Rowan

They left before sunrise.

Rowan had taken more than he needed since he was there to provide if someone needed anything. After all, he was in charge of the group and their well-being.

Omar was walking by his side, carrying a camping backpack that looked as if it would explode at any moment. He was chosen by Rowan's father to be the healer in the group, so he needed to bring everything he thought would be necessary, at least that's what Rowan had said. Because it looked as if he had brought everything from his office.

They had taken the fastest way to Arda. They needed help and only elf healing magic could provide it, it would also be Rowan's first time meeting elves. He'd always heard from stories they were delicate creatures who loved and protected nature.

"What are you thinking about?", Omar's voice woke him from his thoughts.

Omar was looking at him with a smirk showing him his large pointed teeth, cat ears flickered in his head.

"Nothing", Rowan shook his head.

"C'mon I know you're curious, ask me anything, I'll answer every single question", Omar said and his pupils enlarged covering almost all of the green in his eyes.

"Fine", Rowan narrowed his eyes, "My dad said they lived in small houses that looked as if they were created by nature itself?"

"That's right".

Rowan frowned.

"Do you really think they'll help us? What if they don't want to?"

"Rowan, elves are empathic and sweet creatures why wouldn't they?".

Rowan shrugged and Omar looked at him expecting another question.

"Uhhh, have you ever met an elf?"

"I've only met one, but she was one of the most amazing people I've known, she gave me this", Omar smiled and showed him a necklace with a small wooden moon with a darkened charred edge.

"Why does it look burned?" Rowan looked at it intently. Omar's expression turned confused and was about to say something when his eyes widened suddenly.

"Careful!"

Rowan's foot got stuck beneath something and fell down, his elbows cushioning the fall.

"You should've warned me sooner" he glared.

Omar didn't answer, not even a laugh or snort, very unusual with him being a very retorting person.

"What happened here...?" Omar whispered.

The rest of the group stood still behind them. Rowan looked in front of him while slowly rising to his feet.

The meadow they'd been traveling on suddenly ended with the entrance of a completely dead forest. There were only dry trees, roots twisting unnaturally out of the parched earth that could give the impression of a desert if it wasn't for the small amount of yellow grass that grew inside the small cracks of the floor, giving away the past of a leafy place.

All the decayed flora covered miles of the land, only at the distance could he see small specks of green, making him hope for a still living and functioning place. A bit farther away there was a tall castle outstanding from all the trees around it.

"Where are we?" Rowan looked around.

He watched how tears filled Omar's eyes.

"This is Arda", he quickly wiped his tears off with his forearm, "it used to be so beautiful".

"But everything here is dead" Rowan looked desperately at Omar, " you said they took care of nature", he pressed.

Omar turned to him furious, Rowan's eyes widened in surprise.

"FUCK ROWAN! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?!".

Omar never screamed at him, even when he annoyed him as a little kid, Omar was older than him for 6 years and was always patient with him.

Rowan stared at him. The rest of the group behind them stared at them, not knowing what to do.

Then, Rowan glared at Omar as his warm brown eyes turned to a terrifying gold, his inner beast taking Omar's tone as a challenge.

Rip him apart.

He's challenging you.

He's a threat. Kill him.

He released his pheromones, thickening the air around them making it hard to breath.

Omar choked, everyone thought he would apologize but instead, he just walked away, not bothering to say anything, leaving Rowan and the group behind shocked.

He disappeared between thousands of dead trees, the group started moving, not wanting to stay with Rowan when he was in that state.

Rowan tried to think reasonably, responding to Omar with violence wouldn't help him, it would only bring trouble.

Rowan took deep breaths trying to calm down and control his pheromones.

He was starting to feel relaxed, his eyes turning back to normal, when the peacefulness suddenly disappeared and he abruptly looked around alerted. There was something in the air. He took a deep breath and caught the faint smell of something sweet and warm that sent shivers down his spine.