The Endless Forest

Eri sat still, thinking, contemplating everything that Ithea revealed to her. Some of it made sense, some didn’t. But…

But what do I say? What do I do? She had never seen herself as a motherly figure, and now Ithea wasn’t just telling her that but also asking for help.

She shook her head and recited what was quickly becoming her mantra, One thing at a time.

Ithea had a problem and had come to her. Okay…

There was something bothering her about Ithea. The way the woman spoke about not being able to feel any emotions just didn’t make sense. In fact, the more she considered the dragon woman’s words, the more it made her frown.

“I don’t believe you.”

Ithea’s expression was one of temporary confusion before she narrowed her eyes. “What?”

Eri shook her head. The more she thought about it the more nonsensical it sounded, it frustrated her. “You say you don’t have any emotions. You implied that you don’t love Zira. Yet, you came to me, hoping that I could help you with that?”

She met Ithea’s cold stare. “I don’t believe you.”

The air around them grew colder. “You think I’m–”

“No. I don’t think you were lying to me, I think you are lying to yourself.” Eri paused for a moment, watching how Ithea’s expression turned back to confusion. “There are only two reasons why you’d want to suddenly improve your relationship with Zira.

“Either you are completely lying because she has something you want, which I don’t think is the case, or… You always loved her.”

Ithea could no longer sit still. “Do you not understand?!” she shouted, hopping up. “Do you think this is easy for me?! I…”

Her cold exterior cracked and her voice fell to a whisper. “I was alone…for so long. I lost it all.”

Eri winced. Just like Felix… “But now you have your chance,” she said, attempting to keep a calm tone. “You always loved her, though. You simply decided to try, but you don’t know how.”

The dragon woman looked like she wanted to argue, but instead, collapsed back to the ground.

“Ithea, you love Zira. We just need to, uh…improve your attitude. You need to open yourself up to her and–” Eri stopped herself, realizing something. “You need to make amends with Felix, she won’t trust you otherwise.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?! Felix is– Well it’s complicated!” Ithea took a deep breath and began to recompose herself. “I can’t explain it either.”

Closing her eyes, Eri took a breath of her own. Truthfully, she knew there was something unsavory about Felix’s past. Why else would everyone go to such great lengths to keep it hidden? Though, it did help that those same people also believed he was needed here.

I don’t know how to feel about that myself… But the Felix I know is a good person. Does his past even matter? She didn’t know, but what she did know was her feelings for him. She would trust those over everything else.

“You…might not be able to forgive him, but your hostility towards him is hurting Zira.” She paused for a moment. “May I ask you something?”

“What?”

“Do you hate Felix’s past, or do you hate Felix himself?”

Silence, it stretched on for several seconds before Ithea responded. “I’ve told you… I cannot answer that.”

Eri nodded. “I understand, but you should be able to answer it to yourself. I think once you do, we can proceed.” She stood up and let out a yawn. “For now though, I think I will go take a nap. Let me know when you’ve figured it out.”

She walked away.

Felix picked himself up off the floor and shook the weariness away, at least for the time being… He eyed the sofa before deciding against it, he would probably not get up.

Yedril looked up to him with concern. “Are you alright? We can talk about it later… You should get some rest.”

“I’m good, and I will. Anyway, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?” Felix tried to not look bothered and even forced a smile onto his face. He is dying…

The elf didn’t look convinced but began speaking anyway. “Well… I, uh, was thinking– You see, I never got the chance to learn any useful skills. Though, I suppose my mother would let me help with cooking on occasion… But she never let me handle any of the actual prepping.”

“I see, so you want to learn something useful?” Felix asked.

“Yeah… Just, please, not cleaning. I don’t think I can take much more of that.” Yedril shuddered.

Felix let a real smile show for a moment before he remembered, He’s dying. “Hmm, well, is there anything you’d like to learn?”

Yedril leaned his head back and stared up at the ceiling. “I…don’t know. That’s why I’m asking. I mean, I did get to see how that potion was made and Solanna did take me hunting once…”

“But?”

The elf did a half-shrug before answering. “Brewing potions require mana, so that’s out of the question. And after watching my sister and that kobold, Tracker, get into an archery competition… I don’t think I will ever be a tenth as good as either of them.”

