Heart: "You sure about this?" I asked as we strolled up to the gate. "Come on, sweetheart. It'll be fun," he assured while taking me by the hand. Giving in, I fell into step alongside him as he lead me up the cobblestone path. "Aren't you worried about Phil discovering we snuck out with you like this still?" I mentioned while glancing at Duke a tad nervously. "Not really, besides, that's part of why I wanted to adventure with ya. May as well as have some fun while I'm stuck like this a bit longer," he shrugged, "Besides, no one will recognize me, so we can go unnoticed through a crowd a little easier." While Nosedive would have been quick to point out I could still be recognized in a crowd as their teammate, I had no problem admitting it was a little different. My teammates in their usual forms were easy to spot, and I was usually recognized along with them in that way. I also tended to be wearing a jersey, or at least our colors, to make this easier to connect. This differed today as well. Today Duke had insisted I wear a dress that he'd bought for me to wear on this occasion. The dress was of a soft hemp fabric, and woven to resemble the sort of style one might find in a storybook. It's lace of cord was synched up in the back into a bow. The gown itself was a deep blue that seemed to draw his attention as he had said, "Quite the sapphire to admire, my sweetheart." I had blushed, only encouraging him further. The skirts of the dress grazed the floor, with a slightly longer train in the back of it to trail behind me. There were straps to hold it up rather than sleeves. Over the fabric was embroidery and patterns in the same shade as the dress and cord. Along my neck was the sapphire he'd given me, after he'd swiftly stepped behind me to lock it in place below my collar bone. When he'd stepped back around to look me over, a smile curved his lips. I'd still not gotten used to seeing him this way. Though he seemed to be rolling with it in the moment, even having fun with it. "What else can I do? Complain until I change back like the others?" he mentioned while pulling on his dress vest over his long sleeved pirate-esque shirt. He shook his head, his bangs framing the side of his high cheekboned face, before giving a playful smile, "Adventurin' with ya will be much more fun." "Why a renaissance faire?" I asked now as we looked ahead to see several temporary shops lining the path. "Well, we were goin' to take ya here as a group at first; but with recent changes, I asked to take ya here as a date," he replied. Blushing a bit, I asked, "Yes, but why here?" "Dive said it might help ya get in touch with your roots," he explained, "With your magic bein' drawn out in full swing now, we wanted to see if somethin' like this might help?" "Wouldn't going to the other Anaheim and seeing Prince Borg help too?" I mentioned. Duke shrugged, "We could do that too, we just wanted ya to explore a bit with us first..." "You just wanted to come here didn't you?" I teased. A bit of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lip as he said, "Can't it be a bit of both?" Pausing just inside the gate, Duke took a slight step and turned on that heel to face me. With a swift bow, he offered a hand to me, "I jus' wanted to adventure with my fair maiden for a day?" He'd dressed up quite a bit as well. His undershirt had lace at the cuffs of his sleeves and collar, giving it a bit of flair. The vest was of crushed velvet burgundy. His dress pants were of ebony. Up to his knees were a pair of boots, the tops of which were lined with the same material as the vest was. Around his neck was a satin sash, folded just right to tuck the end into the breast of his vest. His black hair was pulled into a loose ponytail. Lastly, he wore a long tailed sea fairing black dining coat, lined with gold etchings. "Duke...?" I protested nervously at the flattering remark. "Heart, please?" he cheerfully requested. Finally I placed my hand in his, and felt my heart skip a beat as he brushed over my fingers with a soft kiss. It still felt so strange, and didn't at the same time. No matter how he looked, I saw, "My thief?" "Of course, love," he smiled while leaning forward to kiss my cheek. With that we began our date together. He lead me from the gate to begin exploring the shops and food stands lined up. We would find others dressed in similar styles as us, though some either fancier or more in common clothing of the time period they were depicting. We tried a few of the games and enjoyed the various shows put on by the actors of the faire. Among them were a court of commons, and a court of love. The latter of which we decided to look in on towards the end. There was a jousting match to watch, as well as lessons in it offered that Duke listened on with genuine intrigue. Though what also caught his interest were the fencing matches we would find a bit afterwards. He would even give pointers here and there, appreciating that his form of defense was not a lost art in this world. "So, what did bring you to fencing?" I asked curiously. "Well, in the Brotherhood of the Blade it was sort of a staple to have a saber, or some form of blade to wield. I guess I took to this due to growin' up with a love of fairy-tales an' adventure stories," he admitted rather openly to me. He gave a wistful smile as we were watching the horses being lead for the next match of knights nearby. "Are you okay?" "Why wouldn't I be?" he inquired with genuine surprise. "You just seemed a bit distant there," I mentioned while he took me by the hand to begin our walk along the trail leading into the woods a bit, "was it talking about the brotherhood?" "Nah, jus' thinkin' of when I was a kid. I would have loved to be born in the sort of world you were, Heart," he said, "Maybe I could have helped ya, too." "You did," I pointed out, "Besides, we don't know what would have been different if that were