[Past].

Adolpha had taken off in a direction different from Ajax, but she soon heard a sharp howl from a Lycanthrope's wolf echo throughout the forest, and knew immediately and with a shudder that Quince was in that direction- and possibly hurt. So then, she began racing through the tall pine woods towards the sound, the ground crunching beneath her boots. She ran furiously, panic and fear pumping coldly through her blood.

By the time she had arrived to the scene, all who had been there were already gone. Adolpha could sense that nobody had been killed; there wasn't enough blood or mess upon the ground for that, and the air only smelled sweet like the forest's trees, and not bitter nor aching like death. Still, she worried for her friends' lives. Adolpha knew that Virulent's servant, her sister Danica, had kidnapped Ajax and Quince. With the thought, she fumed, her skin growing hot and the back of her neck prickling with hair. Her jaws kept clenched, and her stomach ached as if a heavy stone was inside of it.

Her doubt and fear surrounded her, suffocating, and harsh drips of sweat rolled down her forehead in lines and dollops. What if I'm too late? What if I can't find them in time? Her mind raced, panicking, frightened, and uncertain. Somehow, she inhaled a deep breath, and although shaky, she managed to remain calm. Now Adolpha had a mission: rescue Ajax and Quince before Danica or Virulent had the chance to harm them. Adolpha forced herself to be confident, and with a head up, fueled by anger, she quickly assessed the slight disturbance of footsteps in dirt upon the ground and chose to follow their direction, knowing that several of the prints came from her friends and Danica. Some of the prints were larger boots than what a Lycanthrope would wear, which was typical for Felines or Saurions who had sharpened toes. With a sinking feeling, Adolpha considered one race and then the other, unsure of which would allow her two friends a better chance of escape and survival.

They must be Felines, she thought positively. Though, she was positively certain she was wrong, and knew that the long lines in the pines of the ground behind the large footprints were from the long tails of deadly Saurions. Her movements became with a sense of strong urgency, her heart quick, her eyes focused, and her feet moving fast. The wind was nipping against her pink, freckled cheeks, but the day was overall of fair temperature and condition, and for this she was grateful. A deep inhale, and she pursued with swiftness. Her hands gently touched the rough bark of tall pinewood trees as she speed-walked past them, her red gown fluttering at the back of her knees with their movement. The rough surface of the bark was somehow illuminating, as if reminding her that even after this war ended, these mighty trees would live on for another thousand years. And yet, with a darkening face and sinking feeling, she considered that if she lost this war, then these trees may very well meet their end just as her friends would. If Nautis were successful in his mission of evil and magic, then it was without a doubt that he would blacken the skies and let rot seep up from any now rich soil. These trees, then, would collapse and wither.

Adolpha felt hopeless and helpless both as she frantically searched through those woods, following the trailing footprints in the moss ahead, the vivid scents of the forest surrounding her. It was true that to Adolpha, the weight of this war and of the world was on her shoulders. She did not see it as an army fighting against an army; instead, she saw it as her alone having to succeed against an entire army of Saurions. Then, saddened, she wondered of River's Bed and how the people of it were now fairing; it hadn't been much time since she last saw all of those warm, familiar faces, but now, she missed them terribly and with an ache. But Adolpha shook away her doubts and focused on what was ahead of her. Yes, she would fight this war. Yes, she would win this war. With a newfound confidence and spite for Virulent's Forest, she charged ahead with her chin up and blue eyes forward. Inexperienced, but proud and confident. That is what she was. Her doubts remained at the back of her mind, but never pressing, never pushing. She knew that she was capable of doing what needed done, and in the end, she would return home willingly to her daughter. Oh, her precious, beautiful daughter. How Adolpha so greatly wished to see her once again. But I will, she thought with triumph. I will see her again, and very soon. Shoulders high, chin up, she continued.

