Going to gather more luminous moss was not unusual for Erevoss. He’d found a couple more glass jars in the old ruins, though the Great Tree and the remains of the once-great kingdom it covered stretched further than he had managed to explore so far.
The tree hollow he lived in was one of many. Just one part of a massive tree, resembling a Banyan tree. Only much, much bigger. The tree could live for thousands and thousands of years, and spread out and out, aerial roots becoming thick, tough trunks. This would allow the tree to grow more branches, and eventually more roots and more trunks. Time was the only limit these trees had in how far they could spread. Over time, huge hollows would form within the tree, and vast networks of forest floor surrounded by natural walls. This particular tree was easily the size of several city blocks. Inside the hollows lived numerous creatures as well as a unique glowing moss. The moss protected the inside of the tree from fungi and rot, absorbing the excess moisture and thriving on the droppings of whatever dwelt alongside it inside the great tree. It was the glowing property of the moss Erevoss was after.
He made his way through the lush undergrowth until he reached a new hollow he hadn’t explored yet. The tree had grown around what had once been a great, stately statue now covered in lichen and broken. Beside it was the remains of a door. Judging by some of the finery, Erevoss assumed it had once been a palace. Pausing to inspect the area with his antennae flicking, he picked Khosaan up and placed him on his shoulder so they wouldn’t be separated before he ventured inside. It seemed pretty normal for overgrown ruins, though it was more and more clear that this had once been a great and beautiful palace. It was nothing but crumbling ruins covered by a massive tree now, with roots breaking through the ceiling in several places.
He noticed a new scent as he explored deeper, something unfamiliar. Something... warm. He didn’t think much of it; perhaps it was some new animal he hadn’t encountered yet. A new animal meant food, so he wasn’t concerned. Soon enough, the familiar blue glow could be seen ahead. It took some careful climbing to get into the hollow it was coming from, but he was greeted by that beautiful, comforting light as soon as he got in.
That unfamiliar, warm almost smoky smell caught his attention once again, distracting him from gathering the moss into his pack. His antennae flicked and lifted as he saw what appeared to be some sort of creature hanging from the tree, surrounded by its growth, but not touched by it. It seemed the sounds he had made had awakened the creature, because it moved. The warm, red glow of its eyes opening made Erevoss take a step back, ready to reach for his nail should he need it. Despite the glowing red eyes, something about this creature’s presence was... soothing. Calming. Nice. Erevoss remained guarded but curious as he stared at what could only be a Dreameater. A creature so rare that they were thought to be extinct!
Its wings spread wider, before hitting the side of the hollow it was within. Its wide yawn was cut off as its jaw clacked shut with a surprised grunt, eyes snapping open fully. It blinked slowly, groggily.
“How.. lll...llong wwwas... I assssleep...” The voice was smooth and pleasant, though incredibly groggy and slurred, almost so slurred Erevoss could hardly understand what the Dreameater had said.
“I... uh....” Erevoss spoke gruffly, not used to socialization. At least.. not with one who could reply back. He talked to Khosa sometimes, but Khosa was too young to say anything back. “I don’t... know?”
The Dreameater, who hadn’t even noticed Erevoss until he spoke, turned his focus to him as his wings hooked onto the bits of root above him, allowing him to pivot and land smoothly on his feet. He stumbled right after, though, leaning groggily on the tree to keep himself upright with his eyes half closed. His wings settled to fold around his shoulders, turning into a long and elegant cloak with a flicker of crimson flame. He yawned and shook himself again.
Whoever this Dreameater was, Erevoss realized, he’d have to wait before learning much else. He was incredibly groggy, very out of it. This wasn’t just normal waking up; the Dreameater seemed as if he’d been in far far deeper than any normal sleep. Even so, questions continued to churn in the Warbred’s mind as he reached out his good hand, offering the strange bug some support and some help out of the ancient ruins he’d woken up in.