the case..." "I suppose that's true. Still, I do appreciate an' adore that realm, an' the treasure that came out of it," he said with a smile and a glance that I knew was making me blush. After a while of wandering along the path for several minutes, to almost an hour, did we notice that the path had seemed to change. "I guess we wandered away from the faire a bit?" I realized while scanning the woods we were in. "Seems so," Duke replied, "I'm sure we'll find our way back though. This is sorta nice in the meantime." Looking around, the cobblestone path we'd been following had transformed as we went along. It grew to be more and more natural in placing, and less of a set road. "Come on, sweetheart. We'll head back in a while," he offered. Before I could answer, he walked just ahead of me. Right in the middle of the path was a single tree. With a playful smile curving his scarred lip, he stepped ahead to tempt me into falling. I shook my head, failing to stifle a soft laugh as his slender frame slipped behind the trunk of that tree. This drew me into hurrying to the other side to try and catch him. With Duke out of sight, I would try to follow... only to bump into somebody, falling to the ground. "Whoa, you okay there?" The man said, as he held a hand down to help me up. He was a tall, lean but well built man, with flowing blond hair and a goatee. Wearing a tunic and trousers, he had a pair of curled horns on his head, and his feet were hooves... he must have been going all out for his outfit for the faire? I looked up, a bit bewildered to see him instead of Duke. "Oh...uh...thank you?" I replied while accepting the aid, looking around as I did, "but where is Duke?" I pulled away to look around the tree to see he was nowhere up be seen. I rubbed my head, "What in the world?" Turning back to the stranger, I tried to figure out what was going on? He looked around, his golden flowing locks bouncing with each movement, before turning back to me. Giving a friendly shrug, he chuckled, "I have no idea. I am Leneus though!" "I'm Heart," I replied. Looking him over again, I asked, "Are you a part of the faire?" "Oh, I'm just a guest myself. My sister and I have came to have a bit of fun ourselves, and perhaps make a few friends. Perhaps we can find your friend together?" He said with a smile, followed by a wink. "He was just here though?" I wondered. Despite the light warning going off, I gave a nod, "I would appreciate that, thank you." "So, Leneus?" I asked. "Indeed! And you are Heart? That is a nice name," he commented, as we began to wander through the grove. Music would play off in the distance, as insect fluttered about in the warm summer air. "Oh...uh...thank you," I replied while following along. I kept an ever watchful eye out for my husband. "This place is quite beautiful," I mentioned while taking in the tranquil scenery. Vibrant flora was scattered throughout the grove, the calls of fauna called for our attention, and a trickling stream could be heard nearby. The skirts of my dress were tugged at gently by the longer grass we were wandering into. "Indeed it is! I love coming here, either with my sister or myself. Though it's always nice to show someone new," He said with a smirk. "He would love to see this," I said while taking in the scenery. Looking into the clear, sparkling water, I would find fish with dazzling scales swiftly swimming and hopping along. They looked like gems moving through the stream. "Is your sister here too then?" I asked while turning back to him. The man gave a nod, as he walked up to a stump and took a seat. Leaning back, he pulled out a lute, and began strumming it. As he started to play, I felt my worries beginning to fade away. "That's very calming," I said while walking over to him. I paused before the costumed stranger, beginning to wonder at his claim, "Are...are you like me? You can tell me if you are?" Plucking at the strings, he looked up toward me, and gave a knowing nod. "Is this Anaheim then...I mean...the other, super natural one?" I asked while looking around in bewilderment. Then the music continued to pull at me, easing my concerns. He gave a shrug, as he continued to play, "Somewhere in between. Not quite... the boring world, and not quite ours." "I don't know if I would call Anaheim boring," I laughed a little as the music pulled me closer...or rather further from my senses. Not noticing much else as it did. A grin full of mischief cross his face, as he saw that I was entranced by his music, "Perhaps I was a little harsh, but, can't say it beats home.." "I...I'm afraid I don't remember home very much..." I admitted with a tinge of regret. Something else felt odd by all of this, but I was too pulled in to notice this as well. "That is a shame... such wonderful place... perhaps I could take you there," He grinned, as he played on, the light sparkling around him. "Now then, let's jus make some adjustments," I would barely hear him hum, "to make you feel more at home." "I..." I froze just after taking a slight step forward and hearing a louder clicking under my heel. Yet glancing behind I found my shoes had slipped off? My legs beneath my skirt felt warmer, and I realized my skirt had been altered to be a bit shorter to show just why. "Coming along nicely, I see," he mused beneath his breath. A gasp of confusion escaped my lips as I found from the waist down I was like a fawn...including the tail I felt at the base of my spine. "Now for some fetching horns," he added just as calmly as before. "What's happening?" I asked in alarm as I felt a tingling on my forehead, as a pair of spiraling horns sprouted forth. My own magic began to spark around me, before being calmed by the music playing on. "Well... that is certainly something new... I think it looks nice," he said with a chuckle, as he picked up the pace with his music. "Something new?!" I exclaimed, trying to keep a hold of