The midday sun hung high over Greenwood Village, its rays filtering through the starbloom grove, casting dappled light across the cobblestone paths. The air was warm, scented with ripe apples and fresh-cut moonwheat, a gentle breeze carrying the hum of villagers preparing for the day's work. Akira stood in the village center, his satchel heavy with supplies for the journey to Glimmerfen—bread, nuts, a jar of Hana's apple preserves, and a waterskin. His heart thrummed with anticipation, the greenhouse project so close to completion with Durin's metal brackets secured. Now, only the glass remained.
Hana had gone to the storage sheds to gather spring crops harvested days ago—mooncarrots with their silvery glow, starlettuce crisp and green, froststrawberries bursting with tangy sweetness, saicauliblooms with their delicate purple petals, and potatogems, their earthy richness perfect for roasting. These would sustain the gnomes of Glimmerfen until Akira could address their crop, farming, and pest issues, a promise tied to the trade agreement forged in Havenbrook.
Akira approached the village center, where Fenwick stood, his green cap tilted, his lantern glowing softly even in daylight. Thalion, Durin, and Kael were with him, their faces bright with encouragement. Akira adjusted his satchel, his voice eager. "Fenwick, you all set for the trip?"
Fenwick nodded, his eyes twinkling. "Aye, Akira, I'm ready. Packed light, just what I need. You?"
Akira patted his satchel, grinning. "Got everything—food, water, and hope for that glass. I was thinking we'd bring a ton of crops for Glimmerfen, but I know the Whispering Woods won't make that easy."
Fenwick's expression turned serious, his voice low. "You're right about that. We can't take a cart through the Woods—it's trouble enough navigating on foot. The fog's thick, the paths twist, and a cart would slow us to a crawl. We'll carry what we can on our backs—mooncarrots, starlettuce, froststrawberries, potatogems. If the gnomes need more, it's a short trip back."
Akira nodded, his tone thoughtful. "Makes sense. Let's keep it manageable, then."
As they spoke, Hana and Liora approached, Hana carrying 4 large woven bags bulging with crops. Her gray-streaked hair was tied back, her apron dusted with earth, her brown eyes warm but focused. Liora trailed behind, her auburn hair glinting, her moonstone bracelet catching the light.
Hana set the bags down, her voice a mix of pride and frustration. "Aki, I wanted to load Durin's cart to the brim with crops—mooncarrots, starlettuce, froststrawberries, potatogems—but Liora told me a cart won't make it through the Whispering Woods. So, I brought these four bags instead."
Liora shrugged, her voice light. "It's true, Hana. The Woods are no place for carts. The fog's too thick, and the paths are too narrow. Two people can barely keep their bearings as it is."
Fenwick clapped his hands, his grin wide. "Hana, I can't thank you enough for the thought. These bags will do wonders for Glimmerfen. But Liora's right—a cart would be a nightmare. We'll manage with what we can carry."
Hana sighed, her tone softening. "Alright, I understand. Just make sure those gnomes eat well."
Akira and Fenwick divided the bags—Akira taking two heavy ones filled with mooncarrots and starlettuce, Fenwick taking one of froststrawberries and one of potatogems. Akira glanced at Fenwick's single satchel, his brow furrowing. "What happened to your other bag?"
Fenwick chuckled, adjusting his cap. "Left it at Thalion's cottage. I'm not gone forever, Akira. I'll be back, and my stuff's safe here."
Akira's face lit up, his voice warm. "That's right. Greenwood's your home too, now."
Their conversation paused as Elara approached, walking slowly with Saya at her side, the silver spirit hovering above them, its translucent form shimmering like moonlight. Elara's pink dress flowed softly, her silver hair ponytail with a moonbloom, her green eyes bright despite her recent exhaustion. Saya's auburn braids bounced, her smile cheerful, while the silver spirit twirled playfully.
Akira rushed to Elara, his voice laced with concern. "Elara, you didn't have to come all the way here! You should be resting."
Elara laughed, her hand resting on her belly. "I'm fine, Dear. How could I stay in the cottage when you're off on a journey? It's my duty to see you off."
Akira's cheeks flushed, his words stumbling. "I… well, okay. I just worry, that's all."
Elara's smile softened, her voice gentle but firm. "Dear, you need to be careful in the Whispering Woods. There are dangers—will-o'-wisps and shadow beasts. The shadow beasts aren't a problem in the fog; they travel through shadows, and the Woods' mist blocks the sun. But in some spots, the fog clears suddenly, leaving patches of sunlight. That's where they lurk. Stay alert."
Akira nodded, his eyes wide. "Got it. I'll watch for those clear spots."
Elara hesitated, her voice lowering. "And the will-o'-wisps… they're trickier. They sing a song as you pass through the Woods, and it's beautiful, hypnotic. If you listen too closely, it draws you in, makes you turn to face them. If you look into their eyes, they rush through you, freezing your heart."
Akira's face paled, his voice trembling. "Freezing my heart? How do I avoid that? How do I not listen to their song?"
Elara squeezed his hand, her tone reassuring. "Just focus on something else—your thoughts, your steps, anything. Keep your mind busy, and you'll be fine."
Akira glanced at Fenwick, his voice uncertain. "You don't seem worried about the will-o'-wisps. Is it just me who has to be careful?"
Fenwick grinned, his lantern glowing brighter. "Will-o'-wisps don't bother gnomes, dwarves, or elves much. Their magic's weak against us. But humans? They love humans—your minds are easier to sway, even with your connection to the Forest Heart. Don't worry, though. I've got your back."
