Her Word

Mycelia raised her head and listened carefully. She concentrated. Taking long and deep breaths, she focused her senses to their sharpest. Eventually, she heard them. Voices called out to her, like faint whispers thrown from the distance. They spoke to her, told her things about the woods. Knowledge slowly poured into her mind. The Dark-Elf sorted through the voices, until one in particular had caught her attention.

She then looked around and examined her surroundings. Countless trees stood before her. Each one had minor differences, but none had any actual distinction to make them stand out. Any regular person would have easily gotten lost in these woods. However, Mycelia had no intention of wandering aimlessly like a blind man in the dark.

"This way, my lady," Mycelia directed, facing at one direction.

Uriel stood up. "Are you certain?" she asked.

"No, it's very difficult to tell," Mycelia answered, as she shook her head. "But it is better than traveling without direction.

Uriel grimaced and pressed the bridge of her nose. She didn't like an uncertain answer, but she did not like lingering in the woods too long either. "Very well," she then replied. "Lead the way, Mycelia."

Mycelia nodded and took the front.

The company treaded quietly and cautiously through the woods. Although they had not been there too long, they found it rather problematic to navigate the terrain with little to no guidance. The exile Sidra had simply told them to look for a white tree and to be wary of a giant spider. Other than this, they had received no clues that would bring them closer to the tree. Not even a hint. Fortunately, Mycelia had her magic to guide them.

As they ventured deeper, Uriel looked around and examined a few of the trees. They had a rather melancholic feel about them. All the leaves had autumn colors of brown, yellow and orange, and their bark resembled mummified skin. Despite the morbid form, a few fruits grew on the trees. They looked like peaches that had been pruned by the sun. A part of Uriel wanted to taste the fruit, but her eyes suggested otherwise.

Looking forward, Uriel noticed Mycelia holding her hand out front, as if she were trying to reach for something, or as if she were lost in the dark.

"Quite a useful spell you have in your disposal," Uriel remarked. "Much easier than tracking, I suppose."

"A spell?" Mycelia repeated, clearly confused.

"You are using magic to direct us around these woods, aren't you?" Uriel asked.

Mycelia pressed her lips together and tried to think. "Oh, I'm not using any magic," she soon replied. "Well, perhaps to you humans this may count as magic, but not quite for us elves."

"Then what are you doing?" Uriel then asked.

"I am connecting my mind with the spirits of these woods," Mycelia explained, as she continued to lead. "I listen for their voices, so that they may guide me."

Uriel's eyes slightly widened, when hearing this. She did not quite expect it. "You're listening to the spirits of the woods?" she asked. "I didn't know Dark-Elves could do that."

"I maybe a Dark-Elf, but I am still an elf, nonetheless," Mycelia replied. "My connection to nature and trees will not just vanish, even after centuries of silence."

Uriel then turned her attention to Jotun. "Does that mean you can also commune with spirits of nature?" she asked.

Jotun shook his head. "To be honest, I'm not sure if I can," he replied. "I have never really tried, nor do I actually know how to do so, if there are any steps."

"We Dark-Elves now live in the mountains, my lady," Mycelia explained. "At one point, we may have been able to do it naturally, but generations of living from the forests may have cut off what may have once been a basic instinct."

"If that is the case, then how are you able to commune with spirits of nature?" Uriel asked. She had quite a bit of questions on her mind. This information was new to her.

"Dark-Elves may have lost this natural sense, but magic practitioners such as myself are still very sensitive to such things," Mycelia further explained. "We may have to concentrate and focus more, but we can commune with nature, if we try."

"That is quite fascinating," Uriel remarked with a nod. "Dark-Elves and elves have lot more in common than I thought."

Jotun gave a light chuckle. "Well, we are still elves after all," he snorted. "We may live up in the mountains, rather than the forests, but we're still elves."

"Yes, I can see," Uriel agreed. "However, I have noticed that elves and Dark-Elves don't exactly enjoy being lumped together."

