3rd pov:

As Astrid's consciousness gradually returned, she found herself lying on a bed of soft grass. Opening her eyes, she beheld a breathtaking sight. Towering trees stretched towards the sky, their lush green canopies forming a natural ceiling overhead. The air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers, and the gentle rustling of leaves provided a soothing melody.

Blinking in astonishment, Astrid sat up, taking in her surroundings. She found herself in a serene clearing, surrounded by an enchanting forest that seemed to stretch on endlessly. Rays of sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting a warm glow on the vibrant flora that carpeted the forest floor.

As she rose to her feet, Astrid noticed the diverse array of plant life that adorned the landscape. Vibrant flowers in every shade imaginable bloomed in profusion, their delicate petals swaying with the gentle breeze. Tangles of ivy and moss adorned the tree trunks, lending an air of mysticism to the scene.

Astrid pov:

"Mom! Dad!" I called out desperately, my voice echoing through the tranquil landscape. My heart raced, hoping against hope that they were somewhere nearby. But my calls were met with only the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.

Without hesitation, I summoned my celestial wings. I surveyed the sprawling wilderness, scanning the horizon for any signs of civilization. My eyes strained, searching for even the faintest hint of human presence. But all I could see were endless stretches of greenery and nothing that could help me to know where I'm at.

'I swear I'll kill those beings and I'll get revenge for my parents but for now, let's focus on surviving.' I thought to myself, focusing on my current dilemma.

I fly for a bit before becoming exhausted and deciding to just walk on foot. I hid my wings once again, nothing much I could do about the halo, and started trekking through the forest.

I hear the sound of an animal nearby reminding me that I haven't eaten anything ever since I got to this forest. I grab a stick to use as a weapon for some reason and I go to where I hear the animal noises to see a boar eating some apples that fell from the tree.

I crouch and slowly approach the boar, I start to infuse some of my magic into the stick and throw it like a javelin but because it was a stick it pierced the boar's head but it didn't survive as all that was left was small pieces of the stick.

'Alright, so you killed a boar now what' I questioned myself then remembered a book on hunting. I grabbed another stick and cut the boar up into pieces so that I could cook it. Then I gather wood to start a fire so I can cook it. I'm not hungry enough to eat it raw.

I finished cooking my food and started to eat the boar meat as I looked at the night sky and felt myself drawn to it. Even after I finished eating I kept looking at it admiring its beauty, feeling more energized under the night sky than in the morning.

I got up, put out the fire, and summoned my wings to continue flying in a certain direction in hopes to find some sort of civilization.

—---

"I swear I'll kill those beings and get revenge for my parents," I silently vowed, my determination unwavering. But for now, survival took precedence. I needed to focus on navigating this unfamiliar realm.

Flying for a while had left me exhausted, prompting me to land and continue on foot. Concealing my wings once again, I ventured deeper into the forest. The halo above my head remained a constant reminder of my celestial nature, an aspect beyond my control.

As I walked, the rustling of nearby animals reminded me of my growling stomach. It dawned on me that I hadn't eaten since my arrival in this strange place. Seizing a nearby stick, I held it tightly, its rough texture giving me a semblance of security. I followed the sound and came upon a boar, feasting on fallen apples beneath a tree.

Crouching low, I cautiously approached the boar. Channeling some of my magical energy into the stick, I threw it like a javelin. The stick pierced the boar's head, causing it to collapse lifelessly. My attempt at hunting has gone as planned, but the hunger gnawing at me pushed me to move a bit faster.

I retrieved another stick and proceeded to butcher the boar, dividing it into manageable pieces for cooking. Collecting wood for a fire, I created a small blaze, its warm glow bringing comfort amidst the darkness of the forest.

As the meat cooked, I found myself captivated by the night sky. Its vast expanse seemed to call to me, its beauty captivating my gaze. Even after I finished eating, I continued to stare at the heavens above, feeling a surge of energy coursing through me.

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I stood up, extinguished the fire, and summoned my wings once more. It was time to take to the skies again, flying in a random direction in the hopes of finding signs of civilization, a place that could hopefully tell me where I'm at.

As I continued my flight, my eyes caught sight of billowing smoke rising into the sky. Hastening my pace, I soared towards the origin of the smoke, my heart sinking as I beheld what was once a thriving village now consumed by merciless flames. Desperate cries for help and agonized screams filled the air.

Lowering myself closer to the ground, my eyes fixated on a massive scaly lizard with only two legs and wings for arms closing in on a terrified girl. Time was of the essence, and I knew I had to act swiftly. Though I hadn't honed my abilities in forming shadow constructs extensively, there was no better moment than now to put my skills to the test.

