“So this is how the train looks inside?” I mumble to myself as I look in awe around me, the smell of coffee and the spacey jazz music make the place a very cozy location.

I see the corgi trotting again, as if she is looking for a specific place, I see she is about to start scratching on a door and I hold myself tightly in her fur. The corgi's ears perked up, and she wagged her tail excitedly as we heard footsteps coming from the other side of the room.

As soon as the doors open I see a very tall man standing there, I forget for a moment I’m a pip-squeak mounting a corgi.

“Hi Cutie, what are you doing outside at this time?” I hear the man talking to the corgi “What do you have here?” He asked as soon as he spotted me.

“Hi” I tried not to sound nervous but my tiny size made it sound like a small squeak.

The tall man crosses his arms and looks at us sternly before sighing. “Come in, we need to resolve this”

The corgi trots inside the man’s room and sits, patiently waiting. The man approached and put his palm in front of me.

“I won’t do anything to hurt you,” he said reassuringly. I jump into his hand and he raises it gently to not jostle me. “What’s your name?”

“Lynx” I reply to the giant in front of me. He looks at the corgi and then back at me.

“I see you met Curié”

“Is that her name?” I ask, looking down at the corgi. “She’s been helping me.”

The man nods, smiling. “Yes, she’s a special one. My name is Nickodemeus but you can call me Nick.”

“Nice to meet you, Nick,” I say, trying to maintain my composure despite the odd circumstances. “I accidentally shrunk myself. Can you help me get back to normal?”

Nickodemeus’s expression turns serious. “You touched the Shadow Rise, didn’t you?”

I nod sheepishly. “I didn’t know it would do this. I just wanted to see what it was.”

Nickodemeus sighs, looking thoughtful. “The Shadow Rise is a powerful potion. It is surrounded by darkness and very difficult to diffuse. I can help you, but it won’t be easy.”

“What do I need to do?” I ask, desperate to return to my normal size.

“We need to find the Stellara, the antidote,” Nickodemeus explains. “Is the only thing that can counteract the effects of the Shadow Rise. But I only have enough to return you to your normal size for a couple of hours”

“Only a couple of hours?” I asked, my voice trembling. “But what happens after that?”

Nickodemeus sighed, gently setting me on a small table. He leaned against a crystalline chair, thinking deeply. Curié the corgi sat beside me, her warm, comforting presence making me feel slightly better.

“The effects of the Shadow Rise are temporary but also cyclical,” Nickodemeus explained. “Every time it wears off, you will shrink again, and each time you use Stellara, it will become less effective.”

“Is there no permanent cure?” I asked, feeling a sinking sensation in my chest.

“There is,” Nickodemeus said. “But it’s not easy to obtain. The permanent cure is made from the essence of a very rare plant called the Moonblossom, which blooms only under a full moon in the Forest of Whispers.”

I felt a mix of hope and despair. “How far is the Forest of Whispers?”

Nickodemeus gave me a sympathetic look. “Quite far. And it’s a dangerous journey, especially for someone your size. But Curié can guide you. She knows the forest well and I will take you there.”

Nickodemeus took a deep breath and continued, "It's a perilous journey, but if you're willing to undertake it, I will provide you with the means to get there and ensure your safety as much as possible."

I nodded, determination hardening in my chest. "I have to do this. I can't stay this way forever."

Nickodemeus gave a firm nod. "Very well. We'll prepare immediately. Time is of the essence, and the full moon is only a few days away."

He walked to a large, ornate cabinet and opened it, revealing a variety of strange, mystical items. He took out a small vial filled with a shimmering, blue liquid and handed it to me. "This is Stellara. It will temporarily return you to your normal size but use it sparingly. We need to conserve as much as possible for the journey."

I took the vial, feeling its cool, smooth surface in my tiny hands. "Thank you."

