a walk through Seraphine Meadows earlier, and the flowers were in full bloom. Blossom sends her regards, by the way. She's been doing an excellent job tending to the flowers and fruit trees."

The Mother Tree remains silent, her ancient form standing tall and majestic amidst the grove.

"I've also been thinking about Mossy and the others. They're such loyal companions, always watching over me and the forest. I don't know what I would do without them."

"Why did you send Mossy to the Human's forest today? Is there a task that Deu wants accomplished? Is Aldrich ever coming back?" she asked.

"Not to worry about me, though, Thorn's been especially vigilant lately, keeping a close eye out for any potential threats. He doesn't have to, of course; I can take care of myself if only Mossy would let me use my Blessing."

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Still, the Mother Tree remains silent, her presence serene yet enigmatic.

Deeply sighing, frustrated at not hearing the Mother Tree, "I know you haven't been speaking to me, Mother Tree, as you used to these past years, but I hope you can sense the love and gratitude I feel for you and the inner forest."

Closing her eyes, she entered a state of deep meditation, her consciousness merging with the life force of the forest. Elleisia focused her mind and attuned her senses to the ancient energy of the Mother Tree. Her ancient powers of essence weaving began to manifest in the physical form as she delved deeper into her meditation. Suddenly, a bolt of an image appeared before her.

"Was that you, Mother Tree?" She asked, looking up momentarily startled. She began her meditation again, and flashes of images in her mind's eye showed images of a world beyond the forest, a world in turmoil and suffering. The images flickered and shifted, revealing scenes of destruction and despair, of forests burning and rivers polluted.

This was the first time in a long while the Mother Tree had given her any clairvoyance."Mother Tree, is this why I no longer hear you?" Elleisia whispered in a deep, painful tone. "Has your energy been used to manage all the catastrophes outside?"

The Mother Tree's branches swayed gently in response, a solemn acknowledgment of the truth Elleisia had uncovered.

"Deu, forgive me for not being dutiful to your gift to this world," she said in a whispered prayer. "If only Aldrich were here, he would be strong enough to replenish you daily. How should I help you, Mother Tree?"

Drawing upon her powers of essence weaving, Elleisia began to channel healing energy into the wounded spirit of the Mother Tree, her magic pulsating with vibrant hues of white and gold. With each weave of her essence, she felt the ancient oak respond, its spirit-stirring with renewed vitality. The wilted leaves began to become vibrant, old bark became youthful and the branches grew. As the ritual unfolded, a sense of harmony permeated the grove, filling the air with a palpable sense of peace and renewal.

Tears in her eyes, she sat in the vast forest, wondering what her next steps should be. All the magical essence she had gathered over the past fortnight had diminished to a fraction of its original form. "What now?" She looked up to the Mother Tree, hoping for answers, but Elleisia's words were met with silence.

"Dear Deu, watch over us," she said, resigned to the fates. She could do no more than this; she could not venture beyond the outer forest to find Aldrich and bring him back. She could not risk releasing all of her essence to the tree, as it could endanger her life. Despite the life of peace she enjoyed here, she had no one to turn to with this problem.

Emerging from the sacred forest's cool shadows, Elleisia basked in the hour of afternoon Echo. The sun's golden warm embrace cast her ethereal form into a soft glow. Just then, a stealthy rustle from the bushes caught her attention—a silent, agile creature lurking with poised grace. Its piercing green eyes, gleaming with intelligence and a dash of mischief, scanned the surroundings, betraying its spirited nature.

Suddenly, when Thorn let his guard down, the quiet was shattered by a thud as he and the black figure rolled and wrestled on the forest floor. With a non-chalant air Elleisia took a bite of fruit and watched amusedly as Thorn wrestled with a giant black cat.

"Echo, do not be too rough on Thorn," she chided gently, laughter tinting her voice.

"Don't worry about me, Elleisia. I've got this," Thorn grunted, his spikes bristling defiantly.

"Really, Thorn? Mossy asked you to guard Elleisia!" Echo taunted, circling the beleaguered hedgehog. His sleek, jet-black fur merged with the shadows, nearly invisible but for his glowing eyes. "You know no familiar stands a chance against stealth like mine," he boasted, dodging a playful swipe from Thorn.

Rolling her eyes, Elleisia decided to head back toward the babbling brook forest, dreaming of a refreshing soak and a long nap. But Echo, snapping out of his playful scuffle, chased after her.

"Elleisia, Pohaku is calling for you," Echo announced abruptly.

"Pohaku? Why on earth would he want to see me?" Elleisia frowned, her relaxation plans dissolving. It was unusual for Pohaku, the familiar of the mountain, to seek out anyone from the inner forest. "He insists you come quickly," Echo pressed, urgency in his voice.

