The harsh smell of blood assaults my nostrils, forcing me out of the soothing embrace of nothingness. My mind tries to swim towards lucidity, but an ear-splitting ringing rattles inside my skull, threatening to tear apart what little cohesion of thought I have managed to gather. Pain pulses in my side where some blunt object has struck my body. The rain falling upon me seems like hundreds of tiny daggers poking and cutting at my skin. With each breath, it feels as if a hot knife twists its way through my core, spreading agony throughout my body. It takes all I have to not scream in pain, though I’m not sure if I am even capable of such a feat in this state.
After much effort, I finally crack my eyes open, allowing a blurry vision of the world around me to come into view. Blinking slowly, I try desperately to focus on any one thing in order to bring clarity to the scene before me; however, there are too many sensations coming all at once. Too much movement! Someone or something stands above me—it’s hard to make out who or what they may be through the haze. There are voices, but the words are unclear, garbled. Is someone speaking? I can’t tell.
The figure above me reaches forward with what looks like an arm, causing me to flinch. I try to scramble away from them but find myself unable to move, my limbs unresponsive and numb. My mouth opens to plead for mercy, but no sound comes out, just air. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping that when I reopen them, this nightmare will disappear, but alas, I’m not in luck. This is real. It’s actually happening.
A sharp pain suddenly erupts from my chest and radiates throughout my entire body, causing me to cry out in pain. So this is how I die. Alone, scared, helpless, in agony... Tears flow freely from my eyes as despair fights the pain for control over my body. I’m going to die here, in a puddle of mud, where no one will ever know what happened to me. I’m never going home, never seeing my mother or father again, never getting the chance to apologize for being such a selfish idiot. Why couldn’t I have listened to them?
“Wow, this is so much worse than I heard from you,” says a voice in front of me, “good thing that I made it in time!”
Huh? I can hear? Does that mean this is it? Have I reached the hunting plains of our God? Did I please him enough to gain entry into paradise after passing the trial by fire?
I open my eyes again to find an angel staring down at me with ruby-red eyes framed by pure-white bangs and an expression full of concern. Her delicate white fur glows silver in the moonlight, while two fluffy rabbit-like ears poke up from within her silky hair. The scent of sweet berries wafts toward me as she leans closer.
Wait. Pristine white fur? Crimson-red eyes? Two long bunny ears? Can not even death free me of that accursed beast!? Has everything just been another twisted game, another cruel trick on my soul, playing out right until my final moments!? Am I now going to spend eternity haunted by this nightmare, never having escaped from its clutches!?
A close lightning bolt lights the dark sky, and the thunder that follows snaps me back to reality. Raindrops continue to pelt against my body, but everything hurts less somehow, less than it did moments ago, anyway. In fact, the pain seems to have subsided almost entirely. Once again I try to move, but still fail miserably at even lifting my head off the mud. There is also this odd warmth emanating from somewhere inside me. No, everywhere inside me — permeating every corner of my mind and spirit, bringing peace and comfort in its wake. Is this the final stage of death? The sweet embrace of eternal rest?
“Shut up! I know what I’m doing!” The woman scowls and yells at the air in front of her before she looks down at me again. “Please wait a moment longer. I know it’s uncomfortable now, but the anesthesia should wear off soon,” the bunny creature whispers reassuringly, reaching toward my chest with one hand. She pulls out a long, red-stained needle from my ribcage. “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it? The worst is over.” A gentle smile appears across her face as she strokes my forehead, her fluffy fingertips brushing aside damp locks of hair clinging to my skin.
“There is just one more hurdle in front of you, but it is nothing compared to what came before.” A sparkle dances about within those beautiful scarlet irises of hers while she stares down at me, leaving me awestruck by their radiance. Is she an angel sent by my Lord, after all?
One more hurdle? What else could there be? Another needle? Maybe a blade? Whatever it is, I hope this ends quickly so I can finally rest for eternity. I’d rather not linger around in limbo between life and death for long. That sounds terribly boring. I guess it beats staying trapped forever in a labyrinth of lies created by a mischievous rabbit monster.
