Ten years later…

– Ishizora, eighteen, single. I wouldn’t describe myself as exceptionally good-looking, but I’m confident in my appearance — after all, I train my body every day. I enjoy watching wild animals and...

∼ Why am I introducing myself again?

After six years of traveling alone in the wilds of Historia, I think I'm starting to lose it. I can't believe I've been lost for six years and still haven't found a single road. Humans? Let's not even mention them. I've encountered a few brigands who capture wild creatures to sell in town, but I've always avoided interacting with them. Who knows if lost young adventurers are also part of their merchandise.

It was old Tak who told me to stay away from brigands. In fact, he taught me almost everything I know, since I didn't remember a single thing when he took me in ten years ago — not even my name or where I came from. He’s the one who named me Ishizora. Apparently it means "sky stone" because when he found me, I looked like a stone that had fallen from the sky. He even estimated my age based on my bone structure, just like you can tell if a fruit is ripe by feeling it with your fingertips.

He also said that when I grow up, I'll be tall and strong. I can't say if he was right, since I have no one to compare myself with. The brigands I occasionally meet are only slightly smaller than me, and I've never had the chance to measure their strength. It's important to have examples to compare ourselves with. When you haven't seen a human being for a while, you start to wonder if you really look like them. I don’t hate my face, but maybe other humans have a completely different one.

∼ Maybe I look weird, maybe people would find me hideous.

∼ No, they wouldn't. Old Tak told me I was quite good-looking, that I'd be successful if I went to the capital, and that I'd even find work.

If only he hadn’t left before teaching me the way to the capital. Because of that, I've been wandering around for six years in this bloody endless vegetation.

Recently, I've started encountering brigands more frequently. "Encounter" is a strong word since, although I often linger to observe them, none of them has ever noticed my presence. I can’t tell if my senses have always been this sharp or if they developed from years of wandering the wild, but I can hear the brigands talking and feel the vibrations of their wagons as they roll along the ground several hundred meters away. Then, if I close my eyes and focus, I can make out the shapes around me up to fifty meters away, even if they're hidden behind trees. This is what I call my sixth eye, and that's how I've always managed to avoid bandits and dangerous creatures.

Speaking of dangerous creatures, Historia is full of them. Encountering a six-meter-high grizzlion as you emerge from a bush, waking up tied in the web of a giant flying spider, or falling into a hole left by a gargantuan mole scorpion — these are daily occurences here. Old Tak told me this is the reason we rarely come across travelers. On the other hand, it's a real playground for brigands. After all, there's no risk of anyone getting in the way of their activities here.

The brigands I've come across recently seem more excited and less patient. Just a week ago, I overheard two groups of brigands arguing over who owned the corpse of a blood-warthog. What a hard life the one of a brigand is. Not only do they risk their lives at every turn, they also have to handle competition, especially as I'm seeing fewer and fewer creatures these days.

This phenomena, combined with the recent increase in the number of brigands, leads me to believe that I'm finally approaching a town. Old Tak often told me about the great cities where the people of Historia, fleeing from the dangers of nature, gather in their thousands. I've often seen them in my dreams or imagined them, with their cobbled streets, their buildings of various shapes and their immense walls protecting hundreds of thousands of inhabitants. For someone who has seen almost no one in the last six years, the idea of meeting so many of my fellow human beings excites me as much as it frightens me.

∼ What if I can't make any friends? What if everyone hates me?

I've been practicing introducing myself out loud for several days now. It's important to talk when you're travelling alone. If I didn't talk to myself a bit every day, who knows what would happen to my voice. I wouldn't want to spoil my first meeting with a fellow human by letting out a groan straight from the abyss when I'm just trying to say hello. Besides, talking helps me pass the time. After all, I have plenty of time on my hands. Thanks to my heightened senses, I have no trouble finding game or a quiet place to rest. I spend most of my time exercising or observing wild creatures. Occasionally, I get a little too close and they notice my presence. Most ignore me. Some, more fearful, graze elsewhere, while others, more belligerent, start chasing me. I've lost count of the number of times I cursed my curiosity after narrowly escaping a disastrous fate.

This is the exact situation I’m currently in. The only difference is that my curiosity has nothing to do with it, this time. Wolves appeared out of nowhere without me even sensing them approaching, and they've been on my tail for a while now. I've tried everything to lose them, but nothing has worked. They're as tenacious as the leeches in the great swamps of the West. I've always had faith in my stamina, but it won't be long before it fails me. I can feel them gaining on me, and to top it all off, their numbers are increasing. Of all the tricky situations I've gotten myself into over the last six years, this is by far the most precarious.

∼ And what's up with these gigantic wolves?

It’s the first time I see ones like this. Their ferocity, combined with impressive musculature and very sharp canines, leaves no doubt that they could cut down a full-grown human with a single bite, like a twig being trampled underfoot.

