The Dark Woods, as the name implies, were a vast stretch of Elderwood trees that extended a vast distance into the center of the continent of Mertiz, one of several large continents that were on the world of Laeris. The Elderwood trees lived for thousands of years and grew to very impressive sizes, the eldest ones tall enough to scrape the clouds. Elderwood, unlike most other trees of Laeris, were unique in the fact that they had a singular root, as wide as the trunk, that extended far beneath the crust of the planet, reaching for the currents of magical energy that flowed deep within the mantle. When grouped together, the trees tended to block out the light of the sky, due to their large and impressive foiliage.

At least, that was what Jake had interpreted what the Old-Elf had been rambling on about while the group slowly walked through the forest. What actually came out of the Elf was quite different, though.

“Home forest big. Many tree. All way to middle Mertiz. Many tree. No place forest big. Mertiz biggest forest. Elderwood.” This statement was punctuated by the Old-Elf slapping a tree with his staff. “Best tree. Make home. Many lives same tree. Tree reach cloud. Maybe. Big tree.” Old-Elf stopped his wandering gate, and crouched down at the base of one of the trees that he loved so much, his legs bending in a way for him to rest on his calves. He started tapping his staff at the ground beneath the tree. “Best tree one foot. Big as tree. Go down LONG way. Foot touch magic water. Magic water make tree strong.” Nodding, Old-Elf lurched back to his feet with the help of his staff.

Gesturing with one of his long and dangly arms, Old-Elf made a sweeping gesture through the pitch black woods, the only light a violet flame that Jake had floating above an outstretched palm. “Many tree. Tree foot no fight. All tree get magic water.” Nodding again, the Elf began to hobble onwards, his staff occasionally reaching out and slapping into one of the trees. Sighing, Jake followed behind him, trying his best not to kill the blathering old Elf.

I swear, if he keeps this up, I’m going to burn down all of these trees.

Mizutsune chuckled from Jake’s left, his mental voice rebounding through Jake’s skull. “I am glad that I cannot speak their tongue. I would have already followed through that threat if I were you, Master.” The fox shot a glare at the Elves behind them, making them chitter and hoot to each other. “But even now, their language is grating on my ears.”

Jake looked down at the fox, quirking an eyebrow. What does it sound like to you? I hear them in perfect English, at least as far as these truncated sentences can be considered ‘perfect’.

Mizutsune sighed. He sent his Master a snippet of the conversation going on behind them. Jake winced as the chirping, hooting, growling and shrieks entered his mind. Yeah, I can see that. Jesus, what is up with these things? I would think of them more as large goblins than elves.

Mizutsune looked at Jake with a single sapphire eye. “What are goblins, Master? I have never heard of these creatures.”

You don’t have any goblins here? Jake was shocked. So far, there had been evidence of pretty much all races from his worlds fantasy. There had to be some form of goblin-like creature. Who else would be the minions to an evil wizard? Maybe they have a different name… Jake shot his fox an image of a goblin; small, large mouthed, baggy ears, squashed faces and their natural cowardice. Mizutsune was quiet, the gears of his fox-brain spinning.

After a few minutes, the fox slowly shook his head. “There are no creatures like this, Master, at least as far as I have knowledge of.”

… Seriously? What type of fantasy world is this? There’s always goblins. Before Mizutsune could respond, Jake’s vision was blocked by a message from Lilith.

Nope, no goblins. I didn’t think that they fit with my world, so I didn’t add them. Why, you want some for yourself?

Jake began to respond, but stopped. He scratched at the fuzz that had begun to grow on his neck since the Beast-Kin city, thinking.

I mean, not really? I’m just used to there being goblins in… pretty much everything. It’s weird there not being any here. What made you not bring them over? Jake asked the goddess.

*shrugs* I don’t know. Just didn’t want them here.

Jake grunted, then waved away the message. Grabbing a cigarette from his inventory, he lit up and took a slow drag. Exhaling the smoke, he focused back on Old-Elf, who was still rambling on about the world around him.

“…shroom. Make dead. No good.” His high pitched, grumbling voice was slightly annoying, but there was not much for Jake to do besides ignore him. Which he did. For the next hour while they slowly walked through the forest while Old-Elf pointed out every… single… thing they came across.

___________________________________________________________

Jake was currently going over a few ideas of how to gain world domination through the use of monotonous lectures when he was broken from his thoughts by a piece of hardened wood smacking him in the nose.

“Augh, what the fuck?!” He focused on the Old Elf, clutching his throbbing nose, and glaring daggers at him.

Old-Elf slammed his staff into another tree, glaring back at Jake with a singular eye. “Wake. Tree. Half-Beast here.” With that, the Elf hurled his broken and warped body up the tree, climbing it like a frightened squirrel. Jake, forgetting about the pain, watched the Elf with mouth gaping open. Glancing around, he noticed that only he and Mizutsune were still on the forest floor, and that the hunters had already climbed the massive trees surrounding them.

