Opening my eyes again felt somewhat relieving, as I still could sleep and wake up. The air felt chilled as I sat up and the blanket covering me fell into my lap. "You had quite the nap," I looked up to see Velikiye coming into the room with a jug of water, "you scared me half to death as you didn't wake up for nearly 4 days. You didn't breathe for some time but began to breathe again after a day," Velikiye set the bucket next to the bed and handed me a clay cup, "drink up after all you've slept for quite a bit after all."

"Four days," I looked around before taking the cup from Velikiye, "how is that possible it's only felt like one night?" Velikiye's eyes widened as he kneeled. 

"It only felt like one night's rest?" I nodded my head as he leaned back on his heels and groaned rubbing his temples, "So time does not affect you, and neither than the concept of time. So, with all to consider, you are in a constant state of limbo where no time can change or affect you. Your immortality is a blessing but, in other aspects, a curse. Unless you find the way to the dwellings of any Eldritch Gods to supply their eldritch magic to correct the incomplete transformation, you might sleep forever. I was able to make you wake up upon placing a mana stone next to you." 

Velikiye grabbed a broken stone next to me, "Since you absorbed so much of the mana's stone source, it cracked under pressure, and now it's nothing but shattered fragments." Velikiye sighed, "I am only giving a theory that when the summoning was happening your wish was manifesting and fed off whomever you summoned but didn't get enough to finish your wish and practically starved the wish entirely." Velikiye walked over to a chest on the ground before coming back with another stone, "I don't have many mana stones but it's enough for a few more months," Velikiye handed me the stone as I held it in my hand.

"What do I have to do to finish this wish I created but never finished," I asked as I looked at the stone. 

"Well, according to some records left by my master," Velikiye stood up, walked over to the wall of books he had, and grabbed one, "is to either become a servant or complete a task they give you, but I could be wrong. After all, master's research is not complete." 

"Why is the research not complete?" I asked as Velikiye sighed again.

"Master wanted me to come here to bring the only survivor of one of the known villages that openly shared their knowledge to finish the research. But we were too late and Master was already 400 years old and too old to try and hunt down another village with the cult following," Velikiye frowned, "being a mage only lengthens your life 50 decades does not give you immortality. But Master had fought a few too many dark mages and lost his life after I met with him the week after you disappeared. I tried to make it to aid him, but I was a little too late, just like with you. I have never let my guilt overtake me, thankfully. But I have a few moments here and there where I regret my poor timing."

Velikiye's eyes hold sorrow as he explains everything to me. That day, we merely talked about nothing to be taught; I guess I frightened Velikiye. Within the next few days after my lessons continued it became easier as the days progressed. When I saw the soft snow falling outside I realized that it's been about 7 months since I woke up in the forest covered in brush. Velikiye taught me how to weave clothing as the days got colder. I wasn't as good so Velikiye made clothing for me as I still practiced with my less-than-perfect makeshift clothing.

The snow had far then come down steadily by now as I pricked my finger once more. "You don't bleed easily but still try to be careful," Velikiye's voice broke me out of my focus on the needle. 

"I understand and all but I was thinking I should go find the one I summon," I set the fabric and needle down, "you have mentioned that there was no burst of energy after the night that everything happened. Which means they are still in the mortal plain. Mama always said that when summoning, they'll grant the wish or request before returning to the summoning circle and returning to their realm to rest once more. Normally the return is about two times stronger than the actual summoning."

"Meaning they are still roaming," Velikiye asked as I nodded.

"If I can find them," I stood up and walked to the doorframe, and looked at the woods, "I may have to travel to find them. After all, you did say it has been some time since I originally disappeared, so I am expecting that they've been wandering for quite some time. If my summoning circle was smudged as you described it, they couldn't return as my blood would've ruined the whole circle after I collapsed. I mean I did draw the summoning circle in my blood. And lost consciousness while I was still bleeding," I frowned and turned back to face Velikiye, "I unknowingly prevented the Eldritch Gods from returning to their respected realm. So it's only reasonable to say that I should go and find them and help them return, and perhaps, in theory, my wish will be completed, right?"

"If the theory is correct, then yes, I see why not," Velikiye answered as he picked up a log and placed it in the fireplace, "but are you sure you want to do that? I can travel with you but I cannot go days on end with you -"

"You don't have to; I want to make this journey alone," I watched Velikiye's eyes go wide with horror, "I was the one that summoned them, so I should be the one to find them and help them return to their rightful plain."

"Travel alone," Velikiye gasped, I could tell he was afraid, "but that is dangerous, Shinko. I refuse to allow you to travel alone." He growled the last part as I shrunk back but didn't move before his eyes softened and he turned around to face the pot again as he mixed ingredients.

But I was stubborn, so for over the 2 months that remaining of winter, I spent trying to convince Velikiye I would be fine and making key points, putting what he taught me into place. He had some retorts back about my shortcomings but I still held my ground in trying to convince him. Towards the end of the winter, he finally gave in. Though not without conditions, very strict ones at that. 

But I knew that could have happened; Velikiye acts more like an actual father to me than the baron ever did. Sighing I had to listen to Velikiye explain and give me several warnings of what to watch out for while travelling. When spring arrived, he packed a small sack for me and told me to take it, that it would have everything I needed for a couple of months. "We'll meet within the year as I'll be traveling on the road once more," Velikiye huffed as he tightened the rope around the wagon and patted the back of the mule, "Master goal is still my goal as well. This will work out to our advantage in the meantime; remember to avoid bigger cities or the castles and kingdoms in both the South and West. South because they are just as religious cultist as this town was before Shub-Niggurath destroyed it. West because of the wandering dark mages and the Nagas will take any opportunity to capture you and use/experiment on you since you are a Species known as a Doll. We'll meet back here or towards the high mountains in the East, where it touches the dark forest within the year," Velikiye explained to me as I nodded my head. He sighed and frowned; I could tell he didn't want to leave or let me go by myself.

