Hanging atop the cloudless sky, the sun beat down on Lei, who was cradled by the long grass he slumbered in. Itchy and prickly, Lei opened his cloudy eyes, wondering where he was. The river was a constant reminder he was alive, roaring, and splashing some mist his way. His left hand gripped on a peach pit sized orb of sort. It gave off a cool sensation. A white fragment half buried among the grass poked him on the side. First he tried to stretch his slime covered arm, which emitted a pleasant smelling aroma, one of lavender and vanilla, which oozed out from the leafy looking bed of grass he lied on.

Damn, was he being devoured?

He tried moving but each attempt flared his body with intense pain, which somehow made the plant lively, secreting more green slime. The pain disappeared immediately, replaced by the sensation of drowsiness and euphoria, like laying in the plumpest silk bed that could swallow him up. The feeling was so overwhelming that Lei just closed his eyes, content. After all, he sought for pleasure and fun in life. It felt good.

He heard the tall grass rustle, but deep in his subconscious, he didn’t care.

It might be a predator, some large fanged beast, or maybe a harmless deer. Why does it matter?

“Woof!” It barked twice. The grass rustled again, then came a squeaky, girlish voice,”Big brother! Why are you napping like that?”

Opening his eyes, Lei looked at the source of the voice. Mimi, that poor little girl, she was all covered in mud and leaves and her hair was a mess. Is this some sort of hallucination?

Brushing her plastered hair aside, Mimi quickly began to tear the grass that was eating Lei. Her hands turned mucky from her effort, and soon the slime’s effect took action.

Mimi plopped her butt down on the grass, eyes turning cloudy. She laughed. It was a dumb laugh, dull even, lacking any thought, without any of the manners she was taught. Laying down, she began waving her arms and legs as if she was making snow angels, covering herself in even more mucus.

The two siblings looked at each other, both giggling like it was a good joke.

Seeing this situation, the dog grew increasingly anxious, whimpering at Mimi to get up. It could not bear to bite her, so instead, it bit down hard… On Lei’s hand. Being punctured by gripping the thorny tree earlier, his hand was riddled with lacerations and adding on the bite, it ignited an explosion of pain. Electric soberness slapped him in the face and pumped him full of adrenaline until he shot up and screamed loud enough to echo through the forest-like woods, scaring the birds into flight.

“Mimi, get up! We’ve got to leave this area.” He crawled to her while the grass clung tighter, unwilling to release.

He snapped them off Mimi and dragged her away. Thanks to the slime’s euphoric effect, the pain was suppressed, but it didn’t help with his newfound limp. Lei sighed when checking his body. Near dessicated. Fractured bones. Countless gashes peppered around his body. For some reason, they were sealed even though they were only a day old. How could this have happened?

He looked at the tiny, silver orb in his hands. It was smooth, lacking bumps or dents. Of course, Lei knew what this was. He grew up surrounded by - and even handled - rare objects. This was the beast core of a magic using creature. With fuzzy memories, confusion swirled as he wondered what happened when he blacked out.

“What do I do now, Geordie?” Lei mumbled. He looked around and saw vast expanses of huge trees. They look different from before, more normal… Or perhaps they have roots that ambush nearby prey. The river surged in waves behind him, calling, but he ignored it. He dare not look at it. “I’ve survived this far so I can’t give up. Just keep walking… Just keep walking.”

And so they moved forth, slowly, limping across muddy terrains, and over uncovered tree roots. Hot and heavy was the air that breathing was a chore. Lei’s left hand held the beast core, while his other was linked with Mimi’s, who was still under the effects of the mucus, giggling uncontrollably, walking like a drunk. She also suffered from periods of lucidity, often acting serious by mimicking the elders of their clan. The dog guided Lei. Occasionally, they spotted silver bears taller than two full grown men. Lei was thankful the wind didn’t blow their scent towards the bears. Truth was, the bears wouldn’t have noticed because they were so filthy.

Lei learned that Mimi and and the dog were also blasted into the river, but was quickly thrown back onto shore by a forgiving wave. She followed the dog until they found him.

Hours flew by.

Both the sun and moon were visible to the naked eye, with the sun soon to slumber, just over the horizon, with the moon getting ready to man its station. Darkness unfurled its cover of starry night across the land like a blanket. Arcing like a bridge of unfathomable distance across the sky, The Arch Ring of Magic shined the brightest; the two other Celestial Rings wrapped themselves in a haze. The howl of hungry beasts reverberated throughout the woods, letting the world know they are ready to hunt.

The mutt, which Mimi named Darky-darky, had discovered a worn caravan trail.

“Are we there yet?” Mimi asked. “I’m really hungry. I’m tired. I miss roasted peasants. I want food. Now!”

