Once Upon an Ivy Moon

Book 1

Once Upon an Ivy Moon

Chapter 1 - The Druid

The Druid sat beside his favorite pond in quiet contemplation as he did everyday while embracing the warmth of the sunrise. As the protector and caretaker of the forest in which he lived, this period of contemplation helped him to center his mystical energies that would help him about his daily tasks. The sounds of the forest slowly came into focus as his meditation ended and he knew it was time to begin.

Walking through the forest the Druid talked to the forest animals that always followed him around and told him about any problems or dangers that the forest was facing. Typically, the problems would be injured animals who he would help to heal or some plant illness which he would then have to remedy. All of this usually required him to make salves or remove some sort of infestation. It was a peaceful yet solitary life, although the Druid had always lived like this.

Everything was turning out to be a typical day, typical not being boring as there was always new things to learn and experience from the natural world, instead, typical simply meaning that life maintained its continuity.

Suddenly the Druid felt a presence, it wasn’t new, but it wasn’t known either. He looked around yet saw nothing out of the ordinary. 'Is someone there?' he called aloud. No response. 'I have felt your presence here before ...', he also called out. Still no response, but the presence could be felt.

Realizing that whatever this presence might be it was not going to reveal itself, the Druid began channeling his energy to create a sphere of illumination which would show even the most shadowed, hidden objects. As the energy spread out making all objects within its sphere start to become more vibrant and visible a shape within the forest started to appear. At first it seemed to be that of a woman but in a flash the image was gone and suddenly a great white wolf went bounding off.

'Very strange,' the Druid thought to himself, 'that was no ordinary wolf.' The Druid knew that things within his forest were going to get a lot less typical.

Chapter 2 - Ivy Moon

Ivy Moon watched the Druid from a safe distance, being careful to mask her presence. As a nature spirit she had innate powers which allowed her to stay invisible to the material world, although at will, she could fully manifest into the material in a form of her choosing, usually that form being a beautiful white wolf.

She had always had a distrust of mortals, seeing much of the destruction that they caused but this Druid was different, and she was intrigued. She had watched him often as he cared for the forest, and she could sense his kind and gentle nature. She also sensed that he was more connected to mystical energies than many of the mortals she had seen.

Many times, she had thought to reveal herself, yet trust did not come easily and so she simply watched. As the Druid finished his meditation and began to walk through the forest she followed and marveled at how the animals stayed with him and talked with him. 'No,' she thought to herself, 'this mortal is certainly not like most.'

As she was thinking about how this mortal was so much different than most, she inadvertently got closer than she ever had before and was suddenly shocked when he called out. She stopped and waited, knowing that she could not be seen but wondering how it was that he could feel her presence.

Suddenly, she felt a tingling sensation, mystical energy was accumulating in the area, and she could feel herself becoming more material. As she saw the Druids gaze rest upon her, she knew that she was no longer invisible and so she took her wolf form and ran deeper into the forest.

Chapter 3 - A New Friendship

As the Druid gave chase, he asked the forest around to help find the mysterious stranger. 'Please don’t run!' the Druid yelled as he continued giving chase. Trying to maintain the sphere of illumination while under physical exertion was taking its toll and the Druid realized that he was going about this in the wrong way.

The Druid stopped, allowed his breathing to relax and began to meditate ... sending his awareness into the forest around him and sending messages through the astral realm. 'I mean you no harm', his mental transmission travelling through the astral faster than he ever could have moved with his physical self.

Ivy Moon, having already moved far enough away, was able to cloak herself again but the astral thought rolled through her mind. 'Should I take a chance?' she asked herself. Still, trust was an issue but how could she learn to trust this Druid if she did not allow him to earn it.

The Druid sat on the stump of a tree, hoping that his thought projection had reached the mysterious stranger. There was something about this presence that he felt connected to but could not explain why, when suddenly an image began to form in front of him. It started as a ghostly wolf form but soon transformed into the most beautiful woman the Druid had ever seen.

