The morning sun shone through the branches and leaves of the Forest of Ir?stos. The sounds of nature drifted in the background as Elysha, a young child who had recently awakened in the forest, immersed herself in the world unfolding around her.

  In her small hand, she clutched a long, olive-colored shepherd’s crook. She smiled and hummed as she swayed it back and forth. When an idea came to her mind, Elysha closed her eyes, pressed her lips together and summoned her imagination.

  “I, Elysha, wish and dream of becoming a mage,” she proclaimed. “I want to learn everything and use theonum magic, just like Elder Mera. I like to read stories and see many things, because I was born into this world, and I want to explore new places, and…”

  A giggle escaped her lips at the act, and she calmed down before continuing—

  “... Because I want to become a great mage, just like Elder Mera.”

  Holding a long crook with a firm grip, Elysha twirled it in the air and watch it spun a few times mid-flight. Her long blue dress, adorned with a decorative white half-apron, blew around her as if caught by the breeze. She also wore white sleeves and a long purple handkerchief dangling from her collar. Her hat, a white mob cap with a light blue ribbon, nearly fell off her head.

  As her crook whirled through the air, the little girl tried to catch it before calling forth a play of magic—

  *plat*

  “Ah!” she reached out and picked up the crook from the ground. Fortunately for her, the object was light enough to hold without much effort, but she still wiped the sweat from her forehead and exhaled.

  “Whew, and then…”

  She closed her eyes and her mind translated her visions into the surroundings, and with each swing and movement she spoke a series of enchanting words in a stuttering conlang of her own creation.

  “Ste-steraa enjetiraa… Mi-mijanmira tiraa korja!”

  The atmosphere whispered in silent anticipation as Elysha’s incantations faded into the air. Turning around, she saw a leaf fall from a tree, and a faint smile graced her lips as she indulged in her false notion of prowess.

  “I can use theonum magic,” she thought aloud in a quiet, determined voice, pointing the long stick skyward. “I can cast my own magic through my staff and learn many wonders and kinds of things. I will fight the Beast of the forest, like the one in the story, and save the forest and my home.”

  In the burst of her energy, Elysha swung her staff and began to dance like a beautiful sorceress, mindful of the delicate flowers that adorned the forest floor. She continued to dance, smiling and feeling at one with the world around her as she spun around and around in the dappled sunlight of the woods. With each step, she felt the rush of sensation coursing through her veins and her heart swelled with excitement.

  As the dance reached its climax, the constant motion threatened to overwhelm her, and a quick misstep caught her feet in the folds of her flowing dress.

  “Ah—”

  She stumbled and tumbled to the ground, the soft earth cushioning her fall.

  For a moment, Elysha lay there, stunned and disoriented, her heart pounding in her chest. Despite the mistake, she let out a breathless giggle like the tinkling of bells.

  “Hehe…”

  The mishap couldn’t dampen the little girl’s spirits, who propped herself up on her elbows and breathed unevenly as she regained her composure.

  As the world slowly stopped spinning, Elysha rose to her feet, brushing off the dirt and leaves that clung to her dress. With her eyes gleaming, she placed her hat back on her head and held her shepherd’s crook firmly in her hand.

  Then, with a bright smile, she skipped and pranced through the forest, continuing her adventure.

  ~ ??? ~

  Eventually, not too long after, the little girl’s youthful energy drained away and the layer of her magical acts waned, signaling her for a moment of rest. She saw a lonely tree and decided to sit next to it, her back leaning against the trunk.

  “Ah, I’m tired now,” Elysha yawned in resignation.

  She closed her eyes and let herself drift off to recharge her own energy, until her pointed ears shifted their focus to the sounds of the natural world that surrounded them.

  “…”

  Her eyes opened and she gazed up at the sky, her gray-golden eyes gazing into the vast expanse above her: white clouds meandered lazily across the azure expanse, casting fleeting shadows on the treetops. A sense of calm washed over her face as she let her mind wander with her listless stare.

  She murmured under her breath, “How pretty…”

  The forest fell into silence as Elysha’s gaze remained fixed on the sky above her. She watched the slow, languid movement of the clouds as they crossed her view. Then she reached her right arm to the sky, her fingers extended out to touch the soft texture of the fluffy objects on the expanse like wisps of cotton.

  In her mind’s eye, a whimsical thought took form. It was a scene of her lying on a bed made of the soft textures of clouds. She was nestling on a cloud; fluffy and inviting, as if it were a soft, cozy pillow.