Akira exhaled, his tension easing. "Good to know. Thanks, Fenwick."
He turned to Elara, pulling her into a gentle hug. "I'll be careful, I promise. And I'll bring that glass back for the greenhouse."
Elara kissed his forehead, her voice soft. "I know you will, Dear."
Akira turned to Hana, Saya, and the silver spirit, his tone earnest. "I know you're all taking care of Elara, but I have to say it—please, keep her safe."
Saya nodded, her smile warm. "Of course, Akira. She's my big sister."
The silver spirit shimmered, its voice a soft breeze. "We'll guard her—and the preserves."
Hana's eyes sparkled with pride, her voice quiet. "You're learning, Aki. Go do what you need to."
Liora stepped forward, her voice teasing. "Get that glass, leader. Don't let us down."
Akira waved as he and Fenwick turned to leave, his hand raised until the village faded from view, the starblooms a glowing memory. The path to the Whispering Woods stretched ahead, the air growing cooler, the scent of pine and damp earth replacing the village's warmth.
As they entered the Woods, a thick fog enveloped them, the world reduced to hazy shapes and muffled sounds. Akira's steps slowed, his voice uneasy. "No wonder this place is dangerous. I can barely see two feet ahead. It's… mysterious, but I kind of like it."
Fenwick chuckled, his lantern casting a faint glow. "That's the Whispering Woods for you. Nobody knows what's out there. No one's fully explored it—too many twists, too many tricks. Stick to the well-known path, and we'll be fine."
Akira's brow furrowed, his voice curious. "How do you even know the path? You can't see anything in this fog."
Fenwick grinned, reaching into his coat to pull out a small silver bell, its surface etched with gnome runes. "Don't worry, I've got this." He rang the bell, its clear chime cutting through the fog. A golden light flared, weaving through the mist like a thread, illuminating a narrow path ahead. "This is the well-known path. The bell was made with Glimmerfen soil and gnome magic. It always leads us home."
Akira's eyes widened, his voice awed. "You just ring a bell, and it shows the way? That's incredible."
Fenwick laughed, his cap bobbing. "Don't think too hard about it, Akira. It's just the magic of this world."
They followed the golden light, their bags heavy with crops, the fog swirling around them. The Woods whispered—soft rustles, distant hoots, the occasional snap of a twig. Akira's mind raced, the mystery of Arathia sinking deeper. This world keeps surprising me, he thought. Bells that guide, spirits that guard, trees that live forever.
By afternoon, they reached a clearing where a massive banyan tree loomed, its sprawling roots like a village of their own, its canopy blotting out the sky. Akira stopped, his voice breathless. "I've never seen a tree this big. It's… unreal."
Fenwick nodded, his tone reverent. "That's the Great Banyan. 1200 years old, maybe more. It's a legend, a reminder of how ancient this world is. Glimmerfen's got stories about it—says it holds the secrets of Whispering Wood."
Akira's eyes traced the roots, his voice soft. "We had banyan trees back home, but nothing like this. It's like it's alive in a different way."
Fenwick set down his bags, his voice cheerful. "Let's eat here. Mooncarrots and bread?"
They sat beneath the banyan, sharing mooncarrots and bread, their tangy sweetness a comfort in the eerie Woods. As they ate, a faint melody drifted through the fog, haunting and beautiful, like a lullaby woven with starlight. Akira's head turned, his heart lurching.
Fenwick grabbed his arm, his voice sharp. "Don't listen, Akira. It's the will-o'-wisps. Think of something else—Elara, the greenhouse, anything."
Akira tightened his grip on Fenwick's hand, forcing his mind to Elara's smile, the warmth of the cottage, the greenhouse's promise. He thought of his journey to Arathia, the Starweave book, the battles, and bonds. The song faded, the will-o'-wisps vanishing as if they'd never been. Akira exhaled, his voice shaky. "That was close. Their song… It's beautiful, but terrifying."
Fenwick nodded, his tone serious. "That's their trick. Beauty that lures you in. You did well, keeping your head."
They pressed on, the golden light guiding them through twisting paths. By evening, the fog thinned, and Glimmerfen emerged—a village of glowing mushrooms and burrowed homes, their lanterns casting a warm, amber glow. Guards stood at the entrance, their spears glinting, their faces stern as they spotted Akira, a human.
One guard, a stout gnome with a red cap, rushed off, his voice urgent. "Fenwick's back—with a human! The leader needs to know!"
The gnome leader, Tilda, stood in her council chamber, her white hair braided tightly, her eyes blazing with anger. "A human? In our holy land? Fenwick's broken every rule! Bring them to me—now!"
As Akira and Fenwick approached, the guards leveled their spears, the tips grazing their necks. The red-capped guard's voice was cold. "Fenwick, why'd you bring a human here? Tilda's furious. You have to face her, both of you."
Fenwick's voice was calm but firm. "Easy, now. Akira's not like other humans. He's here to help—brought crops for Glimmerfen, mooncarrots, starlettuce, more."
The guard's eyes narrowed, his spear steady. "Crops are good, but humans are all the same. Tilda's orders are clear. You'll explain yourselves to her."
Akira's heart raced, the spears' cold metal a stark reminder of Glimmerfen's distrust. Fenwick met his gaze, his voice low. "Stay calm, Akira. We'll sort this out."
The guards marched them toward Tilda's chamber, the village's glowing mushrooms casting eerie shadows, the promise of the greenhouse hanging in the balance.