Good morning buzzers! Today I bring you a continuation of 'Storytime with Snook' - Gnomevill Mystery. A story created in parts with users from the @thealliance discord (join now).

The first 5 parts are listed below, take some time to check them out, then dive into part 6, as created by me, @slothlydoesit! Thanks and happy reading!

Fred was left alone, staring towards the bush Emma had fallen into, just a second ago she was there, and now, nothing. Fred was left with a strange feeling, like the dead tree was reaching out to him, yet it didn't move, not even a twitch in the wind. There was something oddly familiar about it all the same. He felt connected, yet distant!

There were so many questions buzzing around Fred's head! The connection with the Tree was growing stronger, he could feel it reaching, stretching, slothly pawing at him! So much so that he slowly started backing away, as he took a couple of steps the Tree vanished. He was left holding the jar of strange blue liquid that Emma had dropped.

Was this all a dream? Was he about to wake up in bed beside Emma? He pinched himself,

'Ouch!'

Not a dream then, but, where was Emma, the tree and the mysterious figure? Fred had no choice but to turn around and head back towards town, he had to collect Gwen who he'd left with Nerffin. As he walked all the questions continued to circle in his mind. What happened to the Dead tree circle? Where did Emma go? What was this blue liquid? Why did the tree feel like it was reaching out to him? What was this 'gnowledge' Emma had referenced? The more he thought about things the more questions he had.

Reaching town Fred saw Gwen dancing around with Nerffin, he decided to leave her for a little longer whilst he took the strange jar of blue liquid to the Laboratory. Nerffin was, although a little eccentric, a great babysitter. He was often left in charge of the Gnome children. Gwen, being a troll, kept Nerffin on his toes, her size alone was becoming an issue for the Gnome village. She was almost as tall as Nerffin already, and she was strong enough to pick him up! Luckily, she only ever did it when she wanted a hug! Living with the gnomes had made Gwen a very kind, loving Troll!

Scurrying to the Lab, Fred began examining the strange blue liquid closely. He could feel there was something magical about it like it was the key to another place, another time. Life emitted from the jar, Fred realised his hand felt warm when he put the Jar down. Like the liquid was warming him from the inside out!

CRACK!

There was an almighty thud, had Fred not known any better he's have been petrified his tree was about to fall down! In fact, the sound was Gwen coming through the front door! In her haste, she had forgotten to duck and banged her head on the way in!

'Papa, Papa' she shouted.

Then she appeared at the Labs door, holding in her hand some mushrooms! Fred knew the mushrooms were the trees way of communicating with each other, yet gnomes never picked them! They were part of nature, not something to be disturbed! Gwen seemed to be drawn to the blue liquid, she stepped forward and picked it up. Before Fred could even think to ask what she was doing she poured some of the blue liquid onto the mushrooms!

Poof!

Fred and Gwen were greeted by a vision of Emma! Almost translucent, yet glowing. Her presence made the room fill with warmth. It created a sort of electricity in the air!

'EMMA!' Fred shouted in relief to see his wife again!

'Hush now Fred, there's not much time! We have to save the trees! Something is coming!' Emma said

'The potion I made, the one that created the butterflies, I need you to bring it to me! We must act fast, for there is danger brewing in the underground' Emma continued. 'If we don't act now we'll lose all gnowledge, we'll lose our gnames! We'll eventually be left with gnothing!'

Fred was confused. Gnowledge? Gnothing? What was Emma talking about?

'Where are you? How can we reach you?' Fred questioned.

'I'm not sure' Emma replied. 'I was pulled into the tree, I think I've somehow merged with it. I can feel the earth, I'm able to sense the roots, the branches, the mushrooms and all life around. Yet I don't know how to escape. There's something pulling me deeper. I feel like time is running out!
'You must find gnome-one. He has the answers! Put a little of the liquid around your eyes, you'll be awakened! Talk to Nerffin, he gnows the way into the underworld! Find gnome-one and bring the potion'

Poof!

Emma was gone. Again! The mushrooms had shrivelled and died! Fred was left in a panic, but he grabbed the blue liquid jar and added a touch of the liquid around his eyes. Next, he wrapped the potion delicately to keep it safe and headed out to find Nerffin! He had to find the answers, now more than ever!

Upon exiting his tree, he was met with a magnitude of colours, colours he'd never imagined possible. The world looked brighter, yet there was darkness looming, he suddenly became aware of the Mycelium all around, this was strange he thought, but he had to find Nerffin, for he could feel time running out!

Images from Canva text to image.
Keep your eyes peeled for more gnome mysteries coming soon! (I can't wait to see where the next author takes the story!)

Sloth out!