The two Dark-Elves fell silent for a while. They scratched and awkwardly glanced at one another. "Well, that is very much true," Mycelia admitted. "Despite our similarities, we prefer not to be pitted with our forest cousins."

"That is rather odd," Uriel commented. "Both races are still elves. Why is there such a wall between the two?"

"We could ask the same thing about these lizards," Jotun replied, as he passed a glance at the Ovoo and two Chamael behind him. "In fact, we could also throw the same question at you humans. You're all basically humans, yet you all treat one another as if you have nothing in common with one another."

Uriel couldn't help, but also fall silent, when hearing this. His words carried a heavy truth that she could not deny. Many human kingdoms and nations exist. Uriel knew this for a fact. She may not have seen or heard of every one of them but she knew how each one fiercely sought sovereignty from one another.

"Just like you humans, we Dark-Elves have a different set of beliefs from our elf cousins," Mycelia said. "Our forest cousins have complete faith in the power of nature, while we Dark-Elves believe that we should not be forced into a single perspective, but seek others, if necessary."

"I will not argue about whose method is right," Uriel replied. "But do you have no intentions to join hands again with your forest cousins? From what I understand, your empire is now facing a crisis. A few more friends may do wonders for your people."

Mycelia sighed. "We do not have the most stellar of reputations, thanks to our alliance with the previous Overlord," she said. "I doubt our cousins, or any other race for that matter, would welcome us warmly."

Uriel looked at her hand. "Perhaps one day, I could offer genuine assistance," she whispered.

As they went deeper into the woods, the group began to notice several large cobwebs covering the trees, like layers of dust. Many spiders of regular size either just hung by their threads, while others continued building and expanding their homes. Never before had Uriel seen this many spiders before. She had no fear of these critters, but their numbers did strike a nerve.

"So many spiders," Ragosh growled, as he poked at one of the larger cobwebs. "They don't look that frightening, but I would hate to come across big ones, like in the stories told by the elders."

"I have encountered a few big spiders myself," Uriel mentioned, recalling a few occasions. "They're very problematic to deal with and I would prefer to avoid them, if possible."

"When I was a hatchling, our elders would talk about them a lot, and how they would snatch us, if we remained disobedient," Ragosh grunted, as he walked around some of the webbing. "We always thought they were just stories to frighten hatchlings."

"This land is filled with monsters more ferocious than giant spiders," Uriel remarked. "Spiders may be a problem, but they aren't exactly enough to make me quiver."

"Yes, the elders told us about many stories of warriors and the monsters they face," Ragosh said, as he held his spear tightly. "Such stories often filled my heads ambitions. I often saw myself leaving the village, to find and hunt down monsters."

"And what of now?" Uriel asked. "Does that ambition still hold?"

"I would still very much love to travel about and create my own legend, Ragosh sighed with a nod. "However, my position as the chieftain's son, as well as the conflict with the Allosaur, demand my attention. I cannot just leave it all behind."

Uriel couldn't help but smile at the lizard's words. "You're far more mature than I assumed, son of Enoch," she complimented. "However, you did slay that one Allosaur, whom I recall was a champion of sort."

"I slew him, but you defeated him," Ragosh corrected. "Your name would be the one remembered, not mine."

"Humble as well, who would have known?" Uriel chuckled. "However, stories and tales tend to change, when passed from ear to ear. A famous legend may become entirely different from its origin."

"Perhaps, but I still prefer to actually feel the thrill of battle and relish victory made from my own sweat and blood," Ragosh groaned.

"You have a long life ahead of you, Ragosh," Uriel replied, showing some comfort. "You will get your chance, when the time comes."

The company navigated through the woods, passing an endless number of trees, and avoiding the largest of webs. Shadows encroached, as they continued to walk. Before they knew it, much of the light and illumination had vanished. Longer and thicker strands of web bind together around the top of the trees, blotting out the sky. It became dim, but not dark. It now felt as if they were traveling through a tunnel, or a hallway of a castle.

Suddenly, Mycelia came to a halt. "It seems we have arrived," she declared.