Jake turned back to the tree that Old-Elf had climbed, squinting his eyes to try to find the bastard. He could barely make out a ring of wood around the trunk towards the top, with what appeared to be strings attaching it to similar looking rings on the other trees. Jake blinked, then scratched the back of his neck.

“Hey, Mizu. How the fuck did you get up there?”

His fox shot Jake a glare, his cold voice filled with indignation. “Do not worry about it Master.”

Jake looked at Mizutsune out of the corner of his eye. “You were carried, weren’t you?”

The fox began to growl at Jake, who quickly raised his hands and stopping the conversation. Looking back at the trees, Jake shrugged.

“Well, I am going up there. I guess the rings are where they live at?” While speaking, Jake activated [Shadow Ascent], tendrils of darkness exploding from his back and forming into pitch-black, leathery wings. He glanced down at Mizutsune, who was still staring at the tree, his tails swaying softly. “If you need a lift…”

Mizutsune glared at Jake, then sighed. “Please, Master.”

Hiding a grin behind his hand, Jake formed a tendril and wrapped it around the fox, making sure to not mess with his ears or tails. Extending his wings, he created a pillar of hot air underneath him and leapt into the air, his wings beating furiously to get him aloft. Jake began to rise, dragging his fox behind him with a slight yelp. The bark of the Elderwood passed quickly as the two ascended, dodging the occasional branch that poked out of the massive tree.

They approached the ring quickly, passing a few of the Elves climbing up and down the tree. The Elves stopped and stared at the strange creature flying through the air on wings made of shadow, while dangling a white fox behind it like a tail. The Elves turned to each other, shrugged, and went back to what they were doing.

Jake had found a new joy with flight, and pushed his wings to make him go faster. Mizutsune, on the other hand, had decided that he would never fly with his Master again. The fox hated the feeling of having no control over his movement, even if he rather enjoyed the air flowing through his fur. Not to mention the constant back and forth movements were causing him to feel sick to his stomach.

After a few minutes of flying, they had reached the bottom of the ring. The ring appeared to be created from planks that extended from the trunk of the tree, forming a flat area around the entirety of the tree. Bridges connected different levels with other trees in the vicinity. Jake looked at one of the lower levels that he had flown past, and saw a few Elves wandering around the level, moving into huts and hollows carved into the tree’s bark.

Jake grabbed onto the level of the Elderwood, and hoisted himself upwards, lightly flapping his wings to give him a boost. Concentrating, he caused the tendril holding his fox to extend outwards before coming to land on the level, stopping himself from banging Mizutsune into the lip of the wooden boards.

As soon as the tendril released him, Mizutsune walked over to a roaring fire on shaking legs and promptly collapsed, curling himself into a ball. The Elves that were squatting next to the fire quickly rose and left, muttering to themselves about ‘Danger beast’ and ‘White fear’. “Master,” the fox’s cold voice broke into Jake’s mind. “If I ever ask you to fly me again, I humbly ask that you burry a blade into my skull to get the thought out of my head.”

Chuckling to himself, Jake looked around the level. A few of the Elves were staring at him and chittering to themselves from a few of the roaring bonfires that dotted the level. Jake couldn’t make out the words, but he got the general feeling of distrust and fear from their conversations. He noticed a single hut on the level, with many hollows in the tree. He didn’t see any sign of the Beast-Kin envoy, though.

He was about to speak to Mizutsune when a sharp rap of wood on wood broke through the silence. Groaning internally, he turned around to see Old-Elf glaring at him with a single eye. Old-Elf blinked, his third eyelid darting back and forth quickly. “God-ling. Go. Half-Beast hut.” He gestured wildly with his staff towards the only hut, then hobbled into one of the hollows in the gigantic trunk.

Sighing, Jake turned to walk to the hut. Taking two steps, he froze. He stood there for a few minutes, a foot raised. Shit. Turning around, he went to sit down next to the bonfire that Mizutsune was nestled next to.

As Jake sat down, Mizutsune opened a single eye and stared at him. Jake shook his head slowly.

I have no idea what I’m supposed to say.

Mizutsune exhaled a slow sigh, then closed his eye again. “And what would you like me to do about that, Master?”

Raising his hands in defeat, Jake sighed. I have no fucking clue.

________________________________________________________

Felicia hummed quietly as she stroked her Lady’s hair, with Serena finally sleeping soundly. Serena’s episodes had been getting worse, with anything that reminded her of the Mageous setting her off on a path of screaming and crying. Felicia did not know what to do, and so continued on as she always had. She would always be there for her Lady, and she would take care of her to the fullest of her abilities.

