▇▇▇▇▇High in the trees above, a figure rested on a sloping branch, looking at the world from upside-down. It was human, probably, and female. She was wearing a slant-eyed mask over her eyes. Long, straight brown hair spilled over the branches and leaves like a muddy river. Her garments seemed to be mostly fur and decoratively strewn feathers tied with beads. A red robe was somewhere beneath this whole ensemble. She sighed. In the distance, something caught her inverted attention. There was a commotion as thousands of spirits fled, and then a chill as the shade spirits umbrellaed the area. The forest went pitch dark, and the tree groaned and lurched as it was forced to become larger and more menacing. The girl hastily flipped over on the narrow branch, careful to keep her balance. There were two frogs running her way, chasing some indescribable creature on two legs. It was curious, to say the least, but it would also be dangerous if she didn’t put an end to it.
▇▇▇▇▇The man came to rest below the tree, begging for a moment’s rest. It struck her as funny. The tree lurched again, and the branches were becoming sharp. The leaves fell off in a rain as the trunk blackened. It was time.
▇▇▇▇▇The demon frogs paid no heed to the man’s petition, but lunged at him with predatory zeal. Tantalum got there first, and with a strong leap he flew--right into the man’s chest. He disappeared with a rush of aether mist, like a slap on a chalked drum. The effect on the man would not be pleasant.
▇▇▇▇▇A flash of red, white and brown descended suddenly as though from the sky. Immediately, the ground around the figure burst into vivid green and flared into ethereal white flame. She stood, swept a hand in front of her, the flame and the color encircled the entire base of the tree. Tungsten ground to a halt, his front end stopping faster than his more massive back end. He cried out as it briefly brushed the fire.
▇▇▇▇▇“Tantalum!” he cried, “It’s no good! It’s the--the--um--the slippery one!!!”
▇▇▇▇▇A voice echoed out of the mans chest, slightly muffled as though inside a sack.
▇▇▇▇▇“Nice try, Tungsten,” said Tantalum tauntingly, “I got here first, fair and square.”
▇▇▇▇▇The figure rushed the man. She hit his chest with an open hand, and he momentarily burst into color before starting to fade again. Then, she reached into his chest. She caught hold of something, and then, with difficulty, began to pull it out. As the color drained again, the man became more solid. Frantically, she yanked her hand as trying to pull it out of the mud. Finally, it came free. She fell over backwards, holding a grey toad the size of a fist. Nimbly, she rolled, appeared back on her feet again, and then launched the toad with a well aimed throw. A trail of of aether mist like a contrail followed the amphibious projectile to where he hit his brother’s face, very hard, with a wet slap. The two seemed to think it best to leave very quickly.
▇▇▇▇▇“I told you the slippery one was here,” groaned Tungsten, “But could you listen!? No!”
▇▇▇▇▇The woman pushed back her shoulders and stood tall, proudly contemplating her victory. Suddenly, she turned to look at the man, her chocolatey hair floating to follow the motion. Everything about her seemed to billow as though she was under water.
▇▇▇▇▇“Stop that,” she commanded.
