Leyland Adventures Chapter Ten: Part Nine

"So you're getting married in two days."

"Yup, Tysashi proposed to me on top of the hill during sunset and...it was extremely difficult to say no...I felt I wasn't prepared for marriage, but my feelings for him couldn't hold me back any longer."

"I see... I'm so happy for the both of you."

"Kalani, are you ok? Your eyes are watering."

"It's nothing..."

"Kalani...I know you sincerely admired him as much as I did, many of us did. He's everything a woman could ask for. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"No it's ok. You two belong together. Don't worry about me; I just want happiness for you both."

"I want you to be happy as well, Kalani."

"Two of my bestest friends are getting married, how could I be unhappy?!"

"As long as you're happy...I am too."

"I hope the marriage is successful, I love you."

"I love you too, Kalani."

⊱⋅ ────── ⋆★⋆────── ⋅⊰

Tysashi was opening up to a collection of blurry creatures. Upon his wake, the organisms fled with his candy. Rotating his head, he was still in the forest with the wound surrounded in filth. 

"Did...I fall asleep? I don't even remember feeling sleepy...I don't even remember the dream I had."

Sharp stings attacked his body just as his memories were returning. With a painful reminder of his injury, he searched for a water source while holding one hand over the cut. It was unknown how long he was asleep for but the poison seemed to be very sluggish though the pain wasn't. Each step would result in another sting as if he was walking on a floor of spikes barefoot. At this point, any sort of movement would damage him though he continued to fight and neglect the anguish that constantly grew.

Out of the silent darkness emerged a fairy whose illuminated pink hair stood motionless as a sword was dragged like a child by its mother. His eyes widened by the sight of her while her aroma swirled around inside his nose.

"Aradressa!" His cheer nearly sounded like crying.

The pain felt numb as he dashed with open arms but once the two were inches away, a wall of heavy steel prevented any further movement.

"Stay away!" Her eyes were wet with an unhealthy mix of feelings as she held her weapon steady.

"Wait, Aradressa, I'm not a clone. I swear this is the real me."

"I said stay away, you faker!"

It was clear she was emotionally unstable at the moment, so much to the point where steaming tears dripped from her frigid cheeks.

"Aradressa, I know what you've been through. You're scared and unsure about everything. That doesn't matter because we're together now."

"I won't believe your lies!"

"Argh... Aradressa...I can prove I'm the real Tysashi but please, I need your healing abilities to cure me of this poison."

An alarm ringed in her scrambled mind...that was the exact same trick the other clone played on her. 

"I will not fall for the same trick twice, die horribly with your poison."

Just as her figure gradually became more distant, he weakly followed after her, still pleading for her assistance. He simply didn't want Aradressa to say such powerful words any longer.

While his fingers grazed her shoulder, she sent the blade to attack his wound. Just barely cutting his insides in half. Multiple organs were damaged as gushes of blood continued to fall from his body. He couldn't even scream or cry, it was too traumatic.

"Consider that a generous warning, stay far away from me or there will be no further warnings."

His ability to speak was halted by the rapid river of sprawling emotions he felt. Aradressa left him to bleed out, carrying the droplets of crimson with her. He laid on the ground, breathing quietly as more liquids left his dying body. Just as his eyes were closing, a faint orb of golden light appeared hazily.

"Hey, get up." A feminine voice danced around him. She tapped his cheek repeatedly before he followed the request.

"What...are you...who are you?"

"I'll explain when you are not near death, now please eat that Lumi Mushroom growing on the tree beside you. Its liquids will heal you."

"How...do I know if I can trust you? How do I know if this isn't another trick?"

"You don't seem to have much of a choice. Even if you don't trust me, you'll die regardless."

"You're right...ok...I'll eat it."

Practically abusing his body to move, he removed the Lumi Mushroom from the tree. The sparkling liquids inside the tip gushed inside his mouth with the refreshing taste of peppermint. The taste of the mushroom is unique to all as the liquids will match the consumer's preferred taste. Within seconds after consuming the fungus, the poison from his body was eradicated as his wound was cleansed and patched up as if it was never there.

A heavenly moan was the single song he was capable of singing.

"Now that you are cured, I shall tell you who and what I am. My name is Wanda and I am a Sprite. Just like you, I was critically injured by my lover but unlike you, I perished by his hands as he devoured my last breath. He went insane and thought I was a violent spirit, however I wasn't angry at him. You see, those who die with regrets in this place will have their souls wandering about the forest, and before those regrets are resolved with the aid of the living, they will turn into balls of light called Sprites. Sprites roam around the forest, searching to help those who are close to insanity."

"So you're like a guardian angel?"

"Yes."

"I see. Nice to meet you, Wanda and I'm very sorry about your experiences. Can you help me convince my friend that I'm not a spirit?"

"I'm afraid that even with my assistance, she will not believe you, but I can guide you to Flora."