Felix cocked an eyebrow at the mention of Tracker. He knew of her, and even saw her around a few times, but she was elusive. I think she does a good deal of the hunting around here…

He put a hand up to his chin in thought. “Hmm, well… What about cooking? Did you like that?”

Yedril seemed to ponder his question for a moment. “What little I did? I suppose I didn’t hate it, but like I said, I didn’t do much.”

“Fair enough, but I could talk to Watcher. I bet he could convince Chef to take you in and teach you.”

The sickly elf gulped. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, I’m sure Chef is a nice person but–”

“He’s abrasive, I know. But you’ve tasted his food, you know how skilled he is. I’ll talk with Watcher and make sure Chef understands. Would that work?”

“I’m not so sure…” Yedril muttered, just low enough that Felix didn’t hear it. “Maybe,” he said a bit louder and seemed to think about it a little longer. “I suppose I could at least give it a shot.”

Felix nodded. “Then I suppose I will go talk with him now–”

“Oh! It can wait– Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been sweating this entire time.”

He waved the elf’s concern away. “I’m fine, really.” He’s dying… I’ll go speak with Watcher. “Anyways, was there anything else you wanted to speak to me about?”

“Uh… No, that was it.”

Felix let his smile stretch. “Then I will see you later.”

With that, he turned and briskly left. That is, until he tried to enter the kitchen…

“Oh!”

“Felix! Sorry…” Eri stammered. The two of them ran right into each other.

“No, it was my fault. I…wasn’t paying attention. Sorry,” Felix said, rubbing his neck awkwardly. Meanwhile, Eri’s face reddened.

“What? No, I’m tired and just barreled my way through… It was my fault.”

They both stood there silently, unsure how to proceed. It was Chef who broke them out of their daze. “Shut door! Masters distract!”

The door slammed shut, nearly smacking into Eri. She let out a yelp and jumped closer to Felix. He caught her and ended up staring into her eyes.

There were hints of exhaustion hiding within them, yet that’s not what made him stare. And it wasn’t their beauty either but there was something hiding, deep within them. Something he couldn’t quite figure out.

“Are you okay?” he asked, letting her go and stepping back.

“I’m fine.” Eri quickly looked away, her cheeks now crimson.

“Good…” he said, trailing off. They were back to their awkward silence.

She coughed and spoke up. “A-anyways, I, uh… I’m going to get some rest.”

“Huh? Oh, right. Sorry.” He stepped to the side and gestured for her to pass.

“Thank you.” She began to walk but came to a sudden stop. She turned her head and addressed him one final time. “You…haven’t pushed yourself too hard, have you?”

It took him a moment to figure out what she meant. “Huh? No. Me and Zira did get some training done, but like you, I’m going to get some rest… With Zira, of course.” After I speak with Watcher, I guess…

She nodded. “That’s good…” Felix thought he saw her frown for a moment, but she quickly turned around and began walking away. “I’ll see you later then,” she called out.

“See you,” he responded.

A few moments later, she was climbing the stairs…

Felix let out a sigh and brought his attention back to the kitchen door. Reaching for the handle, he opened it and stepped into the chaos.

He dodged kobolds and a few flying objects as Chef shouted to his cooks, and proceeded outside. He paused as the door behind closed, taking in the clearing before him.

Somewhere out in the distance he could make out Kyrith, apparently frolicking around. The dragon appeared to have several lumps on his back, but at this distance it wasn’t entirely clear what they were.

He scanned over to Zira, who’s shape was distinct in and among the shade of the giant sky trees. He so desperately wanted to go and curl up with her, or be used as a pillow… Really, he just wanted to sleep.

He’s dying… With a sense of urgency, he ignored his own wants and desires and made for the hatchery.

Thankfully, it looked like Watcher was finished with his ‘teaching,’ as the three elves were standing outside while the kobold closed up the hatchery. As Felix approached, though, it became obvious that something had happened.

The three elves had a mixture of surprise, confusion, and… Wonderment? Of course, they were practically slumped over, looking exactly like he felt. However, they quickly perked up at his appearance.

“Done?” he asked when he made it to them.

Watcher bowed to him, having turned around at the sound of his approach. “Watcher teach, Watcher show elf eggs.”

Felix gave the kobold a slight bow in return. “Thank you, Watcher. I really do appreciate you helping me. But before you go, I’d like to talk with you…”

“Watcher stay,” the old gray kobold said, his expression neutral.

