Apparently, Nillyna's success in the Savannah was only the beginning.
 
 
Despite the secretivity that the nation was known for, somehow word had spread that Nillyna had vanquished the vile lamia Mistress Scales and all her minions. Nillyna suspected Annika and Friedrich probably utilized their tribe's inherent magical ability to communicate with the Savannah's essence to somehow spread the word of her diligence in the art of combat without drawing too much attention to themselves. It was a mysterious power that even Nillyna didn't fully grasp.
 
 
Either way, it wasn't long after Nillyna's endeavor's with the Anthropomorphic Zebra tribe that her mercenary branch of expertise finally got the jumpstart it needed to take off at last and soon Nillyna was being commissioned for her fighting prowess just as much as her arcane skills, maybe even more.
 
 
Of course, she had standards.
 
 
After deciding that the best way to get stronger was to increase her battle experience Nillyna had decided to do a little research on the reputation of the one who gave her the idea, and, needless to say, it was quite horrific. Nillyna had learned that Linda had quite the bloody reputation. Apparently, Linda had a rap sheet a mile long, suspected of being involved with several murders and other such crimes all across Pangaea, taking up anything offered her, regardless of morals or ethics. Several of her victims hadn't even done anything to deserve what befell them, Linda having been hired to just eliminate them for her benefactors personal vendetta.
 
 
So many people had met gruesome fates because of Linda, it was almost too much to take in. She had even been known as the Cold-Blooded Moth in some circles. That hoard of talisman's she utilized against Nillyna was more understandable now, with a majority of her victims being magical practitioners too.
 
 
Was it all because Nillyna had her booted from the magical community?
 
 
But, regardless, Nillyna had no desire to acquire such a reputation for herself. No, she would not accept jobs that revolve around competition elimination, unjust assassinations, or espionage, no matter the fee offered. Nillyna was dedicated to only accepting jobs that require her services when someone is in grave danger or has been unfairly wronged.
 
 
And, although such standards limited her field of clients, Nillyna had still received quite a few mercenary assignments in the recent months since her rescue of Amahle. Mostly they consisted of similar scenarios as what happened in the Savannah, with someone needing to be rescued or protected, but there were also instances where someone wanted her to retrieve something, either something that had been stolen from them, or lost then found by unsavory parties. But whatever the case may be, Nillyna found no shortage of heads to bust whenever she found a mercenary assignment she could take in good conscience.
 
 
It further proved to Nillyna that this was indeed the best way to improve her fighting prowess so, should the need arise, she could play guardian to her love should someone seek to do her harm, for with each battle she participated in, large or small, she found her skills sharpening, her opponents moves becoming easier to predict and dodge, while also leaving as few openings on herself as possible.
 
 
What Linda exploited to run Nillyna through would never happen again if she could help it.
 
 
Nillyna was currently in the process of preparing for another assignment, her wings morphing into a skintight jumpsuit once again. It was the most practical of attires for Nillyna to adorn in these situations, for it allowed freedom of movement and didn't trail like a gown would; perfect for while engaging the enemy. She was also beginning to like the look and feel of it, she even assumed Lily was of the same mind, what with how the fabric tightly hugged her…backside.
 
 
Thinking about the jumpsuit often reminded Nillyna of what she had chosen to wear when she first ventured into Lily's forest, chastising herself for thinking that wearing high heels and a trailing gown while treading through a forest was a good idea.
 
 
 But now that she was clothed Nillyna had to get going, her clients were waiting. Lifting her talisman cane, Nillyna channeled the necessary magic and vanished in a flash of light, her essence zooming across Pangaea as a shapeless mass of energy.
 
 
Unbeknownst to her there was a certain plant-girl watching her house from outside who, even though had been informed that her love was embarking on yet another journey again, was plagued by a terrible longing that had been getting stronger lately.
 
 
"I can't stand it anymore," said Lily to herself pitifully. "I'm telling her tonight. About how I feel…and what I want."
 
 
—
 
 
Nillyna reappeared at the summit of a tall, grassy hill, overlooking a vast forest, surrounded by other hills of equal height, or higher, as the one she stood upon. The forest was composed mainly of oak and cedar trees, the ancient wooden sentries revealing their impressive length even at a distance, stretched skyward a stunning thirty feet or more. Even Nillyna could comprehend how big they were, given her view from the tall hill made them appear no bigger than the images featured in a canvas painting.
 
 
This forest was known as The Forest of Cloven Harmony.
 
 
It was amply named, for this area was home to two mysterious equine-like creatures, the Unicorns and the Kirin's. Nillyna had never encountered them in person before, but their reputations were vastly known to anyone who lived on Aquasa
 
 
The unicorns are a majestic, mystical species, resembling horses for the majority, but had many blaring differences. All, mare or stallion, possess a single spiral horn on their heads, as well pearlescent white coats and an elegant white mane that, according to rumor, appeared to be woven from white cloud itself. Their legs were thinner and appeared more delicate than a horse's legs, but we're just as sturdy and strong as the aforementioned beasts of burden, and, as the name of the forest suggested, ther legs ended in a cloven hoof, rather than a single hoof, like that of a horse. Lastly, the final difference between the appearance of a unicorn and a horse was that, rather than a skirt tail, unicorn's tail's were long and ended in a tuft, like that of a lion.
 
 
Nillyna would be lying if she said she wasn't looking forward to seeing them with her own eyes.
 
 
Stunning and graceful, these equine creatures were mostly wild and untamed, roaming in vast herds through the many forests of Aquasa, but possessed intelligence of their own that at least put them above the intellect of wild animals. Wherever they were present life bloomed and prospered, due to a unique magical effect unicorn's had on their surroundings. Forests became healthier, ground became more fertile, even other creatures benefited from the presence of unicorns, becoming less likely to fall ill and recovering from varying ailments at a swift pace.
 
 
 
 
But unicorn's were not known to be too tolerant of interlopers, usually fleeing whenever a territory was colonized or modernized, with one exception. The other reason for the namesake of this forest, the kirin. Kirin's were another of Aquasa's diverse species, prosperous and civilized. They were mostly cervidae in appearance, resembling a scaly deer with flowing mane and oxtails, coming in every color, rather than one, like the unicorns. And, as said before, kirin are a sophisticated society, capable of modern living. Several of their settlements dotted Pangaea, prominent and industrial, several other cultures doing trade with them for their unique skills.
 
 
That skill being the kirin's expertise in art.
 
 
While, being a quadrupedal species, kirin didn't have flexible digit's to hold a paint brush, or any other artistic tool, they too had an inherent magical ability unique to their species. They could project arcane rays from their antlers that had a transmuting effect on whatever it was used on, meaning they could change anything to what they desired at will. It was this ability that allowed the kirin to thrive the way they have, building cities with just as much progress as any species that had hands.
 