The forest I'm in seems strange too; it is unnaturally bright, yet I can’t see the canopy. The light appears to emanate from within the forest itself, but I can’t focus on that right now. I need to find a way out of here. Maybe then I'll be able to find a hideout. The vegetation seems less dense on my left, so I make a sharp turn. Suddenly, I feel a mass slam onto my back with phenomenal force, and I collapse to the ground, taking my ennemy with me in a series of uncontrolled rolls. I feel its claws digging into my skin, and the pain makes me lucid. Despite the chaos of the situation, I manage to place my feet on the animal's belly and propel it against a tree trunk. I hear squeaks of pain and get up as quickly as possible. It won't be long before the other wolves catch up to me.

I finally reach a clearing where I’m first blinded by the light. I'm once again amazed at its intensity, despite the thick foliage acting as an airtight blanket supported by the endless trunks of the forest. The presence of a small solitary apple tree, standing like a king in the centre of the clearing — though it pales in comparison to its forest counterparts — adds to the surreal atmosphere exuding from this landscape. At least here I don't risk being taken by surprise, and I can better assess the number of my pursuers. I keep running towards the apple tree and suddenly see what, ironically, seems to be the most surreal aspect of this situation: a young woman, about my age, busy picking apples with a basket in her arm. Although I'm delighted at this surprising yet long-awaited appearance, it would be a great pity if the first fellow human to cross my path ends up in separate pieces. She's still a long way off, but I do my best to warn her of the danger with my voice strained with breathlessness.

– Run! It's dangerous!

I'm not sure my words reached her, as she simply turned her head in my direction, looking as surprised as irritated. For my defense, I'm a bit out of breath to shout properly, and even though I practiced my voice a lot over the last six years, there's no guarantee I can still express myself normally. Seeing that she doesn't react, I decide to run toward her.

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– Who the hell are you? And what are you doing here, she asks, looking shocked.

I'm pleased that she decides to initiate the introductions herself, but it doesn't seem like the right time, so I stop in front of her and turn towards the wolves, arms outstretched, determined to face my adversaries head-on.

– Just run! I'll hold them off!

Now that I'm heroically facing my pursuers, I realize the stupidity of my action. I'm not even sure I can win against one of these rabid wolves — whose diet seems to consist of grizzlion and blood-warthog — but against twenty of them, my chances are virtually zero. To make matters worse, the girl I'm vainly trying to buy time for doesn't seem the least bit alarmed, as if she were more surprised by my own presence than by that of the wolves.

– Why on earth would you want me to run away?

∼ Is she deranged?

The situation already seems desperate — the wolves will be on us in less than five strides, and two fangs should be enough for our heads to take leave of our bodies.

Suddenly, to my surprise, the girl sweeps me aside with a wave of her arm and steps forward to face the wolves alone.

One look.

No more, no less. No gestures, no tricks. The wolves stop dead in their tracks, and their aggression melts away like snow in the sun. I think their piercing eyes became white for a moment before they turn their backs and calmly head back into the forest from where they came.

I blink, as if trying to chase away a reality my brain cannot explain, then resolve to look at my rescuer's back. Her slightly dishevelled, mid-length red hair looks like a blazing inferno. Her figure is slim, perhaps too much, but she doesn’t look fragile in the least. Even with her back turned, she inspires strength and tenacity. During my journey, I have observed numerous dangerous creatures and individuals, and this has taught me that there are different types of strength. Hers is as rough as a diamond, as untameable as a wild beast, and as elusive as a flame.

– Just now... you did that?

– Has the barrier weakened again? I've got to tell Mother as soon as possible, she mutters while holding her chin.

∼ Holy fire-raven! I’m being completely ignored here!

– Excuse me, may I ask...

Before I know it, a knife is at my throat, and the girl who has just saved my life is now looking at me with contempt.

– What are you doing here?

∼ I don't know how It ended up like this, but I think I can draw two conclusions from here. The first is that I'm highly unlucky. The second is that my long-awaited first meeting with one of my peers ended in failure.

Now that she's facing me, I take a moment to observe her in more details. After all, she's the first representative of the opposite gender I see since I lost my memories. She's slightly shorter than me, but her upright posture and piercing wolf-like gaze conveys a haughty confidence. A fringe obscures her forehead and partially masks her orange-red eyes. Her facial features are fine, and her nose is pointed. Her breasts are present but not eye-catching. I had noticed her slender and athletic build from behind, but now I see it clearly again. Her simple clothes suggest she comes from a poor background: a black sleeveless tunic, fastened at the waist by a piece of string tied above her left hip. A small V-shaped neckline fastened with laces reveals her collarbones, and an old ragged piece of black cloth is wrapped around her right arm. Her bare legs evoke power, while the metal rings on her slender ankles rest delicately on damaged bare feet.

– Hey! Are you listening to me? You've just broken into my house after disturbing our wolves. I hope you have a good excuse, she asks me, increasing the pressure on my throat.