Suddenly, something flickered at the edge of her vision, and she froze. Adolpha glanced with wide, flickering eyes, a sudden panic causing her heart to pound once again. She turned to her left, eyeing the still, brown woods. Then, with a slight shiver, she turned to her right, glancing this way and that, arms stiff at her sides, one hand on the hilt of her blade which was sheathed at her hip. There, a slight movement behind a trunk a few metres away. To many, he would have been hidden, but not to Adolpha. Her sight was a blessing from Mother Nature, and it allowed her to see what others could not; in that moment, she could see a boy, much younger than her. He had silvery, curly hair and dark tan skin that was lined with blemishes. His eyes were much like hers, blue and deep.

"Come out," Adolpha demanded, eyes narrowed, "I can see you." He froze behind the trunk, stiffening with eyes wide and worried. He was short, and a bit fat, a roundness to his face and body that made Adolpha think he did not belong here. She wondered, then, what he was possibly doing here, and why. Adolpha tried again, "You, boy, hiding behind that trunk. Come out." He froze again, shoulders lifting a little and face tightening, as if he could not figure out a puzzle. Though hesitatingly and with fearfulness, he slowly obeyed, and appeared out from the trunk with slow, cautious steps. Adolpha called to him once again, unafraid, "Come over here. Where are you from? Why are you here?"

"How did you see me? That tree was much bigger than I was..."

"Come here, and I shall tell you." The boy, perhaps about twenty, crossed his arms over his chest and gave a short, aggressive snort.

"You tell me," he said, "And then I will go there." Adolpha couldn't help but allow herself an amused smile. This child's irritating, stubborn attitude reminded her so much of when she and Danica were little.

She said, softer then, "Alright, then. I am a blessed one. I can see things that others cannot. Now, will you come forward?" Adolpha wasn't sure if he meant to or not, but at her explanation, he did take several excited steps closer to her, and she could see him clearer then. She knew that he held some sort of importance to her mission and to this magic war. If he didn't, then Mother Nature would not have chosen to show him to her. He would have been hidden behind that tree, and Adolpha would have never seen him nor even known he was there. But that isn't what happened; instead, Mother Nature chose to reveal this young boy to Adolpha. She trusted that it was for good reason.

The boy spoke excitedly, "Really? Really? A blessed one? Wow! You have magic? Wow! My mama always says that cannot be true. She says that she doesn't think Mother Nature woulda had tha' strength to fight back. She says that she don't even know if those Gods really do exist, or if that magic comes from someone else. Wow!" Rambling, and taking a few more energetic steps forward, he continued at a fast pace, "Wow! I mean, a real, life, blessed one! I cannot believe it! My mama always says, she always says that there was no way you were real, and now you're here, and there you are, and here you are!"

Adolpha laughed, "Well, here I am. Could you answer some of my questions, then?"

He glanced at his feet, "Well, Mama always says don't talk to strangers."

"You're already talkin to me, kid," Adolpha said with a chuckle. She was beginning to like this kid. He reminded her of May.

He glanced to his left, then right, and then finally said, "Well... I suppose..."

"Where are you from? And why are you here?"

"I'm from here," he said.

Adolpha shook her head, "That just can't be. You mean to tell me you live in Virulent's Forest? What side of this war are you on?" Her disbelief hung heavily, but she felt the hairs rise on the back of her neck, suddenly fearful of spies.

"War?" he asked, seeming disinterested now, picking at the skin on his fingers. His shaggy hair almost covered his eyes as he glanced down at his hands. "My ma and I don't do no war," he said lazily, "That's just silly talk, then. We live here in them Virulent's woods! He takes care of us."

Adolpha froze, and her blood ran cold, "He takes care of you? Is he here?"

"No, of course not. We live up by the village. We're in the woods collecting fruit today."

"Of course!" Adolpha exclaimed, an idea coming to mind. "Did you happen to see my friends, a Feline and a Lycanthrope? They walked by here..."

The boy nodded, grinning a toothy grin, "I did! All chained up at the wrists by some of our Saurions! Saurions!"

His jest and cheering for them made Adolpha feel sick to her stomach, but she said, "Thank you... Do you know where they were headed?"

"They was headed right up to the town! Not far from where me and my ma live."

"Can you take me there?"