 
It was also this quadrupedal nature that allowed the kirin in this region to share this forest with the local unicorns. They didn't seem to have a problem with the kirin's like they did other people, mostly because they were kindred enough to not be viewed as a threat, which was why, several years ago, the kirin built one of their most prosperous cities here, Azhore. The sizable city was erected in the heart of a massive glade in the middle of the forest, wrought of white marble and gleaming in the sun like pure ivory, and in the center was an extravagant palace that housed the kirin royalty, the tower's reaching long out to the sky, same as the trees in the surrounding glade.
 
 
Azhore was the pride of kirin culture, due to its proximity to the unicorns who lived in the area. Its citizens were among the most talented and strongest artists and architects known, hence how Azhore was built to such a prominent size in the short few decades since it was founded. But, recently, the kirin of Azhore had noticed that the population of the unicorns in their area was steadily declining recently. This was concerning, for unicorns didn't have the limitations on mortality like most other species.
 
 
Their magic constantly rejuvenates their own health so unicorn's didn't often perish due to injury or illness, and, as being eaten by something, unicorns had a defense against being hunted as well. While docile for the most part, a unicorn's very nature was like a get out of the laws of nature free card. Anything that hunt's on Aquasa, be they wild animals or civilized people out hunting, would never seek unicorn's for a meal for almost everything had an almost instinctual knowledge that if unicorns were around so would an abundance of resources to thrive on, like prey for predators, for example, and an almost guarantee that one's health would never decline.
 
 
So it would make no sense that something, wild or otherwise, would hunt unicorns when their very presence was so beneficial; even predators like wolves and bears and lions were known to not be aggressive to unicorns if they ever encountered one.
But, apparently, one by one, the unicorns were vanishing, the kirin becoming increasingly concerned about their missing cloven hoofed brethren, several volunteering to form search parties and searching the forest, desperately trying to find them.
 
 
And that is what brings Nillyna here.
 
 
Queen Miari, the ruler of the Azhore, had commissioned her to deduce what had caused the decline of the unicorn population. And, thankfully unlike Annika and Friedrich, who had shrouded their assignment in secrecy, Queen Miari had given her a full description of what the job might entail, and not just the basics, but her own suspicions on the matter as well. While she didn't know who or what could be behind it, nor apparently did the unicorns when the kirin asked them, only saying that a member of the herd would suddenly just vanish in a heartbeat, according to Queen Miari's own admission, it was possible for a unicorn to be harmed. But only someone with a truly wicked and cruel soul would do such a thing, for whatever reason.
 
 
Which was also another reason why Queen Miari had commissioned Nillyna's service.
 
 
Once she contemplated that only a truly evil being would seek to do harm to a unicorn she realized that they were more than likely just as dangerous as much as they were cruel, meaning that if the kirin search parties that would occasionally go out searching for the missing unicorns were to ever encounter this malevolent force they would most likely meet the same fate. Kirin, while civilized, were notorious for being just as docile as unicorns, not the least bit capable of being confrontational. Not wanting to risk her people's lives, Queen Miari had turned to hiring a sellsword to deal with the current situation.
 
 
Nillyna was to find out who was responsible for the disappearance of the unicorns, and, if necessary, eliminate the perpetrator.
 
 
All these facts resurfaced to the forefront of Nillyna's mind after she had viewed the stunning visage of the Forest of Cloven Harmony, with Azhore at its heart. She wasn't here for sightseeing, she was there for a job. Hefting her talisman cane, Nillyna took in her surroundings with purpose now, a strategy forming in her mind. First, she would seek out the unicorn herd. Why wander aimlessly in search of a foe she knew nothing about when what they sought was so close?
 
 
She would lie in wait and make her move when whoever was responsible struck.
 
 
But she had to be cautious and not alert the unicorns to her presence. As said, unicorns were not known to be accepting of strangers, so if Nillyna was to observe them she would have to be discreet. Should be simple enough though, she had already composed a plan beforehand.
 
 
First, she cast a spell over herself that rendered her invisible, followed by more that masked her scent against keen equine noses, and lastly, cast a spell that muted any sound she would make. And, now that she was undetectable, the next step was to locate the unicorn herd. That should be simple enough as well.
 
 
Nillyna next casts a spell that detects heartbeats.
 
 
It was like hearing an orchestra with one's mind, rather than ears. She could sense the rapid heartbeat of nearby squirrel's and bird's, the steady thrumming of a stag's heart as it wandered through the trees, and any other lifeform in possession of a heart; even her own heartbeat registered to Nillyna. Finally venturing into the thickness of the forest, Nillyna honed in on a massive gathering of multiple heartbeat's and sought it out, steadily traveling downhill, turning away from the stunning sight of Azhore, having no need to visit there since she had all the details of her mission. The trek was steep and treacherous, one misstep would send you rolling downhill, but, thanks to Nillyna's new occupation, she had become more adept at travel and soon found herself at the base of the hill.
 
 
Which, apparently, was her destination.
 
 
Nillyna almost dropped her cane as she placed her hands to her mouth to muffle her cry of awe, not that it was needed, what with her magic silencing her sounds. Spread throughout a small clearing at the base of the hill Nillyna had just climbed down were the most glorious creatures she had ever seen. They possessed all the qualities their reputations described, but seeing them was an experience that cannot be captured in pictures or words.
 
 
Slender, equine forms grazed on the tall grass around the clearing, horns twinkling in the bright blue sun, each movement of their heads causing them to gleam and reveal every spiral. Mane's of hair so delicate and refined that even the slightest movement caused them to ripple to their full length, all together appearing as if someone had found a literal sea of clouds and cast a rock into it, causing poofy waves to ripple and turn, augmented by pearlescent white coats that gleamed with elegance. Long, elegant tails ending in beautiful tufts of fur extending from well muscled hindquarters completed the majestic forms, occasionally flicking to shoo away bothersome flies.
 
 
Nillyna was overwhelmed, falling to her knees and shedding tears of delight as she observed the unicorns as they grazed.
 
 
'They're…so beautiful…!' She thought. 'I could just stare at them forever!'
 
 
Nillyna no longer knew or cared why she was here, all that mattered to her was observing these majestic creatures for as long as possible.
 
 
"NEIGH!"
 
 
Which, apparently, unfortunately, wasn't very long.
 
 
The sudden whiny was a noise of terror, the sound obviously heard by the rest of the herd, would immediately began neighing and squealing themselves, the noises far different than anything a horse could make, carrying a melody akin to a chorus of fine bells, a most excellent sound, were it not laced with fear and terror. But Nillyna had ceased paying attention to the herd at this point. Her focus on what the source of the original whinny had been.
 
