I shoved his arm away. "Get off. It's just a deer." I said, getting to my feet. He grabbed my ankle, but I kicked him off and turned to the deer. I clicked my tongue, getting it's attention. It cocked it's head at me and I smiled. "See? Harmless."

It took a step towards me and I lifted a hand. "Hey, there." I said.

"Winter." Xic hissed a warning. "Don't move."

I rolled my eyes and then my hand was in front of it's muzzle. It sniffed at my fingers carefully, then pressed it's nose to my palm. I rubbed it's head. "I don't know why he's so scared of you. You're not so bad." I murmured. It gazed up at me with wide curious eyes. It looked so sweet.

Then it bared razor-sharp teeth and stood on it's hind legs. I gasped and stumbled back. "What the-"

Xic scrambled to his feet and pushed me back. "Get away!" He ordered, drawing an arrow and pulling his bow from his shoulder. The deer-beast snarled and it's horns caught flame at the sight of the weapon.

Xic narrowed his eyes and let the first arrow fly. The creature screeched and bucked, charging at him. It made as if to hit him with it's horns and I couldn't hardly look. To my shock, however, Xic stepped out of the way at the last second and grabbed it's neck, twisting with a sickening snap.

It went limp and fell to the ground with a thud when Xic dropped it. He stomped on it's horns to put out the flames, cracking them off in the process. I watched with my hands over my mouth. He just... He slaughtered it... What was it?! It felt like my head was spinning like a top.

Xic straightened with a sighed and pushed his hair back. Then he turned on me, making me flinch. "Stupid girl! You could've gotten yourself killed!" He snapped angrily.

I shook with fear and dropped to my knees. "Y-You..." I had to stop from gagging. "You killed it...?"

He frowned, his anger turning to confused frustration. "Of course I did. Or it would've killed us."

I shuddered and turned away. This was crazy. This wasn't happening. It was just a deer, it had been just a deer. Though, as my eyes found the sharp teeth once more, I realized it was no longer the deer I had believed it to be. My hands trembled and I turned away, unable to look at it.

Xic frowned at me, obviously oblivious to my shock. "What are you sitting there for? Get up, we need to keep moving." He said.

I glared up at him and he seemed taken aback. Getting to my feet, I trembled with a mix of rage, horror, and denial. "Keep moving where?" I asked, jabbing a finger at him. "We're in the middle of nowhere with-... with monsters that shouldn't even exist!" I stormed towards him. "And you want to keep moving?!"

He opened his mouth to speak, but I covered my ears "I don't want to hear it. I just want to go home. To my aunt and my uncle..." I said, walking few steps away. "I just... want to go home..." I wrapped my arms around myself, my shoulders shaking.

There was a silence. I didn't know if he was actually giving me a moment to myself, or if he was just too stupid to understand my pain and didn't know how to respond. After a while, I began to wonder if he'd ever say anything. Then something warm was draped over my shoulders. I looked up to see him standing beside me. He had put his coat around me. "I'm... sorry." He said, though he didn't look like he really understood what he was apologizing for. "It must be hard for you in a place like this."

I frowned at him. His regret seemed forced, but genuine. Even if he still looked more annoyed than apologetic. I dropped my eyes and my shoulders slumped. "I don't want to be here." I said softly. "In this place. It's scary..."

Still frowning, he tentatively reached out and took my hand. Then he bow his head. "I've sworn to protect you with my life. You shall come to no harm whilst in my presence." He promised.

His hand was warm and I looked at it for a moment, wondering how it could be so soothing. Then I sniffled, nodding slowly. "Okay."

He tightened his hold on my hand and then we began again, making out way through the trees, towards the castle. It was much more pleasant after that. Xic was far more civilized when he wasn't trying to be threatening. He was even sweet sometimes, helping me across a stream so I wouldn't get wet. He still didn't talk much, but I figured that was just his personality.

By the time the sun was beginning to set, we were both too tired to think. Our pace had slowed considerably and I had a feeling Xic was growing antsy. He kept checking his bow string and the tips of his arrows.

"Do you know how close we are?" I finally asked.

He shrugged. "We're not too far from the town. Maybe a couple hours." He said.

I nodded, dropping my eyes again. A couple hours seems like a long time when you're feet are blistering and you're legs are ready to fall right off. I sighed to myself as I thought about that. They've got magic portals and such to drag me from my home, but nothing to transport people to and from far locations. What kind of world was this? Certainly not an advanced one, judging by Xic's bow and arrows for a weapon. Maybe it was time travel. They had magic, it wasn't entirely strange to think that they might be able to travel in time using that magic. We could be back in time to another century or something.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts, I didn't watch where we were going until Xic grasped my elbow gently. "Be careful." He said.

I glanced down and nearly shrieked with fear. A large black snake was slithering along the ground in front of us, barely noticeable in the growing darkness. I grabbed Xic's arm, my eyes wide as I took a deep breath. "What. Is that?"

He crouched down, moving some grass aside so he could get a better look. "Gaurdian." He said softly.

My eyebrows drew together. "Is it going to... you know? Freak out?" I asked.

He looked up at me before standing once more. "Nah. These guys protect our town and the people within. They're loyal to the king." He told me.

I stared at him in disbelief. Then I threw my hands up. "Oh, okay. Well, then I'll just remember that deer are scary and poisonous snakes are safe. What's next? You keep lions for pet cats?" I asked.

He frowned at me, looking confused as he tilted his head. "What's a... cat?"

I covered my face in my hands. "I can't believe this..."

He still seemed confused, but then we heard something and both went on alert. I grabbed his arm. "More monsters?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No." He started towards a thicker part of the trees, seemingly undisturbed by the rustling in the bushes up ahead. I followed slowly, more hesitant. Then he stopped and touched one of the trees, closing his eyes. I frowned. "What are you doing?"

As if in response, the trees suddenly melted into an image of trees, parting and opened to reveal something beautiful. I gasped, covering my mouth. Xic smiled at me for the first time. "We're here." He said.

*******

Hey everyone! This is late! Ah! Curse my forgetfulness and dumbass nature! I meant to have this out last night and it totally slipped my mind. I am so sorry for the delay. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! AS ALWAYS, VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, AND STAY AWESOME!

-Nekoco