The message from what could only be assumed as goddesses woke Morticia, who's sleep schedule became completely irregular. Ryerles was getting super worried over the pixie as she watched the life drain from her friend. Where was the pixie she knew and loved? Morticia took the succubus by surprise a minute after the echo of the goddess's voice subsided. "Sounds like fun. Let's go see what trouble we can get into." Just like that, the three took off for the Vada Valley.

A sense of dread was filling Morticia, something telling her she shouldn't be doing this. The closer the friends got, the heavier it made her feel. Should she be attempting a game set up by a goddess or two? Deep in thought about this, the pixie completely missed the gorgeous view on the way to the monolith. Together, they made it inside. Tenebrae perched on a shrine which held four glowing orbs. Of course he would go toward the shiniest part of the room. Chuckling softly, Morticia spied a scroll on the wall. After a moment of investigation, the pixie shimmered and shifted into a five foot six version of herself.

Lavender eyes turned toward the orbs. Padding over to one of them, her bare feet making the softest sounds against the cool floor, Morticia picked one up. "Going to clue me in?" Ryerles asked as she landed on Morticia's shoulder. "Orb of life goes here." She placed it on one of the twin grooves of the circle behind the shrine. Sensing what was happening, Tenebrae latched himself upon her wrist as she picked up a the red orb. "Orb of Love. Once we place it on this groove, we'll be sent to the maze. This is the easiest one, yet the longest. Each poses their own dangers as the level of difficulty increases. After the fourth is finished, there is a fifth maze one must complete before the challenge is over."

Rosenia was awoken in the middle of a sleep period. The forest was rather quiet up to that point. I was a strange lull, but she was enjoying it so. But then there was a loud booming voice in the distance. It was two of the goddesses. One of the voices she recognized instantly. Angela, the one who saved her life after her original forest was burnt to the ground. Then the goddess had stumbled upon her remains, then she brought her back using the seed of the biggest tree that once existed in the heart of her forest. She was given the name Rosenia, then the goddess disappeared as quickly as she had appeared. Miracles happen every day, she assumed.

But now she heard the voice. It had been awhile, ages in fact. But now of all times she was hearing it again. Apparently there was to be some kind of maze off in the distant north. The maze would be difficult and long, but at the end the goddesses would bestow great treasures among them. Rosenia had decided then, and there she would join in on the fun. She would take the couple days trip to the valley to start into that maze.

The monolith stood above her, tall but not to tall. Crowds gathered around, waiting for their chance to enter. She sneaked into the door way with a couple of people, when there was a big enough distraction. The pixie, and her companion caught her eyes. What could someone that small do to complete the maze. Rosenia lurked in the shadows following slowly behind them. They approached a chamber with 4 orbs in a shrine. Before her very eyes the pixie changed into a normal sized person. The transformation basically just made her grow to 5 feet, she still looked exactly the same. “Interesting,” Rosenia whispered slowly to herself, and slowly crept out of the shadows towards them. He long green hair flowed as shes strode across the floor towards the two. The orbs glimmered in her eyes, and she cleared her throat to make her presence known.

Morticia jumped, and began fumbling for the orb. Once it was secure in her hands again, the pixie turned to see a green haired woman. There was an odd sense of serenity coming straight from her as if she was in tune with nature. Ryerles glared at the stranger, arms crossed as she fought to keep her elevation. On the other hand, Tenebrae circled around her before rubbing up against the woman’s arm as he flew back to his perch on Morticia’s arm.

The pixie smiled in a welcoming manner, her voice almost like soft bells. ”Ryerles, if Tenebrae likes her you shouldn’t be so rude. If this stranger wants to join us in entering the maze, it would be unkind to turn down assistance.” With a pout, the succubus sat upon the already inserted orb. ”Who are you and what have you done with my friend?” Laughing, she approached the stranger and held out her hand for a handshake. ”I’m Morticia Nouhime. Join us? I’ve chosen the maze of Life and Love. Fairly easy, according to the scroll over there.”

