A large overhang that was slowly withering away beneath a covering of hundreds of overgrown ivy tendrils, stood in front of them. Here goes nothing… She thought. Together, Rae and Alastor descended the crumbling stone steps that it guarded. She absentmindedly trailed her hand along the metal rail that stood in the center of the steps, and faintly began to notice a growing music. They walked down a tunnel that forked to the left and soon came face to face with two 6ft and broad shouldered orcs. They seemed to be guarding 3 metal dividers with smaller rods poking out of their centers. What a strange barrier… Must’ve been left behind by the old ones… The orcs grunted and somehow managed to look even more menacing when they saw Rae and Alastor approaching.

“ID.” The orc on the right growled, his lower jaw jutting out due to his overgrown bottom incisors. Alastor refused to meet their gaze and simply pointed to his dark red horns that stuck out above his mask. Following suit, Rae turned her head and tucked a strand of hair back to show her ears. The orc on the right peered closer and huffed, sending a hot wave of his breath onto her face.

“Go ahead.” He stepped aside, allowing them to pass through the metal gates, pushing aside the turning metal rods. Rae and Alastor followed the steel tracks that ran beside them on a lower level, dimly lit by whirlite torchers that cast an eerie blue glow. As they walked, the music grew louder, and soon they spotted an alcove hidden by sheets of beads and wispy sheer fabrics. Pushing them aside, they entered the station, only to feel immediately overwhelmed by the wave of heat and sound from the dancing party guests.

“Stay close.” Alastor ordered. You don’t need to tell me twice… They slowly made their way through the crowd of anthripes who almost appeared to be flowing quite like water, creating waves as they danced and moved, swaying to the pounding vibrations of the melodies that bounced off the concrete walls. A thin fog seemed to hang in the air, causing distortions in the multi colored lights that flashed from the ceiling. We’re not getting anywhere by wandering around! Someone here must know where Lilith is! She spotted a group of anthripes sitting in a circle of bean filled fabric cushions and considered making her way towards them. But her irritation quickly turned to shock when she realised some of them appeared to be sniffing sparkling dust! Is that pixie dust?! The human kingdom outlawed it years ago! Rae quickly turned her head and tried to forget she saw anything. When she did so however, she noticed she had lost Alastor. She frantically turned around and peered through the sea of heads. Trying to spot his white hair and red horns. These lights make it impossible to see properly! As she turned back around, she bumped into someone. Why does this keep happening?!

“Sor-” Rae’s apology trailed off as she got a good look at her encounter. Woah… The woman in front of her was tall, with a bone chilling deer skull covering her face. Her hair was pulled back in a tight knot, with a few curly dark strands falling around her pointed ears. Her dress had a tight black bodice with sleeves that fell over her chestnut colored shoulders, and the skirt faded down into a deep and flowing purple. With a black gloved hand, she raised a lengthy lit cigarette under her mask and drew a long puff.

“Maybe next time, watch where you’re going…” Her voice was cool and icy and as she spoke, she breathed smoke all over Rae’s face.

“I’m… sorry… I will..!” She sputtered, fanning the air around her. The woman began to leave but stopped when a familiar voice shouted out,

“Lilith!” Rae pivoted to see Alastor returning to her side, then looked back at the apparent hostess of tonight’s event. That’s Lilith?! She’s absolutely gorgeous! Yet... Terrifyingly intimidating...

“And who are you?” She spoke slowly and deliberately, her voice dripping like honey, as if she knew everyone hung onto every word she uttered.

“I’m Alastor Ragwood,” He removed his mask. Rae followed suit and stored both wooden carvings in her satchel. “And this is… My friend, Rae Gwillin.” Friend?

“Alastor, and Rae…” Lilith began with an air of feigned interest. “And... What exactly brings you to my little soiree tonight? We don’t normally get any newcomers. And from so far away too..!”

“How do you know how far-” Rae began before Lilith interrupted,

“Oh please, I have eyes everywhere!” She gestured around the room, and for the first time Rae noticed several outlying anthripes along the stone walls watching their every move. She’s not kidding..! “But really, indulge my curiosity if you will- Anthripes come here for many reasons, the main one being that they seek a haven to be themselves- to distance from the role that the blood proclaimed monarch so painstakingly forces upon us all. I host these parties to convey one message- That we are not the monsters he deems us as, and that one day the world will be free to see us as we truly are. But, something tells me that’s not the reason you’re here…”

“We’re looking for the oracle, do you-” Alastor started.

“Oracle? Never heard of her.” Lilith rapidly turned away.

“You can’t be serious!” Alastor marched after her, and Rae joined the pursuit.

“Au contraire, mon petit! I am!” She continued cutting through the sea-like crowd with ease.

“But I was told-”

“You were told wrong!” She sang. Her irritation mounting, Rae flashed out a desperate hand and grabbed Lilith’s arm, stopping her.

