Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[Flutterby]

Quincy jerked her head up at the sight of the shifter galloping towards her. Her ears pinned and her hooves danced uneasily at the unnatural sound coming from it. The crazy thing hopped onto her back and gave her a pat, like a common street pony. Displeased, her ears flattened and her head snaked upward.


With a snort, the white mare snaked her head back toward the lizard girl and snapped her teeth close to its leg. The message was clear; get off of me.

 

[Jecklyn]

Giggling, Banba let herself fall to the side, rolling on impact with the ground. When she stood up, she was full grown again, eyes wide and sparkling.


"Shall you join the adventure they are having alongside them?" She questioned, rocking back and forth on her heels. "For they have a lion man, a gryphon, humans! A dragon and a dread raven. Though why are they called 'dread' ravens? To dread something means to worry over something coming up. And I can never tell when one of her kind are going to arrive, so how can I dread it?"

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy turned her head, her ears swiveling forward to catch the being's words. With a soft glow of light, the white mare was replaced by a girl. Standing at a very average height in a plain, pale blouse and dark pants and boots, she looked about 18. Her chestnut hair was drawn up and appeared to be fastened with a bit of seaweed and a round, leather band rested around her neck. Her slim build was reminiscent of the slender mare, and her eyes contained the same odd light.


The kelpie stared at the shape-changer, her furrowed brows making it appear a glare. After a moment of consideration, she let out a quiet laugh. “Youre a few fish short of a school." She commented. Although it certainly sounded like an insult, it wasnt meant that way. “Where are they going, Banba?" She asked, ignoring the nonsense and starting to stroll a little closer to the tail end of the group.

 

[Jecklyn]

"Into the mirrors!" The lizard girl grinned excitedly. "I quite enjoy the mirrors. Such tales they tell." Skipped around, occasionally bumping into a tree made of mirrors. If the girl saw something in the reflections, she didn't let onto it.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy followed the lizard form toward the group, watching them thoughtfully. “You all do not mind the sickness here?" She inquired, suspicious of them now that she was closer. If one looked closely, they could see a few chilly droplets of water on the tops of her cheeks. She glanced at the nearest tree, wondering briefly what could be seen in them.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr tread cautiously in the forest while she watched out for Mira, making sure she was near her. The forest did not change since the last time she had the misfortune to walk under the mirror shards functioning as leaves: it was still as gloomy and as fearsome as it was before.


" The forest has nefarious power within itself. " she said as they pushed on ever so careful " However, in right hands the corruption can be abolished partially. "


She reached out for one of the mirror shards and out it in her hands. At first the darkness within the glass like leaf flinched but then her eyes flared with white light and the tiny darkness screamed as it vanished. Now in her palm lay a small sliver of the once great forest.


" The light will not keep the darkness at bay - not for long. But it can light our way should we need it for now. "


She handed the crystal to Mira, as a safety tool to blind the dark creatures with its light and abolish the mind tricks they would play on them. Still she felt something amiss. The darkness always loomed here... but it now felt smothering.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba shrugged, looking to the others.


"That is a question for those of sound mind." She said it dully, frowning for the first time since she joined the group. It was only for a second, though, and it was easy to pretend it never happened as the lizard girl lept forward, landing as a rabbit sized, white furred creature. In that form she scurried past the broken glass leaves, and up onto the big lion man's shoulder.


"Guardians are often times broken, too, you see." She said, voice high pitched as she looked back at Quincy.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo did not flinch as Banda's newly little form scurried up to his shoulder. He smiled and patted her little head with one of his fingers. The madness was no problem for him, but the others might not have the abilities needed to keep sound minds. "My offer extends to anyone who might need it. And as for my mind little one," he gestured with his finger to Banda, "Do not worry about my mind, time has strengthened y mind and this forest will not break it."

 

[Barbas]

Sensing nightfall approaching, I make my way to the entrance of the cave, waiting for the sun to go down so that I can begin hunting.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy tilted her head, puzzled by what they were saying. “And what exactly can this forest do?" She murmured, glancing around her. “Or rather, where is here? And why are you all here?" She added, including the rest of the people in her gaze. Nervously, she ran her tongue over her lips, tasting the faint salt. She caught sight of herself in the reflective surfaces around her, but there was something odd about how she looked; her reflection didn't look the same as it does in the surfaces of her favorite places.

 

[Hel]

Alexander transformed back into a tall, dark haired man with wiry muscles and deep red eyes. He watched the group, nodding when appropriate for introductions sake. He followed them into the woods. Adding a small flame of his own to help light the way. He disliked the seeping cold, but the mirrors did not show him anything he did not expect. He saw himself as a killer, a monster who consumed all he met regardless of whether or not they'd make good meals. A monster who burned cities to the ground. Everything he feared he could become, and everything others feared he was. Knowing what he would see helped him to ignore it, some. He found it best to forge ahead, shoulders back, head up, and not letting his gaze wander.


Anya had been pretty quiet, following and watching. She knew nothing of magic or magical places, so naturally she had the same questions. She tried to keep her eyes to the ground, following those in front of her in an attempt to avoid what may lie in the Mirrors.