He looked a little surprised, sinking back and shadowed. But, after a moment of consideration, the boy lit up like a candle and smiled, "Well, sure! I'll help you, blessed one! Not far from here at all! Hopefully my ma don't mind." At his last sentence, Adolpha paused. Being a mother herself, she felt for this young boy, and she knew in heart that his mother would definitely not be okay with him following a stranger on the opposite side of the war.

Adolpha shook her head, "Where is your ma? Can she come with us?"

"Oh, uh," he hesitated, "Well, sure. I can go find her."

"I'll come with you," Adolpha said. She was beginning to grow worried; she was spending a lot of time here with this boy, rather than finding her friends. But if the boy and his mother could lead her in a direct path to the village of Virulent's Forest, then it would be much quicker than her trying to find the way all by herself. Adolpha followed the boy deeper into the woods and up a mild slope to the left. She remained cautious, eyeing her surroundings and staying close to the boy as he led her along. Adolpha was still sceptical of him.

The tall pine trees became dispersed as they walked, instead giving way to bushy, low late winter trees. Peculiarly, these shrubby trees were not void of leaves; their leaves were plentiful and a deep maroon colour, and among the many leaves were bright orange fruits. Adolpha assumed these were winter blooms. As the two walked through the dense winter bloom forest, tall pines still present every few trees or so, eventually a movement and sound appeared up ahead. Adolpha could see clearly the boy's mother, who was dark with long, black curly hair and dark blue eyes. She held a wicker basket over one arm, delicately filling it with the fruits from the low trees, reaching out with an extended arm to pick them. As she heard the rustling from Adolpha and the boy's footsteps, she turned to look with surprise, and then with fear and anger. She dropped the basket immediately, racing to her son and pulling him back by the shoulders and away from Adolpha.

She cried, "Who are you? What are you doing near my son?"

Adolpha put up her empty hands with defence, speaking softly, "I apologise, ma'am... Your son offered to help me find my friends. It is urgent... All I am asking is a guide to the town."

The woman shook her head, lines creasing her face in fury, "No! Why should my son risk his life, leading a stranger up to town? Who are you, and why are you really here?"

"She's telling the truth, Mama," The boy piped up, "I saw her friends being taken!"

The aged woman looked at him with wide, white eyes, "And what were you doing so far away?"

He seemed sheepish, "Just exploring. I swear, Mama, nothing bad happened! She just needs our help."

"No," she said, low, "Absolutely not."

The boy shrugged and then sighed, sulking, "See, Blessed One? This is why I wanted to go without."

His mother became still, glancing down at him, "You were going to leave without me?"

He nodded, frustrated, "Yeah, and this lady said no, we had to come and get you, too." His mother looked up at Adolpha, surprised, and the two met eyes. Adolpha only looked concerned, and perhaps panicked. She wanted nothing more than to find her friends.

Softly, "Thank you..."

Adolpha shrugged, "It's okay. I know how kids can be. My daughter is the same way."

"You have a daughter?"

"Yes, just a little younger than your son."

"Where is she?"

"She's home, in River's Bed."

The woman seemed concerned, "That is more than an entire day's ride away! Why are you so far from her?"

Adolpha glanced at the ground, her hands fumbling, and guilt filling her inside, "I have a mission that I cannot ignore."

The boy interrupted excitedly, "She's a blessed one, Mama! That's how she saw me when I was hiding! It was amazing!" His mother loosened her grip on his shoulders, eyeing Adolpha up and down. She observed her read cloak, her chainmail, and the sword at her hip. Mostly, she observed her fearful eyes.

"You love your friends," the woman said knowingly. Before, her voice was shrill, but now, it was softer. Unlike Adolpha, her voice was not smooth, and it rattled with emotion like a smoker's.

"I do."

She sighed deeply, "We will help a little. We will walk you to town, and then we will never speak again. Yes?"

Adolpha nearly broke, "Yes, yes. That is perfect. I can't thank you enough."

"Don't thank us," she said, "I am only helping you return to your daughter sooner." With this, she led the way, and Adolpha and the boy followed. They walked through the sweet-smelling fruit trees, feet crunching against leaves and twigs underfoot, and eventually, they came upon a well-worn path through the tall pine woods. The dirt of the floor was dappled with shade from the evening's trees.