Nickodemeus turned to Curié, giving her a gentle pat. "Curié will guide you through the Forest of Whispers. She's a loyal companion and knows the terrain better than anyone."

Curié wagged her tail, looking up at me with those big, bright eyes. I felt a surge of gratitude for her.

Nickodemeus then pulled out a small, intricately carved box. "This contains a map of the Forest of Whispers and some provisions. The journey is long, and you'll need to be prepared."

He handed me the box, and I carefully secured it. "I appreciate all of this, Nick."

He smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Lynx. Now, let's get you back to your normal size so we can begin."

I uncorked the vial of Stellara and took a cautious sip. The liquid was cool and soothing as it went down, and almost immediately, I felt a tingling sensation throughout my body. My surroundings began to shrink, or rather, I began to grow. Within moments, I was back to my normal size, standing in front of Nickodemeus and Curié.

Nickodemeus handed me a small satchel. "This should carry everything you need. Are you ready to go?"

I nodded, feeling a mixture of apprehension and excitement. "Yes, I'm ready."

With that, we left the crystalline room and made our way to the front of the train. Nickodemeus left me alone with Curié.

“This is yours,” I said as I showed the blue collar to Curié and she barked happily. I put the collar around her neck.

“This will be a tough journey,” I say as I sit on the couch, but suddenly I start listening to the most cozy, soothing voice “Is that Nick?”

Curié trots to sit next to me, I pull her and she snuggles in my lap as I stroke her fur, I close my eyes as I listen to Nick’s voice.

Nickodemeus' voice, a calm and soothing tenor, filled the air with an ancient lullaby. Each note seemed to resonate with the very essence of the train, harmonizing with the gentle hum of the engine and the rhythmic clatter of the wheels. I felt a sense of calm wash over me as if the melody itself carried the promise of safety and guidance.

“Lynx,” Nickodemeus said, his voice lowering to a soft murmur, “the Forest of Whispers is not like any place you’ve ever known. It’s alive in ways that will challenge your senses and your resolve. You must trust in Curié and yourself. Only then will you find the Moonblossom.”

I nodded, absorbing his words and the serene atmosphere. With Curié snuggled in my lap, I felt a burgeoning bond with her, a partnership forged by the peculiar circumstances of our journey. My fingers gently stroked her fur as she gazed up at me with trusting eyes.

Nickodemeus's melody faded, leaving a tranquil silence in its wake. He approached us, his expression gentle but determined. “It’s time,” he said. “The train will take us to the edge of the forest. From there, you and Curié must continue on foot. Remember, the full moon is in three days. You have to find the Moonblossom by then.”

I took a deep breath and stood up, the weight of the satchel slung over my shoulder. Curié hopped down from my lap, her tail wagging in anticipation. We followed Nickodemeus to the front of the train, where a door opened to reveal a moonlit landscape rushing by.

The train slowed to a halt, its ethereal light casting long shadows over the dense forest ahead. I stepped onto the soft earth, feeling the cool night air against my skin. Curié bounded ahead, her small frame barely making a sound on the forest floor.

Nickodemeus stood at the train's entrance, his silhouette outlined by the soft glow of the train’s lights. “Good luck, Lynx. And be careful. The forest has its own rules. Respect them, and you’ll find what you seek.”

I nodded, taking one last look at him before turning to follow Curié into the forest. The trees loomed high above, their leaves whispering secrets as the wind rustled through them. The path ahead was shrouded in shadows, but I felt a strange sense of clarity and purpose.

Curié led the way, her movements graceful and sure. I followed closely, my senses heightened by the unfamiliar surroundings. The forest was alive with sounds—crickets chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant hoot of an owl. Each step felt like a descent into a world both enchanting and treacherous.

After a while, we came upon a small clearing bathed in moonlight. Curié stopped and looked back at me, her eyes reflecting the silvery light. I knelt beside her, feeling a sudden connection to the ancient rhythms of the forest. The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage, a reminder of the untamed beauty that surrounded us.

