RUMBLE... RUMBLE...

Heavy droplets poured down, accompanied by loud streaks of thunderclaps that left incandescent gashes on the gloomy sky. Due to this, Lilith and Samael were forced to take shelter in a nearby cave.

Lilith huddled at the corner of the cave, shivering as she hugged herself. Their clothes drenched and heavy after they got caught in the sudden downpour. Unfortunately, they didn't have any spare clothing, so their only choice was to either take off their wear or tank the cold.

It looks like it won't stop any time soon. Samael observed the wild thrashing of the rain. The cold didn't bother him as much as Lilith. Let's just say he built some form of "resistance" against it. Still, the boy couldn't help but feel pity for the girl. At this rate, she might get a cold, and that is never good. It will slow down their progress, and they don't have the means of treatment for such an illness.

Samael held the ragged texture of his shirt, twisting it every so often until there was barely any drop available. Afterwards, he gave them to Lilith.

"Here, wear it on top of your clothes," he suggested.

The girl looked at the clothes, unmoving. Her forehead creased and lips forming a pout.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." He reassured, a gentle smile plastered on his face.

Still, she didn't take the offer. Instead, she opened her arms and jerked her head away.

Samael's forehead creased and his brow furrowed. He didn't understand what Lilith wanted, but he followed his instincts and embraced the girl. Not noticing her beet red visage.

Awkward silence engulfed the cave, but eventually, their heat enveloped each other, and they started to release their tensed shoulders, allowing themselves to relax.

The girl silently moved her wings and wrapped Samael in their gentle touch. Together, they enjoyed each other's warmth and waited for the storm to pass.

***

When the raging clouds finally faded, the duo went on as planned. They traversed the forest with a lot more ease than before. By now, they've already spent nearly a month in this forest together.

The trees are nearly bald and the wind brought a chill to his spine. Samael can't help but feel a little uneasy for the upcoming season. It would've been fine if he was alone, but now that Lilith is with him, things are a lot harder.

Food problems were his biggest concern. As far as the boy knew, animals usually sleep during this time period. meaning there will be a scarcity of resources, and the lack of food will greatly slow their progress.

He made sure to keep track of the date, and if his estimations are correct, then in a few days they will officially enter the winter months.

"...Samael?" Lilith broke the boy from his stupor.

I got lost in my thoughts again. He shook his head and glanced at the girl.

Lilith's head dipped low, her hands clasped together as she fiddled with her fingers.

Samael's brows raised. "Is there something wrong?" He inquired, his worried tone betraying his calm visage.

"Oh, uhm, it's nothing. It's just that you looked worried for a moment." Her tone hushed and unsure.

A gentle smile tugged at his lips. "It was nothing... I was just thinking that it might snow soon."

The girl's expression beamed as she heard the word snow, a wide smile finding its way to her face. Meanwhile, Samael stood up and approached the rabbit carcasses nesting near the bonfire.

This was just part of their preparation for the upcoming winter. These rabbits have thick fur, so they were perfect for snow wear.

Gathering these materials took quite some time, though. To compensate, he had to increase the frequency of his hunts to quickly finish this little project he started. He made sure to not waste anything. He would either eat or store the meat. Then he would skin the rabbits for their fur and dry them beside the bonfire. He had to repeat this multiple times until he has enough for a coat.

"Lilith, can you hand me some of the glue?" Samael asked the girl.

Lilith came up to Samael with a bunch of white flowers nesting on her arms. They had long elongated white petals that intertwined together, looking like a spiral staircase.

This journey of theirs taught them many things. One of which was that some flowers had quite handy effects. This one in particular, when crushed, releases a gooey colourless substance that acts as a very strong glue. How did they discover it? Let's just say a certain someone played a little too much and got her hands stuck on one of these.

However, there were some restrictions when interacting with these plants. Samael was smart enough to know that some of these are probably highly toxic. So he made sure to take extra precautions when dealing with these flowers. Needless to say, his cautiousness saved him quite a few times.

They discovered a very dazzling flower once, but the moment a stray mice touched it, the poor creature convulsed before exploding into a mess of blood and gore. Lilith still gets nightmares about it sometimes. Ever since then, this sort of job has been for the boy alone.

As for Lilith, she also learned a few things along the way. She discovered how to use her power to filter meat or water. This saved them quite a bit of effort since the meat usually lasts longer with her preservation magic of some sort.

