A/N: I had to invent a name for the village chief of S'warkii and his son. Any similarities with real names would be a pure coincidence.

~Travis's POV~

But what's wrong with her ?! Ophilia and Alfyn had carried me thousand times better when I was injured !

However, that wasn't really a tragedy: I was just in a net, trapped like an animal during the open season. It was quite annoying and ridiculous, as this lady really considered me like an animal just because I was small ! Seriously, she looked really stoic and serious for a woman, and she must be very strong to carry me in that bag without almost any effort !

By the way, with her clothes made of animal skin, and her impressing bow with her feathered arrow... was she an huntress ? Like the ones who hunt animals with their shotgun and bringing them for dinner ? Maybe, but I noticed she was mostly dressed like the prehistoric men who hunted a very long time ago, and with feminine clothes instead.

And what was this kind of white tiger walking next to her ? I maybe already knew how looked like a tiger, but I never saw one with dots instead of stripes on his white fur. Indeed, I found it was really faithful with its master, and this big feline was almost as long as its master was tall !

I was watching from my upside down position in the net, through the holes big enough to see through, when the girl and her cat were walking through the deep forest by going straight towards the mist. I was wondering myself where we were going... Maybe at her home ? If this woman lived in the woods, she must forcelly had a house to live somewhere !

When she and her cat approached the mist, I just hear some weird noises from away, but I think I've already heard them somewhere... Then, I heard little by little some kinds of different sounds, which came from the mist, echoing by reaching my good ears, but they sounded like familiar sounds of steps or people speaking.

I then saw a big silhouette through the mist, which looked like an small house, but that wasn't all, because I just also noticed some shadows of houses, even in the trees. And... there were also silhouettes of persons in the mist.

I decided to flip over in the net, lying myself on my back to make sure I would better see, when my vision became better, as the mist seemed less thick, when I became really surprised to what my eyes were observing.

What is that place ?...

It was a village, a village in the middle of the forest. I couldn't believe it existed !

The houses were made of wood and straw, which were looking like a bigger and better version of my small hut. There were even huts up in the trees, with even a wooden ladder for going up, and a few pontons at the top of the tall trees which led to another hut. There were less trees in this area, replaced by a large place of wooden houses where people were living in.

A good number of people was present in the village. I watched at the right a man, who was wearing warm clothes made of fur, cutting some wood with a saw, while another was bringing more wood over his shoulder. In the middle of the road, a wooden cart, driven by an oldman, was transporting a big pile of animal skin. At the left, a old woman was preparing a soup in a big kettle with the help of a large spoon, and a woman was sculpting a bow with an knife. All of these people, who were all dressed with animal fur like the hunters from the prehistory, were all keeping working hard. Was it a village of hunters ?

"Ready ?.... SHOOT !", yelled a serious at the left.

I then watched a row of persons, all caring a bow, shooting an arrow towards the wooden targets. Some of them missed their target, but another one succeeded to aim at the bottom of the circled shape. They were teenagers, who must be training for archery, watched by an older huntman.

KLANG ! KLANG !

A muscular man was hitting hard with an huge hammer on a sword on an anvil. There was also a sort of chimney behind him, and I deduced he must be a blacksmith.

I never knew there were a lot of people living in these woods, I thought there were only wild animals...

Still stuck in this net, the girl kept walking through the village, when we passed next to a big wooden house.

An old man was sitting on a wooden chair outside, with a wolf's fur on his head, as I recognized a wolf head on his head.

~H'aanit's POV~

The old Van'rah noticed my presence, despite his almost closed eyes tired from the age, and calmly welcomed me in a friendly manner.

"Good morning, H'aanit. Already waken up at this sweet time of the day ?"

"Yes. Good morning for thee too, Van'rah. But contrary at what thou expectest, I dost no hast any mood of having a sweet time.", I answered him politely.

"Still as serious as thou art, young girl !", he continued positively, when he noticed the net I was carrying. "What kind of animal hast thou caughtest, this morning ?"

"Well, just this little troublemaker."

I showed him the net where was imprisoned the boy, who watched at the old man with an annoying look.

"Errr... Hello ?", he said nervously.

His pathetic answer made Van'rah laugh a little, when he slowly stood up from his chair.

"AH !", he must have ridiculously hurt itself his back again. But he stayed calm and positive when he began to speak again. "Well, Time is such my back's worst enemy, now ! Hello, boy. How dost thou managed to find thyself in that net ?"

The boy, who watched curiously at him, wanted to answer him.

"Well..."

"I've found him well lost in the heart of the Whisperwoods. He wath at the mercy of the wolves, and his unconsciousness hath forcedest me to kille a few of them.", I interrupted him, watching him with a cold glance.

"Oh... Comen on, young girl. Dost not blamen this poor boy... He must be terrorized by what he hadest witnessed this morning...", he explained wisely, taking the boy's defense.

"I know. But I had to violate the natural laws of these lands one more time due to his ignorance."

The boy, who listened our conversation, tried to respond.

"But... I didn't know that there were..."

"Shut up ! Thou will explain thyself at thy parents.", I answered him strictly but calmly, making him quiet, before I spoke back to Van'rah."By the way, dost thou have any ideas where might be the father's boy ?"

He watched attentively at the "animal" on my net.

"Well... This boy doth not reminde me of someone, and due to his accent, he might came from far away.", he then looked slightly surprised. "Ohhh ! But thou art injured, little one !"

"A wolf has bitten me, sir.", said the boy.

The old man sighted, before he hurt his back again, before he sat back on his chair.

"Wolf's bite isn't an easy pain to bear, right ?! The wound is not too deep, thansfully, but we quickly hast to heale his leg."

"I were precisely about to cure his wound, sir. May I borrow thee the medical treehouse ?",

"Of course, my dear H'aanit. Thou hast the permission to, I'll make sure to inquiren a little more about that kid.", he answered me wisely.

"Thankenee, sir. I'll take care of his wound, and 'tis could be better if his family managed to finde him as soon as possible.", I moved towards the ladder built against the tree.

