Shinta found herself at the edge of a vast forest, its entrance veiled in thick, swirling mist. Towering over the path stood two massive treants, their ancient bodies covered in bark so dense it resembled living stone. These were godly-level plant creatures, standing as eternal sentinels to this sacred land.
Kaeylin stepped forward and whispered an incantation in the Fey tongue, her voice flowing like a song in harmony with nature. The moment the last syllable left her lips, the mist obeyed, parting like curtains to reveal a path bathed in soft, golden light. A deep, earthy aroma filled the air as they walked through, the scent of ancient trees and blooming flora unlike anything Shinta had encountered before.
And then, the true magic of the forest was unveiled before her.
Bioluminescent flowers pulsed with an ethereal glow, casting shifting hues of blue, violet, and silver upon the winding roots and moss-covered stones. Vines, animated by unseen forces, curled and twisted playfully through the air, while strange, luminescent insects fluttered around them, leaving trails of golden dust in their wake.
Shinta was so entranced by the mystical scenery that she almost didn’t notice the approaching figures.
At first, she braced herself for guards, expecting armored warriors to emerge from the foliage. But instead, what greeted them was far more surprising—a gathering of civilians, unarmed and dressed in garments woven from leaves and vines. There were even children among them, their eyes wide with curiosity.
Shinta quickly realized why they stared at her with such interest.
They don’t see outsiders often…
She straightened her posture as whispers spread through the crowd. Some of the women observed her closely, their gazes lingering on her hair and features.
As they moved deeper into the village, Shinta noted that the homes weren’t artificial structures but seamlessly woven into nature. Trees twisted to form houses, their branches interlocking into archways and spiraling staircases. Giant mushrooms served as platforms, and waterfalls cascaded down into crystal-clear pools where strange amphibious creatures lounged lazily.
One detail, however, stood out.
Almost everyone she saw was female.
“Where are all the men?” she muttered to herself.
When they reached a modest wooden hut nestled against a large tree, an elderly woman was already waiting for them. Her silver hair flowed down her back, and her piercing golden eyes carried an authority that made even Kaeylin lower her head in respect.
“You didn’t manage to bring him back?” the elder asked Kaeylin, disappointment evident in her voice.
Then, her gaze shifted to Shinta. The weight of it was suffocating, like being scrutinized by a predator assessing its prey.
“So this is the girl?”
Before Shinta could even respond, the elder reached out with claw-like fingers, seizing her wrist. A sharp sting followed as her nails sliced into Shinta’s palm, drawing a thin stream of blood.
“That hurt!” Shinta yanked her hand back, glaring. “You could at least ask first!”
The old woman examined the blood closely, then scowled. “Her blood… it’s tainted.”
Shinta clenched her jaw. The words stirred something inside her, an irritation bubbling beneath the surface. But instead of snapping back, she took a breath, forcing herself to stay calm.
“Well… actually…” She met the elder’s gaze with defiance. “My mother isn’t a Fey Wolf. She’s of serpent bloodline.”
The elder’s golden eyes remained steady, but there was no malice in them. Instead, an amused smile crossed her face. “You really are a traveler, aren’t you?”
Shinta blinked, confused by the sudden shift in demeanor.
“You misunderstand, child,” the elder continued, her voice softer now. “The Fey blood does not run exclusively through the Wolf lineage. While rare, there have been Serpent Fey in our history as well.”
Shinta’s breath hitched slightly at the revelation.
“This girl,” the elder said with a sly smile, “is no Wolf either. She is of the Tiger lineage. That explains her sharp tongue and fiery temper.”
Kaeylin’s face darkened with a frown. She exhaled through her nose, clearly irritated. “Granny, you shouldn’t speak like this to an outsider,” she muttered. “Just tell me—can you confirm if she is truly Fey or not? What did you mean when you said her blood was tainted?”
The elder turned her gaze back to Shinta, this time with an intensity that made the young girl feel as if she were being stripped bare, her very essence examined.
“There is something unnatural within your blood”
Shinta’s stomach tightened. The first thing that came to her mind was the horrific experiments the Serpent Clan had done on her.
“What do you mean?” she asked cautiously.
The elder slowly shook her head. “That… only Earth Mother can confirm… follow me.”
Shinta followed the elder deeper into the grove, her steps hesitant as she took in the surroundings.
At the heart of the sacred land stood a towering tree, its bark shimmering with a faint golden hue. Massive roots coiled through the ground like ancient serpents, and its sprawling branches formed a radiant canopy that bathed the shrine in soft emerald light. Though the place bore similarities to the Fey Shrine back on Earth, there was an undeniable weight in the air—an overwhelming presence that sent a shiver down her spine.
Then, she saw her.
A female figure whose body had fused with the sacred wood. Her face was serene, yet vines wove through her limbs like living veins. Her hair merged with the leaves, her very essence intertwined with the tree itself.
Was she alive? What… is she?
Shinta’s thoughts scattered when the elder woman stepped forward, bowing deeply.
“Earth Mother, we have brought the daughter.”
Shinta barely had time to react before something shifted in the air.
The female figure slowly opened her eyes.
A luminous green glow radiated from within them, and before Shinta could move, thick vines erupted from the roots, wrapping tightly around her wrists and ankles. More tendrils surged forward, coiling around her waist and pulling her off her feet.
“What—?!” She gasped, thrashing against the sudden restraint. “No! Let me go!”
Her struggles were futile. The vines held firm—not painful, but unyielding, pulsing with raw spirit energy that coursed through her veins. She felt her entire body tremble under its overwhelming force.
A voice echoed through the grove, deep and layered, as if spoken by the wind itself.
“You are indeed one of us… you are the descendant of the Day Wolf…”
Shinta felt a wave of relief at the confirmation. “That means we’re related, right? ….Then please, let me go.”
However, the vines did not release her. Instead, they tightened even further, constricting her movements.
The same voice echoed in her mind once more.
“No… There is corruption. You will stay until I have cleansed it all.”
“Wait, what? No—!”
Shinta’s body tensed as an overwhelming force surged into her like a flood. Energy poured into her veins, an unrelenting tide that sent her senses into chaos.
A warning flickered in her mind—her father’s voice warning her not to come alone.