Surrounded by a cold black sky, the blood red moon looked down impassively on the atrocities committed below it. A village, once filled with life, was now full of corpses piled up one on top of the other in disorderly stacks that lined the streets. The village was eerily quiet, devoid of all life. Blood slowly seeped out from underneath the gates that kept the village sealed off from the rest of the outside world. Like tiny red snakes, the trails of blood slithered to where my feet were, creating small crimson pools of liquid. Ignoring the blood I continued walking forward with a with a small smile on my face. The smell of decaying flesh and blood radiated from the village behind me but I barely even noticed it. Walking calmly towards the horizon I left, leaving the pile of corpses and unspeakable cruelty behind me. Leaving everything I once had behind me. Glancing down at my hands I finally realized I was still holding my sword. Chuckling softly at my own carelessness, I flicked off the blood in one smooth motion of my wrist and with an experienced movement I quickly sheathed the sword. Time for a new start, I thought determinedly. Finally, I am free.
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Life was all around me. Trees, covered in vines that formed brilliant designs on their sturdy bodies, were everywhere I looked. Purple, blue, and yellow flowers bloomed all over the earthen forest floor adding random bursts of bright color to the surroundings. A makeshift roof was formed overhead by intertwining branches and leaves. Rays of pure sunshine shone down from gaps in the leaves creating beautiful artworks of light midair. Through gaps in the trees I could make out the light blue of the afternoon sky. Small wild life ran around everywhere and insects flew all over the place. Slowly a small smile formed on my normally stoic face and I stood still for a moment taking in my surroundings. It was hard to believe that just a few days ago I was still a captive of that place. I’d gladly choose dying over going back there. Well, not that there was much of a place to go back to, I mused silently, I made sure of that. I stood there for a few more minutes enjoying the feeling of freedom. I could feel the throbbing pulse of the forest around me. The mana in this place seemed alive. It danced around in the air, moving in mesmerizing circles. Lifting my hand up I imagined catching the small particles of mana and even though mana doesn't have a physical body I could almost feel it.
Forcibly shaking myself free from my thoughts I managed to drag myself back to my surroundings. Three days ago I had entered this forest and somehow in those three short days I was able to get myself completely and utterly lost. Walking towards a nearby tree I noticed a familiar marking on it’s trunk. Inadvertently a small frustrated groan slipped out of my mouth. I already passed this way before, I observed tiredly. Hopelessly looking around, it seemed like there was no way out of this cursed forest.
A low growl tore out from my throat. Enough, if I can’t find my way out I’ll just tear this entire forest down. In one last attempt to leave I circulated spirit energy into my legs, strengthening them by 70%, making my speed skyrocket to extraordinary levels. Running off in a completely random I rushed past countless trees desperately searching for an exit. Without warning a sudden unexpected force hit me. Stopping, I crouched low to the ground scanning my surroundings cautiously waiting for a sign. An enemy? My face hardened and my light blue eyes were as sharp as a knives trying to pierce through the scenery yet, no matter how hard I searched I couldn't find anything. Carefully moving forward, I made sure to stay hidden inside the shadows. My black cloak, hood pulled up over my head, hid me from anything that could possibly be trying to find me. Whether that thing was real or imagined though, I couldn't tell. Step by step I edged further and further away from the unexplainable force watching out for any danger. The feeling stopped. The force vanished like it had never existed in the first place. Bewildered I looked around me trying to find an answer, What was that? I can’t be going crazy right?
Before I could wonder about the mysterious feeling, I heard a faint sound coming from not too far away. Putting the weird occurance aside, I slowly crept towards the noise. Soon enough I could make out the sounds of fighting and loud shouts grew closer and closer with every step I took. Glancing around quickly I made sure no was watching and came to a stop underneath a large branch that hid my slim, almost feminine, figure. I considered my next actions with caution: I could leave now and try to find a way out myself or I could take a risk and maybe get some directions. Deciding didn't take long as my desperation won over pretty quickly. Staying cautious, I scaled the tree that I was currently hiding underneath. Might as well understand the situation before diving in headfirst, I reasoned. Easily stepping from branch to branch I soon reached a suitable spot from where I could see clearly.