Van'rah had already the age to start of being careful at his back, but despite his huge kindness towards anyone, he still remained a wise headman whom we could count on.

I was climbing the ladder with one hand, the other carrying the net where the boy was, and despite the heavy weight I was carrying, I had any problems to reach the top. The boy was a little scared by the height, but he finally calmed himself, as this net was preventing him to fall.

"Dost not watchest down.", I advised him.

After I was just a front of the door of the medical treehouse, I observed Linde was climbing quite fast the ladder without difficulty, as she was quite agile for a snow panther.

"Roaaar...", she growled happily, before following me.

A bed was disposed inside the shelter, with a few equipment for providing the first aid on a table at the left. I put down the net on the bed made of fur and animal skin, when the kid immediately started to go out of it, by pushing his fists and his feet on the meshes without thinking.

"Gnnnnnn.... !", he started to be quite angry while he wan't able to get out of this trap.

"Wait. I'll taken it away from thee.", I told him, when I removed the net, before throwing it on the ground.

He was finally free, and being into that trap which was generally destined to small animals was really disturbing to him, as he was finding himself in the place of an animal. By the way, I couldn't stop to compare him like an animal, with his messy dark brown hair, and he was just like an harmless prey when he was surrounded by the brown wolves. Without my intervention, he would be a true great meal for the pack, but even if I saved him from a certain doom, there was even a massacre at the end.

Where did that boy come from ? What he was doing in the Whisperwoods alone on his own ? Wasn't it forbidden to venture into these woods without being accompanied by an hunter, especially with all those amazing but ferocious creatures living in ? So, why he was alone in these woods ?

I was quite mad that he decided to penetrate this foggy forest on his own. All these arrows I fired never missed their targets, all those wolves I have to slay just for rescuing this young boy. How he couldn't understand how important are their lives ?!

However, despite the fact that I was angry after him, I was quite glad to have saved his life. Thanksfully I was there, but I should have found him earlier. I preferred that this reckless kid had never managed to go for a walk in those forest, so I should have spared some innocent lives.

The boy stared curiously at me, sitting down on the edge of the bed, when he answered me calmly.

"Thank you... Miss... H'aanit. It's your name, "H'aanit", right ?"

"Yes, just call me H'aanit. It will be enough.", I answered him, while speaking without using my accent for he could understand me.

"Ok... I never heard of that name before.", he answered me calmly, before he spoke again. "My name is Travis, by the way.", he watched up at me.

"Well, Travis... You're going to explain me everything since the beginning.", I spoke to him, while taking a bottle of salve from the table.

I ordered him to lay his wounded leg on the bed, permitting me to easily spread the salve on the bite, when I was thinking about how talking to him. As an huntress, I didn't know exactly how to speak properly with children, as I didn't really like them, because of their recklessness and their innocence.

But I have still to make sure he was alright.

"By the way how you speak, you must come from far away, if I am right..."

"Yeah... Errr... I lived in the Cliftlands, in a small village near to another village called... Bolderfall !... But I have to move in the woodlands because... I just wanted to explore, and I had nothing in my hometown.", he answered me while mumbling, not being sure to talk with a stranger like me.

So, he has gone through all this long way to come here ?

That's curious, he seemed still too young to travel alone, especially when we were exposed by a few dangers like an attack of cliff birdians, tough flying creatures. However, by observing his expression, I doubted that he was hiding something from me. The truth, maybe ?

By the way, I thought it's could be suicide to travel alone by being unarmed, and he only had a poor piece of wood when I've noticed him... So how did this troublesome boy was able to reach that forest ?

I started to imply the cream on his wound, when I spoke again to him.

"Well, we could say that you've come a long way before getting here. Don't you have any parent, grandparent, or a legal guardian somewhere you might be looking for you ?"

I honestly preferred that his guardians would quickly find him. I didn't really have the time to take care of a kid, especially in that period of the year where wild beastes would be more active and dangerous. I was an huntress, after all, not a nanny who have to do everything to keep an eye on a turbulent kid.

While I was waiting for his answer, he became suddenly upset, before nodding for saying "no", and answering me.

"No... I don't have any family, my parents are gone..."

So, this kid must had been though more misery than I expected... A shame that he must have made this long and dangerous journey, where the world was full of traps which come without warning, with no one to look over him.

"My apologies."

"I-it's ok... I got used of taking care of me by myself... By the way, where are we actually ?", he asked me curiously, as he looked slightly confused while watching at his surroundings.

"Well, little guy, you are actually in the lost village of S'warkii, home to a clan of hunters that has lived in the Darkwood since times of yore."

"Hunters ? You mean those people who hunt animals for eating them ?", he asked me innocently.

"We could say that. Here, we're forming the best hunters of the country by training them hard everyday.", he watched effectively at outside all the hunters if the village getting prepared before the next hunt, when he continued to listen to me. "Nowadays, people are menaced from extinction by dangerous man-eating monsters, and which could harm their insecurity, by provoking a lot of serious accidents, like the destruction of towns. So, in order to prevent the more accidents possible to be realized, we're calling our services at us, the hunters, where the goal is to slay them, and to save many people lives."

Travis seemed quite impressed while listening what I was explaining him. That's must be quite normal at an age where they start to learn about the violence of this world.

"Monsters ? With sharp claws and all ?!"

He winced at the salve I was finishing to spread on the bite marks, when I managed to explain him, while reminding how ferocious and tough were the monsters I've faced with my master.

"As you said. Ferocious beasts, the worst menacing ever, those who kill their preys without showing any mercy, and mostly interested by hunger and destruction."

The boy seemed quite scared by listening at those details. I admitted it wasn't a good idea to tell those kinds of stories to kids, as I was unable to know how to speak properly with them, in a world dominated by the law of the jungle.

However, he seemed quite curious for a child of his age, even with this subject in particular.

He asked me curiously.

"Are they really living there, those creatures you're talking about ?"