 

[BloodThunder27]

Lost within the Forest was young expecting mother Ashley. With all these reflections, it was pretty easy to get lost. She regretted wandering too far from home. It was tough to run, walk and even stand. For extended periods of time. Since she was a little exhausted, the young Mother-to-be just sat down against a tree and tried to relax herself, so that her energy would come back a bit more quickly. Though it would be nice if someone were to find her instead. Ashley really would appreciate the company, especially since her husband died a few months ago.

 

[SilverFlight]

Leia put a hand reassuringly on Elena's shoulder. "Hey, you can do this. I think your worst enemy in this place is yourself. Nothing can hurt you here but what's in your own mind." As she glanced sideways she could see her living room through one of the mirrors. She could also see herself, and her mother...fighting. She remembered that. She had faked her dad's signature to go on a camping trip to the Adirondacks with the school. When her parents found out they were furious...rightly so she guessed, but the memory made her feel terrible, angry and helpless. She shook her head stubbornly and took hold of Anya's hand as well. "This place is just filled with a bunch of bad dreams."


Banba ran off as a pony and Leia could faintly make out another shape in the forest. The Lizard girl didn't seem threatened so she called out.


"Hey! You here to help?" Another friendly face was a welcome thing in this dark place.


Deep in the forest the darkness awoke again. It was being called. So the spiders and the giant had failed to kill them...and now their party was stronger than ever. The dark mist writhed in anger but paused for a moment as it crept closer. The gryphon led the way...he was a problem, but he did not quite have the air of confidence he did before. There was something, missing...something vulnerable...he was an easy target. Slowly the darkness began seeping down the path, flowing into one of the trees, undetectable for now, it waited.


Ward continued to lead the way, deeper and deeper into the carnival-like maze of mirrors. The motion reflected everywhere unnerved him, it would be nearly impossible to tell if something was sneaking up on them. He tried not to look upon the visions shown to him. They were hitting a little too close to home.


Stay strong you silly bird...the guilt of the past means nothing now. You must protect the humans.


He pressed on in silence.


The path began to narrow and then it widened, and disappeared completely. The trees were set apart so Ward could have fit between them easily in his gryphon form. The dark power of the forest made his limbs tired, but he shrugged it off as best he could and held the flame higher.


The pendant around his neck suddenly began to glow.


"Ah! The amulet has picked up a sign of the prince!"


((Sry, no time to edit, have to go but will include you in the next post if someone doesn't include you first.))

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo made his way through the trees of mirrored glass delicate as he always did. Having lived in this forest for the majority of his life he was used to moving in between its trunks. Thought his forest did not feel as it did before It had been growing for a while now, the shadow of the forest growing deeper and darker. The voice of the forest had gotten quieter and quieter as the days went on. Though he did posses the skills to keep the darkness of the forest out of his mind, the deeper they got into the heart of the forest, the more he could feel its magic pressing on his mind. Leo looked from side to side, constantly shifting his ears in different directions listening for anything. There was something not right. Looking to his right he saw a scarlet blurr in one of the tree trunks, followed by the soft whisper "Leeeeoooo". It was obvious what the trees wanted him to see. His past was not full of bad history, but there was always the one memory he held close to his heart and also despised. Slowing his walk he closed his good eye and allowed his other senses to move him through the forest. Quieting his mind, he allowed himself to be filled with what little of the spirit of the forest he could sense and let it quiet his mind. Opening his eye he continued to follow as the gryphon's amulet began to glow. "Be wary young griffon, we enter the heart of the forest very soon. The closer we get to it, the more susceptible we will be to the evil that has taken hold of my forest." @Shimakage Thunder

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy turned her features to look at the human girl. “Perhaps, if your quest aligns with mine." She responded cryptically, holding back a sneer. She inherently scorned humans, but she wasn't in the habit of feeding on them like most of her kind. “I seek the source of the darkness that is destroying my home. What do you seek, human?" She asked softly, drawing slightly nearer to her. She flashed a glance at the gryphon leading them, watching his distraction with the forest as she walked next to his charges. Curiously, she turned to look at herself in the truck of a tree. Suddenly, she was seeing herself walking away from her dying home. Tearing her gaze away, she asked, “They are enchanted?"

 

[Hel]

Anya smiled at Leia, thankful for the reassuring touch. Looking at the girl she could see the mirrors behind her for the first time and flinched. She saw exactly what she had feared she would. Her co-pilot and the three passengers on that had been on her plane starving, fighting, and dying. She had vanished when searching for help and they were still left there. She had no clue what had happened to them, and now the mirrors were showing her. She felt tears spring to her eyes, though she had not cried in a long while, she couldn't get that guilt for abandoning them out of her head. She knew it wasn't her fault, but what if it was? Could she have avoided coming here? What if they were never rescued? What if they were? She had no way of knowing.


Alexander watched and listened, "The mirrors show lies, what was and what could be, but not what is or what will be." He said, speaking aloud for the first time. "It's easy to get distracted- keep your mind focused and know you are more than the sum of your past." He had no clue if his words would actually help anyone else, but it seemed appropriate advice to give. It helped him, anyway.

