They landed in between the two kingdoms in an area known as the wildlands. The Wildlands were a large unexplored area of land where no one race has ruled or claimed as their own. Not because they couldn''t, but because the cost outweighed the benefits. The wildlands were known for wild magical fauna and flora that can produce all manner of anomalous effects. The wildlands weren''t any more lethal a place then anywhere else, but the predominant trickster nature made living there for a significant period of time a great nuisance.


    However, to leave the wildlands and to get to Golji in a reasonable amount of time, they needed to fly, but unfortunately there was one slight hangup.


    "Whatever they put into those huge bolts, must have been infused with some potent stuff." Gilgamar said, "My body feels weak" This was bad, not only did she not have any knowledge about medicine for any kind of creature she wouldn''t be able to find the help she needed in the middle of the god damn wildlands. She was racking her brains for solutions and she was coming up with blank, after blank, until Gilgamar broke the silence.


    "I might know something that could help, there''s a spell that the dragons used to help power through injuries and accelerate their bodies healing, it wasn''t perfect and it wouldn''t last long but it would get us through to Golji" That was good, Dragons and Lizardmen were on good terms at least. If a wounded dragon showed up they would do their best to heal them, but without knowing what kind of ailment affected him there was no telling how long they had.


    "What do I need to do?" Zara finally asked.


    "It''s a foci based spell so I won''t need much material, but that''s where the good news stops." Gilgmar paused for a moment "I''m going to need a branch off a royal tree" Zara''s face dropped at the sound of that, royal trees were some of the rarest trees in the wildlands, they were also natural focis meaning they channel magic easily making them the favorite resting place for all kinds of species. Getting one of those would be nigh on impossible.


    "I know that''s a daunting task, but I can feel one nearby, I can''t pinpoint any other details but I can feel that one exists near us in some way." She supposed that was slightly comforting but also turned the stakes up, since there was one nearby she had to find it today or else they were at risk of Gilgamar getting sick or Ruther finding us. "I''m going to rest. I wish you the best of luck" and Gilgamars eyes fell slowly, and remained motionless.


    After Gilgamar went to sleep Zara spent some time observing her surroundings and preparing for her quest into the woods to find that tree. From what she could gather using her ring and looking around they were in a little clearing of land in the middle of a giant forest. The forest extended to both nations on the east and west and extended hundreds of miles north and south. The Sun was still bright in the sky and she had about 6-8 hours of daylight left.


    She had read some books about survival techniques, but she was unable to apply what she had learned as she brought no tools with her, all she had on her was her enchanted protective chainmail, warm clothes, and a remote control that couldn’t do anything. If they had to spend the night out here they would probably not make it.


    The trees that inhabited the forest were unlike anything she had ever seen. Each tree had differing colors of leaves that in all shades and hues, it was as if a child had drawn each tree. The trunks of these trees were also of varying size, shape, and what wood they were made of. There was no rhyme or reason to any of it.


    Deciding that she had no more observations left to make she headed directly south, as she thought that the royal tree might be more likely to appear down south as that was the denser region of forest, and she read that the royal tree was always described as having a desire to "Hide from those unworthy."


    Stepping through the forest she found more than the odd trees. She found bushes with different colors of berries and fruits. It felt like she was walking around a dream. She understood why no one lived in the wildlands as hunting in these places was likely to put you up with the most unlikely of creatures.


    She had read that the reason why the wild lands had unusual properties was that the fauna and flora of the region were natural foci, and they channeled the natural energy of the continent. Which was supposedly impossible to do normally, but there''s evidence of it happening in the wildlands.


    While deep in thought she saw a bush out of the corner of her eye shake and she immediately jerked around and focused on what she had just heard. After not hearing, or seeing anything she took a deep breath, and tried to relax. This was not what she wanted to do right now. The unfamiliarity of the forest brought a large amount of unease to her heart. As she traveled through the forest she eventually noticed a lake emerged into her view, she could use a little break and sitting by the lake was something she could definitely get behind.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    approaching the lake she saw some animals on it, there were birds with long legs and feathers that were constantly changing color. They were skating on the water, creating a small wake behind them. There must have been a dozen or so birds out there skating on the water and doing so in a dance like fashion. It was peaceful, watching the animals just be themselves provided comfort that she desperately needed.


    Dusk was starting to appear, and little lights started to appear above the lake. Lightning bugs! She noticed that they were concentrated around one side of the lake, which was interesting. Since they were in the wildlands it''s possible that theses lighting bugs were sensitive to magic and had decided to flock towards a source of magic.


