Catch me if you can 2

As the evening shadows deepened, Lilith's eyes locked onto a mysterious figure lingering at the forest's edge. The air was thick with tension, but she forced herself to stay calm. She gathered her thoughts, drawing in a deep, steadying breath before calling out with a voice that was stronger than she felt, "Ratatoskr, I see you now! Come over here so we can meet!"

For a moment, the figure flickered, barely more than a shadow against the darkening woods. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was no longer distant but standing right in front of her.

Lilith's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She staggered backward, her legs giving way as she fell onto the damp ground, the cold seeping through her clothes. The shock of his sudden appearance left her speechless. Her hand instinctively clutched at the necklace around her neck, which suddenly flared with a soft, warm light. The glow intensified, and a moment later, Aurora emerged, her translucent form shimmering like a mirage in the twilight.

"How… how are you that fast?" Lilith's voice trembled with disbelief, her wide eyes still locked on Ratatoskr.

Aurora, her ethereal presence floating gracefully between Lilith and the mysterious figure, turned to her friend with concern etched across her face. "Are you okay, Lilith?" she asked, her voice soothing yet alert, ready to defend her if needed.

Ratatoskr, the enigmatic figure, simply watched them with a calm, knowing expression. His eyes, glinting with a mischievous light, seemed to hold the secrets of the forest itself. He tilted his head slightly, as if amused by their reaction, but said nothing.

The tension in the air was palpable, the forest around them holding its breath as if waiting for what would happen next. Lilith could feel the pulse of the earth beneath her, the ancient energy of the woods thrumming through her veins. She knew this meeting was important, but she hadn't expected it to be so overwhelming.

Aurora's presence gave her a semblance of comfort, but the unsettling speed and silent demeanor of Ratatoskr left her unsure of what to do next.

Out of nowhere, Ratatoskr burst into laughter, a sound so loud and infectious that it echoed through the trees. He dropped to the ground, rolling around while cackling uncontrollably. "This is priceless! You call me over only to fall on your behind. Absolutely priceless! Hahaha!"

Lilith, still bewildered by the sheer speed of the squirrel-like creature, watched him in stunned silence. She slowly got to her feet, brushing off the dirt and leaves clinging to her clothes. Her mind raced as she tried to comprehend what had just happened. Finally, she managed to speak, her voice laced with confusion. "How... How did you move so fast?"

"Move?" Ratatoskr retorted, still chuckling as he sat up and dusted off his fur. "I didn't simply move, child. I teleported."

Lilith's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, so that's what teleportation looks like. I see," she murmured, her curiosity piqued. Turning her gaze to Aurora, who hovered beside her in her translucent form, Lilith asked, "And since when have you been able to make a body like this, Aurora? You're no bigger than Tami at the moment."

Aurora smiled softly, her ethereal glow illuminating the space around them. "Yes, Lilith, this body is about the same size as your Fenrir pup. I've always had the ability to manifest like this. The only problem was that Eldoria's mana was weakened. After the mana poisoning, as you recall, I was too drained to emerge from the necklace. I was weakened, and my energy was almost entirely depleted."

She paused, her eyes reflecting a deep wisdom. "But here, in this realm filled with dense mana, my magic is easily replenished. I can use this kind of magic to manifest for a while, though not for long. If I refrain from using too much power, I can maintain this form even longer. But it's a waste of magic and energy to stay like this indefinitely. Besides," she added, her tone turning more serious, "this is a test for you, young one."

Lilith blinked, absorbing Aurora's words. A test? The idea filled her with a mix of apprehension and determination. She had always known that coming to this realm would be challenging, but she hadn't expected such surprises so soon. She glanced back at Ratatoskr, who had finally calmed down, though a mischievous grin still played on his face. He was clearly enjoying the moment, but Lilith knew there was more to him than met the eye.