  ‘The clouds look comfy,’ Elysha voiced in her reflection. ‘Like a pillow. Pillows are comfy. I want to hug them.’

  The mere thought of it brought a smile to her lips, as she could almost feel the touch of the clouds and fell into a deep sleep amidst the sensation.

  ??”Maybe one day, I could sleep on the clouds in the sky,” she whispered to herself, wanting to remember her wistful longing.

  She gazed at the sky for a while until she asked herself, “I wonder, if one day, will I be able to fly into the sky to see everything that lies above?”

  Then another question followed, “Hm, could there possibly be a place beyond the clouds? Maybe I should ask Elder Mera about it later. She told me yesterday that I can learn to fly.”

  She continued to watch and think until boredom overcame her.

  Eventually, the little girl rose from her place on the forest floor, the cool spring breeze touching her skin as she took in the surroundings once more: the trees stood tall and proud, their branches swaying, while the dense shrubs, vibrant grasses, and an abundance of wildflowers adorned the forest floor. The sight of the scenery felt like a painted picture, or colors and textures, accompanied by the sounds of nature.

  *chirp*

  A noise broke the silence and caught her attention. Elysha wiped her drool and turned her gaze to the source of the sound.

  *chirp*

  She stood and watched as a single bird took off from a branch in the distance, effortlessly carrying its wings into the sky above the treetops. Other flocks joined the single bird, forming a procession that disappeared into the vastness of the world.

  ~ ??? ~

  As Elysha continued to walk along a path in the woods, her mind drifted to a recent memory. It had happened earlier that morning as she and Elder Merakia sat together at breakfast, their plates filled with nourishing food.

  “Are you curious about what lies beyond this window next to us?” Elder Merakia asked as she placed her cup down.

  Elysha lowered her fork and looked at her guardian before turning to the open window and answering, “Is it not the garden over there?”

  Her guardian lightly chuckled, “Well, dear child, there’s more to see than the garden.” Then she paused for a moment and continued, “Today is a beautiful day, so how about taking a step outside and exploring the forest?”

  “Exploring the forest?”

  “Yes,” Elder Merakia nodded. “You remember the trees and flowers of yesterday, don’t you? Exploring the forest beyond this house brings opportunities for hands-on experience and knowledge to be learned.”

  Elysha blinked, remembering the tall trees and flowers of the forest. “I go there again?”

  “Yes, indeed, the forest is a safe and protected place, and you can also go on your own little adventure and get to know the world one step at a time,” she said. “That is, until you are ready to take a full journey yourself when you are older.”

  The memory of these words echoed in Elysha’s mind, mingling with the scents and sounds that surrounded her. The thought of exploring the great unknown was scary at first, but before long she began to enjoy the exploration as much as she had enjoyed the garden.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Turn around,” Elder Merakia instructed.

  Elysha turned around, revealing the outfit her guardian had chosen for her first outing in the forest.

  “My dear child, you look remarkably lovely in those clothes,” she complimented, trying hard not to smile broadly. “What a pity, if only my camera worked, I would have taken many photos for the album by now, but unfortunately I cannot leave the forest at the moment.”

  Elysha blinked her eyes. “Huh?”

  “Oh, just a matter of mine not necessfully important to discuss, I will eventually get the camera working at a later time.”

  Then, Elysha’s memories shifted to the moment before she left the cottage home and entered the forest. She was standing at the doorway when Elder Merakia spoke in an concerned tone, “Before you leave, be warned not to stray too far from the cottage. It is important that you heed this advice. Do you hear?”

  “Yes, Elder Mera,” she replied with a nod, gripping her shepherd’s crook in her hand. “I will be careful.”

  Elder Merakia smiled, reached out her hand, placed it on her shoulder and said, “I trust you, dear child. Explore, learn and enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds you, but always remember to protect yourself. The world is big and full of sights to behold, but it can also be unpredictable at rare occasions. Return to the cottage if you ever feel unsafe or need advice, and remember, you are never alone on your adventure. Please make sure you are back by noon.”

  “I will, Elder Mera.”

  Then with a warm smile, Elysha stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Elder Merakia, hugging her guardian tightly.

  Elder Merakia returned the hug, her arms enfolding the little girl. “Take care, dear child,” she said tenderly. “And remember, I’ll always be here for you.”

