It is currently spring, and Aeos, who has long been silent, has asked me to come to his sanctum. Aeos will occasionally send one of his servants to me with a letter, but this time he called out to me.

  Since the Crimson Forest is my domain, I need to answer these calls.

  As I approach Aeos’s sanctum, it oddly starts to get darker and darker, and only fluorescent mushrooms and flowers illuminate the darkness. I soon find a dome made from wood and vines, and it is massive. Stepping inside, I find Aeos and all of his regal majesty. He’s lying down on a bed of golden flowers, and next to him are four green and pink fawns sleeping soundly. Aeos soon looks at me and smiles.

  Aeos: Hello, Raven.

  Raven: Hey yourself so you had children?

  Aeos: Yes, the Hierophant appeared to me in a dream, and he restored my youth. I was near the end of my life, and when I woke up, I was in my twenties, as you might say.

  Raven: So what, two hundred?

  Aeos: more like 40 thousand, but now I can spread my seeds once again.

  Raven: And this dome?

  Aeos: It’s a necessary precaution. When you vacate, the door will seal shut so I can tend to these little ones.

  Raven: I see. As a father myself, I am happy for you, Aeos, but will you still be able to protect the forest and maintain the enchantment?

  Aeos: Yes, my presence enchanted this forest, and that shouldn’t dissipate. My servants will also be able to inform me of anything that goes on in the forest.

  Raven: Then hearing that, I’ll happily take my leave. I’m happy for you, Aeos, I really am.

  I would then leave the dome, walking back to the temple.

  POV Shift

  As my good friend left, vines and brambles formed around the entrance of my dome. We of the Sylvan race were always prone to poachers, especially in our weakest state, which would be the state I’m in now. Humans would wait until we had spawned seeds, then they would ambush us, take our lives, then lay claim to our forests, so we had to create these nesting domes in order to counter them. These nesting domes are designed to support life for infant Sylvan creatures.

  A Sylvan Creature in its early years needs to consume nectar; in order to grow, as they age, they will be able to sustain themselves on the rays of the sun and water.

  Eventually they will be able to consist on their own mana like I do. I eventually let out a sad sigh, remembering my lost friends and family. I had 8 siblings; all of them left to create a bountiful forest like the one my father had made, and it hurt me dearly when I had never heard from them again. Eventually I had to set out on my own, and I did create a marvelous forest full of life, love, and hope, but I forsook creating seeds because I wanted to spare myself from any more heartbreak. I will admit I did lead a lonely life until I was forced out of my home by human arsonists.

  I then traveled for a long time, and then I came here. At the time, I knew that the end was nigh and this place would serve as a calm tomb to spend my twilight years, that is, until that dream from a week ago. I was in a world of golden light, and the Hierophant appeared before me, his entire body obscured by white and purple robes except for his one eye as blue as the summer sky.

  And his wings were like that of a beautiful bird; they even gave off a cyan light. The Hierophant said to me,

  Hierophant: Serevia, the strongest of the surviving Sylvan, I apologize for the sudden intrusion of your dream, but I have come to ask for your aid.

  The name he chose for me was the name my father gave to me; it was my true name. I was completely shocked, and at that point I knew that this was the real hierophant.

  Serevia: What would you ask of me, your grace?

  Hierophant: Hehe, do not be so formal, my friend. I have come before you to ask for your aid. I have seen the destruction of your kind, and though I vow never to intervene, there is something I need your help with.

  Serevia: Well, what can this old soul help you with?

  Hierophant: I need to restore your youth, and I want you to create seeds once again.

  Serevia: Do not think of me as ungrateful, your grace, but I cannot bring Sylvan Fawns into this world in its current state. Human greed runs rampant, and I fear that harm shall befall them.

  Hierophant: Your fears are warranted. Serevia, but I promise no harm will befall your children; that is my promise. Now, in 600 years from now, a war will begin that will consume all of Fae Land. By the 715th year, the war will end, and Fae Land will enter a new age, and when that happens, your children will be free from fear, and they will be able to create the grandest forests the world has ever seen.

  After hearing that, I agreed. When I had awakened that day, I was 40 thousand years old, and I set to work creating my nesting dome, and then I created the seeds that blossomed into Sylvan Fawns.

