Chapter 7: Bound by Destiny
Emily carefully gathered the different herbs she had collected throughout the forest, their pleasant scents filling the air around her. She neatly tied them into small bundles and hung them on the wooden drying rack she had made. As she worked, she quietly thanked the forest for providing her with such useful gifts.
With her tiny hands, she secured each bundle to the rack. She took a moment to admire her work, feeling satisfied that she had preserved the herbs for later use. She imagined their fragrances spreading through the forest, bringing their healing properties when she needed them.
This is great! With this, I’ll have enough herbs for a while. However, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing something. I feel uneasy somehow…
Looking out at the dense forest that had been her home for her entire existence as an elf, Emily felt a sense of restlessness. It was good when she lived along with the other elves, but now alone it is a whole different thing. She knew that to discover more about the world and find connection, she needed to venture beyond the familiar surroundings of this forest.
Standing among the tall trees, Emily couldn't help but feel a twinge of loneliness. She had been all alone in this forest since being reborn in this world. The only being she had encountered directly was an aggressive boar that tried to attack her.
Every time Emily walked through the forest, she listened carefully for any signs of danger. Though she managed to survive in the wild, she felt uneasy being alone in such a vast place. Despite her skills improving, Emily couldn't shake that feeling of vulnerability. The sounds of leaves rustling and animals calling reminded her of the dangers that could be lurking nearby, trapping her in fear and uncertainty.
The idea of leaving the safety of the forest both excited and scared her, but she knew it was a journey she had to make. But now, she felt a longing for something more—a place where she could fit in. The allure of distant villages and bustling towns grew stronger with each passing moment, promising adventure and companionship. Though the forest had been her home for as long as she could remember, Emily knew her destiny lay beyond its borders.
Alright! I need to start traveling and find other places. If I don’t do this, things won’t change.
With determination in her heart, she prepared for the journey ahead. Gathering her supplies, Emily carefully packed up the thornhide boar jerky she had dried, knowing it would sustain her on her travels. She had wrapped the jerky in leaves, securing about thirty units of boar jerky, ensuring it would last her for a while.
Turning her attention to the mushrooms, Emily carefully collected their spores. These spores would help her grow mushrooms for food wherever she went, in case no other sources of food or mushrooms could be found.
She picked the ripest mushrooms, enjoying their earthy scent. After gently tapping their caps to release the spores onto a piece of cloth, she folded it carefully to keep them safe.
Securing the fabric in her pack, Emily knew she would never go hungry with these spores as her backup plan.
Then, Emily prepared peamatos and mushrooms for drying. Using the sharp stone's edge, she scored each peamato to help it dry evenly. Once the peamatos were scored, Emily tied a vine through the stems, making a simple hanging setup. Carefully, she hung each peamato on the rack she'd made from the sturdy branches.
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Then, she examined the mushrooms she had gathered, enjoying their earthy smell. Determined, she grabbed her sharp stone, her only tool in the vast wilderness. Using the stone's edge, Emily sliced each mushroom thinly, laying them out on a flat rock for drying. She arranged them evenly, making sure there was enough space for them to dry properly.
After laying out the mushrooms, Emily put the rock in a sunny spot, letting the warmth of the sun help with drying. She checked on them regularly, turning them over to ensure they dried evenly and removing any debris.
It took some days for everything to be ready, but she waited patiently until she had everything she needed done. Lastly, she packed the herbs she had dried for their flavor and medicinal benefits, feeling comforted by the reminder of her home village.
With her preparations done, Emily took one last look at the forest, readying herself for the adventures ahead. With each step, she would hopefully move closer to uncovering this world's secrets and finding her place in it.
It’s done, I hope I can find something or someone beyond this forest. I want to get to know this world better. I must be very careful though, I’m not sure if there are more dark elves or the demons I’ve heard about somewhere around here. I must avoid them at any cost…
As Emily set out on her journey, she felt a mix of excitement and fear. As she walked through the now unfamiliar forest, she eventually came to a wide open plain. The trees thinned out, and Emily accepted the uncertainty of what was to come.
But just as she thought she thought she would leave danger behind, a rumble filled the air, stopping her in her tracks. Peering through the trees, she saw a majestic dragon guarding a clutch of eggs in a nest.
Oh my… Is that a dragon!? And it is taking care of its nest. I need to be very careful, this creature could be very aggressive if it notices my presence. I have to find some other path around…
Fear gripped Emily's heart as she watched in awe and terror, her instincts urging her to run. But something held her back, a curiosity stronger than her fear, urging her to stay and observe from her hiding spot behind a huge rock.
What is going on…? Are those baby dragons just being born!?
As she watched, the eggs began to crack, new life struggling to emerge. Emily witnessed the miracle of birth, her heart swelling with wonder as tiny dragon hatchlings broke free. Emily saw the dragon mother with her hatchlings fly away into the forest.
Oh, wow! So there are dragons in this world as well?! I didn’t know baby dragons were this cute! They are so cute~!
But amidst the joy, sadness pierced her heart as she noticed one hatchling, smaller and weaker, struggling to keep up. As Emily observed the abandoned hatchling more closely, she noticed its tiny form lacked the distinctive signs of wings that adorned its siblings. This realization deepened her sadness, knowing that the hatchling would have to face additional challenges in its struggle for survival.
The dragon mother, sensing the imperfection, seemed to ignore this hatchling without a second glance, while she cherished the other healthy hatchlings. Tears welled in Emily's eyes at the cruelty of nature, the harsh reality unfolding before her. Memories of her own struggles from her past life flooded her mind, reminders of times she felt rejected and different.
Emily watched the dragon mother and her healthy hatchlings disappear into the forest. But a glimmer of hope flickered in her heart. She thought the mother might return for the small and weak hatchling later. So she decided to watch over it from afar until its mom is back.
You’ll be fine, you just have to hold on a little longer, baby birdie. Your mother will return soon with tasty treats, and until then, I'll try my best to keep you safe, you little one.
But as the hours passed, no sign of her appeared. Emily waited patiently, her heart heavy with sorrow and empathy for the tiny creature left behind. The forest remained silent, with only the rustle of leaves and the distant calls of wildlife echoing through the air.
Is she seriously not coming back for it!? Poor thing. What should I do with it? I don’t even know what dragons eat, let alone baby dragons. More importantly, I can barely take care of myself. But I just can’t leave it alone. I’ll help it until it is able to walk and eat by itself at least and leave it somewhere safe.
She approached the tiny creature, feeling a kinship. Scooping up the hatchling, Emily whispered words of comfort, knowing their fates were intertwined as survivors in a harsh world. Emily felt hope blooming inside her, thinking it was very cute and deserving of love, care and acceptance.