"There was no way of making the situation of Koko’s death any happier...I just knew that whatever lied in the near future. I was ready to face it and that...one day, I was hopefully ready to explore it just a little more thoroughly as well. Even if it was for the simple act of revenge."
Strange how I'm just now thinking about those words...I've never had a reason to think nor even bring back that painful memory. The death of Koko, the sudden betrayal of a long-time friend. Everything painful flooded back as soon as I remembered those words!
Though, in a way at least, I stuck to them nonetheless.
“Ready Eos?” Suddenly asked a familiar voice, the voice’s question making me quickly snap out of my thoughts before I rolled my eyes.
When was I not ready to do something reckless?
"Ready? I'm born ready for anything Ryzel." I said with a proud grin before we rushed off into the forest.
I’ve been dealing with this bold, flirtatious but loyal Incubus for the past 3 years...yep, not an exaggeration in the slightest. It’s been 3 years! 3 years since I died in a car crash and was reincarnated into a world known as Balerion, 3 years since I’ve truly made a life for myself here, 3 years since...since the war with my ex-friend Sayri.
“Remind me, why are we killing lions again? We’re supposed to be saving someone.” I asked, my breath heaving as I slid a lioness’ head off my freshly bloodied sword before walking after Ryzel into the den.
Sometimes it was weird when I thought about it too hard or too much, I’ve gone from being a nervous teenage wreck about the idea of killing something or someone to being completely neutral about it! Then again, not like I could just laze around being fed grapes by manly servants-
“Actually...”
“What?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly, erasing the thought before I focused on the task before us.
“But still, remind me, why are we killing lions?” “I thought you wanted adventure?” Ryzel chuckled, causing me to let out a small snort.
“I do! I really do! But you can't have a proper adventure or mission without an end goal, haven’t you ever seen Lord of the-” I trailed off a little, even now I still couldn’t get over my habit of making references to my old home.
It may have been a few years but this still wasn’t my original home, it was going to take a whole lot longer to get over that fact.
“Nevermind,” I said finally with a small grin.
Not like he was going to understand a movie reference when there weren't any movies in this world.
“Well then, try to take comfort in the knowledge that we’re going in here to save someone my beauty.” Ryzel smiled, the words ‘rescue mission’ making me groan.
Over these last few years, it seems like all I've been doing were rescue missions! Sure, for a while it was keeping me entertained with the whole idea of saving people and getting my name further out there! But lately? It's grown tiring and annoying, especially if I had to save a damsel in distress.
“Yikes...” I cringed as I thought of the last one, I had saved. Not as sweet and innocent as stories made them out to be.
As Ryzel and I continued to venture deeper and deeper into the lion’s den, however, killing a few lionesses here and there while also trying to avoid the cubs, I had nearly jumped out of my skin at the sudden feeling of my collar vibrating.
‘This mission will prove beneficial to you soon.’ Ibis hooted, causing me to raise my brow in slight interest.
Ibis, the Owl Guardian of this world as well as the one responsible for my reincarnation. I remember when we used to be on such bad terms...all those years ago, but now?
I thought of her as a strict aunt or stand-in mom rather than just a simple bird I served.
“Useful? How?” I asked, causing Ibis to let out a small sigh.
‘If I were to tell you, then it would not be as amusing to watch your reaction.’ Ibis said.
‘Trust my words my champion, this...adventure end goal as you call it will be the start of an interesting adventure.’ Ibis hooted as the butterflies in my stomach continued to dance around more and more.
Ibis wasn’t the type to joke nor play around when it came to business or something that was of potential interest to me, I was pretty trusting of her words when she said this little adventure might yield some good rewards at the end.
‘Finally...after years of boredom, today will be the day!’ I cheered inside my head, my collar slowly but surely ceasing to vibrate.
“There they are...” Ryzel whispered as we came to another section of the den, causing him to quickly grab my hand before we hid behind a wall.
I raised a brow at him, what in the world was he hiding from? We nearly killed all the lions in this den! All we needed to do now was kill the male.
“What are we-”
“Look.” He chuckled quietly, my brow raising a little before I peeked my head out a little to try and catch a glimpse.
And goodness was the male huge...he was nearly twice the size of a normal lion! His fur along with his full mane was a stunning platinum blonde that seemed to be tipped with actual gold while his paws seemed to be nearly as big as my face with sharp, curved black claws that tipped them and glimmered like a freshly sharpened dagger. I felt a hint of nervousness invade my heart, I’ve fought Orcs, wolves and even people in my 3 years of being in this world but lions?
I never really made it a mission to try and add them to my killing list.
