The Untold Forest by Elisa Menz (ebook offline reader TXT) 📕

Maeve was fascinated. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined herself discussing magic with an elf, but there they were. She followed Ystävä close. “So, when Finn entered the Forest, he somehow gained the ability to use magic?” she ventured.

“Not exactly,” the elf said. “You see... the Forest is the origin of all creation. Every single creature alive saw its beginnings in this magnificent cradle of primordial energy.”

They all sensed it, especially there. The vast pulse of magic was unmistakable.

“So you, me, your nitwit of a brother, your half-breed friends, we all share the same inherent raw power. But thousands of years ago, humans left the Forest, and they lost their connection with it.”

“Listen to this guy! He is an inexhaustible source of knowledge.” Finn beamed with pride for his master.

“Why would humans leave the Forest?” Regn asked.

Ystävä smiled. “Not a clue.”

“I’m never praising you again, sad elf.” Finn took another pie from Regn’s basket before taking the lead.

They surrounded the enormous base of the Tree after a few minutes, and they stood on a tall root, overlooking a field of young trees. They looked like a miniature version of the main one, and Ystävä pointed at them.

“Here is another secret you should definitely not know. Even though every Warlock has their own magical power, the nature of our duty to the inhabitants of the Forest is so demanding, we have to tap into the Tree’s energy to accomplish many things.”

The elf gestured towards the trunk. “This is the source of most of our energy, so it became a tradition to test our power and connection with the Tree to determine our potential.”

Maeve’s eyes roamed over the magnificent Tree. Its bark shone silver under the afternoon sun, and millions of dark green leaves swayed with the breeze. As she closed her eyes, Maeve noticed the powerful presence, and the sensation it was studying her made her smile.

“That is what we are going to do now, right?” Finn jumped from the root and ran through the tiny jungle.

Ystävä climbed down before helping Maeve. “Correct. You see, your brother showed a remarkable potential to become the Warlock when I tested his natural magical strength, so I’m curious about you, young Maeve.”

Finn ran back to her and dragged her to a sapling. “Oh! You are going to do great, I know it! Look... all you have to do is place your hands on the ground next to the sapling and focus your energy.”

Maeve hesitated. Seeing her brother performing spells was one thing, but her ability to do magic was entirely different. She was positive; she didn’t have that power. People always said she was remarkably acute when reading other’s emotions, and her instincts were pretty sharp, but that differed from what Ystävä and Finn did.

“Wait! Are you sure this will not hurt her?” Regn placed the basket on the ground and moved to stand beside her.

“Yeah! I did it too. There’s this weird tingle in your hands and a few other awesome sensations. Nothing to worry about.” Finn sat on the ground, crossing his legs. “Give it a go! The Tree will work with you and appraise how compatible you two are. If you do well enough, you can become my Warlock assistant!”

Regn moved closer. “Not a chance.”

Ystävä stood a few feet away, scratching his jaw while studying Maeve with a curious gaze.

She was fidgety, but Finn’s words encouraged her. “I would like to try.” She trusted neither her brother nor his master would risk any harm on her, so the worst-case scenario was nothing happening. Not that it worried her; magic-wielding was not on her plans.

Ystävä smiled. “Well, then. Do as Finn said, place your hands on the ground and focus your mind on the sapling. Imagine a flow of energy from your body into its roots. The Tree should react to your energy through the sapling, and the reaction will tell us what kind of magical energy you possess.”

She did as instructed, taking a deep breath.

“Wait!” The elf raised a hand. “You two should stand back. I have a good feeling about this.”

The ground grew warm under her palms, and soon, the tingling sensation Finn mentioned was there. This was not her doing; she could tell. The Tree was reaching for her energy. “This is amazing!” Maeve shouted with glee. A very apprehensive Regn shifted his weight from one foot to another, but Ystävä and Finn grinned. She focused her thoughts on the young tree.

A massive but benign tide of emotions flooded her heart. The conscience was so immense she couldn’t grasp it. Maeve glimpsed its curiosity and wonder, and a breathtaking love for every living thing, including her.

The smile on her face grew wider. Grateful for the Tree’s kindness and love, Maeve realized that she—insignificant as she might be—could return the same sentiment to the Tree.

That was the energy she wanted to send its way, so she shaped it in her mind.

Her palms glowed, and the tingling intensified. The sapling shivered, and little by little, it grew taller, branches reaching high. After doubling Maeve’s height, its branches bent over, reaching back and loosely wrapping around her.

“Are you watching this?” Finn’s eyes were about to pop, while Ystävä’s jaw hung unceremoniously. Regn struggled between running to her side and marveling at the sight.

The branches grew thick, and Maeve was now sitting in one of them, pressing her palms against the bark. The new tree swayed her while growing steadily, and when it finally reached its full height, it filled with luscious green leaves.

The glade went silent since everyone was too amazed to speak. Maeve beamed at them, comfortably perched on the branch. “How did I do?”

Ystävä was the first one to react. “Well, you are as talented as your brother, but your type of magic is completely different.” He approached her. “I’ve never heard or witnessed this kind of reaction. It was like the Tree was trying to hug you, to be honest.”

Maeve pressed her forehead and palms against