Elowen lay in a dark, dreamlike forest covered with endless leaves. The sun had set, and the darkness surrounded her completely. Only the stars in the night sky gave a little light and sound to guide her. The trees seemed alive, whispering to each other as the wind moved their leaves. She heard them singing in a woman's voice, as if they knew the words.
"Is this real?" she wondered faintly, the question barely forming in her mind. "No... it feels too soft, too quiet... like a memory I never lived."
Along with the music, she could hear her own breathing and heartbeat, it felt too loud for such a quiet place. But nothing disturbed the peace, not even her. The quiet felt strangely calm and soothing. It wrapped around her like a blanket, and for a moment, she let herself sink into it.
"Maybe I could stay here forever..."
Her nine tails floated gently in the air, flowing like water in every direction. They were so long that they trailed behind her, occasionally catching on bushes and roots that seemed slightly out of place in the small forest clearing. With her eyes closed, she drifted through this peaceful dream, barely aware she was dreaming. A calming sensation ran down her spine, as if the soft breeze carried a soothing feeling for anyone it touched.
"This place..is really weird... but in a good way...."
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, as if something had startled her awake. The dream vanished in an instant, and her senses came rushing back. The cold bit at her skin. The air no longer sang.
"What...?" She gasped, her chest rising sharply. "Where am I?"
She found herself sitting upright on the ground, looking around, trying to make sense of where she was. Shadows stretched between the trees, and the hush of the forest now felt different, more real, more uncertain.
"What... what the hell is this..." she thought, her voice trembling as she stared at her nine tails. Their indigo color shimmered like a dark ocean under the moonlight. "Oh god," she whispered, panic rising in her chest. Without thinking, she bolted, running wildly through the forest. Her tails trailed behind her, moving as if they had a mind of their own, brushing against leaves and plants to keep up with her speed. They fluttered gently, almost protectively, as if trying to comfort her. Her heart raced, her feet pounded against the ground, and her fur whipped around her neck. Her teeth chattered, and her mind spun with terrifying images—visions of people being slaughtered by the woods flashing before her eyes. Fear consumed her as she ran, unsure of what was real and what was not.
"Where did these tails come from?" she wondered, desperately rubbing her back against a tree, hoping to somehow get rid of them and make everything normal again. Her heart pounded at the thought of turning into a nine-tailed fox. But then she stopped, took a deep breath, and reality hit her hard. She couldn't afford to panic now, her life was at stake. She needed to find help, and that meant escaping this forest. But first, she had to look human again, especially since she was in the human realm. Her mind raced as she remembered the leaf-shaped arm cuff she used to wear in Kaelith to hide her true identity. Frantically, she began searching for it, hoping it would help her blend in and survive.
After a few minutes of searching, she finally found the leaf-shaped arm cuff and quickly put it on. Instantly, her indigo hair turned into human skin, and her nine tails disappeared, leaving only faint scratch marks on her back from where she had rubbed against the tree in her panic. It stung a little, but the pain was bearable. She let out a sigh of relief, looking exactly like she did back in Kaelith.
"But why did my wings turn into tails as soon as I came to Earth?" she wondered, her mind racing. "In Kaelith, I was a moon spirit. Here, I became a nine-tailed fox... how?" The question lingered in her thoughts as she tried to make sense of the strange transformation. For now, though, she pushed the confusion aside, focusing on surviving and finding a way out of the forest.
Elowen closed her eyes and shook her head, pushing aside the confusing thoughts. Now wasn't the time to dwell on them, she needed to focus. Her first priority was to get out of the forest as quickly as possible. As she moved, her deep indigo moon thread, flecked with silver specks, coiled around her finger like a ring, guiding her forward. Suddenly, a soft, melodic hum filled the air, echoing like the distant chime of a bell. The sound blended perfectly with the forest's whispers, creating a magical, calming atmosphere. Elowen had often felt its presence before seeing it.
She noticed the light around her shift—the forest seemed to sparkle, and the shadows grew deeper, signaling something extraordinary. Just as she turned to look, the Moonveil Butterfly appeared in a graceful swirl, its delicate wings unfolding with a gentle rustle. It was a breathtaking sight, and for a moment, Elowen felt a sense of wonder despite her fear.
The Moonveil Butterfly was breathtaking. Its wings shimmered with iridescent colors that shifted between deep yellow and soft silvers, like a starry night sky. Delicate patterns, resembling celestial constellations, sparkled across its wings, glowing faintly at the edges. The butterfly's ethereal presence felt almost magical, as if it belonged to another world. With a graceful flick of its wings, it danced in front of Elowen, its soft glow lighting up the dark forest around her. The air filled with its melodic hum, creating a peaceful, enchanting atmosphere.
As the butterfly glided closer, its glow grew brighter, preparing to deliver its message. With each word it seemed to convey, its wings pulsed with light, casting shimmering patterns that danced in the air. The sight was mesmerizing, and Elowen couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and curiosity as she watched the celestial creature.
"__Elowen, seeker of paths unknown,
A journey awaited where the wild winds blew.
Follow the trail of the moonlit glade,
And seek the lost spirits in twilight's shade.
Gather their whispers, let their stories unfold,
For within their tales, your purpose will be told.
But beware the shadows where the Arachnid lay,
A creature of darkness beneath starlit skies.
With fangs sharp and venom that chilled to the bone,
Prepare for the battle, for you were not alone.
Draw strength from the whispers, the spirits you found,
For their ancient wisdom sharpened your mind.__"
As the butterfly spoke, it circled Elowen, its gentle light illuminating her and the ground around her, making the moment feel truly magical. Each word it conveyed seemed to resonate deeply with her, filling her with a sense of adventure and purpose. When the message ended, the Moonveil Butterfly fluttered back slightly, giving her time to absorb its words. Its shimmering presence seemed to glow with the promise of the journey ahead.
With a final, graceful flap of its wings, the butterfly gestured toward the direction of her first quest, inviting her to begin her adventure. Elowen, however, let out a tired sigh, her voice tinged with frustration. "Oh, God, not now! I just wanted some rest..." she muttered, rubbing her temples. Despite her exhaustion, she knew she couldn't ignore the call. Taking a deep breath, she straightened up and began to follow the butterfly's guidance, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Her heart felt heavy, weighed down by the memory of her recent punishment, and exhaustion seeped into her bones. Ever since she had arrived in this strange world called Earth, she had been running nonstop, with no idea how to return to Kaelith. For days, she had wandered, trying to stay hidden and avoid drawing attention. But every day, something strange or unexpected seemed to happen, leaving her no time to rest or think.
Just as she began to gather her thoughts, the air around her shimmered—like heat bending light—and without warning, the Veilbound Codex slipped free from her bag. It hovered for a heartbeat, trembling with silent urgency, before dropping into her hands, as if it had chosen the moment itself. On the first page, written in elegant, looping script, a single sentence stood out in fresh black ink:
"Find nine keys to save your father."