Amanda woke up from the sound of the food trolley being wheeled in. Half expecting that it was the centaur that is bringing her breakfast in, Amanda jolted up as she realized that it was the Harpy. Her friend silently prepared the meal. She is trying not to meet Amanda’s gaze and is just putting all her attention into preparing their meal.
Amanda took the breakfast with the Harpy silently. She understands how her friend feels and does not want to put her on the spot by asking her about the issue out of the blue.Amanda finished her meal and placed her tray on top of the trolley, making enough noise to get the attention of the Harpy who is eating at a distance. The Harpy jerked and looked at Amanda, she seemed to have finished eating before Amanda did but did not move an inch from where she is sitting down. Amanda and the Harpy looked at each other, trying to wait for whoever would give in and break the silence. Being the more mature between them, Amanda gave way an
The Dark Forest is a vast area of woodlands so thick that the sunlight ever hardly penetrates through the canopy. Even when the sun is high up in the sky at noon, the heart of the Dark Forest is only ever as bright as the dawn breaking and never really fully committing to a full morning. Because sunlight barely gets through, the forest gets colder the deeper one goes inside. Because of this and some other reasons, the forest has become home to various creatures that are barely seen outside. Creatures that could only be known in books and are considered to be merely created by fantasy.Towering on the north of the forest is a ragged mountain that is hardly accessible. An old castles sits at its peak. It had been said that the castle is home to an evil lord that was vanquished by the hero 500 years ago. When one stands at the terrace of the castle overlooking the forest, one see a stone altar surrounded by a circular column of large stones and slabs deep in the he
“A long time ago, the world was at peace. All the creatures have been living alongside each other. Humans, demi-humans, beastkin and even ancient creatures like fairies and dragons cooperate with each other to make the lands fertile and life easier. The gods were so proud of the races that they send their bounties to them. Every year, there would be a tournament where representatives from the various races would compete. The Champion will be provided with powers from each of the gods. For 5 years, there was only one person who held the championship spot. A human that was called “The Hero”. The gods did not mind this, he wins fair and square all the time; he was a benevolent and kind-hearted hero and he would give half of his prize money to an orphanage where he grew up. Everyone was glad about this, even the leaders of the different races and those who fought against him in the tournament. He was the pride of every god, except one. The god of games has grown bored. He has be
There is not child in the village that is not fascinated by the story of The Hero and the Demon King. Even some of the grown-ups are still fantasizing about the tale – men still think about defeating a Demon King and being a hero while women think about marrying a Hero who has defeated the Demon King. Among the villagers, there was one who was the most fascinated about the tale not because she wants to be the Hero or meet one, she just loves the twists and turns in the story itself. This person is none other than the village chief’s only child: Amanda. Ever since she could remember, she had repeatedly heard about the story from the Village Elders and different adults. Even her mother would read the children’s version of the tale before bedtime. She was amazed at how the Hero returned and gained friends to defeat the Demon King. How the gods supported the Hero, and the fact that her ancestors directly came from the Mage who created their village. Having a close historical tie
The Village of the Mage has been prosperous ever since it was established by the Mage herself. All the leaders the followed her had been kind, generous, and wise. They made sure to keep the village running well and even made improvements; the village could practically be called a town. The village has experienced its Golden Age for 500 years and it would have continued on if not for the previous chief and his son, Felipe. Felipe’s father was a wise leader but her wisdom was not directed towards the improvement of the village, he used it for his own gain. Having seen for himself how healthy the village is, Felipe’s father started to want it for himself and his family. He started to device ways to subtly increase taxation from the villagers. He would make up building projects and other activities that would require quite a bit if funding but in reality would only need very little. He started to fill his personal coffers using the money from the citizens. And when the cit
“Every year, we have been blessed by bountiful harvest that would fill out coffers with gold and our bellies with food and wine!” the Village Chief began his speech as he addressed the villagers for the Harvest Festival.“More than 30 years ago, I have prayed and prayed, alone on the forest, begging the goddess of the earth to aid us,” Felipe continued, “and soon enough she has heard our calls and gave us a bountiful harvest. And so we celebrate this Festival every year to honor the goddess of the earth and her blessing!”The village chief paused and looked around, there seems to be less and less females, they need to invite more from other villages and towns. He looked at his daughter and then continued, “We have spared no expense for this joyous event. We also welcome our valued guests – the nobles and merchants – who supported us through thick and thin. And so, without further ado. Let us all have a great festiva