“Stop it. You’ve said it twelve times already. We’ll get there when we catch a caravan, OK?”

A ball of anxiety weighed heavy as a boulder in his heart. It’s been two or three days since they’ve last eaten something.The last time he drank was at the river. He licked his cracked lips. From hip to sole, every step taken grinded his bones raw, his calves constantly contract, tight as a bowstring, rarely releasing. It was unfair. He doesn’t deserve this.

“Just keep walking… Just keep walking,” he muttered, while tugging her hand. “Let’s find a place to rest… What’s wrong now?”

Mimi was squatting, her hands rubbing her stomach. “My tummy hurts,” she groaned. Lei caught the scent of something sweet from her breath. It was something familiar, something he’s tasted before but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Medicinal… Maybe?

“What did you eat?”

“Umm, nothing…”

“Wait, what’s that in your hand?” He pried it away from her. His palm stained blue from crushing it, he examined the object.

“A Sunset Berry. Our physician used to put this in our tea back home. Is this why you ate it, Mimi?

She nodded, her face becoming pale and sweaty.

“Damn it!” Lei threw the crushed Sunset Berry onto the ground. “The first thing our physician warned was NOT eat the actual berries! It must be boiled first.” Consuming it raw - for those untrained in magic - could prove fatal.

Lei paced around, about to panic. Wracking his brain for a solution, digging for information on mana revolution, he crouched next to Mimi, ready to spew out instructions; half of them might be incorrectly remembered.

Of course, when a person tries to speak in rapid fire, words get jumbled up, words get blurred together, which causes miscommunication, leading to greater confusion.

Expelling the mana from her body was crucial so he had her jump up and down. Her nose began to bleed. Watching, Lei smushed his hands on his face. He never dealt with hyperventilation before, but he could it feel it coming with his chest heaving deeper and faster.

“Mimi, you gotta… you need to… focus…” He learned her on a tree trunk, where the last vestige of sunlight focused on. Her forehead was burning, covered in sweat that dripped down her closed eyelids. What could he do now? She has to stay awake or this was it. Without a choice, he shook her.

“Remember how you always wanted to paint the King’s statue green? We still need to do that so so stay with me, please!” He pleaded in a quivering voice, while gripping her shoulders. Her figure was blurred by his tears. Lei failed to notice a small hand grip his right wrist.

Mimi opened her eyes. Her pupils contained a blue haze. Lei looked down to see her lightly poke his chest. Before he could react, a force blasted him away.

He sailed back in an arc, crashing, then tumbling into the middle of the trail. He tried getting up but a deep ringing suppressed his conscience like a smashing hammer. His breathing labored; unable to fully inhale due to a blockage.

“Crawl… to her…”

The last sliver of horizon sun disappeared, replaced by the lit lantern of the moon.

Lei felt the trail vibrate. Lifting his head up, he saw three horse-carrying freight carriages stop. Hope.

“Help me…” Lei tried shouting, but what came out was a rasp whisper.

“Sir! There is someone, looks about dead, blocking our path. Wait, no! He’s alive, just barely,” a strong youthful voice reported from the first carriage.

Somewhere behind, a gruff voice replied, “At night? With all these animals around, just consider him dead. Kick him aside. There’s no time to save him. We’re already behind on our shipment.”

A young guard leaped off his horse and dragged Lei to the side, carefully. He wore a basic leather armor, outfitted with a few daggers, with a sword strapped to his back.“Sorry,” he whispered.

Lei watched the first carriage pass.

“Please, stop! Save my sister… I beseech you!”

He saw the young man that helped him look back. No one else did. Anger erupted, giving him paltry strength. Although his body was in agony, a particular pain was searing in a circle on his back.

The second carriage rumbled by.

“WHY?!” he shouted at the passerbyers. He, Lei Garuda, never begged; anything he wanted was gifted; anyone he wanted was given. But today, with nothing to his name, he begged for the first time in his life. No one came to his aid because no one cared.

Unbeknown to Lei, in the area they occupied, the originally dry trail became muddy even though no rain fell. To travellers in carriages, mud is a viscous beast that attaches itself to the wheels, stopping any further travel.

Finally, the third carriage passed, ignoring him like the rest.

Lei attempted to crawl to Mimi. He managed to flip onto his stomach. Unfortunately, that was all the strength he could muster. Every time he tried to move his arm, his strength would snap and dissipate. He could only lie face down on mud, smelling earth and rain. He heard the carriages come to a halt.

***********************************

“How did you lead us onto mud, Petra?” the owner of the gruff voice said. Wearing a similar leather armor, he was a middle aged man with silver hair tied back into a ponytail, a few loose strands hung over his right eye patch, while his beard covered his lower face. He inspected the wheels while three subordinates stood by.

