Chapter 10: Allie the Elf and the Forest That Needs Therapy

I'd barely gotten over the whole "being saved by a magical cloak"

thing when Kyuu led me into a forest. Yeah, apparently, this was her

"go-to spot" for relaxing, or whatever. But honestly, everything in this

place looked like it needed some serious therapy. The trees looked

like they had unresolved issues with their parents, and the air was

filled with the constant hum of weird monsters fighting with each

other.

"Welcome to my home," Kyuu said with a big, goofy grin, even

though this place looked like a horror movie set.

"Uh... home? This is more like the aftermath of an experimental

forest therapy session," I muttered, eyeing the trees that seemed to

twitch like they were trying to hide some deep trauma.

"Don't be rude," Kyuu warned with a wag of her finger. "This is a

sacred space where I can relax."

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize your sacred space had Wi-Fi that needed

therapy," I said, pointing to a random bush where a faint, glitchy

signal seemed to emanate from.

Before she could respond, a cheery voice broke the tension. "Well,

well, what do we have here?"

Out from behind a tree stepped an elf. She was pretty much the

embodiment of positivity—blonde hair, radiant smile, the kind of

person who probably gave everyone motivational speeches on the

daily.

"Who's this?" the elf asked, her eyes scanning me with curiosity.

I glanced at Kyuu. "Is this some kind of cult initiation?"

Kyuu grinned. "No, no. This is Allie, my friend. She lives in the forest

with the trees that need therapy. You'll get used to it."

Allie stepped forward, offering her hand. "Hey there! I'm Allie. Don't

mind the weird trees. They're just... well, they're going through stuff,

you know?"

I stared at her hand for a moment before taking it. "Uh... sure? I

think I need therapy too, but you guys are way ahead of me."

Allie laughed. "Oh, I like you already. You've got a good sense of

humor."

And with that, we all walked further into the weird, cursed forest.

Because apparently, this was my life now.