It took some time for Amanda’s eyes to adjust to the dim lighting inside the palace. She looked around as soon as she was able to see clearly and realized that the whole place is lit up by candle chandeliers from the ceiling and flaming torches on the walls. The interior was vast. It was only the first floor but it seemed like it was the whole building already. The walls are made of stone and Amanda could see that some areas are darker. They seemed to be scorched. The floor that they were stopping on was covered by a thick carpet all over and only a small portion near the walls are exposed.Despite the interior’s rustic and dinky look, there was no sign of disorder nor of form of dirt or slime. The places looks well cleaned and well maintained. It is quite obvious that someone is living in this place and that the maids are doing their jobs well. Amanda could not help but commend them for that, no matter what kind of god-forsaken creatures they may be. When she loo
“Jessica?!” Amanda exclaimed as she recognized her friend’s face. At least this person looks like Jessica, the shape of her face, the color of her eyes, even the voice. But this person is more beautiful, utterly so. Her beauty is just like the lamias’. She was Jessica made eerily beautiful. Even her pimple marks were gone.“You know my name? Do I know you?” the girl who looked like Jessica answered.“It’s me, Amanda!” Amanda replied. She felt lonely that her friend did not recognize her, but a year is not really a long time. Something must have happened to her friend.“Oh! Amanda! The village chief’s daughter!” Jessica exclaimed in recognition, “you have grown so much. How did you do that! We just saw each other yesterday, playing by the riverbank and now you are like a lady!” Jessica sounded happy, but her eyes were blank and glassy. Amanda knew that something was up, she knew h
Dimitri was in awe. The woman in front of him is the most beautiful yet. Her skin was so fair that it looked like the petals of a flower that Dimitri only say in the forest when he was young. Her outfit matched her perfectly that she seemed to radiate as the lights fall on her face. Even though she was dressed and made up the same way the previous sacrifices were, and even if she just stood there at the entrance and stared at him, he can’t help but feel his beast blood boil.Something about this woman is calling out to him at the primal level. It bellows within him. It is something that he has never felt before and something that he could never feel again. He tried to shake it off but he gets entranced every time he looks at the woman now standing before him. Dimitri knew then that something was going to happen, he is not sure yet, but it is bound to be something.There was something off about the woman, though. All through the years, the women who were pre
Amanda woke up from the sound of the food trolley being wheeled in. Half expecting that it was the centaur that is bringing her breakfast in, Amanda jolted up as she realized that it was the Harpy. Her friend silently prepared the meal. She is trying not to meet Amanda’s gaze and is just putting all her attention into preparing their meal.Amanda took the breakfast with the Harpy silently. She understands how her friend feels and does not want to put her on the spot by asking her about the issue out of the blue.Amanda finished her meal and placed her tray on top of the trolley, making enough noise to get the attention of the Harpy who is eating at a distance. The Harpy jerked and looked at Amanda, she seemed to have finished eating before Amanda did but did not move an inch from where she is sitting down. Amanda and the Harpy looked at each other, trying to wait for whoever would give in and break the silence. Being the more mature between them, Amanda gave way an
There was an awkward silence. Amanda could not believe what she just heard. She did not expect Dimitri to feel that kind of insecurity. She thought that he was always sure of himself, that he always believed that people would choose to be with him no matter what. The unexpected gap in personality made Amanda’s heart skip a bit even for a little. Her face started to flush again.“So,” Dimitri continued, “If you had no choice but to choose between the two of us. Who will you choose?” Amanda could not answer. She could not even speak. She hates being put in a spot like this. She has always been asked this question even back in the village. The boys who liked her would all ask her to choose someone from them. But she knew that most of those were just superficial. She understood that not all of those boys liked her for who she really is, they only liked her because she was pretty.“As I said,” Amanda replied. “I could not choo
Amanda opened her eyes and found herself in a different area of the forest. Apparently, Dimitri took a break and decided to rest somewhere. Amanda could not see him anywhere but he might be close, looking after her while she slept. At least he gives her some privacy to do so. Amanda looked around and realized that the area of the forest is quite familiar. In fact, it was too eerily familiar: it was the place by the lake, the area where she would go with her parents.“Amanda?” Amanda froze as she heard a familiar voice, one that she did not think she would hear again ever, “There you are, come here. What are you doing here?”“Mother?” Amanda is confused, the person standing in front of her is definitely her mother, and she is too real to be just a phantom, “What are you doing here mother? I thought you were”“What are you talking about, you silly,” Amanda’s mother continued to speak as she did back