"Well, the majority of them live in that region, well hidden in the forest. The brown wolves who attacked you were almost nothing compared to them..."

"You... think so ?", he looked slightly worried.

"I'm not kidding. That's why a lot of professional hunters are formed there, to be quickly ready to confront them on-site, while learning all their culture and the natural laws..."

"And you are an hunter too, right ?", he answered me directly, as he was slightly curious for a kid.

I answered him direcly.

"I'm not carrying that bow to look pretty, you know."

"I've noticed it, yes... What do they do, actually, the hunters, for hunting animals ?", he asked me quietly.

"To hunt a beast, we could act alone or in groups, and to imagine a few useful strategies for slaying or capturing one of those wild creatures. Importantly, hunters must adopt a sneaky behavior, and being patient for increasing the opportunities of capture, just by respecting the natural laws."

"Natural laws ?...", he asked me with a low voice.

I sighted, while slowly tapping my forehead, annoyed by the boy.

Decidedly, he really knows nothing...

I knew that he didn't came from these woodlands, but how it was even possible to not know about these famous "natural laws" ?! Really, he was more stupid than I expected !

Well, I'm gonna explain him anyway.

"In that world where humans, where fauna and flora have to live together, our duty is to make sure the cycle of nature is in good order. Since thousands of years, we pray for all these sacred beasts who are populating those vast forests by living in harmony with that order. When a beast dies, his corpse permit to feed other creatures. We also make sure all those species aren't menaced , so it's an huge crime to kill them without valuable reason. But today, I had disobeyed those rules..."

He watched seriously at me.

"Why are you thinking that ?"

I gave him a menacing glare, as he was totally ignorant.

"If you haven't stupidly lost yourself in the whisperwoods, I shouldn't have disrespected these rules !", I told him seriously.

"Stupidly ?! Although it wasn't me who killed them ?!", he yelled at me, as he looked quite mad.

"Your presence has killed them ! Your single presence just forced me to run at your rescue ! If you haven't managed to lost yourself, I shouldn't have to kill them !"

"But do you really think, you, that I wished to be lost in that forest ?!"

"You can not understand how much is a shame for me to kill a pack of wolves !", I yelled calmly, when he responded angrily.

"If you don't wanted to kill them, why haven't you let them eating me, instead of saving me ?!!"

I was surprised by his answer, making me silent and calming myself.

This kid had such a strong will despite his young age. Did he really prefers to be eaten alive than being rescued ?!

I'm sure he didn't, but it seems he already understood how much killing innocent creatures would be hard for me. This boy might be more mature than he looks.

I heard him speaking calmly to me.

"I-I never really wanted to harm them too, you know... So, why ?"

He watched at me with his blue sky eyes, hoping for me to answer.

I never expected he would ask me this question. Of course, I've chosen to save his life instead of leaving him at the mercy of the brown wolves, but it's just like he refused that I would kill for him.

I just crouched down at his level for staring at him, and responded calmly to him after sighting.

"I... I couldn't let you getting killed... And when I observed you were surrounded by the pack, no matter how many or how menacing they were, you had never given up your will to live."

"What do you mean ?", he asked me,  as he seemed quite upset for me.

"Even if you were going to finish between their fangs, your eyes have never shown any fear. Indeed, I just felt a lot of bravery in you, much more than the majority of hunters I knew... So, I couldn't let you waiting for your death, I wanted that a strong willed person like you would profit of his whole life."

"Have I... really... so many bravery in me ? Are you sure ?"

I nodded to him.

"I'm sure. Even if you're so ignorant."

He felt quite annoyed after I said again he was ignorant, as he crossed his arms.

But he remained calm when he spoke to me.

"I was still a little scared, you know."

"I see. Let me tell you that everyone, human like beasts, are scared of something."

He looked quite surprised, after I answered this to him. Was I reminding him of someone he knew ?

By the way, if he really didn't have any parents to take care of him, not even a guardian, how it was possible that he has been through so many dangers by himself ? When I observed him from the fog, when I noticed the amazing bravery he has in him, I was just wondering about what reason was forcing him to face all the dangers he had been through, including the wolf pack's attack ?

Despite his young age, if he showed any fear when he was surrounded by the wolf pack, there may be a goal in particular that he wanted absolutely to accomplish in his life ; Why was he so determined to stay alive despite he was going to be killed in one of the worse ways to die ? What was pushing him to stay alive ?

I would like to know more about his origins, as he started to intrigue me.

"Tell me. How did you manage to get into that forest ? Why have you decided to engage yourself in such a dangerous periple ? Do you really care about something in particular ?"

"Err...", he mumbled at me.

He didn't have the time to answer my question, when I heard a voice calling me.

"H'aanit."

I turned to see a familiar person: it was Mah'Rah, the son of the village chief, who takes care of him for supporting him in his old age.

As he seemed quite curious, he was carrying a plate of rotten wings, and a white parchment with the other hand. I was mostly interested by the parchement.

"What is it, Mah'Rah ?", I asked him seriously.

"Sorry to interrupten thy conversation. A just crow came from the south this morning, and he hadest brought us some recent news.", he shaked a little the paper in question.

For a reason, I absolutely wanted to know what this paper

"News ?! 'tis Z'aanta ?!!", I asked him impatiently again, hoping for some news from my master since a year

"Sadly, no... Not even a new about the beast... But 'tis still something quite important and incredible.", I sighted in relief, as I hoped for some recent news from my master, when the man looked at Travis. "And... I hast brought something to eat for the kid."

"Thankenee thou of thy help.", I said to Mah'rah, before giving the plate of wings at Travis."Here. You must be really hungry after all this time passed into the woods."

He looked quite happy to get something to eat, while he put it on his lap.

"Thanks !", he told calmly at us, as he looked really hungry.

"You're welcome. Just try not spill it all over while you eat."

Mah'Rah left the medical treehouse and waited for me at the surface, when before I joined him by going through the exit, I stunned to Travis.

