He had seen these forests before yet they still gave the impression of being new and unknown. Nolan had led him through it several times before, but the wonder Jasper felt was always the same as the very first time he stepped foot on these grounds. The Chandael Forests loomed before them. Like the tree near the cave, the forest was filled almost entirely with the colossal trees and the smaller ones that were about the size of average trees or smaller, were merely saplings. They were moving across the valley, about three-quarters of the way across, when Jasper suddenly felt it. Like a vast presence in the air. Elias and rowan were running, the former chasing the other. The two breached the tree line and after a few moments the sound of their footfalls and laughter faded, something they should have been able to hear for a few more miles yet. The quiet returned, save for distant birds, the breeze, and their footsteps on the grass. Nolan stopped walking a short distance from the trees and Jasper stopped alongside him.

"Wait." the others stopped though Anala continued forward. Her pace never faltered as her hand slipped out of her brothers, staring ahead obliviously. She stepped into the trees and Emmett moved forward. "Emmett don't follow her."

He frowned, looking back at him as Anala continued walking. "Why?"

"This forest has stood here a very long time. So long, the earliest recorded history was written after this forest already stood. This land has protected the Arceon and our people since the very beginning." Nolan's pale eyes scanned the woods, a deep reverence in them. "This place lives. It is an entity within itself and many spirits protect and dwell inside. It has only been successfully invaded once, that was during the war and even then it did not give easily. It'll sense bad intentions and destroy them. It's easy to get lost if you don't know the way or are not with someone who does. There is power here. It'll confuse you, ensnare your mind and that's just the forest itself. We aren't the only things that live here. So stay close."

"That doesn't sound reassuring." Emmett was watching Anala's slowly moving form trailing deeper into the trees.

"It'll be fine," Jasper reassured. "I got the same warning my first time too."

"Hey, its better you all know now. Less surprises."

Javan tilted his head, staring up at the trees. "What did the forest do to them, the ones who tried?"

Nolan smiled eerily. "Don't know. There was never a lot of them left when anyone realized."

He started walking, grabbing a hold of Jasper's hand and tugging him along. Jasper raised their joined hands and lightly kissed his fingers. Nolan's eyes met his and he smiled briefly at his mate as the everlasting blue of his eyes pierced directly into the immortal, almost making jasper feel like he was losing his equilibrium. He was used to it by now of course. Nolan never looked at anyone, he more seemed to expose the very soul of someone and picked it apart before he ever said a word. It wasn't intentional, jasper knew, but those pale, icy depths concentrated an unearthly intensity. Jasper broke eye contact before he decided to say 'screw it' and allow himself to get lost there. The forest was truly beautiful. The green canopy was never ending and moss covered the earth and tree roots, cushioning their footsteps. Thick green vines tangled through branches and coiled around the thick trucks of the trees. It was warm, a thin hazy mist lingering in the air, beams of sunlight shined through it; the entirety of the woods was caught somewhere between a forest and a jungle. It didn't take long for the forest to thicken and deepened to allow them to see more of it. In contrast to the forests of the Olympic Peninsula, it was strangely colorful. Aside from the many varying shades of green and brown, there was the deep maroon of big leafy underbrush, and the vibrant ranges of colors of different flowers and tall plants that extended above their heads. Odd and unfamiliar bird calls echoed through the treetops and a small flock of dazzling red birds fluttered through the branches ahead. Jasper could smell it all. The earth, the strange, sweet, fragrance wafting from a nearby plant, the scent of the birds being pushed out by each rapid pulse of their hearts and the lingering traces of animals he had not encountered. Even though she was still within sight, Jasper had a hard time following Anala on scent alone above the myriad of fragrances that moved through the air. Jasper deducted it was the forest. It protected the Layame that lived in it so as a defense mechanism it made it hard for them to be tracked. The question was how. Did the leaves release a toxin or pheromone? If so, how was it triggered by the presence of a Layame? Or was it another source that did it? Perhaps the very power that existed here, or maybe even the spirits Nolan had talked about.

They walked, following Nolan, who followed Anala. Her heart began to accelerate, her breath hitching suddenly. Then, she was running. The terrain sloped downwards and her form disappeared along with the sound of her footsteps and Jasper eased Emmett as anxiety flared in him. The hill was small, but steep. Ten feet ahead was a small stone statue, only about four feet tall. It was intricate and surprisingly detailed. It was a male, the angles of the face and carved chest indicating so. Its face was angled to the left a bit, and it held a circular orb in its hand. The most noticeable feature though, were the long antlers that extended from among the artfully carved hair. While it looked old, and set into the land, it was incredibly life-like; the eyes seeming to almost truly spot and observe them as they approached and entered what would be its line of sight. There was an extraordinary, serpentine creature coiling around the base of the mossy figure. Its scales were a deep blue-green color. Orange spikes trailed down along its back and the head appeared over the shoulder of the statue, bright yellow eyes gleaming. It hovered for a moment as its forked red tongue flicked in the air.