Careful to make sure that I was hidden by the leaves, I looked down at the commotion in the clearing below me, easily making our the situation without much hassle. I watched as a group of three people faced off against a pack of blood wolf monsters. Blood wolf monsters were known for their speed and power, which only a well trained warrior could handle. Even then, if the warrior was even slightly unlucky, they could be killed easily. What was even scarer about the blood wolves, was the fact that they always traveled in packs of about 4-7 wolves making it hard for most people to deal with them. The redheaded man, who looked to be around 20 years of age, was surrounded by five blood wolves. He was wearing a set of crimson armor that matched his hair and was able to protect him from the wolves' deadly claws multiple times. The warrior seemed to be pretty skilled and was even able to get a few attacks in on the wolves in front of him. Unfortunately though, even if the warrior was skilled it was unlikely that he would be able to deal with the monsters on his own. Way behind the red headed warrior, was a female with honey colored hair, she also looked to be in her early twenties and could easily be considered a beauty. She was clothed in a loose fitting light grey and blue robe that somehow managed to make her look attractive evendors though it was highly unflattering. The woman held a small staff slightly out in front of her, a look of deep concentration was etched on her face. She was probably the mage of the group and specialized in using mana to support the other members of her party.
The third person was a small child who looked to be around 12 years old. The child had white, silvery hair and had an innocent aura about her. She was wearing simple blood red dress and was out of place in this intense battle. I couldn't tell what her role in the group was or if she even had one.
Lastly from the arrows coming out of the trees I could tell that there was a fourth one somewhere in hiding. Even though I couldn't tell what the fourth one looked like I could easily tell that they were the archer. I smiled a bit, pleased with the fact that I had chosen to a place so high in the trees. If I had picked anywhere lower the archer would have noticed me and perhaps even shot at me.
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Turning my attention back to the battle below, I watched the warrior as he tried to avoid the claws of the attacking beasts. He couldn't block them all and there a loud clang rang out as the monsters’ claws struck his armor. By chance, or a sudden spark of intelligence, one of the wolves managed to get a decent sized gash on the man’s upper shoulder which now had blood pouring out of it in rapid amounts. More arrows shot out of the forest in an attempt to help the warrior back up to a relatively safe distance. I could tell the group was in major danger and they might not be able to survive.
“Oh what the hell” I muttered softly to myself leaping gracefully off of the tree branch and into the clearing. Mid-air, I pulled out my short sword and contorted my body, using the momentum created to position myself above my target.
Suddenly I slammed full force into the monster, making the creature lose it’s footing. The other wolves stopped their attack and turned to me in shock. Even the redhead seemed to be frozen by the suddenness of my arrival but he quickly recovered using the opportunity I provided to start attacking the dazed wolf in front of him viciously. Reaching around the monster's neck I used my short sword to slit the monster’s throat with one smooth slice causing blood to gush out of the opening in the dying creature’s neck. I lept off of the beast’s back executing a back flip landing near my next target. Without any wasted movement I effortlessly stabbed the next wolf right through the chest. Two dead, three more to go, I calculated silently in my head. Moving towards one of the remaining wolves I felt an increase in heat behind me. Turning my head at the random change in temperature, I peered at the warrior behind me. The warrior obviously had a proficiency with using mana as he covered his entire two-handed sword with fire. He got a lot faster and stronger too, probably using his spiritual force to reinforce his body. I sighed softly deciding to leave the beast to him. Maybe I didn't need to help out after all. Looking around for my next target I quickly saw another beast a few feet away from me that still seemed to be in a stupor. With three small light steps I arrived next to the wolf in no time. Right as I was about to slice the unsuspecting wolf in half an arrow shot out of the trees and went right through the creature’s eye. I made a mental note to watch out for that archer of theirs, he could be dangerous.
