But fortunately you were completely oblivious to the threat that was gathering just outside the forest. You just continued following the worn forest path in front of you. You didn't know why you were doing it and didn't question it either. Something inside of you was telling you to follow this path and you complied in hopes of finding out more about who you are. Another thing you weren't aware of was the forest path disappearing a few feet behind you to ensure nobody was following you.
Ultimately you reached a large clearing. Flowers in all colors were blooming all around and despite you being sure it was still night everything was illuminated as if it was brightest day. In the center of the clearing was a large water pond and in its middle sat a massive tree that towered over all the others.
Something compelled you to continue forward. The water barely reached your ankles as you walked through the water. You stopped right in front of the tree and put your claw on its barky exterior.
It was hard to describe what happened next, as several emotions seemed to be flowing into you from where you had contact with the tree, though two seemed prevalent over the others. Joy upon your safe return and sadness over the corrupted state of your body. Have you been here before? Have you looked different at some point? Somehow you had even more questions than before.
Suddenly there was something else. Danger and… protectiveness. It wanted to bring you to a safe place to protect you from a grave threat. Before you could question it though, you felt the ground under your feet disappear, quite literally. Looking down you suddenly were unable to see the bottom of this once only ankle-deep pond. Just as you were wondering if you could breathe underwater or even swim, you were already completely submerged.
Deeper and deeper you were pulled into the wet abyss, but you didn't feel any panic. You knew that you needn’t be afraid, as you were entirely safe. This was a gateway to a safe haven that only those worthy could pass. Again, how you knew this was unknown to you. Probably the tree. But in spite of this all, as the familiar darkness of unconsciousness was starting to take you, you couldn't help but form a content smile.
As the darkness receded, you felt yourself lying somewhere. Still too dazed you couldn't even make out what you were lying on. Darkness was encroaching on your mind again, but this time you fought with all your willpower to stay awake. It took some effort, but you succeeded. Groggily you finally manage to crack your eyes open and the first thing you laid them upon was…