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The sun was bright, giving no hope for the rain to make its appearance for the day. Yet, the path spread before Aedan was dark and damp as he had chosen to take the path that wasn’t frequented by my travellers. When prompted for the reason, it was to avoid Marduk’s eyes. Nivia and the others followed without any complaints as they all knew just how much of a threat Marduk was. They would rather be uncomfortable on the journey than to continuously put their lives in danger.

“Remind me where are we going again?” Lilian asked as she trod the uneven grounds and damp soil of the slopped path taking them deeper into the depths of the forest.

“East,” Aedan muttered dryly as a response.

Lilian sighed. “And to think just some days ago, you were so amicable and charming.”

“That was merely courtesy of our first acquaintance. Why? Does my current demeanour repel you?”

Lilian shook her head. “On the contrary, I appreciate your honesty.”

Aedan returned a smile. “I see. Good to know my bluntness is appreciated.”

Nivia, who was walking behind the two alongside Aera, groaned. “This strange budding relationship between the two of you is sickening.”

“I think it’s lovely,” Aera said with a faint smile.

Nivia stared in disbelief. “Are you serious?” she asked.

“Love is a wonderful thing, is it not? It can be twisted sometimes but... I believe love is one of the best gifts nature has bestowed us.”

Nivia frowned. “...You are so different from how you were.”

“I wouldn’t know. This is how I always am.”

Nivia turned away from her but her gaze landed on Lilian and Aedan, who was still having a strangely loving exchange. She cast her gaze down and let out a sigh.

“Do you perhaps find the notion of love to be an unsavoury idea, milady?” Aera asked.

“Don’t call me milady.”

“But you are a Fae. It would be rude not to do so.”

“I have a name. Use it.”

“Very well then, Lady Nivia.”

Nivia sighed again. “I think I prefer the other you.”

“Now that would be terrible. I would be impulsive and dangerous.” And then her stomach grumbled. “And hungry,” she added with a blush.

Nivia turned her gaze to Aedan. “Oi, Dragon. It’s past noon. Shouldn’t we be stopping somewhere to have the opportunity to fill our bellies?”

“That is my intention,” Aedan replied without meeting her gaze. “But not here. Just a bit further ahead.”

“Is there a specific place we’re heading to?” Lilian asked. “It doesn’t feel like you chose this path for discretion purposes.”

“Well, aren’t you bright?” Aedan praised.

Lilian tittered. “That meant a lot coming from you.”

Nivia rolled her eyes while Aera watched over with warm eyes.

The path took the four deeper into the forest and the lights became more and more scarce until it bore the veil of dusk when there were still hours away from it.

“Are we lost?” Aera asked.

“For his sake, we better not be,” Nivia said.

“Nope,” Aedan answered. “As a matter of fact, we have arrived.” He pointed ahead.

Streaks of light could be seen ahead of their path. An arch of branches and leaves was ushering them to ground that possessed an entirely different countenance from the path they had taken. Passing through the arch, they came to a large opening filled with lush of various colours. A vast but shallow pool of water in the centre of the opening. Birds and various small animals lurked around without caring for the four’s presence. Across the shallow pool, a large tree stood over a few storeys tall, casting an enormous shadow over the grounds but the abundance of light streaks did not fill the place with gloom.

“Oh wow...” Nivia gasped in awe. “What is this place?”

Birds of vibrant colours and petite nature flew to Aera and perched on her shoulders. Aera smiled gleefully and lent a finger to the birds, which they hopped on to.

Nivia crouched over a chipmunk munching on some kind of seed. She watched the rodent with a scrutinizing gaze as questions filled her mind. “It’s not afraid of us… Why hasn’t it ran from us?”

“This is beautiful...” Lilian breathed. “And the number of Spirits fluttering about… Is this… a Grove?”

“A Grove?” Aera asked.

“A gathering place for Spirits,” Aedan explained. “Nature’s cradle, some would call it. A sanctuary for the Faerie-kin. Only those with a high affinity for Spirits could find and enter these Groves. And yes, this is a Grove.”

“Oh my, you know plenty about Groves,” Lilian said.

“But if this is a Grove… how do we not know of this?” Nivia asked. “We know every Grove near our forest but how did this escape our notice?”

“That’s because this Grove is artificial,” Aedan answered.

“Artificial?!”

“What does that mean?” Aera asked. "I'm afraid I know very few words."

“It means something man-made, unnatural,” Lilian answered. “This is simply unprecedented. I didn’t know this was possible. You’re saying you made this Grove?”

“It’s not a sole effort,” Aedan said.

“Is there a particular reason as to why this Grove was made?”

“...It was a warring period. We needed places where we could rest our bodies without being cautious for the whole time. This idea was born.”

“Who’s “we”?” Nivia questioned.

“Acquaintances… friends… but none of that matters. They’re all dead,” Aedan said and walked towards the tree.

“That's terrible to know,” Lilian said with her finger on her lips. “I hope they're resting easy now. How did they pass if I may ask?”

“Time,” Aedan answered briefly as he reached the tree. He placed his palm on the trunk and spoke a few lines of words that only he understood, leaving the others with question marks above their marks. Upon finishing his incantation, a door manifested near where his palm rested.

“Whoa...” Aera exclaimed. “So this is magic...”

“Really?” Nivia turned to Aera in disbelief. “After everything, this is what amazes you?”

“Throwing fireballs and making a punch stronger isn’t a fresh sight for me. This is,” Aera said.

Nivia sighed for the umpteenth time. “The most astonishing part is that a Grove can even be artificially made at all.”