my senses. "What are you talking about?" My new features settled in, and I once again grew a bit more tranquil as the music picked up in tempo. I tried to look around, however, attempting to find any sign of who I had lost, but only found the satyr still sitting before me. "Oh, nothing to worry about," he assured, as he gestured for me to sit next to him on the stump, "I do hope you are enjoying it here! Tell me... Heart, what were you doing when I came across you again?" Sitting beside him, I replied, "I...I was here with someone...important to me?" I looked over my horns in the reflection of the pond beside the stump, trying to get used to them and my changed legs. "Is...is this what I really am? Some sort of shifter maybe? Before it was scales, and now this?" "Where...where is he?" I then tried to ask while sitting beside the satyr. He gave another strum, as he shrugged. "Perhaps... the one you were looking for all this while was me?" He leaned into me, and gave another wink. I attempted to shake my head, "No...you're not my...my thief...?" I pulled back a little from him, managing to keep some of my senses. "Perhaps not... but you certainly are my muse," the musician said, as his entrancing music kept on going, his fingers nimbly dancing over the strings. "Your...your muse...?" I asked in lost bewilderment. "Indeed, ever since I saw you... I can't help but be inspired by you! Would you like to accompany me this evening to a little... festival?" "I...that is..." My worries slipped away, "I would...?" Duke: I had slipped behind the tree and turned around with a mischievous grin that quickly twisted from confusion. "Heart?" I asked while looking back where I'd come from, finding a lovely garden instead of the path. "Sweetheart, where...are we... ?" I asked in bewilderment. The flora surrounding me were bright and vibrant, and all gave off a soothing and sweet scent. As I tried to get my bearings, I spotted a woman with long, curly blonde hair, dressed in a tunic dress. Her legs ended with hooves, and a pair of curled horns adorned her head, "Welcome to my garden, tall, dark, and handsome." My remaining eye widened to see and hear this. "Thank you, but have ya seen a young woman that was with me? Burgundy hair, sapphire eyes, wearin' a gown to match them?" I asked with a bit of concern tugging at me. She took a moment, placing a finger to her chin... before shaking her head, "Can't say I have, but I'm sure she's having a good time here. Tell me... are you?" "I was," I replied in a smooth manner, "Perhaps I will find her lookin' through here. Would ya help me...Miss...?" I prompted politely. "I suppose I could... but first, tell me handsome stranger.. your name?" "Duke L'Orange," I replied with a respectful slight bow, "An' yours?" "Ambrosia" She replied, placing a hand to her chest. Stepping towards me, she looked me over with a growing smile, "Now then... this friend of yours?" "Her name is Heart," I answered, "She's my wife, an' I'm not sure how we got separated...?" My senses were being swarmed by the enchanting garden, and the end before me. I found it harder to step away and turn back. Shaking my head and glancing at my wedding band baring her birthstone, I asked, "We're not in our Anaheim are we? This garden...?" "Somewhere between the two..." She stated, and as she drew closer, I would notice she had several of the flowers tied into her hair, "Quite a lovely place, is it not?" "It is; I would be lyin' if I said I wasn't drawn to places like this. Adventure, magic, an' treasure to find...?" I found myself watching the fawn's movements closely. "I am hopin' my beloved sapphire is near to find in fact." "Oh I'm sure she is... but for now, how about you just relax. Take in a deep breath... sooth yourself..." "That sounds..." I couldn't help but take that breath, and feel my concerns slipping away, "I can't stay here. I need to find her...after I rest a bit?" The words slipped from my lips. "Yes... just rest. I'm sure she'll be fine. You just enjoy yourself... sniff the flowers.." My legs weakened a bit at this soothing suggestion, but my knees buckled in protest. Shaking my head, I said, "No...I really need to look for her..." I began to remember how overwhelmed Heart had been when confronted with parts of her original home and life, and it gave me a drive to try and politely resist, "If she's here...then she needs me to find her." Placing her hands onto my shoulders, Ambrosia looked up at me, fluttering her eyes, "She's safe! I promise you that.. just relax... that's what we're here to do." "If ya know she's safe, then where is she?" I questioned with some lingering resistance. "An' we? Lady Ambrosia, I really can't...stay...here...?" My will began to waver slightly. "Oh, I'm sure she's nearby. This is a safe place, where there's no danger... so you can just... unwind~" "Ya don't understand...this place will..." I faltered, "Overwhelm her..." I was sitting in the grass as she gently pushed me to. I began to relax in that field of wild flowers, breathing in their intoxicating aroma, "Heart...?" My head grew cloudy as I ran my hand through my long hair. I still hadn't grown too used to my human frame. As he felt my fingers go through my ebony and white hair, I felt another set of hands doing the same, forcing my muscles to relax as I heard the fawn say to me, "Just... enjoy this... you deserve some respite.." I tried to clear my head, but felt it difficult to do so. My eyelid grew heavy, fluttering closed. Until I forced it wide open, but didn't get up. "What is this place...what are ya...?" I attempted, "Please help me find Heart...I don't need to rest..." "Shh...shush... don't fight it... you know you want to just... enjoy the moment," she said, as she leaned into me, running her hands over my shoulders. Taking a breath and forcing it out, I fought to stay afloat. Seeing how persistent this fawn was, she was far