A Fated Meeting (III)

"Haaaa! Haaa! Haa..."

I wake up suddenly. When did I fall asleep? It can't be, there could be a creature nearby. I looked around and noticed that I'm inside a tiny room tucked up in a bed. I can feel the heat of a wood stove coming from outside.

Eh? How did I get here?

"Oh, you are finally awake" said a voice that came from the door. A silhouette peeked through the entrance and finally I could saw her clearly. "You were unconscious for some days. I was starting to get worried, I didn't know what else to do"

It was a cute girl with long blond hair, green eyes and an innocent face, wearing a blue dress and a pink ribbon that resemble little bunny ears.

It was her that brought me here?

"Where did you found me?"

"I found you lying down in the meadows close by. It took me a long time to drag you all the way here"

"I understand, I must have lost consciousness without noticing. Sorry for the trouble" I said getting up.

I arranged the bed a bit and turned around to take a good look at her. Definitely she must be a girl about 13 years old. I'm ashamed by the fact that she took care of me, a total stranger. Not only that, she took the trouble of bringing me to her home.

"You had a little fever, I was putting wet clothes on your forehead for hours. You already have a better look"

"I see. Thanks so much for helping me"

If it weren't for her I would be death for sure. I owe my life to her.

"You should eat something, although I don't have much to offer..." mentioned turning around.

She looks like a timid girl. It's no wonder, she helped a total stranger without expecting anything in return. Taking that aside, I lack strength... I'm barely on my feet, my throat is dry and my stomach growls.

"Don't worry, anything is fine"

I take a seat by the table on the dining room while she served me a bowl of soup. I devour it very quickly, my body demanded desperately something to fill the void inside me. She seemed surprised of how fast I finished eating every last drop.

"Thank you so much for the food, it was delicious"

"It wasn't that special, just a soup made with the leftovers..."

"I'm serious, it's the best I've eaten on days. Tastier than any dish I have ever prepared"

"R, really? I am happy you think that way hehe~" said while showing a cute ashamed expression.

This house seems very huge. I don't sense anyone here besides the 2 of us.

"Do you live here alone?"

"Emmm..."

She looked somewhat unsure of my question. Perhaps it wasn't good to inquire into her personal life, we're not related neither acquaintances.

"Sorry, it isn't any of my business"

"N, no! It's not that..."

"Don't worry, anyways I need to continue with my journey"

"Journey?"

"Yeah. I need to hurry back to the capital"

Yes, that's my objective after all. I need to know what happened to the world.

"You should take things easily, you had just recovered"

"I'm aright, really. It's okay, I don't want to be a bother for you, but before that..." I said while slowly got close to her getting on my knees to be face to face. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Eh?" she let out with some surprise in her face.

"Is the least I can do for the one who saved my life. Please ask me anything, I will do what I can"

After some seconds in silence she looked down.

"... nothing, seriously. Thank you very much" answered very calm, although her expression showed something like worries troubling her.

"Come on, won't you let me show some kindness to my saviour?" I exclaimed hoping that she told me truth.

She seemed hesitant, but finally asked me to follow her to the exit, I accepted.

Both of us exited the house and so I could take a good look to the surroundings. We were in a house on the meadows, rustic and old made of wood, similar to a cabin. In the area there were a lot of trees, very green grass and vegetable plantations that still had to wait to be harvested. In the back there is a lot of timber piled up. She cut all by herself? She is truly living here alone?

I looked everywhere and saw that she was a few meters away of the house looking at the distance. I approached her to watch in the same direction.

That is...?

"I go there from time to time. There is a lake with some medicinal plants and others that gave non-poisonous fruits. A couple of days ago a demon appeared and hadn't left that place, so I can't get near..."

"A demon?"

"Eeehh yes, or rather you could say that is one of those strange creatures that appeared lately"

I got it, there is nothing more to be said. This scenario is like an oasis. Food, water, medicine, and a roof, the essential to survive.

"Leave it to me, I'll take care"

"Really? He seems very powerful. I already saw how it killed every other demon who got close"

"No problem. Maybe I don't look like it but I managed to get rid of some of them before"

That's right, I have the weapons to oppose them. One more won't gave much trouble, it's the favour of my saviour after all, I can't let her down. I asked for instructions on how to arrive and told her to stay at home until I'm back. It would be dangerous if she got caught in the middle of the battle.