'Hello?' Ivy Moon said to the Druid but all he could do for a moment was stare in awe. 'Hrrrm ...' the Druid cleared his throat, blushing at his newfound shyness. 'Hello, my Lady' he answered back, 'I am Druid, what is your name?' he asked. 'Ivy Moon.' she said, as she felt the distrust melt away which was quickly replaced by a strange affinity.

Both the Druid and Ivy Moon continued their conversation well through the day and into the evening, both feeling very comfortable with each other. By the end of the day, they both felt as though they had met a kindred spirit and seemed to share a special connection.

The moon drew high into the sky and so they parted ways with promises to see each other again. And so began a friendship that they both would cherish, not yet knowing of the troubles to come.

Chapter 4 - The Storm Approaches

'I mean you no harm', the astral thought was like venom to Nauthiz as he poked a rabbit and watched it writhe in pain and slowly die as his poisonous energy ran through the poor creature. Being a dark spirit, Nauthiz reveled in the pain he could cause and the terrible, fearful energy that he devoured from his victims acted as a constant supply of power.

Nauthiz was a terrifying sight, something reptilian and insect like but rotted and foul. As with all spirits he was able to manifest in a material form which for him was usually a thick toxic black fog.

Driven by others fears and hungry for power he crawled across the world like a plague and was most happy, if you could call it that, when turning beauty into fetid waste.

The astral projection was like a homing beacon for him, a prey to be hunted, a life to be crushed. 'No harm,' he snarled, 'When I find you, there will be plenty of harm.' he thought to himself and laughed, a noise which would make the skin crawl of the most stalwart adventurer.

Nauthiz rose from his swamp, taking his fog form and began to travel towards what he knew would be delicious agony to feed on.

Chapter 5 - Together We Stand

It has been three days since the evil encroached upon the Druids Forest and everyday had been a battle testing both will and fortitude. He did not yet even know what or who his adversary was but with Ivy Moon beside him he was determined to fight the good fight.

Druid and Ivy Moon had spent several weeks getting to know each other and everyday was full of adventure and wonder. Each of them asking themselves, 'Could this be love?', but neither ever saying anything aloud. Instead, they just enjoyed their time together.

Now, the wonder had ended, and they were fighting for their lives as each day saw more darkness take hold of the forest. The once gentle forest animals were turning into savage creatures and all around the forest was dying.

Things were looking bleak and both Druid and Ivy Moon were running short on ideas when finally, their luck changed, and their enemy finally made himself known. They both considered this luck because at least now they knew what their battle was against and could think of a way to beat it.

However, Nauthiz was battle hardened himself, making him a formidable foe. He would take many forms to advance his attack but always went back to his choking toxic fog as this seemed most torturous for things that need to breathe. Of course, Ivy Moon, being a spirit and not mortal, did not require air so Nauthiz focused his attacks on Druid. The way Nauthiz saw it was that if he killed Druid, he could simply leave Ivy Moon to lament and still Nauthiz would be strengthened.

And so, the battle raged on for days more, each side gaining and then losing ground. But Druid was feeling the strain, his mortal body could only take so much before it would break. Druid knew he had to end this and during a lull in battle he was able to devise a powerful spell, but it would have great costs. He cared so much for Ivy Moon and the forest though, that he was willing to make whatever sacrifice was needed.

As day broke and both sides met on the field of battle once more, Druid began to cast his spell. Both Ivy Moon and Nauthiz stopped mid attack and looked on in amazement as a great vortex began to form around Druid. At that moment Nauthiz felt a chill run through him and knew what Druid had discovered.

Druid had realized that the only way to beat the darkness that was Nauthiz was through love, and it turns out that Druid did so love Ivy Moon, the forest and the world that he was sacrificing himself to rid it of the foul spirit.

The vortex took the shape of a spear, shining with all the colors of the universe and shot towards Nauthiz, striking him in the chest and then consuming him in light that became a blinding flash and Nauthiz was destroyed ... his evil taint dying with him, the forest quickly began to restore.

Ivy Moon looked back at Druid and saw him fall to the ground. She was by his side in an instant and knelt beside his lifeless body. Tears running down her cheeks she cradled his head in her lap. 'I love

you too.' She whispered ...

