Chapter 2: Who Are You?

I looked around and felt that this place was colder than the Blue Moon forest. I rubbed my arms and my palms together several times to warm myself. 

So exotic, so strange. This is something I don't usually feel, when I am surrounded by various trees and plants that are supposed to greet and talk to me in a friendly manner.

I even felt like they were looking at me cynically and suspiciously.

Is Elden Wood really this scary? But I've seen how warm and beautiful this forest is in the past, in my dream at that time. It so different now. I could sense danger everywhere. This must be because of that evil witch, Mira.

Yes, Mira. I have to be careful now. She's here. She could harm me or Largo at any time.

I remembered Largo and looked everywhere for the Sawang leaf quickly. I hope I find it soon. Largo really needs help.

Have I told you that the plants in this forest are so big? You could even say they are giant. I was born and lived in Theta, but I have never seen plants and trees as big as the ones here.

I widened my eyes when I saw the size of gaint flowers in front of me. So big, I think I could sit in the middle of the flower and use one of its petals as an umbrella on top of my head. A very fragrant and sweet aroma wafts from those bright red flowers.

I heard a loud sound of flapping wings. A bird flew over my head towards the flower. It’s the bird with orange feathers perched on one of the tree branches and looked closely to one of the fragrant, big flower.

I smiled seeing this. Apart from the remote, cold and scary circumtances. This place still holds its extraordinary beauty.

But soon after, the scene before my eyes erased my positive thought. Because the next thing I knew, the flower suddenly moved and pounced on the orange bird, devouring it without a trace.

“What…?!” I closed my mouth quickly. That big, beautiful flower just devoured a bird? Like, A WHOLE bird!

I swallowed hard and immediately looked around me and was careful of every plant and tree that was here.

From the time we arrived here, until now I was standing alone in the middle of the Elden Wood wilderness, this place was very quiet. I didn't hear any sounds from animal, large or small, I didn't even realize that the orange bird that had been eaten by the giant flower was near me. Plus, not a single trees or plant here greeted me like when I was at Tetha.

Elden Wood is very different from my dreams. I have to be careful here. Otherwise I could be in trouble.

After a few minutes of searching, I saw a leaf that was the same as Sawang leaf. But the size is huge. Much bigger than what I usually see when in Tetha Realm.

I stood right in front of the giant plant hesitantly. I'm afraid that all the plants here are meat eaters.

“Can I have some of your leaves? My mate is injured and I think your leaves can treat him..." I whispered.

Silence. None of them hear me or bother to answer me. I was getting impatient, Largo was there now needing my help, and I am being an useless mate now. Even when I was a descendant of a Dryad. And this place was where the Dryads lived.

"Please..." I said again.

"They won't recognize you if you don't say your name."

I jolted as my entire body shocked when I heard that voice. I quickly turned around.

Sure enough, not far from where I was standing, a man I didn't know was standing looking at me sharply. He seemed to be watching me with those bright green eyes.

“Wh-who are you?” I stuttered. I tried not to look scared. But seeing other people who I didn't expect would be here in this remote forest that I thought was empty, was very shocking.

The man stepped forward and I stepped back. I don't care if this forest doesn't know me. But I will still use all the strength and I have to fight anyone who wants to attack me.

The man wore a long white robe that almost touched the ground. His stature is very tall. Maybe almost the same height as Luca.

He looked at me while tilting his head. As if he was examining me.

“And what are you? How did you get here?” His voice was heavy, as if he was intimidating me.

I didn't answer. I did the same thing. Studying him, paying attention to who this person is.

He has bright green eyes. I felt like I was looking in the mirror when I saw his, but I couldn't read the emotions there.

Shoulder-length brown hair and pointed ears…

His scent is strange. There is a very foreign scent entered my nose. But there is also something that feels familiar.

I looked down and that's when I saw that he was holding something. There were many tree vines in his hands. No, not holding, more precisely, tree vines were coming oput of his fingers. Just like mine, if I feel threatened.

I immediately looked at my own fingers and sure enough, I unconsciously let out the vines out of my fingers.

My eyes widen and snapped back at him, surprisingly that man also looked surprised.

“You are… A Dryad too..” I gasped and closed my gaping mouth with my palm.

“Yea… I thought I was the only one around here…” He chuckled, not taking his shocked gaze away from me.

“So, where are you from? I've been exploring this forest for years now. But I never met one like you…” He tilted his head. Made me nervous.

I gulped. For years? He’s been here for so long? I didn't want to trust anyone this early. I learned my lesson. Even though the man in front of me is a Dryad too. I can't just say everything to him.

But, I didn't know how to lie in this situation, either.

“I… I come from Theta…” I whispered. But I know for sure that he could hear me.

“Theta? That werewolf and Lycan Realm?” He frowned.

I bopped my head twice. I prepared myself as I thought that I might be in danger now when I said it. But then, I saw a smile across his face.

“So, you are a hybrid too… Lycan… or..”

“Werewolf,” I answered him quickly.

His smile only gets wider. I could see those tiny little fangs inside his mouth.

Wait... What is he, then?

“You?…”

“Me? I came from Valoria..”

Valoria Realm? Wait...

“Valoria? V-vampire?” I stuttered. My heart sank when I realized it.

“Yes. Valoria. Realm of Vampires …”