202 Realization

Li walked with Tia perched atop his shoulder out the Chattering Forest, though, as he made his way through it, each one of his steps infusing the grass below with pulses of green life, he realized that it was no longer apt to call this place that ominous name.

"Listen, papa," said Tia as she cocked her head, and Li followed her.

It was the chirping of crickets. It was faint at first, nervous to spread its song, but soon enough, all the crickets that had been buried decades under the earth when this forest first was flooded by dark beast essence began to unburrow from their long slumber.