The deeper I walked into the forest, the more I realized how not prepared I was for this whole "adventurer" thing. I had expected your usual fantasy stuff—sword fights, magical creatures, maybe some quick conversations with gods or demigods, or whatever—but not this. I was lost, starving, and surrounded by trees that looked like they had been standing for centuries, watching everything around them.
I glanced around, trying to make sense of the forest. It wasn't like anything I had read about in the scrolls. The trees towered high above, their trunks thick and twisted, with vines hanging from their branches like serpents waiting to strike. The ground was soft and damp, and the air was thick with an unfamiliar scent—earthy, like the forest was alive, and yet... ancient.
"Well, this is great," I muttered to myself, brushing some dirt off my robe. "At this rate, I'll be lucky if I don't get eaten by the first monster that looks at me wrong."
Pushing through thick underbrush, I kept moving, trying to ignore the gnawing hunger in my stomach. The forest seemed to stretch on forever, with no end in sight. I was starting to regret my decision to wander in without any solid plan.
Just as I was about to give up and turn back, I heard something—soft and playful, not like the wind, but definitely a voice.
"You're lost."
I spun around, my heart racing, instinctively reaching for something—anything—I could use as a weapon.
Standing among the glowing trees was a woman. She was beautiful, no doubt about it. Her long hair cascaded down her back like the flow of a waterfall, and her eyes sparkled the color of spring leaves. She wore a cloak made of leaves and vines, which seemed to shimmer in the dim light as if they were a part of the forest itself.
"Uh, hi," I stammered, too loudly, a little caught off guard by her sudden appearance. "I'm just... lost."
She tilted her head slightly, observing me with an almost playful gaze. "I can see that. A dark elf wandering through my forest. Unwise, don't you think?"
I puffed out my chest, trying to look more confident than I felt. "I'm not just a dark elf, you know. I'm a very strong one. And I've got a lot of potential. You should see me with a sword."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "I'm sure."
I shifted uncomfortably, trying to regain some dignity. "Alright, alright. I'm new here, alright? But I've been through some tough situations. So, uh… yeah."
She smiled at my awkwardness, clearly entertained by my fumbling. "The forest can be tricky for newcomers. It's not just trees and flowers here. But perhaps you'll learn quickly."
"Oh, I'm sure I will," I said, nodding like I understood. "That's... important work, I guess."
"I don't control it. I simply ensure it stays balanced."
"Right," I nodded again, trying not to sound completely clueless. "Balance. Got it."
She studied me for a long moment, her eyes twinkling. "But you didn't come all this way just to ask about me, did you?"
I hesitated. "Well, no, actually. I'm trying to find Veldora's cave. You know, the Storm Dragon? I figured he might have some answers for me."
Her expression shifted, a mix of incredulity and amusement. "Veldora?" she asked, her voice taking on a slightly different tone. "You want to find him?"
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Yeah, I've heard he's got answers. And honestly, I'm kind of running out of options here."
She studied me carefully, her gaze piercing as if trying to read the very essence of my being. "You're either very brave... or very foolish."
"I like to think of myself as brave," I said, grinning nervously. "But yeah, I've heard it's a dangerous journey. It's all part of the deal."
She let out a soft, amused laugh. "You have no idea what you're stepping into, do you?"
"Hey, I didn't come all the way here to back down now. I've gotten through some tough situations. So, uh… yeah."
With a knowing smile, she continued, "If you're serious, head toward the northern cliffs. Veldora resides deep within. But be cautious—this is no ordinary cave."
"Yeah, thanks for the warning. I'll be fine. I'm used to dangerous situations."
She gave me a sly look. "I'm sure you are. But remember, not all of the forest is friendly. You may want to be... careful in your approach."
"Oh, I'm always careful," I said, though a bead of sweat rolled down my neck. "Totally careful."
She stepped closer, her smile almost teasing now. "Of course. Just don't say I didn't warn you, should things go... poorly."
I flashed her a grin. "If I get eaten by a dragon or something, I'll come back and haunt you for giving me such terribleadvice."
She laughed lightly. "I'll look forward to it, then."
With that, I turned away, heading in the direction she had indicated. The path to the cave was rugged, the forest becoming thicker with each step. The air felt charged, like a storm was brewing, though there were no clouds to be seen. It was as though the forest itself was waiting for something.
I pressed on, determined to find the cave. The ground was soft beneath my feet, and the trees around me seemed to grow even taller, their branches heavy with the weight of the forest's magic. The path was getting more treacherous, the underbrush thickening as I moved forward. I could almost feel the pulse of energy around me, like the land itself was alive and aware of my presence.
Eventually, I found it.
The cave entrance loomed before me, framed by jagged stones that seemed to hum with energy. The ground around it was covered in vines, twisted and thick, almost as if the cave was part of the forest itself. The air smelled of ozone, and I could feel a crackling sensation on my skin, like the very air was alive with magic.
I hesitated for only a moment before stepping into the cave, the darkness swallowing me whole. Inside, the air was cooler, and the soft glow of crystals embedded in the walls cast an eerie light on everything. The sound of my footsteps echoed through the cavern, and then—suddenly—a low rumble broke the silence.
A snore.
A very loud snore.
I froze, eyes widening.
There, lying sprawled out across the cavern, was a dragon. Its enormous form stretched across the stone floor, shimmering with scales that glowed with the colors of lightning. The air around it crackled with power, and I could feel the static charge building up as I cautiously approached.
The dragon's head stirred, and with a mighty yawn that shook the entire cave, its massive eyes opened.
"Did I just hear a mouse?" the dragon rumbled, its voice like thunder.
I froze, heart pounding.
"Uh... no. Definitely not a mouse," I managed to squeak out, barely keeping my composure.
The dragon's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought I might be turned to ash on the spot. But then, it tilted its head, studying me with amusement.
"Who dares to enter my domain?"