The thick growth of the Everfree Forest harbors many secrets. Some, it shares with the adventurous souls that seek them out. Others are well-guarded for a reason.

Lyra Heartstrings, a graduate student in Canterlot University's archaeology program, is no stranger to discovering lost civilizations. When she finds a survivor from one, however, she begins helping him to restore his culture.

The question burning in the back of her mind is, "At what cost?"

This story was written as a commission for genuis101. We both know that the "Lyra and Humans" thing has been done to death, but I wouldn't have taken this project on if I couldn't breathe some fresh life into the trope.

Cover art is by Gaiascope. Follow him on Tumblr if you like his artistic style; you won't be disappointed.

Special thanks goes to my shrinking pool of pre-readers.