Felix gave a little nod and faced the three elves. “I hope it was informative…” And that he hasn’t scared you off, he thought to himself.

“He, uh… It was interesting.” Solanna responded, she sounded like she wasn’t sure what to say. Lorem simply nodded his head in agreement while Noria added to the conversation.

“He…showed us eggs and– I don’t know how to describe it, but at least I felt compelled to touch one of them.”

Felix’s eyes widened at that and cast a side glance over to the kobold. “Really? That’s… Well, that is interesting.”

“Watcher want surprise Master. Watcher watch new Masters, Watcher find eggs that new Masters can hatch,” the kobold stated, now clearly wearing a grin.

“That…new Masters can hatch?” Felix asked, he wasn’t entirely sure what the kobold meant.

“I think he’s talking about the task you gave him… He said you wanted him to sort the eggs based on which ones were closer to hatching. Instead, he found four eggs that are compatible with us, I think…” Noria clarified.

“I don’t–” Felix whipped around to face Watcher. “Wait, can you do that? Does it work like Zira’s ability?”

Watcher waited patiently for him to finish speaking before bowing. “Watcher don’t know… Watcher sees new Masters and Watcher watches… Watcher only guess.”

“And it worked?”

“Yes.”

Felix felt his jaw dropping and quickly snapped it shut. It hasn’t even been that long since they’ve been here! “Right, we’ll have to discuss this later, however…” He looked back to the elves. “You three are dismissed for today. I, uh… Need to think some things over.”

He watched as they said their goodbyes before addressing Watcher again. “Okay, I, uh, wanted to talk to you about Yedril.”

The kobold cocked his head in confusion.

“Nothing bad– Well, nothing bad per se, but could you talk with Chef and see if he will be willing to teach Yedril how to cook?”

Watcher went into thought for a moment. “New Master, sick elf, want learn how cook? Why?”

“He’s… How do I say it? He’s been sheltered most of his life, never learned any useful skills, and now he wants to. I suggested cooking because it was the only thing he has any experience in.”

The kobold shouted suddenly. “Ah! Watcher think Watcher understand! New sick Master like hatchling, needs teaching. Watcher tell Chef to teach.”

Felix quickly grabbed the kobold by the shoulder, before he could rush off. “Wait! You need to make it clear to Chef that he cannot treat Yedril like he does with his cooks.”

Watcher nodded. “Master no fear, Watcher explain to Chef. Watcher know how make Chef listen…” A sadistic smile grew upon the kobold’s face.

With a gulp, Felix let him go. “Thanks…”

However, Watcher didn’t leave. “Master? Watcher have…idea, Watcher think new Masters need teaching too. Kobolds teach new Masters new tricks. Master like idea?”

Hmm, that’s not a terrible idea. Besides, it could help the elves get more acquainted with the kobolds. “Honestly, Watcher? That’s a good idea. I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”

The kobold almost beamed as he bowed. A moment later, the kobold was gone.

Felix let out one final sigh and slumped his shoulders. He was exhausted, and now? He could finally rest.

He made his way to Zira…

Eri was laying on her bed, staring up at her ceiling. Her dirty clothes, the very same ones that she had been wearing since yesterday, laid on the ground in a pile. Damp hair was left unkempt, water seeping into her pillow and bed.

She laid there, tired but unable to close her eyes. Her mind would not stop now that she was alone. Her thoughts centered on herself, Kyrith, and Felix.

It was no surprise, really. She finally understood why Felix and Zira seemed to be able to do what she and Kyrith could not. It wasn’t just trust that those two had, it was deeper. He would give his life up for her…

Eri blinked. Could she say the same about herself? Could she take a killing blow for Kyrith? Her immediate response was yes, but was she just saying that? Felix would for Zira, there was no doubt in her mind.

He might even do the same for her or Kyrith…

It wasn’t selflessness either, at least not all because of it, Felix simply didn’t want to be alone. Losing a friend was the equivalent in his mind, that Eri was almost sure of.

But can I do it?

She would defend her friends, she would do everything in her power to help them. But can I die for them, no questions asked?

Eri closed her eyes and thought of a world where she lost Kyrith, where she lost Felix…

Her mind went back to that day. The day where she lost her family, her friends, and her tribe.

Loneliness… Depression… A cold and empty world.

