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ACT II
THE MORTAL REALM
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My feet press into the soft, loamy earth, my toes curling through moss and rich soil. Perhaps it’s the boon of Persephone, but in this moment I feel perfectly one with the land. I lift my chin, inhaling the crisp, green-scented air that drifts through the towering oaks and whispering pines. I can almost taste the mana dancing on my tongue a sweet, electric tang. Maybe later I’ll try to absorb some and weave it into my core magic. For now…
“Poet… are you here with me, my pretty little bird?”
“Always, my lady.” With a powerful beat of ebony wings, the raven alights on my shoulder and nuzzles his beak against my cheek. His feathers shimmer with hints of sapphire in the sunlight. I giggle.
“Oh, someone’s feeling flirty.”
“Well, my lady, you did call me pretty.” He cocks his head, eyes bright.
I smile and brush a finger across his glossy crown. “Right you are, Poet. So… what did you see ahead?”
He ruffles his wings and peers through the forest canopy. “Endless trees. I could fly higher, but I’d rather stay with you.”
“That I can agree with.” I take another step, my toes pressing deeper into the earth. Every nerve sings with this ancient pulse. It’s been so long… and yet everything feels new.
“It is new,” Poet murmurs. “My lady, your view of the world before could not compare to this.”
I nod. Sunlight filters through the leaves in shifting patterns, illuminating invisible ley lines of mana that thread between roots and trunks. I can feel their power with every tread.
“I can’t believe I was missing out on so much,” I whisper.
“Well, we have all the time in the world now.”
True.
As I walk, the forest seems to welcome me. Vines coil and uncoil of their own accord, curling skyward when I pass. Blossoms burst open in vibrant hues a riot of pinks, blues, and golds just ahead of my footsteps. Tiny creatures emerge from shadowed hollows: birds with plumes like stained glass, squirrels with tufts of brown fur, frogs the color of sunlit jewels. They trail behind me like a jubilant parade, chirping and croaking in greeting.
I stoop to scoop up one of the squirrels, cradling it tenderly against my forearm. Its small head bobs as I scratch behind its ears. “Aren’t you the cutest?”
“Put that pest down,” Poet murmurs, his tone half-mocking, half-jealous.
I laugh softly. “I know you’re not truly jealous.”
“No… maybe a little.”
Grinning, I climb and perch the squirrel on a low branch. It twitches its tail in farewell before scampering off to rejoin its siblings.
Suddenly a gentle voice drifts through the emerald hush.
“Welcome to the Forest of the Dryad, Goddess.”
I turn toward the source and find myself face-to-face with a slender figure carved from living wood. Her hair tumbles in vines of ivy, her skin dappled with moss and bark. Her eyes shimmer like morning dew.
I bow my head in respect. “Please, I am no goddess.”
She inclines her regal head, curiosity and reverence mingling in her gaze. “Then, if you do not mind telling me, what shall we call you?”
I step forward, smiling, and lift her slender hand from its graceful bow. “Lady Veil, at your service.”
“Then, Lady Veil, we are honored by your presence.” The Dryad’s voice ripples like a hidden stream. “I sense the abundance of nature in you.”
I can feel the truth of her words, the deep harmony between my blood and this living realm. “Yes,” I admit softly. “Maybe because my adopted mother Persephone, granted me a boon.”
In that moment, the Dryad’s expression shifts from serene welcome to stunned reverence. “Goddess of Spring… is your mother?” Her voice quavers on the last word.
“Your adopted mother is Persephone, meaning your grandmother is Demeter?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“Then you are a goddess…”
“Please, I have yet to earn such a title.”
“Be that as it may, us Dryads do not show ourselves so casually. Your soul shines bright, Lady Veil.”
“Come, if you need a guide, I would be happy to assist you. Our forest is vast; it could take days or even weeks to find your way out.”
“That would be lovely, if you don’t mind. What is your name?”
“Willowmere.”
“Such a beautiful name…”
She smiled, a slight tinge of pink gracing her cheeks. “Thank you, Lady Veil.”
“So, I take it that was you staring at me from a distance? I still feel many eyes watching.”
“Of course! We are always watching. We are the protectors of nature and caretakers of animals, like your adorable raven.”
“She called me adorable!” He ruffled his feathers, adopting a proud stance.
“Please, don’t boost his ego!”
“Oh, your raven is a protector.”
“Yes, my very own personal protector, boon to me by the Goddess of Night.”
Willowmere stopped dead in her tracks. “Who exactly are you, Lady Veil?”
“I am Veil, daughter of Hecate.”
"Not adopted mother, actual mother?" she inclined.
I simply nodded beaming with pride.
"Yes"
"You must truly be loved by the Underworld.”
I smiled widely. “Yes… yes, I am, and I love them all as well.”
“Come, come! We are close to the exit.”
As we made our way through the forest, other Dryads began to follow. I watched as a few of them transformed from trees into beautiful beings, their skin various shades of green and brown, with lines resembling tree bark, hair flowing freely. Even the children were just as enchanting.
“Here we are…” Willowmere gestured ahead. “As you can see from a distance, there’s a road. Follow it, and it will take you to the next settlement.”
I gracefully bowed. “Thank you for your kindness, Willowmere.”
“It was my pleasure, Lady Veil. May you find happiness in all your endeavors.”
I turned to leave but paused, turning back around. “Is it alright if I leave you with something? I think you all might enjoy it.”
“Of course! I would never turn down a gift from you.”
I tapped my staff twice on the ground, and like a wave, flowers of all kinds bloomed. Trees bore fruit, and the forest swelled with the scent of sweet citrus. The children cheered as they jumped to grab the green and red pear-shaped fruits, taking bites with juice running down their chubby cheeks.
I plucked a delicate blossom from my staff and carefully tucked it into Willowmere's hair.
"There," I said with a soft smile. "If you ever need me, speak my name to the flower, and I'll come to you in an instant."
“I… thank you so much…” she stuttered, genuinely surprised.
As everyone cheered, exclaiming, “Thank you!” I turned to walk away, setting my sights on the cobblestone path.
“Alright, poet… you ready?”
“Always, my lady…”