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Tucked in the green fields of Praire, no one questioned the singular veteran dozing among the flowers. This time, when Zephyr woke up, she felt the minuscule breeze of fluttering wings brushing over her face, a hundred, small, voices whispering the same thing. A small cloud of butterflies lifted from her clothes as she sat up, resettling on any surface they could.
Her hair, arms, and legs, were swarmed with flickering wings, and, still, voices that only she could hear. “What is it now…?” Zephy muttered, wiping the sleep from her eyes. Recently, they’d been chattier than ever, even waking Zephyr from her naps to prattle about whatever was happening that day. She could spend her entire life napping and still be up-to-date with the latest happenings. Reluctantly, she let one perch on her finger, bringing it up to her ear.
“...A body?”
***
The rain was the worst part of Forest. At least, that was before sky kids had started mysteriously disappearing left and right, only to be found in the darkest and wettest corners of the realms.
A thin, sonorous hum filled the air as a manta glided smoothly downwards, circling Zephyr as she took out her umbrella, the entrance to Forest towering before her. At least I can hold somewhat of a conversation…
“Have you heard, the recent rumours?”
“Yes.” The manta sang in clipped cries, its song filling her head.
“So, it’s true?”
“Yes.” Zephyr decided to push further - she knew she was asking more than she should.
“Do you know why?” The manta circled a few times, floating higher as she opened her umbrella, the blue fabric fanning over her. She waited patiently, wondering if the creature was considering an answer. Instead, it quietly slipped away, disappearing into the clouds. Guess not. A chilling breeze whistled through the tunnel as the gate lifted, its spiked maw being drawn up to allow safe passage. Pulling her cape closer, she stepped onto the glimmering stone - wet from the constant rain.
Eventually, she reached the largest part of Forest. It was quiet. Zephyr wandered through the trees, sticking to the brightest path. No, it wasn’t quiet. It was silent. She might be the only person here, for all she knew. Crossing the bridge, she sat at its edge, watching the river below. Mud sloshed at its banks, tiny raindrops creating a ripple effect over the surface. The normality was almost eerie. Suddenly, her eyes caught on… what looked like a branch, the same pale silver as the trees. Her eyes idly traced the shape of it, leading to a tuft of equally silver grass. And, peering from the dirt, a single, golden eye. Zephyr lurched backwards. An eye. Not grass - hair. Not a silver branch - the exposed and deformed shape of a hand, reaching towards the sky. She hurriedly stood up, swiftly walking to the exit.
The gate was in her sights, just a little further-
“Hey!” A voice rang out, and she saw a skykid running towards her. Long, ribbony strands of silver hair floated behind the person - longer than she had ever seen before. The stranger wore a hat with a wide, woven brim, shadowing their face. “It’s not safe here! Look, I know you’re a veteran, but even you should be more careful.” The stranger lectured her, waving their hands in the air. “I mean, have you heard what’s been happening here?! And, it’s not even a rumour! I’m making the rounds, making sure no one’s getting lost… so if you’re here to see for yourself… scram!”
“I’m just leaving…” she whispered, trying to hide the waver in her voice. They didn’t seem convinced but shrugged anyways. “Well… alright then. If you see anyone else, let me know!” they waved, turning. Zephyr glanced at the stranger, with their abnormally long hair, and noticed mud tacked to the end of their silver locks.
***
Tucked in the green fields of Praire, no one questioned the singular veteran dozing among the flowers. This time, when Zephyr woke up, she woke up with a request, whispering to a fistful of butterflies that had settled on her palm. “I need to find someone. Yes... with long, silver, hair.”