When asked about it, she usually answers that she doesn't know what her affinity is. All she understands is that her grandma taught her skills, but not general knowledge of what element she holds.

Samael has a few guesses on what kind of affinity she might hold, but right now the evidence he holds is still insufficient. Aside from that, Lilith also grew mentally and emotionally. The girl used to hate it when Samael killed the poor rabbits, but she eventually got used to it. Not that she liked doing it, though.

Needless to say, this adventure of theirs has proved to be very educational and insightful. It helped them grow in many ways. Perhaps it was the constant dangers in their lives that pushed them to be better, to adapt, and to overcome.

Samael brought his hand close to his forehead, wiping the beads of sweat hugging his skin.

He took a flat stone from the ground and carefully placed the flower in the middle, applying just enough pressure. A colourless, slimy substance oozed out, which he made it drip into a huge leaf. Afterwards, he used a stick to spread them to certain parts of the carcass before sticking them together. It wasn't the best, but it was honest work. Once he is finished, Samael will leave it to dry.

Quickly, the days passed by, and the first snow flake danced in the sky before landing gracefully in the dirt.

Winter has finally arrived.

"Samael! Samael!" Lilith ran as fast as she can while wearing the biggest smile he has ever seen.

Samael chuckled as he watched the energy-filled Lilith. "What's got you so riled up?" He asked, his brows raised.

"Look!" She pointed upwards where snow began to fall in a slow but calming manner.

It's here... Samael rose to his feet and took a whiff of the winter air, the chill circulated in his lungs and formed a small mist upon release. He carefully took out something from his bag and called the attention of the girl. "Come here, Lilith." He beckoned.

When the girl arrived, he handed her the neatly folded jacket. He has been planning on doing this for quite some time now. He just needed the perfect opportunity to give this small present, and winter was the perfect alibi.

Lilith, taken a back, blinked a couple times. Her eyebrows furrowed as she took her time to examine the present. She carefully unfolded it, and her eyes sparkled in interest. It was the coat Samael made. It was white in color, and its soft texture as it brushed on her fingers. It also matched the girl's size as if it were made for her. Well, it was made for her.

A smile found its way to his face after seeing the shine in the girl's eyes. He released a silent chuckle. "That's yours now. Consider it my gift."

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Lilith looked at Samael in awe as she sniffed, tears threatening to fall off. She has never received a genuine gift from kids her age. She knew that this coat was the product of Samael's hard work. How can she not appreciate it? This meant a lot to her.

Lilith lunged at the boy, embracing him tightly as she buried her face on his chest.

"Oof! Hey, be careful! You might crush me!" Samael said jokingly: The two erupted in laughter.

"Uhmm... But I don't have anything for you." Lilith murmured, realising how unprepared she is.

Samael gently ran his hand on her hair and showed her a wide smile. "It's okay, I gave you that gift because I wanted to."

Seeing Samael's smile, Lilith felt her breath hitch. She held her chest as a red tinge stained her cheeks. Her heart galloped, and for a moment, she felt blissful. This gift was for her and hers alone. It was special.

She shyly nodded, which made Samael laugh. Sometimes Lilith can be really cute. He thought before taking out another coat. "With this... We're a pair now!"

Lilith grasped her coat in happiness. It was truly special.

As the winter went on, the calm parade of snow was trampled by the raging winds. The weather gradually got worse, and the snow got thicker by the minute. Traveling became less of a priority for Samael. Especially in such a dreadful landscape. The moment they step out, they will sink down and be buried on ice, literally.

The winter here was far worse than what Samael could've ever imagined. In a span of a few days, the whole forest was left in ruins, turned into an malevolent wasteland of ice and snow. They even saw a few monsters who were unable to find cover in time, frozen in place. As if forgotten by time itself.

It was suicidal to even think of going out. They could only blame Mother Nature and sit tight. The most logical action was to wait for the weather to calm down, then continue moving. Fortunately, there are times when the blizzard is mild and he can go out to hunt.

Luckily for the two, they managed to find a decent-sized cave. It will serve as their temporary abode— at least until the blizzard subsides.

Samael and Lilith huddled near the bonfire, basking in its warmth. Its luminous light radiated through the walls, illuminating the cold, empty darkness.

Lilith played with her shadow and made different figures. "This one is a duck!" She proudly said. Her giggles bouncing on the sturdy cave walls.