But wait, what is this? I, I can feel my fingers! They moved! And the toes too! My limbs! I wiggle my digits, feeling the sensation return to them as a cool wave floods through me, reminding my senses that they exist. A delicate tingling travels across my skin, prickling it lightly, until at last, my muscles respond to the commands sent from my brain. Ahh, the glorious sensation of control returning to the body! This is heavenly! Even the tingling in my feet is pleasurable…
NO! WAIT! I RETRACT THAT STATEMENT! This is not paradise, but the very depths of hell itself! As if someone replaced my skin with one made of raging ants who bite me with tiny teeth made of fire. Every inch of me stings and burns and aches as nerves come alive once again. Aaaah, I didn’t even know some of those places could itch this badly! My heart races and beats loudly inside my ears, each pump sending fresh waves of pain shooting throughout my torso.
“Come on, Alice, don’t be such a baby. It’s just an itch,” the woman giggles.
Yeah, definitely a devil in disguise, that one. Or maybe all rabbits are devils? At least the ones with crimson eyes. Do not trust them. They are evil. All of them. Evil.
I writhe in the mud, whimpering like some wounded animal caught in a trap, for what feels like ages, as the sensation returns to the entirety of my being. Gradually, however, the discomfort recedes, till I am left panting in relief, exhausted by the entire ordeal. The warmth of my rescuer’s hand brings me some solace, her gentle touch soothing away the sting of my recovery.
“There we go.” she coos, running her fingers along my skin, massaging the remaining soreness away with a skilled touch. “It’s alright now. Everything will be okay. Don’t worry.”
Slowly but surely, strength returns to my limbs. Muscles respond better to their messages, the signals coming crisper and clearer. My breathing stabilizes as the heart calms down from its frantic pace, beating steadily against my ribs. I flex my toes experimentally and sigh inwardly in satisfaction at the slight movement.
It’s difficult at first, but eventually, I push myself up from the muddy ground and sit upright. My armor has been stripped from me, exposing most of my upper body to the elements. A large dark bruise discolors the area over my lower abdomen and chest, where the masked man had kicked me. I am covered in cuts and scrapes. But hey, I’m alive, aren’t I? Small victories!
That’s right. I am alive! The realization strikes me with such force that tears start pouring uncontrollably from my eyes. Never again will I take this precious gift of life for granted!
“Thank you. Thank you so much,” I rasp out, before breaking down into a sobbing fit of hiccupping cries and sniffles, clutching desperately to the rabbit woman.
She holds me close and rubs my back until I calm down, whispering soothing words into my ears, “All right, all right, everything is okay. Let it all out. You’re safe now. It’s all over. Just breathe and relax.”
I take deep breaths as I bury my face into her soft fur, inhaling the soothing scent of berries and sunshine. The warmth emanating from her body penetrates my skin, comforting me with its heat and only now do I realize just how cold it really is, how long I’ve spent without proper shelter. My body shudders and goosebumps appear on my bare arms. I haven’t been warm for so long...
“Here,” my savior murmurs, pulling away and reaching towards a bundle lying in the grass beside her. From it, she produces a large blanket and wraps it around my shoulders, tucking the edges tight into place, cocooning me in warmth. “We still need to get out of the rain. Do you think you can walk?”
I test my legs, finding them a bit shaky, but give the woman an affirmative nod nonetheless. Getting on all fours, I climb to my feet, taking her outstretched hand to steady myself.
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She’s so small! I tower over her tiny frame by almost three heads, yet the confidence with which she moves suggests she isn’t intimidated by me in the slightest. Quite the opposite. The way she carries herself screams ‘power’ and ‘superiority.’ However, there seems to be something else hidden beneath the surface, something vulnerable. Something that reminds me of my own weaknesses, my fragility.
Looking around, I finally learn what happened to my pursuers, and the sight brings bile up my throat, forcing me to cover my mouth and suppress a gag reflex. If not for the relatively undamaged masks lying there, I wouldn’t even recognize their remains as corpses. What used to be them litters the mud, corroded, and melted into sludge. Puddles of crimson mix with the vibrant green of some sort of corrosive acid, bulging and burbling in an unnerving fashion. I almost hurl as the contents of my stomach threaten to force their way up from within.
“Don’t look there if you value your sanity, Alice.” The bunnywoman states flatly. “Just keep your eyes forward and follow me closely, got it?“
She takes a few steps forward, but then pauses and turns back to face me. “Actually, do you know any place around where we could take shelter?” she asks sheepishly, averting her gaze. “I, um... kinda got lost.”
