Echo Solar Ash: The Unsettling Encounter

As I lay hidden beneath the lake's surface, my little Axolotls began to stir, their eyes glowing in the darkness as they emerged from their hiding places to hunt for small creatures like tadpoles and fish. Meanwhile, my clay slugs, nestled in the earth's core, slowly made their way out, expanding the lake's boundaries further still.

For weeks, I remained frozen in fear, unable to muster the energy to produce star points as humans began to arrive on the scene. The night sky lit up with a full moon, and my flowers burst forth, releasing a soft blue glow into the darkness. My lettuce green leaves shimmered in the moonlight, taking on a deep navy hue, while tiny water elementals danced through the air, patrolling the area.

As night fell, I finally felt at ease, permitting my elementals to resume their duties and continuing with my own life. Little did I know what these humans had come for or what they wanted from me, but I was relieved when they packed up and left behind only a faint reminder of their presence: a campsite.

A muscular figure in iron armor caught my attention, his loud demeanor and reckless behavior sending shivers down my spine. I chose to remain silent, not wanting to draw unwanted attention. The humans spent days exploring the forest during the morning hours, returning at nightfall with supplies in tow.

As they prepared to depart, I felt a surge of annoyance at the thought of this stranger pilfering my water for his own purposes. Day after day, he returned, filling glass bottles and mixing concoctions using herbs from a bag. Although their actions did not pose an immediate threat to my existence, it still rankled me that they would take advantage of my hard work.

I was tempted to confront the blue-hooded individual, but my own nature prohibits violence. As a gentle being, I've never sought harm or destruction; instead, I rely on my helpers to manipulate water and vines for my benefit. The humans' actions were nothing more than an inconvenience, and I hoped they would leave without further incident.

As the days passed, the group remained in the region, but today marked their departure. Though I felt a sense of relief wash over me, I couldn't shake off the feeling that these individuals had left behind a lingering unease. Had they truly gone, or would they return to claim more from my domain? Only time would tell.

For now, I would continue to nurture and protect this sacred lake, ensuring its continued health and vitality for generations to come. The memory of our unsettling encounter would remain etched in my mind, a reminder that even the most seemingly harmless interactions can have lasting implications.

Echo solar ash