first guardian encounter

illustration for chapter 2:
"I looked at it in almost full light. Its mask, though impressive enough in size, was dwarfed by its body. This mask of simple features sat in front of a fluently-moving mass of vines the size of a small house. The creature seemed to look at me, standing with an anxious pose.
“If you can speak, please help,” I said.
The creature didn’t speak, but shyly moved forward. I noticed thick patches of a strange, fleshy film all over its body. A layer seemed to densely contour the edge of the creature’s mask. I was hesitant, but moved a little closer. I was desperate, and in a justifiable position to be.
“Please, please just speak,” I asked of the creature, not in calm enough state to ask of anything else.
The creature moved slightly more forward. I heard the tension being put on its vines as the sides of the creature stretched. In a startling motion, the creature drew forth two arms and quickly hunched over me, it’s arms pounding the soil. I noticed a dull glow to its mask, as well as a strange luminous-green pattern dimly lighting marks on its vines. I was in an anguished shock, anticipating asking again in fear of frustrating the only thing in sight that seemed able to help me in this hellish place.
I shook in fear, looking up at the eyes and mouth marked in black on its white mask. But as I recognized that exact expressed emotion of pain, I began to feel like there was some insight to gain from the fear and helplessness I was feeling, provided that I lived through it. I began to lift my hand, and the creature quickly moved its face closer to it. I was startled, but then realized how we could communicate.
“Do I need to touch you’re mask?” I said, my voice cracking slightly.
The creature replied with a nodding bow."
-The Agris Terra 2nd draft