 
There, a single unicorn hovered in the air, a mare, judging, from what Nillyna could see, as the hindquarters was facing her direction, suspended several feet above its fleeing brethren. But that wasn't the most bizarre fact of this unforeseen circumstance. Her head was missing as she hovered in the air.
 
 
She didn't appear decapitated, there was no blood and her hind legs and forelegs were scrambling in the air frantically, more whinnying being heard, though muffled. It was as if some invisible force had grabbed the unicorn by the head. And that, apparently, wasn't all this unseen thing intended to take hold of.
 
 
As the rest of the herd fled, leaving their fellow at the mercy of this invisible foe, her forelegs and upper body suddenly vanished, as if a curtain colored like the distant horizon had been draped over them, leaving only her hindquarters and flailing hind legs visible. She bucked and kicked, the crack of her rump revealed whenever she flicked her tail, her whinnying muffled and slurred, Then the suspended lower half of the unicorn shot up into the air and sped off into the distance, a powerful gust of wind tearing through the clearing soon after.
 
 
This snapped Nillyna out of the stupefied trance that she had fallen into once she saw the unicorn suspended in the air, through her heartbeat detection spell, she could sense a massive heartbeat.
 
 
Her fists clenched as her anger flared. It didn't take a genius to realize that Nillyna had just encountered what was responsible for the disappearing unicorns. She needed to act fast, especially if she wanted to help the unicorn that was just abducted before it was too late. She was going to save her, if at all possible.
 
 
She would make whoever was responsible pay for daring to harm such beautiful creatures.
 
 
With a thought Nillyna was nude in the clearing, her clothes morphing back into her Lepidopteran wing's, which soon carried her skyward as she flapped them. They were gossamer wings though and incapable of swift flight, and, even now, Nillyna could see the unicorn's hindquarters shrinking into the distance at an alarmingly fast pace. She would need some kind of advantage if she was going to have any chance to catch up.
 
 
Accessing her magic, Nillyna increased the velocity of her flight, streaking across the countryside like an invisible comet. Soon the struggling image of the unicorn's rear became visible again, steadily increasing in size as Nillyna gained on whatever had her in its grip. But, much to Nillyna's dismay, she soon found it was impossible for her to catch up entirely. She was unable to get any closer to the abducted unicorn past a certain point, whatever had a hold of her swift enough to remain a good distance out of Nillyna's range.
 
 
Frustrated, Nillyna contemplated her next course of action.
 
 
She could try to liberate the unicorn from her current position, but that came with a fair share of risks. If she teleported her she might not be able to make her reappear in a spot that would be ideal, especially at this speed. The unicorn might end up lodge in a tree or a rock, or wind up suspended here in the air, left to fall to her death, for Nillyna doubted she could levitate something as heavy as an equine long enough to lower her to the ground, especially if she struggled, which would most likely be the case, given how distrustful unicorn's were known to be.
 
 
Nillyna could try to assault whatever force was carrying the unicorn, but that wasn't very feasible either.
 
 
Due to its invisible nature at the moment Nillyna had no idea what she was up against. If she went on the offensive and her opponent turned out to be something she couldn't face confidentially it would spell trouble for both her and the unicorn. Nillyna may be gifted in magic and combat, but she was well aware that there were things that exist in this world that cannot be faced with such methods, the fact that this thing was unseen only adding to the likelihood of that possibility.
 
 
Reluctantly, Nillyna decided that the best course of action would be to follow this thing for as long as she could and hope she can at least deduce what it is.
 
 
So, she flew behind the suspended unicorn, her hindquarters facing away from her towards the distance as she continued to flail her legs uselessly, her thrashing decreasing in intensity after a while, diminishing to a light kicking. Nillyna remained in hot pursuit for an increasing amount of time and distance, unable to keep track due to focusing all her attention on her task. Under normal circumstances she would have been exhausted by now, but Nillyna was utilizing her magic to maintain her speed and to keep fatigue from settling in. She could maintain her current actions as long as she had magic to maintain herself.
 
 
Which, in of itself, wasn't an entirely ideal situation.
 
 
The sun was shining overhead, a constant source of power for Nillyna's magic, but once it set, she would only have what was stored in her talisman cane to rely on, and as Nillyna well knew, the spells she was currently utilizing were so demanding that they would deplenish the magic stocked within the ornate walking stick rather quickly. If whatever had snatched the unicorn didn't nestle down somewhere soon Nillyna would have no choice but to strike first, regardless of what it turned out to be.
 
 
But that was only to be a last resort, there was still plenty of daylight left.
 
 
They day wore on, a suspended lover half of a unicorn zipping across the countryside several hundred feet in the air, held up by some unseen force, an equally unseen Lepidopteran sorceress in pursuit. Eventually, Aquasa's blue sun began to descend towards the horizon, the emerald sky darkening in its wake. Anticipation began to build up in Nillyna's heart, especially when the twin moons began to peak over the opposite horizon, heralding the coming of night. And once night fell Nillyna would have to enact her last desperate ploy, if her quarry wasn't revealed to her soon.
 
 
Then the half of the unicorn suddenly descended towards the ground, losing altitude, as well as decreasing in volocity.
 
 
Nillyna found herself flying right over the sudden change in events, the gleaming coat of the unicorn's hindquarters gleaming in the distance as she sped past. Gasping in shock and panic Nillyna ceased fueling the spells that modified her speed, skidding to a halt in midair so fast that had she been on the ground she no doubt would have left skid marks. Her flight speed shifted back to what a Lepidopteran was normally capable of, which was delicately fluttering in place, but she had stopped in time to pinpoint where the unicorn and whatever took her went.
 
 
The unicorn's rear was suspended about, from what Nillyna could tell, was about thirty feet from the ground, and steadily descending, massive gusts of wind rustling the grass below. Then, with a thud that even Nillyna heard from so high above, four massive indentations formed in the ground below the unicorn's wiggling hindquarters, which was still suspended way too high to touch the ground. Nillyna balked at the sight.
 
 
The indentations had formed four massive footprints.
 
 
Four impressions of three toed feet were pressed into the ground, long, spindly, and each ending in what appeared to be a massive claw. Then more print's began to form followed by more massive thuds, the suspended unicorn trailing ahead of them, eventually coming to the base of a small mountain, where there was a mouth of a small cave . Shadows fell over the flailing backside of the unicorn as she, and her invisible abductor were swallowed by the dark interior of the cave.
 
 
Nillyna was steadily descending as all this went down.
 
 
She was slightly hesitant after seeing the intimidating footprint's, but wasn't about to back down. All this proved to Nillyna was, along with being truly vile, this thing was obviously predatory, which could only mean one thing in regards to its intentions for the poor unicorn mare. Nillyna was the only chance she had of making it out alive now, and she needed to act fast.
 
