A Crystaline Forest

"So, a part of you is still Dirk, huh?"

Mina knew the entity wouldn't answer. In a way, she was being silly. It had fused with her own soul, so asking it questions was a bit like talking to herself.

Every step she took in the crystalline forest was a gingerly one. She wasn't a powerful mage. She had no business being here. And yet, she felt like magic ought to be able to get to know magic. Bringing her guardian spirit to this place felt a bit like encouraging children to get to know each other at a day care.

Ugh, that's a terrible analogy.

Her eyes darted about insecurely, as if constantly asking for permission. Really, she was the child. At least, she felt like it. A fool who was granted power beyond her understanding, who followed a child's dream and leapt into the world, now surrounded by power which was hopelessly beyond her comprehension.

"Do you like it here, Dirk? Uh, me?"

The spirit didn't answer, again. It was visible, a shimmering specter whose form refracted the mystic glow of the crystals, a walking mirage. It didn't react, didn't articulate its limbs. It was like a statue being pulled gently along a friction-less plane of air. It was beautiful in its own way, like a glass sculpture.

"I like it here." She replied to herself and chuckled.

At first the singing unnerved Mina.

Uh oh, did I die and go to heaven? Is this a trap? Am I gonna get pulled into a siren's nest?

She checked herself and her senses. She also examined the fireflies carefully. She realized she wasn't being compelled to follow the song, meaning it probably wasn't a supernatural trap.

I really gotta learn to relax.

Mina and her guardian followed the trail of fireflies until she spotted the source of the melodious tones.

This place reacts to music? It made sense. The Eygor Mjok had brought out the spirit of the forest in the first place with chanting and drums, and the calls of the Usqueans solidified the magic, bringing this place to life.

Mina had a funny idea. She decided to try singing along. She had been too embarrassed to join the Eygor Mjok's procession, but with just one other person here, she wouldn't feel as judged.

Mina started to sing, closely matching Uma as much as possible. Her voice wasn't quite as beautiful as Uma's, but it was clean, clear, and youthful. She'd been told she had some talent in the past, but singing in public was difficult for her.

Mina suddenly stopped singing and smiled sheepishly. "S-sorry. The little firefly things led me here and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Next time I'll uh..." She looked around awkwardly. "...knock."

She make a mental note not to engage in non-consensual duets in the future.

"My name is Mina. I'm a friend of the Eygor Mjok. I was the one who fought that weird ghoul guy initially. I would have joined the procession but uh-" She gestured to Uma, "I know what it's like to be shy too. But, you're a much better singer than me."

Her translucent guardian unfolded itself from its inert state. Since Uma was magically inclined, she could see it a bit more clearly. It wasn't an animal, but rather an armored woman with long, slender, almost otherworldly proportions. The creature was elegant, almost insect-like. It appeared to bow apologetically.

The dark haired woman froze. She had wanted to see him, but he had never witnessed her in ritual and she felt a little more exposed than she was used to. The gown was the typical Usquean silk and it was toga like, very feminine in comparison to the garb she wore when fishing, though the dress was fairly modest as far as coverage. For a moment, she gazed at the man who had started winning her favor even as aloof as she may have first appeared. The girl glanced behind her, but it might surprise Mina to see her cover up a giggle... That giggle of one who had feelings for another. Oh, and her blush had deepened and wrapped around the back of her neck. It made for a lovely picture of the fae thing that she was.

But then there was a hiccup. She wanted to shrink into the water, she panicked and instinct caused her to flee the scene, encumbered by the water but for a moment.

She had been caught up in a moment that should have been privately shared, true, but chase wouldn't be on had that not happened. She stumbled into a deeper section, crystals seemed to spread for far enough it would take time to find the border opposite. Then she found herself in another predicament. After a time, she grew lost. Then she blinked in surprise as she realized what the song had done because of the people. She approached a rather large crystal jutting out of the earth, as clear as glass and incandescent with a slight green tinge. A sort of eerie feeling passed as she found herself mesmerized.

At first, it was as if she could see herself reflected within the forward facets. She saw them seemingly ripple as if a placid lake, only very subtle in movement. She gave a shudder and peered closer until she saw the face of the woman, her recently deceased friend's face.

With a gasp, she stumbled back and fell backwards, hitting her butt firmly on the ground. While her posterior was sore, the feeling of that presence hit, and it was not a threatening presence, nor did it seem to stay shining for too long. It seemed to sputter out like a lightbulb as it dies.

She felt as if there was a nearly silent whisper in her ear that seemed to indicate that she was happy to have a way to help. And then it dawned on her there were several similar promises. She slowly stood up and looked every which way, a stare of disbelief.

Rakki would be able to catch the scene at least partway in and might be able to feel it once he made it to the spot, and then Mina too. An overwhelmed Uma slowly turned toward the others, her expression quite palpably awed in the best kind of way. "The souls of those who were buried came here to protect us... It's ... Faint. They have yet to gather strength, perhaps..." She turned about and looked around, then gave a gentle laugh, we are the Usque, my people... I... I think I understand," her eyes seemed to mist over them with the overwhelming emotion of this.

Mina also arrived at the scene just after Rakki. But she held back a bit to hear their explanation while letting them share their intimate moment. However, her jaw dropped when she realized that, without meaning to, she had brought her guardian to meet fellow guardian spirits borne out of the deceased. That implication literally sent shivers down her spine. I guess fate isn't always arbitrary and cruel.

She decided to carefully step past the young couple and take a closer look at the crystal. She wondered what would happen if she tried to see her guardian spirit in its reflect-

Keep them safe, kid. You can do it. She heard a faint, masculine voice in her ear.

It was Mina's turn to fall on her butt. She looked up at the couple, embarrassed.

"... Sorry."

Her guardian spirit helped her up.

"I will. Thank you." She whispered, barely realizing she was audible.