The battle itself was very difficult, but also interesting; it made me very worried about my life. But would I want to feel like I was in danger again? Probably not. Then I just need to become much stronger than I am now, and then no one will threaten me.
Looking around, I realized I was already in front of the door to my house. Hah, it's pretty cool that I got here so quickly. When I entered the house, no one was there. As I planned, I took a quick walk. Only fighting that rabbit wasn't in the plans.
Dusting off my boots, my feet carried me to the bed. I hadn't felt so tired until I hit the bed. My whole body felt numb; even breathing was hard. With difficulty, I lay on my back and placed my hand on my head, palm up.
My gaze fell on a book I'd just recently read. It was about fighting monsters. Damn. I'd completely forgotten about it. Next time, and I think there will definitely be one, I should at least try to remember the contents of this book. This time, I was lucky that I was facing a horned rabbit, and its attacks were obvious. If it had been any other monster, I think it would have been much more difficult.
Heavy eyelids obscured my vision, and I fell into a sweet, healing sleep from all this intense stress.
When I woke up, a fox stood above me, looking at me anxiously. Apparently, she could tell from my appearance that something had happened to me.
I stroked its cold fur and said:
-Everything's fine, I'm fine now.
The fox looked at me for a moment longer and then walked away from me into the street. As I tried to stand, pain shot through my entire body. Falling to the ground like that wasn't the best idea.
Depressed by the pain, my legs carried me outside for some fresh air. The fox was no longer outside; she really was fast.
What was surprising was that it was already sunset, and it had been evening when I fell asleep. Did that mean I'd slept so long?
Rubbing my still slightly sleepy eyes, I wandered to my favorite spot in the yard. The place where I could chop wood almost endlessly, strengthening my blows and strength. It's a shame I can't properly train my speed with this exercise. After that battle, I feel like it's really important.
Yawning and stretching, I... Hit a damn spruce tree!
-Ouch! What bad luck! Where did you even get here?
I walked around him on the other side and continued on my way. Only after walking a few meters away did I feel a huge shadow over me.
My whole body began to prickle. And time slowed again. Only this time, my heart was pounding like crazy. And my vision seemed to lose its boundaries and I saw only what was right in front of me.
-That strange feeling again? But how can this be? I'm literally right next to my house? And I didn't see any visible danger. Well, I suppose I can't complain. After all, this feeling has saved my life so many times.
Realizing that I was most likely being attacked, I kicked my left foot, nearly hitting the wall of our house. I just braced myself against it to keep from falling to the ground. Time returned to normal, but my heart was beating faster than ever.
When I turned around and saw a huge spruce tree extending its branch into the spot where I'd just been, my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
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-Is that spruce moving?! WHAT THE...
-That's rather rude of you. I just wanted to meet you. Oh... This must be the first time you've heard a different voice. Please forgive me.
I stood in complete shock as a huge spruce tree with black needles, the pattern of which was terrifying, spoke before me. I don't know why, but it seemed utterly terrifying to me. I wondered if other trees could talk like this? Could they walk, too? What if they really were upset with me and were planning to get revenge for being me?
My eyes glazed over, and my thoughts wandered chaotically, unable to settle on a single topic.
The shadow the spruce cast grew larger as the sun sank below the horizon. And its needles, looking at me, were covered in shadow, making it appear even more terrifying.
Now even the birds weren't singing, the leaves weren't rustling, and even the wind had decided not to fly near it. It was incredibly quiet all around. Only the occasional rustling of the spruce's branches could be heard.
And it was unhappy. Very unhappy. Its face twisted into an increasingly terrifying grimace, as if it wanted to intimidate me even more. What I assumed was its mouth had changed from an angry expression to a smile, but its angry eyes, unchanged, completely ruined the picture.
I was forced to watch the spruce's every movement with utter horror. Perhaps it was saying something else, but my brain was so terrified that its loud words were lost. The only thing left was a primal fear of such a monster.
I stared blankly at the spruce. I no longer had the strength to even be afraid. There was simply nothing left. There were no thoughts, no sensations of any kind.
A heavy branch reached out to me and, as usual, froze in mid-air. Again, that feeling might have been trying to help me, but this time, it wasn't an ordinary little bunny that was facing me, but a huge spruce. So forgive me for being so weak and timid.
For what felt like an eternity, I watched as that terrifying branch, black in the shadows, slowly approached me.
And then one of the needles on its branch touched me, piercing my clothes and leaving a small red dot in my chest. Not even the pain came to me. And even if it did, I wouldn't care. I just can't. It's beyond my strength.
I hear. I hear. The rustling of leaves. The rustling of grass. The wind flying past us. The birds singing their evening song.
I feel. I feel pain. I feel fear. And I feel the slight chill of the street.
My brain began to think again and process various feelings. My ears heard only the unpleasant scraping of wood. To my surprise, I could even roughly understand what was being said.
-[Forest Spirit Technique: Mercy].
The needle that had pierced my chest came out, and the entire branch returned to its original position. I could follow it and focus completely on it. I could think of one thing again. My thoughts didn't wander, and my vision was focused.
I felt a slight pain in my head, and reaching out, I clutched my head. Now everything was the same as it had been just a few seconds ago. All feelings, sensations, and sounds became complete. My body and mind returned to their original state.
-Apparently, my appearance was rather exotic to you. I should have foreseen this. I thought a smile would be a sign to you that I was friendly; apparently, I don't understand everything about people yet. In any case, everything will be fine soon. I already used my healing ability on you. I apologize again for frightening you so much. I didn't mean for my first visit to end this way. My name is Mikua. I am the guardian of this forest and all the surrounding territories. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd be interested to know your name.
I stood there, trying to digest everything the tree had just said. I had to stand there for a few seconds, simply trying not to faint again.
-I... I don't have a name... And if I do, I don't know it...
-However, it's interesting.
He watched as the girl in front of him began to shake. It was strange to him. Why was she doing this? Her upper teeth bit her lip, drawing blood. What came over her? I just healed her.
Damn, damn, damn. That withdrawal feeling again.
I. Can't. Why. Did. He. Heal. My. Damn. Hand.
Damn warm milk. Why am I still so attached to it? Why do I want to drink it again now and feel its blissful taste. Why is this still happening to me? I don't understand.
Why?
Why?
Why?
WHERE'S THE DAMN SWORD?