Chapter 9

Before Dawn

“It’s dead ahead of us!” I pointed to the pitch darkness where the moonlight didn’t reach. A small figure jumps out the shadow and charges straight at us.

“I see him!” An arrow flies from the boy’s bow and pierces the goblin’s forehead. I breathe a sigh of relief when I saw it collapse on the ground.

“We really make a good team, if we keep moving at this pace, we should be able to make it to my hometown before dawn breaks.

“Please don’t jinx us with your optimism.” I tried to wave away his happy thoughts, but a part of me was overjoyed about the news. If we can survive the night, then I’ll be able to escape this nightmare. But that’s a big “if.” No way the goblins going to let us leave that easily.

“I wonder…” The boy walks over to the goblin and looks at it with a strange curiosity. “How did this goblin get ahead of us? I’m pretty sure I erase our tracks they should have no idea where we’re at.”

“I doubt this goblin was part of the group that is chasing us.” The boy looks at me confused. Before he could ask his question, I begin answering it.

“The goblins that been chasing me all had a red bird painted on their chest. Plus, it looks like this one hasn’t eaten in weeks.” I poke the dead body easily visible ribcage with a twig I randomly pick up. The goblin was sickly green, and his body was shriveled up like a mummy.

“This one probably came from another tribe and from the looks of the tribe wasn’t good at hunting. They probably died from starvation or was killed off by a stronger monster.” I nodded my head satisfy with my own theory.

“The only thing I don’t understand is why did it come here. There aren’t any creatures for it to hunt.” Thanks to my presences and Athena forbidden people from entering this area. This place has been void of both humans and monsters for a long time. At least that used to be the case, these past few days I’ve been getting a lot of guests.

“That probably why it came here because there’s no one here.” The boy said as he pulls his arrow out of the goblin head.

“Because no guards or knights is patrolling this area a bunch of horror stories was creating in my hometown. Stories like monsters coming here to grow their numbers or bandits bury their victims here. Of course, none of this was proven since everyone is too scared to come here. but from the looks of it…”

“…. The first story is becoming a reality.” I said, finishing his sentence.

Now that I think about, that hobgoblin did say that the reason he came here is because there's no human presence in the area.

Goblins are creatures that need to be eliminated immediately because, if you see one you best bet there’s at least ten hiding somewhere in the shadows. Failing to react fast enough and those ten will quickly multiply to twenty, then thirty, and then well, looks like you got yourself in an infestation. And seeing that an intelligent goblin is leading this group, this infestation might turn into an organized army.

“That’s why we need to get out of here. We need to warn the others before it’s too late.”

It looks like we’re on the same wavelength. The escaping part I mean. I honestly don’t care what happens to the nearby towns.

I tried to follow after the boy, but my legs refuse to move, no more like they couldn’t move anymore.

I guess this really isn’t surprising; it’s honestly a miracle that I manage to make it this far with a body that’s been bedridden for most of its life.

Exhausted, I sank to my knees and stared at the boy’s back as he heads deeper into the forest.

What do I do? I can’t just sit here and rest while the goblins are chasing me, but I have no idea how the boy will react if he sees me in such a helpless state.

“H-Hey!” I nervously called out to the kid. The boy’s eyes widen when he turns around. Did he seriously not notice I’ve fallen behind?

“What happen!?” The boy rushes over to me nearly tripping over an overgrown root “Are you hurt anywhere?!”

“No. I'm just a bit tired.”

“Thank goodness.” The boy lets out a sigh and examines my legs. “Can you stand at all?”

“If I could I would’ve been done it.” The kid continues to calmly examine me despite my smart remark.

“Looks like I have no choice but to carry you.”

“What?” In the next moment, I was easily lifted and held like a princess. “What the hell are you doing?! Put me down!” I repeatedly punch him in the chest which didn't even faze him.

“Relax I’m getting you out of here.”

“I rather die than be seen like this!”

“Listen! If the goblins get a hold of you, you will wish they kill you!”

My body froze in place. Remembering that hobgoblin hands feeling on me made me want to vomit. “Fine, I’ll let you carry me this once!” A soft smile spread on the boy’s face.

Great, this turning out exactly like one of those romance stories, in Anna’s book although I don’t particularly feel safe in my prince’s arms.

He’s good with the bow, I’ll give him that, but he can’t use it while he’s holding me. To make matters worse it, the trees are stopping light from entering the forest. If something attacks us, the kid won’t notice it until it’s too late.

He should be aware of this, yet he’s holding me like I’m a long-lost friend or something. I guess I don’t have any right to complain. Even though this is humiliating, it’s better than being left behind in the forest with a; please kill me sign written on my back. I just need to suck it up and keep a lookout for the kid since I’m the only who can see in the dark.

