What in the name of the Great Spirit is wrong with this man, Serthiqha screamed in her mind, for the man behind her was not only slow but also looked like he was in pain, constantly clenching on his head for every step he took.
For Serthiqha, living in the Lagorya forest was a boredom, she didn’t have many chances to interact with other creatures beside her kin, so when a human visitor came to the forest; she could not help to not be overjoyed. Thus, when that happened, she often did some mischievous things to them, which resulted in the forest having fewer, and fewer visitors, until no one come anymore.
It was a morning day like usual, where she just flew around the forest in her boredom. That was when her human sensory (self-made by her) tingled, sensing a human visitor had entered the forest. Wasting no time, she quickly flew toward the indicated location, and spotted a lone human. She was thrilled. But, nothing happened. She waited, and waited, but the constant time the man was always on high alert, even the slight rustling of leaves didn’t miss his attention. To approach him, may be one thing, but to pull some prank on him would be an entirely different thing.
She thought she would have to wait all day until her chance came. But, for some reason, her human sensory tingled once again, which told her that another human had entered the forest. There were two, apparently. Of course, even a child knows two is better than one. She flew to the location as fast as her little wings could carry her. But, little did she know a disaster had struck at them, where a pack of wolf monsters had surrounded one of the two humans. Yet, somehow the other humans, the one with the auburn-hair seemed to be fine, quietly hiding behind a big trunk of a tree, as she held her own breath.
Even if she was often called a mischievous spirit, she was not evil to have the heart to let humans die by themselves, rare human visitors for a long time, in her forest, even more to some brainless monsters. She knew she needed to help them, but she was powerless. She flew around in anxiety, trying to think of the way out. But, then an idea popped into her mind. Of course, if she was powerless she needed to ask someone stronger. If there was something that the auburn hair human didn’t know, it was the fact there was another human like them.
She knew or rather she believed the other human should be strong.
With how he was always on high alert, looking around left to right, even the way he pathed himself over the difficult terrain he probably has some experience. The lone human should be capable of doing something that she cannot, she nodded amused with the idea.
Excited with the plan she came with. Serthiqha quickly observed the auburn human at a close distance, down from the hair and to the toes. She ought to be careful to not be discovered. But, her excitement peaked, she almost blew out herself, from all the jittery as she flew around the auburn-haired human. Luckily, her attention was gripped by what was in front of her.
She let out a sigh of relief.
Let's calm down a little, she said to herself, as she took a deep breath before continuing to fly toward the lone human. After dropping to the nearest bush, and making sure no one was watching, she assumed the form of the auburn human.
Her small figure grew up to 157 cm, and her golden hair changed color to oak hair, with a hint of red color. It fell onto her shoulder; she always had her hair tied, so having her hair down was a bit of a new experience. Down to the details, even the fact, there was a bit of dirt on her cheek and her hair that looked a little messy didn’t miss her attention.
Like the old saying, fool yourself before fooling others. She could not help but to smirk as she looked at the perfect transformation she had manifested. Of course, nothing is perfect; she didn’t know how many moles were hidden under the clothes, scars, or strands of white hairs. But, no one seemed to pay attention to that anyway.
Everything looked perfect, but with one simple, yet excellent touch, the white dress.
No one can resist the charm of white dress after all, especially a young male human like him. She observed her new figure, as she twirled in the spot, nodding to herself, seeming satisfied with the result.
Although everything was going according to her plan, she could not help but to feel everything seemed a bit too easy. Serthiqha’s expression became sour, as she remembered the event that led to this point, her eyes were ahead, but she could not help to glance at him for every second, worried in case he could collapse for any moment.
“Should we take a little rest?” Serthiqha asked.
“...Don’t worry about me, just lead the way.” Even from the shakiness of his voice, she could already tell that the man wasn’t alright.
Not only did he just agree casually, but he is also gravely injured. I don’t understand what's inside of this human. Maybe it was a mistake, after all. A small sigh escaped from her mouth without her knowing.
She once again glanced back at the man, and that was when she spotted a red mark around his neck. Although it was quite hidden, she also noticed there was a blackened spot of dried blood on his bruised forehead, between his long unruly bangs.
Another sigh escaped from her mouth, as she understood what it meant.
Good grief, this is a sacred forest you know., do it in another place, instead! She pouted, slowed down her pace, as she went to his side, put his arm around her shoulder, but the man yanked, as he snapped.
“What are you doing!!?”
“It's fine, it's fine. We’ll never arrive if we’re going at your pace,” but she resisted.
“Suit yourselves.”
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
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As the time passed, my situation didn't seem to get any better, instead it just felt much worse. The constant throbbing in my head that at the start was just a simple knocking had increased its intensity as it became more like hammering instead. I put my hand on my neck to check where a bit of ache was still lingering. As it touched, I could feel how cold my hand was, and the pain on my forehead came and went, like a blinking star.
Everything felt hurt at this point, I didn’t know which one it was anymore. I felt terribly weak, and battered. Even the fact that I have eaten nothing since a few days ago didn’t make my situation feel any better. Still, I’d promised, even if I was a liar, and a coward. At the very least, I always kept my promise true, or so I hoped to be.
With my current poor condition, traversing the forest that seemed little by little went steeper, as we went deeper, didn’t make it any easier for me, even with the help of the auburn girl beside me. It should be already within her mind at this point, even if we arrived there, it could be already too late, even more so if we kept going at this snail-like pace.
As I looked at the face beside me, I could not help but to wonder about one thing. Even with all the situations that seemed against her odds, she had nothing but calmness on her face, no single trace of panic, fear or any such emotion remotely displayed on her face. And, from my observation, it didn’t seem like she just tried to put on a brave face, even if it was, it would be one hell of a poker face, for a girl of her age.
