Waiting For Apricity

Chapter 1

Fae in the forest

As I lie within the heart of Moanae, shadows curl like tendrils around me, cloaking the forest in a tense, watchful silence. The air is thick with the damp scent of earth and rotting leaves, mingled with the faint musk of creatures hidden just out of sight. Moonlight filters through the dense canopy, its feeble rays piercing the gloom only to cast twisted, writhing shadows that seem almost alive.

Every sense sharpens, attuned to the forest's eerie symphony. An owl hoots in the distance, its mournful call resonating with secrets as old as the trees. Unseen serpentine slither through the undergrowth, their presence a subtle brush against the edges of my awareness. A breeze sighs through the gnarled branches, carrying whispers that hint at ancient spells and forgotten dangers, stirring a primal unease within me.

As my eyes adjust to the darkness and moonlight, a world of twisted beauty unfolds before me. Stones, coated in soft moss, lie scattered across the forest floor, entwined with wildflowers that bloom only under the glow of the moon and stars. This place, this foreboding forest, has always been home—my home. And for reasons I can't

fully comprehend, I've never feared wandering through it.

I've always been like this—optimistic, I suppose. To me, the dark things have always felt more misunderstood than threatening. I've often wondered if the howling beasts were crying out in pain, rather than seeking to instill fear. I imagine the whispers of the shadows, lonely and restless, rustling through the leaves, hoping to be heard.

I've taken my time in understanding the darkness, as it too is unwanted and resented—just like me. Apricity. No last name. No origin. Lonely, like the whispers of this realm. You can't hate something that mirrors yourself without loathing your own reflection. So instead, I've embraced the darkness.

I wander deeper into Moanae's embrace, lost in its surreal allure, when a gentle breeze stirs the leaves, and I catch the faint flutter of wings. From the sky descends a figure cloaked in midnight, her snowy hair gently flowing cascading around her waist. It's Lunaria, my Fae mother who adopted me.

Her wings are a marvel—gossamer and luminous, like petals kissed by starlight. Each feather shimmers with a soft iridescence, casting a glow that bathes the forest in a hushed, magical light. She moves with the elegance of a wraith, her wings singing in harmony with the forest's whispers.

Lunaria's gaze finds mine, and in her eyes, I see a blend of concern and frustration. "Apricity," she breathes, her voice a soft reprimand woven with worry. "It isn't safe for you here alone. The creatures of these woods aren't to be taken lightly."

I straighten, my voice quiet but firm. "I understand, Lunaria, but I can't ignore the call of this place. It's as if it's woven into me. I need to explore it."

A shadow passes over her face, softening her expression, but her unease lingers. "You are human, Apricity. The darkness here holds dangers beyond your understanding. I fear for you."

For a moment, her words sting, a reminder of my own fragility in contrast to her otherworldly beauty. Her wings carry her effortlessly through the night, while I am bound by my humanness. But I swallow the pang of inadequacy. I may not possess her grace, yet I am determined to face whatever secrets lie within these shadows.

With a reluctant sigh, Lunaria relents, her gaze filled with a complex mix of love and concern. "Very well, Apricity," she says softly, "but promise me you'll be cautious. These woods are treacherous, even for those who can fly."

I nod, gratitude and resolve mingling within me. "I promise, Lunaria. I'll be careful."

With one last look, Lunaria fades into the night, leaving me once more in the solitude of the forest. A sense of foreboding prickles along my spine as the shadows gather closer, seeming to lean in, as if sharing a secret. I take a steadying

breath and step forward, heart pounding in my chest.

While wondering deeper into the forest, a tune escaped my lips—a feeble attempt to push back the silence that enveloped me. The melody wove into the whispers of the trees, but even its familiar notes couldn't quell the unease tugging at my heart.

Ducking under low-hanging branches and mindfully sidestepping patches of moss that could send me slipping, my thoughts drifted into unsettling territory. Could I truly be the last human alive? The enormity of the realms stretched out endlessly, filled with countless beings and hidden pockets of life. Yet the thought lingered, heavy and strange, stirring within me a potent mix of curiosity and profound loneliness. The weight of it pressed down, the possibility almost too vast to comprehend.

Then, without warning, a chill skittered down my spine, rooting me in place. The air, once tranquil and silent, suddenly thickened with a dark, pulsating energy. It was as though the forest itself had shifted, its quiet breathing transformed into something watchful and sinister. Twigs snapped somewhere behind me—sharp, deliberate cracks that cut through the silence and made my heart jolt. I felt the presence of something unseen, lurking just beyond the reach of moonlight, waiting.

A surge of panic shot through me, and I broke into a run, my footsteps echoing dully against the damp forest floor. Shadows stretched and twisted around me, their shapes unnatural, and behind me, grotesque figures took form. Their shapes were warped and otherworldly, their eyes gleaming with an eerie light as they closed in, relentless. Their shrill, haunting cries filled the night, each sound a knife's edge cutting into the darkness. With every pounding step, they drew closer, their malicious intent thickening the air until it became almost suffocating.

I stumbled, my heart squeezing in my chest, but I refused to let terror swallow me whole. Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself up, feeling the sting of falling tears. Desperation filled my mouth like bitter iron as I forced myself onward, branches clawing at my skin, the darkness swallowing me whole.

And then...