Surrounded By Dreams

The trees grew so large. They took over the sky making the very night appear to be swept up upon their branches and leaves. I could probably stare for eternity but never truly grasp the strength they seemed to possess. Nature's true power shown a glimpse of itself to me in this place. Energy or power who knows what it was, but it was everywhere in this place. I could not tell you what it spoke to me, that spirit, or maybe was it spirits? of the world.

I was in a meadow surrounded by large trees, the ground covered in a damp thick moss. Mushrooms grew around the creeping roots, and vines hung from the curtain like branches.

Everything here was so massive that I had felt like I might have shrunk, but no I was still normal size based on the firefly like bugs floating around brightening up the area in the places the starlight would not reach.

A low rumble moved through the forest, drawing my hammer I was reminded of the Dragon of Night. It had separated us and I would not let it peck me off like this.

Nothing happened...

The rumble seemed to be an earthquake but something was off, almost like it came from above ground not under. As wary as I was I decided that staying here would do me no good. I set off towards the direction that rumble came from. With any luck It would lead me to a mountain that had a land slide instead of a giant beast.

I had been walking for what seemed like forever. The rumble had not happened again so most likely it was not a monster. Trees never got to close to each other so my path was decently straight. Along the way I spotted several deer like species and even a few nocturnal bats. Knowing that these creatures thrived here so well made me feel at ease. They seemed pretty calm but I had learned not to let my guard down.

Moss turned to grass and grass turned to stone, this was looking good for the chances of a mountain or hilly area being near. Soon the trees were only husks and the remnants of a fire were evident. Scorched earth like this didn't just come from any type of fire though.

After a few more minutes of walking I came to the end of the trees and the night along with the forest faded as day break began. Part of me always remembered that blasted Sun Princess when morning came, Luna had been far more understanding but Celestia was in a state of angered delusion when they first came to me. She would not listen and attacked before a word was spoke. Her sister had warned her to not act rashly as she charged me. If only I could see the look on her face at the knowledge of me traveling with her former disciple.

When Sunset had mentioned that last bit of information I had almost spat my coffee. A great breakfast topic if there was any.

Being pulled from my train of thought I took in my new surrounding, and sure enough I could see mountains in the distance. The ground got dryer and darker as it enclosed around those broken peaks leading me too believe it could be a volcano. Looking left and right I saw the forest go on for miles, then as it reached the end of my vision it began to curve. It must have circled the entire area with this destructive force sitting in its clutches.

Another rumble, I didn't believe it even happened at all after this long. Once again it didn't feel like it came from bellow even though my mind thought there might be an eruption, my instincts told me it wasn't that simple. I needed to get a closer look at those mountains.

Two hours of walking and I arrived. Still another fifteen minutes or so from the base of it, but I could see the whole thing up close now. Several large mountains with a chain of smaller peaks leading away on one side. They were a dark black, lava rock for sure. The one issue I was having was making sense of the two largest peaks. One was closer and the other I could see directly behind it. They were almost identical, and if my eyes weren't playing tricks on me the damn things almost looked like wings.

An even closer look was in order I suppose.

Another hour of walking and climbing and I finally had made it to the highest peak. The view was amazing for sure, I could see the entire forest surrounding me. Several patches in the canopy led me believe there were either lakes or monster territory around. To the west I could see storm clouds forming and to the north I saw the trees make way for desert. More trees to the east but as I looked south I was in luck. The forest was completely parted and lead to another set of mountains, it was weird but it appeared that there was a gap in between them as well. If I could survive long enough to make it there I might get another barring.

A rumble again, this time I felt it in my bones. I was certain of it now the source were these mountains. Looking around I saw the center of the peak I was on was hallow. The hole dropped straight down into the wing like structure. Across from me I saw the other identical peak it looked almost exactly the same but something glinted in the sunlight that caught my eye. I didn't want to climb all the way down so I judged the distance. It was about a twenty or so foot jump, which I didn't know if I'd be able to get a hold if I hit it part way down. They did seem to get closer together but I didn't want to take any chances.

Getting my rope out I attached it to my hammer. With a mighty swing I flung my weapon right over to the other side. The weight would support me partially if I couldn't get a good grip on the rocky surface.

Backing up as far as I could with the rope tied around my waste I ran. At the last moment I leapt with all my power, and for a brief moment I felt like I was flying. As soon as I made contact with the side of the peak I started sliding. Digging my fingers in and drawing a bit of blood I managed to slow the decent until I came to a stop.

I took a brief moment to catch my breath then started to climb.

What I found shocked me, it was an iron block and inscribed on it I read.

Welcome weary traveler, you have come far. If you are reading this you are currently in one of two places, the first is a desert in the middle of a giant forest called Mokala Forgotten. The second is the great ocean fifteen miles off the coast of The Tempered Bay. Now don't panic but you are on top of a monster called Dire Miralis, so don't go planting any flags. Now the walk or swim can be pretty intense if you're at either location under supplied or without a boat. I have good news though, every month this big guy right here likes to take a stroll from one spot to the other. Don't know why couldn't care less. All I know is this, if you want a free ride and can jump off the base of his tale wait until the full moon and it's that easy. Good travels!

~TDH

Author's Note

Been a bit since my last chapter. Came up with a new story idea and have been working on it while also playing the Iceborne Beta and some Smash Bros. Hope ya'll like the chapter! Edit: PS the Dire Miralis in this is ancient and a lot bigger then any you may have ever had the pleasure of hunting!