I took a deep breath and focused on my surrounding. Regardless how dark it is, nothing can hide from me, probably.

The fatigue that rob me of my mobility seems to be aiming for my eyes now. My eyelids grew heavy, and my conscious begin to fade. I’m going to fall asleep if I don’t find something to distract me.

I squirm around in the boy’s arm to try to keep myself awake. The boy tightens his grip on me and pulls me closer to stop me from moving. With my head now resting on his chest, I could feel his heart beating abnormally fast. I look up to see his face turning red.

The boy looked straight ahead focusing solely on escaping. At least that’s what he tried to do. Every few seconds he’ll shoot a glance at me and look away.

What the hell are you embarrassed about? I’m the one being held in this embarrassing position. I follow his gaze to see that the soak gown clung to my body, allowing the kid to see my skin through it.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

I tightly hug myself to hide my exposed skin.

“I wasn’t looking!” The boy shouted, his face growing redder.

Huh? But I didn’t even say anything.

The boy quickly looks away from me. Seeing him trying to hide his guilt drain the last bit of suspicion I had of him. There’s no way this kid, who just loudly announced his crime is capable of backstabbing someone.

“You don’t look like someone who would break the rules, so tell me, why did you come to this place?”

“….” The boy kept looking forward avoiding eye contact with me. “I…. was waiting for someone.” He spoke slowly like he was trying to choose his words carefully.

He’s waiting for someone? Does that mean there are other humans out here in this forest? The only ones I encounter was that… pretty boy.

“By the way, did you see anyone in the castle? I was waiting for a group I lead here to leave, but you were the only one that left the castle.”

“Wait, no one else left the castle?!” I jump up in shock nearly falling out of his arm.

Does that mean those guys are still in the castle? No, I would’ve seen or at least heard them when I was leaving. Did they take another exist? If so that’ll explain why the castle looks like it was turned upside down when I left. The king built multiple hidden rooms and escape routes in the castle in case someone ever attacked. Although I don’t understand why they went out of their way to look for a hidden exist when they could’ve just walked out the front door.

Is it possible they knew the goblins were coming? Still doesn’t make sense to me though. The way that pretty boy was preaching about advancing humans, he should’ve been more than happy to kill some goblins, since they’re more of a threat to human then I am.

“So, you didn’t see anyone?” The boy looked at me with an unreadable expression.

“No, the castle was empty.”

“I see.” He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “I guess, we’ll just have to find someone else to help us with our goblin problem.” He said with a wide grin on his face.

Our problem? I almost scoff at the kid for trying burden to get me involve in this.

I appreciate his help, but I want nothing to do with this place or those goblins anymore. Once we get out of this forest, I’m getting as far away from this place as possible.

“By the way, what were you doing here?”

“Ah….um” My eyes wander around trying to find an excuse. “I…my…hometown was attacked by bandits, and they chase me all the way here.” I immediately wanted to slap myself for coming up with such shitty plot riddle story. For one, he was watching the castle I’m sure he would’ve noticed a group of bandits chasing a girl. Not to mention he saw my original form even though I look nothing like my old self, my black hair and red eyes still give away I’m not human.

“Are the bandits still chasing you?”

“Huh?” I look at the boy who was staring at me with a serious expression.

“I…have no idea.” He seriously didn’t believe that terrible story, did he?

“Well don’t worry, I promise I’ll get you out of here no matter what.”

“…Idiot.” I lightly hit his chest with my fist “I made it this far by myself, I don’t need any help.”

The kid lets out a laugh. “No need to be prideful, it’s ok to rely on others you know?” He said with a smile so bright, I had to look away. He’s definitely an idiot. Only an idiot would believe a stranger’s word. I guess that makes me an idiot too. For some reason, I believe him, or maybe I should say I want to believe him.

Perhaps it’s because I’m tired. It’s hard to think when your brain is trying to make you go to sleep. The cold air brushing against my wet skin, combined with the kid’s body heat made it all the harder for me to stay awake.

“Just for a few seconds,” I mumble to myself.

If the boy is really serious about helping me, then nothing bad will happen if I close my eyes for a few seconds…

.

.

.

When I open my eyes, I was alone resting against a tree. Panicky, my eyes darted around the area looking for the boy, but the only thing that remained of him was his brown jacket that covers me.

“He left me....” I felt my heart drop when I heard those words come out my mouth.

Of course, he did. This world is filled with nothing but backstabbers and lying bitches. I learned this a long time ago, and yet here I am letting my guard down around someone again.

“Now’s not the time to brood.” I shake head to free myself from the depressing thoughts.

The sun isn’t out yet, but the sky is starting to get brighter. Which means I was out for a couple of hours at least, if the goblins are still chasing me they should be close.