With introductions out of the way, Morticia placed the second orb, and the group was transported to the maze. Looking around, the hedges were neat and tidy, yet it was near impossible to tell where one should start. ”Hey, Ryer? Care to give us an aerial view? The advantage would be superb.” The succubus took off, flying straight up. Yet, the pixie’s eyes narrowed as she witnessed what was quite possibly the hedges keeping up with Ryerles, preventing any advantage. Eventually, she came back. ”I couldn’t get over them!” ”Then we go the old fashioned way… After you?” she politely offered the stranger.

The dryad giggled lowly as the woman jumped. For a second she thought the orb would drop onto the ground. She watched closely as the orb was caught. She could feel the succubus stare her down. She didn't blame her for not trusting a complete stranger. Strange sight to see a succubus following around a pixie, like two old buddies. A wyvern circled around her, and rubbed against her arm. She reached out to rub its hand on it as it flew by. It them returned to the pixie and wrapped around her arm.

She spoke to her companions regarding the dryad. The pixie had a beautiful voice that sounded like the ringing of bells. She approached Rosenia very warmly. Her hand was outreached for a handshake as she introduced herself. The dryad observed her mannerisms, as she approached, and introduced herself. Deep down the dryad was untrusting of strangers due to the ravaging of her old home. The forest that one stood proudly, and beautiful. It's now nothing, but scorched barren land. The dryad stretched out her hand, and shook the pixies gently. “I am Rosenia guardian of a long forgotten forest, and I would love to join you, and your companions in this maze,” she bowed her head.

After Morticia put the second orb down, they were teleported into the maze. Life, and love she thought to herself as they continued onwards. Hedges rose up on either side of the path, a traditional hedge maze if you will. The succubus took off towards the top of the maze. Rosenia could tell the moment the hedges seemed to stretch upwards, not allowing the airborne succubus to get overview of the maze. There was definitely magic at work here. The dryad placed her hand against the hedges. They were all infused with magic, of course they wouldn't be allowed to cheat that way. Morticia offered the lead to Rosenia. “With pleasure,” she said with a large smile on her face, and continued onward, reading the hedges as much as she could.

Guardian of a forest forgotten ages past? Something about the proclamation resonated with the pixie. As it stood, she only of her kind in Revaliir, unique as she had left her home forest so long ago. Not to mention the sole member of her married family that she knew of in these lands. Morticia followed the dryad, watching the way Tenebrae contented himself with flying figure eights around the two women.

”I think he has a thing for fae folk, or forest folk. So… Lost your forest? I… left mine long ago, myself…” It was an attempt to build a connection. Yet, it sounded far too personal. ”I’m sorry, it’s been too long since I had small talk…” Ryerles scoffed and glanced away, arms folded. Morticia would need to have a talk to her about this later. The group came up to a four way fork with a fountain in the center.

Unfortunately, the silent banter between succubus and pixie as they glared at each other became uncomfortable, even as Ryerles flew off down a path. ”Let’s rest here while she checks out a path or two. Rosenia is a pretty name, by the way. I’m sure there’s supposed to be some kind of trap system somewhere throughout the maze. Gotta keep vigilant, but no reason not to try and be friends?”

The wyvern flew around the two as Morticia started small talk. It’s true they were both fey. Deep down Rosenia wished it was as simple as just leaving her forest. It had been awhile since she had lost her forest. The conversation, brought back memories. Many painful, of which she wanted to forget, but now flooded her mind. The dryad reached out a hand, and smiled as the wyvern just grazed it. They reached a four way fork, with a fountain in the center. The pixie was right there would most likely be traps carefully placed throughout the maze waiting to catch the unaware off guard.

“There’s no harm in trying to be friends no,” Rosenia smiled at the Pixie. She thought back to the day she was named. She recalled her story out loud to try, and satiate her new companion’s curiosity. Coinin Foraoise, a beautiful forest known for its heavily sought after breed of rabbits. These rabbits were sometime poached for their hides. Their fur was a beautiful white, just like fresh fallen powder, in the first shower of the winter season. Under her helpful watch though none of the bunnies would come to harm, as long as she had something to say about it. She could be a very vengeful dryad, shed kill the poachers one way or another. Eventually it spread of the danger of the forest, and the poachers stopped coming. Unfortunately this was the last of troubles.