 
Settling on the ground, Nillyna only took enough time to fill her talisman cane with what little daylight left, making sure it was packed to the brim before she ventured into the cave, where the shadows would surely cut her off from the sun's mystical energy. Not that it mattered now anyway. As Nillyna plunged passed the mouth of the cave the final visage of the sun sank below the horizon, casting nights dark embrace over the land, the only thing illuminating the mouth of the cave now being the dim light of two identical crescent's as they climbed higher into the sky.
 
 
Nillyna was sure that if she hadn't cast a sound concealing spell on herself that her footsteps would be echoing through the encroaching walls, but, at the moment, the only sound heard was the dripping off water as it trickled from long stalactite. It was pitch black, but Nillyna dared to cast a spell to illuminate the cave, concealing sounds and scents was one thing, but light wast something that even magic could hide. If Nillyna tried to illuminate her surroundings she would no doubt alert her quarry to her presence.
 
 
So she relied on her heartbeat detection spell for navigation, following the direction where she sensed two heartbeats, one smaller than the other, but pulsing wildly with fear, the other massive in comparison, but maintained a steady, calm beat. Nillyna could navigate, at least in the direction of her quarry, using this method but this presented another problem. How could she eventually distinguish what her adversary is before she confronts it if she can't see it.
 
 
Of course, being invisible also rendered that solution mute, but Nillyna was hoping to somehow unmask what was concealed by dispelling the invisibility, but now that this impenetrable darkness was a factor Nillyna was left with but one choice. She had to go on the offensive. When she caught up, she was going to illuminate the entire cave and confront this opponent, regardless of what it was, and hopefully liberate the unicorn in the process. It wasn't Nillyna's ideal method, but it was the only option left to her now.
 
 
That, or she could abandon the unicorn and flee, coming back when she was better prepared, but she couldn't live with herself if she did that.
 
 
Besides, she wasn't scared of whatever this was, just having some anticipation about not knowing what it is, and concerned about its intentions for the unicorn.
 
 
 
 
Eventually Nillyna was able to hear the thudding footfalls again, which reverberated through the cave floors with singular massive impacts. Now that she had that to direct herself Nillyna dispelled her heartbeat detection in favor of her hearing. Now that she was focused on that alone she heard muffled whinnying of the unicorn as well.
 
 
 "LEY FEY OO OF SEYNEY!"
 
 
As well as a soft, feminine voice that sounded so melodic each word sounded as if it was produced by the tinkling of a wind chime.
 
 
"LEY FEY OO OF SEYNEY MOWA!"
 
 
NoAt first Nillyna didn't know where the little, demure voice was coming from, but then remembered that, despite their wild nature, unicorns are an intelligent species; after all, kirin could communicate with unicorns and Queen Miari had gotten in touch with her for her help.
 
 
"MO…!"
 
 
Nillyna didn't even understand the words, only adding to the likelihood that it was the unicorn's voice she was hearing as she spoke in her own people's tongue, especially given that it sounded slightly muffled, which would make sense, considering her head was concealed by whatever had a hold of her…
 
 
…And she sounded so frightened.
 
 
It only added to Nillyna's resolve to save the poor, innocent creature.
 
 
Eventually the footfalls and muffled protests became so audible that each step of this massive creature almost made Nillyna's feet leave the ground with each impact, but that wasn't what she was focused on at the moment. Her earlier dilemma of not being able to reveal the identity of her foe had just reached a conclusion. Around a curved bend ahead led to an opening that was flooded with bright light, illuminating this section of the cave enough Nillyna was able to see ahead of her with ease.
 
 
As well as revealing the suspended unicorn's hindquarters again as it gradually drifted through this luminous entrance.
 
 
It opened into a massive domed chamber, illuminated by a massive pit in the very center, filled with huge, crackling fire. It made the room quite warm, but Nillyna had other things to think about. Like the massive pile of treasure in the corner of the room.
 
 
Gold and gem's gleamed in the firelight, casting sparkling flecks over the barren cave walls.
 
 
Nillyna looked at the hoard of wealth, dumbstruck. Not with greed or want, but with growing suspicion. There was one creature notorious for hoarding treasure in cave's.
 
 
"LEY LO!"
 
 
The unicorn's latest protest brought Nillyna's attention back to her hovering rear, her hind legs still kicking frantically in the air, but now another phenomenon was taking place right before Nillyna's eyes. A form was taking shape. It appeared in a mass of rippling color, as if the background of the cave was a reflection over the surface of a body of water, which this new being was gradually surfacing from. Scales of deep black, with underbelly scales a navy blue, long, velvety wings, a long, whip like tail, tipped in an arrowhead, four powerful legs ended in three toed claws, a long, slender neck ending in a triangular, yet smooth, head, Nillyna knew a dragon when she saw one.
 
 
And this one was huge, easily nine meters in length.
 
 
And it was carrying the unicorn in its jaws, finally revealing the reason why only half of her was visible. The rest of her, from head to waist, was plunged into the dragon's gullet.
 
 
Nillyna could only watch as the massive reptile settled upon the mound of gold with a metal clinking, still clutching its murmuring prey in its mouth. The identity of her enemy had been revealed, though it wasn't the most ideal situation she could have asked for. Dragons were, by no means, to be taken lightly.
 
 
Apart from being immensely strong, durable, and able to breathe fire, it was a well known fact that magic had little effect on a dragon's hide. They were highly resistant to all manner of spells, with only the most potent even having the most inkling of effects. Nillyna was sure even she would be hard pressed to do this beast any damage.
 
 
And that wasn't the worst part.
 
 
Given that Nillyna hadn't been able to see it up till now, this had to be a Chameleon Dragon. They possessed a camouflage ability so thorough they could render themselves invisible at will, and that only gave Nillyna one more thing to worry about when she confronted this thing. And she fully intended to fight, even now that her opponent was revealed to be such an intimidating foe.
 
 
She was still the only hope the unicorn had, as well as the others, if this dragon remained unchecked.
 
 
Plus, she had faced dragons before and had developed a strategy that never failed. But to enact this strategium would take time, and she only hoped she could do so before this dragon was done with whatever reason it had brought the unicorn here for. There had to be an ulterior motive, for if the dragon had merely wanted to eat the unicorn it had plenty of opportunities to do so before now.
 
 
Shrouded in her concealment, Nillyna made her first move, walking through the fire lit room to a point to the right dragons golden nest, kneeling down and placing her upper right hand to the ground and began to cast a spell into the ground.
 
 
"WASAF AFNEY EO…?!"
 
 
Nillyna tried to maintain her focus, but couldn't help but give a sideways glance at the unicorn's latest indiscernible protest. She could liberate her from the dragon's jaws with a simple teleportation spell, but again, she dare not draw attention to herself before the right moment.
 
 
"LEY EON SLAFWAS OFF FE NEYAF?!"
 
