It started out light, barely noticeable, but as she continued to ignore it, it grew louder and more persistent.

"Miss Mira? Miss Mira, they sent me to wake you up!"

It was one of the newer guild members, no doubt. They always sent the newbies to wake her, probably thinking it was some kind of rite of passage. Mira groaned, her face half-buried in the book she had fallen asleep on. Last night’s late study session had once again gotten the better of her. She’d been pouring over an ancient tome on Greythorn Forest until her eyes couldn’t take it anymore, and now the telltale crick in her neck reminded her she had passed out at her desk again. Her tea sat cold, untouched beside her.

"Coming..." she muttered, but the pages of the book muffled her voice still pressed against her cheek.

The knocking continued.

"Miss Mira? Please, they told me to make sure you’re up."

With a dramatic sigh, Mira pushed herself upright, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She stretched, spine cracking in a way that made her wince, but the discomfort quickly faded as she gathered herself.

"Yes, yes, I’m awake!" she called out, though barely loud enough for the apprentice to hear.

There was a pause, and then, timidly, the door creaked open. A young apprentice peeked inside, his face an apologetic mix of nerves and discomfort. He looked as though he expected a fireball to be hurled at him for disturbing her.

“They sent me to make sure you were ready for the meeting, miss,” he said, looking like he’d rather be elsewhere.

Mira waved him off, already pulling her black and silver hair into two messy pigtails atop her head. “Yeah, yeah, tell them I’m up. Go on, I’ll be down soon enough.”

The apprentice nodded eagerly, backing out of the room and shutting the door behind him, clearly relieved to escape unscathed. Mira smiled faintly at the exchange. She was known for being a bit... intense, especially after long nights spent studying. The poor apprentices didn’t know what to make of her. Turning back to her desk, Mira looked at the scattered notes and books piled high. Her eyes brightened as she remembered why she had stayed up so late.

Greythorn Forest.

She had been reading about its unique flora and ancient magical properties, and the mere thought of exploring such a place made her heart race with excitement.

But first, she had to get ready.

With a flick of her wrist, she summoned the stack of books she had been studying last night. They floated up into the air, hovering in front of her as she got to her feet. She snapped her fingers again, and one of the larger tomes flipped open, its pages turning slowly as if on command.

She moved gracefully across the room, still rubbing her eyes and yawning, but her magic was already at work. While she padded over to the washbasin to brush her teeth, one of the books followed her, the pages flipping automatically as she skimmed through them. She could read and get ready at the same time—an art she had mastered through many late nights of studying and early mornings of hasty preparations.

Mira grabbed her toothbrush, still reading from the corner of her eye. "The Lumanis Bloomer—found deep within Greythorn’s borders, known for inducing hallucinations..." she muttered to herself through a mouthful of toothpaste. “Fascinating…”

Her attention was divided between her grooming routine and the floating book, but it didn’t stop her from moving with practiced efficiency. She spit into the basin and turned to her vanity, where several objects had already begun organizing themselves in the air. A hairbrush hovered, untangling her dark locks as another spell she’d cast from muscle memory floated her under skirts toward her.

She grinned as she muttered to herself. “If I didn’t have magic, I’d be late for everything.”

Her next task was summoning her little helper. With a wave of her hand and a few whispered words, a soft pop echoed through the room. Out of thin air, a small pink piglet appeared on the floor, its golden eyes twinkling as it looked up at her with eager expectation.

"Morning, Pip!" Mira chirped, bending down to scratch behind the piglet’s ears. Pip oinked in response, tail wagging happily.

Mira waved her hand, summoning a tiny leather harness that floated toward Pip. The piglet stood patiently as the harness settled around him, a small hook hanging from the back where a plate could easily be secured.

“Alright, Pip,” Mira spoke, giving him a playful wink. “You know what to do. Go fetch me breakfast!”

With a squeal of excitement, Pip scurried out of the room, tiny hooves tapping against the wooden floor as he disappeared down the hallway. Mira smiled to herself. Pip was her best little helper, always fetching her meals while she took care of other matters.

Now, back to getting dressed.

Mira’s room was a chaotic flurry of floating clothes, books, and magical energy. She had long since stopped trying to maintain a semblance of order, preferring to let the magic do its work as she bounced around the room.

As she laced up her corset, she hummed softly to herself, fingers working quickly through the delicate ties. Her mind was already racing through the day’s events.

Greythorn Forest. How long had she been waiting for this opportunity? To finally see the forest she had studied for so many years, to uncover its secrets firsthand. A soft knock came at the door, and then it creaked open without waiting for permission.

“Mira?” Thivian’s voice called, just as his familiar figure stepped into the room. His eyes, however, immediately widened in horror, and he quickly spun around, facing the door instead of Mira.

