Through the Looking Glass

Lily of the Valley

The last jump before they'll be finally sent home- if the spirits are to be believed- dropped them in an area both didn't recognize. Then again, every tree looked the same and no notable landmark gave them further clues of their whereabouts.

Some birds chirped mockingly, although that could have been just Alver's perception.

The first thing the duo realized was that they could feel the ground. Its heavy moss tickled their naked toes and when Alver laid a hand on the bark of an old tree, it came back with some wood splinters and dirt.

"Not an illusion. This time, at least.", Alver commented. He wiped his dirty hand off on some moss. The ground was cold, muddy with moss intervals, and both were scantly clothed.

They unanimously decided to walk forward as they couldn't remain in the cold.

"Last adventure.", Cale muttered next to him. Exhaustion crept into Alver's bones at the thought of walking long distances. It wasn't that his body was tired, rather his mind is reaching its limit. They have been mentally awake for many hours, only sometimes dozing off but not really getting any rest.

They started chatting about mundane things after the first thirty minutes passed without any change in scenery. Alver couldn't even guess the time of the day as the trees covered the sky with their wide branches and green leaves. Small animals ran past them while birds chattered still noisily on.

"It looks a bit like the Jungle, doesn't it?", Alver commented. The trees were ridiculously large. Big enough to house some buildings and shelter people. It wasn't the Jungle, however, as the trees were a different kind than the ones in Rowoon's neighboring kingdom.

A wet squelch caused Alver to grimace.

His previously pristine white sleep pants took on a muddy brown color. His feet were a mess. Alver was just glad that the soft moss covered most of the floor, saving them from stepping on sharp things. Cale didn't look any better.

Hunger and thirst started plaguing them as well. Just another sign that they may have been transported there with their actual bodies. Just where are they?

"I see the end.", Cale's face brightened up. They both smiled at each other and walked hand in hand toward the new source of light. The tree line ended in front of them and only a bright, dazzling light met their eyes, blinding them for a few seconds with its intensity.

"Fuck.", Cale eloquently put into words what Alver was thinking.

Below them was a large valley.

Even larger trees than what they walked past the last hour or so sprouted with only a few grass areas in between. A village has been built amid the trees, not unlike what the Jungle did.

Normally, Alver and Cale would be happy with finding civilization, but there was a tiny detail that caused their mood to go south. Mockingly shining down at them from its high position in the sky wasn't just one sun, no, there were two. The last time any of them checked, only one sun should be up.

(Cale shivered at the thought of having two Sun Gods. One was already too much. Give him too and he will gladly commit deicide.)

The shifting of some leaves announced some incoming company.

Cale deadpanned when the new individuals came close enough to be identified. Long blond hair and startling blue eyes greeted them with hostility, soon followed by raised bows and angled swords. Cale and Aver quickly lifted their hands in the universal sign of 'please don't harm me'.

Cale made sure to be slightly behind Alver in case their opponents may get stabby. Alver noticed his action and could only roll his eyes. Why is the one well-known for having a divine shield currently trying to use his lovely other half as a meat shield?