"That looks like a dog." Samael teased, his taunts morphing into a laugh. Lilith pouted after hearing his jokes and decided to change the game.

"Samael, can you tell me a story?" She asked. The boy was stumped silent as he gazed at the radiant flames. He was unsure of what to do or what to say. Perhaps, he just had nothing to say.

He closed his eyes, diving deep in his thoughts.

There is one.

He positioned himself beside the girl. Samael leaned back and reminisced. There was a time in his life when he used to ask his parents for the same story over and over. He loved that specific tale.

He opened his eyes and spoke. "There was once a man who sought greatness. Yet everyone berated him, told him that it was impossible. He was talentless, powerless, and poor. He wasn't the smartest nor the most charming person, but he did have a heart of gold." The boy solemnly told.

"Even when everyone shunned him and bid him curses, he never allowed them to drag him down. He struggled, and struggled, and struggled. But even after all his efforts, he achieved nothing. Then he realized that it was fate binding him down. He felt desperate and depressed, for how can a simple man fight his destiny?"

Lilith slowly spooned closer as she felt the gentle humming of sleep embrace her. Samael showed a small, imperceptible smile, guiding the girl lean on his shoulders.

"The man was about to give up, but in that moment, the little spark of determination he had spoke to him. It said, 'Why don't you try? It's not like you'll lose anything.' The man realized right there and then that he would rather die trying to gain his freedom than live enslaved by the choices he didn't make. And that he did. The man decided that the only way he will really be happy is if he breaks away from the shackles fate gave him." Samael continued.

The sleepy Lilith couldn't help but ask a question. "How can someone fight fate?" Samael caressed her head and went on with his story.

"Unfortunately, the man didn't know how to fight fate. No one knew. Why? Because no one tried. Not a single soul was brave enough to challenge the authority of destiny itself. However, he did know one thing. The biggest chains in your life are the limitations you put on yourself. The man slowly but surely climbed to the top. He trained, fought, and persisted until he reached a power great enough to disturb the flow of destiny. Until one day he obtained a power to completely ignore what fate wanted him to become." Samael explained.

Lilith weakly nodded as the lids of her eyes closed.

"But the man cried, not because of happiness but because of loneliness. In his journey, he became the very thing he swore to destroy: a monster." Samael ended the story.

"Why a monster?" Lilith asked once more. Samael's eyes looked unreachable for a moment.

"The path to power is filled with death and loneliness." He replied after a long silence. "That's why it is important not only to look forward but to look back as well. Those mistakes you made are lessons for tomorrow. The story wanted to show that blind greed for power can lead to disaster." The boy followed. "After all, great power is nothing against the face of loneliness"

Then he felt the slow, rhythmic breathing of Lilith.

She was asleep.

This girl... He shook his head and leaned his head back. He carefully guided her head to his lap, and soon he too fell into the deep embrace of sleep.

***

As the cold winter passed, the two got to know each other more. They never seem to run out of ideas. Their favourite color, food, life story, favourite games—you name it. They conversed from sun rise to sun down.

"Hey! That's cheating!" Samael exclaimed.

"Too late!" Lilith's chuckles reverberated in the air as she ran around, behind her trailed Samael.

"Come here!" Samael said as he ran after the girl.

"Catch me if you can!" Lilith teased, her tail swiveling back and forth.

"Oh I will!" Samael replied as he increased his pace, slowly catching up to the girl's silhouette.

Unfortunately, Lilith was highly agile. Too much in fact. Was it because of her powers?

Being blessed is really something else! Samael thought as he hungered for air. However, his determination shouldn't be underestimated.

Unyielding, Samael kept the chase, their shadows circling over and over in an endless spiral.

Lilith's melodic giggles made Samael felt everything would be okay. That they'll be fine.

In one last attempt to victory, Samael lunged forward, catching the tail of the mischievous little demoness.

Grasping the tail tight, Samael's figure fell face down the ground, stirring the dust upon impact as a smudge of confusion lingered in his eyes.

"Wha—" Samael's words were cut short as he stared at Lilith's vibrant crimson face. It looked as though he did something wrong.

Did he?

"Uhm I—" Samael's words were cut short once more as Lilith swiftly dashed away, hiding herself behind a tree.

Well, I messed up Samael winced as he stood frozen in place, deciding to give the girl some space.

Meanwhile, Lilith sat behind the towering tree, her face flushed red along with her long ears. Her wings fluttered wildly and her tail swiveled in a frenzy.