"So this is all part of the test," Lilith said, more to herself than to anyone else. She could feel the weight of the situation settling over her. It wasn't just about meeting strange creatures or learning new magic; it was about proving herself in a world that was far more complex and dangerous than she had imagined.

Aurora nodded, her expression encouraging. "Indeed. Remember, Lilith, every encounter in this realm has a purpose. You're here to learn, to grow, and to face challenges that will shape you into who you're meant to become. Trust yourself, and trust the bond we share. We'll face whatever comes, together."

Lilith took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of resolve. She wasn't sure what the test would entail, but she knew she wouldn't face it alone. With Aurora by her side is felt safe and stronger.

Ratatoskr, now done laughing, stood up and dusted off his fur with a satisfied sigh. "Ahhh, yes, a test. Aurora told me about the quest you're on—a quest given to you by another who teleported you here."

Lilith's eyes widened slightly. "You know about that?"

"Of course," Ratatoskr replied with a sly grin. "But to fulfill the quest of learning teleportation, that's a tall order. Even if you are… special. So I was thinking, what if I tested you first? If you pass, I'll teach you how to teleport."

Lilith frowned for a moment, her mind racing. "Can you really teach me? And if so, what is this test? Aurora says you're stronger than her, but I can't sense anything from you. I guess you're so powerful that you can hide yourself from me."

Ratatoskr chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Well, at the beginning, I could hide completely, but with your keen senses, you still managed to pick up on a trace of me. I suppose I didn't do my best at concealing myself, but the fact that you sensed me at all is impressive. And for that, you've earned yourself a test."

Lilith's curiosity deepened. She had never encountered a creature like Ratatoskr before, and his mysterious nature intrigued her. "So, what's the test?" she asked, eager to learn more.

Ratatoskr tapped his chin thoughtfully, his tail flicking back and forth. "Hmm, let's see… what should the test be about… Mmm… Uuuu, no, that's too simple, even for you. Meh, what the heck, why not?" His eyes sparkled with mischief as he continued, "The test is—catch me if you can. All you have to do is catch me. It's a game I played when I was young. You might know it as tag."

"Catch you?" Lilith murmured, contemplating the challenge. She then walked over to him, kneeling down to meet his eyes. "I've never heard of this game, but it sounds fun. It sounds like something I could play with Tami when I'm back. Tag, you called it? When do we begin?"

"We begin tomorrow, after you've rested," Ratatoskr said, his tone shifting to one of seriousness.

"Good," Lilith said with a bright smile. "Then let's eat!"

"Eat?" Ratatoskr repeated, looking confused. "We don't need to eat in this world—or at least, I don't, and neither should you."

"Oh really?" Lilith asked, a bit surprised. "Aurora said the same thing to me. But I really like food, and I enjoy cooking too. Even if it's only for me, it brings me comfort. And with you here, I can make more. You can eat food, right?"

Ratatoskr tilted his head, considering her words. "Well, I can eat, yes. I just don't need to anymore. I ate a lot when I was in my fifties, maybe… but that was eons ago."

"Eons?" Lilith asked, her eyes widening with curiosity.

"Yes, eons," Ratatoskr confirmed, his tone light but with a hint of nostalgia. "Back when the world was younger, and so was I. But those days are long gone."

Lilith nodded, intrigued by the ancient squirrel's past. "Well, even if you don't need to eat, maybe you'll enjoy it. I'll cook something special, just for us."

Ratatoskr smiled, a rare softness in his expression. "Very well, Lilith. Let's see what you can do. But remember, tomorrow, the real challenge begins."

As the evening wore on, Lilith gathered her ingredients and started cooking, the familiar motions bringing her comfort. Ratatoskr watched with quiet interest, while Aurora floated nearby, her presence warm and reassuring.

The night was filled with the scent of food and the crackling of the fire, a moment of calm before the test that awaited them. As Lilith prepared for the next day, she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. She knew the coming challenge would be unlike anything she had faced before, but with her new companions by her side, she felt ready to take it on.