Felicia paused her humming when she felt a presence seem to knock on her conscious. Recognizing the Mystic Beast, she allowed him to enter her

Good evening, Master Mizutsune. Did you find this ‘friend’ of yours?

Mizutsune’s cold voice seemed to rebound through her skull. “That I did, vixen. If you may be so kind as to come outside to one of the fires, I have something to discuss with you face to face.”

Felicia blinked, a smile gracing her lips. The last time that the Mystic Beast had wanted to ‘discuss something’ with her, it had ended well for the both of them. Shaking her head slightly, she resumed humming.

While I am honored, Master Mizutsune, I must stay with my Lady. She has had another episode of her fears, and I do not want to leave her until the dawn.

Felicia felt the Mystic Beast sigh, and an image blossomed into her consciousness. A figure wearing burnt clothing was sitting in front of a fire, his hazel eyes reflecting the hungering lights of the flames. Felicia gasped, freezing with her hand in Serena’s hair. The Owl-kin mumbled in her sleep, and Felicia gently placed her hand on Serena’s head.

What is the meaning of this, Mizutsune? Felicia growled at the fox. If this is some ploy to hurt my La-

“Enough.” The Mystic Beast drowned out Felicia’s thoughts, replacing them with frigid ice. His voice lost most of its power as he continued. “This is what I wanted to talk about with you, vixen. There are some things that you do not know which shall be revealed at his pleasure, and there are some things that you will not know. I assure you, this is no trick. Come.” With that, the fox’s mind receded from hers, and she could not help but shiver.

Silently standing, she slowly removed her hand from Serena, who continued to sleep peacefully. Felicia was unsure if she should believe the Mystic Beast or not, but she had best be prepared. Patting the sleeves of her dress, she made sure that her throwing knives were in place, and moved outside of the hut, making sure that she rearranged the leaves acting as a door to leave a sliver of light inside the room.

Glancing around, she spotted the silver form of the Mystic Beast curled next to a sitting figure, resting his arms on his knees, his back to her. A wispy cloud of smoke billowed out from his face, and she noticed the ember of a lit smoke-stick poking out from his fingers. Clenching her hands, she moved quickly towards the duo, making sure to not mask her steps. Her feet pounded on the wooden boards as she approached the figure, who had turned around and was staring at her with his hazel eyes.

“Hey Felicia.”

_________________________________________________________

“You will explain yourself, now.” Felicia coldly said, orbs of golden fire appearing above an outstretched hand. Jake raised an eyebrow at the display, the slowly raised his cigarette to his lips.

He took a drag, not breaking eye contact with the Fox-Maid, and gestured towards the fire while expelling a cloud of smoke. “Sure, sit down. I’ll answer your questions.” The Fox-Maid blinked, confused at his actions. She slowly moved around the bonfire, and she sat down a few feet from him. The orbs of fire moved from her hand and hovered above her head, creating a crescent of fire above her.

I'm just going to wing it. It can't be that bad, right?

“What are you?” She asked, hatred evident in her voice. “Are you a demon?”

“Nope, human. The only one of my kind.” He said nonchalantly as he took another drag. Felicia blinked again, and, shaking her head, plowed on with her interrogation.

“Where are you from?”

“A different world called Earth.” Again, Felicia paused with her questions, shock on her face. Mizutsune sighed, a single eye staring at Jake.

“Master, why are you telling her everything?” His voice was reproachful. Jake glanced at the fox, and slightly shrugged.

The Elves know everything already, at least about the Lilith stuff and my three masteries, so why shouldn’t I tell them? It wou-

Jake was interrupted by Felicia waving a hand, extinguishing the golden flames above her head. She glanced back at Jake, confusion still present on her face.

“Mageous,” Oh, she’s taken to calling me Mageous again, huh? “I… do not understand. You are from a different world?” Jake nodded, remaining silent. “There are other worlds, like this one? Within the great void?” Felicia still looked confused, but also expectant. Huh… oh, yeah. She likes knowledge. Forgot about that.

“I just know of mine, and this world.” Jake said slowly, thinking of some way to make this work best for him.

“My world was… boring, to say the least. There was nothing there that interested me at the time. I was made a deal, to transfer over to this world. I accepted, and arrived roughly…” Jake quickly thought over how much time he had spent on Laeris. “A month? Maybe more?” He shrugged. “I’m not really good with numbers.”

Felicia stared at him, her mouth slacked. “Who… what did you make a deal with, if I may ask?”

Jake stared into the flames, and whispered his answer. “I call her Giggles. You likely know her as Lilith, Goddess of Change.” He then looked back at the stunned Felicia, a smirk on his face. “Sorry, she wanted a dramatic reveal. I couldn’t say no.” Jake leaned closer, waving a hand in front of Felicia’s unfocused eyes. “Hey, anyone there?”