 
Whatever the unicorn said this time it was safe to assume that it was most likely in protest to the dragon's current actions. The dragon had reared up on her hunches and placed her forepaws on the unicorn's hindquarters, rubbing and kneading the supple muscles of her buttocks.
 
 
"MMMMM!" Nillyna heard the dragon moan around her morsal, the tone identifying her as female, basically a dragoness.
 
 
Nillyna turned her away from the image of the dragon rubbing the poor mare's backside, deciding to try and distract herself by focusing on her spell. It didn't take her long to finish, but this was only the first step. What Nillyna had in mind required four identical spells placed at equidistant points around the target.
 
 
When she started on the next point she was distracted again by another of the unicorns protest's, this one even louder than the other.
 
 
"MO, MO SOF, AFS AFS!"
 
 
Nillyna still couldn't help but be drawn to the terrified voice to see what was causing her distress, and again she wished she hadn't. The dragoness's barbed tongue had slid out of her mouth from beneath the unicorn's belly and was currently slithering up the cleft of her crack towards the lips of her equine vulva. The unicorn's whole rear twitched as she no doubt felt the obvious tongue trace her folds, her buttocks twitching as she kicked out her hind legs in futile protest.
 
 
"SOF O, FLEYAFSEY, O FEYEYLS FOMME, AFS!"
 
 
The unicorns words lost whatever little discernibility they had as the dragon tongue continually swiped across her sex vigorously, devolving into pitiful moaning and neighing, as she kicked her hind legs futilely. Nillyna couldn't watch anymore, refocusing on finishing the current spell then moving on to the next. But at least now she knew why the dragon hadn't just eaten the unicorn from the start.
 
 
She had brought her to her lair to molest her, and it was more than likely she had done this to every one of the other unicorns that had gone missing. This dragon was truly a vile creature, as Queen Miari surmised. Only someone of the deepest of evil would abduct something so pure as a unicorn to violate them, then, most likely, to eat them.
 
 
As Nillyna was moving to the final place where she needed to position her spell a loud, albeit muffled, whine reverberated through the cavern. Reluctantly looking to the source, Nillyna saw that the dragon's nimble young had penetrated the unicorn's vulva, pistoning in and out fast and rough, her hind legs still kicking out in futile protest against the molestation. And to make matters worse, the dragoness's claws had clasped onto the unicorn's hindquarters so hard that her claws had dug into the petite muscles of her rear, drawing three crimson trickles of blood from either side of her hindquarters.
 
 
Nillyna's blood boiled with rage at seeing the unicorn wounded. This dragon wasn't going to get away with this. Finally setting up the final point, Nillyna prepared herself for the final step before she enacted her plan. All that was left to do was get the innocent party out of the line of fire.
 
 
'You poor thing,' thought Nillyna to herself as she pointed her talisman cane at the abused hindquarters sticking from the maw of this cruel dragoness. 'You've been in there long enough.'
 
 
In a flash of blue magic the rump of the unicorn was gone, and the dragon's claws and tongue were now touching empty air.
 
 
"WHAT!?" Shouted the dragoness, her ability to speak came as somewhat of a surprise to Nillyna, as no dragon had ever spoken to her when she encountered them, but she had always heard rumors about their intelligence. "HEY, WHERE DID MY TOY GO!?"
 
 
'Toy?'
 
 
Hearing this monster refer to such a majestic creature like a unicorn so mundanely only increased Nillyna's ire. She steadied herself and prepared to spring her trap. But before she could a thought occurred to her.
 
 
Was what this dragon had been doing to the unicorn any different than what Lily did to her? It didn't occur to her during her encounter with Mistress Scales because Amahle had been in danger and was her priority, but there wasn't an innocent bystander around now so Nillyna was free to contemplate on how similar these people were to her girlfriend.
 
 
She loved the plant-girl with all her heart, but that doesn't change the fact that Lily had mercilessly consumed her when they met, and in a very similar fashion, as a matter of fact. The only difference maybe was that the lamia that had consumed Amahle briefly and this dragon that had been devouring the unicorn were molesting their victims, whereas Lily had at least partially waited for Nillyna's consent. Was it really fair to pass judgement on them where, when it came to Lily she not only spared her, but saved her from a horrible fate, gave her a place to stay, and loved her?
 
 
It couldn't hurt to offer this dragoness amnesty, especially now that the unicorn was out of her reach.
 
 
"Your supposed toy is no longer here," said Nillyna, modifying her concealment spell to allow her voice to be heard, but not give it a pinpointable location.
 
 
"WHAT!? WHO'S THEIR!?" Roared the dragoness, whipping her head to and fro in search of the sudden speaker. "WHOEVER YOU ARE, YOU ARE GOING TO PAY DEARLY FOR DEPRIVING ME OF MY PLAYTHING!"
 
 
Nillyna's irritation at this dragon's attitude towards the unicorns increased, but, with a press of willpower, she forced herself to proceed with the only option she had, other than engaging in a confrontation.
 
 
"That unicorn isn't your plaything," rebutted Nillyna, then also decided to go with her earlier hunch. "Neither are the other unicorns."
 
 
 "Ha, says you!" Said the dragoness with merriment and cruelty. "I've been playing with these delectable morsels for a while, and you know what? I've never had more fun tormenting something in my life!"
 
 
 
 
Once again Nillyna needed to fight to keep her anger from taking over and making her resort to her original plan.
 
 
"Don't you see what you're doing?" She asked. "You're slaughtering unicorns, of all things. Their presence alone is a great boon to the surrounding environment. As long as they're around there will always be prey just as succulent, like deer and even other equines."
 
 
"Hahaha, none of them protest so lovely as the unicorns do when I touch their delectable little sex's," laughed The dragon, looking around for the source of the voice she was conversing with. "Not to mention that cute little language they scream in when I touch their rumps."
 
 
Apparently, this dragoness wasn't just evil, she was also a pervert.
 
 
"Well, I'm here to put a stop to this once and for all," said Nillyna with resolve. "I am giving you one chance. Leave now and never torment unicorns again, here or otherwise, or face the consequences."
 
 
"Oh please! What are you going to do to stop me?" Said the dragon. "I'm a dragon, one of the mightiest creatures of Aquasa. What can you possibly do against me?"
 
 
"So, I take it that you intend to resume this grotesque hobby, no matter what I say?" Asked Nillyna.
 
 
"Not only will I resume," began the dragon, her muzzle adopting a cruel smirk. "You've annoyed me so much tonight I might just have to up my game. Maybe I'll start taking them two at a time from now on. Better yet, I might just torch the whole forest, see what the little cuties do while their coats ablaze.
 
 
"And I'll do all this right after I devour you! Whoever you are!"
 
