The boy returned with a clay bowl of water and a friend. The boy pushed back a curtain of thick vines and hanging branches before poking his head inside with a worried look. "Have you passed out yet?" he asks bluntly.

My eyes remain locked on the horns poking from his head, pressing my back against the cave wall. I blink a few times unsure if I'm seeing correctly. The horns are pushed back and twist upward into clear horns. With his back to the sun, I make out his definite shadow realizing he truly isn't human. I knew it was coming but I didn't want it to be true. 

"No... I haven't passed out yet," I answer shakily, struggling to remain calm.

"Good," the boy pushes into the cave before shoving the clay bowl into my hands. "Now drink."

I momentarily glare before softening my gaze. I sigh before taking a sip of the warm water.

"Is she really a distortus alius?" a timid voice asks from outside.

"Yes, now get in here," the boy snaps, glancing sharply over his shoulder. 

The other boy slowly peeks inside with wide eyes. His gaze lands on me before jerking back sharply with fear entering his eyes. "Whoa..."

"Hello to you too," I mumble as I take another sip. 

The timid boy pulls the curtain of vines and branches back letting light flood into the dark cave. My heart leaps into my throat when I catch a glimpse of their full bodies. They definitely aren't human, in more ways than one.

The sarcastic boy with two twisted horns has a slender wolf tail hanging behind him colored half white and half black. His ears are pointed upward and are covered with black fur like a wolf's. A mess of thick black hair hangs in front of his eyes and curls at the nape of his neck with strands of his hair streaking white. His eyes burn like fresh embers with a deep amber color. His skin color is odd because it's a swirling mix of black and white like ashes. He has a lean figure with an angular face and wears black clothing. From his back are large feathered wings which remain crumpled and are split black and white with amber spots down their edges.

The timid boy has a long thin tail with a plume of fur at the end of it. He holds it nervously in his nimble fingers and stares at me with giant blue eyes. Both their eyes are huge and hold many layers in their pupils with vibrant color. This boy's hair is curlier and colored caramel brown with streaks of creamy white. His ears are shaped like a pointed oval and covered with fur which matches his hair. Tiny light orange horns poke out from under his thick hair toward the center instead of the sides. He wears white clothing which wraps around his small body. He too has feathered wings which match his hair color with a ridge of sky blue. His feet have been replaced with cloven hooves. White fur rims the hooves like a sock and is longer than the rest of the fur.

I nearly drop the bowl. I stumble back, unsteady on my feet before leaning heavily against the wall. I gulp nervously as my legs begin to tremble. This is insane.

"You are such a strange creature..." the sarcastic boy of black and white drawls. "One moment you are red and the next you are white as the moon. So strange..."

"Is she dangerous? I heard they might be dangerous..."

"Nonsense May, she's harmless," the boy waves him off. "Besides, her kind is weak. Just look at her! No claws, no fangs, nothing to hurt you."

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here," I snap at him, regaining my confidence. "And what are you?"

"We're called Noblem," the boy supposedly named "May" answers. "We live here in the forest, your kind doesn't know what we are." He shuffles his cloven hooves for a moment, continuing to mess with his long tail. His beautiful blue eyes dart across my figure, "My name's Mapleleaf, but you can call me May. This is Northwind," he offers me a soft smile. "He doesn't like it, but sometimes we call him Nort instead of North. It drives him crazy."

I smirk unable to help it. "Good to know."

"You will not call me Nort!" Northwind scolds, shaking with sudden rage. "I told you a thousand times, it's offensive and stupid!"

May only smirks before sharing a secret smile with me. His large ears twitch before he winks, "Told you."

I smile back at him before smirking at Northwind. "Nort," I test out smugly, "suits you."

"Say it again and I'll rip your tongue out," he threatens, standing up straighter to loom over me. 

I only stand taller and smirk realizing I'm taller than him. I don't say anything back despite the hundreds of comebacks rushing through my head. I don't need to say anything. Just the fact I can call him Nort or even have knowledge of his hated nickname is enough. And the fact I'm taller than him gives me an extra boost of confidence. It feels nice to know I have something over him. 

"Alright, calm down," May holds his hands up with an apologetic smile. "I'm only joking, North. You should lighten up, she seems nice."

"I thought you were scared of her kind?" North questions, crossing his arms spitefully.

"Not as much, she looks harmless," May answers simply. He looks at me curiously, "She is kinda cute actually."

"She's from beyond the forest," North retorts flatly, "nothing is cute over there."