"It is still far," the woman said, "And it is late, so we will have to find a place to sleep for the night."

As they walked, Adolpha nodded, "I never got your names..."

"I am Johanna, and my son, Pebble."

"I'm Adolpha... And my daughter, May." The sun rose and fell overhead behind the pines of the trees. The afternoon turned to evening as they walked, and shadows grew long. Highlights became vivid orange, and the forest was draped in the melting colours of a vivid sunset. Pebble chatted heartily as they walked, and Adolpha learned that he liked to draw and garden and hated fighting. She was more than happy to listen to his constant chatter and rid her mind of worry. As night fell, Johanna found them a small clearing to sleep for the night; being used to a bed, none of them were too happy to sleep in the grass, but they couldn't keep walking in the dark, so there was no other option. Pebble was the first to fall asleep, leaning between Adolpha and Johanna. As he snored softly, Adolpha could see the gleam of Johanna's eyes as she glanced at her.

"Adolpha," she said, "You seem a bit young to have a child of your own."

"I know," Adolpha said. "It's a very long story, but now I have her, and I love her more than anything."

"Do you really love her more than anything?" Johanna questioned.

Adolpha raised an eyebrow, scoffing, "Of course. She is the only reason why I waited for so long to leave for my mission."

"Well, you are here, and yet she is in River's Bed," Johanna pointed out. She gently touched Pebble's hair as he slept on her, and Adolpha felt envious, angry even. She felt the hair on the back of her neck rise once again, like a wolf's hackles.

Adolpha defended, "It is much safer for her there. And the village will watch after her. Ware, and our Mayor Kelo."

"And you are not there."

Adolpha hesitated, softening, "Well, no... My task will determine the fate of the entire world, Johanna... But now that I say it," she felt a pang of grief, "I do wonder if I should have stayed. It being possibly the last year we are all alive is all the more reason for me to spend time with her, isn't it?" She felt heavy, as though she was going to cry, and her voice broke to think of her daughter so far away.

"This is about priorities, Adolpha," Johanna said, "But if I ever had to choose, I would always stay right here with Pebble. Somebody else can save the world... Or not. That is not my weight to bear. If the world was going to crash and burn, then I would let it do so for one more day with my boy."

Adolpha slowly shook her head, "But what about River's Bed? What about Mother Nature?"

"Even if you do save the world, Adolpha, there is no guarantee for tomorrow. A good person would do exactly as you are doing, and leave their child to save the world. But a good mother would leave the world to be with their child... Which are you, Adolpha?"

The silence that followed was loud.

"I think its time we get some sleep."

"I think that, as well."

Adolpha lay awake that night, staring at the twinkling stars above the trees, and wondering which that she was. She laid opposite to a softly sleeping Johanna and Pebble, and wished so deeply for May to have been there with her, softly sleeping as well. Adolpha could not seem to find sleep. And suddenly, she had to pee. Brushing the dirt from her cloak, she stood up, and then walked a little ways away to find a spot to squat. She did so quickly and quietly, and then stood once done, observing the dense darkness around her. She could feel a presence, and a rustling of something in the distance. Her blood ran cold, her feet heavy, and her breathing nearly stopped. She wasn't entirely sure what gave it away, but she knew with certainty that it was Yakob who was hunting her.

He crept through the woods in the darkness, obscured by it, careful, cold, and calculated. His frustrated thoughts circled, and he spoke them aloud.

"That stupid Adolpha, always running off and leaving me to clean up her messes and bring her home. I'm just trying to protect her. Why can't she see that?" He chuckled a little, shaking his head with disbelief, "Now I'm out in the woods and alone. The things I do for that woman! That selfish woman. All I do is care. I care so much about her, and she abandons me? Betrays me?" A devilish smile curled on his face, and as he shook his head again, his long brown hair waved side to side like a flag. The gleam of the whites of his eyes shown in the dark, and his ebony silhouette was only visible by dim moonlight. "What has she gotten herself into this time?" He asked nobody. As he walked, he leaned against trunks and touched the shrubs by his knees. He was like a demon coursing through the forest to feast upon Adolpha, and then, in that moment, she knew true, painful fear. She knew it like a lover, draped upon her skin and inside and out of her. She dared not move as his distant voice mumbled. It grew closer, as did the crinkling of his footsteps. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe. Adolpha felt as if she could be invisible, but she knew she was too heavy for that.