different from Heart's almost shy nature. I nearly closed my eyes again, but felt a tug in my chest that jerked me awake still. "I know I want to find her!" I managed to push through and start to pull away. Her grip tightened, as she held me back, "You aren't going anywhere! You need to learn how to enjoy yourself! I can feel the stress all built up in you." "I don't have any problem with that," I argued a tad sharply to try and resist as her grasp grew firmer. I continued to try and slip away, but found myself growing drowsy from the aroma bombarding me. I dug my fingers into the ground to try and get up, "I can relax...once I've...found her..." "Please... she would want you to relax..." My eyelid grew heavier still as I braced myself to try and get up. My muscles tried to ease up as I slid to the grass, lying on my side with her brushing my hair out of my face. "Heart...I..." I trailed off too calmly, my eyelid fluttering again, "What are ya...? Where...where's Heart?" "She's.. safe with my brother. You're safe with me... so just take in this bliss~" "Safe...doesn't mean happy...her memories...I have to wake up..." I sighed, to little avail. I shook my head, before she continued to stroke my hair, a sensation that was familiar, and yet different from having feathers still. More of that alluring aroma drifted down my throat, drawing out another sigh, "Let me go...let me find her..." I asked as she slid her lap under my heavy head. Stroking my hair, she chuckled. "Don't fret... she'll be fine... just sleep..." I found I had little choice as I at last drifted off. Last thing I saw was her vibrant,dark blue eyes. Though beautiful in their own right, I managed to say, "They aren't...my sapphires..." With this I fell asleep clinging to my thoughts of Heart, hoping she was indeed safe. Barely hearing the woman hiss under her breath, "I can be however you wish, far better than this supposed...Heart...? All you need do...is stay here with me." Heart: "What is this festival, and how can you take me back to our home realm?" I asked the satyr sitting beside me. Yet as I asked, I felt something odd tugging at me, like someone calling out to me. Facing back down the path, I quickly tried to pull from the fog I was trapped in, "Duke?" "Oh! Well, we're kinda having a big party. Music, drinks, games and dancing... and we just can. Can't really explain it, but, we can head back at any time... I just need your word," still strumming the satyr looked down at me with a smirk. I was getting to my feet, albeit awkwardly with my new hooves. "My...my word?" I asked in bewilderment, "I left there a long time ago, and isn't there a gateway in between the realms?" Shaking my head, I said, "I was looking for Duke wasn't I?" I tried to clear my head. "Don't worry about him right now, this is your chance to go home! You can't allow this chance to slip through your fingers." "Don't worry about him?" I replied as the music played on, pulling me back to him, "A chance to go home?" "Totally!" Getting up, he continued to play as he lead the way through the woods, "He'll be fine... nothing to worry about with him. We can head home, and everything will be fine! We'll be able to just relax and have fun." I was compelled to follow after him, the music leading me in this new frame. "Home..." I murmured distantly. Within my core, a fire began to kick up, yet I couldn't seem to realize why. "Perhaps I can find answers...?" I wondered aloud, glancing at my hands with electricity dancing around them, "For my magic?" "Oh yes! We can find out about your magic together!" With that, the over confident goat man placed his arm over my shoulders, "This is just the beginning, my friend!" A chill ran up my spine as soon as he touched me. With the music pausing, I began to clear my head again, "Look, I understand you want to show me our home...to bring me back...but something doesn't feel right!" I was still pulled along however, intrigued and afraid at the same time. "What do you mean? What's wrong Heart, don't you wanna go home?" He asked, looking down at me with a raised brow. I paused in my steps, looking back at the path we had left behind, trying to find my way through the lingering fog in my head, "I...I don't belong there...they'll wonder why I left, and he'll..." I trailed off as music ahead of us drew my attention. "Of course you do! And don't fret over them! It doesn't matter as much as finding out who you are after all!" he said as he lead me along, bringing me to a ring of mushrooms on the forest floor. "Who I am...?" I murmured as I paused just before the ring, holding my head in my hands. I began to calm down as I looked upon their soft glow, as though the ring was inviting me in, "Is this the way?" Patting me on the shoulder, he nodded, "Indeed! We just need you to open the way." "Me?" I asked in surprise, looking to him, "Didn't you say you could go home at any time...?" Forcing a smile, he blinked before responding, "Oh, of course! But... only when you are ready! Don't want to leave you behind!" I caught his reaction and asked more directly, "You...you can't get back, can you?" At this, I felt my nerves easing into sympathy, "You need my help to get back?" Duke: My remaining eye shot wide open as something tugged at my chest. Instinct maybe? Either way, I sat up quickly with the moonlight now over the fawn and I, as I tried to pull away, "Heart?!" Looking down at me in alarm as I suddenly jolted awake, Ambrosia gave me a glare, before softening her expression, "Shh shh shh... nothing to worry about.. just enjoy the evening." "Let go! I need to find her!" I snapped as I continued to try and get free. "There is no need! All you need to do is relax... why are you making this difficult?" The satyr said, flopping down onto the flowers with a sigh, before reaching up and trying to drag me back down beside her. The scent of the flowers tried to pull at me as