Book 2

A Walk in the Garden

Chapter 1 - Time Well Spent

As usual the Druid could be found deep in meditation while the sun rose into the sky, but this day would be different than most. A musical laughter brought him back into the now and his heart warmed, and a smile crossed his face. Ivy Moon lightly poked at him in a playful manner then danced around and laughed some more.

She had come to visit him every day since they first met, and the Druid thought to himself that the forest had become happier and more radiant. He could no longer remember the days before her, nor could he imagine days without her. Without having ever realized that something was missing he knew now that Ivy Moon filled him with joy.

He stood up, whispered a prayer of protection, and then joined her in dance. Neither of them had ever found someone with whom they felt so alive and free and so they spent much time dancing and laughing. The world stood still around them as though all of reality hoped to capture this moment forever.

Mortals and spirits both experience the mystical differently and so while Druid was able to teach Ivy Moon of the material nature around them, she in turn was able to give him insight into the subtle layers of reality, a blending of two worlds material and spirit, neither the same nor ever apart.

They would walk for hours through the forest, telling each other about themselves ... their pasts, their hopes and their dreams. Both wanted to share everything about themselves with the other which they did with great enthusiasm.

As each day past and the moon reached its peak in the sky the Druid would return to his small home in the forest and Ivy Moon would fade into the spirit world and both would look forward to seeing each other again the next day.

Chapter 2 - Written in Stone

Druid and Ivy Moon walked along the path, the furthest from Druid’s home than they had ever walked and an area that neither had ever explored. A stream ran beside them making a soothing noise that added to the majesty of all the other sounds of the forest.

Even when they had danced, they never really touched, and Ivy Moons playful pokes were the only physical contact ever made. Today however, being so far from home and adventuring into new areas Druid felt emboldened and slowly took her hand as they walked. A wave of euphoria came over him as she squeezed his hand and walked a little closer beside him.

As they came around a bend in the path, they came upon a group of standing stones which appeared to be raising themselves towards the heavens. They both thought that this would be a great place to rest and just enjoy the scenery.

As they sat together, still holding hands and Ivy Moon leaning into Druid now, a stillness came over the world and the stones started to hum. It was a deep vibration, but it did not shake the ground, it simply emanated from the standing stones. Both Druid and Ivy Moon looked at each other about to ask what was going on, instead they each leaned in and kissed.

The kiss was brief but seemed to last for an eternity, it sent vibrations into the core of each of their beings and upon reaching the depths of each of them the vibration tapped into the most primordial aspects of themselves and opened the mystical energy centers. With each of them unable to control their mystical energies it came rushing out like lightning striking each of the stones. As each stone was hit by this mystical lightning ancient unknown symbols etched themselves upon the stones.

Just as quickly as it started it was done, the kiss had ended and both Druid and Ivy Moon were left staring at each other in disbelief. They looked around at the stones but neither knew what these symbols meant. They could however feel energy flowing in and out of the stones creating an electrical field around the area.

Not being able to explain what happened, all they could do was leave and return to the area near Druid’s home.

Chapter 3 - A Cozy Fire

It had been several days since the incident at the stones and Druid had not seen Ivy Moon since she left that day. Without her presence he now felt a loneliness he had never felt. His meditations became troubled, and his forest seemed to lack the spark of life it once had.

All the animals became concerned for Druid and tried to offer whatever they could to bring happiness back into their friend and caretaker. While Druid accepted there attempts graciously, he could no longer summon his powers as he once could, and this added to the pain that he felt.

His mind wandered and he asked many questions of himself, what is my purpose now, where is the happiness, how could I go back to what I was knowing what has been lost.

This mire of misery lasted for many more days when at last as he slept a vision came to him. A voice spoke within his mind, 'Is it not better to have known her and experienced her than not having ever had the chance', the voice continued, 'Should you not take this experience and add its wonder into your world and your forest' ... a pause and then again, the voice but this time it thundered in his head, 'Get up and LIVE again!'

Druid sat upright at that moment and realized that he had been doing a great injustice to himself, to Ivy Moon, to his forest and to the world. He could not go into a dormant, useless state because she was gone, instead he must celebrate the times they shared. He must put that newfound energy into his work and his forest.