Felicia snapped back into focus, her eyes wide. Fear reflected off of her eyes, dancing with the firelight.

“Y-you’re a G-G-Godling?!?” She whispered, her body shaking slightly.

Jake blinked, taken aback. He glanced at Mizutsune, but the fox ignored his pleading look.

“You might have broken her, Master. You have basically torn apart her reality, then decided to point out the fact that you are, more or less, a divine. At the very least she didn’t ask about your magic.”

“W-w-wait, the Elves. They said something about a Tri-Elemental. W-with v-violet flames.” Felicia spoke, staring at Jake. Jake shot a glare at his fox, who instantly turned his head away.

Who’s saying shit now, Mizu?

Sighing, Jake looked back at the terrified woman, and seeing no other way since the Elves had already said something about it, he nodded. “Yep, that is me. I have Mastery over Fire, Air and Dark. And before you ask, yes. I did die back with those Orcs. Lilith has made it that I… regenerate after a set amount of time.”

Felicia stared at him for a few moments, her eyes locked on his. Then they slid upwards, until only white was showing. With a thud, she fell forwards, her head barely missing the fire.

Shit. Jake jumped to his feet, and moved the Beast-Kin away from the flames. How can thi- No no no no no, I did not think that. Everything is good, there is no way that-

“Felicia?” A quiet, timid voice rose up from behind him. It sounded like the breeze whispering through the trees above, and Jake began swearing to himself with gusto.

“Wait, Felicia?” The voice was getting closer, and Jake groaned internally. Standing up, he turned around slowly. He noticed the dark circles underneath her eyes first, then the puffy and red eyes. She had lost sleep, and had been crying quite a bit. Fuck.

He smiled gently at the Owl-Kin. “Hey, Serena. I’m back.”

Spoiler: Spoiler

Random middle chapter note: You have NO IDEA how badly I wanted to stop the chapter right here, just to be a douchebag. But hey, it keeps on going. Yay me.

Serena froze, staring at him. She began to shake, starting at her legs before traveling up the entirety of her body. Taking a shuddering step forward, tears began to form in her eyes.

“Ma… J-Jake? Is… that y-you?”

Jake nodded, his smile still on his face. “It’s me. You don’t look too good. Have you been sleeping alright, Serena?” Of course she hasn’t been sleeping right, retard. Why the fuck can’t you think of something better?

She froze after he spoke. “S-s-sleep? I’m a sleep? No, you can’t. You’re dead. I failed.” Her voice began to get louder, her body shaking more and more. Jake blinked, completely off balance. WHAT THE FUCK DID I SAY?!

“Wait, Serena. I am real. What would prove to you that I’m here, that you’re awake?” Jake tried, staring at the quivering Owl-Kin. His voice seemed to calm her, slightly. Her bloodshot eyes focused on his, her pupils expanded completely, none of her brown iris’s showing.

“A-a-wake? I can’t be. You’re dead.” She said, accusingly.

“I am not.” Jake responded, almost childishly. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with her? I didn’t think it would be this bad. I am way out of my element right now.

Serena began to shake her head, slowly at first before picking up speed. “No. Dead, dead dead. I failed. I couldn’t help. You’re dead, I failed. Dead. Dea-“ Her cries were silenced. Jake had wrapped the small Owl-Kin in a hug, burying her face into his chest.

Maybe this will work?

“I am not dead.” He gently whispered into her ear, gently rubbing her back in between her large wings. They expanded slightly with each movement of his hands, expanding and contracting with the rhythm of his attempts at placating the girl. “I’m here. Didn’t you say something about my smell when we first met? About the fire?”

I honestly don’t remember, but she did say something.

Serena remained silent. Jake could feel the tears on his shirt, and not knowing anything better to do, continued to hold her. Slowly, her arms that were dangling uselessly at her side began to inch upwards, shaking like leaves in a storm. She gently wrapped them around his lower back, reaching up to his shoulder blades.

She mumbled something into his shirt. Jake slowly lowered his head next to hers, keeping his arms around her and rubbing her back. She was still shivering, but it had been slowing down with only an occasional tremor wracking her body.

“Could you say that again, Serena?” Jake whispered gently, one of her ears swiveling to hear what he said.

She slowly turned her head to face him, and a quivering smile graced her lips. “A w-w-w-welcoming fire. That’s w-w-what I said.” Tears spilled out of her eyes, but she continued to smile. “I told you t-that you smell like a h-hearth. W-w-welcoming.”

She did? “Yes, you did. And, what do you smell now?” He whispered, his face inches from hers.

Serena’s arms tightened around his back, bringing her in closer. She stared into his eyes, her smile growing wider. “Jake…” She whispered, and moved her face towards his, closing the distance between them.

No, no, no, no, n-

Jake’s mind went blank. The only thing he focused on were the soft lips gently pressing against his own.