well. Yet I pushed and fought against this unseen grasp. "I don't know what ya are, but I am not stayin' here with ya! I'm findin' Heart an' goin' home with her!" I insisted as I got to my feet. Ambrosia got to her hooves, catching me by the hand as she did. Her hand flew to my cheek, but caressed it sweetly rather than striking as I'd thought she would, and she said to me, "I can make you far happier than she ever could...whatever you want, I could entertain your every desire. You want deeper blue eyes? I can oblige?" she giggled as her eyes indeed grew to a deeper shade. "A human like you should feel rather lucky to attract my attention like this," she mused while grasping at my tunic, clutching it just over my heart, "All you need do, is give me that heart of yours." "It already belongs to someone," I said sharply, before insisting with an admiring smirk not directed at her in the least, "An' when I mean sapphire eyes, I mean just that. They can't be matched, no matter the magic ya have." Her eyes narrowed into a glare from this apparent insult, her grip tightening over my chest. It were as though she was reaching right into it to try and retrieve something she couldn't seem to find. This caused those wicked eyes of hers to spit with venom as she tried in vain to hold me there. Her long nails tore at my skin and tunic, but I managed to pull free and step back from her a bit. "If we didn't need her so badly, I'd make sure that precious Heart of yours was turned to stone for this insult!" she snarled before regaining her composure, fixing her hair and ruffled up skirts. Shaking her head, Ambrosia let out a sigh, "You just had to be difficult... I doubt my brother is having the same trouble with Heart... oh well, we can have some other fun instead." With that, she snapped her fingers, as the foliage around them began to rustle, and something began to come after me from under the flowers. I listened carefully for where it was coming from, planning my steps carefully as I did, "Sorry, but I can't entertain ya. Now where are they?" My tone was calm, but firm. She let out a huff, as she turned away from me.. but from the brush, jumping at me was what looked like... well, a six legged, fluffy ferret with an overly large mouth, fangs dripping with green ichor. It went to snap at me, letting out a yip as it missed. I sidestepped out of the creature's range. Going to my comm, I found it wouldn't activate, leaving me without a weapon to defend myself with. "What in the world?" I questioned in alarm as I avoided the snarling small beast. It went for another bite, as Ambrosia took a seat among the wild flowers, wrapping her arms around her furry knees, "Oh, just my little pet Fwuffy. He does play a little rough... though, if you would just reconsider, he might calm down?" "Reconsider what?" I questioned in a souring tone while stepping back to avoid it's teeth, "Easy there, ya venomous fur-ball!" "Just stay a spell! That's all I ask... just give in to the wonders around you!.. if you don't yourself, Fwuffy will help you." On cue, the ferocious fluff-ball attacked again, green spittle flying as it snapped madly at me. I barely managed this time to get away, as the very roots of the garden grabbed at me. "Thanks for the invite, but I already have someone to spend time with. I'll find her, with or without your help!" I assured while turning to leave and finding the path from before. Letting out an annoyed huff, she hopped up to her hooves, and gave chase. As I bolted through the clearing, she was practically skipping after me, "Try as hard as you can, you can't escape me, mere human~" I gave a smirk as I thought how wrong she was in a few ways, "Wanna bet?" I ducked into some of the brush, before climbing up to one of the nearby branches of a lush grown tree. From there, I moved carefully above to avoid the fawn and her pursuing pet. Meanwhile she taunted me still, attempting to lure me back to her as I tried to escape and find Heart. Rushing after me, she lost track of me. Letting out a short curse, she went to pursue me still, heading in the wrong direction.. though her pet stayed behind, sniffing about. Giving a slight sigh of relief, I crept forward through the canopy. I continued on, keeping a close watch on the path below to make sure I didn't get lost. That's when I noticed a pair of hoof prints among the dirt road, or two sets of them. Yet I knew that the sister had gone the other way. I slipped to the forest floor to look them over closely before following them, hoping she was alright. I began to pick up my pace when I overheard voices from ahead, and didn't hear anything coming up behind me. For I could hear a familiar voice asking someone, "Please, tell me how I can help you? Why are you here, unable to get home?" Looking through the brush, I found Heart, or what looked mostly like her. However she had the signature features of a fawn. "I... don't know, but my sister said that you can get us home. You have the magic that can get us through... but we need you to go with us!" "How do you know I have this magic?" Heart questioned, "I barely know how this works! I don't even know why I have this! How can I get you home?" I watched on quietly, trying to read the situation before acting. Heart had a sense of bewilderment in her eyes, as though she were lost in a way. "Heart...?" I wondered softly, "Ya don't...want to leave...do ya?" Snapping his head towards my direction, the satyr scowled, "Of course she does! She wouldn't want to stay in his horrid place anyways! Magic's dead, the Earth on it's way after, and humans have ruined everything!" Turning back to Heart, he took her by the hands, "Please! You have to! We have to get back home!" I looked out in alarm that he'd heard me. Giving up on accessing the situation, I jumped down to the forest floor. Heart had jumped as well when he'd spotted me, and again when he reached