Hada's Forest

A little girl's figure could be seen inside a forest, as she walks slowly while holding a cane stick to support her self.

It was called Hada's Forest. It was large, misty, and thriving. The canopies were formed majorly by red wood and elm. The light peaking through the spaces of the lush leaves and branches, created a mystical atmosphere.

Variety of sounds could be heard around. The chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects echoed in the air, accompanied by the gentle caress of the river nearby.

There was a myth, that the forest before was ruled by mythical beings, though there's no person who has ever seen one.

Luciana stopped near the river to drink water. It has been a day since she left the fighting house. Her face was deathly pale. The injuries she had, were still lingering on her body and untreated. She can barely move because of extreme fatigue.

The place where the fighting house was located is remote, and only a few village surrounds it. It was made so that the rotten aristocrats who goes there to have fun, will not be seen by other nobles. They do not want them to know that they go to such a dirty and gory place.

The reason why Luciana has to pass through this forest is because it is the shortest path towards the town. If she chose to detour instead, it might take her weeks by foot and that is, if she isn't injured like now. Taking this way, she might be able to reach there in three days in her fastest speed, if there's no danger encountered.

Just when she was about to close her eyes to rest, rustling sounds could be heard from the surrounding plants.

She instantly became alert. She took the cane stick on the ground and placed it in her right hand in a defensive position, as she slowly stood up.

Two bloody red eyes were straighly looking at her. Anticipation could be seen on its menacing face.

It was a ferocious young juvenile wolf, around half a meter tall, with dark grey fur and yellowish fangs. Grey-furred wolves love to form packs but this young wolf, luckily is alone and was probably separated from the others.

It glared at the little girl, it's saliva was flowing through the gaps of its teeth. It carefully sizes up the prey in front as it slowly advance on its way towards her from the bush he was in.

"Grrrr." The wolf growled at her.

Luciana prepared herself. She is not in the condition to fight properly. It seems like she's really in, with a very bad luck. She can only hope that she could end this as soon as possible.

Luciana decided to take the initiative to attack. She tightened her grasp on the stick. Advancing forward with fast strides, she forcibly hit the wolf on its head.

The wolf was hit, making it take a few steps back. It growled louder then pounced towards her angrily, aiming to take the stick from her hands.

Luciana has anticipated it's move, already prepared for this attack. She flipped the stick forcibly passing it from the back on to her other hand. She took one step forward and kicked the wolf, almost getting herself out balanced while doing that. She just hissed then violently attacked again with the stick towards its stomach.

The wolf shrieked out in pain, rolling on the ground. When it was about to stand back again, Luciana hurriedly landed another kick on its bloody wound. Continuing her momentum, she made a final stab towards its heart. Stains of blood was added onto Luciana's already bloody clothes.

It howled weakly, and cried for a while before its body finally turned stiff, it was dead.

Luciana felt her sight blur. She knew she was about to become unconscious, but if she fall here now, other beasts might get attracted from the smell of blood. She couldn't risk to stay here.

She strenuously walked away from the dead wolf. Her face pale, her clothes drenched in cold sweat, but she continued, almost crawling just to leave the place.

When she was aware that it is already a safe distance away, she passed out immediately.

~~

[Requiem Sanctum, Revolutionary's eastern hideout.]

"Theon, have you seen anyone with white hair when you went to the fight house?" A middle aged man spoke. He has a brown complexion, golden hair, his eyes were deep blue, his nose is finely sculpted, and his lips were thin and a bit dark. He exudes an aura of a veteran warrior, and his gaze is strict and pointed.

"I do not, General Torryn." Theon Ruggiero answered calmly, but inside he was confused about the general's question but he kept it to himself.

The general sighed then said, "Okay. leave now."

When Theon was no longer there, he stared at the corner of his tent. He whispered, "I hope you can find who you're seeking."

The silhouette of a man appeared. He looked at the man who spoke. His eyes flashed with white light, soon he left and vanished into the night.

~~

Luciana felt something tickling her face. Her eyes trembled, as it slowly adjust to the morning light. It seems like she passed out for an entire night.

"Mmmm" she groaned. A wet sandpaper like texture keeps on tickling her.

A two meter tall- white deer was licking her face. It's long white horns protrudes from its head. It looked majestic and lovely.

The deer's eyes were looking kindly at Luciana, as if the one infront is her own child. It sticks out its tongue to lick her again, wanting to make the girl wake up.

When Luciana finally woke up completely, she was instantly shocked dumbly by the sight. She tried to move backwards but the deer followed her too.

"What do you want?" She asked with a raspy voice.

The white deer answered her by just licking her face again.

Luciana was amazed by the deers action. She stretched her hand, intending to touch its head. When the deer saw her doing that, it lowered it's head for her.

She tried standing up, and the deer also helped her by offering it's antlers. She glanced around at her surroundings, when she realized she's still on the right track she sighed in relief.

She looked at the deer again and asked, "can you help me out of the forest?"

The white deer nodded, having understood her words.

Luciana finally smiled and brushed her hands to the deer's soft coat, in exchange, it licked her little jade-like hand.

They walked together slowly. Sometimes they stopped to let Luciana pick out edible mushrooms and herbs for her to eat. The deer also brought her some wild berries, making Luciana smile like the child she is.

When the sky darkened again, the deer led her safely to a small cave. Luciana lay beside the white deer, she felt warm and comfortable.

That night, was the first night after years, when she was able to dream again. She dreamt about little animals surrounding her happily. Little rabbits hopping around her cutely, birds where singing her a lovely song, and the white deer is watching on the side looking at her with a gentle gaze. On that dream, she felt really happy, she was able to forget her dark past for a moment. She slept peacefully and soundly that night.

When they woke up, they continued their travel out of the forest. They didn't encounter anymore danger during the rest of their journey.

The sun is almost set when the trees on the distance already seemed to lessen and disappear. she looked at the deer beside her.

"I'm leaving." She said briefly.

The deer looked at her with a sad gaze, reluctant to leave the little girl's side. It licked her hands once again.

"Thank you." Luciana said with a smile. She felt gratitude towards it.

The deer stepped backward and suddenly lowered it's body and bowed it's head.

Luciana was shocked by the deer's gesture. She was already confused why a majestic deer like that would follow her, and now it even bowed towards her.

Since she couldn't understand why such things happened, she just thrown everything to the back of her mind. She glanced softly at the deer again before leaving the Hada's forest.

She is already just a few distance away from town.