"We call it Mother, though it is not alive. Well, not in the same sense that we are anyway, Glint." Glint flutters his wings and purrs approval as if he understands. "Incredible, this being." The words finally came after a moment in awe. "Still, after years of routine… you are still a wonder." Glint gently perches a branch, one of many that protrude from Dhae's shoulder blades thin yet sturdy. The branches are home to heavy blossoms that drape as wings in the bright seasons.
Dhae is a dryad with powerful empathic abilities, in such to even turn the coldest hearts into nurturing vessels. Or the most valiant into cowardice. She is accompanied by a youthful and playful butterfly, Glint, who stands as tall as her knees. Dhae is not amongst the vertically challenged by any means. Yet miniscule compared to the colossal face staring seemingly endlessly into nothing... or through everything.
"Mother, of what wisdom is to be shared if only you could?" Melancholy eyes unanswering, but speak true. "Do you see through your roots? Does your breath create our wind?"
Giant dense mushrooms network and twist upward and outward to the surrounding cavern walls. Illuminating what would be deep black, bringing features of carved rock to the abyss. "How did you come to be? Who named you?" Familiar questions with no audible answers. Quite frustrating even to Dhae, the lax spirit to not find resolve. Glint let's out a soft high pitch hum as to comfort.
A sudden gust blows but nothing moves. Felt but ever silent. So silent... What happened? A shudder of anticipation struck like lightning, and as if she were in a vacuum, the wind stopped and the voice began.
"Today… child," Dhae, paralyzed can only say "...Mother." in a daunted tone. Glint perks his head confused.
"Listen... little one," the voice rang as though the whole world could hear, yet still comforting. In tandem with the speech were bright pulsating purple auras. "I have seen... I have followed... You will be my circuit. My artifact. You will rule as I. See as I. Know this, young saproling. We are many. You are but one... Go. Leave this place. Seek the one who prevents my escape. I will guide you."
Dhae, contemplating reality, finds herself unbound by normality, suddenly able to hear things she forgot existed. Including her now, very concerned fuzzy friend. Glint rose to meet her eyes but they did not connect. Whimpering hums try to get her attention, with no response but he is as loyal as friends come. So he hovers in circles around her.
"Today..." echoing loudly in her head. Instinct is her only remaining conscious activity. One foot in front of the other, remembering how to walk, her quest has begun. Time and routine were of no consequence, terrain and conditions were approached with no hesitation. Questions and answers bore no salvation. The same was not for her friend. Glint washed away in a storm that Dhae hadn't noticed. It wasn't quiet nor lonely.
"Finally. I am here." rings a familiar voice. Was it her own? She didn't think she had said anything. Frankly, she hasn't spoken in decades. Who could have said that? She peers to what looks to be a distant bridge below her and a tiny person staring in amazement at what she can only assume is her. Why are they staring? Then, she heard another voice. "An incredible being." Closer than it should have been. No one was around. The bridge and person were so far away… "We call it Mother."