for her hands. "I...I don't know if I can even bring us there!" "Heart...?" I attempted with my heartbeat racing a bit, causing her to look over at me at least, "Ya don't want to go back, do ya?" I could see the dark mist in her eyes, swirling from confusion and his spell he'd woven, that I could guess was similar to the one I had been under. "Let her go, bud," I warned, despite being unarmed. "Leave us be, human! She is not like you! She is like us, and we need to return home!" As he called out to me, he snapped his fingers, causing the trees nearby to lurch forward, grabbing me with their branches, ensnaring me. As the limbs grabbed for me, I tried to slip through. Pulling and snapping off the pieces that I could, I attempted to call out, "Heart! Ya know how wrong this creep is, in a number of ways!" One of the branches attempted to slip around my neck, but I managed to break that piece off before it could try and strangle me. Heart looked to me, looking as though she were about to pull away from him as she witnessed this, but paused as she looked to the form he must have put her in. "Heart!" I attempted to little avail as she grabbed at her head in confusion. Grabbing onto Heart, the satyr looked her in the eyes, his blue eyes growing intense, "You have to open the way! It's the only way we can get back! Without you, we're stranded here!" "I...I don't know if I can...!" She exclaimed in growing alarm, "I'm still learning how this works! I don't know where it comes from!" As I struggled against the branches, I could see her frame shaking, the electricity beginning to spark around her. "Back off!" I snapped as I shattered another branch in half to nearly free myself. His patience running thing, the hooved man let got of Heart, and focused his attention on me, "That's enough of you, mortal!" With that, he beat a hoof on the ground, before charging at me, his head lowered to ram me with his horns. I was just breaking free when I attempted to step into a dodge out of the way. I managed to do this by the skin of my teeth as he barreled into the branches instead, giving me a chance to run over to Heart. Grasping her shoulders, despite the risk of being shocked, I looked into her eyes in his stead, "Heart, look at me darlin'!" She paused, the energy settling as she breathed out in lingering confusion, "...Duke?" Crashing into the foliage himself, the satyr toppled over letting out an irritated grunt. Getting back up, he snarled at us, "So... this human is important to you?" I looked to Heart still, and something in my chest skipped when she replied, "Of course Duke is important to me." Her eyes cleared a bit as she looked up at me. Then she turned to the satyr, with some confusion lingering, "but my home...their home...what am I supposed to do?" "You're supposed to just open the gate with your magic!" A feminine voice replied, as Ambrosia came out from the brush. Giving her brother a disapproving glare, she walked over towards the two of us, "Stop being so selfish, and just do it already!" "Not knowin' how her magic works, doesn't make her selfish!" I snapped, "Why are ya trapped here anyway?" I kept Heart behind me now, feeling her hold onto my arm. "That foolish prince banished up... such a stick in the mud!" her brother snarked, crossing his arms before his sister glared at him and chimed in, "Like he said... that prince decided that we 'cause too much trouble'... so he tossed us out to this dead world." "Prince Borg...?" Heart asked in alarm. "If he cast ya out, then he must have had a good reason!" I assured, "Now back off!" Letting out a huff, Ambrosia snapped her finger, and with this, the furry scurrying creature burst forth from the brush, tackling me to the ground from the side. Digging it's claws into my side, it began to snap over and over again, trying to get a hold of my arm. "Duke!" Heart cried out as I was tackled to the ground. I wrestled and fought to keep it's sharp toothed maw from my throat. I managed a punch to it's jaw as I fought with it still, yelling out, "Heart, get away from them! Ya don't want to leave do ya?! We're goin' to help ya with your magic! We'll help ya find out where it comes from! Jus' don't leave!" "You already had your chance, human. You decided I wasn't good enough, so, you get to stay back here. Don't worry.. we'll keep her safe for you," Ambrosia said with a wink, snaking an arm along Heart's shoulders as she stood frozen watching me through her half trance, "When we're home, I'll make sure to take very good care of your precious Heart." "Why would I choose some jealous witch over the love of my life?!" I yelled while keeping those teeth from biting into me still, watching Ambrosia's eyes flash with venom once again. By now Heart was trying to pull away to reach me, but I couldn't focus on what she was trying to do, or that I was near the circle they had lead her to. Seeing this, I managed to kick the creature in the stomach and tried to scramble to my feet to reach her, "Get away from her!" With that, both satyrs grabbed Heart by the arms, and started dragging her to the circle. "You need to do this before that brute ruins everything!" "Please! You can finally go home and be at peace!" "Heart!" I attempted as I tried to get up, hearing the beast at my heels, "Let her go!" Heart looked over her shoulder at me, the mist trying to clear away through his spell. "Sweetheart, if ya want to leave...if ya want to go back home ….I'd-!" I yelled out as the creature knocked me back down with all it's fury and might. The furry beast continued it's attempt to maul me, as Ambrosia nodded to her brother, "Heart, you need to open up the portal. You have to at least try!" Heart had begun to turn around when she saw me in trouble. Electricity began sparking around her when music began to play, pulling her attention from me, her eyes clouding over in a trance again. "Heart! Please, don't-!" I