The Lively Grove

Link sighed and said, "We should get inside that cafe and plan everything carefully." As the four of them walked towards the cafe covered with flowers and leaves, Eirin could not hide her amusement due to how comforting and tranquil it appeared. The scent of varnished wood mixed with the floral fragrance from the varieties of diverse flowers at the entrance made Eirin look around. 

The cafe was booming with business, and as Eirin roamed her vision, she noticed the waitresses' attire. White floral dress with a black apron over it and black leather shoes that create a clicking sound whenever the waitresses walk all over the cafe. As they took their seats, Eirin's gaze went to the glass window beside their table, reminding her of that cafe she had visited with Bright before. 

That same serene feeling she hadn't been able to feel for a while continued to surge through her heart as she stared outside. Her eyes followed the women passing by, wearing thick dresses while using parasols covered with laces and frills. 

 "Is that the fashion trend here?" 

Eirin could not control her curiosity as she pointed at the women outside. 

 "No way," Link chuckled and even shook his hands. "Those girls are probably nobles. What they're wearing is expensive, so not everyone could buy them," he explained. 

Eirin glanced at the noble girls and looked back at Link. "Then, are you guys from noble families too?" 

Link scratched the back of his head with a sheepish expression. "Eh? Do I look like one?" He giggled as their food arrived. 

 "She's just asking. She's not saying you look like one," Coleen said as she took a bite of the eclair she ordered. 

The noble women entered the cafe with their laughter filling the atmosphere. Their eyes soon landed on Eirin's table, and they quickly calmed down, clearing their throat and showing a gentle demeanor as they stared at Shade Cromwell. Eirin watched them meticulously as if observing something she had never witnessed before. 

 'I feel bad for them. This good-looking guy they're gawking their eyes at only has his good looks to brag about,' Eirin thought, shaking her head in disappointment. "So, are you guys from noble families?" 

 "Nope. I came from the Infirmus," Link said, sipping his coffee. They seemed too relaxed for someone in a rush to finish a mission. "Shade's from Infirmus, too, so I guess he's not a noble either. Oh, but our Coco here is a dear princess of—" 

Coleen immediately stuffed Link's mouth with the eclair she held, cutting off his sentence. 

Tons of thoughts filled Eirin's head. Who would have thought that the crude and arrogant Shade Cromwell came from the land he despises, the Infirmus? A question that Eirin could not speak of aloud popped inside her head. If Coleen's a princess of some place, does that mean Calixta's one too? Eirin knew how improper it might be, seeing how hostile Coleen became towards her again. It will further the awkwardness if she tries to forcibly interact with Coleen. 

 "Why don't we talk about the more important things now?" 

 "Finally," Shade grunted. 

Link discussed how he wanted the plan to go and how they must accomplish it without mistakes. "Since we do not know what the Phoenix refers to, maybe it is an animal or a person, we will research it in the hidden village. Find clues as much as possible— I know it won't be easy, but that's why I'm here," he said confidently. 

 "If we're leaving today, we should leave already. The sun's about to set," Coleen said after finishing her strawberry gelato and wiping the corner of her mouth. 

Shade scoffed as if mocking them, but he said nothing else. Soon after they finished their food, the four left the cafe, with all the young women staring at Shade Cromwell as they walked out. They whimpered in sadness as their eye candy had finally left. 

 "I shall make this clear: if we are going through the Lively Grove, I do not want anyone to be a burden," Shade faced Eirin. "Especially you. As stupid as you may be, do not believe everything you hear, and do not believe everything you see." 

Eirin's forehead creased. Given the insult the young man had said, the teenage girl could not react accordingly and only asked what the young man meant. 

Shade shook his head and turned his back to the girl, leaving Link no choice but to explain everything and why Shade decided to say those things. 

 "The Lively Grove is... just a famous forest almost forbidden to be crossed by normal human beings— just like us." 

 "Then how come we're going to... get into that place?" 

Link showed his brightest smile. "It's because Shade's with us. Without him, we wouldn't be allowed to get inside or near the forest." 

The answer Link gave only left Eirin even more confused. How come Shade Cromwell is allowed to enter a forbidden forest? Doesn't that just prove that he isn't a normal human being? Eirin could not stop questioning it as they walked near the forest entrance. 

Link then smiled as he stood in front of the forest entrance. "Because this forest causes hallucination and creates illusions. The trees are imbued with mana that could detect the trespassers' feelings, their fears, and their desires. Once it learns of all that, it will soon create illusions to lure humans and get their life energy, making them unable to leave." 

Eirin felt shivers down her spine. 

 "Well, at least, that's what we're told." 

The teenage girl gulped as she froze on her feet, staring at the eerie entrance of the Lively Grove. There was a warning sign in front, saying do not enter. These were such simple words, enough for a child to understand, but the signboards were all hinted with blood and looked rigid as if they had been there for a long time. 

 "Just remember, don't believe everything that goes inside that forest. The forest will hear what goes through our heads and inside our hearts. We must try to keep a blank mind," Link reminded. 

 "Luxfield does not have to worry then," Shade commented. 

Eirin rolled her eyes and shook her head, deeming the young man unworthy of attention.

Link led the way, walking in front, followed by Coleen and Eirin; behind them was Shade, guarding their rear. It was a formation Link thought of since it would be dangerous if one of them got lost in the forest. It was a risk they were willing to take for the academy's sake. 

As they entered, Eirin heard the crows flapping their wings while cawing as if dissatisfied by their sudden visit. It was creepy indeed, but their deep-black eyes, as if resembling the endless abyss, gawked at the four teenagers, making Eirin terrified. 

The trees were tall and slim, and darkness filled the forest despite the sun not setting. As Eirin roamed her vision, she noticed a thin mist around them, causing her slight discomfort. The fallen leaves crumbling beneath their feet filled Eirin's ears, mixing with the dirt on the ground as they moved forward. No one was trying to speak as Link had planned. If the forest does not know their voices, it would not be able to fool them. That's what he believed. 

Everything seemed awfully normal at first until they continued walking deeper into the forest, and the mist continued to get denser, making it hard for them to see anything and even harder for Eirin to breathe. 

  "AAAAAAAAAA!"  

A screeching sound filled their ears as the crows flew all over them, circling the four teenagers while cawing as if angered by them. Eirin felt her heart thumping so loud she started panting, fearing what would happen next. The only thing keeping her safe was Coleen's hand holding hers. 

  "Demon! A demon has come to devour us all! It has come to nullify our powers!"  

A loud voice echoed throughout the forest, making the four teenagers flinch in surprise. Eirin wondered where the voice came from. She looked around, but Coleen immediately pulled her hand, causing her to look back at her companions. Coleen shook her head as if saying that they must ignore the voices. 

  "We must slay the demon before it takes us all! Slay the demon child." 

Another loud screech came from above, and a huge black unknown being flew right on their heads, immediately making Link pull Coleen closer to him while Shade pushed Eirin to the ground. 

  'That jerk! He did that on purpose!' Eirin thought as she struggled to stand. 

  "Slay the demon!"  

Eirin, who struggled to get back on her feet, noticed something creeping towards Coleen's feet. She squinted and saw what looked like an old, damp vine. The moment it touched Coleen's leg, the young girl screamed, and everything happened so fast that Eirin did not understand at all. 

The teenage girl's instinct kicked in as she grabbed the vine before it could get a strong hold on Coleen's leg. 

 "Are you okay?" 

Eirin looked in Coleen's direction, but before she could answer, the vine grasped Eirin's arm and dragged her deeper into the forest, away from her companions.