"Your leg will need a few times to recover your leg. So, stay here and don't make any troubles, ok ?"

"Ok.", he nodded at me, as he was about to eat the first wing.

I went down the ladder, where Linde was already waiting me at the bottom, alongside with Mah'Rah.

"So, what news art thou bringing to me ?", I asked him in a serious tone.

~Travis's POV~

"Mmmmhhh... Not bad !", I said happily, while chewing my second rotten wings.

This plate of wings was really delicious. I've never managed to eat such a delicious meat, like this one. The rotten part was really tasty, and it was finding that sympathetic to eat that with my hands. I wondered if I was eating chicken, or another animals, as I heard that we cooked different animals for making meat, like pigs or cows. Anyway, it was quite delicious, and I was sure it might be an animal hunted by the hunters, for they could feed people.

H'aanit was quite nice to give me food, and also to heal my wound, even if she covered it of bandages less better than Alfyn. However, I think she had really a bad temper. Effectly, while Ophilia was really a kind-hearted and sweet girl, this girl was totally the exact opposite of her: she was tough, cold, very serious, and she was scaring me a little, with her menacing eyes, where she had even frightened those wolves for making them leave. She reminded me of Therion a little, as she shared the same cold behavior like him, and I was sure she was even taller than him. And she was really strong and agile for a woman, maybe stronger than Ophilia and Alfyn. She was such a tomboy !

Anyway, even if we had just met this morning, she was intriguing me. After the blow she gave me on my cheek, I could understand how much she was controlling her anger, she haven't appreciated to Have killed those wolves. And she was right, it was also my fault: if I were more careful, nothing of that would have happened. See how angry she was after killing half of the pack, she was really devoted at those beasts. Effectly, even if she was an huntress, I bet she really loved animals. This wasn't for nothing that she has a tiger as a companion animal, who follow her everywhere, and even assisted her by protecting me from those wolves.

I was also asking myself a lot of questions about that place: was it the only lost villages in the woods ? Or did there were others ? Did every inhabitants are all dressed like that ? If they were hunters, did they only eat meat, like carnivores beastes ? Was it still possible to find the exit of that huge forest ? Did H'aanit wasn't joking when she said they were enormous monsters who eat people in the world ? And who was this "Z'aanta" she has talked about ?

I sighted annoyingly. The more the time passed, the more questions I will have to try to answer, and it's been a moment that I was regretting something.

Once again, someone had to save me when I was in troubles. Now, I had the feeling to have made something bad when I was in danger, just like I was annoying someone. I felt upset to have been trapped by those wolves, before they were killed by H'aanit. Just the fact that I was always the one who needed to be rescued, it's just like I was a burden for others. I'm getting tired to annoy people to help me when I was in the need, all of that because I was too weak and stupid...

Was I too weak ? Because I wasn't able to defend myself ?

Was it my fault when the persons I liked got into troubles to protect me ? Because I was a child ? Because I wasn't able to control my superpowers ? I was feeling responsible that they got hurt just for protecting me from monsters, like with Ophilia and Alfyn. It wasn't the same thing with the wolves, but it was my fault if H'aanit was forced to kill some of them. If I were stronger, I would have escaped them without harming a single one.

Indeed, it was the third time I hurt myself. It wasn't worse than last time when I accidentally cut my back, but I always had this kind of problem. How could I protect the people I like if I couldn't protect myself ?

Since this incident with the wolves, I was telling myself if it's could be better that we stop to save me and that I fend to myself. Even H'aanit thought that it was my weakness who killed them, and anyway, I had the feeling that she didn't like me a lot. Did she doesn't like children ? Maybe, but I didn't want to annoy her more.

Else, my leg was hurt, so I couldn't walk properly, as I stumbled on my feet by staying standing on place. I think I have to stop getting hurt, I started to be annoyed to be always injured and rescued, but at the same time, everything was dangerous everywhere in that game ! Much even dangerous than the real world, with all those creatures who wanted to harm me. They were nothing compared to the ones living in the real world.

Anyway, I finished the last wing and managed to put the bowl underneath the bed.

"Haaaaaaa !....", I yawned, as I was still very tired.

I've slept so bad that night in the woods, so I really wanted to sleep. So, I decided to rest my head on the pillow, and I felt asleep.

~A few hours later~

I calmly waken up, before yawning by stretching my arms.

"Haaaaaaaa !...."

I rubbed my eyes, before I said to myself, while slowly sitting on the bed.

"What time is it ?..."

I watched to my wristle, to check the hour, but I noticed that my watch wasn't around my arms.

While I was calmly wondering where it was, I said.

"Oh yeah, that's right."

I remembered that I lost mine since a long time. And there were still no watches during this period.

I think that's could be better if someone should invent it right now !

I watched at outside, the door still opened, where I observed the trees covered by long dark green leaves. I just remembered I was sleeping in a shelter up in the trees, and that I was actually at S'warkii.

"The mist is gone...", I said, while I observed that I could see clearly outside, where there was not a single cloud at the surface.

It's been a time that I rested inside this shelter, and I wanted to take some air.

I should visit the village...

I was curious about this place: its inhabitants were different from the ones from the others places, they were all dressed with clothes made of animals, and they worked a lot. Maybe they must be all hunters, like H'aanit.

By the way, I have no idea where she could be actually. I wanted to ask her so many questions about that place, but I doubted that she wanted to talk with me. I have the feeling I could annoy her with all those questions, as I knew she wasn't really sympathetic with me. She told me to stay here and to not make any troubles. However, I couldn't stay here by doing nothing ! I wanted to explore this village.

Indeed, my leg wasn't too badly hurt, so I was able to move it. So, I slowly stood up and picked up my shoes, putting them on my feet. However, my bag was nowhere.

"Oh... I've forgotten it in the woods !", I said while slapping my forehead, feeling upset.

Plus, there was my axe inside it. I must find it quickly, but H'aanit would be angry if I started again to go in that forest. The best way was to ask her if she could find it for me. I cared so much for that bag.

