Morning came quietly.
The fire had burned down to warm ashes, and sunlight slipped through the trees in thin golden lines. I stretched my arms and glanced over at Elarielle.
Still asleep.
Curled up in my spare cloak like the world's most suspicious burrito. Blaze was sleeping too, tail twitching beside the ashes. Good. That meant I could go find breakfast before everyone starts demanding things from me.
I stood up carefully and headed deeper into the forest. After a few minutes, I spotted a nest resting on a low branch. Inside were several pale eggs. I stared at them. "Well... I think this is a bird's egg." I narrowed my eyes. "Probably.."
Not the most confident statement I'd ever made, but food was food. I mean what could go wrong?. I climbed the tree, grabbed a few eggs, and made my way back down without falling to my death. A successful morning already. Nearby, I heard the sound of running water. A river. Perfect.
I walked over and stared at the clear stream. Fish swam beneath the surface, moving lazily between rocks. There was just one problem.
"I don't have a fishing rod." I crossed my arms and thought for a moment. Then shrugged. "Guess I'm doing this the hard way." I rolled up my sleeves and stepped into the water.. It's so dang cold!.
I nearly screamed, but dignity won by a narrow margin. I crouched low, eyes locked on the fish. Bare hands only. This could count as training as well. Talk about two birds one stone.
A fish swam near my leg.
I struck fast—
*Splash!*
I caught one. I raised the fish high into the air like a hero returning from war. "Yes!"
"Wow!" I turned quickly. Elarielle stood on the riverbank, hands clasped together, eyes shining. "You actually caught one!"
I blinked. "You've been there the whole time?" She nodded happily. "And you're cheering for me?"
"Of course! Catch another one!" I stared at her for a second. Then smirked. "Oh? So now I have an audience."
I tossed the fish onto shore and cracked my knuckles. "Watch closely." Another fish darted by. I lunged—caught it with both hands.
Elarielle clapped. "Amazing!"
"This is nothing," I said proudly. "My father once made me catch fish during a storm."
She tilted her head. "Why?.."
I looked into the distance. "I ask myself that every day..." We gathered a few more fish, then picked fruits nearby for breakfast.
Honestly, it was starting to feel like a peaceful morning. But when we are about to return to our camp site the bushes beside us exploded. A huge white tiger lunged straight at Elarielle.
She gasped. I moved instantly. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her out of danger as the beast landed where she had been standing. Dust flew everywhere. I placed her behind me and glared at the tiger.
"Hey! What's the big idea?" I cracked my neck. "I hate surprise attacks, you know?"
To my surprise, the tiger spoke. "I am Byakuren, Sovereign of Souls." It stepped forward, white fur glowing under the sunlight.
"You have been in my forest for days. I have followed you since the moment you entered my territory." This is bad..I can feel the pressure from this magic beast, it's definitely stronger than me at this moment.
I pointed at it. "First a talking lizard. Now a talking tiger. Is this just my life now?" Byakuren roared and charged. "Apparently yes." The tiger swiped. I ducked under its claws and drove my fist forward.
"Fire Fist!" Flames burst from my hand and slammed into its side. The tiger staggered—but stayed standing. Then Blaze jumped from my shoulder, floating dramatically in the air. "Move aside, child." Several burning spears formed around him."Flame Spear." They shot forward all at once.
BOOM!
Smoke filled the area..When it cleared, the giant tiger lay unconscious on the ground. I slowly looked at Blaze. "I think you went overboard... a bit."
Blaze puffed out his chest. "No, kid. It's still alive, I only show it who's the boss."
I narrowed my eyes. "Who are you... really?..You just knocked out that magic beast" Blaze smirked.
"Now you're learning to address us correctly.." Before I could respond, the tiger stirred. Its massive body began shrinking, wrapped in white light until it became... a small white cat.
I stared. "What now?" The cat leaped at me. I caught it automatically. It sat in my arms proudly. "Since you defeated me, you are now my familiar." I looked at Blaze. Then at the cat.
"Hold on. I already have a lizard."
"Not a problem," Byakuren said. "I can stay in this form to conceal my identity and mana signature.. You will attract no attention." I considered that. "...Fair enough."