Eventually it came to pass that the other races would war over frivolous things like land, or deities. One spring afternoon, as she was tending to a field of poppies by her tree, a loud noise came from the north. Large explosions shook the forest. The fires spread from the east, and slowly engulfed the forest. Two warring nations were at war, and one was using the forest for cover. The dryad used her abilities to push as many creatures out of the forest as she could in time. The fires spread, and eventually encircled her grove. Her strength gave out, and she was engulfed in flames, as the rest of the forest turned to ash around her. The night sky was awash in flames, as the once beautiful forest disappeared.

A few days later after the fires died out, and the armies left a visitor wandered upon the ash covered barrens of the forest. A beautiful red headed woman who was clearly not from around there strode through the forest to the location of the once blooming grove. “Such a waste,” the red haired stranger said. She rose her hands, and roots rose from the ground for where the dryads tree once was. From the carcass of the tree a seed was withdrawn. With a bit of magic she formed a body, and infused the seed into the creatures heart. Rosenia let a tear roll down her cheek. “Thus I was reborn as Rosenia, free of my guardian duties, but burdened by the forests death." She dipped a hand into the fountain, and absorbed some water through her body. “That woman, gave me the name Rosenia, she’s actually one of the goddesses holding this event, I was hoping to show my proper gratitude when I finish the mazes, and come out victorious.” She approached the pixie, and held out a hand, “Lets give it our best,” smiling the best she could.

The pixie wiped a tear away, feeling in her heart the love Rosenia had for her forest. She could relate to loosing your home, friends and family so suddenly. Fortunately, a goddess took mercy upon Rosenia, and allowed her to revive, free to walk the world. Once long ago, something similar happened to Morticia, brushing Death's door, but escaping due to one person. The dryad pulled her from her thoughts with an offered hand, which the pixie took with a returned smile.

With the succubus's return, Morticia could immediately sense her friend's frustrations. "To the left is a dead end, no matter which path you take. To the right, it breaks off twice before going to nothing. I'm not sure which to take, you two can figure it out since you're all chummy now." "What's your problem, Ryerles? You seem more upset by the day, I don't understand you anymore." "You know what, you're right. I am frustrated. I'll just choose my own path. Goodbye, Morty. Perhaps I'll see you again when you're alone." The pixie blinked after her friend as she flew away. "That… was weird. She's not usually like that."

Together, dryad and pixie continued, wyvern flying around them. "Perhaps she's jealous, since everyone else has been… pulling things from me she can't?" It appeared that Rosenia was confused as to what she meant. "People tend to… drag memories I've suppressed for so long. Such as… I nearly died once. A bird pierced my body deeply with its talons. My… 'friend' caught me, and poured his magic and warmth into my body. If it wasn't for him… I would be here today." She would not have gotten married, nor had a child. So many things would have halted right then and there if not for her husband.

Rosenia watched in bemusement the two friends argued. Did she cause this? Apparently she had some how caused a rift between the two. Watching two companions bicker was so sorrowful. They must’ve been together for a long time. Ryerles was a succubus, and Rosenia had never seen a succubus so close to someone unless they were a feeding on energies. From what she’s heard, this succubus was very emotional compared to the stories she heard. She was extremely confused at what was happening, but let it go.

The two continued forward still being encircled by the wyvern, was seemed to be attracted to them both. The little black dragon circled around, and brushing against the dryads outstretched hand. The scaly skin was kind of rough on her hand, but it was also warm to the touch. It was much more calm then the succubus. It warmed up to the dryad right away. Maybe it could sense the caretaking spirit within her. Rosenia listened intently as the pixie explained why Ryerles might be upset. Rosenia’s other hand out stretched, and rubbed against the hedge walls, as she used her sense to look around. Though, due to the magic used to stop cheating attempts, she could only see so far.

The pixie began to tell her about the time she almost died. A sharp talon of a bird ruptured her insides. But she was saved by a friend who used their magic to revive her. In a weird sense they were alike. Both met tragic ends, but were brought back to life by a single person. She know the level of greatfulness you feel after that kind of event. Though Rosenia misses the forest, she’s happy to still be alive. She wondered where the person who saved Mort was, but didn’t want to push the subject.