 
Nillyna had suspended such an answer from the start, unfortunately. At least she tried to give the dragon an ultimatum. Now she can deal with this villain with a clear conscience.
 
 
Gripping her talisman cane in her lower arms and pointing the orb at the dragoness like the point of a sword, Nillyna formed a triangle with her upper hands and framed her view of the dragon with them.
 
 
"REDUCTION!" Nillyna called out authoritatively.
 
 
Four tongues of cobalt flames suddenly appeared around the dragoness, who's eyes widened in shock at suddenly being surrounded by their bright luminescence that washed out the orange glow of the fire that illuminated the cave.
 
 
"WHAT?!" She roared, trying to jump out from between the flames, but was thrown back into the center by arc's of crackling electricity.
 
 
Nillyna gritted her teeth as the strain of her active spell took its toll on her. She suspected this would be difficult, after all, dragons were resilient to magic for the majority. She could feel the reserves in her talisman draining away as it was used to fuel this costly spell.
 
 
Her concealment vanished as the fuel requirements for the spells were transferred to what Nillyna was currently in the process of trying to achieve, Nillyna reappearing in the light of her own spell.
 
 
"AH HA! THERE YOU ARE!" Called the dragon, trying to leap at Nillyna but was once again forced back by the arcing electricity, but she still cast her a cruel smirk. "Give it up, Lepidopteran. Your magic is useless against me."
 
 
"We'll just see about that," said Nillyna confidently.
 
 
It was true, her magic wasn't having the desired effect, but Nillyna hoped she could accomplish what she was going for if she just persevered. After all, she had used this strategy on a dragon before .
 
 
Eventually, her persistence paid off and she felt her magic take hold.
 
 
"What the…" said the dragon, her scales starting to glisten.
 
 
Then there was a brief flash of light and the only luminescence in the cave was produced by the big fire in the middle. And what it illuminated made Nillyna smirk triumphantly. No longer was she facing down a large dragoness. Instead she was literally facing down a small dragon that was no larger than a German shepherd. It was one of the most effective ways for sorcerers to deal with dragons. Take away their mass and you diminish their threat significantly.
 
 
"What…?" Stammered the dragoness, looking at herself then back at Nillyna, noticing the difference in their respective sizes had shifted. "What have you done?"
 
 
Nillyna didn't respond with words, only lifted her talisman cane up and the orb produced spike's so it now resembled a spiked mace. After she had done this to the other dragons she encountered it was easy to drive them off, but Nillyna wasn't going to extend the same courtesy this time. If this dragon got away she would most likely resume hunting unicorns after she returned to normal size.
 
 
The size reduction was only temporary, after all, especially against something as resilient to magic as a dragon.
 
 
But fleeing didn't appear to be on this dragon's mind even, for once Nillyna weaponized her cane she crouched threateningly.
 
 
"You bitch, you'll pay for this." And she leaped at Nillyna, wings flapping to keep her airborne and to add velocity to her lung, claw's outstretched, seeking Nillyna's flesh.
 
 
Nillyna responded by leaping backwards, spreading her own glossmar wing's and taking flight. The extra distance gave Nillyna enough time to bring her mace to bear, upper cutting the dragoness in the chin and sending her sprawling into the far wall with a resounding thud. She fell to the ground and lay motionless, her wings and tail falling limp.
 
 
Nillyna suspected that she hadn't bested the dragoness already though. Dragons we're just as sturdy as they were resilient to magic, no doubt what Nillyna had just dished out was only akin to a hard shove to her opponent. Her theory proved true as the dragoness sprang up to her feet, shook her head, then charged at Nillyna again.
 
 
This time she halted in midair before Nillyna and blasted a jet of flame at her.
 
 
Nillyna responded fast, accessing her magic to throw up a barrier to protect her from the flames. Nillyna's defense worked, but it revealed to her how depleted her talisman was. She could not drag out this fight, not if she wanted to still rely on her magic.
 
 
But, as it turned out, the flames had been a distraction. Once they dissipated and Nillyna lowered her barrier to conserve power a hard form plowed into her from the left. She was knocked to the ground and sent rolling with her assistant riding on top of her. She halted at the edge of the burning pit, feeling the heat just in time to throw up another barrier, but only over her upper back and the back of her head so the flames shifted up and over her like river water breaking around a stone.
 
 
Nillyna then felt claws lash onto her shoulders, pinning her in place, looking up in time to see a spread muzzle filled with jagged teeth descending towards her. Reflexively, she put her talisman cane before her horizontally, the dragoness biting down on the platinum shaft with tremendous force. It took all her strength to keep her savage assailant back, both looking into each other's eyes.
 
 
Nillyna had a look of determination, the dragoness had a look of wild fury.
 
 
Nillyna could also see the unbridled cruelty in the dragoness's orange pupils. She wasn't just doing this in retaliation to being shrunk, she was genuinely looking forward to ravaging Nillyna, painfully and cruelly. Nillyna wasn't about to let such be the outcome though.
 
 
But she was at a disadvantage.
 
 
Even reduced in size the dragoness was immeasurably strong, and Nillyna's talisman was running out of magic, even as she used the bare minimum to enhance her strength just enough to keep the drooling maw from reaching her flesh. But maybe there was another solution. Nillyna just needed a little assistance from a very close friend that was incredibly strong herself.
 
 
Utilizing her talisman for a final time, Nillyna cast a teleportation spell and both her and the dragoness vanished from the cave.
 
 
—
 
 
They reappeared in a new location that was very familiar to Nillyna, the night sky now twinkling through the trees above but, apparently, the dragoness was so enraged she had yet to notice the change in location.
 
 
She merely continued to try and bypass the platinum cane keeping her mouth from coming within range.
 
 
"Nillyna?" Said a soft, feminine voice.
 
 
"Lily, my dear," said Nillyna, straining to keep the dragoness back, "I've brought you a snack."
 
 
"Wow, really? Thanks," replied the voice.
 
 
This prompted the dragoness to finally cast a sideways glance at the speaker. The minute she took in Lily's appearance next to her she jolted off Nillyna's cane and looked at her with an expression of absolute horror.
 
 
"The...Immortalitas plant?" She whispered fearfully, much to Nillyna's surprise. How did this dragoness know what her girlfriend is?
 
 
"Oh, you know me, little cutie?" Asked Lily with a ravenous smirk. "Good, then you know what comes next."
 
 
Lily's vines began wriggling.
 
 
"No…" mumbled the dragoness, before leaping off Nillyna and sprinting towards the far treeline, vanishing in a cloak of camouflage. "NO!"
 
 
"Oh, I don't think so," said Lily silently.
 
 
From the very treeline the dragoness was fleeing towards Lily's plant mouth emerged and opened its jaws. There was a loud shriek, a wet smack, then Lily's jaws closed with a resounding snap.
 
