It took a little time, but Tom could finally get Tess to calm down. He promised to go back to get her orb after the flower fields. “Come on,” Tom urged, as he packed their things. “We may live in a time with no big evils, but crime is still high.”

Tess followed his example and began packing her bag with her things. She could never understand why there was so much crime. When people had electricity and conveniences to help them throughout the day. But the one thing that she knew was most of the crime was committed by the “Mythicals” as the humans called them. Over the years of human conquering, the Mythicals began to lose their homelands.  The Mythicals that could pass as humans wove their way into their cities and cultures. The ones that couldn't pass were left behind. Tess looked at the sky., It was around noon, so they would make it to the fields okay.

“Do you have your map?” Tom asked as he shouldered his pack.

Tess twirled her hand, making a soft light glow from it, then a paper map appeared in her hands. Tom shook his head, a small smile on his lips. She enjoyed showing off her gifts, but the way people acted towards witches didn’t allow her to show off very often. “Let’s go then,” Tom started walking off, Tess chasing him.

They had walked for a few hours when Tom’s ears perked up, putting him on edge.  

“Is everything okay?” Tess asked, looking around for any danger.

“I’m uncertain,” Tom slowed to a standstill. He peered into the trees on either side of them, searching for the stick crack he had heard. He started growling, his hackles rising. “Tess behind me,” he moved in front of her, getting into a protective stance.

Tess stood behind him, looking around, trying to find the source of his unease. She soon saw a figure slowly appearing out of the trees. It was a tree nymph. It wasn’t often you saw a tree nymph; they liked to keep to themselves. Tess took in the mossy figure that stood before them. Their hair looked like willow branches waving in the wind. The nymph was easily as tall as Tom.

“Tom,” Tess started trying to calm him down before she noticed what the nymph was carrying.  

“Give us what you have and nobody has to get hurt,” the tree nymph walked forward, holding a large branch like a club. Tess peered around Tom to see a small group of various nymphs following the aggressive one.

“We don’t want any trouble,” Tom barked at them, trying to get Tess to back up so they could get away. “We didn’t realize we were in your home.”

“Our home?” the nymph laughed, sounding like bark cracking. “They took our home from us! Polluted! Demolished! What do we get instead?” The nymph moved their arms gracefully, waving towards the nearby forests. Tess felt like she was watching a dance. As the nymphs came closer, they all moved so fluidly. “We get a tiny ‘sanctuary’” she sneered at the word, her brown eyes hardening.

Tom tensed, seeing the nymph grow before Tess did. Tess let out a small shriek when a splash sounded near her. A water nymph plopped near them, turning into a puddle. It raised to its full height, water rushing along its figure like a small waterfall. “Look at us,” the water nymph gurgled, holding out an arm to be inspected. “We are no longer pure,” she wept, her arm fell into the puddle she had made. The water at her feet was a murky color, most likely the color of the river she was from.

“We hold no grudges against you,” Tom tried again. They were getting circled by the nymphs, there were many more than they had originally seen. Tom slid his pack off, letting it hit the ground. Tess looked up at him, fear in her eyes. He was going to attempt another forced transformation.

“Tom,” Tess squeaked. She didn’t have a recovery potion ready for him. He still wasn’t recovered from his previous transformation.

The nymphs were no longer listening to Tom and were wailing as they moved closer to them. Tess had never seen so many in one spot before. She felt tiny pebbles hitting her, making her turn around, nearly tripping over Tom’s pack. A ground nymph was making its way towards her, its body made from soil and rocks. It stumbled towards her, its stone face staring directly at her, the eyes unmoving. Tess shivered as Tom changed into his wolf form. He let out a howl, making the nymphs cringe.

“Wilkolak,” they whispered as Tess grabbed Tom’s pack and jumped on his back, grabbing onto his fur. “Wilkolak!” the nymphs began wailing as they moved closer to them. Tess thought they were almost pleading with Tom to stay.

Tom reared on his hind legs, making Tess grab onto his fur tighter from fear of falling off his back. He howled once more, then swatted at a couple of nymphs that had gotten too close. He jumped over their heads and started racing out of the forest. Lend me some strength, Tess. Tom’s voice appeared in Tess’ head.

Tess concentrated her power and focused her energy into her hand. Laying it over Tom’s back once it glowed. His speed instantly picked up as the wails of the nymphs dissipated. Tom somehow kept his transformation until they made it to the flower fields. He jumped the hedges in one large bound, then transformed into his human self as he hit the ground. Tess landed near him. She rolled over to see Tom’s passed out form, his clothes strewn all over his body. She reached towards him, before passing out herself, her energy waning.