Alice gasped, awed. "Wow it's so pretty!"

"She is. It's called an Irrit'ar." Nolan stepped forward, kneeling before it. The snake wavered, tongue flicking rapidly before it began to extend its body forward. Nolan held out his hand and the snake began to make its way up his arm, still tasting the air around it. He straightened and the snake coiled its body around his arm. "they're actually very docile creatures, which makes them good pets if you know what you're doing, though a few drops of their poison can take down a herd of elephants in minutes." he ran his finger along the scales of the snake's back. "Their coloring is usually like this one, but the males tend to be lighter and have two white stripes going down their bellies."

He started to walk, moving right, and they followed. The snake was making its way over Nolan's shoulder and around his neck, slipping under the dark strands of his hair. It was getting darker, the canopy obscuring most of the sky now. Eventually Nolan gently shifted the calm reptile and placed it on a low, hanging branch, leaving it to continue upwards as he moved around a wide trunk. He veered off and the vegetation around them sloped above like a tunnel. Nolan stooped down and picked up Anala's boots, left abandoned on the ground. Ten feet ahead they came upon the shore of a still creek. Ahead of them, Jasper spotted a trail of rocks crossing along the water to the other side. He had never seen this creek. He had never gone this way when entering the Arceon with his mate but Nolan had told him before there were many ways to enter it. The forest protected seven different entry points, that represented the clans, and each contained a few different paths to it. That was, if anyone could find and follow them. they crossed along the rocks that sat in the still waters to the other side and after a few paces Nolan was pushing aside a curtain of ivy and stepped into a low stone archway that opened up to the forest once more. It was different here. There were stone pillars, covered in ivy and flowers rising sixty feet out of the ground. The carvings on the stone were written in Elrar. They were getting close and the anticipation was rising. Like in other areas jasper had seen, there were small ruins and once-whole edifices that the earth had laid claim to. The sight of them were hints to the events that had once occurred here.

The further they walked the more structure they came across until they were eventually walking along a stone walkway that formed into a wider one with a series of pillars lining either side that created open arches to support the curved ceiling. Golden discs hung evenly paced every fifteen paces by long thin chains, the lanterns unlit. Nolan began to speak as they walked, visibly relaxing as he went. He explained that the civilization was set up in a circle, and at the heart was the Arceon. It stood in the very center, extending outwards, connecting everything in the community. They could see it in the distance, the large circular building with its pale gray walls and wide, domed rooftops that met at a point at the top. There were statues posted on the outer walls, foliage coiling around their feet and archways open to the summer air. It was truly an incredible experience to see such a thing standing proudly in the heart of this exotic kingdom. They passed several different structures, homes that stood empty, waiting to be occupied. They could spot a small waterfall that fell over a rise in the land in the near distance, a stone bridge sat in front of it connecting the land over the gap that was occupied by the water below. While it was clearly a place people lived and coexisted together, the land seemed to be attempting to overtake it. Grass and plants sprouted on the grounds and ivy climbed up the sides of walls where a small flock of brown sparrows tittered and pecked at the ground. Vines wrapped around pillars and hung from rooftops, small yellow and white flowers blooming on them. Flora grew liberally along the sides of the stone passages. Unlike with most cities and towns, nature co-existed here in the truest of ways.

"It's so quiet." Esme was looking around, wide-eyed.

"It is," Nolan agreed softly. "But it won't be so for much longer."

They moved deeper through the beautifully crafted maze, moving through fountained courtyards and an empty area that extended out, through the road which would soon be a large bazar, the marketplace waiting to be filled. In a short distance they came to the end of the stone pathway. They'd reached their destination. There was a large open entry before them. It was bordered in ancient Elrar and opened to beautiful polished stone floors and high ceilings. The Arceon was a marvelous creation, beautifully structured and detailed. Jasper had watched it come to be. He had walked among the desolate land and saw what had been left; the long-ago charred remains, the crumbling structures and destroyed buildings. Nolan put everything he had into this place. Not one to stand idle, he did whatever he could to help and more. Instead of rebuilding completely, Nolan had the plans created to preserve as much as the original structures as possible.

The result was more incredible than Jasper could've imagined. The finished product was flawless; telling the difference of where it ended was nearly impossible yet seeing the still standing Arceon made it seem like it had been standing sentient and untouched in this ancient forest since the first of the surrounding forest began to sprout for the first time in the rich soil.