Every day after he had his vision, Druid awoke with new energy and each day his meditations became easier and his forest bloomed again. The forest echoed with beautiful joyous sounds as it all sprang back to life.

That night Druid built a fire and added some herbs to sweeten the scent, when suddenly there was a knock at his door. A stranger in his woods ... but wait ... no, he felt a familiar presence and he did not need to open the door as Ivy Moon materialized through it. Neither of them said a word, Ivy Moon simply came and sat next to Druid and cuddled into him and for the first time she stayed material and fell asleep in his arms. He looked at her and smiled and said, 'Sleep well and sweet dreams, my dear Ivy Moon.'

Book 3

A Shy Spirit

The Kiss

Ivy Moons mind raced, the moment of the kiss echoing in her thoughts. 'Were mortals and spirits ever meant to fall in love?' she asked herself. The idea of loving this man scared her as she had always shied away from the expression of her love. Now she sat thinking about him and not able to think of anything else.

She knew she wanted to see Druid again, but fear ran through her like an icy chill. Would he love her back or would he cast her off after having his moment, getting bored as mortals tend to do very quickly. She was very much afraid of being hurt, of not having her affections returned but still she longed for his company.

The time rolled by, and Ivy Moon battled with her doubts and her fear. She knew she could not go on like this, could not live in this prison of her mind. Still, she sat, awash in anguish as her heart tore at itself when suddenly a vision formed in front of her. A myriad of colors formed together into an image of the mystical Tree of Life. The image emanated a warm and healing energy replacing her doubts and fears with strength and resolve. She knew what she needed to do.

Ivy Moon gently knocked on the door of the cottage and without needing a reply she knew in her heart that she was welcome. She materialized inside the house and saw Druid sitting by the warm fire, the delightful smell of herbs in the air. Nothing was said as she went and sat beside him, but she knew that this is where she wanted to be. As Druid wrapped his arms around her, she knew that he loved her, and she snuggled in tight to him listening to his heartbeat as she drifted off to sleep.

Book 4 The Path Home

Chapter 1 - Into Shadows

The forest quickly became full of life and restored energy, but it felt the loss of Druid, and no one felt this loss more than Ivy Moon. As the forest animals gathered around Ivy Moon and Druids lifeless body, they were filled with respect that their friend and caretaker would give his own life to save even the smallest life in the forest.

'I don’t want you to leave me ...' Ivy Moon said in a sad and quiet voice. She never felt so alone in her entire life and longed for Druid’s voice and smile again but knowing this would never be. Ivy Moon couldn’t bear to see Druid gone from this world and at that moment made a choice to defy her own nature, a choice that would have dire consequences.

Energy started swirling around Ivy Moon and Druids body causing the animals to back further away. Ivy Moon continued her incantation, and the energy became more palpable, thickening in the air around her. Crystals began to form over Druids body creating a see-through tomb. In Ivy Moons mind she could not stand to never see her love again and so the spell was meant to preserve the body, but the spell violated the natural law that said Druids body should return to the earth and for this violation the spell also had other effects.

Druids’ soul was pulled from its journey in the cosmic aether and sent into the spirit world. Normally though, one can travel freely within the spirit world with much less resistance than the material, however, for Druid it felt as though he was chained to one spot. He tried to call out but not even a psychic whisper was heard. 'This is very strange and cannot be good.' he thought to himself.

The spell continued its progression, and a change came over Ivy Moon. Her soul became exposed, and you could visibly see the polarity of the positive and negative aspects of her being. Suddenly the positive life force was ripped away ... the negative force stayed and began to materialize into a wolf. This time though, the wolf was not white and beautiful but shadow and had an aura of pain. The forest animals ran from this terrible presence. Ivy Moon was no longer a nature spirit but a demon of despair. Corruption seeped into her mind and caused her to hate life itself and love became a distant memory.

Chapter 2 - Spirit Unbound

The energy came flying back at him and seared into his soul. Druid had been trying to find a means by which to free himself from his invisible chains, but every spell only seemed to return back to him with painful results. 'What am I doing wrong?' he asked himself as he tried thinking back to what Ivy Moon had taught him about the spirit realm.