They came upon a clearing, but quickly found themselves looking for cover. Like other parts of the woods they had walked through, the dimness prevailed. Sheets of web connected the trees and covered the tops. Besides the lack of light, something else made the area somewhat eerier.

Several cocoons of web hung on the trees, holding fresh bodies of deer, boar and even wolves. None of the bodies moved, and none of their eyes blinked. These poor animals had already been put out, leaving only their cadavers for later consumption.

However, what truly caught their attention was the creature that dwelled in the clearing. A massive spider sat on a large cobweb, devouring a stag. Its whole body appeared primarily onyx, but it had a unique, crimson pattern on its abdomen. It looked like a plate of rubies embedded in stone.

The giant arachnid dug its fangs into the corpse, and scooped up whatever the flesh that had been reduced into paste. Greenish drool dripped from its mouth, as it ate.

Uriel couldn't help but stare at the spider with a sense of awe and fear. She had faced many giant spiders, but all of them no bigger than a wolf. This eight-legged creature appeared to be just as large as a bull. In fact, it looked almost as if it could be ridden upon.

"It appears that we have found that giant spider we were warned about," Mycelia whispered, as she peeked from behind a tree. "And it seems we have also found that three the exile told us of."

At the center of the clearing, a large and twisting tree grew. Its white bark looked as pale as a drowned corpse, and its leaves looked as black as charcoal. A few of the fruits hung on the branches.

"Those are the fruits that the exile seeks?!" Krin hissed furiously, while keeping a low volume. "Those look exactly like the others around these woods!"

"So it seems," Uriel agreed with a nod, then shifting her eyes to the spider. "We will need to be careful, when retrieving them. I would hate to fight that spider."

"Lady Overlord, rather than risking our lives against that monster, wouldn't it be much easier to just take a few from the other trees?" Daku suggested. "They do not look any different from the ones of that white tree."

"Indeed," Krin agreed. "The exile would most likely accept it, without even realizing where it came from."

Uriel frowned at the idea. "I refuse," she snapped. "I have no intention of building relationships, based on trickery and deceit."

"Then how shall we approach it, my lady?" Mycelia asked.

"It would be nice if we could reason with it," Uriel chuckled with a shrug.

"I could attempt to do so," Mycelia replied.

Uriel glared at the Dark-Elf with an expression of great skepticism and disbelief. "Excuse me?" she said.

"Well, it is not as so much reason with it, but rather tame it," Mycelia better explained herself. "With my magic, I can tap into its mind and try to convince it to submit to me."

"A spell to control the mind," Uriel remarked. "That's actually quite terrifying."

"You're simplifying it, my lady," Mycelia sighed. "My spell tames the creature, and makes them more passive and agreeable."

"Can it be used on ANY creature?" Uriel asked.

"Only those of low intellect, basically animals and such," Mycelia answered. "Shall I attempt to do so?"

"I would prefer to handle this without having to draw my weapon or spill blood," Uriel admitted, as she patted her sword. "Very well, do what you can."

"Yes, my lady," Mycelia said, with a bow.

The Dark-Elf stepped out of her hiding spot and slowly walked towards the great spider. As she approached, Mycelia concentrated her power and focused her mind.

The spider soon noticed her. Leaving its meal unfinished, the creature climbed down from its cobweb and slowly loomed towards her. Its sharp legs pricked the earth with each step. It hissed unpleasantly, as all of its eight crimson eyes locked onto the elf.

As she drew closer, Mycelia raised her hand and began to recite an incantation in a low and booming voice. As she recited, her words would echo, but with a more twisted and sinister tone. She spoke in tongue foreign to the entire company. Not even Jotun could understand a word she spoke, for it was not elven or anything familiar.

Before long, Mycelia's magic took effect. The spider stopped in its tracks and twitched. It hissed with agitation, as the hairs around its body and legs trembled. It twitched from left to right, trying its hardest to resist the spell being cast upon it.

Mycelia raised her voice, as she exerted more power into her spell. Black veins appeared around her face and her arms, as she continued to cast. Her magic began to slowly overwhelm the spider, forcing it down to the ground, practically bending all its legs.