For the moment, I decided to explore the village.

So I left the shelter, and I could observe the whole place from fence preventing me to fall. It was such an hidden village in the woods, where the houses seemed as precious as the wood of the tall trees. Some of them looked like the letter "X", with their original architecture. But every houses were entirely built with wood.

At the bottom, a lot of people were still working, by bringing some wood in a cart, or also training at archery.

I went down the ladder, which fidgeted the more I was going down, but I managed to hang up myself tightly on the ropes.

I finally reached the floor, and started to walk through the village.

As I expected, everyone was really dressed with skins, but I was surprised when I noticed some of them were accompanied by wolves. They weren't like the brown wolves who attacked me, they were grey, but they seemed quite. One of them was sitting next to an hunter forging a sword, others just followed them, like how the tiger would follow H'aanit. Were they trained too ?

I found them really faithful with their masters, just like typical dogs, except that they were more beautiful and majestuous with their grey and white fur. Did they were trained for hunting ? Or also for being just a companion for them ? That could explain why H'aanit didn't want to kill those wolves, they may have reminded of those kind dogs.

"Careful, little one !", yelled calmly someone.

I saw a man riding an horse, who was trotting my direction, but I managed to move on the side, letting the horse continuing his way.

"Wooaaah !..."

Is that an horse ?! It's bigger than I expected !

I've never seen an horse in reality, just only in the books. It was such an amazing animal who seemed really fast and beautiful, with this black hair, and his light brown skin. It was really impressing for me to see one passing right next to me, but also with someone who was riding him ! I've heard that there were no cars in the medieval periods, and people like brave knights would only move faster by riding an horse !

I was so distracted by this animal, when I suddenly heard a loud voice yelling angrily.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S NO MORE WINE ?!!!"

I quickly turned in direction of the source of the yell, and I ran at the corner of an house.

I watched from behind it the scene: I could observe there was a stand with a few bottles and drinks, a front of an house, which was kept by a young man, a teenager for being exact, dressed with hunter clothes, who seemed quite tired, while the other person I could only see from behind was a big man with a blue elegant wooly coat.

The big man seemed really angry towards the teen, who was a little frightened by his agressive  behavior.

"I-I swear thou, good s-sir !... There isn't a single drop of wine anymore in this bar...", responded in fear the young man, making the big man grumbling angrily, when he continued to speak. "B-but thou hast still the possibility to drinken a pint of beer, a lemonade or even some water..."

"I DON'T WANT THOSE DISGUSTING DRINKS !!! I WANT SOME WINE, YOU BRAT !!! DO YOU HEAR ME ?!!! WINE !!!", he yelled at the kid, while hitting agressively the stand with his fist.

But what was this problem with that guy ?! What's got into him to yell this poor boy ?!

I continued to observe the scene, where the boy answered him while shaking in fear, without trying to prove himself.

"B-but I'm telling thee that the stock of wine is empty and that we hast to wait tomorrow before we hast a new stock..."

The big man suddenly grabbed the boy by the collar, and yelled irritatingly.

"WHAT ?!! THE STOCK IS EMPTY ?!! WHAT'S THE HELL IS THAT STORY ?!!!"

"That's... always worked like that, sir... The stock always finisheth to be empty a day or ano..."

"LET ME TELL YOU THAY I'M VERY TIRED, YOUNG MAN !! I HAD TO GO FOR MILES, TO GO THROUGH THE MOST DANGEROUS AND ANNOYING ROADS, TO SLEEP IN THE DIRTIEST ROOMS IN THE INNS, TO ARRIVE IN THAT VILLAGE WHILE I'VE ALMOST LOST MYSELF IN THAT DAMN FOREST... AND YOU DARE TELLING ME THAT THERE'S NO MORE WINE ?!!"

"I-I'm sorry...Sir, that thy trip hath been very tiring for thee..."

"I WANT TO SEE THE OWNER !!! NOW !!!"

"B-b-but... Errr... That's not possible, sir !... I-I'm just replacing my master who hath beene gone on a hunting trip since a few days !... H-he-he will cometh back in a few days o-only !..."

The big man started to give violent blows on the poor boy's face.

"HOW DO YOU DARE RESPONDING AT ME LIKE THAT, YOU DAMN BRAT !!! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM, YOU PUNK ?!! DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHO ARE YOU TALK..."

SHOOOOPP !!

"WOUAAAAAAARGH !!!"

By reflexe, without nobody noticed me, I jumped right towards the big man, and angrily kicked him violently right in the hip, making him flying a few meters away.

My blow was quite strong, as he landed on a few ceramic pots, breaking them. I once again had this kind of quick reflexe by kicking him, but this was really that I wanted to do.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE !! YOU DUMB !", I yelled angrily at the man, who was lying on the ground.

I couldn't support to see that man angrily yelling that poor young barman, who was only doing his job, and who was about to hit him without reason. My eyes were really angry: an innocent guy has been harassed by a bad person, just because he wanted some wine. But what problems every adults on earth had with wine ?!

While the young barman, still frightened by his "customer", watched at me, with a very surpised look, a lot of person around us witnessed the scene, and they were all shocked to what I've done with that man.

Maybe I've overdone it... But this bad guy really deserved to have a good lesson !

The crowd made a lot of noise, some of them were worried, others were quite impressed, while more people from the place filled the crowd, all curious about what was going on.

I could hear some of them.

"What's happenin' ?!"

"There's a man who hath just been violently pushed by someone !"

"Wait... T'is that really this kid who hath pushed him ?!"

"No way... I can't believe it ! He's too small to have pushed an imposing man like this !"

"But I tell thee that it wath him ! I saw him with my own eyes !"

A lot of people, men, women, and children, were observing us, but no one interevened, as they also haven't interevened when this man was harassing the teen, before I decided to kick him and making him falling on the pots.

I stayed standing on place, feeling really furious towards that man, while the barman stayed hidden behind the stall. My fist clenched hard, but I managed to be a little more calm after giving an hard blow to that guy.