My jaw hangs open as I stare at her dumbfounded, “You saved me, but have no clue where you are going?”
“Yup!” She grins. “That is correct. Now, any ideas where we should head?”
Well, shit! I might find my way home during the day, but now? Think, Alice, think. Did you pass by any caves or cliffs on your way here? Aaargh, I can’t remember! I had bigger problems back then! Like not getting caught and killed. Well, at least the latter worked out.
“Nope, absolutely none!” I answer, matching her grin. “Let’s see what comes along, eh? If we find shelter before dawn, great, and if not, then we freeze and die. At least I got some experience in that.”
“Hmmm, I don’t like those odds,” the rabbit says, tapping her chin in thought. “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! I don’t care about what you did!” she shouts at the air again.
Ah, yes. Nothing out there to calm my nerves, like my savior yelling at thin air. Love it. Absolutely adore it. Totally going to sleep tonight, mhm. Are all rabbits mentally unstable or is it just my luck to find the crazy ones?
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose, fighting back the growing headache throbbing in my skull. My limbs feel heavier by the second as exhaustion settles deep within my bones, weighing me down like lead. It takes everything I have not to collapse and even the blanket does little to help in that regard. Damn, am I tired...
“Follow me! I found something that might work,” the rabbit declares proudly after a minute of contemplation, grabbing my hand and leading me off through the undergrowth. She strides with purpose, picking her footing carefully as she guides me through the dense foliage. My legs shake underneath me as I walk, my knees buckling every few steps, but with some effort and help from her, I keep going. As we proceed further from where I nearly died, my body slowly regains its ability to function and before long, I can move on my own once again, though admittedly my pace remains rather sluggish.
Finally, we arrive at a small cave hidden amongst thick foliage and bushes, its entrance obscured by vines and brambles. She pushes through them easily and disappears inside, motioning for me to follow suit.
Come on, Alice. Follow the clearly crazy rabbit lady into a dark hole. Yeah, that is a perfectly normal and sane course of action, no doubt about it. But I have no other option. It is this or freeze outside. I hope it is at least dry inside. With another sigh, I take hold of the vines and pull myself through the opening, stepping into the darkness beyond.
The cave is surprisingly spacious, at least five meters high at its tallest point, and twice as wide, extending quite a ways back. A small amount of light filters in from the sky, illuminating the interior with a faint glow. A layer of soft moss covers the ground, providing some cushioning underfoot, while stalactites hang from the ceiling like icicles, dripping water onto the stone floor below.
“This’ll do nicely,” the rabbit woman muses, gazing about approvingly. “Okay, let’s make camp here. We can use those branches as fuel.” She gestures to several fallen logs scattered about near the entrance, piled atop one another haphazardly. “I’ll gather wood while you prepare the fire.” Without waiting for a response, she bounces away happily, disappearing into the night.
While she goes about collecting tinder, I set about building a suitable pyre for the coming blaze. Thankfully, the cave contains plenty of loose stones strewn about, making quick work of gathering together rocks to form a crude ring. Taking a stick in my hand, I arrange kindling within the circle, placing the smaller sticks atop the larger logs, creating a neat little stack within the center of the circle. The rabbit woman returns shortly after, dumping an armful of wet branches next to the firepit before rushing back to collect more. I look doubtfully at the moist timber. It’ll burn, but it’ll take forever to catch and be as smokey as heck.
Now where is my flint? Ah, crap. I didn’t take it with me. It was supposed to be just a simple hunt, so no reason to equip for a prolonged trek.
“Umm, excuse me, do you have a flint?” I call out after the rabbit, hoping she won’t be too upset at the inconvenience.
“No, sorry,” she replies, reappearing at my side once again. “Can’t you just magic it up? Your class has flameweaving, right?”
“Haha, I forgot about that one, thank you!” Concentrating on my core, I visualize flames roaring forth, taking form in my outstretched palm. Sure enough, a flickering wisp ignites, hovering above my skin. It grows steadily brighter as I focus on its existence, feeding energy into it, until at last, a blazing ball of fire, the size of my nail, floats above my hand. With a flick of my wrist, I send it hurtling toward the pile of branches, where it lands on top and bursts into brilliant orange blossoms of light and heat.