The Dark-Elf continued to pressure the spider into submission, until she laid eyes upon its abdomen. The crimson pattern on its body began to glow like light from a blazing furnace. This light radiated with a strange and rather relaxing energy.

Without even realizing it herself, Mycelia became quieter. Her strength slowly vanished, and her incantation became weaker. The black veins shrunk down, until they disappeared from her skin. Her arm trembled, and eventually dropped. Soon after, she fell to her knees, unable to utter a single word or make a sound. Her eyes remained open, gazing at the spider's abdomen.

Now that her spell had gone, the spider returned to its senses and continued its advance.

"Mycelia is in trouble!" Uriel remarked aloud.

"Trouble is putting it mildly," Jotun growled. The Drow jumped out of his hiding spot and dashed towards the scene. Uriel and Ragosh soon followed after.

Jotun drew both swords and yelled as loud as he could, grabbing the spider's attention. As soon as he got within reach, Jotun swung his blades and delivered a number of quick swipes at the spider's mandibles and legs, forcing it to take a few steps back.

The pattern's glow, on the spider's abdomen, eventually faded. Met with a new enemy, the spider found itself unable to maintain its trance on the elven sorceress.

Although now freed from the spider's power, Mycelia could not find the strength to stand or immediately return to her senses. With a faint groan, Mycelia slowly closed her eyes and dropped on her side with a loud thud.

Fortunately for her, Uriel and Ragosh quickly reached her. Placing an ear against Mycelia's chest, Uriel heard and felt a beat behind the breast. "She is still alive," Uriel sighed with relief. "Hurry, get her to safety! I will assist Jotun!"

Ragosh did not waste any time with words. Taking Mycelia into his arms, Ragosh fled the area and made distance from the ongoing battle.

Drawing her sword, Uriel joined Jotun in battle. She swung and landed a clean strike against one of the legs, only to realize that it had little effect.

"Be wary of the spider's abdomen, my lady!" Jotun grunted. "For it may do to you, what it did to the Sightless Sister!"

"I'll keep that in mind," Uriel growled.

Uriel and Jotun attacked the spider with impressive speed and heart-clenching ferocity. They alone would have taken down twenty men by themselves. However, they did not face mere men, but a monster that moved and fought in ways that even seasoned fighters would not quite expect.

Despite having received several strikes against the legs and mandibles, the spider did not fall or even flinch. Its appendages had many cuts, but its main body remained uninjured.

"Quite the talented monster we have here," Jotun complimented, as he blocked a claw from one of the spider's legs.

"You're praising it?!" Uriel grunted, ducking down just in time to avoid a swing.

"How can I not?" Jotun replied with a grin. He attempted another strike, only to be blocked. "It has been a while since I faced a rather skilled monster."

Uriel groaned, as she took a few steps back. "I hate to admit it, but it fights with more than just feral instinct," she said. "Any ideas on how to put it down?"

"Sadly, I didn't actually plan for this encounter," Jotun replied. "For now, keep fighting until we find an opening."

Before they could resume the battle, the two heard a series of agonized groans. Several bodies of shadows appeared from the darkness of the woods and slogged towards them. At first, Uriel and Jotun believed them to be revenants, but these figures appeared much smaller, and did not carry the same malevolent aura as the vindictive spirits.

More and more of these dark figures emerged from the woods and attacked the spider. Despite their numbers, not a single one could actually hurt the monster. If anything, the spider simply swatted and stomped on them, as if they were mere flies.

"What are these things?" Uriel asked.

"I believe I have an idea," Jotun replied, as he pointed at the trees.

Not too far off, Mycelia weakly stood with her eyes glowing violet. She struggled to maintain her spell with one hand, while she leaned on Ragosh for support.

"My lady, Jotun, make your escape now!" Mycelia groaned, as the sweat dropped from her face. "I cannot distract the monster for too long."

Uriel's pride told her to stay and finish the creature, but she had enough reason to do otherwise. "We retreat!" she ordered Jotun.