called through my struggle with the creature and my own confusion. "Just do it!" Ambrosia added, being a little more rough than before, "I'm sick of this awful place!" Heart looked to her hands, the energy growing stronger from the confusion. "Heart...?" I faltered as I watched her take a step closer to the circle, the music pulling her along. Wouldn't she have pulled away by now if she didn't want to leave? This gave an opening as I looked to her, my grip against the beast slipping. The brother of the two would strum on his lute, as Ambrosia pushed her along. The beast, finding a chance, went to clamp it's mouth around my shoulder, shaking violently as it held on. I cried out as it's teeth sunk down into my flesh. I tried to pull it's dripping green maw from my shoulder. As I fought back, yelling out still from the sharp agony sinking further into me, I looked to see Heart missing from the two satyrs. Before I could question this, the creature let out a snarling shriek as a jolt of electricity coursed through it. In it's screeching pain, I managed once more to kick it off of me, but felt the green substance already injected into my shoulder and flowing through my veins...causing them to harden it seemed. "Wha-What is this...?" I attempted while trying to get up, but stumbled as I did. Looking up, I saw Heart catching her breath, her eyes clear from the trance as she hurried over to me, "Duke!" The creature flopped to the ground, twitching from the spasms of electricity surging through it. At the sight of her pet being fried, Ambrosia broke from her brother, and went to scoop up the strange beast. Glaring at me, she spat, "We'll find another way... you two are not worth it... enjoy turning to stone, you brute!" "Stone?" Heart looked to me, her eyes wide with fear as my breath seized from a sudden pain beginning to radiate through my entire frame. "No!" She gasped as my joints began stiffening up. She was kneeling beside me as I again tried in vain to get up. "Heart...I...I know you've been tryin' to figure this all out...it's been a lot of change...I can't even say i don't understand wantin' to go home...if that's what ya really wanted, sweetheart,...I..." "I don't want to leave you and the others!" Heart exclaimed. I would have smiled to hear this, had my core not been hardening, causing me to groan in agony. Getting up, Ambrosia sneered while holding her pet, "Now... either you can let him die like this, or, you come with us... and just;. open... the portal!" "What?" Heart asked, distraught with fear as she cradled my upper, prone, frame in her arms. "Open the portal, and I can cure him... simple as that," she replied, as she cradled her pet, holding it close to her. "Heart, ya can't let these creeps win! We can't let them back in the other Anaheim!" I protested, grabbing her hand and keeping her from pulling away. "I can't let you die either!" Heart pleaded to me as she felt the skin of my hand hardening. It was then that I noticed her fawn like features were being pushed back, now that she had broken free of his spell. In return were the scales she had shown once before, and the electricity dancing wildly around us now. "Heart..." I insisted still, pushing through the pain taking hold of me, "Ya know what to do...to protect those that need it...?" "Well, get on with it! Unless you would like us to have a new lawn decoration?" Ambrosia taunted, as her brother continued to play his lute in vain to puppet Heart further. Heart glared at them, before her expression eased. Taking a breath, she pulled me up with her to our feet. I winced as I swung an arm over her shoulders to just stand with her support. I could feel the tense nature of her hand over mine as she stepped closer to the circle of now glowing mushrooms. Just moving felt like it took so long to do, my limbs resisting...and yet...stabilizing I quickly began to realize, or at least fighting it. Looking to my hazelnut human skin, I found it had indeed taken on the coloration of a stone statue, the tone a deep gray shade. Only now did I notice while so close to her, that very small crystals were emerging from Heart's skin, glistening as they glowed as well. "Heart?" "Get ready to rush through," I heard her say without a voice. I gave a nod as she snapped at them, "You want it open?!" "YES!" Both of them called back, grinning at each other due to their assured victory. "Alright then!" Heart growled, to a bit of my own alarm as I caught a gleam in her eye that was not unlike a serpent's. At least for a brief moment. Without holding back, Heart let out a burst of energy with her free hand, as what I thought were claws emerged from her fingertips, again far too quick to see for certain, and seemed to claw open a doorway. A small whirling vortex that we hurried to with what strength we could muster, as I fought against the poison trying to slow us down and claim me. Nearly dropping his lute, the brother of the duo smiled, before nudging his sister, "Excellent! Let's go!" Taking her by the hand, the two began to rush to the opening. Yet Heart and I were on the ready as we were there ahead of them. As the lute hit the ground, a bolt of electricity struck it as a burst of her magic lashed out at them in warning. "I never said you were going through this doorway, only that I was opening it!" Heart assured as I watched a sheet of crystals grow over the mushrooms encircling us and the portal in a protective dome. With that, we darted through that opening in space just as Heart let out one last burst of energy to keep them from following us. We would just hear their last threats before the door was sealed and locked. They would slam onto the barrier, yelling and cursing in a strange fey tongue... with Ambrosia calling out, "Enjoy your new statue!" Then it was quiet. As we stumbled through to the other side of the gateway, we fell upon the center of another grove of trees. These