The old house stood hidden amidst a dense thicket of trees, its dilapidated walls covered in layers of ivy and moss. It was a forgotten place, abandoned by its previous inhabitants, and nature had reclaimed it as its own. Intrigued by its air of mystery, I cautiously pushed the creaking door open and stepped inside.
"By the stars above, what a peculiar sight…" I muttered to myself, my voice barely audible in the stillness. "This place seems untouched by time, it still holds the memories of past dwellers here."
Sunlight filtered through the dusty windows, casting ethereal rays upon the decaying furniture that dotted the room. A sense of melancholy hung in the air, as if the house itself mourned the lives it once sheltered. But amidst the desolation, my eyes were drawn to a majestic tree, its branches stretching towards the heavens through a gaping hole in the roof.
"Ah, what a magnificent tree," I exclaimed, my voice filled with awe. "Its branches reaching for the sky, as if yearning for freedom." It had the most beautiful of flowers that carried a sweet scent that reminded me of the delicious sweets that my home village procured from the wandering traders that occasionally stopped by.
As I approached the tree, intrigued by its vibrant foliage, a sudden movement caught my attention. Emerging from the shadows, a black cat materialized, its piercing green eyes fixed upon me. It regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and caution, as if unsure of my intentions.
"Well, hello there…" I said, crouching down to meet the cat's gaze. "You seem to have found yourself a cozy spot amidst this forgotten abode."
The cat arched its back, its fur bristling, and let out a low growl. It seemed to be warning me to keep my distance. I understood its caution, for I, too, had learned to be wary of the unknown.
"Ah, I see you're not one to trust easily…" I remarked, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"But fear not, my feline friend, for I mean you no harm…"
The cat's eyes narrowed, as if it understood my words. It circled me, its movements graceful yet filled with a sense of skepticism. I held my breath, waiting for its next move.
"Very well, my cautious companion," I continued, my voice gentle. "If you wish to keep your distance, I shall respect your boundaries. But know this, I am no ordinary elf. I have spent my days immersed in books, learning of the world beyond these walls. And now, I long to experience it firsthand. I do not expect to stay here long."
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The cat regarded me for a moment longer, as if contemplating my words. And then, to my surprise, it let out a soft meow, its eyes gleaming with a newfound understanding. It seemed that the cat, whom I had named Void, had accepted my presence, albeit with a hint of reluctance.
As days turned into weeks, Void and I settled into a routine within the confines of the abandoned house and the surrounding forest. Our relationship remained rocky, with moments of camaraderie interspersed with fleeting displays of aloofness. But gradually, a bond began to form, built upon mutual respect and shared experiences.
I was able to build a small collection of books that my mother had given me before I was outcasted, the house was looking less abandoned and more of an actual home. I cleaned and decorated while my companion had come back with fresh meat that she had hunted, what a strange but lovely feeling. Many moons pass until Void share another starry sky, on the top of our home's tree
"Ah, Void, my enigmatic companion," I mused one evening, as we sat by the crackling fireplace.
"We may have started off on uncertain ground, but I believe we are beginning to understand one another."
Void blinked lazily, its tail swishing back and forth in a rhythmic motion. It seemed to acknowledge my words, though its silence spoke volumes.
"You know, my dear friend, I have spent my life immersed in books, dreaming of the adventures that lie beyond these walls," I confessed, my voice tinged with a hint of longing. "But now, with you by my side, those dreams are slowly becoming a reality."
Void tilted its head, its eyes fixed upon me, as if urging me to continue.
"I have read of vast forests teeming with mythical creatures, of towering mountains that touch the heavens, and of sparkling rivers that carry stories untold… strength obtained through adventures and exploration, wonderful powers of which you would not have to worry of your own safety." I continued, my voice filled with excitement. "And I yearn to witness these wonders firsthand, to breathe in the scent of adventure and feel the pulse of the world beneath my feet."
Void let out a soft purr, its presence a comforting reassurance. In that moment, I realized that our journey had only just begun. The abandoned house, once a sanctuary of solitude, had become a launching pad for our shared destiny.
And so, with each passing day, I ventured within myself and trained. With my excitement, there is still the dangers that come with the 'wonders' I wish to experience. With time on my side, I learnt everything the books could provide me… be it cooking, basic survival, washing and other knowledge.
I always knew that as an Elf I had a long lifespan but my feline companion seemed to have one shorter as I learnt through my books, I learnt how to tell the passage of time through the moon cycles to use that to gauge Void's age but she seem well past the age she was supposed to.
I assume a spirit resembling a cat perhaps? I did not probe any deeper and left it as Void was a Cat Spirit, though I tried speaking to Void but was met with the usual meow and purrs.
"Void, my dear friend… may this Elf hunt with you?" I had prepared my dagger and makeshift bow to come hunt since I pondered how Void could hunt such large animals with such a tiny frame.
I was met with many meows and purrs but eventually I was tagging behind my feline companion further into the forest where a herd of deer were drinking water, I silently followed Void's steps as she carefully crept on the deer.
Though yet to come, having come along with Void already made my adventurous heart race.
[To Be Continued]