The hours droned on, the sun was hang low in the in the sky while the warm humidity of the woods made her feel sticky and suffocated. Her wet dress clung to her body, and hair, slick with perspiration. Sweat rolled down her skin in thick, salty beads. She could feel her heart throbbing inside her chest. She was heading east, but she had no idea where the phoenix could be, for all Mabel knew it could be heading west.
How foolish of her to not listen Stannis! Now she was doomed to find a bird because of her act of rebellion, or worse eaten by that monstrous creature! Mabel scanned the trees; there was no sign of the bird anywhere. Mabel followed a path that was intertwined with thick tree roots. The light that beamed through the tree foliage was green. This hidden path was tucked away, in the depths of the forest. It swerved back and forth unpredictable. The path was remarkably clear, for one that Mabel assumes was so rarely traveled. Mabel took a minute to admire the beauty before going back to the task at hand.
If she couldn't find the bird by sunrise she would surely be eaten… but she didn't have to return to that grotto did she? She couldn't disregard her deal, she must return to that creature. "Little goddess do you waver from your deal?" A wispy voice called, Mabel looked around, she couldn't see anyone. "No I am not wavering from my deal." Mabel called out fiercely, "Alexander! Did you catch it?" A young voice chimed, " Yes, Yes! I have caught the phoenix!"
Mabel's eyes lit up, her heart soared as she saw two boys in the forest's clearing holding a cage with the phoenix inside. Mabel quickly strode to the boys, who looked up and gawked at the goddess. Mabel towered over the boys; they were roughly around 5'2 while Mabel was at least 6'1. "Greetings young one, I see you have caught my phoenix."
"Oh we did not know it was yours miss, we are deeply sorry." The black haired boy stammered, "It is fine, I had left its cage open and it flew off you see. I was looking everywhere for my beloved bird. May I please have the cage?" The blonde boy looked at his black haired friend, before nodding. " Here you go, we are sorry."
Mabel let off a laugh, "Do not be sorry young ones, for your help in finding the phoenix I will both give you two these seeds. By planting them, your crops will never wither through drought or flood. There will always be plenty to harvest, my deepest thanks." Mabel conjured up two sacs full of seeds for the awe struck boys, she handed them to the boys, and in return she received the phoenix. "Now you best be off, there are many dangers that lurk in these woods." She said grimly, referring to the creature she had encountered at the grotto.
With that the boys thanked her once again, and scampered off into the woods on the other side of the field. Before emerging into the tree line, she looked up to the sky, last vestiges of the setting sun disappeared over the sleepy mountains, the copper hues giving way to a dusty purple scattered with the occasional glitter of a faraway star. Never in her life has she seen stars that shone so bright, the distant skyline stood silhouetted against a velvety sky, the golden dusk enveloped by the twilight sky.
The phoenix cooed, as the duo headed into the woods, sadly underestimated the utter blackness of night-time in the woods. With the fleeting light, Mabel tried to make her way through the forest; the phoenix illuminated a soft glow on the trees acting as a lantern to guide Mabel's way. The wood was dark and foreboding, but there was peace in its sullen ambiance. Mabel's eyes flickered over the thick, dark trunks of the trees that rose steadily into the sky, its branches interlocking with its neighbours like giant's arms linked together protecting their home. The trees were densely packed together, leaving just enough space to allow someone to manoeuvre through. Mabel pressed her free palm against a tree's rough bark, and breathed in the scent of the woods. She enjoyed her freedom, but she must return to the grotto with the phoenix. The musty scent of leaves after rainfall, the warm soil packed against the earth by scurrying animals, the scent of things in different stages of blooming and growth. This smell of life, the forest was teeming with it. This is what she ruled this was her kingdom.
Mabel walked for the rest of the night, her strides slower, as exhaustion took over her body. In the distance she could hear a bubbling stream, excitement filled her body; turning to the sky Mabel saw that dawn was fast approaching. She hurried on the path as she saw the suns rays creeping up, casting long shadows across the ground. Mabel could see the clearing with the creature waiting on a rock; his face was a mixture of surprise and anger.
"I'm here!" Mabel called, running to the grotto, "I have the phoenix you asked for!" Mabel said breathlessly, the creature eyed her as she ran to him, the sun almost in the sky. "Indeed you did young one, but you must give me the phoenix. Not simply bring it to me." Mabel paused, looking at the creature on the rock in the middle of the grotto. Mabel quickly summoned some vines to make a bridge across the grotto. She balanced on the narrow bridge, clutching the cage tightly as she was safely on the rock. "Here." Mabel said, holding the cage to creature, it took the bird and laughed at her. "Congratulations young one, you caught the phoenix, but you were unable to bring it to me on time, the sun has already risen."
Mabel took a step back, feeling her dress in the water. "You are lying, I was on time!' Mabel hissed, looking frantically at him. He chuckled, slithering towards her. "Hush now young one, I don't want you to fall into the water. After all you can't swim can you?" Mabel was taken aback from how the creature knew about that, "Y-You tricked me, you knew I wouldn't have time if you where on this rock." The creature's smile widened, "Indeed you are! You are a smart little goddess."
"You monster!" Mabel screamed, causing some animals in the forest to run away in fear, "I prefer the term siren, little one." The siren cooed, approaching Mabel, "Shhh, it is okay. I am not going to harm you." Tears began to well up in her eyes, " Liar! I gave you what you wanted, I was so close." She cried, she quickly turned to her vine bridge. She only got half way to dry land before she felt something wrap around her ankle and she fell into the crystal clear water. Water filled her lungs, as she waved her arms frantically. The weight of her shoulder plates and her hair were pulling her down to the bottom. Mabel struggled to gasp for air, her head bobbing above the surface, gasping for air. Her head was pounding, every cell in her body was screaming for oxygen.
She felt arms around her waist and the siren pulled her further into the depths of the grotto. Soon she felt her body go numb, and she cursed herself for how stupid she had been to leave her garden.
Dipper scanned his sister's garden; there was no sight of her. Fear crept up his spine, as the God of wisdom walked further into the well preserved garden in search for his sister. "Mabel! Where are you?" Dipper called, but he never received a response. He turned to go find Stannis, worry prevalent on his face.
Mabel awoke inside a small body of water that appeared to be inside a cave… or maybe a cavern of some sort. The place was littered with tiny sparkling crystals not unlike the stars of the night sky; they were so mysterious, "I see you are up little goddess." The siren said, slithering towards her, Mabel tried to get up, but her legs felt heavy and she couldn't seem to kick them. "What did you do, why can't I move?" Mabel screeched as the siren leaned down to cup her face, Mabel dug her nails into his wrists, he seemed unfazed by it though.
"I thought to myself why eat such a beautiful goddess? When I can keep her for myself, so I did just that. But I couldn't keep you if you were able to run away, so I gave you a tail, my little mermaid." Mabel's eyes widen, her face contorted into something of horror as she broke free of the siren's grasp, dunking her head underwater to see a beautiful pink tail in replace of her legs. "Please change me back, please! I beg of you, please." Mabel said distressed, clutching the edge of land before the siren. "Do I need to sing to you to calm you down?" The siren purred, "Don't you dare, I am a goddess, a higher being then you- you siren, wicked cre-" The siren put a finger to her lips, "Hush little one." The siren cooed, before he began to sing, the song was irresistibly sweet, yet it was laced with sadness and grief d in their words. The melody purred to her soul, piercing through and engulfing the goddess's entire being from within.
Her body felt limp, as her eyes drooped, and the siren's arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her around the small body of the water, lulling her to sleep.
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