But he knew this was what I wanted and needed to do. I need to find the one I summoned that night. They're already been roaming for centuries now with no way to go back home. It's only right that I do it myself as I already messed everything up when I smudge the characters of my summonings. I just need to remember what was smudged and what wasn't. This journey will give me time to remember what I smudged and what didn't become a smudged mess. But I don't remember Mama telling me about an Eldritch God that takes one's face. Velikiye moved from the side of the mule to over to the seat perch and turned to me, "I'll be traveling through the West and South for you, and I'll keep my eyes peeled."

Nodding my head, I watched as he left towards the South. Waiting and watching Velikiye vanish on the horizon before turning towards the woods that faced North. The journey was relaxing at first for the first few days that I could remember; after all, I was too deep in thought to even realize the time. Velikiye did warn me how I don't have the proper sense of time anymore. One of many reasons why Velikiye didn't want to leave me alone. But before long, I came to the river Velikiye had mentioned for me to stop and rest at upon arrival. One condition he set for me, each particular landmark I am to rest and take time to reflect and look around. I pulled out a mana Stone from the satchel and held it in my hand. Each mana stone held a week's worth of stored power inside. Another condition Velikiye set into place. These mana stones serve the purpose of telling time. It's been almost a week of travel already, then. The mana stone was almost drained completely. Sighing I looked at the crystal shinning water of the river. It was pretty, I have to admit, as I sat near the edge of the water. My reflection looking back at me.

It's already been a full week since I saw Velikiye. For some odd reason, I feel lonely now. Sad even. I reached down to touch the water, and the cold surface gave way easily to my fingers. It's a numb feeling now. But the feeling of loneliness is the strongest out of everything I feel. Removing my hand from the water I stood up and walked over to the treeline before climbing the branches onto the first thick sturdy branch and leaning against the tree. Another condition I have to follow is sleeping within the tree to hide that I am resting as when I rest I act like a corpse instead of a sleeping being. Closing my eyes I let sleep take me and listened to the rushing water before nothing my dreams filled with the empty void.

I awoke to the sound of humming as I looked down from where I was perched. A little girl carried a bucket to the river before dunking the bucket into the water and scooping water into the bucket. Was she grabbing morning water for her family? Who knows but Velikiye made it clear not to get involved with others unless necessary. Which I could understand. To a degree that is I slowly climbed down the trunk of the tree and hid behind it watching the girl go about her morning chores.

Waiting for her to move away from the river so I could wash my face like how Velikiye taught me to do. She took several minutes before she picked up the bucket again and made her way back the way she came. Sighing once more I moved to the river and cupped water into my hands before splashing it onto my face. The cold water felt numbing to me but I knew water like this was cold. It always has been. Frowning I dug through the satchel and pulled out the mana stone to see it duller than yesterday. I would need to switch mana stones soon in able to keep track of time. Velikiye had said the next landmark is a week and a halfways to the north.

Groaning I stood as up and looked toward where I needed to go, sighing as slid the mana stone into the bag and walked toward the path leading to the mountains with the snow-crested top. Velikiye said they look beautiful during the spring months. Traveling down the path was quite boring nothing was too exciting as I came upon the path crossed and the mountains were in view. Velikiye wasn't lying though, the mountains did look beautiful and calming. Reaching into my sachel I pulled out the mana stone and looked at it once more. Third mana stone and it was already half drained. I've been traveling for nearly three weeks and I've felt nothing. How far could the one I summoned travel? Frowning I followed the path that led down into the valley before the base of the mountain. Climbing a tree once more I closed my eyes and merely listened to what was around me. 

Hearing the rustling of leaves from underneath me, I opened my eyes and looked down. There was a group underneath me. Did they see me? They were speaking in hushed tones but they didn't look up. Good. They didn't notice me up here. Don't get nosy, Velikiye warned me several times about becoming nosy in others' business. Some businesses can get you into real trouble. I would merely stay put until they leave the area. Settling against the tree I merely kept an open ear as I closed my eyes once more. I'll just listen very closely for when they leave. But it seemed like hours as they remained there. Not good. Though my concept of time is warped I still knew talking in one area for very long was bad. 

There was a sudden shake of the tree as I jolted up sitting and swinging my legs to hug the branch I was on. Looking down I could see faces peering up at me. Not good. I've been spotted, they were just staring before one face turned creepy. Oh no. Yelping I untangled my arms and stood on the branch. Another shake as I struggled to keep my balance. Are they trying to knock me out of the tree? Looking down was a mistake as I saw all the faces with the same creepy look. Panic was starting to set in as I looked around, sure I could hop from tree to tree to get away but it would only be a matter of time until I would lose my footing. But it's the only way to get ahead away from these creepy faces. Gulping I took my chance and began jumping tree to tree. Trying my best not to fall or loose my balance.

So far so good, right? I jinxed it too soon as my foot slipped and the branch broke and I fell. Landing harshly on the ground. No pain but it sure did feel like breath was taken from me. The group quickly approached as I stood and tried to run but it's already too late they grabbed my arm and crowded me pushing me to the ground. I cried out as they held me down as they placed something cloth-like over my head and my surroundings got dark. Velikiye, help.