 

[Naeg1]

As Zelnite continued to venture the forest, he spots the party from afar, he decided to climb up a tree and watch them, interested in what might happen.

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

Mira took the small object and nodded her thanks at her sister, she hated the images flickering across the reflective glass. She could see his face, his sneer and almost smell the alcohol on his breath. She closed her eyes, inhaled and exhaled, opening her eyes. They reflected the forest once again, the smell gone. When Ward had said that the prince was nearby she sent a small thanks to whatever deity was watching.


"I really do hate this place...."

 

[Flutterby]

The kelpie's eyes narrowed, but she smiled a little, showing pointed canines. Her gaze darted around the group until they found the speaker, the dragon man. His words settled in her mind, perhaps being saved for later. Quincy tilted her head, pondering his words, but couldnt find anything to say in response. Instead, she padded silently with the group, still wondering where they were headed and why she felt compelled to follow.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena took a small amount of comfort from Leias words, and from Alexander, the dragon. She disagreed though. She was the sum of her past. Sounds started to follow the visions and now it was overwhelming.


Looking over at the others dizzily, she realized she was the weakest emotionally.. As far as she could tell. But she couldn't help it. Away from this land was her own; and when she came back what awaited her was either blissful death in the muggy waters, or facing it again.


"Th-they aren't lies.." She said to the dragon before releasing her hold on Leia. "Sorry.. I can't."


Panicking and wanting nothing but peace and distance, Elena ran off into the mirrors until the reflections of the others were gone from sight.

 

[Hel]

"Don't..." Anya was able to get off before Elena ran off, she was trying to focus on what was real, what was actually happening, but it was hard. All she could see was her friend and her passengers cursing her, hating her for abandoning them. She shook her head, telling herself that they'd be fine, she left all the survival gear with them, but even with her eyes closed she thought she could hear them.


Alexander noticed the girl leave, and immediately took off after her. He knew she couldn't be alone in this place, no one can. The main group had plenty of protectors, with any luck he could protect her from herself, and whatever else lurked in these woods.

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward nodded at Leo's advice gravely, when he said he had to leave the gryphon threw him a nervous glance, but nodded. One guardian to another, he trusted Leo to know the forest. They continued on and Ward began shifting uncomfortably, the ShadowWood was getting to him more quickly in his human form. The trees were wide enough apart now, he shifted back into a gryphon, towering above the humans with the height of a draft horse, his feathers shimmering in the golden light.


"The sooner we get the prince and leave the better." He said softly. Suddenly something made him freeze.


"Cursed apparently." Leia replied to the kelpie, though she was still debating what this creature was. "We're looking for the prince of Branbern, though I'm pretty sure we'll find both our goals in the same place." She watched Ward as he led the way, silent and pensive. "We're not from FableWood," She gestured to the other humans and herself, wondering how obvious that was, maybe less so since she had strapped a hunting bow and quiver to her back? "But I think we can reverse this...though I have no idea how." The darkness was suffocating, though the trees were sparse she still felt claustrophobic walking through them. Normally she wouldn't have had a problem in the forest at night, she loved outdoors at any time...but this place...it was the worst part of outdoors and indoors at the same time. "I guess it used to show you good stuff about you...now, well all I see are moments I'd rather forget."


Leia gripped Anya's shoulder, offering as much support as she could. It was hard to escape from your own darkest thoughts, "Don't let this place turn yourself against you." But it was just then Elena ran off. "Elena!" She called. The dragon ran after her and Leia nearly dashed off without thinking.


"Ward! We have to go get her!" She called frantically, "Ward?" The gryphon didn't answer. Walking around to his side she called his name again. The gryphon stood stock still, his eyes locked to the reflective trunk of a large tree. The look in them was one of horror.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr glanced at the newcomers anxiously. It was true that the more of them were here the easier their search might become... but they did not know what horror they might face here. She turned to Ward, asking him something.


" Ward, may I speak with you privately for a moment? " she looked at him, determination in her eyes.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba clung tighter to the lion man's shoulder as he moved away from the others, not bothering to look back. She had little knowledge about the quest, and the darkness taking over FableWood didn't seem to affect the shifter, or if it did, she didn't show it. Instead she stared around at the trees, her eyes watching something in their reflections. When the guardian of the forest stopped and spoke, She leaned forward, peering curiously at the human woman sitting on the forest floor. her stomach was wider than any other human's Banba had seen. For once, she kept her mouth shut, her tiny creature nose twitching, eyes bright.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena heard footsteps and her name called, mind distorting it all. Her head seperated the reality from her delusions. Running faster, she ran multiple times into mirror panels, tripping up until she finally fell to the ground. Her shoulders shook and her eyes closed, mind taking her away.


She was floating down the murky waters, and the water transformed into blurred memories of her mothers drunken and pill induced stumpers. The hitting.. She opened her eyes again and all she was what her dreams were, reflected before her many times. Unable to do anything else but watch, her sword removed itself for existence and returned to the book.