I embarked on another expedition into the depths of the Hedge Wall, a place that had always held a mysterious allure for me. This time, however, the landscape seemed vastly different from my previous visits with my grandfather. It was evident that some significant changes had taken place since then, especially as I delved deeper into my explorations and studies.
While my father did not share my grandfather's insatiable curiosity about the Hedge Wall, I had inherited a thirst for knowledge and discovery. Yet, as I ventured time and time again, I noticed that it had become increasingly challenging to find openings in the Wall. It was as if the Wall had grown denser and more formidable over time, requiring the use of advanced Dimensional Magic alongside other esoteric practices to gain entry or find natural one.
During one such attempt, I found myself disoriented and cut off from the outside world, lost in a realm where reality seemed to be warped and shifted around me. I suspected that the appearance of new flora and fauna, as well as disruptions in the dimensional fabric, played a role in my predicament. Something happened to the Wall over the years after my previous small delving into it. As I navigated this strange and unfamiliar landscape, I knew that unraveling the mysteries of the Hedge Wall would require all of my skills and determination. I was right, but perhaps I should have taken more weapons.
Initially, there were twenty of us when we entered the area. The place appeared relatively normal at first (for the Hedge standards), but as we ventured deeper, it gradually transformed into something entirely different. While it retained the essence of the Hedge Wall: there were alien skies, strange formations resembling briars, and dense thickets that surrounded us. At least, at first it was like it. The ambiance shifted, and those attuned to the Music of All could sense a change in the ambience, signaling a shift towards a different environment. More insectoid, I suppose? It felt like being in village of bugs, but more wild, primal and unrestrained by laws of society. Nature's reign.
The surroundings became increasingly insect-like, reminiscent of creatures from the Mound, with shells and a fondness for the ethereal glow of the Blue Moon. Bugs, I called them, but they did not really like it. Whatever... Trees with chitinous barks of various colors and textures towered above us, their leaves resembling the delicate wings of dragonflies, adorned with flowers that mimicked the vibrant hues of butterflies. It was a bizarre and captivating sight, a blend of beauty and danger that kept us on edge. And so many samples and photos to take!
Despite the enchanting appearance of the Insectoid Forest, an ominous presence seemed to lurk around us from the moment we set foot in this mysterious part of the Hedge realm. We felt as though we were being watched, yet we could not pinpoint the source of this unease, heightening the sense of foreboding that permeated the air. Ambience was a bit tense, but too alien to actually tell what kind of things caused it. The music of the place was novelty in itself, so no one could blame our attuned to be lost.
The eerie music got louder for a moment and then silent, abruptly song shifted into a cacophony of deafening booms, of something flying through the air at exploding speed and then the sound of ink drops splattering onto the strange flora that surrounded us. In a fleeting moment, something the size of a baby G'huft darted through our group with astonishing speed, leaving chaos and destruction in its wake. It seemed to effortlessly shred through a few of our companions, carrying away fragments of their bodies in its wake between the trees and thickets off our narrow trail.
To our horror, we realized that it was something akin to a pack of giant fleas, their size and speed defying belief. At least at the moments, when they jumped. I caught a glimpse of one of them among the leaves, sitting in the branches and voraciously chewing on the pieces it had taken, its body covered in short spines and soaked in ink of my people. These monstrous insects leaped from the shadows and trees at impossible velocities, tearing through our ranks and snatching away members of our group or parts of them. The carefully organized expedition formation disintegrated into chaos, prompting me to flee in a blind panic, my heart pounding as I ran and ran, desperate to escape the relentless onslaught.
Exhausted and alone, I sought refuge beneath a towering tree, nestled in a hollow near its roots. As I caught my breath, a realization dawned upon me - the surroundings had shifted once again, no longer resembling the Insectoid Forest. Instead, I found myself amidst a peculiar landscape that appeared to be a blend of ruins and organic structures: concrete, metal, glass, ceramics...
The tree I sought shelter under had bark of concrete, crisscrossed with rebars that resembled veins, with branches supporting small glassy fruits emitting soft, dim lights. It had leaves, which looks like pieces of broken pottery. The eerie beauty of the scene was enhanced by the presence of vines made of copper and rubber between trees, and by ground interspersed with rare patches of glass-grass in a myriad of colors.
I went through the new biome, carefully. I walked and walked until... A problem was on a way. My attention was drawn to a clearing filled with sharp, glassy grass that posed a daunting obstacle. As I pondered how to navigate this treacherous terrain without injuring myself, a sound broke the silence, followed by a figure descending from the opposite side of the clearing, flying towards my position. Panic surged within me, but before I could flee, my legs gave way beneath me, and I tumbled into the peculiar landscape of concrete and metal once more. Such an embarrassing abruptness!
The figure drew closer, revealing a subtle smirk hidden behind a small palm, adding a touch of mystery and mischief to their demeanor. Despite my urge to escape, I found myself rooted to the spot, captivated by the enigmatic presence before me. It did not look aggressive and stopped, just floating in the air near me, while I tried to get on my feet again.
The being before me was small and humanoid (half mine height), crafted from a curious blend of metals, rubbers, and unusual plastics. What caught my attention the most were their wings, shimmering with light and holograms, juxtaposed against a face that exuded elegance and sophistication amidst the raw, exposed components of their body. I could observe the intricate workings of their artificial-looking stomach as it processed food through delicate openings in their design. Despite the electronic appearance, their face bore a delicate beauty, reminiscent of a mask adorning a sophisticated mechanical toy.
As I gazed upon this enigmatic being, I realized that they were more than a mere artifact. They emitted a melodic hum that resonated with my own inner song, forging a connection between us. It was a moment of revelation when I learned about them being a member of the Fae, or more specifically, the Tribe of Electronic Devices.
These majestic beings extended their assistance not only to me but also to some of my companions who had been pursued by danger. Their scouts had witnessed the frantic flight of some members of our group, prompting them to intervene and offer aid. Through their guidance and insights, we began to unravel some mysteries surrounding the Hedge Wall, gaining valuable knowledge and understanding of the events that had unfolded in this enigmatic realm.
Well, at least in its physical aspect. We learned about the concept parts of it - Aspected parts, with the Fae representing one type of Aspected beings - sentient and diverse in styles, themes, shapes, and forms. The Tribe of Electronic Devices acquainted us with two other tribes within the realm, fostering close friendship with one and maintaining a more neutral or rather competitive stance with the other. They found camaraderie with the Hierarchy of the Digital, forming a strong bond, yet encountered challenges in their interactions with and comprehension of the Family of Clockwork. There seemed to be a complex 'digital versus analog' discourse between the two groups, a debate that eluded my full understanding. The contrasting visions and opinions held by these distinct factions fueled a sense of competition and discord between them - this was, what I could understand at least. Almost everything in the Hedge was now Aspected of some sort within all bigger and somewhat odd Harmony. Aspected flora and fauna, and weather, sometimes even air around and ground underneath…
What a bizarre place the Hedge Wall has become. Grandpa would have been so happy to see this if he were still alive.
I just got sudden insparation to write about the Hedge once more, but now after the Bloom. You can think of it as continuation of
The Lost One story.
