The Higher Plain Ch 3: The Forest Of Shadows, Surviving The Morvren

(Faylina)

I stood at the edge of the Forest of Elystriel, breathing in the thick, wild air. It was like nothing I had ever known, scented with strange flowers and damp earth, and carrying a weight that made my chest feel tight. I had heard of this place only in stories—whispered tales of shadows and creatures that did not belong anywhere else in Xylarion. And now, here I was, staring into its depths.

Three days. That's how long I had traveled to reach this faraway place, slipping away into the night right after the celebration. I hadn't stopped, hadn't given myself a chance to think about what I was doing or what would happen when Father found out. I knew he would be furious—beyond furious. But I couldn't let that stop me now. This was my chance, maybe my only one, to see the world below. I couldn't turn back.

I drew in a steadying breath, willing the flutter of nerves in my stomach to calm. There was no turning back now. I had come all this way for a reason. All my life, I had felt that pull, that ache to see beyond the golden clouds of our world. To see them. Humans. They were more than just creatures in stories to me; they were a mystery I had to unravel.

I took a step forward, crossing the invisible line between my world and this forbidden place. My pulse raced as the air thickened around me, the sounds of the forest muffling the farther I walked in. The trees loomed over me, their branches reaching out like twisted fingers, leaves whispering in the faint breeze. It felt as though they were watching me, judging me for stepping into their domain.

The stories had said that Elystriel was a forest unlike any other, filled with creatures even the bravest Xylarions feared. I had to be ready for whatever I might face. My heart pounded harder at the thought, but I pushed the fear aside. I wasn't going to let a few shadows scare me off.

Each step I took felt heavier, the ground underfoot soft and mossy, almost pulling at my feet, as if to trap me here forever. Shafts of light filtered through the dense canopy, but the deeper I went, the less I could see of the golden glow of the sky. Darkness settled around me, wrapping around my shoulders like a cloak.

I pressed forward, my eyes scanning the shadows for movement. I could hear distant sounds—things scuttling through the underbrush, soft hisses, the low rumble of something I couldn't place. Every sound heightened my senses, my heart thudding in my chest. I had prepared myself for this, or at least I thought I had, but nothing could've prepared me for the true weight of Elystriel's silence and shadows.

Still, I wasn't turning back. Not after everything I'd risked to be here.

I kept my eyes sharp and focused, every muscle in my body tense and ready. This was the home of the Morvren—the shadow-beasts. I had grown up hearing tales of them: massive creatures with dark hides that blended seamlessly into the trees, eyes like embers, claws that could tear through even the toughest armor. But I was no child lost in stories anymore. I was trained as a warrior, and I wouldn't be defeated by beasts, no matter how strong or terrifying they believed themselves to be.

The ground under my feet was thick with roots and twisted vines, each step forcing me to watch where I placed my boots. Strange plants grew from the shadows, their leaves shaped like curling claws, some glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. The air smelled rich and sharp, full of scents I'd never known before: wet earth, the bitter tang of the plants that dripped dark sap, and an almost metallic smell that clung to the back of my throat.

The animalistic sounds were everywhere. Deep, guttural growls echoed from somewhere distant, and above me, birds with glossy feathers screeched and cawed, each cry sending a shiver down my spine. Something large and unseen rustled in the dense brush just off the path, and I gripped the hilt of the dagger at my side, my fingers tightening until my knuckles went pale. But it didn't matter. I couldn't turn back now.

My father would punish me, severely. I knew that. He'd probably ground me for years in the palace, locking me away from the forests, from everything. But right now, none of that mattered. My only focus was ahead, on my goal—the tear between worlds that lay somewhere within this twisted forest.

I took a steadying breath, pushing my way through a thick cluster of vines that felt cold and slick under my hands. They seemed to pulse slightly, alive in some strange way, as though the whole forest were one breathing creature. A prickling sensation ran down my spine, as if I were being watched, and I forced myself not to look back. I wasn't about to let the darkness play tricks on me.

The cries of the creatures grew louder, the sounds mingling with the rustle of unseen wings and the constant thrum of insects hidden in the trees. I felt my heartbeat quicken, each step taking me deeper into the heart of Elystriel. I was surrounded by towering trees with bark as black as obsidian, their trunks twisted and gnarled. Some of the branches hung low, draped in long, silvery moss that swayed gently, as though moved by an invisible hand.

I continued forward, ignoring the chill that settled over my skin. This place was wild, beautiful in a way that felt like a warning. But I knew what I wanted. I knew that, even if it took every ounce of strength I had, I would reach that tear.

I gripped the dagger tighter, pressing forward as the shadows seemed to grow thicker, the sounds around me more menacing. I took a steadying breath, never slowing my pace. I was closer now; I could feel it. And nothing—not the Morvren, not the darkness, and certainly not my own fear—was going to stop me.

The forest felt darker with every step, as if Elystriel itself were wrapping me in shadows. I pressed forward, one hand steady on my dagger, the other brushing aside vines and branches. I knew I had to be close. I could feel a strange pull ahead of me, like a gentle force tugging me forward.

But then, just as I rounded a bend in the dense trees, I froze. There, blocking the faint path ahead, was a pack of small, snarling beasts. Morvren, but not the massive shadow-lurkers of legend. These were smaller—perhaps a head shorter than me—with sleek black fur and burning eyes. They slinked low to the ground, their movements smooth and unsettling, as if they were each one tense muscle coiled and ready to strike.

The largest of the pack, standing at the front, bared its fangs, and a low, rumbling growl filled the air. The others joined in, their glowing eyes fixed on me, and I felt my own pulse quicken.

"Let's do this," I muttered, squaring my shoulders and taking a steadying breath. I drew my dagger, its blade gleaming faintly in the dim light, and shifted my weight onto the balls of my feet. Every muscle in my body felt alert, ready, trained for this. I'd fought in drills, trained under the sharp eyes of Xylarion's finest, but this was no practice. This was survival.

The leader of the pack crept forward, testing my response, and I held my ground, meeting its gaze without flinching. The other beasts began to spread out, circling me, low growls rumbling from their throats. I turned in place, making sure I didn't leave my back exposed to any of them.

They would lunge soon, and I would have to be faster.

The first one sprang, its body a blur of dark fur and snapping fangs. I sidestepped, bringing my dagger up just as it passed, feeling the blade connect with its side. A strangled yelp cut through the air, and the beast tumbled to the ground, snarling, wounded but not done yet.

The others circled closer, seeming to grow bolder with each passing second. I tightened my grip on the dagger, eyes darting from one beast to the next, anticipating their moves.

Two came at me from opposite sides. I twisted out of the way of the first, feeling its claws graze my arm. The second beast lunged, its teeth snapping dangerously close to my leg. I kicked it back, catching it off guard for just a moment, and swung my dagger down in an arc, feeling the blade connect again, warm blood splattering onto my hand.

But they were relentless, the pack pressing closer, their growls blending with the chaotic heartbeat pounding in my ears. I couldn't let them overwhelm me. Not now—not when I was so close.