Nyx couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her mouth hung open, and her silver eyes widened in shock.

Well, she could believe it, but she didn’t want to.

What was he doing here?

How did he get into this forest?

And why was he hurt?

Questions swirled in her mind as she stared down at the small, scarred human boy. He was crouched in fear, his frail body trembling. His outfit—a brown shirt, shorts, and boots—was torn and muddy, evidence of his recent struggles. His piercing blue eyes locked onto her, flickering between terror and—oddly—relief.

“P-please don’t hurt me,” he whispered, his voice shaking.

Nyx blinked. She understood him. But how? His words were foreign, yet they resonated in her mind as if spoken in her own language.

I understand you, she thought. But why?

She tried to respond. “I won’t hurt you,” she said softly.

The boy’s face twisted in confusion. “I… I don’t understand,” he murmured, his voice timid. “Please, help me. I need to leave this place.”

Nyx’s heart sank. It seemed he couldn’t understand her in return. Speaking was pointless, but she had to help him. Slowly, she lowered herself to her knees, keeping her movements deliberate and calm. She wanted to show she meant no harm.

Despite the tense situation, Nyx felt a spark of excitement. This was the first time she’d seen someone like her—a human. She’d spent so long among the Constellations that she almost forgot what it was like to meet one of her own kind. She wanted to ask him everything: Where are you from? How did you get here? Are there more of us?

But for now, gestures would have to do.

Who is she? he wondered. What’s a girl like her doing here?

The elders always said the Dark Forest of Tivera was home to god-like monsters. No human could survive here, yet this strange girl looked his age. She didn’t seem afraid, and her outfit alone looked more expensive than anything he’d ever seen. Was she a lost princess?

A noble?

The boy’s thoughts raced. He had always been told that no human could survive in the dark forest of Tivera. The village elders spoke of god-like monsters that ruled these lands, creatures so powerful that even the bravest warriors wouldn’t dare venture here.

Yet here she was—a small girl, about his age, with silver hair and fine clothes, standing calmly in this forbidden place. She even carried what looked like royal accessories: a scabbard, a necklace, and now the bracelet she’d just given him.

Could the elders have been wrong? he wondered. Or worse… had they lied?

He would have to ask them—if he ever made it back home.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Nyx noticed his wandering gaze and smiled gently. When he didn’t recoil, she pointed at his arm, where a thin stream of blood dripped from a deep gash.

“This?” she asked, motioning to the wound.

The boy followed her gesture and winced. “Y-yeah,” he muttered. “Can you… can you help?”

Nyx nodded confidently. She reached into her bag, rummaging through its contents. Finally, her fingers closed around a small vial filled with a glowing blue liquid. It was a healing potion she’d crafted with Len’s guidance. Now, she could finally see how well it worked on someone like her.

Carefully, she handed the bottle to the boy and gestured for him to pour it onto his wound and rub it in.

The boy hesitated, his eyes darting between the potion and her. Could he trust her? She’d kept her distance and seemed friendly enough, but this was still the Dark Forest. He didn’t have much choice—his arm throbbed painfully, and the blood loss was taking its toll.

Deciding to trust her, he uncorked the vial and followed her instructions. As the liquid touched his skin, a bright light flared, forcing him to look away. When he glanced back, he gasped in disbelief.

The wound had completely healed. Not even a scar remained.

“This… this is amazing,” he whispered, turning his arm over as if expecting the injury to reappear. “How…?”

Nyx continued to watch the boy, her silver eyes bright with curiosity. To her, he was a fascinating spectacle—another human, here in the dark forest, speaking a language she somehow understood.

The boy, on the other hand, was equally intrigued. She’s an incredible healer, he thought, still marveling at his unscarred arm. The potion’s power was beyond anything he’d ever seen. If word spread that a little girl could create potions this potent, he could only imagine how the kingdoms would react.

They’d probably fight over her, he mused, a shiver running down his spine.

Nyx, noticing his thoughtful silence, waved to get his attention. She pointed to her own arm, then to him, and gave a thumbs-up.

The boy tilted his head, then realized what she was asking. “Oh, you’re wondering if my arm’s okay?”

Nyx beamed, her silver eyes sparkling with pride. She pointed at his arm again, then gave a thumbs-up, silently asking if it felt better.

The boy nodded quickly. “Yes… Thank you. Really, thank you.”

Nyx’s grin widened, but her mind raced. She had to find a way to communicate with him properly. This might be her only chance to talk to another human. Digging through her bag again, she searched for anything that might help bridge the language gap.

Nothing.

Her gaze fell to her wrist. Her bracelet—Peacock’s gift.

What did it do again? she wondered, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Then it hit her. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she let out a small squeal.

The boy flinched at the sudden noise, nearly dropping the empty vial. Nyx quickly waved her hands in apology, then unstrapped the bracelet and held it out to him.

He stared at the ornate piece of jewelry. It was delicate and elegant, its intricate design gleaming faintly even in the forest’s dim light. This wasn’t something a commoner would own.

Nyx’s smile remained steady, her hand extended patiently. Finally, the boy tentatively reached out and let her fasten the bracelet around his wrist.

Nyx carefully strapped the bracelet around his wrist. The boy lifted his arm, bringing it closer to his face. The intricate design and shimmering metal caught the light, glinting like something out of a royal treasury.

This… this is something only royals would wear, he thought, his mind racing.

He glanced back at the girl, taking in her fine clothes, her elegant scabbard, and the ornate necklace around her neck. Is she a royal? It wouldn’t surprise him. Everything about her—from her calm demeanor to her expensive gear—spoke of wealth and status.

But then, a new question gripped him. What’s a royal doing in the dark forest of Tivera?

The stories from the elders painted this place as a deathtrap, inhabited only by monstrous beings. No human could survive here. Was she lost?

He tried to remember if the villagers had ever mentioned a missing royal—perhaps a princess from a distant kingdom. But no matter how hard he thought, nothing came to mind.

His eyes drifted back to the bracelet. Why did she just give me this?

The moment it clicked into place, the intricate designs glowed softly. His eyes widened as a strange warmth spread through him.

“Can you understand me now?” Nyx asked, her voice filled with hope.