  ~ ??? ~

  As Elysha continued to stroll along the dirt path through the forest, her gaze lingered, lost in her own little world, when her eyes caught a glimpse of an unfamiliar creature standing among the trees.

  It had long legs and a slender figure, with large, beady eyes and two long branches that reached skyward. The creature’s fur was brown, matching the earthy tones of the forest. Its ears were small and moved up and down, looking as curious as the little girl.

  Elysha’s heart skipped a beat as she stood there silently, her small hand instinctively reaching out for the peculiar creature—

  “—!”

  In the blink of an eye, the creature was gone, leaving her alone with the brief memory to behold.

  Perplexed and yet full of awe, Elysha couldn’t help but think for a moment about the sight she had just witnessed. She had never seen anything like it before. She knew it wasn’t a wisp of light or a bird, but what kind of creature was it?

  With a smile on her face, Elysha continued her stroll through the trees, thinking of the possibilities that awaited her at every turn. Who knew what unknown creatures and hidden sights still awaited her discovery in this forest?

  However, her legs soon became tired from walking and she sought rest in the shade of a tree. She settled down, leaning her back against the bark and feeling its natural, woody texture. After a short pause, she reached into her shoulder bag and her fingers brushed the edge of a children’s encyclopedia.

  The pages of the book were a collection of descriptions about nature and life, accompanied by illustrations that made each pages much more colorful and lifelike. As her fingers grazed the edges of the pages, Elysha took her time to look at the contents of the book and read the words that accompanied each picture:

  ‘The Cat (Felis catus)

  With four legs and a long tail, cats are small animals that many people keep as pets. Cats are curious creatures and like to explore, play, and spend time with their owners. They also like to hunt small animals like birds and mice.’

  “Hunt birds?” Elysha frowned.

  Today was different from yesterday.

  Earlier this morning, the little girl had woken up and realized that the words in the books were no longer blurry.

  She blinked her eyes and spoke in surprise, “Oh, I can read now.”

  “What do you mean that you can read now?” Elder Merakia asked as she sat in the chair in her office.

  Elysha held the children’s encyclopedia out to her and said, “See, this is a ‘mushroom,’ and it says here that mushrooms are fungi that grow in damp places.”

  “That is indeed true,” her guardian said. “But tell me, what do you mean you couldn’t read before?”

  “The words used to be all blurry to me, but now I can read them.”

  “I see,” Elder Merakia said, taking note. “Hm, but still, it’s an impressive progress, considering that you are able to read words now compared to yesterday. Your mind seems to be actively growing.”

  Elysha nodded and said, “It’s like the words just make sense to me now.” Then, she smiled. “I can read lots of books now, like the ones you’ve read to me last night!”

  For her, it was as if a door had opened, giving her access to the stories hidden within the inked lines. She didn’t understand what had caused the change from vague to clarity, but she was satisfied enough to learn and understand what the once blurry words now meant.

  Elysha shook her attention away from the recent memories and continued to read:

  ‘The Bird (Aves)

  Known for flying high in the sky, birds are winged creatures that come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They eat different things like seeds, bugs, fish, and sometimes even small animals. Birds build nests out of twigs and grass to lay their eggs. They have special behaviors like singing and dancing, and they help nature by spreading seeds and eating pests like insects.’

  “I want to fly too.” Elysha commented as she leaned against the tree.

  More of Elder Merakia’s words echoed in her mind, reminding her of the tasks she had been assigned to this morning—documenting interesting biological creatures and collecting specimens, and drawing the forest in her sketchbook.

  She grinned, a feeling of satisfaction settling over her as she knew she had already completed most of her tasks.

  Elysha reached for her sketchbook and pencil. With a steady hand and an attentive eye, she began to sketch using the sight in front of her and her imagination.

  Concentrating, Elysha began to sketch a cat. Her pencil moved across the paper and traced the contours of the animal. However, the creature presented an artistic hurdle.

  She frowned and clenched her pencil. “This ‘cat’ is hard to draw.” Elysha groaned softly. Still, undaunted by the challenge, she let her hand work with purpose and vision.

  As the sketch of the cat took shape, Elysha turned her attention to the background of the illustration. She concentrated on sketching an oak tree, highlighting details and then adding a bird on one of the branches.

  “Hm, cat and bird…” Elysha murmured as she scattered the petals of the tiny flowers and the grasses on the forest floor.