The man with the blue coat grumbled angrily, slowly breathing in pain, when he started to get up.

"Who did this ?!...", he asked angrily at the crowd, as he hasn't seen the one who kicked him.

Is that me or... this man was familiar to me ?

When he slowly get up from the broken pieces of pots, I watched at his face and... wait...

Him ?!! But... what is he doing here ?!

"You again ?!...", asked angrily the man when he watched at me.

I quickly recognized this face: it was the big man I saw at Bolderfall ! The one who bumped Therion, and who agressively harassed him without reason by pretending he was responsible. It was definitely him, with his imposing size, his brown beard, those angry eyes, and also with his agressive behavior.

But what was he doing here ?! In that village ?! How did he manage to find me here ?!!

I finally regretted my act: this man had a grudge against me, after I defended Therion while he was abusing him. I was really surprised to meet him again.

He became really furious at my sight, when he yelled angrily at me.

"HAVEN'T I TOLD YOU TO NOT COME IN MY WAY AGAIN, YOU BRAT ?!!"

I was a little scared in my mind: after I hit that man very hard, I was sure I could expect some retalation. That's right he was really imposing.

However, I stayed brave, when I answered at him.

"Y-yes !... Of course !..."

"Well... WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM TO FOLLOW ME WHEREVER I GO, AND TO ANNOY ME IN MY BUSINESS ?!! YOU BRAT ?!", he yelled at me, his agressive voice which could be heard in the entire village.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE, YOU BIG BULLY !!! HE HAS DONE ANYTHING, SO LEAVE HIM ALONE !"

"THIS INCOMPETENT MADE ME MAD ! HE DESERVES TO RECEIVE A GOOD LESSON ! LIKE NOWADAYS ALL THOSE REBELLIOUS BRATS LIKE YOU !"

The more he was yelling, the more I was shaking of fear by his agressiveness, just like a mad bull ready to charge. But despite I regretted to have pushed him away from the bar, I couldn't go backwards, so I said at the man, in a determined way.

"I WON'T LET YOU HARMING HIM ANYMORE !.... I am... ready... TO FIGHT IF I HAVE TO !!"

Everyone around us was really surprised at my answer, but I was ready to defend that young barman, even if I barely knew him. If I could, I even would like to use my superpowers for giving him a good lesson ! The blue big man was now really angry towards me

When I saw him approaching me angrily by making loud steps sounds, I was so impressed by his stature, that before I was able to hit him again, he gripped my by the neck with one arm, and lifted me from the ground, at a greater height than me.

I winced in pain at the grip, and tried to remove his finger from my neck, while gesticulating angrily my legs, but the grip was too tight. The crowd was really shocked to see a young kid like me about to be beaten up by this man, and they were too shocked to intervene. But I managed to stay brave, I was definitely much angrier than I was afraid.

While he was gripping me like he did with Therion, the abusive man watched at me with disgusted eyes.

"Very well... maybe I'm gonna deal with you first, finally. You really started to annoy me since the beginning, you little brat... I think I'm gonna make you what your parents should've made you for a long time.", he clenched his right fist, ready to punch my face, when he spoke again. "I've warned you that you will regret it if you annoy me again..."

Suddenly, I saw a sharp arrow pointed towards the big man's head, just at 20 centimeters from him, when I heard a voice speaking calmly but seriously.

"Let him go."

I watched at my right: H'aanit !

She was just standing at the left of the big man, holding her bow while pulling a sharp arrow on the thread, ready to shoot an arrow right into the agressive man's eye. Was she serious ?! Was she really about to shoot him an arrow ?!

She looked very serious, with her menacing and cold glare. Most of the crowd were really surprised by her behavior: she was really threatening this man with this bow while he was about to beat me up.

"Rrrrrroooaaaarrrr..."

I noticed her white tiger was there too, right next to here. It was growling at the big man, ready to jump onto him for eating him, just like its master.

However, no one of them attacked him, but the big man who was quite surprised to see them, became much angrier than before.

"WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS ?!!! GET THIS THING OF ME !! YOU MAD WOMAN !!", he yelled angrily at her, but she showed any fear.

The situation was tensioned, everyone seemed worried, all of that because this big man wanted to drink some wine.

"H'aanit ! Don't thou think thou art doing to much ?!", yelled a worried voice from the crowd, possibly a friend of her.

"Dost not worry. I control the situation.", she answered coldly, before asking menacingly at the abusive man again. "I won't say it again. Let him go. Or I assure thou that my arrow will never miss its target. 'tis already close to impalen thy brainless skull..."

The big man grumbled at her, definitely not liking to see her menacing him with a dangerous weapon.

"H-H'aanit...", I said calmly, surprised by her sudden appearance, while I was still wincing in pain my the grip.

Once again, she came to my rescue when I was in trouble, and she was really mad.

"How such a foolish monster like thou would hurt a young child in front of everyone ?..."

"THIS BRAT DESERVES A BEATING FOR ATTACKING ME WHILE I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A DRINK !!", yelled ferociously the impulsive obese man at her.

"That's not true !.... It's him who had started first ! He didn't want to stop bullying this barman !",  I mumbled in pain at H'aanit, feeling angry as the big aggressive man was lying to her.

He was just lying to her, by telling he just wanted to drink wine, although he had beaten up and harassed this boy just for drinking wine. He wanted to get out of this mess without being blammed for what he has done. But what a coward !

Everyone in the crowd all watched at us curiously, as some of them were surprised by my answer, they might haven't all seen us when this happened...

The young barman was still hidden behind the bar, while there was such an high tension which reigned in the atmosphere. H'aanit just watched attentively at the big man, waiting that he could let me go. She wanted to help me to not be in troubles anymore: despite I haven't obeyed to her and that she might be angry about that, she was definitely angry towards that man who wanted to beat me up. I really wondered if she was really going to shoot him an arrow right into his head.

Her tiger was also ready to jump on his face to bite him, while moving its long tail.

"Roooaaar !"

