29 STRANGER: PART III

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Later that day, the girl woke up from a strange dream. She has dreamt that the stranger visited her again, and at the same time, in her dream, she was following him to somewhere.

"Ah- that was strange…"

As the girl sat on the bed, she was startled when she noticed a strange light type aurora was inside the room. She tried to touch it, but her hand only passed through and couldn't even feel any of it. It was translucent as if it was not supposed to be there in the first place.

She walked out of the room and noticed the same light heading out of the door.

"Elder, do you see that?" Athena asked the Elder Chief as he was busy reading some documents.

"See what child?" He was confused as to what the girl was pointing at as he couldn't see a thing.

"It's nothing…" She responded as she contemplated in regards to why she could see it, but he couldn't, 'Strange, how come I can see the light, is it because he does not possess any magic?'

Athena was still bothered about the light, but was distracted when he noticed what the old man was doing.

"What's that?"

"Ah, this? It's an old man of the Northern Region."

"A map?"

"Hmm, it's quite old since the person who normally surveys and explores the area has passed. Since then, no one has continued remapping the area since there was a war."

"Can I look at it?"

"Sure," He moved the map aside so the girl could check it better. "It's quite old,"

Athena studied the map well, it was indeed old. She couldn't even tell where the village is at this point. "Where's the village?"

"Ah, here." He pointed out since he put a marking, labeling where the village is located.

Athena grabbed the ink and quill as she started drawing out the layer of the village.

"Amazing Tina, you're really talented."

"It's nothing…" She said as she continued to draw in detail everything. But as she was working on her way to the church, she noticed something which was already on the map. "What's this?"

"Hmm, actually no one has ever ventured that far."

"But, it's written konav on it."

"Yes."

"If I'm not wrong, konav is an Elder Language which means demon."

Elder Language is a language spoken by elves, nymphs, and so on… It's a forgotten language that has developed through time. It's a language mainly studied by scholars, the main reason they still study such an old language is so that they can decipher old scrolls, tablets, and hidden ruins. Also, another reason for this is because, despite the empire having been established for thousands of years, they have yet to explore all the lands they have conquered. Especially lands which are inhabited by monster and mythical creatures.

"Hmm, I'm not sure about the language, but my grandparents told me that the land is indeed inhabited by demons."

"Demons?" Athena was shocked since it was the first time she heard such tales, even when she was staying in Argenlès.

"Yes, it was said that a non-human lived in that area."

"You mean the demon then?" Athena found it quite hard to believe that a demon would exist in such a world. True, there are stories about them before, but, they were mainly fairy tales to scare the children.

"One does not know exactly if he is indeed a pure demon or not."

"Why so?"

"They said, the demon would find a human girl, force her to be his bride and...." The old man coughed as he didn't finish what he was about to explain.

"So, it means that it's a half demon?"

"Well, that I don't know. No one has ever seen the creature residing in that area."

"Residing, meaning he lives there and…"

"I don't know, but the elders before would always say that the demon would drag the woman back to his castle and… you know the rest of the story."

Athena became more intrigued about this demon, non-human being. It was the first she ever encountered such a tale. For it to be true, excite her even more despite deep down, she already knew that it's all a fairy tale.

"So, what does this demon look like?"

"They said he takes the form of a human, but has a dragon-like horns, his teeth are sharp in order to suck the blood of his bride."

'Sound like he is a vampire more than a demon.' Athena thought as she continued to listen to the old man's fairy tale story.

"They said, he has jet black long hair, and his eyes, his eyes are red as crimson."

'Okay, he sounds more like a vampire.' Athena concluded that this being must be a vampire instead of a demon. However, this word has no knowledge about vampires at all. Yet, she thinks that this person must be a vampire that has yet to be discovered.

Then, Athena realized something… She had almost forgotten about the light she saw earlier. As she tried to look for it, she could no longer see it as well. 'Did it disappear already?'

"Elder, I'll be going now."

Since Fuji was still fast asleep, she decided to leave him behind.

Despite she was unable to see the light anymore, she had a vague idea where it would lead to.

After hearing all those stories, she has come up with an answer to everything. Including the identity of the strange/God that visits her at night.

Athena observes the area, she sighs as there was no sign of the light she saw earlier. 'Guess, I have no choice, but to go the old fashion.'

Despite the stranger that visits her vanishing all the time, she thought if he is indeed a being with a physical form, he would leave tracks on the ground. However, since she was back in medieval time, it was hard for her to identify which marking to follow.

However, since she already has a vague idea where the stranger would be heading. She didn't really need to follow any trace and just directly go to the place.

But, she was unsure if the place is safe for her to venture. It's one of the areas in the Northern Region that has yet to be explored. Who knows what type of creatures lives in that area.

Still, she needed some answers, and to be frightened by some old fairy tales was not her option.

As she continues on her way, she finally reaches the boundary of the area. There was an old warning sign stating to be careful and head back, that the place is filled with monsters and its danger. But, that wasn't what Athena was feeling. For some reason, all she could sense was warmth and a strange familiar energy.

Then for a brief moment, there it was, she saw the light again.

"Finally, I found you."

There was no turning back anymore, the girl moved forward as she decided to face what's up ahead. She may be attacked by a monster, she may meet the demon, who knows what she'll encounter. But, one thing was for sure… Her savior/God is in that direction. Which could only mean that this demon they are referring to must be a kind hearted one. For, if he is a demon who only kidnaps women to force them to marry him, then, surely he would have taken her away as well to be his bride, seeing she is an eligible lady. Yet, he only came and visited her time after time and left without a single word.

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