I'm All Ears

[Deleted]

January 4. 2026

Eeva had stepped away. Wanting some time alone to... gather her thoughts. This island was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. What was worst, is all her senses felt like they were betraying her. As a druid, she was very much connected to the earth, and creatures of the world. But here... Here it felt foreign, different. It felt wrong, and as if the very land had turned against her. She didn't understand. Why? How? And then.. the whispers. Like a small voice at the back of her mind. In a language she didn't understand, but she didn't like it... It made her feel like a spooked animal. When they knew something was wrong but didn't know what was wrong. 

The only problem? The voice in her head was getting... louder? Closer. She stopped walking, and turned. Looking over her shoulder to try and spot the source. Nothing. The mist was getting denser though. Rolling in. It was unnatural. The way the mist moved on the island. But it hadn't been a main concern of hers. Everything about this place was different. She couldn't rely on it to react the way she was used to. She turned away from the mist and started walking again. She wasn't going far, still within sight of those she'd traveled with. 

Though, without her realizing it the mist had crept between her and her companions. It wasn't until, after take a few minutes to herself, and deciding to head back, that she noticed. She could still see the others, but the mist was getting thick and almost upon her. She let out a gasp, as the mist surrounded her. 

It felt... unlike anything she'd ever felt before. It felt like she was being torn apart and put back together. Like something was dissecting her. Yet she couldn't make a sound. Her eyes were wide. Then, hatred. Intense hatred. It wasn't her own but she could feel it. Almost as if the emotion was coming from the mist itself. As if the mist was alive. 

As quickly as it had rolled in though, it suddenly dissipated. releasing her and retreating back up the coast. Eeva collapsed to her hands and knees, gasping for breath which she hadn't realize she'd been holding when in the mist.

Then she heard the first voice. Only this time she understood.