"So stubborn," May mumbles, eyeing his friend. "Nothing changes with you." He shakes his head before turning to me with a soft look. "Sorry about him, he can be intense sometimes. He has a thing about your kind because he was harmed by one before. He still hasn't gotten over it so he's just placing his anger on you. Don't think much of his insults, deep down he isn't actually mad at you."

I raise an eyebrow. I seriously doubt that. He seems pretty ticked right now.

North snorts but doesn't argue with him. 

"So... you said you are... Noblem? What does that mean exactly?" I ask slowly, growing curious about what they are. I've never seen people-, er creatures like they are. At least the lights were like the will-o-wisps but these guys are completely different.

"Faeries, creatures of the wood, mystical beings," North lists off, tapping each finger. "Our kind rules this side of the forest and keeps it from taking over your side of the world."

"Taking over...? You mean, the forest can spread?" My eyes widen in surprise. It's a bit ironic since my side is working to get rid of the forest. My heart jumps with sudden panic. Wait, does that mean this forest will be destroyed as well? All the creatures on this side, will they die because of it?

"Yes, quite viciously actually," North answers matter-of-factly.

"What happens if my side... destroys the forest?" I ask nervously, "Like, they start cutting down the trees?"

"Why would they hurt the trees?" May asks, appalled. He blinks fast before gaping at me, "Why would they do that?"

"If they do that," North's voice drops a level, "then the forest will rebel. It's quite stupid to try destroying the forest, they will never touch these woods."

I'm not sure if the "forest" can rebel against machines.

I grimace as I continue to rub my sore head. "That might be a problem."

"If they try then the forest will spread, it will be out of our hands and we can no longer protect the other side," North continues in a warning voice as if I had made the decision.

"What happens if the forest spreads? Does it grow more trees..?"

"It overtakes anything that gets in its way," May adds nervously. "Structures your kind has built will be crushed. Everything will be destroyed if it is pushed."

"And since your kind has yet to become strong enough to handle the creatures of the wood, they will probably die out in territory disputes and tribal wars," North comments with a sharp nod. "Unless you adapt and become like us in mind and body."

I bite my lip, still swaying from the blazing heat. "Okay... so this is going to be a problem after all..."

"Wait," May pales, "are they actually cutting down the trees?"

"Yes...? They just started," I answer sorrowfully. "I was in the forest because I wanted to... say goodbye."

North's eyes widen, "That's bad."

"It's more than that," May whispers, clutching his tail tighter. His eyes begin to well up with sudden tears, "The distortus alius are in danger. Who's going to save them?"

"Don't cry..." I try to console, flashing him a sympathetic look. "It's going to be okay..."

"It's not, because if the forest spreads it'll cause problems for us," North mumbles, "the wars that would start over new land... We barely survived the last one... this is going to be a problem..."

"So... what are we going to do?" I ask beginning to feel a sense of responsibility for this. 

"We?" North snorts, "Not we, us." He points between himself and May. "You are going to go back to your side."

I scowl at him, "I'm going to try helping. I'm not going to sit by and watch this happens. People might because of this and I will never forgive myself if I don't do something."

"Self-righteous girl," North grumbles, "this isn't your problem anymore. This is something that must be discussed with the Council. It's not even our job to do anything, it's for the Elders to decide."

"But I can help!" I argue sharply, "I can go back home and just convince them to stop construction!"

Their eyes go blank with obvious confusion.

I shake my head, "I mean, cutting down the trees. Look, I can help you guys!"

"Then go," North flicks his hand at me, "go and convince them."

"It's not that simple," I retort, "it takes time."

"Then we'll buy you time," May adds hopefully, "if we can keep this quiet then maybe-"

"This is out of the question!" North bursts, throwing his hands up. His wings suddenly spread out scaring me. "We're not going to stall and lie to the Council!"

"The Council doesn't know about this yet," May argues quietly, "if we don't say anything..."

"I'm not going to lie to the Council," North argues, turning on him. "I can't believe you'd say something like that!"

May's expression slacks giving him an incredulous look. "I didn't," he answers flatly, "I said we won't say anything."

For a moment, I felt the weight of the situation collapse onto my shoulders. My stance droops using the cave wall for support. If I don't do this, my kind will be killed by a crazy forest and creatures that shouldn't exist. Did I accidentally eat a mushroom while I was following the wisps? Did I get sick from drinking the water? Is this just a heat-induced hallucination? Maybe I snapped...

"We could work together...?" I suggest uselessly, knowing North is going to argue against it. "It would be done faster that way..."

"How could you help?" North sneers, showing extra malice by flashing his sharp teeth.