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  From that moment the world became a lot sweeter, and I can only thank the Hierophant for it.

  Looking down at them, a smile would appear on my face. I never thought I would be able to feel this type of joy again.

  My fawns would blossom again two nights ago, and they’ll sleep cuddled up to me for another few weeks. I use my Flora Manipulation to feed them nectar.

  I soon begin to relax and listen to the heartbeat of the forest. I soon hear one of my servants, the normal deer, come up. He informs me of sixteen deer looking to join my court. I let out a sigh and allow it. Normal Deer: My distant cousins are a unique group, and they have a strong connection to us, the Sylvan Deer. The connection is so strong that normal deer can become Sylvan Deer if they consume the bark from my antlers. I assume that’s why these newcomers are here.

  Now that I think about it, there are many ways for normal animals to become fae or gain fae-like qualities. For herbivores, they need to consistently consume magical flora; for carnivores, they need to do the same, but they need to eat the meat of a fae.

  Humans are the same way; almost for a human to gain magical power, there are three distinct methods. One and the most common way is through studying magic from tomes made by witches and magicians of the past.

  The second method is being the progeny of a Fae and a Human; in those cases, the magical power frequently skips generations.

  The last method is through the frequent use of magical artifacts and relics. In these cases, the magic from the artifacts rubs off on the user, and sometimes the magic is permanently imbued into them, or it slowly dissipates over time.

  Soon night begins to fall and moonlight seeps through the openings of the Nesting Dome; it feels so peaceful. I suddenly hear my little fawns begin to babble; they keep saying,

  “Burr?”

  I let out a chuckle; my kind was always active at night. I soon lifted my head and looked down at my little ones. Upon seeing me move, they stared up at me, their eyes full of amazement. I then gave them a loving smile, and I started to nuzzle and groom them. They each embraced my love and caresses, and it made me smile at how soft their fur felt.

  The bond I feel for them is so incredibly strong; I wonder if this is how my father felt. It’s hard to remember my fawn days; it was ages ago, but what I recall is that my father was a kind and benevolent Sylvan deer who taught me about the world. I think he wanted me to be prepared for it.

  Coming out of my recollection, I use my Flora Manipulation to bring four branches to my fawn's mouth; they soon begin to suckle on the nectar flowing from them. I then get a report from one of my servants; he tells me that there is a Dryad wishing to speak with me. This intrigues me. Dryads are common Sylvan Fae who have leaves for hair and piercing green eyes. Dryads have a strong relationship with humans compared to other Sylvan Fae.

  I soon open a small hole in the wall of the dome, and I see this Dryad. She has long hair made from leaves and is dressed in a green and white dress with gold ornaments. She also bears the crest of the Sylvan on her forehead, the crest being a clematis.

  Aeos: To what do I owe the pleasure, Dryad Maiden?

  Delcinna: I am Delcinna, the daughter of the Empress Gaia of the Dryad people. I have come to check on your condition on behalf of the Hierophant.

  Aeos: I’m fine raising four fawns, but am I to assume you Dryads live on the Aurum Continent?

  Delcinna: Yes, after human arsonists attempted to burn down the Fable Grove, my mother evacuated everyone to the Aurum Continent, who gave us sanctuary. We have been living in the Aurum Continent for at least twenty decades now, providing food for the continent and working with Minister Clavere on how to create better biomes for the recovering Fae living in the Aurum Continent.

  Aeos: I see. So is my status the only reason for your sudden visit?

  Delcinna: That is part of it. The Hierophant has also asked me to create more. Sylvan Deer, with the use of your bark.

  Aeos: Is this still to prepare for after this war?

  Delinna: I am not at liberty to say the Hierophant is simply setting the stage for what is to come. May I proceed?

  Aeos: Are you aware that the metamorphosis into becoming a Sylvan Deer is incredibly dangerous? It could kill these deer if the process is interrupted too soon.

  Delinna: In preparation for this task, I have prepared an entourage of forty Forest Guardians to protect them if anyone would try to interrupt.

  Aeos: Are you also prepared to protect them from the elements as well?

  Delcinna: Yes, my entourage is also made up of Dryad Woodsmiths and Dryad Druids; we are prepared for the arduous process ahead of us.