"But Echo that's beyond The Veil. You know the trek to the nearest portal and then to Pohaku's realm is far away—it's no short stroll," Elleisia protested, her reluctance palpable. "He mentioned it's urgent; humans are in the outer forest."

"Humans? In the outer forest? How did they breach Pohaku's formidable walls?" Elleisia's curiosity was piqued, mixed with a twinge of alarm. "They did not break their way into the mountain again, did they?" She asked wondering.

"I'm not sure of the details, only that he asked you to come," Echo replied, his tone serious.

"Why can't you drive them off with illusion magic like we always do?"

"Because there are two groups, one that entered the eastern side and the other on the western side," Echo explained. Sighing, Elleisia abandoned her dreams of a lazy afternoon.

"Can't you go with Hae? She is best at illusion magic"

"That Phoenix is now the Familiar Guardian of Ayzia continent" Echo scoffed, "I haven't seen her since 3 years ago. Do you think she can easily fly back here and help me with a small problem" Echo said licking his paw.

"Even if she could, who would go fetch her" Echo said smirking at Thorn.

"No I don't want to go, last time you asked me to fetch her she almost burnt my bottom!" Thorn recalls.

"I knew I should have slept in some more." Elleisia resigned to the task at hand.

"Elleisia no, Mossy told you to never cross the Veil," Thorn protested.

"Yes, but Aldrich always said we must protect the inner forest from outsiders and the outsiders from the forest's dangers," she reasoned, her steps quickening. "Besides, Mossy isn't here and so is Aldrich. Echo can't possibly be in two places at once."

"And also The coincidence was too great; the Mother Tree reaching out on the same day humans wandered into forbidden territories. " Elleisia thought to herself.

"Maybe it's Aldrich coming back!" A spark of hope flickered in Elleisia's heart as she set off. "Wait for us, Aldrich! We're coming!" she whispered to the wind, her spirits buoyed by the thought of reunion.

Arriving at the Veil, the thin line separating the Inner Forest and its wilder counterpart - the Outer Forest. She eyed the boundary with a mix of reluctance and intrigue. "Why does adventure require so much walking and... venturing?" she muttered to herself, her voice echoing slightly in the stillness.

With a deep, theatrical sigh, Elleisia steeled herself, stepped over the boundary and out to the outer forest. The air here felt charged, a subtle yet unmistakable shift that tingled across her skin. As she ventured deeper, the trees seemed to lean in, their branches weaving a tapestry of shadows and whispers. The path was shrouded in mystery, each step taking her further into the realm of enchantment.

Nestled among towering trees and draped in lush greenery lay the portal to Pohaku's Mountain, ancient floor carved with magic. It pulsed with a gentle, luminous glow, the air around it vibrating with the thrum of contained power. The portal's surface danced with iridescent light, casting an ethereal spell on the grove around it. Runes and ancient symbols adorned its edges, each one pulsing with a life of its own.

Elleisia turned to her companions, her voice tinged with nerves. "Are we all ready for this?" she asked, attempting to mask her apprehension with a brisk tone.

Echo, ever the stealthy shadow, replied with a smirk in his voice, "Scared, Elle? It's not like it's your first time."

"It's not the portal that worries me," Elleisia retorted, her gaze fixed on the swirling mists. "It's doing this without Aldrich. I've never done it alone"

Gathering her magical energy, she prepared mentally for the journey. "Alright, Aldrich, here I come," she whispered, stepping in the middle to touch the ancient circle. The moment her skin made contact, a surge of energy coursed through her, enveloping her in a whirlwind of colors and sounds. Sensations flickered across her senses like sparks, overwhelming yet exhilarating.

Enveloped in a vortex of motion and sound, her senses were overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the experience. And then, just as suddenly as it began, she found herself on the other side, standing at the foot of Pohaku's Mountain with wide-eyed wonder.

"Well at least I didn't lose a tail" Elleisia commented.

"Poor Zephyr, to this day he won't travel through a portal unless he is fully recharged." Echo recalled.

The winding trail ascended through rocky outcrops and past whispering brooks, each turn revealing breathtaking views of Pohaku's mountain looming ever closer. Elleisia conserved her dwindling magical essence, focusing instead on the physical journey. Finally, after an arduous climb, she reached Pohaku's viewpoint. The ancient altar etched with mystic runes, each symbol pulsating with old magic and roots of ancient trees weaving across its entirety.

"Pohaku, I believe you need to get some stairs here," Elleisia said panting and wheezing as the greeted her with a warm, rumbling laugh.