“So...let’s go now and get him! He’s alone without anyone to protect his tail.” I suggested, the hot feeling of steam beginning to rise from the bottom of my feet replacing that fear with a sense of eagerness. However, Ryzel stopped me before I could even take a step.
“Ah...how I admire your eagerness for battle but this is no ordinary lion my beauty.”
“Your damn right about that, I could sell this guy for a fortune if I wanted to!”
“No, I mean...he is an enchanted lion.” He huffed, my eyes widening a little before I looked up at him.
“Is he a...”
“He is not a Beast Daemonium, no, but he is cursed. To remove this curse, he must be struck in the heart with magic. Namely yours.” Ryzel explained, my eyes widening a little before I took one more peek at the lion who continued to stalk around.
Struck in the heart with magic? Why in the world couldn’t he do it?! I didn’t exactly feel like roasting someone’s beating heart alive like a vile witch.
“Why can’t you do it?” I hissed in annoyance. Ryzel snorted and gestured towards himself, the tattoos on his arms and the sides of his face beginning to glow ever so slightly.
“I am an Incubus and I do not feel like having our target fall for me.” He said before I rolled my eyes.
"You think a bit too highly of yourself."
"Whether I do or not, you must be the one to strike this beast."
Before I could convince myself to slap this guy silly, I simply let out another annoyed sigh and dared to take a foot-step out from behind the wall. Though I considered Ryzel a friend, as annoyingly flirtatious as he was, I couldn’t help but wish that I had thought to bring someone else along with me for my missions! I didn’t exactly feel like being flirted with and given innuendos when I was on the job.
Once I had came out from the hiding spot, it didn't take long for the lion to let out an almost ground-shaking roar, causing flames to quickly engulf my being before I was my original form once more. A dog, more specifically, a Great Dane.
"Strike him in the heart Eos!" Ryzel reminded me with a shout as I continued to just barely miss the lion's attacks, striking him across the face while I managed to bite his legs occasionally.
As I continued to nip and bite at the lion, the sight of his enormous canines attempting to grab ahold of my neck at every waking moment constantly taking me back to the first fight I had within this world. I was shocked out of my memory-lane thoughts as Ryzel suddenly leaped in front of me and held back the lion with his spear.
“S-Strike him!” He shouted, snapping me out of my momentary trance before I rushed to the side and readied myself.
The feeling of a near scorching feeling within my gut and chest, the sounds of crackling flames and steam rushing past my ears...as I readied myself, my eyes locking onto a sight where the heart should’ve most likely been located, I had quickly gathered my strength for a few more seconds before a jet of red flames left my mouth while a sharp yowl left the lion.
‘Haven’t done that in a while.’ I thought with a small whine as I sat and let my tongue hang out of my mouth while I took in the sight of gold particles floating around in the air.
“Good job.” Ryzel praised me with a grin.
A grin I could easily reciprocate, I mean...I survived my first lion fight after all! Though I would admit it was mostly because of the Incubus, I would never say it to his face. The guy didn't exactly need his ego stroked anymore.
“Is he...?” I asked before I slowly trailed off a little and dared to walk towards the pile of golden ashes.
Oh God...this is not what I needed on my morning! The possible fact that I may have killed someone?! That was not going to look good when I returned back to the village and had to send word to the growing guild I allied myself with, they tended to the idea of losing money after all. But...just before I was about to go off on Ryzel for his terrible idea, the pile of ashes had suddenly begun to move, the sound of coughing and ruffling of feathers following afterward.
“What in the world?” I said with a small gasp as I watched a pair of tawny-colored tipped with scarlet wings rise from the ashes.
I’ve been doing small quests here and there for a while now and I was pretty proud to claim that I’ve seen every type of creature there was out there! From Elves to Dwarves, and eve Dragon Fairies! But...I’ve never seen a Red Fae.
Creature that were known for being forces to be reckoned with when it came to battling with magic or with weapons! It was pick your poison honestly when it came to them but, if there was anything I knew about them. It was that they always had feathered wings that were tipped with red at the end. Hence their names!
“Are you okay Red Fae?” I barked as the Red Fae finally managed to come out of the ashes, her face having a rather disapproving look as she stretched out her wings a little.
“Exquista.” She answered, her voice thick with a foreign accent.
That...wasn’t my question but good to know her name at least, even though I technically didn’t ask for it.
“Nice to meet ya but, are you okay?”
“I am fine, I wouldn’t be standing if I weren’t dog.” She huffed before I simply let out a low growl.
For someone who was just saved from being a male lion for the rest of their life, she sure was ungrateful!
And a mixture of beauty and bitchiness? It didn’t fit well.
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