 
"Glllmmph, nlmph, lemme mhhh gwmmph! Nymph, mmmph lumph!" These indiscernible noises reverberated around Lily's clearing, the lower half of the dragoness appearing in Lily's plant mouth as her camouflage vanished, her rear jiggling as she frantically kicked her hind legs and whipped her tail around, desperately trying to break the hold the strong jaws had on her.
 
 
Nillyna would have been revolted at the dragoness's current predicament, but she had given her the chance to abandon her cruel hobby and she had refused. Now she was reaping what she sowed. And Nillyna was going to watch her demise, maybe not enjoy, but in the name of all the unicorns that had been this dragoness's victims.
 
 
Lily smirked as she felt her prey struggling, her appetite flaring up the sensation. Nillyna treated her so well, bringing her such delicious delicacies. And she intended to enjoy this one to its fullest.
 
 
The great maw's leafy tongue emerged from beneath the dragoness and scrapped over between her legs. The dragoness screeched from within the confining maw at the sensation, kicking and squirming to try and bat the assaulting appendage away, but couldn't quite get the right movement. Her legs scissored when the wet muscle invaded her sex, running up and down her sensitive tunnel and tasting her most private area.
 
 
Nillyna was a tad jealous at seeing Nillyna touching the sex of another female but didn't dwell on it. It wasn't passion, Lily just liked to play with her food, after all.
 
 
Another resounding screech heralded an unintentional orgasm from the dragoness, her liquid running down her legs to be flicked in all directions by her kicking. This was apparently as far as Lily intended to take it, for she then, in the blink of an eye, threw her plant mouth back and let the dragoness slide into her gullet with a resounding gulp. And that was the end of the Chameleon Dragon that had tormented and eaten several innocent unicorns.
 
 
"Aahh!" Said Lily contently, rubbing her belly. "I've never had dragon before. Thanks Nillyna."
 
 
"Your welcome," said Nillyna, standing up and giving Lily a hug and a kiss.
 
 
"So what was that all about?" Asked Lily curiously.
 
 
Nillyna explained all the happenings of the last few hours.
 
 
"That monster had the audacity to not only eat unicorns but molest them too?" Asked Lily with a look of disgust, Nillyna responded with a nod. "What a bitch!"
 
 
"You wouldn't eat a unicorn yourself, Lily?" Asked Nillyna jokingly.
 
 
"Oh heavens no!" Responded Lily, shaking her head. "A herd used to live in my forest. I would never hurt them. Oh, I hope they escaped Shadow's fire."
 
 
"I don't doubt they got away, Lily," reassured Nillyna, not the least bit surprised that Lily had encountered unicorns in her previous forest. "With how skittish they're known to be."
 
 
"I guess you have a point," said Lily, "So what became of the unicorn you were able to save?"
 
 
"She's here, actually," said Nillyna, Lily blinking in response. "I would have sent her back to her herd, but with the damage done to her hindquarters I figured it would be best if I sent her here so I can treat her wounds later."
 
 
"Do you think you can?" As you said, they are skittish," said Lily doubtfully.
 
 
"I don't know, but I have to try," said Nillyna, hefting her talisman cane in preparation to teleport. It was almost depleted, but Nillyna felt she had enough to heal the unicorn's wounds, and she figured she had better teleport to save time, for, no doubt, the unicorn had to be terrified.
 
 
As she vanished Lily resolved to make her request once all the drama was over, plus, now she wanted to focus on the squirming dragon in her belly.
 
 
—
 
 
Nillyna reappeared in front of the door to her cellar, the sound of clattering and things being smashed. reverberating from within. Nillyna wasted no time in throwing open the door and scrambling inside, the familiar sight of her cellar now sporting a difference in appearance. All the lower shelves were either smashed or cracked and several crates had been toppled over with their contents scattered around.
 
 
Some were smashed to pieces, as if trampled on.
 
 
Which was most likely the case, because around the next turn Nillyna found the unicorn, stomping her forelegs onto a half destroyed crate, the sound of breaking wood and the unicorns fearful neighing echoing through the corridor, the crystal chandeliers above tinkling with the intensity of the noise. Whether through acute hearing and or smell, it didn't take long for the unicorn to notice Nillyna's presence. She turned to the Lepidopteran sorceress, let out a snort and began backing away.
 
 
"SAFE AFWAAFE FNOF FEY!" She said with lowered ears.
 
 
Feeling that there was no time for a language barrier, Nillyna cast a translation spell before saying, "Easy girl, everything is going to be okay."
 
 
The unicorn apparently didn't like suddenly being able to understand Nillyna suddenly, rearing up menacingly.
 
 
"YOU USE MAGIC!" She called fearfully, suddenly galloping off in the opposite direction.
 
 
Nillyna contemplated what to do to calm the panicked mare.
 
 
She then saw the blood dripping puncture marks on the retreating unicorn's backside directly in her line of vision and decided to capitalize on it. She pointed her cane towards the wounds and the unicorn's hindquarters gleaming with her magic. The unicorn clattered to a stop and observed its own hunches, a look of bafflement on her face.
 
 
Nillyna smiled and approached again, watching as the wounds on the unicorn's hindquarters closed one by one, not even leaving a scar. The unicorn actually didn't seem to notice her approach, apparently too focused on her closing injuries. She did flinch a little when Nillyna ran all four of her hands over her rump though, inspecting the restored skin.
 
 
"I believe they have all healed," she said, taking her hands off the unicorn's rear end and giving her a supportive smile.
 
 
The unicorn's mouth fell open in confusion and she turned her rear in the opposite direction so that she faced Nillyna.
 
 
"You treated my wounds?" The unicorn asked.
 
 
Nillyna only nodded.
 
 
"Why?"
 
 
"It's what I was supposed to do," explained Nillyna.
 
 
The unicorn cocked her head. "Who are you?"
 
 
From there Nillyna explained what her involvement in all this was.
 
 
"Queen Miari hired you to find out what had been causing us to disappear?" The unicorn inquired.
 
 
"Yes, she requested I do something about it, and fast," answered Nillyna.
 
 
"And this dragon that was responsible?" Inquired the unicorn further.
 
 
"She won't be bothering you or your herd ever again," said Nillyna.
 
 
"You actually conquered a dragon?" Asked the unicorn with a look of surprise. "For us?"
 
 
Nillyna had only nodded once when the unicorn surprisingly laid her head on her shoulder.
 
 
"Thank you," she mumbled, rubbing her muzzle against Nillyna's neck. "I can live with being your spoils, as long as my family is safe."
 
 
That simple sentence was enough to make what the unicorn no doubt suspected dawn on Nillyna.
 
 
"Hey, no need for that," said Nillyna, gently pushing the unicorn away. "I didn't bring you here to claim you."
 