“We need to find the Moonblossom,” I whispered to Curié, though it felt like speaking aloud in a sacred place. She responded with a soft bark and took off again, her path weaving through the trees with an instinctive precision.

As we ventured deeper, the forest seemed to change. The trees grew taller, their branches intertwining to form a canopy that blocked out the sky. The air became cooler, and an eerie stillness settled around us. I kept my eyes on Curié, trusting her guidance.

Hours passed in a blur, the forest a labyrinth of shadows and moonlight. I felt the weight of exhaustion begins to press down on me, but I pushed on, driven by the urgency of our quest. Finally, Curié led me to a secluded grove where the trees opened up to reveal a small, shimmering pond.

In the center of the pond, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon, was the Moonblossom. Its delicate petals glowed with an otherworldly light, a beacon of hope in the dark forest. I felt a surge of exhilaration and relief.

“We found it,” I breathed, my voice barely more than a whisper. I stepped closer, the ground beneath my feet soft and damp. Curié stood by my side, her tail wagging slowly as if she, too, understood the significance of the moment.

But as I reached out to pluck the Moonblossom, a low growl echoed through the grove. I froze, my heart pounding. From the shadows emerged a pair of glowing eyes, followed by a massive, shadowy figure. The creature, resembling a wolf but far larger and more menacing, stood between us and the Moonblossom.

Curié bristled, her body tense and ready to defend. I took a step back, my mind racing. The creature's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a wave of fear. But I couldn't let it stop me. The Moonblossom was our only hope.

I slowly reached into my satchel and pulled out a small vial of Star Drops. The purpley liquid seemed to pulse with energy. I uncorked it and took a step forward, holding the vial out in front of me.

“Please,” I said, my voice steady despite my fear. “We need the Moonblossom. Let us pass.”

The creature growled again, its eyes narrowing. For a moment, I thought it would attack, but then it sniffed the air, catching the scent of the Star Drops. Its growl softened, and it took a cautious step back.

I approached the Moonblossom carefully, my heart pounding in my chest. I reached out and gently plucked the flower, feeling its delicate petals against my skin. The creature watched me but made no move to stop me.

With the Moonblossom in hand, I turned and hurried back to Curié. She barked softly, her eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and pride. We retraced our steps through the forest, the path seeming less daunting now that we had what we came for.

As we emerged from the trees, the first light of dawn began to break over the horizon. The train was waiting for us, its ethereal glow a welcome sight. Nickodemeus stood by the entrance, his expression one of relief and gratitude.

“You did it,” he said, his voice filled with awe. “You found the Moonblossom.”

I nodded, handing him the delicate flower. “Now, please, help me return to my normal size permanently.”

Nickodemeus took the Moonblossom and carefully placed it in a small, crystal vial. He added a few drops of Stellara and then handed the mixture to me. “Drink this. It will neutralize the effects of the Shadow Rise once and for all.”

I took the vial and drank the shimmering liquid. Almost immediately, I felt a warmth spread through my body, dispelling the lingering effects of the Shadow Rise. Within moments, I knew I was back to my normal size permanently.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude. “I couldn’t have done it without your help, or Curié.”

Nickodemeus smiled and patted Curié on the head. “She’s a remarkable companion. And you, Lynx, have proven yourself to be both brave and resourceful. You have my deepest respect.”

“What happened to the men in the storage wagon?” I asked Nick

“I took care of them”

Nickodemeus's calm response filled me with a sense of relief. He guided me back into the train, which began to move almost immediately after we boarded. Curié stayed by my side, her warm presence a comforting reminder of the bond we had formed.

The train's interior was even more enchanting now that I was no longer distracted by my diminutive size. The crystal walls seemed to hum with energy, and the faint smell of coffee mingled with the scent of flowers and herbs. We moved through the train until we reached a small, cozy compartment where Nickodemeus gestured for me to sit.