    Getting up she trekked along the river headed towards the highest concentration of lightning bugs. They brought back fond memories. On her birthday, everyone was always so busy that she rarely got to see anyone. She had gotten used to it but it still stung deep in her heart. However for whatever reason on her birthday lightning bugs always came out and lit up the city. It was always so beautiful. Smiling at the good memories she wondered if she would be able to make those memories again.


    Finally reaching the group of lightning bugs. She found that they led deeper into the forest. She followed this trail. Her body filled with a cocktail of emotions that she had never felt before; happiness, anxiety, fear. All in intense ways. Eventually she finally reached where the largest group of lightning bugs were.


    They were around a royal tree.


    This was fantastic. She couldn''t believe she actually found one, there was no mention of lightning bugs congregating around them which would''ve been very useful to know. Walking around the base of the tree she saw a few fallen branches and collected several of them. Once she had collected a sufficient amount she turned to follow the lightning bugs back to the lake when she realized.


    They were gone.


    How could they be gone? She didn''t remember the way back. She thought she could just rely on the lightning bugs instead of remembering exactly how to get back.


    She started wandering around the endless sees of colorful trees. Panicking, she started running, she didn''t know where, but she wanted to get out. Her breathing had gotten heavier and her vision was getting cloudy with tears, and eventually her foot got caught on a branch and she started to fall hard. She slammed her eyes shut and brought her arms to her face to shield her from the fall she was about to have, but the impact never came.


    right before she hit the ground it felt like something had caught her and let her down gently, she looked up and saw something, a cloud of green smoke, it had a glasslike look to it. Eventually the formless smoke slowly came into itself and formed an outline of an andryogynous humanoid with a stem on it''s head with a leaf hanging off.


    "What are you?" Was all Zara could say in response to this creature forming.


    "I am the voice of this forest" said the being in front of her, the voice didn''t sound normal. It felt like there were many voices speaking. "I have been watching you." This was starting to freak her out.


    "I sense fear in you, I know that you fear those who are dissimilar to you, but rest assured I mean no harm to you. I am merely here to help." said the being. She didn''t want to admit it, but the being was right. She had assumed that the being would want to hurt her or something else, so much for introspection.


    "I overheard you talking with the dragon about needing a royal branch. You had a feeling of hope and optimism in you so I helped you, by leading you with the light''s." Oh that’s why all those lighting bugs were there. It wasn''t just a divine coincidence. "But, I see that you feel doubt, and anxiety. I needed to see for myself if you are worth helping."


    "How can I prove to you that I am worth helping?" Zara asked. Almost afraid of the answer. The spirit froze and turned a slight golden color and in a dramatic flair, spoke with booming conviction.


    "Those who take from the royal tree must have noble purposes," the spirit said. The words hit her with a force, and she had to adjust her stance because of it. "What is your purpose?"


    What was her purpose? Why was she doing this? What was the point in any of it. She let her emotions falter her for a moment but then she said to herself.


    "Fight for those who need you" Those six words were all she needed to hear. She had those out there who needed her. She had those to fight for, She had to fight for herself. There was no way anyone was going to put a stop to her. Her purpose was to fight, and what was she fighting for.


    "My purpose is to bring unity to the nations" Zara said with true confidence. The being studied her for many moments before finally replying.


    "Truly a noble purpose. I will help you.” the being paused before continuing “Deep in your heart I sense a longing, so I will impart a gift unto you.” The being changed into a deep blue color and in an instant the being moved right up to her and placed a hand above Zara’s heart. She felt as if electricity was coursing through her body, and felt as if the being was carving something into her skin. Before she could protest, it was over, and she hobbled over breathing heavily.


    “I will be with you” The being said dissipating into smoke. She looked at the skin where the being had touched and she saw a red heart on her skin, as if it was a tattoo. There was however some light scarring around it. What the hell did that thing do to her? She would have to get that answer later.


    Dusk had truly come to the forest. It was not yet blanketed in darkness but it soon would. A bunch of small twinkling lights appeared before Zara, she followed them, her spirits high, even if she had been put down.


    She finally reaches Gilgamar, by this time night time has truly come, Darkness blanketed the world as all light except that of the lighting bugs remained. Her body was exhausted from the events of the day, and hunger was encroaching on her having not eaten anything for hours and hours. Gilgamar was asleep and could not use the spell at the moment.


    Zara was drifting, letting sleep envelope her as the tension from her body left.


    As she fell asleep she felt the heart that was drawn on her get hotter.