“Uh, sorry—I didn’t realize you weren’t dressed,” Thivian stammered, voice higher than usual.

Mira looked down at herself. She was in the process of pulling her skirt up over her long, pale legs, not even halfway dressed, but it didn’t bother her. She raised an eyebrow, amusement tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Thiv, you’ve seen me in worse states. It’s just a skirt."

Thivian groaned, keeping his gaze firmly locked on the door. “Yes, but it’s about decency, Mira.”

She laughed, pulling the skirt up the rest of the way and smoothing it over her hips. “Alright, alright. I’m decent now, you prude.”

Thivian cautiously turned around, scales still slightly flushed but more at ease now that she was fully clothed. He took a deep breath, clearing his throat before speaking.

"They found someone. For the mission. A rogue."

Mira’s eyes lit up, her excitement practically radiating off of her. “Really?! It’s happening?! They found someone?”

Thivian nodded, smiling at her enthusiasm. “Yeah. He’s supposed to be one of the best. From what I’ve heard, he’s well known for his abilities.”

Mira beamed, clapping her hands together as her books floated back into their neat stacks on the shelf. She twirled around her room, summoning various supplies and potions to pack into her satchel. She gathered up vials of herbs, small crystals, and a few old scrolls, all floating into her bag as she moved around the room in a frenzy.

Stolen story; please report.

“Oh, this is going to be amazing, Thiv!” she exclaimed, dancing over to her desk and summoning her map of Greythorn. “The forest is full of ancient magic. There are creatures there we’ve only ever read about, plants with properties we’ve never seen in person—this is the opportunity of a lifetime!” She stuffed the map into her satchel with a satisfied grin. "I can’t wait to meet him!"

Thivian chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. “Don’t get too excited. You might scare him off with all that energy.”

Mira scoffed, waving her hand dismissively as she stuffed more potions into her bag. “Oh, please. He’ll be fine. I’m sure he’s dealt with worse than an excitable scholar.”

Thivian smiled, watching as she twirled around the room, her magic effortlessly arranging her belongings for the trip ahead. He had always admired Mira’s ability to make everything seem so effortless, even when she was multitasking half a dozen things at once. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and despite his usual cautious nature, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of excitement himself.

Pip returned just then, the plate of breakfast perfectly balanced on his back as he trotted into the room. Mira squealed with delight, picking up the plate and lid while giving Pip a gentle pat on the head. “Thank you, Pip! You’re the best little helper.”

Pip oinked in response, his tail wagging furiously as he scurried back to his corner.

Thivian raised an eyebrow at the magical piglet, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sometimes I wonder how you manage to run an entire guild room with enchanted creatures like him.”

Mira grinned, taking a bite of bread. “It’s all about balance. Magic and practicality.” She chewed thoughtfully, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “When do I get to meet him? The rogue, I mean.”

Thivian shrugged. “Later today. I’ll come find you when he gets here. Shouldn’t be too long now.”

Mira nearly jumped in place, practically vibrating with energy. “I can’t wait! This mission is going to be incredible. Just think of everything we could discover!”

Thivian smiled, amused by her boundless excitement. “Just... try not to overwhelm him, alright? He’s all business from what I’ve heard.”

Mira waved him off, still buzzing with excitement. "Oh, we’ll get along just fine. Don’t worry."

As Thivian turned to leave, Mira spun around the room, her mind already racing through everything she needed to do before meeting the rogue. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for. The chance to explore Greythorn Forest firsthand, to see all the wonders she had only ever read about.

And she had a feeling this was only the beginning of something much bigger.

Mira rushed down the narrow hallway, her boots clacking against the wooden floors at a hurried pace. The energy bubbling inside her was barely contained, her excitement making it impossible to walk slowly. She had been waiting for this moment for what felt like forever—the Greythorn Forest expedition, the one mission that could unlock the secrets she had studied for years about her history.

And now, with a well-known rogue on board, it was finally happening.

As she reached the wide archway leading into the guild’s main room, the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced meat hit her, and the low hum of conversation greeted her pointed ears. The guild was always bustling in the morning, a constantly circulating group of adventurers, scholars, mages, and warriors—each on the brink of their next incredible journey. Some were gearing up for life-changing quests, while others were returning from them, sharing stories of far-off lands, magical creatures, and perilous battles over breakfast.

Mira loved the chaos of it all. She thrived on it.

Every one of these guild members, whether novice or seasoned veteran, had the potential to change the world. She had long since accepted that her role wasn’t to be one of those legendary figures—someone whose name would be written in the legends of history.

Not with her heritage. Not with the stigma that followed her wherever she went. But she could help others. She could guide them, teach them, push them toward greatness.