She quickly shushed at her tiger in a strict way, making her calming down.

The big man got still angrier.

"WILL YOU TELL AT THIS DAMN UNTRAINED BEAST TO NOT APPROACH ME ?!!!"

"Don't worry... She is already well trained. And if I want her to attack thou when I want, well she will if ever 'tis necessary...", answered the huntress at the man, still in a menacing way.

He was totally pissed of their behavior, as he yelled angrily again.

"I ORDER YOU TO LOWER THE TIP OF YOUR WEAPON, AND THAT YOU EXCUSE YOURSELF FOR THREATENING ME OF DEATH !! JUST LIKE HOW DID YOUR PATHETIC BRAT !!!"

I was quite surprised that he called me "brat", in a sense when he thought she was my mother.

However, she still refused to obey him, and continued to point her bow towards his son, when she said menacingly.

"First, he is not my son. Second, thy single behavior in that village disturb its inhabitants, and we couldn't tolerate it. So, I advice thee to leave this place, right now."

H'aanit was really serious towards this man, but she also understood that he was annoying everyone since the beginning, so she wanted to banish this bad guy from the village.

But despite her threats, nothing would calm down the big man, who became so angry that his face turned red.

"What do you want from me ?... WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME ?!!!", His voice echoed the entire place, making shaking of fear a few citizens. He began his speech. "DO YOU REALLY THINK I'M GONNA LEAVE THAT PLACE AND FORGET EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT ?!!... DO YOU THINK WHO AM I ? EVERYONE ?!!", he pointed everyone in the crowd. "YOU ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE !!! EVERY MEN !! EVERY WOMEN !! EVERY KIDS LIKE THIS LITTLE BRAT !! I'M WARNING YOU, I'VE TIES WITH HIGH-RANKINGS PERSONS !! I'LL FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE WHOLE TOWN !! AND I'M PRETTY SURE THEY WON'T TOLERATE THIS THREAT ON THE PERSON OF MINE AND I PROMISE THAT YOU WILL, EVERY SAVAGES THAT YOU ARE, RECEIVE THE BIGGEST SANCTION NEVER..."

Suddenly, his eyes became blue, a blue so gloomy that we couldn't see his irisi when he quickly stopped to yell. But... what was happening to him ?!

Everyone in the crowd were shocked to see his eyes like this, even H'aanit looked very surprised.

"What the... !", she understood something was wrong.

The big man slowly breathed in stress, while putting his large hand on his forehead.

"W-what's... What's happenin' to me ?...", he spoke very low, as he looked worried.

The entire crowd was almost silent, and they became so worried about what was going, just like they knew it was something horrible.

The big man stressed, as his eyes were still blue.

"aaaaaAAAAHHHHH !!!... BUT WHAT'S THAT VISION OF HELL ?!!"

He suddenly dropped me, making me falling down on my ass, when he fell on his back, his hands against his head.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHH !!!"

I was completely surprised by his behavior: he was gesticulating in every senses, very stressed, as something was scaring him a lot. But what was happening to him all of sudden ?! It's just like he became completely crazy !

Everyone was really shocked to see such a scene: they were frightened by his behavior, and even an old woman screamed to witness that. H'aanit was also surprised, just like her tiger, who stepped back on its paws, while I was completely speechless to see that very distressed man. Did it was me ?! Or something was scaring him inside... his mind ?!

He squirmed in every senses, while screaming in fear.

"AAAAAHHHH ! NOT THIS !!!! EVERYTHING BUT THIS !!!! I'M DOOOOOOOMED !! I'M DOOOOOOOOMED !!!"

I noticed a man coming through the crowd: it was the one who brought me food.

He looked very concerned at the madness of the big man.

"Not again !", he yelled shockingly, but he stayed calm, before he ordered at the crowd. "Everyone, please ! Stayen back !"

The big man slowly calmed down, but he was still mumbling desperately during his madness, speaking low about weird and scary things that only him could see.

I noticed another hunter, a muscular one, who helped the first one to raise the poor big man on his feet, and to drag him by his arms for talking him away of that place, who haven't showed any resistance towards them, as he was too agonized to fight back.

But why was he become crazy ?!

I was getting up on my feet, when someone in the crowd yelled.

"And what if it was the kid who gave it to him ?!"

"Uhh ?!.."

I was sure they were talking about me, so I was quite surprised. But why was he thinking that I was responsible of the abusive man's madness ?!! And what he was talking about ?!

"Yeah ! HE HATH TO LEAVE THE VILLAGE !!! ELSE WE WILL BE ALL AFFECTED BY HIS FAULT !!!", yelled angrily a woman from the crowd.

The crowd suddenly became angry at me, as they wanted me to leave that pleace. But why me ?! I've done anything !!

As I was really shocked and surprised to all these people angry towards me, H'aanit suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Come with me", she ordered at me coldy but calmly, as she seemed mad about the crowd.

As her big cat was following us closely, I followed H'aanit walking fastly by holding tight my arm. I couldn't understand why these people accused me to make the big man crazy, but H'aanit seemed really angry. Was she actually taking my defense ?

We went back at the house of the village chief, where we saw him standing a front of his door, holding a long wooden stick for helping him walking, and who seemed concerned about the scene that he might have noticed from far.

He noticed us, and told us.

"Comen in !"

We entered in his wooden house, when we were still hearing the complaining of the citizens who were angry at me, before H'aanit closed the door.

I was granted by a wolf, a big and grey one, who frightened me a bit when he smelled at me, but he just stayed calm and walked back to the old chief, who must be its master.

While I was totally confused by the events, I heard Van'Rah asking at H'aanit in a low and wise tone.

"T'is again an unlucky carrier of the sickness ?"

"Yes. His eyes hast suddenly turned blue before he went insane... T'is the third one this year...", she answered him calmly, in a cold way.

Wait... what did she means by "third one" ?! Did it wasn't the first time that someone became mad like him ?!