Finally, she could see him, a slight movement in the trees from behind, a rustling, cracking of branches, and a grunt. His small sounds seemed to emit and echo throughout the entire forest, and Adolpha wondered how Johanna and Pebble could possibly still be asleep. How could they be asleep with this demon chasing them? Adolpha was having a panic attack, faint and breathing quickly, vision clouding. Finally, as her nerves turned to steel, she swiftly ran from her spot and back to the clearing where Johanna and Pebble slept. She was certain that Yakob had seen her, and trembled with the gut-wrenching terror as she sat down beside the two. It was truly a struggle to fall asleep, then, even with the darkness surrounding her.

By the time she had, she was nearly immediately awoken again by Johanna. By then, the sky was blue and the forest was bright with bathing morning sunlight.

Drowsily, she asked, "Johanna?"

"Good morning, Adolpha."

Adolpha sat up, wiping her eyes. She wondered if the previous night had just been a bad dream, but her fears were quickly confirmed as she came face-to-face with none other than Yakob himself. He wore a smug look, as if he knew how much fear he brought her, and one of his hands twirled a strand of his flat, dark hair. Adolpha wondered how someone with such beautiful hair could be so evil. Then again, was he really evil? She had loved him once. And compared to Nautis, Yakob seemed like he was made out of rainbows and stars. Once again, Adolpha was doubting herself. It seemed like a reoccurring theme on her journey so far.

As Adolpha said nothing, Yakob chuckled lightly, "Hi, Adolpha. I'm so glad to see you safe. I've been searching everywhere for you... I've been worried sick." Adolpha continued to say nothing. Her mouth had been sewn shut, clenched so tightly the veins in her jaw popped out of place. Her eyes were white around the irises, and sweat beaded along her orange curled hairline.

Johanna spoke then with playful jest, "Adolpha, you didn't tell me that you had a partner. And what a gentleman..." She glanced at Adolpha, catching glimpse of her stoic expression for the first time, sensing the blood that had drained from her face. "What's wrong?" Beside her, Pebble was hopping up and down, clearly disinterested and overly bored.

Adolpha only flashed her a wide-eyed look, thinking, You fool! Don't speak! Don't ask me that! Not while he's here!

Yakob spoke with exaggerated concern, "What's wrong, Adolpha? Are you alright? Have you been injured? I'm so glad to see you safe." No— his concern wasn't exaggerated, and that is what made it so terrifying. His concern was absolutely normal and well-feigned for someone presumed to be Adolpha's partner; his face creased along the eyebrows and thin mouth, eyes wide and emotional. His hair fluttered, and he was rather beautiful in the shining dappled light. Adolpha initially considered with panic how anyone could have thought he was genuine; but then, she considered with panic how she had ever considered him a liar. He was always sweet to her, for years he was kind, and perhaps it was true that his outbursts had only been because of her misguidance and mistakes. Perhaps it was her fault.

Unwittingly, she gave him the benefit of the doubt, and softened ever so slightly. She remained stiff and calculated, considering every word she spoke before she spoke it, and with a tension lingering in her gut. Adolpha felt rather ill then.

"I just feel a bit sick, that's all," she said, hoping that would suffice. Her voice was quivering, her tongue thick and dry.

Johanna nodded thoughtfully, "Oh, likely from the long walk, especially if you are not used to it," and it was easy for Adolpha to see how motherly she was. She was so genuine, so kind, so easy to love. Adolpha always thought herself of these things as well, but now, in the presence of Yakob, and her slowness to rescue her friends, she began to doubt and worry.

"I'd like to get moving," Adolpha said at long last. "My friends need my help."

Yakob helped her to her feet with a soft smile, and with that, the four continued at a quick pace through the woods.