A shiver ran down her spine. She had lived through it once. Her brutal lesson then had been to not involve herself with others, because they too, might die.

But that was wrong, wasn’t it? I never want to lose another person…another friend. She opened her eyes, finding them blurred with tears.

“Yes.”

Noria fell backwards onto her bunk, every muscle screaming from exertion. The tome, the very same one that she had originally found in the library, laid next to her. It was filled with notes.

Half-tempted to pick up and open it, she pushed it further away from her. She was just too tired…

Besides, that egg. Noria flexed her hand, even now she wanted to touch it. The others, save for Yedril, all felt the same. It wasn’t lost on them what would happen if they did so. Yet, that only made her want to touch it more.

“Are you all alright?” Yedril asked, sounding concerned. He had accompanied them to their dorm.

“Yeah…” Solanna muttered.

“What happened?”

“Watcher happened,” his sister answered. Noria just let out a sigh, she had no strength to interject.

“What she means is, he showed us the eggs we will hatch,” Lorem added.

“Oh…” Yedril sounded dejected.

“There were four. Don’t worry Yedril, yours was there too.”

“I see… Still, I wished I could have been there. I want to see it.” Yedril truly sounded depressed.

Finally, Noria found her strength and turned her head to see him. “Probably not, it's killing me… I want nothing more than to rush out and touch it. Trust me, it's better that you wait.”

He had his hands balled into fists. “Still…” he whispered.

Noria felt bad for him, she understood what it was like to be left out… He’s still pretty young too, and from what I gathered, he hasn’t had too many experiences–

Their door burst open.

They all quickly turned to look. A red kobold with a chef’s hat entered, heading straight for Yedril. “New Sick Master, come!” He reached up and grabbed ahold of Yedril’s arm and began pulling him away.

“What–”

“Watcher say you learn cooking. Chef teach!” The kobold ignored both his and Solanna’s protest and dragged Yedril out of the room.

Noria blinked.

“What just happened?”

Ithea sat up in her favorite tree, she had gotten used to sleeping up here long ago. However, right now, she wasn’t trying to get some rest. No, she was contemplating Eri’s words.

Do I hate him, or just his past? It was a question she had never considered until this point, and her initial thought was she hated him. It made sense to her. Yet, even her cold heart was starting to doubt that.

Even Nevrim seems to be amused by him. That was something that gave her pause, he was the only dragon who could have rivaled her own rage at the human…

She curled up into a ball. Nevrim… There was nothing in this world she wouldn’t give to have him back– No, there was one thing, one person she wouldn’t give up. Zira.

A roar threatened to escape her lips. Her heart ached for her dead mate. His spirit form was just a small fraction of his soul, a shadow.

The rest was sacrificed.

But Zira lives, she heard inside her head. It was Nevrim’s voice, but only an imitation, a figment of her imagination…

Forgive him, Ithea, he didn’t kill me. She let out a laugh at that. It was true that Felix hadn’t killed Nevrim, but he might as well have…

It was all his fault! How can I? she asked herself.

She felt a familiar presence, it was Nevrim.

Because, I want you to be happy, I want our daughter to be happy. You don’t need to suffer any longer. I may be gone, but I am always watching over you and her.

She let out a strained gasp, above her was a spirit, Nevrim’s spirit. But Felix–

Is a victim, much like you and I. You know it to be true, you know his past.

“His past…” Ithea whispered.

I can’t forgive it– Him.

The spirit lowered itself, settling right next to her. The Felix you knew is dead.

The spirit was suddenly gone, the feeling of Nevrim disappeared with it.

She lowered her head back down and closed her eyes, letting the tears flow freely down her cheeks.

“I-I hate…”

Time froze.

“Where is–”

She could not feel him.

“Where is–”

It was quiet, lonely.

“Where is–”

No one moved.

“WHERE IS–”

A body appeared before her, battered and…dead.

“WHERE IS–”

She did not believe it.

“PLEASE, WHERE IS–”

Heads shook at her sight, pity worn on their faces.

“Where is… Please, where is–”

Someone broke down, completely distraught, roaring in pain.

“WHERE IS–”

It was her.

“WHERE IS– WHERE IS–”

She went wild, her eyes searching.

“WHERE IS–”

The body came into view, its eyes open and staring up at her.

“Where is…Felix–”

The dream shattered.