Healer’s Inn

Leon tried to shake off the uneasiness he felt after the dream, but it only increased as the baby led him through the strange streets of this town towards the healer's inn.

"Don't worry, there aren't any trees to attack you here. The dwellings of the town are far from this area, and since this is basically an entrance, no one really stays here," the baby said as it walked ahead.

With his broken to his side for a long time, Leon felt like it was time to switch it to the other side as he felt numb. It was a strange feeling, his neck was broken but all he could feel was pins and needles and nothing more.

"Should we have to pay the healer?" Leon questioned skeptically. Hoping they won't ask for one of his limbs for potion making or something.

"We should, of course, but it depends on the healer. If you get lucky, then we don't have to pay back for a mere fixing of the neck!" the baby said cheerfully.

"Oh, luck... we shouldn't consider that in my case," Leon shook his head mentally.

"Oh well, for sure," the baby paused for a second.

"By the way, young man, you never told me your name!"

"You never asked, it's Leon," he shrugged.

"Oh yes, Good! I'm E--"

"Elias, I know," he interjected before the baby could finish.

"How did you know that? Interesting, very interesting. Hmm, if only I got a full-grown psyche," the baby sighed.

The night was cold, and the galactic stars still jeweled the sky. The distant planets he saw were now dangerously close, creating a threateningly beautiful spectacle. Leon felt like he had been here for hours, but the night was still young. The silent streets had vintage lamps then and there, but he later gasped as he noticed they weren't lamps but a weird hybrid between owls and fireflies.

Although this odd place seemed sinister, and he had broken his neck, it still managed to spread peace inside him—something he never felt when he was still alive.

"The plant I'm looking for is the legendary Dream Leaf. Not everyone has had the chance to see it. It's only found along the outskirts where the lethargic spirits wander, a pretty dangerous ride since those maniacs won't leave you alone if they get hold of you," the baby randomly spoke up about their mission.

Leon thought for a while before asking, "Why risk it then? Why do you need that plant so much that you're willing to fight some spirits for it?"

The baby fell silent for a moment, "You see, this place is very cruel, and everyone here fights for survival. But my psyche is very weak – it only alerts me of dangers, and I lack the abilities that others have. Look at you! You can even know my name! Marvelous!"

"I've heard that the silk of the dream leaf works as a strong guard, and I want to weave it into a suit—for myself, for protection," it continued.

"I wish I could go to heaven and find peace or meet my mom, both the same," the baby sighed wistfully.

It was sad to hear; Leon didn't reply as he couldn't think of anything to say. He had gotten the answer he needed for now. Soon, they reached another eerie street where the owl hybrids were clustered together, illuminating the entire place. Leon noticed a number of weird-looking people wandering around, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

"Yo, look at that man!" Leon gasped, pointing at a rugged-looking guy with one eye and a dented head. The man had his other eye in his hand, which swirled around.

"Really now, Leon my boy, you can't be saying that," the baby said, shaking its tiny head disapprovingly.

As Leon looked around, he realized that he was also among those weird-looking fellas, trying to escape his title of crooked-neck banshee.

"C'mon, Let's head inside," the baby pulled Leon's pants as they both trudged inside the healer's inn, a shabby looking place.

Only the exterior looked old and shabby, but the inside was pristine white and clean, resembling a real-life hospital. The waiting room was filled with people, and they both took up a seat amidst the crowd.

Everything still felt like a fever dream to Leon—the constant feeling of being here for so long, yet the sky remained dark, and it kept bugging him. He remembered the pocket watch that came with his suit, so he pulled it out.

It was rusty gold tinted with cyan hues here and there, with a strange symbol encrypted on it that Leon couldn't quite decipher—it looked like either an "A" or an "X." Intrigued, he pushed the button to open it, revealing a plain surface without a protective glass. Inside, a single clock hand was vibrating, but it didn't seem like it was moving anywhere.

"Elias! Long time no see, you wimp!" a really tall man in a cloak came out of nowhere and lifted the baby up like a lantern.

"Ah yes, long time no see indeed," the baby replied, looking extremely awkward.

Leon glanced at both of them briefly, then returned his attention to inspecting his strange pocket watch..

*ding*

//Your Master is in distress! Help him!//

'God dammit'

He stood up, his neck moving out of place due to the force.

"Yo, put him down," Leon said to the tall man, sounding annoyed.

"Oh! Okay," the man obeyed as he put the baby down.

The baby dusted off its suit again, looking bewildered, but the tall man was oblivious to this.

"My Man, who is this funny looking guy?" the tall man asked, eyeing Leon curiously.

"Ah well, he is my slave," the baby said looking proudly.

Leon cursed inwardly, a baby calling him a slave. 'Please send me to hell'

Just then, an old lady emerged from the dimly lit corridor, walking toward the trio.

"Elias, she is asking for you," she informed before turning back and leaving.

"It's time. C'mon, Leon," the baby urged him as Leon followed toward the dimly lit corridor and the room that lay at its end.

"I saw you coming from miles away, kid," said the strange lady, covered in veils, her calm voice resonating through the dark room.

"Greetings, Macaw," the baby did a little head bow.

'Macaw?' Leon snorted despite himself.