"I would appreciate it if you stop treating me like an idiot," my voice rises with anger. "Stop acting so immature about this. This is a problem that deals with both sides of the forest so I should be involved in the decision since I'm the only human present." I shoot him a look, "And insulting me isn't a way to talk rationally about this. You're acting stupid so stop."

North draws back, shocked I snapped at him. But only for a moment before bristling. His wings rising up in a threatening pose above his head as his tail flicks sharply. 

"She's right," May adds hesitantly, "you're going too far now. We should focus."

North grinds his teeth before looking away sharply. 

"Stop pouting," I mumble, rolling my eyes. "It's not that big of a deal either."

"We can't go against the rules," North finally mumbles. "We have to tell the Council or it's considered treason. We can't keep this from them."

"Then how do we tell them? It's illegal for her to be on our side," May answers. His caramel and white wings shudder nervously. "And they would be suspicious about how we know about the destruction of trees when it's also illegal for us to cross over."

North's amber eyes flash in the low light before he closes them. He grimaces before shaking his head, "I don't know... but we have to figure it out soon."

"I could try going to my side and stopping them? But I don't if that will work..." My voice trails off realizing how difficult it will be to convince them to stop construction. Why on earth would they listen to me? I could never tell them there's a forest filled with mystical creatures and they'll be destroyed if they continue construction... What do I do?

A desperate scream slices through our conversation.

The three of us jump and whip around to face the curtain of vines.

I hold my breath as my heart races. That doesn't sound good...

North tenses before inching toward the curtain. His wings are held above his head again with his teeth beginning to show under his curled lip. He slowly peeks out and remains still.

May presses himself against the wall, crumpling his wings under his back. His hooves shuffle before he begins to nibble on the edge of his tail fluff. 

North's wings suddenly slack. He jerks his head back before flashing May a panicked look. "Come with me," he orders before bolting outside.

May jumps before racing after him, disappearing in a blink of an eye.

Stunned, I stare at the curtain of greenery unsure whether to run after them. Is it dangerous? Is it better for me to stay here? But what if someone needs help?

Quickly, I move to the curtain of vines before carefully peeking out. 

The darkness of the forest has deepened causing the fluorescent flowers to pulse brighter with shifting colors. The mist thickens creating an ominous atmosphere. The ancient trees twisted together like partners in an elven dance. 

I hold my breath as I scan my surroundings for the boys. A soft breeze carries coolness, tickling my nose. I turn my head to the right before my eyes widen.

The boys are kneeling next to something on the ground but my view is obscured by the thick brush. May's light voice travels in the wind, panic hinging every word. North is pushing for answers and keeps asking questions shaking something-, someone.

I gasp softly before emerging from the cave area. I sprint across the thick underbrush and mess of rotting logs. I trip a few times before managing to reach them. 

"Who are you?" North asks sternly but his eyes are wide with shock. He shakes the boy again, harder this time.

"Are you okay?" May asks worriedly, his hand resting on the boy's head.

Suddenly the boy jerks and sits up sharply. He nearly lunges for North but North catches his wrists. North roughly shoves the boy back down before snarling as a warning. The boy whimpers loudly before curling up into a fetal position.

"N-No!" he chokes out weakly, "Please! Don't hurt me!"

"We won't!" May reassures him before flashing North a warning look. "Stop that! You're scaring him!"

"He's acting crazy," North answers levelly, still holding the boy down. "He needs to be restrained until he's calm. He can hurt us," North looks down at the boy worriedly, "or from the looks of things, himself."

"What happened?" I call just as I reach the boys.

"Stay back!" North shouts at me. "He's dangerous!"

"Help me!" the boy screams, violently struggling and arching his back. He kicks wildly and starts howling like mad. "HELP ME!"

"We're trying!" May shouts back, grabbing ahold of the boy's legs. "Just calm down!"

"LET ME GO!"

"Please!" I add, reaching toward him. "Calm down! We're trying to help you! Just tell us what's wrong!"

"He's bleeding," North comments grimly, "there's blood everywhere... He must have been attacked."

The boy lets out an anguished cry before bursting into tears. "I-It hurts! Help me! I-I can't breathe!"

"What's wrong?" I drop down next to him, my hands hovering over the boy unsure what to do. I scan over him trying to find where the blood is coming from. "We can help-"

Suddenly the boy's eyes flash blue before his entire body explodes with a blast of heavenly blue light. I fall back onto the ground, screaming as my eyes feel like they're melting from their sockets. I cry into my hands trying to block out the pain as ringing fills my ears.

In the background, I can hear the boys screaming in pain as well. 

The boy continues to screech and jerk violently but I can't see him anymore, only hear him. 

Through all the crazy thoughts rushing through my aching head, one thought stuck out to me.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?