Her heart raced, beating so loud she could feel it without touching her chest.

Unsure of what to do, Samael chose to approach the girl after some time. Asking her if she was okay.

"Lilith uhm... I'm sorry if I did anything wrong..." Samael apologized.

The girl hiding behind the tree slowly came out of her shell, facing the boy eye to eye as she held her arm and gave it a tight squeeze.

"It-its okay! I-I was just surprised!" Lilith replied in haste, her face flushing red again.

"If you w-want y-you can touch i-it again!" She bellowed, startling Samael.

Samael fixated his gaze at Lilith's quivering shut eyes opting him to chuckle at the girl's efforts to hide her embarrassment.

"Stop!" Lilith shouted, her entire face and neck red in shame.

However, Samael kept laughing, swiftly burying this memory deep in his heart.

It was a peaceful time for them. Of course, there were some occasional hurdles too. Some days, he would go out to try and hunt. If he is lucky, he will find a stray ice boar, but if not, he will go home with empty hands.

"Here, Samael," Lilith said. The boy curiously looked at her opened hands. There, he saw a ruby-red necklace. The boy gently took it and examined it. It seemed to be made from some crystal, but there was something odd about it.

His suspicions were answered fast. "I have the other pair," Lilith said. Samael cast a sidelong glance and saw the same-looking crystal. Then he finally made sense of what it was. The reason he felt that the necklace was incomplete was because Lilith had the other half.

"But isn't this what your mother gave you?" He asked. He didn't want her to give him a gift because he gave her a coat. Or at least that's what he thought.

"It's okay, my mother said I could give the other half of this to someone important to me..." The last sentences were hard to understand as her voice gradually turned into a whisper.

"I see," Samael said. "I will treasure this." He followed. If Lilith insists that it is fine, then he will gratefully accept it.

"Let's make a promise." He suggested. Lilith's ears perked up as she waited for what Samael would say next. "A blood bond!"

Lilith, confused at first, asked "Blood bond?"

Samael chuckled. "It's a promise sealed by our blood. It can never be broken."

A promise with Samael Lilith thought as her cheeks went red.

Samael approached the girl and said, "I will start first..."

"...Lilith, If you ever feel sad and lonely, will you look at the stars and remember all the good times we had. Can you promise me that?"

Lilith nodded as she replied. "I promise."

It was now her turn.

"Then, can Samael promise me that... If you ever feel like all hope is lost, Can you vow that this necklace will serve as your guiding light?"

Samael nodded and responded. "I promise." They both pricked their fingers and imprinted their marks at each others necklace.

"With this, our promise is sealed." The two giggled in unison as their shadows danced under the glow of the camp fire.

Eventually, hours turned into days, days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Before the two knew it, the harsh blizzards had stopped, and the snow has melted. Although there was still some leftover traces of the unmerciful winter, it was safe to travel now. Thus, the two didn't waste time and went on their journey. Packing along with them all the happy memories they made in that cave.

"Samael!" Lilith screamed. The boy dashed as fast as possible towards her location. He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw that the girl was okay. Lilith suddenly ran after spotting something. So he got worried when she suddenly shouted.

"What is it?" He asked as he looked at what she was pointing at. It was a boulder with strange doodles written on the surface. The symbols seemed to glow, though, which added some form of mysteriousness to them.

"I know these! My grandma said, If I'm ever lost, I should look for these runes, and I will find my way back home!" She explained while hopping around in glee.

Samael smiled and responded. "That's great! This means that we're near our destination."

Lilith nodded in happiness as she tugged on Samael.

As the two went deeper and deeper, the more frequent these "runes" became. From the stones to the trees, until they reached a clearing.

Lilith ran forward and danced under the dazzling rain of crimson leaves. The trees here were different from the others. They emitted a soft glow that made him feel secure.

"I know this place! My grandma used to take me here a lot before!" She said.

[https://i.ibb.co/j82gPCx/crimson-forest-towering-red-trees-clearing-falling-red-leaves-beautiful-scenery-majestic-8k-m.png]

Samael observed his surroundings in awe. He has never seen something this beautiful before. Unfortunately, trouble seemed to always find its way toward them. Out of nowhere, multiple cloaked figures came out of the woods. They all wore masks, but one in particular had a red mask. In unison they spoke...

"Kill Lilith, the "Chaos Witch."