  A contented sigh escaped her lips as she finished her illustration. She laid herself back against the tree and held the sketchbook over her. “I hope Elder Mera likes my drawing,” she murmured, then thought, “But I haven’t met a cat yet… or many other creatures.”

  She folded the sketchbook closed and tucked it back into her backpack before continuing on with her adventure.

  ~ ??? ~

  As Elysha walked on, her eyes wandering over the forest, a new source of restlessness stirred within her.

  She stretched her limbs and felt the energy flowing through her veins. She held onto her shepherd’s crook in her hand; having completed her tasks and explored the areas near the cottage.

  Yet within her, the little girl wanted more adventures.

  The Forest of Ir?stos, with its vastness and many as yet undiscovered wonders, called out to her to explore it further.

  “Hm, where should I go now?” she pondered aloud, her voice mingling with the wind rustling through the leaves. “Should I go home, or?”

  She stopped walking and continued with her thoughts, “But, there is still so much to see in this forest. The picture book showed me lots of animals and things, but I haven’t many of them yet…”

  The child was just about to walk on, but not too far, when a small creature ran past her without giving her a sign.

  “Huh?”

  Elysha, who was only marginally aware of the animal’s presence, turned around and saw the creature already some distance away. “Where are you going?” she asked.

  The animal did not answer.

  From the looks of it, the creature had dark, black fur and white eyes almost resembling seeds. The sight of the animal made her cautious, but her curiosity remained.

  As Elysha approached the mysterious small creature with cautious steps, snippets of knowledge from her book flickered in her mind.

  “A cat…” she whispered, recognizing the distinctive features that matched the profile in front of her.

  Then a fleeting thought crossed her mind—

  “... If I can keep the cat as a pet, will they come to love me?” she wondered. “If Elder Mera allows me to keep it, that is..."

  The prospect of it gave the little girl excitement, although she knew the final decision was up to Elder Merakia.

  She took a couple more steps, extending her hand as an offering of trust, trying to befriend the cat. With each step closer, the cat mirrored her movements, only to retreat a few paces before surprising her with an unexpected gesture—a gentle lick.

  Elysha froze in astonishment, her wide eyes blinking as she whispered, “You…”

  But just as quickly as the cat had approached, the animal darted away once again, pausing to cast an expectant gaze back at Elysha. Understanding dawned upon her, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Oh,” she uttered in surprise and intrique at the same time. “I see…”

  Without hesitation, Elysha followed the elusive cat. She meandered through the trees, her steps guided by the fleeting glimpses of the cat’s ebony form. The chase led her to a stream, its clear waters meandering against the setting of tranquility. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for the cat, until she saw it sitting on a rotting tree trunk.

  “Ah! I found you!”

  Elysha slowly approached the enigmatic cat and came face-to-face with it again.

  She let out a soft sigh of exasperation and amusement. “You are indeed a strange cat, to have me run after you like this…”

  The cat returned her gaze with an cryptic expression and then tilted its head slightly.

  The little girl crouched down and looked at the cat’s distinctive appearance once more. She paused thoughtfully, a question on her lips. “You are different from the book I read about you, aren’t you?” she asked, waiting for the small creature’s response.

  The cat remained silent, its dark, void-like visage with white, almost seed-like shaped irises fixed upon her; eyes that seemed to possess something beyond words, an understanding beyond human comprehension—atleast that’s what Elysha thought.

  “Hm…”

  Undeterred by the lack of response, Elysha’s lips curled into a half-smile and commented, “You’re a strange cat, it would be nice to keep you as my pet. Would you like that?”

  The cat shook its head.

  “A ‘no’ then?”

  In response, the cat nodded, affirming her assumption with a simple gesture.

  “You really are a smart kitty,” she remarked. “Then, from this moment forward, I shall call you ‘Kitty.’”

  The cat meowed in apparent disapproval, but Elysha remained oblivious to its plea, instead her thoughts were on her new pet.

  Her gaze drifted to a tree that stood proudly on the bank of the stream, its lush foliage catching the golden hues of the sunlight. A contented hum escaped her lips as she soaked up the joy of her new friendship and found contentment in the scenery surrounding her and the cat.

  Kitty watched her as she sat down in the grass beside the rotten tree trunk on the bank of the flowing stream. The trees swayed as the light bathed them in its warmth, and Elysha said with a smile, “We are going to make lots of memories together, Kitty.”

  “Meow.”