The last monster locked eyes with me. Dashing towards me, its brown lips were pulled back into a twisted snarl. Insanity was in the beast’s eyes and it wanted revenge for it’s fallen pack members. Reaching out with it’s claws the wolf slashed at my chest attempting to gouge out my heart. This one was faster than the others, I realized with a start and leapt backwards, landing a few feet away from where I originally stood. The beast, realizing it's attack failed, howled in rage rushing towards me again determined. Prepared for it’s speed this time I stood my ground, easily twisting my body to avoid it’s claws while simultaneously moving my sword to stab the creature through it’s mouth but suddenly the gigantic wolf stopped. Ice crept up the beast’s hind legs glistening in the sunlight and soon the entire monster was covered in ice from head to toe.
I turned around to look at the people I had just helped and suddenly the red headed man’s mouth flew open releasing a loud burst of barking laughter loud enough to make me cringe, “HAHAHA, thanks for the help man, I was slightly worried when those beasts showed up.”
“Actually I doubt you needed my help, you guys seem strong enough to take care of yourselves” I said shaking my head slightly in an attempt to compliment them.
“Nonsense! We might have been able to take care of them but I sure as hell would've been a heck of a lot more injured if it wasn't for you” The redhead persisted. He didn't seem to be the type to back down even if it was something as trivial as this.
“Haha...ha” I laughed weakly. It seemed my compliment had gone right over this guy’s head.
“So what are you doing out in this forest stranger?” a feminine voice called out from behind and I recognized her as the mage who cast the ice spell at the last moment. Her honey brown hair seemed to glow in the sunlight as she gracefully walked towards me and the redhead.
“...well actually right now I’m trying to get out of the forest. A few days ago I was wondering around here and now I am completely lost.” I admitted sheepishly hoping they would offer me some kind of direction. The female gave me a piercing look like she was trying to see directly into my soul. I could tell she didn’t trust me one bit.
“HAHAHAHAHA! So you’re lost huh? Well why don’t you just come with us? It’s about time that we left this forest anyway.” The redhead offered me.
“Wait Lavi, you can’t just randomly invite a stranger to travel with us! We don’t even know who he is let alone see his face. Why should we trust him?” The female protested. Can’t see my face? What do they mean? I wondered bringing my hand up to my face. Ah, that’s right I never took the hood off my head. Oops. Embarrassed I carefully removed the hood, showing off my face. My light crystal blue eyes were now clearly visible as well as my sculpted handsome face. My shoulder length black hair framed my pale face and my slightly pointed ears were barely visible.
“Brenda, stop being so worried. He did help us after all and it would be much easier for us if someone as strong as him joined.” Lavi persuaded.
“I agree with Lavi! He’s so handso- I mean strong” I jumped slightly at the sudden unexpected child-like voice behind me. Ah that's right, I forgot about this child, I thought, I wonder why they brought her into this forest.
“Lilia! Not you too… Raphl what about you?” Brenda asked looking behind me. I turned around slightly watching as an elf with grey hair and forest green eyes walked towards us. So he’s the archer huh, I thought sizing the elf up. The elf named Raphl just stared at me with a searching expression on his face. He looked slightly confused but the expression lasted for only a second so I’m not sure if I saw it right.
“... If Lavi wants him to join then I don’t mind” Raphl stated after a brief pause.
“Face it Brenda just let him come with us, it's three against one. By the way I don’t think we have heard your name yet.” The child named linda said turning to stare inquisitively at me.
I hesitated for a moment before replying, “... Fei, My name is Fei” The little girl looked thoughtful but didn’t say anything more..
“Welcome to the group Fei!” Lavi cheered, patting me on my back. He is awfully strong, I realized as every small pat seemed more like a punch from a gaint then a tap.
Wincing I looked at him and then the others giving them a small smile, “Thanks”
Brenda humphed and looked away, obviously unhappy with me joining her group. Raphl seemed indifferent and just passively stood there watching. Lilia on the other hand seemed to be extremely excited. She had a sparkle in her bright red eyes and for some reason I felt slightly afraid of this child.