A Nature Walk

"So where are we going?" I ask Liz and she turns to me.

"That way." She answers while pointing straight and a little to the left. "Where'd you park?"

"If I'm driving then I'll need more than that." I tell her while taking my Tricksters Motorcycle out of my inventory. I make it grow while she smiles.

"Fine, do you know how to get to the park?" She asks.

"Of course. I live pretty close to it." I say while getting on. Liz hops on behind me and I drive to the park. We get there after about ten minutes and I park. I store the bike away and Liz leads me to the clearing. "I used to think I was the only one who knew of this place. I'm starting to think all Lyna know of it now." I say as we enter and Liz laughs.

"Well, most Lyna like to spend time alone or with other Lyna. Especially growing up so I wouldn't be surprised."

"So, what are we doing here?" I ask her and she smiles.

"Nothing yet. We're not at our destination after all." She says while reaching her hands out. After a moment I see two vines appear out of the ground below her hands. They grow and continue to rise past her before connecting about two feet above her. Suddenly the space between lights up in a bright green light. "Come on, let's go!" She says turning around and grabbing my hand. She pulls me through the light and to the other side. Once through I look around and see I'm now in the middle of a vast forest. It doesn't look like any I've seen before. The ground emits a faintly glowing blue light everywhere around us. It looks amazing and I'm so stunned by this that I don't notice someone standing close by.

"Ahem." I hear someone say and turn around. "Nice to meet you, Eric. My name is Treena, I'm a Dryad." She says and her appearance decently matches. She is beautiful and rather slim with long green hair the color of vines. Her hair has leaves stuck within and stops at her shoulders. She's wearing a modern shirt and pants which shocks me.

"Nice to meet you too." I say trying to settle my confusion.

"Liz, did you tell him why you brought him here?" Treena asks Liz sternly and she shrugs with a smile. Treena sighs before continuing. "Sorry Eric, Liz enjoys causing mischief like this. We have a favor to ask you, so would you hear us out?"

"Sure, what is it? And how do you know me?" I ask her.

"Liz has told us about you. We Dryads live in nature and the Goddess of Life, Gaia is someone we have a lot of respect for. So when we heard that she was not only alive but has a new Champion we wanted to learn more. Before we ask our favor though I'd like you to follow me." She says and I nod. I assume they want to go somewhere else to talk, but I didn't expect this. I'm led to a clearing with another Dryad. She has on armor. She's wearing leather or hides all etched with runes. In her hands is a small wooden staff with a green gem on top. The staff can't be longer than seven inches.

"Good you're here." She says matter of factly.

"Eric, this is Layla. She's the Forest Guardian." Treena says before Layla takes over.

"That means I'm the strongest Dryad. I'll also be the one testing you."

"Why are you testing me? And how?" I ask getting more confused.

"The favor we have needs you to go to the center of our forest. Before you do, you have to pass our test. And I'll test you by trying to kill you." Layla explains. I turn to Liz who smiles.

"Don't worry Eric. You got this!" She cheers before pushing me forward. The moment she does a light yellowish-green wall appears. It goes about ten feet up before a lid forms. It's about fifteen feet wide in all directions, centered from Layla. The wall separates me from Liz and Treena. I quickly Observe Layla, more on instinct than any actual thought.

Layla Lvl 75, Class: Dryad, Title: Forest Guardian, RP: 79, Hearts: 1, Weak: Fire

HP: 7500/7500 MP: 5000/5000

"Prepare yourself!" Layla shouts while pointing her staff at me. The green gem glows and a sword blade materializes using the staff as a hilt. She charges at me and I quickly swap to my armor and draw my Katana. I block with my blade and feel the vibrations travel through my arms. "Good reflexes!" She says before jumping back. She reaches forward with her sword pointed to the sky. Suddenly the blade vanishes and is replaced with a bow. She draws the string and uses the staff as its grip. I take out my Dark Boots and Dark Claws while casting Dark Chains on my Katana. I toss my Katana at her as she fires. Both of us dodge and I charge her while pulling my Katana back. She turns her bow into a scythe, with some light extending below the staff making the rest of the shaft of the scythe. She swings it at me and I jump above it. Before she turns around I Blink behind her and cut along her back.

-729 Dmg

She jumps away as I try to cut her again. She turns around and swings her left arm in front of her. Immediately I feel something ensnare my legs and look down. I see vines slithering like snakes along my legs. More shoot out of the ground and grab my wrists before continuing to my neck. I look back up at Layla and see her holding the bow again. This time, however, instead of an arrow I see a massive ball of green mana building up.