Dimitri could not move. Just earlier, he saw the girl behind that tree watching them. But now it seems like she is gone; like she has just disappeared for no reason. Thinking that he just looked over at the wrong tree, he looked around – trying to find the tree where the girl is hiding. But no matter where he looks, there isn’t a single sign of the girl, at least not in any of the trees nearby.“What’s wrong?” Alex said as he noticed Dimitri’s troubled expression, “Call her out now and let her choose. Or should I do it?”“No,” Dimitri responded in a low voice, “She will not come out even if we called out to her,”“Why?” Alex asked, he starting to worry as well, “What happened.”“Nothing! Just,” Dimitri said and eased his pressure up, “Just don’t move from here.” As he said it, Dimitri got up and released his hold on Alex. Then he l
The Harpy has returned to the castle for the second time that morning. This time, the Centaur and the Lamia are waiting for her by the gate of the outer wall. The Harpy circled above for a bit and started to descend. She landed right in front of the Centaur cook who had an inquisitive look. The Lamia had the same look as well and the Harpy was immediately bombarded by questions.“Did you find her? Did Lord Dimitri and the girl meet? What did he tell you? Why did you return first? What happened in there?” the Centaur and the Maid’s voices were overlapping as they inquires without end.”“Mama! Snake Boss Lady!” the Harpy spoke with a loud voice as she tried to fend off the two, “Me not talk when Mama and Snake Boss Lady talk together!”“Oh! Oh dear,” the Centaur said as she realized her folly, “dear me. I am really sorry.”“I apologize for my rudeness as well,” The Lamia mai
Alex got up and put his pants back on. He picked up Amanda’s nightdress and threw it towards the crumpled shape of Amanda who was on the bed. He could hear her sniffling, muffling a cry. For a moment, Alex felt guilty about what he did. It is true that he was attracted to Amanda and that he desired to have her. But what happened was driven mostly by the fact that they were alone, his high spirits after being alone with her in this isolated place, and the urgency that came because of Harpy’s discovery.If he had another chance, if Alex could turn back the time to 30 minutes ago, he would have chosen differently. But there is no use crying over spilled milk. Amanda might despise him now, but he will do everything to make her fall for him. He will take her away from this place and then he will have the rest of their lives to make up for this offense. At least that is what he thinks.“Put your dress on,” Alex said as he sat on the edge of the bed, &
“It seems like you will not have to worry about food,” Alex said as he closed the window again and turned to face Amanda, “aren’t you a lucky one?”“Are you sure about that?” Amanda asked, still suspicious about Alex’s intentions.“About what?” Alex replied with a question, pretending not to know what Amanda meant.“Letting her go,” Amanda replied, trying to gauge how far Alex plans to take his ruse,“Keeping it a secret to your Lord.”“Oh?” Alex looked a bit surprised, “Have you grown concerned about my well-being now?”“Never,” Amanda replied coldly, “I am just not confident that she will be able to keep it a secret from her Lord,”“Doubting a friend, are we?” Alex replied mischievously. He tries to keep his cool but deep down he is already bothered by this unexpected turn of events. Having
The Harpy is bothered. She is relieved that Alex assured her that Amanda will not be punished. At least she knows that her friend is safe for now. What bothers her is the reason why Alex does not want her to tell anyone about it. On the surface, she is glad that Alex does not seem to plan on returning Amanda to the castle. She will not be punished by Dimitri yet. The problem is in the way that Amanda looked at the Harpy as she left. There was something about how Amanda looked that felt odd.The Harpy is torn about what to do. For starters, she needs to get to the castle as soon as she can. If there is any person who could tell her what to do, it would be no one else but the Centaur Cook. She is not sure about keeping it a secret from the Lord, but the Centaur cook could at least suggest ways to the Harpy how to deal with this issue.Not having to look for someone in the dense forest below, the Harpy saw the castle sooner than expected. She sped up even more and landed
Alex felt something change in the air around him as soon as he entered the forest. It was the first time that he was this deep after a long time. Dimitri has since stopped hunting in the forest and without anyone to actually challenge him, Alex also decided to stop. But entering the forest was not really the reason for his sudden feeling. It was something else, something that springs from way back: When Alex and Dimitri were still young, and when they were still living in the village.“Dimi is going to the forest again,” one of the young village girls who admired Dimitri said as they gathered together, “What does he do there?”“I don’t know,” the other girl replied, “Why don’t we ask Alex? Alex goes to the forest with him as well, right?”“Alex! Alex!” the girls called out to Alex who is sitting by a large tree, “Come here!”“What is it? You are so noisy,” Alex