Drip.

Drip.

The beads of sap slid down the thick bundle of roots directly onto Finn’s hat. Forearms covered in goosebumps from the inching cold, he had no clue of how long they spent in that root trap.

He was on the search for a luminescent species of moss that PB asked him to fetch earlier that day, but because of his inattentiveness or just pure unluckiness, he fell down.

The fall was at least ten feet, thankfully a thick carpet of moss softened his fall. Immediately, the roots sealed above him like a living lid, cutting off the forest sounds up top. The thick, humid, wet earth scent vibrated, as if the plants were breathing in tact with him. He prodded the walls of the root nodule.

The luminescent lichen he was looking for coated everything, it’s glow barely visible in the half-light. The walls, the ceiling, pulsing softly, cast the increasing darkness as the roots tightened in an underwater glow.

Finn had been in a handful of root traps before, so he wasn’t too worried about his way out. As he was about to swing a cloaked figure tumbled down from the narrow closing gap in the roots, landing in a crouch.

The silhouette made him perk up, recognizing her from first glance. Huntress Wizard straightened, antlers catching the faint light, dark cloak settling around her lean frame. Her face, partially hidden by a leather mask, showed notes of irritation.

“Finn.” Her voice was low, matter-off-fact, like she expected him to be here.

“HW. You too, huh?” He hid his sword, trying to play it cool. “Whatcha doing here?”

“Don’t try fighting it. Enchanted lichen. It’s parasitic. Seals the roots around when it senses pray.” She pressed a soft palm to the wall. Faint turquoise veins lit under her touch, before she pulled her hand away as if burnt. “We’re in until it decides we’re not worth the energy. That can be hours. Maybe until morning.”

Finn exhaled, sliding down against the opposite curve of the hollow. The space began tightening ever since Huntress fell through, he could no longer see the rays fall between the roots providing some slither of natural illumination. Breathing in, Finn could feel the oil from the sap secretions on his tongue.

She slid down across from him, legs folded. Her light blue skin shimmered faintly, almost blending with the moss. The soft pulse of light travelled across the plant in faint waves, reflecting off of her cat-like pupils.

He broke the silence first. “So uh… this lichen. What’s it do? Besides trapping dummies like me”

“Feeds on bio-energy. Drains slowly if you’re still. The glow, it’s a byproduct. Usually hypnotic to small creatures.” A pause. “Or distracted adventurers.”

Finn snorted softly. “Hey, I was pretty focused. Mostly.” He leaned his head back, staring at the root-ceiling. “You ever get stuck like this? Solo?”

“Sometimes.” Her voice was even and unwavering, like recounting the phases of the moon. “The forest has its moods. This one’s just… possessive today.”

“Can’t you like… phase out of here? Through the grass or whatever.”