"Elleisia, my dear, it's been ages! The last time you were here Aldrich just flew you over" Pohaku an Earth Golem boomed, enveloping her in an embrace that smelled of earth and pine. "Come drink some spring water to replenish yourself."

"Mossy forbade me to use my elemental magic unless he is present, so I am doomed to walk until he is back." Elleisia quipped, accepting the offered water from the mountain spring. The cool, clear liquid seemed to recharge not just her body but also her spirit.

"Why did you call for me Pohaku?" Elleisia asked wiping a droplet from her chin.

"Humans are in the Outer Forest!" He said as though Elleisia was told for the first time.

"How did they get pass your barrier?" She asked taking another swig of water.

Pohaku's eyes twinkled with a mixture of concern and mystery. "It was the Mother Tree's directive to let them through."

"The Mother Tree?" Elleisia is astounded by this revelation.

"He specifically asked me Open the Barrier for the Bearer of the Rune" Pohaku

"Her ways are enigmatic, but she insisted they be allowed to enter." added Echo.

"But why let them linger at the fringes of the outer forest? What if Malachar gets to them?" Elleisia's brow furrowed with worry.

"Indeed, the Mother Tree's instructions is beyond my comprehension. She didn't specify their path, only their entry. She did not further say to cast them out, lead them to the inner forest of let them linger" Pohaku explained, his voice a blend of reverence and bewilderment.

Elleisia paced a small circle, then stopped, resolution hardening her features. "Was Aldrich among them?" she asked.

"I did not see them among them, but I can sense his essence lingering in the party. Aldrich's spirit is somehow with them" Pohaku responded.

"I need to find out why. This could be his return." Elleisia's revelation. "-or something else entirely" Thorn added.

Pohaku nodded. "I am none the wiser on this but I do feel that you be cautious, Elleisia. The forest stirs with more than just their presence."

"Thank you Pohaku we will be on our way then" She bids him with a farewell hug. "Before we leave," Ellesia pauses and holds her hand in one of the roots of the tree, weaving essence and life back to it's blackened roots.

"Elleisia you needn't done that, you must be exhausted already," Pohaku says alarmingly.

"It's alright Pohaku, It's been too long since I last came here. I know it's difficult to maintain this region and maintain the outer forest walls" Elleisia says scooping up more water from the spring. "I'll just take more of this if you don't mind!"

"Yes indeed, take as much as you like." Pohaku eagerly offered. "What are your plans now?"

"Echo gather them around the river where the east and west forest meet with Illusion magic." She said as they started their trail down Pohaku's mountain.

Echo's eyes narrowed playfully. "Oh, I know you all too well. You'll turn that 'waiting' into a bathing and sleeping expedition beside the river. You'll make me do all the work running from East to West." He said holding to Elleisia's long dress not letting her take another step."

Elleisia's retort was swift, her voice teetering on mock desperation. "But I've expended so much magic already! Teleporting here, then channeling my essence to the Mother Tree—I am too tired." she said with fake pitiful eyes.

"And walking through the Outer Forest will do wonders for you, rather than just lazing by the river," Echo countered, not buying her act. "You're always leaning on your magical blessing. It's high time you develop your physical strength a bit more."

"But I've been walking all morning," Elleisia whined, her protest filled with exaggerated dismay. "My legs will resign if I push them through the entire afternoon too!"

"You can and you will. The outer forest is teeming with essence; it'll help replenish your magic," Echo stated firmly. "Honestly, you've picked up too much of that reclusive elf Aldrich's nature and Mossy's over cautiousness. He coddles you too much."

"As tempting as camping under the stars sounds, it's only two hours away from the hour of Evening Willow. Outdoor dining wasn't on my agenda today," Elleisia quipped, hoping for sympathy.

"Camping out will enhance your mysticism. It is stronger when sourced from the sun, stars, or moon. And since you detest sunbathing, a night under the stars it is," Echo reasoned logically. "I have taught you to hunt you can fend for yourself in this forest."

"I really don't want to," Elleisia lamented, her voice trailing off as they moved farther from Pohaku's viewpoint.

"Don't worry, Elleisia, I'll be right there with you. Nothing in the outer forest can scare us if I'm nearby."Echo reassured her with a grin.

"No, really, all I want is a warm bath and my bed," Elleisia sighed, resignation setting in as her hopes for a quiet evening ebbed away.

From a distance, Pohaku watched them depart, his deep voice echoing softly in the forest air, "Deu, watch over them!" He then resumed his watch at the mountain's peak, a faint smile on his lips as he shook his head at Elleisia's antics.