The tunnel beneath the Deepwood opened onto fairy territory.
One moment they were walking through root-lined darkness, Caelen's glowing staff the only light leading the way. The next, the walls fell away and they stood in an open glade illuminated by soft bioluminescence. Flowers that pulsed with gentle light. Mushrooms that grew in spiraling patterns. Air that shimmered with motes of floating luminescence.
"Welcome to the Glimmering," Caelen said quietly. "Try not to step on anything. The fairies get... territorial."
Leah looked down at her feet. "Uh... About that."
She was standing on a mushroom. A very small mushroom. A mushroom that was now releasing a high-pitched squeaking sound.
The glade went silent.
Then the air exploded with movement.