Like a flash he realized how foolish he was being, trying to use material magic. Of course, it had adverse effects here since it was too rigid and rough to be held within the spirit realm. He started to meditate upon his surroundings, letting his mind feel the energy of spirit and then focusing that energy into thoughts of release. The world around him shifted and he knew that he was no longer chained to this spot. 'I have a lot to learn ...' he thought.

The spirit realm had various points which were tied more directly into the material which could be used as gateways to travel between the realms. Druid knew that he would have to find one of these points since he was soul and not a spirit and so could not travel at will between the realms.

His journey in the spirit realm lasted for what seemed like months but time had no relevance here and no means by which to measure. Throughout his journey he never ceased to be amazed at how vibrant and fluid everything was, only so tangible, and ready to dissipate in a moment. He met and talked with many of the denizens of the realm who were kind enough to help him along his way but this realm, as with all things, also held negative aspects which he tried his best to avoid.

Druid noticed he was nearing a gateway when suddenly he felt a pull. At first, he tried to brush it off thinking it was some trick of the realm, but the feeling got stronger. Something inside told him that he must find that which was pulling at him and so he changed course and would be in the spirit realm a bit longer.

He saw the crystal tomb and at once he knew what lie within even if he was still too far to see. He ran, at least what would constitute running here, towards the tomb, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Thoughts raced through his mind ... what had happened ... he saw Nauthiz die before his own life force departed, the forest was healing. Druid reached the tomb and as he put his hand on the crystal everything lit up in blinding light.

The light faded and Druid opened his eyes noticing that he was now in a crystal tomb and Ivy Moon was nowhere to been seen. A vibration started echoing through the crystal and energy pulsed outwards. The crystal shattered leaving Druid lying on the ground, back within his material body.

'I will free you Ivy Moon, my love!' he called out as he sprang up and began his quest.

Chapter 3 - Light up the Darkness

The shadowy wolf made its way towards the crystal tomb as it did everyday although it could no longer remember why. The man within always seemed familiar but the wolf was never able to draw forth the memories of why before the anger and despair came in like a tidal wave. Flashes of Ivy Moons life did come to the wolf, but it was short lived as the corruption devoured them quickly.

Realizing that something looked different the wolf ran the rest of the way up the small hill only to see broken shards laying on the ground and the man was nowhere to be seen. This moment brought rage into the wolf although it did not understand why and it let out a long, deep howl into the sky. But wait, a scent suddenly caught the wolf's attention. Again, the memories tried to push forward and again the corruption worked its dark art. The wolf did not understand what the scent meant but it was going to find the source of it.

Druid had been spending his days back in the material world talking with the trees and the animals of the forest learning of what happened after he passed. He was saddened by the fact that his sacrifice, his gift of love, had turned into darkness. He was resolved to bring light back into the forest and to free Ivy Moon from the shadowy, living death. As he sat and contemplated how to achieve his goals, a growl could be heard getting closer.

The wolf leapt at Druid and sank its teeth into his forearm. The corruption acted like venom in his skin and burned with agony. He knew this wolf still held a portion of Ivy Moon and did not want to hurt her, but he had to defend himself. Turning the palm of his other hand towards the wolf a bolt of energy shot out and sent the wolf flying back. The wolf was strong though and was on its feet in a second ready to attack again. Several of the forest animals desperately wanted to help Druid and one brave little fox darted in and bit the wolf in the hind leg. The wolf turned and bit down on the fox's neck, with a quick twist a snap was heard, and his neck was broken. The forest wept for the fox, but he was forever remembered, and stories were told of his heroism. 'Run!' Druid yelled to the animals, 'this cannot be your fight.' he continued. The animals did not want to leave their friend but they knew he was right and so they ran.

The wolfs cold, dark eyes pierced into Druid’s soul as it stared and snarled. It leapt at Druid again but never found its mark as Druid disappeared in a puff of smoke. The wolf landed and looked around. It growled angrily as it paced back and forth trying to pick up the man’s scent. A faint scent was there but it was broken up and hard to track, still the wolf made its way slowly to its target.

