Bows, Apples, & Roses

~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚗 ~

That day would be a horrible day for someone to decide to have a walk in the woods because it would be the last thing they ever do.

The heart of the forests tree began to glow and vibrate from the new blood and power it had just soaked up. The blood of a powerful wizard and Fate? It was almost too much! Almost. It still drunk it all in and was pulsing from the effects.

"Legend. What did you do." Ariaellis Sage quickly sat up from the master of Caravals lap, concern twisting her face.

"I'm protecting something important." He said, standing up beside her.

The pair watched as the tree grew new roots from the earth. It's harsh movements split the dirt and grass so quickly that animals and bugs skittered away from it, running for their lives. Suddenly the roots were getting closer and closer to the stream, twisting and growing to be larger then before.

"We need to go-" Legend started but was interrupted by a sudden crack that split from the trunk of the humming willow. It grew bigger, blinding light pouring from the opening as a silhouette of two shapes was highlighted. Vines were moving around two human-like shapes and they almost looked like mummy's.

"We really need to go!" Legend shouted again, but Aria was already running. She tripped over a root that grew right underneath her but quickly gained her footing again. She ducked under vines and leaves that seemed to be reaching out to grab her and she even pulled out her dagger to start slicing them through. Each one she cut regrew even faster then they already were.

Something snagged her ankle and she bent down to slice the writhing plant but was attacked by another that twisted around her wrist, and quickly joining them was one strangling her waist.

In the distance Aria spotted Legend running towards the glowing trunk, as he mimicked her avoidance of the rogue plants. He made it to the crack and began ripping at the mummified shapes.

Aria struggled against her binds as they held her down and she saw one snaking towards her neck. Almost completely im-mobile but having one free arm, she grabbed the ribbon at her chest and searched for some way to use her power. Attempting to stay calm, she looked for a solution; pulling away the vines wouldn't do anything because they were twisted too tightly, and there was no other object around besides her dagger that was in her unmovable arm.

Suddenly she realized she could grab that. Seeing a deep red ribbon attach itself to the jeweled dagger, she yanked on the bow her fingers held and watched as the silver object flung into the air. Quickly she sliced at her binds and they receeded from her limbs and torso.

Before she continued running she remembered Legend. Unfortunately, she still needed him and because of the curse that was now on the woods, she wouldn't be able to leave on her own.

With a sigh, she turned back and dug her heels into what little ground there was left, jumping over and on top roots to reach him.

Whatever Legend had been doing with the vine-mummies, he was finished now and clutching something shiny in his hand.

Aria reached him and grabbed his arm, tugging harshly.

"We need to get going!!" She shouted abouve the hum. It was nauseating how loud it was.

Instead of an answer he started running, their arms linked and he was almost dragging her, leading them both to the other side of the once-haven.

Crashing through the vine curtain they didn't stop running. Aria could hear more roots cracking the ground farther behind them but they wouldn't be safe till they left the forest.