“As a Fae, shouldn't you be more open to such ideas and possibilities?” Aedan asked, pushing the door open.

“You’re asking me that seriously? A Grove is a miracle of nature. Recreating a miracle of nature is just… unbelievable and near blasphemy. How do you even manage to lure all the Spirits here?”

“Lure is a strong word,” Aedan said. “Anyways, come in.” He entered through the door. The others followed his words and entered the tree.

What greeted their view was a room filled with decent furnishings completely stocked with an abundance of supplies and other trinkets or simply display ornaments. It looked like a living quarter and more. Envy would cross the commoners’ faces should they see this room. That said, the room appeared to be larger than how it looked from the outside.

“Spatial Magic… neat,” Lilian muttered in awe as she looked around the room.

“I believe this kind of magic is quite common in Fae’s home forest.”

“It is but… somehow, it feels so much more amazing to see this kind of magic outside of the forest. It humbles us.”

What surprised Nivia the most was the condition of the room. She wiped a finger across a shelf and found no trace of dirt. “You have a caretaker for this place?” she asked.

Aedan didn’t answer and simply went over to an hourglass that was placed on a table surrounded by couches on three sides. He turned the hourglass and then gently tapped the top of it.

Glitters immediately filled the room. The air and space ripple and cracks began to form over it. It shattered like glass but the reality stayed as it is as if nothing had happened.

“Was that the Temporal Spell?” Lilian asked, her eyes glimmering. “And the spell is fixed into the hourglass. Honestly, how many more wonders will you surprise us with?”

“Why would you use such a grand spell in vain?” Nivia asked but her brows were creased as opposed to Lilian’s excitement.

“This is a safe haven and a hideout. Time would degrade everything here, such as the provisions, the tools, and the weapons,” Aedan explained. He headed to a wardrobe and opened it, revealing a stash of weapons of fine qualities.

“My my, you never cease with your surprise, Aedan,” Lilian said. She approached the wardrobe, examining the weapons displayed in it. “And these are all forged with good materials and by excellent smiths.”

Aedan took a pair of sheathed short swords and a bow from the wardrobe and tossed them to Nivia. “Here,” he said. “I think these will suit you nicely.”

“You’re just going to give these to me without demanding anything in return?” Nivia asked.

“There’s nothing that you have that I want. Besides, making sure we're well-equipped and stocked is one of the reasons we are here.”

“I beg your pardon? I have nothing you desire?”

“What? Was I unclear?”

“How dare you—” Nivia’s fuse was cut short as a vine wrapped around her mouth, muffling her voice.

“I am so sorry about this, Aedan,” Lilian said with a slight bow. “She just never learns. I wonder who she takes after. She can be so handful.”

Nivia attempted to break the vine around her mouth but Lilian summoned more vines to constrict her whole body.

“On behalf of her, I thank you for your generous hospitality. This place will do more than just fine for a place to rest our weary bodies and be prepared for our journey tomorrow.”

“You are most welcome, Lilian,” Aedan responded with a smile.

“Are we truly safe here? Couldn’t anyone just stumble right into this place?”

“Unless one has the approval of the Spirits, it is impossible to find this place. We are safe here. You can rest easy, Aera.”

Aera nodded after some brief thinking and took a seat on one of the couches. Finally, her shoulders slumped and a long breather came from her. She cupped her hands together and brought them to her mouth. She breathed into them as her hands trembled. She began to cry. Tears rolled down her cheeks and incessantly. No one comforted her. No one felt that it was right to intrude. These were tears of relief and everyone understood that.

Still, Nivia was the only one who was ruining the mood by struggling in futility in her binds. “Let me go!” she seemed to have yelled out such words but Lilian paid her no mind.

“Well, there are plenty of rooms. Pick whichever you like,” Aedan said. “There’s a bathroom down that hall. Water can be drawn from the well outside. And there’s a heat induction rod in the bathroom for you to heat up the water. Though, be careful with that. Don’t go burning yourself as you use it. There is some food in the kitchen. Upstairs is nothing but storage full of various trinkets. You’re welcome to take whatever you find fancy.”

“Really? We can take whatever we want?” Lilian asked.

“It’s not like anybody else would be using them. The only person who knows of this place and is still alive, is me. So, make yourself at home,” Aedan said and disappeared into the kitchen. “We will depart at dawn tomorrow,” he said aloud from the kitchen.

“Dear me, he’s so gracious,” Lilian muttered to herself.

A muffled voice came from her right.

“Oh right, you’re still tied up,” Lilian said and undid the spell on Nivia.

“What in the tarnation was that for?” was Nivia’s first question upon her freedom.

“You were being rude and unruly, Nivia.”

“How could you stand him?”

“Why do you hate him so much?”

“Are you blind?” Nivia questioned with a face of disbelief. “He took every opportunity to mock me. He does that to everyone. Even you.”

“It’s just a part of his charm and I don’t dislike sparring with him using words. You need to thicken your skin, Nivia. If you think Aedan is ill-mannered, there are so many other people that are a million times worse.”

Nivia couldn’t retort. Deep down, she knew she was easily intimidated and provoked but her intelligence and honour being insulted was something she found extremely hard to ignore.

“I think you being around him will do you some good. Not every person out there would be intimidated by our status as a Fae. In fact, our status even spurred some of the prejudices too. Keep that in mind, Nivia. We’re no longer in our forest.”

“I know that,” Nivia grumbled and let herself fall onto one of the couches.

“Splendid,” Lilian clapped her hands together. “Now, how about I make us some sandwiches?”