During his time in the spirit realm, Druid had learned more about the standing stones from an ancient fairy dragon. The writing on them he now knew to be mystical runes from old times long forgotten to mortals. It was powerful magic combining both material and spirit energy with a spark of something greater than both. He could still feel the electrical field around the stones as strongly as that first day. He thought that if he could find a greater understanding of this magic then perhaps, he could use it to free Ivy Moon of the shadowy prison. Her prison in the spirit realm would be another task altogether.

The wolf knew it was close, the scent was strong, and it could feel the man’s presence. The wolf felt its fur rise and tingle as it entered the standing stones. The man stood at the center looking at the wolf. The wolf growled and started its run towards its prey. Druid was ready though; his study of the stones had borne fruit and he understood not only what must be done but why. And so, he started to speak the words from the stones as the wolf got closer.

'Fate has brought these two together as it always has since time immemorial. The living embodiments of yin and yang, they are two halves of the same whole. They find each other always and are bonded in sacred rites that they have written upon the cosmic core'

As Druid recited the writing the now familiar vibrations of the stones began pulling in the electrical field that emanated from them. The wolf went in for the attack but was caught in midair by the mystical lightning. Writhing within the lightning the wolf snarled and tried to escape but it was no use, this ancient magic was not being stopped. It tore into the shadowy form, pulling it apart and destroying the corruption. Left in its place was a radiant image of Ivy Moon who looked at Druid and smiled as she faded away.

Chapter 4 - In Love We Find Strength

Entering back into the spirit realm was easy, finding Ivy Moons tomb again proved far more difficult. It seemed that fate was not yet done testing Druids resolve, throwing obstacles in his way, forcing him to prove how much he cared and how far he was willing to go. Images of her flooded his mind and he pushed on with even greater determination.

While the spirit realm had many friendly entities, there were also dark ones who delighted in mischief. A little imp followed Druid closely waiting for his opportunity to bring misery upon the man who thought he could travel here. 'Mortals have no place here!' the imp thought to himself. The imp found his moment as the man stopped and went in for the attack. His claws gashed at Druids leg as he whipped by, and the imp laughed as he saw the blood start pouring. The imp’s pleasure was short lived though as he barely managed to dodge a ball of flame. Seeing the man preparing another spell the imp seized the opportunity to deliver another nasty slice across Druids ribs, causing more blood to flow.

Druid hardly noticed though, he was not going to be stopped and turned his hand towards the imp sending another ball of flame which engulfed the imp and consumed him.

Druid sat in meditation, focusing on healing his wounds. This had been another attack in a long line of attacks. The scars were visible, and each encounter consumed great amounts of energy. Although he was broken and beaten, Druid only strengthened his mind more with thoughts of Ivy Moon. He stood up and continued on.

Ivy Moon felt a surge of energy wash through her and knew that she had been freed from the corruption. Rather than happiness though, she felt sorrow and shame for now Druid knew what she had done. She knew it had been an act of love but also knew that she betrayed herself and by extension felt that she betrayed him. 'Would he come to her?' she asked herself, the doubts permeated through her. Still, inside her very core, she knew she would care for him always whether he came or not.

Druid stopped and felt a wave of exhilaration. The familiar pull reached into his mind and into his soul. He hastened forward allowing the feeling to lead him to the end of his journey and a most welcome reunion. Armed with the knowledge from the stones he had the tools needed to free Ivy Moon from her tomb.

The crystal fell into pieces and Druid went to reach for Ivy Moon but stopped short of touching her. He saw the look of sorrow on her face as she turned away from him. 'I failed you ...' she whispered; the sadness could be heard in her voice. Druid reached out his hand and gently turned her face towards his. He ran his fingers through her hair and leaned in and kissed her. In that moment the sorrow faded, Ivy Moon blushed as her doubts faded away and she felt peace in her heart. As they kissed and embraced each other, the area around them began to electrify and they felt the same power as they had that day at the standing stones. The lightning arced around them and then in them building in power. In that instance they both transcended beyond the material and the spirit realms becoming part of the cosmic source.

They had suffered their doubts and felt their pains, but it was all part of their journey together.

They were finally home, beings of pure energy creating new realities with each other, bound by the deepest Love!