To The Elf in Kornor Village: A Prelude

VI. Outside World

First thing that welcomed Leigh was a blinding light that prompted her to cover her eyes. The moment she opened them a new scenery unfolded before her.

What she saw were incredibly big things and in a variety of colors. The bright sunny sky was colored in blue, with the sun as a shining yellow ball of light, the grasses were green, the flowers that she could see were in reds, oranges and yellows of different patterns and sizes. Everything she saw was in contrast to the purple, yellow and pink palette of colors in their realm.

Leigh looked up and settled down, she strapped her stuff–the compass and the portal cutter–into a small pouch made of woven grass and tied them tightly to her waist.

Her miliferous voice filled in the air as she sang a sweet melody.  By her call, some birds came.

Out of a few, finally one accepted the request to take her as far as they could straight north. That passed the abandoned village and at the edge of the woods. The farthest the little blue bird could. That was not without reasons of course.

Truly the bird wanted to help out. But it's way too far off its nest. And dear mother bird don't want to be far away from her chicks.

The sky, the blue blue sky with soft white clouds looked so enchanting to Leigh's eyes. Of course it was the first time she was there up to see the view so high. And she felt the breeze touching her skin and blew her hair. It was an entirely new feeling, something she's never felt her whole life.

The world is spacious.

That's what Leigh thought. Everything was new to her. Indeed the outside world's way more different than their world. The bright green grass that sways to the beat of the wind, the trees in different shades of greens, the animals in different species and types, and many other more. The world is full of a variety of colors in contrast to the shades of pink and dashes of yellows inside the realm.

On her ride, the woods looked like mushy grass from above. So tiny yet so wide and intimidating.

After she went down to the edge of the woods she faced the bird and bid goodbye.

Up close though the dark brown trees were gigantic. The trees seemingly extend up to the sky, and the clustered leaves look like clouds–except that they're green.

And out there she heard sounds from nature that weren't in their own world. The birds were chirping and their songs echoed throughout the woods, the leaves and branches were rustling from the gentle wind that passed by.

What lies ahead were tree trunks and the absence of light on some part further on the way. She could feel the slight increase of her heartbeat as she thought of going through these woods. A place completely foreign to her.

"But it's for the rose," she reminded herself.

She picked up a fallen twig just about her size and with a bit of magic chant it came to be a floating riding stick.

She hopped in, put out her compass and set off to the depths of the woods.

***

Aster could not be so sure about it. If anything it's just a possibility that the elf has the answers or if he'd tell them. But they didn't have much of a choice either. They could only hope for good results in Leigh's quest and watch out for the rose.

Speaking of which, the rose's condition has not yet worsened. It was just the same the way it was that morning. But, they could feel a slight feeling of loss in their energy, perhaps it has something to do with their prowess or their connection to the rose.

***

The woods was like a maze. There were times that Leigh went back to the same spot over and over again. The skies are blocked by thick branches and leaves preventing her from ascending over the trees. 'I should have just gone over it,' she thought. What's done is done though, she just went on her way while avoiding trees that she might bump on to. She was peony compared to her surroundings, making it harder for her to get through in a quick span of time.

It was getting late and the sun was setting and it had gotten darker and colder. But that wasn't all Leigh's worry. She just bumped into a tree due to wavering driving, it's her first time after all. And now she's down in the dark. Where the light had not reached the place. 

Nothing a little bit of magic could not fix. 

With a snap of her fingers, fireflies swarmed around her and guided as lights. She then picked-up her flying twig ride and began to fly again, and this time she had her firefly companions as the sun hides and the moon will rise.