"This level has always been open to the public. Alongside with the market, there are several gardens and courtyards along with a few gathering halls. Plus it serves as a good common ground to connect and interact freely with the Royal family. Anala and I were always down here and could usually be found somewhere through the bazar. There are two upper levels to the Arceon, which has housed the Royal Family."

Nolan led them through a main hallway and jasper listened as a heartbeat became closer and closer. They moved down a short corridor and to the left was a small courtyard garden open on all sides through arched entries from the surrounding passageways and with a man occupying the single bench under a tree. He lay casually, staring upwards leisurely at the young leopard climbing through the branches with his elbow propped and his chin in his hand. The other raised to scratch brown hair and sharp blue eyes were focused, despite his relaxed demeanor. They moved to them standing in an archway and his features suddenly morphed as he smiled. He stood, moving gracefully. "Ah, my king, I was beginning to think the earth swallowed you whole and your soul was lost to the spirits."

Nolan walked across the grass. He laughed as the other clapped him on the shoulder warmly. Nolan was a couple inches taller, but the other was unmistakably older, physically looking around twenty-eight. Nolan laughed. "Dramatic as always Atiai."

While he acted familiarly with him, Atiai's body language alone spoke of a high respect for the one he spoke to. His ocean blue eyes were deep and attentive and the line of his jaw was determined, as if ready to follow any command the other may give, despite the casualness of the encounter. Atiai's eyes moved to jasper's own and he smiled pleasantly.

"Hello Jasper." Atiai's smooth voice carried a light accent.

Jasper nodded politely. "It's good to see you Atiai."

Nolan introduced the others and Atiai's emotions changed from mild curiosity to welcome surprise. "Welcome then, it is good to see more people around now." he shook his head a bit. "I was beginning to feel as if only spirits haunted this place."

Jasper could feel the others weren't sure how to respond to his words. Nolan simply grinned. "Everything you see now wouldn't have been accomplished without this man. Atiai is an incredibly gifted architect."

"Well I come from a long line of builders, I was bound to learn the craft. But you give me too much credit. No one could ever replicate the Arceon other than the original builders."

"Maybe," Nolan replied, looking up at the detailed bordering on the passageways and to the outer walls of the higher levels of the Arceon. "But you created it beautifully. I think they'd be impressed."

The adolescent leopard in the tree was staring intently at Atiai, observing with wide golden eyes. It leaped onto the bench and onto the ground. The golden fur, littered in dark spots shone in the sunlight. It growled lowly and lunged. Atiai hissed in agitation as it snapped at his hand and chased it back a few feet with a wave of his arm. The feline looked unfazed, tail flicking lazily as it purred. "Damn cat," he muttered.

"Have you seen my sister around by any chance?"

The other layame looked up, rubbing his hand. His blue eyes shifted suddenly, pupils dilating slightly as he paused. "Your sister . . . she . . ." he seemed to shake himself. "No I haven't. I would have been sure to welcome her if I had seen her walking these halls."

Nolan nodded, beginning to walk across the grass and through another archway. Atiai followed and the leopard watched him for a moment before bounding after him. He shooed it away dismissively. "Away, cat."

Jasper grinned. He'd been trying to get rid of the feline for a couple months now, the young leopard began to trail the occasionally erratic architect freely, never wandering too far for too long. "Maybe you should name him."

Atiai sent him an exasperated glare. "And give it encouragement to wreak havoc in my daily life? You're mad. You and the damned cat."

Alice's curiosity got the best of her. "Why is it following you?"

"Ask him."

She smiled. "It's cute."

Atiai scoffed. "You take him then."

Alice's full, pale pink mouth twisted a bit. "I think he likes you."

The other man stooped down to a knee, pulling a short dagger out of his pocket and pointing it at the leopard that stopped at his feet. His voice lowered darkly. "Maybe I should skin it, I'm sure the meat will be tender." the leopard merely sniffed the blade in mild curiosity then looked down the hall, ears twitching.

Atiai sighed and straightened. "Such a bother." he nudged it with his foot and the animal growled, ears flattening.

Alice giggled.

The feline continued to stroll along, unbothered by the on-goings around it and turned every now and then to look at the dark-haired Layame it now seemed to have attached himself to. Nolan looked thoughtful and he stopped. "I'm going to go find Anala. Sorry to run off on you but you're welcome to explore. Just try to avoid the forests for now, I don't want you getting lost just yet."

Nolan began to trail off, disappearing around a corner, leaving only his heartbeat as a sign of his still-near presence. Jasper turned to his family and grinned. "Want me to show you around?"