Malenia ran back towards the crossroads, the forest seemingly enraged but her nighttime presence. Vines lashed at her like whips, striking her shoulders, back, and legs. She grunted softly with each hit, refusing to cry out as she tries her best to avoid them. She could see the clearing up ahead, as a vine suddenly wraps around her ankle, nearly sending her sprawling. She cuts it off with her sword, as she hobbles into the clearing as the moonlight shines upon her. She falls down exhausted and in pain, from all the scratches all over her body. Luckily as soon as she crossed into the clearing, the attacks ceased. The vines retreated back into darkness of the forest, leaving her alone in the moonlit space.
She is down on her hands and knees, catching her breath and examining the welts left by the vicious vines. Suddenly a hand appears before her as she looks up she sees the Guardian offering help without a word spoken between them. It showing silent understanding and respect for each other's boundaries. She accepted his hand silently, pulling herself up as she whispers softly.
"Thank you."
The Guardian suddenly speaks.
"I did warn you that the forest does not like to be disturbed in the night."
Malenia stood upright, brushing off dirt and leaves from her knees. She looked at him, her expression softening slightly as she realized the wisdom in your earlier warning.
"You did indeed warn me, perhaps my pride get a better of me. Asking for help and resting is not a weakness, but sometimes it feels like admitting failure."
She rubbed her sore ankles gently as she admitted to her stubbornness.
"I should have listened to your advice instead of trying to prove myself under the cover of darkness."
The Guardian turns around start walking to the left path that's more friendly, as the path is open and lit by the moonlight. Malenia follows him silently, her eyes widening slightly as she watches the forest part ways effortlessly before him. She had never seen something like this - nature bending to his will without a single command spoken aloud. As they keep walking for a while, they approached a small hut made entirely made of intertwined vines and tree branches. She pauses in her step as she looks in awe at the hut, before stepping towards it. She whispers softly.
"This place feels alive. Is this your hut?"
She looks around as the vines seemed curled around the whole place protectively.
"This place is for those not foolish enough to venture into the forest at night. But instead choose to rest and prepare for trials ahead."
She now understand that she was the foolish one but accepts the hospitality. As she watches him gesture closely. He weren't forcing her to enter like a demanding warrior would. Instead, his motion was fluid and respectful, inviting rather than commanding. She appreciated that, understanding his nature better now. She stepped inside the tiny hut, ducking slightly beneath the low doorway. It was surprisingly cozy, warm, and dry within.
"For smart travelers, not the foolish ones who run around at night..."
She says to herself. As she walks deeper inside she sees a cozy bed with a table next, she sits down and relaxed as she is tired and in pain. She looks around the hut, noticing the vines moving gently, almost like they where breathing. She swallowed hard, realizing that this hut could also be a trap that could end her quest. She faces the Guardian with genuine curiosity in her eyes.
"Why didn't this place attack me? It could have swallowed me whole just now, instead of offering me shelter."
She gestured vaguely around the room. The Guardian stands at the entrance.
"Not all nature is dangerous. Only when you provoke it or disobey the warnings given, do you face its wrath."
As he explains to her, she watches as he offers her a bowl of forest fruit and berries. Without a word she accepts, as he leaves the hut silently. Her heart skipped a beat at the simple gesture of trust, the talks to herself.
"You weren't ordering her to eat or even insisting. Just leaving the choice entirely up to her."
She picked up a berry, examining it closely before popping it into her mouth. It was sweet, juicy and unlike anything she ever tasted before. She murmured to herself.
"Not all nature is dangerous, if treated with respect."
After she eats she feels satisfied, as she lies down on the comfy bed made out of vines. Just lying there she looks out of the window into the moonlit sky, wondering what else will await her on the quest. Her eyes grow heavy as she drifts to sleep.
As morning has arrived, Malenia woke up to find herself still safe and sound in the living hut. She stretched, feeling refreshed despite the unusual accommodation. She checks her supplies, packing the remaining fruits and berries for the trip. Remembering the Guardians words, she moved calmly and respectfully as she exited the structure. As she walks back to the crossroads she noticed she is alone again, as she takes the right path again. To her surprise, the forest no longer attacked her. Instead, it seemed to part gently, creating a clear path forward. She walked on, deeper into the heath of the forest, with a newfound understanding and appreciation for the natural world around her.
As she walks she notices that while the forest it appeared normal, there is a fog slowly shifting around the floor growing as she moves deeper. The fog feels a bit cold and grows ticker around her, by now she knows this is a trial. But she doesn't despair since it looks mostly harmless, as long as she doesn't lose her path. She keeps walking even when its getting colder and harder to see. She starts to hear noises around her, like branches snaping. She keeps her hand on her sword hilt just incase of danger, but its also weird how would know where she is if they can't see her either. Something feels off as she slowly moves on, but suddenly she feels like the ground is sinking as she backs away immediately. She kneels down to explore the ground noticing its looks like a mud pit, so this trial is more like a maze to get to the other side without sinking into the ground. As she slowly navigates the maze she feels its to hard to tell what is or isn't safe to step on. She getting frustrated with it, as she yells.
"How am i supposed to find the exit?"
As her voice echo's through the forest, she hears a recognizable voice answering.
"If you cant see or hear maybe try touching."
That only confuses her but she tries anyways. As she kneels down touching the floor with her hand, she notices that the floor is colder closer the the mud. She makes a decision to take her boots off, so she could use her bare feet to feel where to walk. She slowly navigates the maze getting cuts but ignores them to get to the end faster. As she keeps walking the fog slowly dissipates as she slowly steps into a new clearing. Relaxed that the trial is over she tends to her feet first before putting her boots on again to prepare for what lies ahead. Walking ahead she senses that the atmosphere is shifting like a new trial awaits.