She stepped into the room, her plate from earlier balanced carefully in her hands, and scanned the tables for a spot. The main room was always a mix of organized disarray—long wooden tables scattered with maps, parchment, and half-eaten meals. People dashed from one group to the next, exchanging information and preparing for their respective missions. The noise was comforting to Mira, a steady hum of life and excitement.

“There she is!” A booming voice called from one of the tables near the center of the room. It was Korwin, one of the more prominent guild members—an axe-wielding brute of a man with a heart as soft as his biceps were hard. He grinned widely as Mira approached, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Heard you’ve got a big mission coming up. Finally gettin’ out from behind those books, eh?”

Mira rolled her eyes but smiled, setting her plate down on the edge of the crowded table. "Yes, Korwin, I’ll finally be joining the ‘real world’ of adventurers." She slid into the seat beside him, plate barely squeezing into the tight space.

“Well, it's about time,” Korwin chuckled. “Thought you might turn into one of those dusty books you’re always reading.”

Mira laughed softly, pushing a piece of bread into her mouth. Around her, the chatter continued, the noise growing louder as more guild members packed into the room. The morning meetings were always lively, with the guildmasters walking among the tables, assigning tasks, handing out assignments, and fielding questions from eager adventurers.

The conversations at her table flowed freely—about upcoming missions, recent successes, and the challenges ahead. Mira joined in, chatting with the others as they discussed everything from magical traps to navigating the dangerous roads through the northern reaches. It was precisely the kind of disorganized preparation that the guild thrived on.

Across from her sat Tamsin, a fellow scholar fascinated by magical artifacts. She was surrounded by scrolls, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she explained the intricacies of a new protective ward she had just developed. Next to Tamsin was Revek, a ranger constantly preparing for his next expedition, fletching arrows even as he spoke animatedly about tracking techniques.

"Are you ready for it, Mira?" Revek asked between fletches. He raised an eyebrow as he glanced at her. "The Greythorn Forest isn’t exactly a stroll through the countryside."

Mira took a bite of her breakfast, pausing before answering. "I've been studying Greythorn for years. I know it’s dangerous, but that’s part of why I want to go. There’s so much untapped knowledge there—plants, beasts, ancient magic." She leaned forward, eyes lighting up as she spoke. "The forest is alive with magic that predates even our oldest records. Who knows what we could find?"

Revek nodded, his hands still deftly working on his arrows. "True, but I hope you’re prepared for the reality of it. The Greythorn isn’t just some educational playground. There are dangers there that we can’t even begin to understand."

Korwin chimed in, voice as booming as ever. "That’s why she’s got that rogue with her, right? I heard he’s top-notch. Should be able to keep her out of trouble."

Mira grinned, practically vibrating with excitement again. "Yes! He’s supposed to be one of the best. I’m meeting him later today, and I can’t wait to see what he’s like. We’ll need someone with his skills to get through the forest safely."

Tamsin, who had been listening quietly up until now, leaned in with a knowing smile. "I’ve heard a lot about this rogue. Word is, he’s a bit of a lone wolf. Doesn’t usually take on missions with a group."

"Sounds like a challenge," Mira said, her smile widening at the thought. "I like him already."

Revek chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he focused on his arrows again. "Just don’t scare him off, Mira. Not everyone can handle your... enthusiasm."

"Oh, please. I’m sure we’ll get along just fine. Besides, I’m not that overwhelming."

A few heads around the table turned at that, raised eyebrows, and amused glances exchanged between the guild members. Mira’s reputation for intense eagerness and boundless energy was well known among them.

“Sure, you’re not,” Korwin teased, smirking as he took a large bite of his bread. “Just keep from jumping into the middle of the forest before he’s had a chance to even look at a map, alright?”

Mira rolled her eyes again but couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at her lips. "I’ll behave. Mostly."

The Greythorn Forest was more than just another dangerous place. It was an enigma, a living relic of a time long forgotten. The trees themselves were rumored to whisper ancient secrets, and the magic that seeped from its soil was as unpredictable as it was powerful. The forest could swallow entire groups whole, and the few who had ventured in and returned spoke of strange phenomena—visions, redirecting topography, and creatures that defied all known classifications.

The possibilities were endless. This mission wasn’t just about getting through the forest—it was about discovery. It was about unlocking secrets that had been hidden for centuries.

And she had every intention of uncovering them.

A voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Thivian was back, his snouted face appearing just over the heads of the other guild members.

"Mira! The rogue just arrived. The guild master wants to see you both to go over the details."

She stood up so quickly that she almost knocked over her plate, excitement bubbling up all over again.

“This is it!” she squealed, clapping her hands together.

Korwin, Revek, and the others watched her with amused expressions, shaking their heads but smiling nonetheless. As she hurried toward the door, a chorus of well-wishes followed her.

“Don’t scare him off, Mira!”

“Good luck!”

“Bring us something cool from the forest!”