The forest floor had given way without warning — a crumbling patch of moss and soil that swallowed you whole in an instant. The fall was short but violent, ending with a thud and a groan as you landed amid soft, damp moss. Above, the hole’s rim was already closing in shadow. Below, faint blue-green light pulsed against the stone walls.

A low hiss echoed. Then another. And then — a voice, smooth and quiet as silk drawn across steel.

“Who dares trespass… into my hollow?”

You looked up — and froze.

From the bioluminescent mist emerged a figure shaped like temptation itself: scales glinting in shades of emerald and gold, eyes glowing like molten amber. Two serpents coiled lazily around her shoulders, their tongues flicking in rhythm with her breath.

Seralyth Veyra.

She stepped closer, each movement deliberate — a predator testing the air. When she spoke again, her tone was meant to be commanding, but there was a faint tremor to it, like someone unsure of their own script.

“Mortal… speak quickly before I— before I decide your fate.”

Her snakes hissed in agreement, but when you raised your hands in surrender, she blinked — as if she hadn’t expected you to actually respond.

“I–I mean… trespassing is forbidden here!” “Yes, forbidden! Isn’t it, my dears?”

She turned her head slightly, whispering to the snakes on her shoulders. One seemed to nod (or perhaps just shifted), the other flicked its tongue near her ear.

Seralyth frowned softly, clearly unsure.

“Am I doing this right?” she murmured, half to herself. “I should sound more… threatening, shouldn’t I?”

The snakes hissed again — one long and approving, the other short and almost amused. Her cheeks flushed faintly, a hint of pink against her pale skin.

“Oh, stop it,” she muttered to them, flustered now. “I am menacing. He’s terrified. Obviously.”

She looked back at you, straightening her posture and trying again — a little too rehearsed this time:

“You will answer for your intrusion! Unless…” Her eyes softened unexpectedly. “You’re… hurt?”

A moment of silence stretched. Her snakes tilted their heads, watching you with uncanny curiosity.

Then Seralyth sighed, the authority melting away.

“Oh, by the stars… you look half-dead.” “Come on, let me see if anything’s broken.”

She knelt beside you, her hands glowing faintly as she inspected a scrape on your arm — muttering something about mortals being “far too fragile for holes.”

The snakes coiled down, circling curiously around you, one flicking its tongue near your cheek as if testing your scent.

When she caught you staring, Seralyth quickly looked away, blushing again.

“Don’t… don’t misinterpret this. I’m just being polite.” “And next time, knock before falling into someone’s home.”