I stood up and threw the boy’s jacket on. Because of my now small figure, the jacket looked more like a dress than anything else. A short dress that barely went to my thighs. Oh well, at least it’s better than running around in that little gown that looked like it would slip off any minute. Plus, it’s really warm. I can still feel his body heat….

I tightly gritted my teeth as anger begin to boil inside me.

He’s a sweet talker I’ll give him that. I bet he’ll be good friends with Athena since they’re both good at deceiving people. I swear the next time I see him I’ll…

“Oh, you’re awake.” The kid makes his way out of a thicket while eating an apple. The anger instantly vanishes, and I was simply left confused by his sudden appearance.

“Where did you go?”

“I went back to erase some of our footsteps. I didn’t want to lead the goblins to my home.”

“Ah, I guess that makes sense….” I awkwardly fiddle with a strand of my hair, trying to figure out what I should do next. Just a moment ago I planned on killing him the worst way imaginable yet seeing him come back to me with an unbroken innocent smile froze me in place.

“Oh, I brought you an apple.” The boy tosses an apple at me which I easily caught. “My name’s Aaron, by the way.” He said as he took another bite out of his apple.

Caught off guard by his introduction all I could do was stare at him stupidly.

“What’s your name?”

“It’s Anna.” My mouth moved on its own. I quickly cover it up to stop it from saying anything else. Too late to change my name now. Oh well, it’s better than going around calling myself the Demon King.

“Well Anna, I know it’s kind of late for an introduction, but I’m happy to meet you.”

“Ditto.” I take a bite out of my apple while trying to avoid looking at the innocent aura that was brightly radiating from him. He has to be putting on an act, there’s no way someone can be this kind, right?

“My hometown is a just a few minutes away from here, you can walk the rest of the way, right?”

“Of course I can! I’m not that pathetic!” I said that but a goblin easily overpowered me and on that same night, I fell asleep in a man’s arms. I feel if I stay in this forest any longer I’ll lose what little pride I have left.

“There’s no need to be prideful if you need help…”

“I’m fine.” A trace of irritation leak from my voice.

Aaron shrugs his shoulders and walks ahead of me.

“I’m not trying to act tough, I really do feel a lot better than yesterday. This body feel a lot lighter, and I can move easier now.

It took a few days and a whole lot of me falling on my face while trying to walk, but it looks like the illness that rob Anna of her strength and life is finally starting to fade.

I tightly clench my right hand like I was trying to flex. Rather than a muscle forming, a white aura covered my entire arm.

When I woke up in this body, I could barely muster the strength create an aura around my fist. It looks like I did cure you, Anna. Although I doubt you're happy since I'm currently in control of your body.

“Can you see it?” Aaron points to an opening in the trees. In the distance beyond the trees was a town resting down a hill.

“That's my hometown! We made it!" Aaron happily shouted as he ran towards the edge of the forest.

I never thought I be so happy to see a human settlement. My heart started beating faster the closer I got to the exit. I guess Anna must be excited since she’s been locked in the castle for her whole life.

Now that I think about it, it was pretty easy to escape from them…. Far too easy.

An uneasy feeling creeps on me. The twisted and cocky smiles that hobgoblin gave me flash in my head.

“Something isn’t right.” I know its stupid of me to be wary at this point. But my instinct is screaming at me telling me this is far from over.

My eyes darted back and forth looking for anything that seems off. Eventually, it fell upon a single leaf that gently fell from a tree. For some reason, my heart stop. What exactly made that leaf fall from the tree?

I slowly look up to get my answer and saw something I never wanted to see again. Its green skin allowed it to blend in perfectly in the tree. If I didn’t look at the leaves falling from the branch, it stood on. I would have never noticed it.

Realizing I was staring right at it, the goblin slowly places a finger on its lip and slightly said “Shh.”

“Aaron, run!!!” I shouted as I ran for the opening in the forest. The moment I warn him a giant creature jumped out from a bush and swung a club at him. Aaron stares dumbly at the creature unable to process what's happening.

“Duck, you idiot!” I scream at him, but it was too late. The creature slams his club against the boy body sending him flying to the nearest tree. Aaron opens his mouth wide like he wanted to scream in pain, but no sound came out. Staring blankly at nothing, he fell to the ground like a puppet that had its string cut.

“Weakling, can’t even take a single hit.” With a look of disgust on his face, the giant green blob of a man spits on the ground. A group of goblins came out from the bushes and trees and created a giant circle around me.

Shit, so this was a trap, but how did they know where we were going?!

“So, you’re the girl that injured my brother? I heard you were you strong.” With a wide grin, the giant blob raises his club over his shoulder and beckons me with his hand. “Fight me!”