She sheathed her sword and ran towards the trees. The Drow did not respond. He gave the spider one last look, before following after his master.

The spider noticed its two enemies fleeing. It attempted to give chase, but found itself badgered by the relentless shadowy beings. They did little to hinder it, but just about enough to keep the spider from chasing after the two.

Before long, Uriel and Jotun escaped. The company fled a little further from the site, until they felt themselves safe from the spider's wrath. They each then took a moment to catch their breath, before uttering another word.

"That spider proved to be more vicious than I expected," Uriel groaned, as she sat on the ground and leaned against a tree. "We will require another plan to deal with it."

"Why don't we just have the Sightless Sister use her magic against it?" Jotun suggested. "Use that strange spell that summons those shadow monsters and overwhelm it, like you did against that metal guardian."

"We would have to wait until nightfall then," Mycelia answered. "That spell's power increases, depending on the prevailing shadows. As dim as these woods appear to be, it is not enough to meet the spell's demands."

"Perhaps it would indeed be best to wait until night," Uriel agreed. "By then, maybe we could sneak past the monster and collect the fruits from the tree."

"That won't be necessary," Daku announced, suddenly appearing amongst them, alongside Krin.

Uriel looked at the two Chamael with a very cross look on her face. "Where were both of you?!" she snarled. "We could have used assistance against the monster."

"Pardon our absence from the battle, Lady Overlord," Daku apologized. "But while you were both fighting the monster, Krin and I snuck up to the tree and collected these."

They revealed several fruits, some of them still with leaves from the tree. "It may be few, but the exile never said how many we needed to retrieve," Krin added.

"How do I know these are the fruits of the tree, and not just ones you plucked from others?" Uriel asked, still slightly suspicious.

"Look at the leaves," Krin replied, holding a fruit with its stem and few leaves still attached. "Other trees produce regular leaves, while this one produces black ones. They indeed have come from that tree."

"There is no need to return back there and risk our lives again," Daku grunted. "We have obtained what was asked."

Uriel looked at the fruit, and then passed a glance at the two Chamael. Her temper dissipated, and she softly sighed. "Well done," she commended with a nod. "I will inform your chieftain of the great service you have provided me."

"Thank you, Lady Overlord," the two Chamael said together, as they bowed.

"Well, now that this is out of the way, shall we go meet with the exiles?" Mycelia suggested. "I'd very much like to leave these woods."

"Indeed, let us return this harvest to them now," Uriel agreed.

Navigating out the woods proved to be much easier than navigating into it. Before long, the company left the woodlands and return to the Shunen Grounds, where Sidra and many other exiles waited for them.

"We have returned with what you have asked," Uriel replied, tossing one of the fruits towards him.

Sidra inspected the fruits. He saw the leaves, but did not stop there. He opened his mouth and chomped off a large portion. Red juices gushed out and splatted on the floor and his chest. The exile let the flavor sink into his tongue, before reaching a conclusion.

"This is indeed the fruit from the tree," Sidra admitted.

"You never told us that the monster lives around that tree," Uriel huffed, as she crossed her arms. "I hope this fruit actually satisfies your pallet."

"Oh no, it doesn't," Sidra replied, as he tossed the fruit. "It tastes sour and quite inedible. I would never like to eat it again."

A nerve snapped on Mycelia's forehead. "Then what was the point of sending us over there?!" she yelled.

"It was a test of trust," Sidra answered. "The other trees have fruits similar to white one, but better. However, rather than simply taking those fruits, you faced the spider and proved yourselves to be honorable. By doing this, you have proven that your word has merit."

"Then does that mean I have your cooperation?" Uriel asked.

Sidra chuckled, as he approached and then kneeled to her. "I, Sidra, once of the Apotos Clan, am at your service," he replied. "What you command, I will obey."

Eventually, others followed and bent the knee. While several still chose not submit themselves to her, a great number decided to take her offer. More than three hundred warriors, each as different as the other knelt down and swore fealty towards their new master, their Overlord.