Gathering my focus, I molded a shadow spear within my grasp, the dark weapon taking shape in my hands. With practiced precision, I hurled the spear toward the wyvern, aiming true and striking its eye. The impact successfully diverted its attention away from the defenseless girl.

Examining the creature more closely, a flicker of recognition ignited within me. "Wyverns," I muttered to myself, recalling fragments of knowledge passed down by my mother. These creatures belonged to Gaea, not Utopia. The realization flashed through my mind, but there was little time for contemplation—I had a wyvern to deal with.

Recreating the shadow spear, I propelled myself forward. Engaging the wyvern head-on, I deflected its vicious claw strike using the spear's sturdy form. Swiftly, I maneuvered, slicing through its other leg with a decisive stroke. The creature retaliated, attempting to strike me with its lethal tail, but I agilely leaped back, utilizing the momentum to propel myself towards the wyvern with a quick speed.

Closing the distance, I delivered a final, precise blow to its vulnerable neck, severing the connection between its scaly head and body. The wyvern let out a resounding roar, its life force extinguished as it crumpled to the ground. The threat neutralized, and I took a moment to catch my breath, my heart pounding with the exhilaration of the battle.

Approaching the girl with caution, I extended a helping hand to her. "Are you okay?" I asked softly, my voice filled with concern. She looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. Overwhelmed by the trauma she had just experienced, she threw herself into my arms. I awkwardly patted her back.

Gazing upon the devastation caused by the wyvern, I suddenly heard the thundering sound of galloping horses.

Turning my attention toward the source, I saw a group of armed soldiers charging toward us. The figure leading the pack gestured with commanding authority, and the soldiers fanned out, combing through the remnants of the village in search of something—or someone.

It was clear that this individual was the captain. Sensing potential trouble, I drew the girl closer to me, preparing for the approaching soldiers.

One of the soldiers dismounted his horse, his sword pointed menacingly in my direction. "Why are you holding the lady?" he demanded, his voice filled with suspicion and aggression.

Perplexed by his accusation, I raised my hands in a gesture of surrender. "Ummm, she just hugged me," I replied, trying to remain calm in the face of escalating tension.

"You dare to try and take advantage of milady?" the soldier continued, growing angrier by the moment. Confusion washed over me as his words made no sense. "I just told you she came and hugged me," I retorted, annoyance starting to surface.

Just as the situation was about to escalate, the captain approached, commanding his troops to halt. "What's going on here?" he inquired, his authoritative voice cutting through the tension.

The soldier who had accused me wasted no time in justifying his actions. "This bird-kin is trying to take advantage of the milady," he claimed, further enraging me due to his stupidity.

I pleaded silently with the captain, hoping he would be able to piece together what happened with the dead Wyvern behind me and this girl hugging me.

'Please, let me go and explain the situation. Otherwise, they're going to misunderstand what happened' I thought to myself, looking down at the girl hugging me and back at the captain.

To my relief, his gaze shifted, finally noticing the slain creature that lay behind us. As if awakened from a trance hearing the captain's voice, the girl turned towards the captain, releasing me from her embrace and clinging to him instead.

"Sir Edwin, you came for me!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with relief and joy. The captain, now named Sir Edwin, gently wiped away her tears and urged her to explain what had transpired.

She began recounting the Wyvern event, highlighting how I saved her and I didn't try to take advantage of her like the dumb soldier originally thought. Sir Edwin turned his attention towards me, walking in my direction.

"Thank you for saving the young lady," he expressed sincerely. I nodded humbly, dismissing my actions as nothing out of the ordinary. "It was no problem. I simply did what anyone else would do," I replied, my modesty evident.

"Can you come with us?" Sir Edwin asked, his tone inviting. "Master du Lac will surely reward you for saving his daughter."

I hesitated, not wanting to impose or seek any form of reward but at the same time, I'm currently homeless. Rubbing the back of my neck, I voiced my uncertainty. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother."

"Absolutely. Standing up to a wyvern to protect someone is an honorable and noble thing to do," Sir Edwin affirmed, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. Accepting his invitation, I nodded in agreement.

"Very well, I'll accompany you," I consented

I got on a horse riding with a soldier while Sir Edwin took the girl. I never got her actual name.

As the first rays of dawn broke through the treetops, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. The mysterious boost of energy that had fueled my battle with the wyvern had faded, leaving me drained. My eyelids grew heavy, and I struggled to stay awake, but the pull of sleep was irresistible.

When I finally succumbed to exhaustion, the world around me faded into darkness. It was a deep and dreamless sleep that consumed me, unaware of the passing time or the journey that continued without my conscious presence.