“Please..!” Rae begged. “We need to find her! She’s my last hope, so if you truly have any shred of belief in the message you try to convey with these “little soirees”- you’d help us!” Lilith looked down in shock,

“No one…” She began with an icy stare. “Has ever, spoken to me that way…” Lilith took a menacing step forward. “You’re lucky I find you so adorable.” She reached out and patted her cheek with a sly grin. What… Just happened..? “Follow the tracks and take the right tunnel. You’ll find her in an alcove not too far from there.”

“But you said you didn’t-” Alastor gaped in shock.

“I know…” Lilith grinned even wider. “I was testing you. I don’t let just anyone visit the oracle you know... Now go! Before I change my mind.”

“Th- thank you!” Rae and Alastor said in unison. Relief and even hope washing through them. They bounded out of the room, Lilith calling out,

“Good luck!” As they went. Alastor led the way down the same tracks they followed earlier. Their echoing steps and a faint dripping water, the only sound as they walked. The silence is killing me..! Finally, Rae spoke,

“So… ‘My friend, Rae?’” She joked.

“Well, it was a lot easier than just saying, ‘Some fugitive I met a mere hour ago, who I’m now hiding because she stole from the king!’” He bantered with a small grin.

“That’s fair…” She chuckled, and another awkward silence fell upon them.

“So… How’d you find your guild in the first place?” Alastor continued the small talk.

“It was actually more like they found me…” She thought back to the day it happened with fond reminiscence. “I was about 15. My gran’s condition had affected her ability to stand up for long periods of time, so she wasn’t able to garden or cook anymore. I tried to learn, but I was pretty unsuccessful for a while. So… I resorted to stealing some produce every now and then for both of us. I always tried to go for things that wouldn’t be missed. Stale bread, bruised apples, that sort of stuff… But one day, I was caught. The merchant threatened to bring the king's guards, saying that I deserved to be thrown in jail for it! But amazingly, Kolas and Sage happened to pass by, and offered to pay for everything I stole, as long as the merchant agreed not to involve the guards. He accepted the deal, and I was let go… Kolas walked me home that day and after seeing my gran, he understood why I did it. He then admitted that he had noticed me stealing a few weeks earlier and had been observing my progress. He said I was a natural... He then offered me enough payment to buy my gran some better food and medicine, if I promised to help him with a job… I ended up continuing to work for them, and they treated me like family. Teaching me almost everything I know… I don’t regret joining them, even if it was to steal…” As she spoke she realized, “I’ve never admitted that to anyone before…” Alastor looked down at her with a empathetic smile and said,

“Thank you for trusting me enough to do so…” Then he stopped walking. “We’re here.” Two large navy blue drapes hung in front of the alcove with whirlite torches on the walls beside them. They pushed the curtains aside and entered. The makeshift room was dimly lit by blue and sparkling purple lights. Dreamcatchers hung from carved bone perches, and tapestries covered every inch of the walls. Gypsy rugs marked the floors and the room smelled heavily of incense, along with a few odd bookshelves planted randomly throughout the space. They shared a look and nodded, agreeing to venture further into the unknown space. Around the second bookshelf, they spotted a woman hunched over a small table with a steaming tea kettle.

“E- excuse me..?” Rae began, “I’m-”

“I know who you are… I’ve been awaiting your arrival.” The woman interrupted.

“You have? How?”

“The oracle may be blind, but sees all. That is both my blessing…” She finally turned around from working at the table. Rae was shocked to see how young she looked, despite her matted blonde hair, her mature blue warlock markings, and the bandages beneath the hooded cloak that covered her eyes. She looks like she might be my age! “And my curse…” The oracle then lowered her hands, causing Rae to gasp when she revealed that her eyes had been crudely sewn into the palms. “Well… Enough about me… You’ve come for answers, just like everyone else. Come, sit, show me what you’ve brought.” She gestured to another small table with four pillows surrounding its base. As she did so, Rae couldn’t help but notice her fidget with another bandage around her right wrist. What happened to her..? They sat around the table, and with a snap, the oracle magically floated the tea she had been working on when they arrived, on a tray over to their table. Rae hesitantly took a sip before reaching into her satchel and withdrawing the crown. The oracle gasped and a raven squawked above from his bone perch.

“Oh my… Do you have any idea what this is??” She paused only for a second, taking the crown into her trembling fingers. “Of course you don’t… This... is the crown of the dryads.”

“The dryads? But they’re just a myth!” Alastor insisted.

“My gran told me nursery rhymes about them as a kid to warn me to stay away from humans!”

“I can assure you they are as real as you and I, but they have been driven into hiding. Locked away from humanity's greedy gaze. Your gran was right to use them as an example of just how dangerous humans can be...”