– Wait, your wolves? In your house? But where the hell are we?

I feel the pressure on my throat ease slightly as she probes me with her eyes. She finally lowers her arm and drops what I thought was a knife but was, in reality, just a twig.

– Don't tell me you're just a traveller who got lost and ended up here by chance?

– Well... yes.

∼ I mean… what else could I be?

– I was on my way to the capital and got lost. I had no intention of breaking into your house, I promise.

After five long seconds staring into my eyes, she crosses her arms, finally coming to a conclusion.

– Hmm, you don't look like someone who knows how to lie. Besides, your outfit speaks for itself. I'm surprised, though, that you've managed to escape our wolves all this way. What’s your name?

– Ishizora! My name is Ishizora! And yours?

Ignoring my question once again, she turns her back on me and heads hastily for her basket, which she had left under the apple tree.

– The fact that you managed to get in here was a mistake on my part, so I won't hold it against you, but you must understand that you're not supposed to be here. So I'm going to ask you to disappear as quickly as possible and, most importantly, not to tell anyone about what you've seen, including me.

– I more or less understand the situation. I promise I won't tell anyone about this place or about you.

∼ I don't even know where I am anyway. Since I've been walking in this forest, I've lost all sense of direction and wouldn't even recognize north from south. I feel a bit ashamed to ask her for a favor when she's just saved my life, but I don't want to be attacked by wild beasts again today.

– By any chance, would you be so kind as to—

– You want to know where the capital is, right, she interrupts me, sighing.

∼ The one time she answers me, she doesn't even let me finish!

I simply nod, afraid of saying something that might upset her even more.

– Follow me! I'll show you the way out.

I thank her flatly before following her into the forest.

– We're almost there, she informs me, although the forest remains just as dense, and I still can't see a single path ahead of us. First, blindfold yourself with this, she orders me, handing me a fern leaf that I stare at, perplexed, before delicately grasping it by the tips of my fingers. Just to make sure you can't find your way back. Come on, hurry up!

I comply in silence.

∼ I don't understand why such security measures are necessary, but it seems wise not to ask any more questions.

– Are you done? Can you see anything?

– No, I can't.

– Nothing at all?

– Not even my nose.

– Perfect! Don't you dare take it off or I'll throw you to the wolves.

∼ With such a warning, there is no chance I’ll be removing it.

I try once more to ask her name.

– Listen—

The ground suddenly starts shaking so violently that I almost lose my balance. It's terrifying not to be able to see anything when even the ground ceases to be a reliable landmark.

– What's going on?

– …

I don't know why I expected an answer from her. After what seems to me as an eternity, the shaking finally stops, and the girl abruptly pushes me onto my back. I take a few clumsy steps forward and turn towards her, even though I can't see a thing.

– On my signal, count to ten and then you can take off your blindfold. Once you're out, head west, and you'll eventually see the walls of Aragane.

– Once out? What do you mean?

– Oh, and one last thing. What were your intentions when you stopped between me and the wolves? You weren't going to sacrifice yourself to protect a stranger, she asks me, caughting me off guard and requiring that I think about it a few seconds.

– I wasn't going to sacrifice myself, but I did intend to fight.

– Alone against twenty holy wolves?

– Holy wolves?

– You don't seem to be lying. You're just completely deranged, then, she slips in a sigh.

– Saying that I was trying to save you is not entirely accurate, tho.

– Oh? Then why did you shout at me to run away?

– Not knowing your strength, it would be rather pretentious of me to try and save you, don't you think? I simply didn't want to involve anyone else in a dangerous situation for which I alone was responsible.

She remains silent for five seconds, as if reflecting on wether she should still throw me to the wolves. I noisily swallow my saliva.

– I see... Count to ten!

Violent jolts, even stronger than before, nearly knock me over again. This time it feels like the ground isn't just shaking — it's moving!

– Wait! You haven't told me your name!

No reply, only the roar of the ground and the sound of wood cracking as if the forest itself were howling. I stand there in the darkness, struggling to stay on my feet.

The vibrations fade as suddenly as they appeared, leaving me motionless, blind, and deaf. I decide it's been ten seconds and when I finally remove my blindfold, I find myself in the middle of…

Emptiness!

Not even a shrub or bush in sight — only an expanse of endless grass where the forest once stood. The mysterious forest that once seemed boundless has vanished as dust in the wind. Puzzled by what just happened, I take a deep breath of fresh air, undoubtedly better than the stagnant one of the forest.

Who'd have thought I'd be so moved by finally seeing the sky and its few sheep on pilgrimage. I realize I've completely lost track of time. The sun is edging toward the horizon, already tinged with orange.

∼ West, she said.

I should hurry if I want to reach the city before dark. I decide to set aside all my questions for now and head toward the capital. However, one question persists in my mind.

∼ Who is this girl with fiery hair and mysterious powers? And whys does she live in this… strange forest?