ones were nearly empty of life, however. Especially compared to the enchanted grove of the satyrs we'd just escaped. Yet I found I had little time to observe the scenery as I toppled over from my legs stiffening gradually more and more. "Duke!" Heart pleaded as she tried to pull me back up, "We have to find Borg! He'll be able to help you!" We both looked up to see we didn't recognize this part of the other Anaheim at all. Nor did we even see the outline of our friend's kingdom. There wasn't even a town, or single soul to call out to for aid. I tried to get up on my feet as Heart gave her support, yet I wound up crumbling to my hands and knees again. That deep gray continued to run up along my skin, reaching to my throat now. As Heart saw this, I would see tears well in her eyes as she begged, "No! I need to find a way to help you! Maybe the star sword...!" "It's back home, sweetheart," I reminded her gently. "There has to be a way!" Heart pleaded while holding me up a bit by my shoulders. My arm began to stiffen as I reached out to catch her tears, "Hey...it'll be okay." "How is this okay?!" she questioned. "You're safe, an' so are the others," I told her, "That's what matters to me." I didn't want her to be scared, but I also couldn't blame her for it. However, as the poison rapidly claimed more of my body, and even my clothing, I forced a brave smile for her. I rested my hand over her shoulder, and caressed her scarred cheek with the other. "Duke...?" she begged while she in turn brushed a hand against my face. Again I noticed the shimmering dust sprinkled over the palm of her hand as she did this. Before I could say anything, my neck began to stiffen up, making it difficult to say much more than, "I love ya, Heart." "I love you too," she promised, with that same glimmer now upon her lips as she breathed my name, before closing the distance between us with a kiss. Thinking my last moments would be spent in this last affectionate display, I made sure to not set my hands to where she couldn't pull free. However, I did grasp her shoulder, and rested my other hand against her cheek still. While she mirrored these motions while breathing that warm kiss into my scarred lips. My remaining eye closed, giving into this moment for her as though it were any other intimate moment I'd had the pleasure of sharing with her. Not letting her think for a moment that I regretted fighting for her, and being with her. In these lasting moments, that felt long and short at the same time, I felt that hardening sensation reach my head, and begin to wash over my face. As it did, I allowed my remaining eye to open just slightly so I could look into those sapphires one last time, all the while breathing in this last, sweet kiss. In return, Heart looked to me, her words soft and clear as my vision darkened, "Save him...please..." As her lips had pulled away with these whispered words, I would feel the warm breath of them slip into my own. The glistening air we shared trickling down my throat. Her hands ran along my shoulders, as though trying to reverse the poison and loosen my frame from it's frozen stance, kneeling before her in that kiss still. When I didn't answer, I would barely feel her arms wrap around me as I began to fade from awareness entirely. Her tears falling upon my stone frame, and heart...or so I thought? For as she grasped my still, rock entombed form, I would suddenly hear the cracking of stone. Bit by bit, I felt it chipping away and falling from my fingers and hands at first. Then my arms as I wrapped them around her, caressing her hair and trying to ease her cries. To this she jumped and looked up at me just as my vision returned and I gazed upon her with a gasp of air rushing to my lungs, "...Heart?!" "How is this...?" she stammered while caressing my cheek in nearly stunned relief, with those shimmers of crystals brushing my stone prison away from me, until I was entirely broken free of it. As it shattered and fell to the grass around us, I stumbled into her a bit. While she in turn, caught me in her trembling arms. Regaining my stance, and composure, I pulled away just enough to grasp her shaking hands to look over them. For just as I'd noticed before, her palms still shimmered with an odd texture. It were as though her hands were covered in a gem like dust that wouldn't wash away. At least not at first. "What is this?" she asked in shared bewilderment. "I...I'm not sure, sweetheart; but it seems ya have more magic in ya than we thought?" I replied before kissing the back of her hand as I had countless times before, "An' thanks to you, I'm not the warnin' sign of this forest." Looking around, Heart would then ask, "How are we going to get home? We don't have the amulet anymore, or the star sword. We don't even know where we are, and the others don't know we're here..." she said, her head swimming with lasting panic. "Hey, hey, hey," I caught her attention, resting my hands upon her shoulders, "We'll figure it out, Heart. Don't ya worry, okay?" I thought back to the field she'd made at the other end of the portal, and began to wonder just what else she might have up her sleeves. Yet then, as I looked over Heart, seeing the fear lingering in the depths of her blue eyes, I realized for the moment what she needed to hear most from me, "No one will take me from ya, Heart. Spell or no, I couldn't just forget the sort of love I have with ya." "What sort is that?" she gave in with an air of a playful tone, despite the fear clinging to her, even as I pulled her into an embrace. A soft chuckle escaped my throat as I gingerly stroked her burgundy hair and replied, "The sort they say ya only find in fairy-tales, darlin'." When she pulled away slightly to look up at me, I gave a smile and answered further, "A magic kind of love," Before I leaned in and sank into one more kiss with her, "An' I'm lucky enough to have found it."