NOTICE:
[Astral affinity acquired]
[Enhanced senses acquired]
Interesting..first Blaze..now Byakuren...
Then I looked back at Elarielle. "You can come out now. It's safe." I lifted the cat higher. "It turns out it's a cute cat." She stepped out slowly, stared at the cat, then at Blaze, then at me.
"...Do magical beasts just like following you?" I sighed. "I'm starting to worry that they do." Then I said "But before anything else let's return to the camp first and eat!"
When we reached the place where set up a camp to sleep last night, I prepared the fish and fruits.
The fish disappeared faster than I expected.
Honestly, I should've made more. Elarielle held a skewer in one hand and stared at me like I was some kind of monster. "You're not real."
I blinked. "That's a rude way to thank someone." she pointed at the roasted fish. "You really caught these fishes with your bare hands. No rod, no trap, nothing! Are you a human at all?"
"As far as I know, yes."
Blaze, curled near the fire, lifted his head.
"Debatable" I grabbed a pebble and flicked it at him. He dodged without opening his eyes.
Elarielle covered a laugh, then quickly tried to look serious again.
I leaned back against a log. "Anyways... about your carriage. Why are you going to the Kingdom?"
Her expression softened. She looked into the fire for a moment before answering.
"Our kingdom has been trying to re-establish connections with other races. Humans... dwarves... old allies."
"Interesting," I said. "Now I'm wondering what happened before."
She nodded slowly. "Fourteen years ago, there was once a common enemy." The air around the camp seemed quieter.
"Ignivar... the World Burner."
My eyes shifted to Blaze. The lizard yawned dramatically. "That name again..." I muttered. Elarielle didn't notice.
"My people and your people managed to seal him somewhere long ago. But when the war against him ended... another war began."
She picked up a stick and started drawing shapes in the dirt. "This was the alliance."
She drew two marks. "Kingdom of Saphiro... and Valerión." Then she stabbed the stick down on the other side. "And Torval."
I folded my arms. "Let me guess. Torval wanted more land."
"More than land," she said. "Power. Control. Everything." She dragged the stick across the dirt map. "The dragon's destruction had already ruined many human kingdoms. Mardon, Hollowest, Belros, Corthal, And Orenthal."
She named each one like history still weighed on her. "They were too weak to resist. Torval used the chaos to invade them one by one."
"While everyone was still recovering?" I said. She nodded. "And they weren't alone.." She drew another mark. "Kazrith. The dwarven kingdom."
"The dwarves joined them?"
"No," she said sharply. "They were subdued."
That got my attention.
"Torval forced them to mine iron and forge weapons. Armor, blades, siege tools... everything needed for conquest."
"So Torval used the dwarves like slaves."
"Yes."
The fire popped loudly between us. I shook my head. "That kingdom sounds awful."
"It became worse with every victory."
Then her expression brightened slightly.
"But not everyone stood by." She erased part of the dirt map. "Saphiro and Valerión moved first—not against Torval directly, but toward Kazrith."
"To free the dwarves." I said.
She smiled. "Yes." she muttered "Smart..."
"Once Kazrith was liberated, the dwarves turned their forges against Torval. Their own weapons were used to break them."
Now that was poetic.
"So the three kingdoms joined forces?"
She nodded. "Saphiro. Valerión. Kazrith..And together, they overthrew Torval."
I let out a low whistle. "Remind me never to start a war with blacksmiths."
That earned a small laugh from her. But it didn't last. "After the war," she said quietly, "our king believed humans could never be trusted. Too willing to destroy their own kin for power."
I scratched my cheek. "Not gonna lie... history isn't helping our case."
She gave me an amused look."No, it is not..."
"But," she continued, voice softer now, "our people never forgot those who stood with us. Especially Saphiro. So after many years... our king chose to try again."
I studied her face. "So your trip was part of that?" She paused just a little too long.
"Something like that." Definitely hiding something..But I had my own secrets too.
Blaze suddenly rolled onto his back and snored loudly. I sighed.
The fire crackled. The forest stayed calm.
For the first time since meeting her, Elarielle looked at peace. And somehow... I had a feeling this was only the beginning.
End of chapter.