"That'd be lovely, thank you."

"Very well, please follow me and try not to get distracted."

⊱⋅ ────── ⋆★⋆────── ⋅⊰

Wanda led Tysashi through the bewildering labyrinth of trees and rivers of blood to a spacious orb of brown vines guarded by two massive trees whose branches were intertwined.

"Flora is inside, you just need to gain her attention."

"Alright, thanks for everything, Wanda."

"The best of luck, Aerosmith."

Wanda took her leave as he politely knocked on the outside of the orb, a great blast of radiant light exploded as his eyes analyzed the forest guardian herself.

Her head was flooded by elegant, glossy spring green hair. Just the sight of those bright green eyes would trap you in a trance. The curves became apparent, her white cloth proved suitable for her slender body. Her pure light skin and majestic fluttering wings truly gave her unnatural beauty, even if she was barefoot. As their eyes met, he introduced himself, stating his name and purpose.

"So a little creature like you wants to battle a good-looking goddess like me? I love your enthusiasm! Most of my opponents cower in fear and perish. You're a brave little guy!"

Her voice was light and extremely cheerful, almost like Susana. Turns out Flora wasn't as threatening as she was made out to be. 

"You seem very joyful to be a guardian. Are you always like this?"

"Of course! The forest wouldn't be the suicidal landscape it is without me so of course I'm joyful! Anyway, are you ready to battle, little guy?"

He nodded, holding his fighting stance.

Flora formed a tall arena formed by trees for the two to fight in, separating him from the outside.

"Alright, tiny, you can land the first strike!"

With a grin, Tysashi leaped forward with a flaming fist, only to attack a sudden branch that guarded her. He continued attacking with more sturdy branches protecting her.

"Sorry, tiny tot, but you'll have to be a bit quicker to hit me."

"Alright, try this!" Storms of flames rolled from his mouth, shrouding the view.

Flora shielded herself until he ran out of breath, slapping him with a slick vine. The booming sound roared through the air. He arose from the recoil, barely dodging the army of vines that targeted him.

"Stay still so I can penetrate you!"

She sent more lightning-fast attacks. Tysashi ignited the vines with precise aim and coordination. The flames spread around the arena, distracting her long enough for him to land a heavy punch on her cheek. Blood fell from her mouth as Tysashi shook his fist.

"Ok, maybe you aren't as adorable and harmless as I thought. You're fast for a little guy. However, your luck will not last for long, you vertically challenged male!"

The ground began to quake as gardens of Santo Flowers engulfed the area in a thick, poisonous fog.

"Let's see how easily you dodge me now, short stack!"

Even with the fog, the Diamond Eye Necklace allowed him to fight as if the air was unsullied.

"How could someone as small as you still manage to dodge so easily?!" Her elf ears shot up during the tantrum as she measured his figure, spotting his necklace.

"Hey, you're cheating with that necklace. No fair! The poisonous gas of the Santo Flower should've blinded you! No matter, if you can cheat, then so can I!"

Her hands clapped, producing thick, fireproof bark that wrapped around his legs from the ground and slammed him into several trees and edged rocks. By physically removing the tentacle-shaped bark, he was able to free himself, but this didn't mean victory was granted. Blood tumbled down his clothes though the attack hardly injured him. He not only had the elemental advantage; the fireproof items Flora summoned could be obliterated by his brute strength.

"You're not making this easy for me...why couldn't you be frail like the other good, tiny, opponents?"

"Because I have an entire planet of friends and family that need me," he replied casually.

"Aww...how sweet. I'm sorry, but they'll have to learn how to live without you. I'm afraid I've been going easy on you, this is far from my actual potential."

"Then stop stalling and let's end this battle! I still have to find my friend!"

"Oh, the long pink haired one? Sorry, she doesn't trust you. She's been tricked many times so if her eyes land upon you, you'll die. It's best to let your friendship die."

Sudden memories of Aradressa and his companions in Lenovo flooded his mind. Just listening to her go on about letting friendship fade... it went against everything he's ever fought for. He refused to listen to her twisted speeches.

"No. I won't listen to a single word you say. We'll never give up on each other, that's a promise!" His fingers dug deeper into the palm.

"I'm sorry, but promises are future lies. Hundreds of victims in this forest have promised multiple things and never followed through with them. They just hung themselves on the sturdiest branch they could find with dry tears filling their eyes. Ah, every time I hear that word, I can't stop myself from bursting into laughter." 

Her inhumane giggles chanted in his ears. It was impossible to think she could simply smile through such a morbid sentence. Tysashi then gave her a heroic tune of his own.

"That's a twisted way to view the shortcomings of others! I swear I'll defeat you! Not for the gemstone, but for everyone who was unfortunate enough to succumb to suicide! I'll show you that promises still have meaning even if they are broken over and over!"

"Well then, tater tot, let's continue shall we?"

"You bet."