“Sir, I swear to the Three Celestial Rings that the ground was dry earlier!” said Petra, the one who moved Lei.

“How could this be? Damn it! To be stuck in this forest is too dangerous with all those howling annoyances.”

“I’m sorry, Captain Dragmis. This is my fault.” Petra kneelt onto the mud.

“First that dead guy blocked our path then kept shouting at us to stop. Now our caravan is stuck in mud… This could be a ambush by thieves.” Captain Dragmis surveyed the surrounding area, one hand rested on the hilt of a sword by his waist. The moon lit night was clear, occupied by the sea of stars, blessing gentle light on the forest of huge trees, which casted terrifying shadows- if one let their imagination go wild. Mellow winds drifted by, carrying the beats of the forest it journeyed through.

“Arrange the caravans into defensive formation. Have a third of the team go to sleep, while the rest keep an eye out for beasts and thieves. Remember to follow your standard procedures with the miss. And Petra, you and I will go check out that half dead moron from earlier.”

“Er, Captain, shall I send two men to accompany you? Just incase it is an ambush,” a glasses wearing soldier asked.

Captain Dragmist hawked spit onto the ground and flexed his muscles. “Helt, does it look like I need help?”

Helt thought, then said, “That’s what you said last time when we were in a similar situation, so yes.”

“...Fine.”

In the same way they listened to the forest; the forest listened back. A crimson eyed beast dashed forth, hurling towards Dragmist, followed a fading stroke of red. A shower of arrows descended and pelted the beast, which slowed the it down, but failed to injure. It was Helt and a few archers who continued to watch Dragmis in the back.

"Perfect! A Blood Wolf is just what I need after a long, stuffy ride. Keep an eye out for more attacks!" Dragmis ordered, unsheathing his sword, and sprinted, clashing with the beast. Dashing under and leaping over, Dragmis chanted under his breath to which his sword heard, wrapping itself in razor-like wind. The Blood Wolf let out a howl that echoed throughout the land. Standing tall as two men, its fur grew sharp and rigid like armor, while its claws extended. Arrows continue to fall, attacking at the vital spots such as the eyes and nose. Dust was kicked up, shrouding two fighting figures.

Dragmis leaped above the wolf, holding the sword high up in the air, razor wind lengthening. He hacked down.

"Hawk Talon Slash!"

The other mercenaries stood back, armed with swords, axes, and bows - ready to support Dragmis. "Can't believe I saw a Blood Wolf tonight. I thought they've gone extinct with their fur being in high demand and their beast core also goes for an unimaginable price in the market, too!"

A piercing scream came from behind them.

"Oh shit, there's another one!" one guy said as he looked back. Everyone was too invested seeing their captain that they forgot wolves travelled in packs. The new Blood Wolf also wore thick, sharp fur, and stood on its hindlegs, with a carriage partly hoisted in its arms. Another scream came from inside the wolf's carriage. The horses and travellers were slumped on the floor unconscious; a red mist swirled around.

"Protect the miss! Who will pay us if she gets eaten? Charge!"

They all raised their weapons and gave chase. The stealing Blood Wolf decided to drop the silent act and started lugging the carriage with all its might across the muddy terrain, with random items popping off, and a teary-eyed girl holding on. However, it was a struggle to move in the mud, which seemed to grow thicker and heavier each minute as if it was the floor a river. The wolf also decided to fight the incoming mercenaries- starting off with a howl. Then it heaved up the carriage and threw it at the mercenaries, breaking up their battle formations. The girl, wearing glasses, flew out and crashed into the mud.

The Miss, wiping away her ruined hair, peered up and saw a pair of gleaming eyes between the trees, the moonlight reflecting only fangs, dripping with saliva. Hastily, she got up and started running, unable to reach safety because she tripped, and fell atop some lanky object. She patted the floor to search for her fallen eye glasses, and when she found them, she disovered she was laying on a body. Cold. Clammy. A dead body. She covered her mouth with her hands but her eyes widened, because she realized she touched his body earlier.

Another Blood Wolf landed in from of her. It was smaller, evidently younger, than the other wolves the merceanries were fighting, but nonetheless, a wolf.

In the distance, Petra split from his group's fight, sprinting towards the girl, who was still quite a distance away. He shouted, "Miss Catalina, I'm coming!" Could it be that Petra wanted to be her knight in shining armor?

It was unfortunate that- despite pushing his legs to the limit, despite nearing, and despite wanting to save her- he was only a mortal that could watch her die.

The wolf's paw lachtched onto her throat.