A woman was walked closer. Tall, with a thick body clad in vines, thick, curly green hair flowing from her head. It had only been a brief glimpse, but Nicolai was certain there had been a flower or two resting in her hair (or maybe growing out from it).
“I’m nobody special, just another monster from a forest long gone,” she said.
She sounded light and airy, like a calm summer day with the threat of a storm looming on the horizon.
“I guess you may call me Voss. I was called that once before.”
She stopped just shy of the lighting, her features mostly hidden in the dark. She was a large lady - tall and broadly built. And yet there was a fine delicacy to her dark features.
“Voss, what the hell did you do to my friends?!” Nicolai growled, still finding himself too paralyzed with fear to do anything but talk.
A cold smile crossed the lady’s face.
“You adventurers slay all monsters you come across seeking our treasure, whether we attack first or not. No matter what home we find ourselves in, you still hunt us.”
She tossed her thick hair over her shoulder, her smile growing.
“And so, I decided that perhaps some humans may better serve the world if they saw things from our perspective. You should count yourselves honoured to be blessed by me so, like the other humans before you!”
“Blessed?! You call this blessed!?” the knight stammered.
He didn’t receive a response, save for her taking one more step forwards, finally letting herself be lit. She was truly the most beautiful thing Nicolai had ever seen. Built like a somewhat chubby amazon, with dark skin and vinelike hair with thick leaves and a few flowers sprouting through it.
“You get to be a monster, truly free. And with your skills perhaps we can change things. Either by force or with … other … means, I intend to make this a land of peace between you humans and us monsters!” the dryad declared, placing a hand on Nicolai’s shoulder. “Though, I’d never ask you to do anything you wouldn’t want to. But I think --- just like your friends - once you’re changed, you’ll start to see things my way!”
She leaned in, bestowing a kiss upon him.
“Won’t you, brave sir knight?”