Ahead the ended a clearing with a twisted tree in the center. The brown, and gold leaves drifted down from the branches, and landed in the small pond next to the tree. “Didn’t your friend say there was nothing but dead ends?” the dryad wondered out loud.  She caught a leaf, and observed it, odd it wasn’t fall outside of the maze. But then again it is all magic, she smiled as the leaf turned green in her hand. She laid against the tree, and all the leaves began to turn green. A chest rose out of the middle, of the pond, but what was inside?

The pixie nodded, taking in the sight of the clearing. Somehow, that tree reminded her of her heart. Twisted with loss, and pain. There were a sudden flood of memories of the forest of which Moghedrin lived. Morticia hadn't been there but a small handful of times. However, the forest was very close to their home, visible from most places. It was a scary forest of dead trees and dangerous creatures in the dark.

Along with the thoughts of that man came with the unspeakable crime he committed against her. She shuddered from the anger and bitterness still felt for him. Blinking, trying to pull herself away from those memories. Morticia realized she missed something as Rosenia laid against the tree. Like a ripple in a pond, leaves began to turn from their autumn colors to vivid green, vibrant with life once more. Once the dryad was done, a chest rose between them.

Skeptical, raising an eyebrow, the pixie walked forward. It seemed like a standard chest, without even a lock. Curiosity overwhelmed her as she opened it, slowly, trying to peek inside. What could possibly be resting in a magically hidden chest? Whatever it was, it rushed at the opening. The startled woman fell backward with a slight scream. A small ball of bright light, shining from light blue to white with the smallest wings she had ever seen. It flew in circles around first Morticia's head, then Rosenia's before zooming off down a path.

"I think we need to follow it." Excitement was audible in her voice as she stood, brushed herself off and started after it. Leading them straight to a dead end. When her hopes were beginning to ebb away, the tiny winged ball of light flew straight into the wall. "Um…" The leaves of the shrub wall began to shake and move, spreading apart to reveal an opening. "Hey, Ryerles! Come here! We found a path!" Morticia waited dutifully until the succubus found her way to them.

The beauty of new life once again graced the tree. For once in a very long time the dryad was happy. It took her back to the days of her old forest, full of vibrant green and lively animals. Fall would come, and the pretty color of autumn, but it all signaled that winter was coming. Winter was her least favorite season. The tress, and plants would die. All the animals would go into hibernation, it all just seemed so lonely. Even the kind folks who would visited the forest would disappear until the spring time. Then things would slowly come back to the way they were.

The pond in the center of the clearing began to ripple. Toward the middle of the pond the water began to bubble widly, and from it rose a chest. Now there was nothing interesting about the chest. It looked pretty simple, and even lacked any kind of lock. The pixie rushed to the center of the pond. Her hands danced upon the lid of the chest as she prepared to open it. “Wait..” Rosenia started as Mort opened the chest. To her surprise a ball of light rose out of the box. Curiously she watched as it orbited around Mort then her. After finishing it's circles it took off toward the back of the room.

Rosenia tried to hide her amusement of the situation. She turned towards Mort who excitedly announced that they followed the orb, and chased off after it. “You don't know where it's going,” Rosenia said confused, “What if its a trap?” The dryad followed cautiously trying to stay close to her new companion. She wasn't to crazy about following the random light they emerged from a chest. They did solve a puzzle yes, doesn't mean it could have not been a trap.

They approached a dead end. Rosenia was about to make a smart comment when the light passed through the wall. “Yeah…” Rosenia exaggerated, the the brush began to shake. Slowly a hole began to open up in the bush. The hole its self was to small for the two to pass through, if only the other was her. Then Mort called, out for her, and they stood there waiting. “I believe that you're friend might be able to squeeze through that opening,” She glanced through it but couldn't see much. Rosenia stood up, and glanced towards the clearing. She was worried though, how would Ryerles respond if we asked her to help? Their last meeting was kind of awkward, then she speed off upset after a bit.