Yet, why? Why could she still move forward without a hint of panic on her face, not even rushing me to walk faster?
If this was a deliberate acting from the mischievous spirits, then it was well done beyond, I could do nothing but give my standing ovation, and to embrace whatever lies ahead. But, that possibility had passed me, the moment she helped me.
“S-so, w– do you think we could make it?” I asked.
“Hm?...” She tilted her head in puzzlement, and didn’t seem to understand what I meant, and interpreted in her own. “Do you think we should take a rest after all?”
So, I came to my own conclusion. Or perhaps, perhaps, the idea of it was already too late was never crossed her mind at all. Either it was the innocence of a girl of her age, or perhaps, it was trust built by a long running relationship as family. She knew by heart that her father would be alright, perhaps how strong or perhaps the right word would be capable he was. Not exactly strong, but he knows what needs to be done, such as to stall time until help is coming.
“No, no, it’s fine. We definitely will save your father. I promise!” I said, encouraging. Yes, even if it costs me my life, I promise.
Instead of looking happy for what I’d said, she just looked more puzzled. Well, it should be fine, perhaps she was just a little overwhelmed by how I suddenly acted. But, first of all, to ensure the success, I need some information.
“So, I forgot to ask, but what kind of monster?”
“Oh, that’s right, it seems to have slipped my mind.” Then she pondered, and went, “Hmmm…. If I remembered, they are canine monsters, a bit more like a wolf type, I think. They’re kind of bigger than the average wolf, their legs were smaller, but their figure was slimmer. And, yes, if I remember correctly, there was one distinct feature, the fur on their chest like they are wearing a scarf, the red dotted fur. The name should be, I think it started with Red dotted, no, red, something–-.”
“... The Red Lychantes, one of many variations of the Lychantes monsters,” I interrupted as she was still scrambling for a name.
“Yes, that’s it. I know it!”
“Still, you’re quite knowledgeable, that's really helpful. I never know for a normal girl like you to know the name of a monster. When I visited a village for a quest, they normally would just blurt out the name of an animal that resembles them, like wolves, or bears, or deers. It was quite a headache, honestly.”
“Eh, really??” Even though I gave her a compliment, she became flustered for some reason. Then, a moment later, she muttered something under her breath, but because I was close enough, I could literally hear what she was muttering, “It was not normal apparently…”
I somehow felt guilty upon hearing that, I didn’t want to discourage her or anything. “No, I mean it as a compliment. It’s something to be proud of. No need to feel bad about it.”
“--Eh… thank you.” Perhaps, because the fact I was eavesdropping, made her uncomfortable, but still she let out a smile, a forced one, as she thanked me.
“*Ahem* But, do you think you will manage?”
“But do you think you will manage?”
“Red Lychantes are considered being D-rank monsters like goblins. So, they should not pose too much of a problem, for me at least.”
“I didn’t talk about that. But, don't push yourself too hard. Ah, I think it should be a little further ahead, there!” She said, pointing in the direction with her finger.
Coming from a different direction than she was pointing, right diagonal to ours. A rustling noise, as if something tried to pass through thick bushes. Slowly, but surely, it was getting closer, and closer. We stopped in our tracks, listening closely. I thought at first; it was her doing, but apparently it was not, as I looked at her, her expression was one, but a genuine surprise, as if she never expected them to come, and neither did I. It was a blunder on my part.
There was no time to panic, I said to myself. I hurriedly readied my hand at the dagger on my belt, quietly, I said to her.
“Run, while you can.”
But, she didn’t give any response just staring at the direction. With a single leaf on the top of her auburn hair, the figure emerged between the trees. A surprised look fell on her face, as she stood in front of us, she looked at me for a millisecond, before finally fixed her gaze at the auburn girl beside me. It was no surprise since the auburn girl beside me, and the auburn girl in front of me looked exactly the same. She was like a very copy of herself, except for one thing her attire.
“...Sis, is that you....” she said with a quiet voice, almost unheard, as she dropped the big branch in her hand that seemed big enough to bludgeon someone to death. With her hand in front of her, as if trying to reach her, she moved closer.
She staggered a bit over a root of the tree, as she tried to get close to her. But, before she could, the auburn girl beside me, dropped me on the ground, as she ran over to the direction to where we came before. I could do nothing against it, as I yelped in pain as my back hit the ground where a single rook conveniently there, adding nothing but pain to my long list of pain.
“Ah, shit!”
But, it seemed she heard nothing of it. Her hand was hanging in the air, as she locked her gazes at the figure of her own running through the forest. But, instead of chasing at the figure, she just stood there for a whole minute even after the figure had long gone. Before finally she came back to her senses, realized that I was also here, asked me in a somewhat concerned look.
“Um, are you okay?” When she realized how awkward her hand position was, she offered her hand to me, to help me stand. Which I gratefully accepted.
“I am. Thank you.”
If there was one thing that I knew is the fact that the spirit is probably real. It was just before she dropped me, she whispered something into my ear, “Take care of yourself better human’s child.” It was quite rare for me to hear someone addressing me with ‘human’s child’, she could be a spirit or probably something different. And, I would have no way to know that. And if there was something that I needed to know.
Is the person in front me also spirit or not? I could not help to wonder about that, and what was the best way to confirm it? It was to ask the person in question themselves. After making sure I had her attention, I asked slowly, no need to rush and made sure that the words coming from my mouth were loud, and clear enough to be understood. I let out my voice come out of my throat.
“Are You A Human?”