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The gentle majesty of the Maze Grove was a fabled thing, spoken and revered in legends the world over. Historians called it a myth, a belief that came from people mistaking a deer for an ancient god. What they didn’t know was that that prophesied plateau of life did exist. At the very heart of any map was the place, hidden and all too well guarded by a certain god. And on this night, poorly thought out activities of a particular woman had sent inky darkness shooting through the ages old trees. The god of wind rushed to purify. The attack was stronger than usual, seeking out the heart of the sacred place. The archer didn’t hesitate. Slowly, the purification became more like slaughter. The abyssal creatures shot down with reckless precision unlike the stoic god. And eventually, he slaughtered the leader of the enemy. A flurry of arrows sent too quickly, too much godly force imbued into each arrow. The poor thing didn’t stand a chance. It broke apart into hundreds of blood stained pieces, dark and twisted fragments scattering and mixing with the rest of the bloodshed. The enemy was dead. He should calm down. He needed to calm down. But he couldn’t. Adrenaline coursed through his body, too fast, too strong. He couldn’t stop.
The creatures of the forest hid behind shrubs and trees in abject horror as their beloved wind guardian stood in the eye of a growing hurricane. The gales twisted violently around him, screaming through the quiet forest like a bomb. Leaves and branches were ripped off of their mother trees, caught up in the shrieking cyclone that surrounds the winged son of the Sugar Swan. Remnants of corruption laid twitching on the ground, their bodies mutilated beyond recognition by gleaming arrows. Gore surrounded the scene, dark crimson and ebony blood leaking out of the corpses. The animals cowered, whimpering as they desperately tried not to catch the man’s attention. Until, the scent of lavender rose through the ruined grove like mist. The animals perked up, comfort surging through their hearts. Wind Archer Cookie didn’t flinch, his wings hanging limply from his back, his feathers ruffled and marred with debris. He heard faint footsteps approach from behind, deft fingers smoothing a few feathers back into place. Millennial Tree Cookie didn’t speak, all he did was gently loosen the archer’s grip on his bow. He didn’t move with fear, but with careful, precise movements. Not because he was afraid for his own safety, but because he was afraid of spooking the other. The hurricane calmed down ever so slightly, but his headwings remained folded over his eyes tightly. The previously pristine ivory feathers tinged a dirty cream.
“Are you able to hear me?” Millennial Tree asked calmly. Wind Archer’s legendary bow faded out of existence, the cyclone going with it. The animals inched forward, tails tucked back and ears pinned close to their heads. The vines descended and pulled them back gently, asking for just a moment more of privacy. A little nod from the archer.
“Wonderful. Now, can you feel my hand?” He took his guardian’s hand tenderly. The bark-like quality of his charge’s hand drew the guardian’s attention slowly. Another nod, a little more motion this time. His headwings unfolded ever so slightly, revealing emerald green eyes tinged with a terribly familiar violet.
“You’re doing so well. Can you smell the lavender, my friend?” He smiled, coaxing lavender flowers to rise out of the ground. Wind Archer inhaled sharply, the action followed by Millennial Tree’s hand holding a little firmer. Showing a presence that wouldn’t be going anywhere for a long while.
“….Yes.” The first word that the guardian had spoken since his rampage had begun.
“Good, good. Can you see me now?” Millennial Tree’s words were low, tender and coaxing. Wind Archer’s headwings unfurled a bit more, revealing that the purple tint was fading into a faint lavender.
“…Your antlers changed.” He pointed out, voice rough. The god of life looked confused for a moment before he looked up at his antlers. The normal dark green leaves traded for the orange and red foliage that were associated with the autumnal season.
“Hahah,” Millennial Tree chuckled. “Yes, the season changed just recently.”
“..You mentioned.. The meeting with Dreamweaver about it.” Wind Archer’s wings were held a little higher, rising with his consciousness.
“Mhm, we need to discuss their inability to leave Christmas dreams for winter.” Millennial Tree smiled softly.
“And then.. We had a visit with… someone.”
“With Sugar Swan Cookie in Dessert Paradise. Just a friendly visit.” The hawk breathed out, taking a look around him. The animals waited there quietly. Still shivering, still afraid.
“I..” He looked at the massacre around him. “I failed.”
“You did not fail,” The deer corrected. “You were overcome by your desire to serve.” The animals slowly moved forward, sniffing cautiously. The first to approach fully was a small lizard, with tiny reddish scales fading into a dull obsidian. It brushed its small head against the taloned feet of the wind god.
“I’m sorry, my friend.” Wind Archer hung his head in shame, his wings drooping down. Somber chitters emerged from woodland creatures as they inched closer. The little being blew a little fire onto his foot, warm and comforting. Wind Archer picked up the small thing carefully, talons shaking with leftover tension. It only nuzzled into his face, warm scales a welcome gesture. The archer's lips curved up into a sad smile as more animals surrounded the two Cookies. Rabbits nuzzling into his legs, wolves settling near. He even caught a glimpse of the Millennial Deer through the treeline, gleaming under the faint silver light of the moon.
“Apologies are in order, yes, but that can be once we preen your feathers.” Millennial Tree shifted his gaze to the large wings that protruded from his friend’s back. The feathers were broken in certain spots, dirtied and debris caught between them. The nature god grimaced, leading his guardian to the small nest that was housed kindly upon a tree. The lizard was snuggled on the archer’s shoulder, small heat radiating from it.
Some animals followed them, trying their best to comfort their beloved guardian. But the Great Tree motioned a few signals to the creatures that they were not to follow. They whined and protested but the Tree was unwavering. Eventually, they dispersed. Growling and whimpering angrily as they did.
Soon enough, the hawk and the deer fell into a slumber. The deer leaned up against the edge of the nest and the hawk curled up in his lap. The small lizard pulled itself up onto the barrier of the nest, looking up at the lavender tinted moon above. It let a small ember emerge from its throat, watching the message curl out of the Maze Grove, harmlessly darting around trees. It was meant for a certain god of fire who lived in the highest volcano of the infamous Dragon’s Valley.