  Aeos: Fine, but know this: the time it takes for a normal deer to become a sylvan deer takes 40 to 60 seasonal cycles, and in that time they must be protected in order for the metamorphosis to be complete. 40 seasonal cycles are nothing for us, but the humans who hear of your presence will become incredibly greedy and curious; be mindful of them.

  Delcinna: Thank you, Aeos. We have already spoken to Lord Raven, and he is willing to help protect us, and I appreciate your warning; it will be heeded.

  I nodded my head and soon began the process of creating bark on my antlers. Soon my antlers burst, causing the bark to go flying. I used vines to collect the fragments and hand them to Delcinna. She smiled and thanked me. I then closed the opening in my dome, and I relaxed with my babbling fawns.

  As I relax with them, I sense the use of Sylvan Magic. I can only assume that they are creating a proper dome to harbor the future Sylvan Deer. Soon, my little ones begin to get tired. This happens around the time of the first light, and soon they begin to sleep.

  I once again rest listening to the heartbeat of the forest, and by the sound of it, the forest honestly seems excited; it’s probably due to the arrival of Delcinna and her group trying to create more. Sylvan Deer

  All forests have a heart and a soul; they can fully express themselves, but it’s only the Sylvan that can sense their true feelings. When I first arrived, the forest told me that it was anxious about housing a Fire Dragon, but my presence shifted the mood of the forest completely.

  And as time went on and my presence placed the enchantments on the forest, her mood changed to one of joy and happiness, and now she sings of excitement. All forests have some level of magic within them; it depends on their age, but with my presence, I might have given this forest a great boost in magic.

  Now keep in mind the magic this forest possesses cannot harm others; instead, it can be used to heal itself or others, or it can be used to create magical flora. Depending on the flora, they can be used for self-defense; it’s actually random what can be spawned from the forest, but it helps the forest, and that’s all that matters.

  I soon begin to rest my head, curled up with my Fawnlings. When I awaken, a week has passed, and my Fawnlings are starting to wake with me. As I get up, I notice that my Fawnlings are starting to develop Sylvan Runes. This is incredibly unexpected. When Sylvan Fae develop Runes, that means that their magic is starting to manifest.

  For us Sylvan Deer, our runes start at our legs and slowly grow up our bodies and down our backs. I look at my children's runes carefully, and one of my children has white runes, two have blue runes, and my final child has red runes.

  My father taught me that the color of Sylvan Deer’s runes represents their destiny. Blue Runes represent a wise and intellectual fate.

  White Runes represents a pure and beloved fate. Red Runes represents war and violence. My father stated that Sylvan Deer War Masters were incredibly fierce; they used their Flora manipulation to easily dispatch any opposition; both humans and fae fell before their might, and they were even feared by their own people. They were so feared that the entire Sylvan Fae Community worked with the Ash Elves in order to destroy them.

  For this service, the Ash Elves were rewarded by laying claim to the Sylvan Ash that swept through the wasteland. The current Queen of the Ash Elves went on to use the Sylvan Ash to create an elixir that boosted the power of her army tenfold.

  This event was known as the Great Sylvan Tragedy, and the events that followed were even more horrible. The Lapis Continent was once a great forest where Ostia, the sister country of the Sylvan Fae, once stood. The Queen of the Ash Elves, with her newfound elixir, craved more power and burnt down all of Ostia. The Emperor of Ostia, with his final breath, cursed the entire Lapis Continent to become infertile. Now it is a wasteland. The Queen of the Ash Elves didn’t care; she gathered more Sylvan Ash and proceeded to wage war with the Dwarves. This war only strengthened the curse put in play by the deceased Ostia King.

  This eventually led to the Queendom of Ash Elves and the Dwarves forming an accord to stop fighting and working together for the survival of their kingdoms.

  Seeing my children gain their Runes is a heartwarming moment, but my child with the red runes alarms me. I imagine that there were Sylvan Fawnlings who had red runes. I’m fearful of what could have happened to them, and thinking about it, I can foresee the parents starving them before being ambushed themselves.

  I will teach my children how to be better; I won’t abandon them. They are the future of our race, and I will not let them fall.

  End of Episode