I stand still for a moment, mesmerized by the flames dancing wildly across the logs. They crackle merrily and pop occasionally as sap bubbles out of cracks on their surfaces. Smoke wafts up from beneath the pile of timber, filling the air with the smell of burning pine resin mixed with wood smoke. The heat radiating off the blaze warms my skin, bringing comfort to my tired body and mind alike.
I turn to my companion to find her sitting down with her feet tucked under herself. In the flickering light of the fire, her features finally became clear to me.
Her short stature, big fluffy ears, silky white hair, beautiful red eyes, and a cute button nose. It all paints an image of a tiny fluffy creature, an innocent, delicate little thing that I want to hug to sleep every night and protect from the dangers of this world. The outfit she wears tells a completely different story, though. Studded leather armor covers her petite body from shoulders to calves, her joints additionally protected by metal plates. A dagger hangs from her waist belt, sheathed in a black leather scabbard, complete with straps that secure it to her leg. There is no doubt that she has experience in wielding that weapon, judging by the way she carries herself.
I thought her to be much older than me, but that impression comes entirely from the confidence and poise with which she holds herself. Upon closer inspection, I find she is much younger than I first assumed. Probably somewhere around my age, late teens to early twenties at the oldest. And yet she has somehow become this proficient at survival and combat, saved me from becoming a victim of fanatics, healed me, and guided me to safety.
Meanwhile, even with that unique class of mine I... WAIT! NO! That’s right! My class! “How did you know about my class?!” I cry out, shocked by this revelation. I have just awakened to it today. Nobody but me and my brother should know any details about it.
“Calm down, Alice.” The bunnygirl sighs as she rolls her eyes at my panicked reaction.
“And how the hell do you know my name while we are at that?!” I continue screaming, pointing an accusatory finger in her direction. “Who are you even!?”
“Fine, fine, if that is what you want,” the rabbit replies nonchalantly, waving her hand dismissively, “Then I will grant your wish, Alice. You may call me Lucienne, or Luci for short if you like.” She stands up and gives me an exasperated look before continuing. “Do you believe in destiny, Alice?”
The sudden question catches me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless. What? Did I miss something? Was there any point where this conversation could lead to that question? Does this have something to do with my class? “I... uh... Well, no, not really. Not as such, anyway.”
Lucienne takes a step towards me and I can’t help but involuntarily back away a bit. She’s small, but intimidating in some strange way, as if something powerful lurks just beneath the surface, ready to break out at any time. “Quite unexpected answer from someone like yourself.“ Another step forward as I take one backward, “You’ve been denied choice over and over, yet still believe to be free?” Another step, this time faster, forcing me to retreat once more.
“I don’t understand what you are talking about...” My voice trembles slightly as fear creeps up my spine. My back bumps into the cold cave wall, freezing the blood in my veins and stopping my retreat.
“Or do you just refuse to accept it, Alice? Do you enjoy being controlled like a puppet?” Another step forward. We are so close now, almost touching. I try to lean back, to gain some distance, but I’m trapped! The wall is solid against my shoulders as I press my palms to the stone behind me. My heart thunders in my chest, threatening to burst from my ribcage at any moment.
A manic grin spreads across her lips and a twinkle, that’s a bit too sinister to be friendly, appears in her blood-red eyes. A shiver runs down my spine. Evil. Mad. I knew it! All rabbits are dangerous! And this one is also insane!
But at the same time, her words spark something within me. An anger. An urge. A desire. A need to fight back and prove myself stronger. I’m nobody’s puppet!
“Don’t you want to be truly free? To decide your own fate? To cut down the strings that bind you, walk your own path and forge your future with your own two hands?” The voice, gentle and melodic, reverberates throughout the cavern, echoing through my very being. Each syllable vibrates with power, resonating with my soul. Her gaze bores into mine, holding me prisoner to those hypnotic scarlet irises of hers. I can almost feel it, tugging at me, pulling me towards it.
“What do you want me to do?” My voice sounds strained as I speak. Is it because of fear? Anticipation? Both?
Lucienne lets out a giggle at my question. I swear her cheeks must hurt by now with how hard she is grinning. She holds out her hand, palm up, as if in an invitation, beckoning me to grasp it. “I need you to join me, Alice,” she replies with absolute conviction in her tone, her siren call reaching straight for the very core of my being, causing my chest to ache in longing for what lies beyond. “I need you to help me kill a god.”