Torches were for chumps. At least, that's what Neru's opinion was. It was biased, perhaps, given that she had her own light that followed her pretty much everywhere, but that was beside the point, wasn't it? Even now, her orbs led the way and provided rear guard with their glow, their twinkling ranging a wide variety of colors, not one of which was negative. Despite the relatively awful reputation this forest had, coupled with its frankly eery aura, Neru was, for the moment, comfortable. She'd come to find something new, and find something new she would. Too many times had she heard cool things about the Lycan Woods to not become interested. It was sad that it was a dangerous place; Sapho would have liked it. But it was a bit dangerous, and Neru knew she still had a long way to go in terms of power, so Sapho was kept at home. The butterfly fairy hadn't seemed too cut up about it; Neru had given her a potted flower to care for not long ago, and that seemed to be nearly everything Sapho had wanted to do as of late. She had simply supposed it was instinct. Not much was known about fairies, and until Neru learned the language, not much more would be known unless somebody else found one. Sapho was a treasure, and Neru would do everything she could to protect her happy little friend from harm.
That reasoning was why she walked through the forest with only a flute and her bag for company, boots rustling pine needles and other debris with the barest of sounds. Nothing had attacked her, which she was (for now that is) attributing to the light she gave off. Perhaps it was being mistaken for fire, which was common as a way to keep wild creatures off.
As if in argument to her, a light that wasn't her own caught her eye. Neru turned, her eyebrows coming together in a betrayal of her confusion. Was another mage around? The light was bluish-white; it couldn't be a fire of any sort. Pausing in her wanders, Neru surveyed the area. It didn't feel like anybody else was around... No reason not to check it out then. She altered her course, making her way towards the light. It was a short walk away; the only reason she hadn't noticed it before now must have been due to the low amount of light it was giving off.
It was a gate of some sorts, standing high enough above her that when approaching it, Neru was forced to tip back her head to see the top properly. A ceremonial gate, perhaps? She could see the forest on the other side of it, even if it was a bit faded out. Could enter it and find out, she thought, her head tipping to the side. That brief impulse took hold of her like a craving, and Neru quickly gave in, gathering her lights to her side and stepping through the gate.
...
It was not ceremonial.
There was still a forest, yes, but it was in no way similar to the dark land from which she'd come. It was filled with lights, dazzling her with the blues and whites to a point that Neru almost assumed she'd accidentally cast Flash on herself. A long sigh was drawn from her lips, and she reached up to push her bangs from her eyes, not wanting any of her sight obstructed. Whatever this place was, she'd certainly found the interesting thing she'd come looking for.
That reasoning was why she walked through the forest with only a flute and her bag for company, boots rustling pine needles and other debris with the barest of sounds. Nothing had attacked her, which she was (for now that is) attributing to the light she gave off. Perhaps it was being mistaken for fire, which was common as a way to keep wild creatures off.
As if in argument to her, a light that wasn't her own caught her eye. Neru turned, her eyebrows coming together in a betrayal of her confusion. Was another mage around? The light was bluish-white; it couldn't be a fire of any sort. Pausing in her wanders, Neru surveyed the area. It didn't feel like anybody else was around... No reason not to check it out then. She altered her course, making her way towards the light. It was a short walk away; the only reason she hadn't noticed it before now must have been due to the low amount of light it was giving off.
It was a gate of some sorts, standing high enough above her that when approaching it, Neru was forced to tip back her head to see the top properly. A ceremonial gate, perhaps? She could see the forest on the other side of it, even if it was a bit faded out. Could enter it and find out, she thought, her head tipping to the side. That brief impulse took hold of her like a craving, and Neru quickly gave in, gathering her lights to her side and stepping through the gate.
...
It was not ceremonial.
There was still a forest, yes, but it was in no way similar to the dark land from which she'd come. It was filled with lights, dazzling her with the blues and whites to a point that Neru almost assumed she'd accidentally cast Flash on herself. A long sigh was drawn from her lips, and she reached up to push her bangs from her eyes, not wanting any of her sight obstructed. Whatever this place was, she'd certainly found the interesting thing she'd come looking for.