The Prophecy - A TTS AU

Ch: 9: A Catnap in Enchantment

During No Time Like the Past

The black rocks guided the quartet through the heart of an ancient forest. Tall, moss-covered trees loomed overhead, their branches forming a dense canopy that filtered the dappled sunlight. As they wandered deeper into the woods, playful conversations flowed like a bubbling brook.

Howard, who seemed to thrive in these natural settings, just couldn't resist. "You know, in a forest like this, you could say we're 'branching out' on our journey!"

Cassandra chuckled, shaking her head. "Howard, I think we've reached a new level of pun-demonium here."

Varian, always one to play along, grinned. "This forest is so enchanting, it's almost 'tree-mendous'!"

Howard continued with his puns, undeterred. "Well, I can 'wood'er all day about the mysteries of this place. But hey, who needs answers when we have puns, right?"

Cassandra rolled her eyes playfully. "You're unstoppable, Howard."

The forest was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. The occasional flash of a deer darting through the trees and the gentle trickle of a nearby stream added to the ambiance.

Varian, feeling the connection to nature, paused to appreciate it. "You know, I've spent so much time in the lab and the village, I forget how magical the natural world can be."

Azule nodded in agreement. "Nature possesses a profound magic, one that predates any form of sorcery or science."

As they continued on the trail, Howard couldn't help but make another pun. "Speaking of magic, what do you call a tree that's good at math? A logarithm!"

Cassandra groaned but couldn't hide a smile. "You have puns for every occasion, don't you?"

Varian chuckled, feeling like he had to contribute to the pun-fest. "Well, I'm 'rooting' for Howard's puns to get even better!"

Azule added, "We're certainly immersed in wordplay, whether we like it or not."

As the quartet ventured deeper into the forest, they began to notice peculiar, vividly colored berries hanging from the low branches of a nearby bush. The berries were unlike any they had ever seen: they were small, round, and ranged in color from bright orange to deep purple. Each berry had a translucent, almost iridescent quality that made them seem almost otherworldly.

Cassandra, intrigued by their appearance, reached out and carefully plucked a few from the bush. "These berries look unusual. I wonder if they're edible?"

Varian examined the berries with a mix of curiosity and caution. "I've never seen anything quite like these. They look like something out of a fairy tale."

Azule, always the voice of reason, examined the berries and nodded thoughtfully. "Their appearance is indeed strange. If we decide to eat them, we should do so cautiously."

Howard, who seemed to have an adventurous spirit when it came to food, popped one of the bright orange berries into his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully before swallowing. "Tastes like... well, a berry. No sudden transformations into woodland creatures or anything. Seems safe."

Cassandra, her skepticism temporarily set aside, took a deep breath and tried one as well. After a moment, she nodded in agreement. "He's right. Tastes like a regular berry."

Varian, slightly apprehensive but unable to resist the curiosity, finally decided to sample a deep purple berry. After a few chews, he grinned. "Well, no magic curses, but they're surprisingly good!"

Azule selected an orange berry and cautiously took a bite. After a moment of contemplation, she agreed. "Indeed, they appear to be safe for consumption."