 
"You didn't?" Inquired the unicorn. "Then why did you bring me here?"
 
 
"Merely to treat your wounds," said Nillyna, lifting her talisman cane, "Now that that's done I can send you home right now if you would like."
 
 
The unicorn was even more flabbergasted. "You would just let me go?"
 
 
"I have no desire to keep you here," said Nillyna, gently stroking the unicorn's neck. "My job is done."
 
 
The unicorn smiled and a tear slid down her cheek. "You're so kind, thank you."
 
 
"It was my pleasure," said Nillyna, casting a spell and sending the unicorn home, where she belongs.
 
 
—
 
 
"Lily, what are you sayin?" Asked Nillyna worriedly.
 
 
"I want you to turn me into something other than what I am, Nillyna," said Lily as she clutched Nillyna's hands in her own.
 
 
Nillyna had come to say goodnight to Lily after sending the unicorn home with the last of the magic stored within her talisman, but the plant-girl had wanted to talk before Nillyna went to bed. She apparently had a request, a big request, and upon hearing it, Nillyna didn't like it. "Why…why would you want me to turn you into something else?"
 
 
Lily looked down with a downcast expression. "Because…because I love you, Nillyna."
 
 
Nillyna's hands not being held by Lily flew up to her mouth in shock. She had suspected Lily was developing feelings for her in the same fashion she felt, but never thought that the plant-girl would ever be able to admit it out loud.
 
 
"Lily…"
 
 
"And…" Lily looked up towards the expansive mansion visible in the distance, "I don't want to be rooted here anymore. I want to be with you in your house. I want to be able to sleep together with you in your own bed.
 
 
"So change me, change me into another Lepidopteran, or anything else, just please, change me into something that can move independently of roots…"
 
 
Nillyna silenced Lily by placing a hand over her mouth, and the plant-girl was shocked to find that there were tears in her lover's eyes.
 
 
"Lily…I…I can't," she mumbled out.
 
 
Lily teared up at Nillyna's response. "I've waited too long to tell you, haven't I? You don't want to do this for me because you're afraid I'll run off if I'm not stuck in one spot…"
 
 
"No, not that, never that," Nillyna said, drawing Lily in for a small, but passionate kiss, then pulling her into an embrace. "I would do this for you Lily…if it weren't for the history of such requests."
 
 
"History? What history?" Asked Lily.
 
 
"You aren't the first to ever make such a request of me, Lily," explained Nillyna gently into Lily's ear. "Us accomplished magic user's are often commissioned by certain individuals who desire to be a race different from the one they were born into. I have actually done so on many occasions in the past."
 
 
"Then…why not for me?" Asked Lily, tightening her grip. "You love me, don't you?"
 
 
"With all my heart," answered Nillyna, nodding over Lily's shoulder.
 
 
"Then wouldn't you rather have me close at all times?" Lily was shedding little streams of tears of desperation now. "Wouldn't you like having me in the house with you?"
 
 
"Of course I would, I would like that more than anything," reassured Nillyna. "But Lily, you must understand. All those clients I was commissioned to transmute into another species…they all killed themselves."
 
 
Lily gasped in surprise and pushed Nillyna away to give her a fearful look.
 
 
"It's true," said Nillyna with a tearful nod. "Every one of them, everyone who has ever requested to become a different species, has killed themselves."
 
 
Lily's single visible eye blinked in terror. "W…why?"
 
 
"You can change a person's physical body, Lily," explained Nillyna sadly, placing a hand to Lily's cheek. "But you can't change their souls. Even if they did desire the change, their souls can't accept it. The soul slowly rejects the new body, and when that happens they begin experiencing an unbearable depression they can't live with."
 
 
"And…if you did that to me?" Inquired Lily fearfully.
 
 
"I have no doubt that the result would be the same," answered Nillyna, hugging Lily again. "I won't lose you like that, Lily, I'm sorry."
 
 
Lily understood, she had no doubt Nillyna knew what she was talking about. And, truth be told, she wanted to be with Nillyna more, but she didn't want to die either. If she had to live this way, so be it.
 
 
At least she was with Nillyna now.
 
 
"Wait!" She heard Nillyna suddenly say happily, leaning out of the embrace. "I might have a solution."
 
 
"Really?" Said Lily with renewed excitement. "What is it?"
 
 
"Instead of changing your body into another species I might be able to alter it," explained Nillyna, crouching down and running a hand over Lily's stem, the plant-girl letting out a ticklish giggle in response. "I can devise a spell that can separate your human body from your plant body…"
 
 
"WAIT WHAT?!" Lily suddenly shouted fearfully. "Nillyna, that would kill me."
 
 
"No, it won't," said Nillyna reassuringly as she stood up. "It won't be like cutting off your stem, Lily. I will formulate a spell that will magically separate you from your plant body, while simultaneously keeping you psychically attached to it."
 
 
Lily still didn't understand, and it showed on her face.
 
 
"Think of it this way, Lily," explained Nillyna. "Your human body will be able to detach from your plant body, but it will still be part of you. You will be in control of your plant body, while, at the same time, be able to walk around, free of your roots."
 
 
This explanation seemed to sink in for Lily, as she understood it to a degree, but she also noticed something else. She would basically be able to come off her plant body in a semi human form.
 
 
"Wait, detach and walk?" She inquired, running a hand along her singular stem at her waist. "But…I don't have legs."
 
 
"I will have the spell make them for you," explained Nillyna happily, "When I craft the spell that will safely separate your human body I will add a transmutation spell that will morph your stem into legs as well."
 
 
Lily brightened at the thought. This was everything she wanted after discovering her feelings for Nillyna.
 
 
"This can work?" She asked excitedly. "And…it won't react adversely to my soul, like the other method?"
 
 
"You'll still be you afterwards Lily, after all," said Nillyna, then scratched her chin, "Though, occasionally, you will have to rejoin to your plant body every now and then, just to maintain the stability of your soul, in case the separation does have a negative effect."
 
 
Lily didn't mind that, it actually made sense to her that, if she went with this and separated her humanoid body from her plant body, complete with her own set of legs, she would have to rejoin her plant body occasionally, just to maintain her sense of self.
 
 
"When can we begin?" Asked Lily giddily.
 
 
"First I need to find something to house the spell in," said Nillyna intellectually, her analytical mind deducing how things should progress. "It would be simple enough for me to devise a spell that I can just cast on you myself, but I think you and I can both agree that it would be best if it was up to you when you change. Maybe a piece of jewelry I can enchant?"
 
 
With that, the process of devising a solution of getting Lily legs began. It would be a long, grueling process, but Nillyna would see it out to the end. After all, there isn't anything, big or small, that one wouldn't do for the one they love.
 
 
Especially now that she has confirmation that Lily truly loves her in turn.