They were quite worried about that "sickness". Was it a kind of disease like Alfyn had told me about ? If yes, why did people think that I was the one who made the big man crazy ? And yet, I wasn't sick and mad like him. But what if it was really my fault after I pushed him in the pots ?

H'aanit noticed me, and spoke to me.

"And thou, why hast thou left your shelter despite I told thee not to leave ?!!"

That's right I just disobeyed to H'aanit, although she told me to stay at the shelter and to not make any troubles.

I apologized to her.

"I'm sorry H'aanit... I was just bored, so I wanted to go outside..."

I knew she was quite angry that I haven't listened to her, but it was stronger than me ! I couldn't let this innocent boy getting beaten up for nothing.

I wanted to tell her, but she interrupted me.

"Art thou alright, thought ?", she seemed quite concerned about me, if I wasn't injured by this bad man.

"Y-yes... I'm okay...", I answered her calmly, before I asked her. "B-but what happened at this guy ?! Is that my fault if..."

I couldn't have the time to finish my sentence, as a man entered quickly in the house.

It was the one who intervened when the big man became crazy, and he seemed really worried, when he watched at me.

"Little one !"

He ran towards me and crouched down a front of me. I didn't understand why, but he wanted to examine my eyes.

"Art thou noticed signs that thy eyes hath turned blue, once in thy life ?!", he seemed quite stressed

"But what do you mean... ?!", I asked him.

"Did thou got visions, sometimes ?! Where do you come fro..."

"THAT'S ENOUGH, MAH'RAH ! STOP HARASSING THIS YOUNG BOY !"

It was the village chief who ordered at him in a old but strict way.

The man slowly calmed down, and sighted.

"I-I'm so sorry little one..."

He then left the house, as he felt quite guilty.

I understood that something was bothering, but why did he wanted to check if my eyes would turn blue like this big man earlier ?

The old village chief said in a calm, as he felt upset.

"My poor son. He still worried about that damn sickness..."

I asked to them curiously.

"But what are you talking about ? Is that what happened at the guy earlier ?"

H'aanit sighted, before she answered me calmly.

"Aisenma."

I didn't understand what was this word.

"Aisen-what ?"

"This is the name that we give to that rare but famous disease which is present in the entire world."

"A disease ?! Is that serious ?"

"What happened to that man at the place are exactly the symptoms of that disease: first, their eyes turns temporarily a gloomy blue for a few seconds, then, they start to lose completely their mind, where they pretend to have some kinds of vision, which made them crazy.", H'aanit explained.

I became slightly worried about that disease: I never knew there was one who could make people completely crazy.

"V-visions ?! What kind of visions ?"

The old chief continued at her place.

"Sadly... nobody knows. The madness of the sick is such that they couldn't told us clearly what kind of visions they hast. 'Tis a disease which could randomly infecteth anybody, and the worst, there is not only no cure, but no one still knoweth its origins."

Even if I didn't like this big man who abused this barman, and also Therion a few days ago, I admitted that I felt bad for him.

I was also feeling bad that this "Aisenma" disease would be impossible to cure, because being completely mad must be terrible for those who had caught it.

"So... there is really nothing to do ?"

H'aanit, who seemed serious, answered me.

"Sadly, no. All we can do, is to take the affected in a specialized place very far from her, so the scholars would observe their behavior and study them easily. We hast learned that when the affected persons's eyes were at the origins of their nightmarish visions. However, their works haven't still permitted to know more again about them."

Van'Rah continued.

"We call those who are affected by Aisenma "the men with sapphire eyes". Nowadays, in the land of Orsterra, there are still a few persons who had caught this rare disease called Aisenma, including sometimes entire families... and... even my own wife were part of them..."

He finished his sentence in a sad tone.

I was feeling bad for this old man that his wife had caught the disease.

"Ah ?..."

"We had no choice to turn her over those specialists. My son, Mah'Rah, was really devasted that she had caught the disease. Since that day, he is always worried about the disease."

That's could explain why he was so concerned about me, that he wanted to verify if me too I had the disease or not.  The poor guy, that must be quite hard for him and his father to be separated from their sick mother.

H'aanit continued.

"Even if there are no evidences that the disease is contagious, some persons believe the contrary. By fear of catching the disease, the crowd from earlier must have thought that you were one of them, because the majority of the sapphire eyed men were generally strangers, like you and the man we had taken away. This is why they wanted you to leave."

Was it because I was a stranger that they really thought I was sick ?!

I became quite mad that we considered me like a crazy person.

"But I told you that I'm not sick at all !", I exclamed to them.

"We believest thee, little man.", told me nicely the wise old man, before he spoke again. "Lete me just tell thee that thou art not to feel guilty about that mad man. People art worried because there art still persons infected by Aisenma who art hiding it from the public."

I sighted, feeling upset by all those people who had caught the disease, even if it was rare. I would like, if I could, to tell Alfyn about that disease, and to ask him to cure everyone who became crazy. I was sure he would try to find a way for helping them.

I was also surprised that there are still sapphire eyed people that we didn't know, as we explained me that they eyes became blue when they had visions.

I was finding all those things completely weird, so I asked curiously but worryingly at them.

"Are there still a lot of strange things in that world ?!"

I watched at H'aanit, standing in the middle of the room alongside with her white tiger. She just sighted at my question, and told me with an annoying look.

"You know nothing, little boy."

She then left the house, followed by her tiger.

I was really surprised by her answer: there were exactly the same words pronounced by the mysterious voice I've heard when I was in that blue vortex after leaving Clearbrook. But was she right ? Did I really ignore many things from that world who wasn't mine ?!

Indeed, when she pronounced those words, I could see how annoyed she looked, just because I know nothing. Even that she haven't hesitated to help me twice when I was in troubles, I just understood how much I was bothering her with my curiosity and my clumsiness. I knew I was just a kid, I knew that she was surely knowing much more things from this world than me, but me too I wanted to learn more about the secrets of that land ! I've even tried to make a lot of effort to be more used to live in, to learn a lot of amazing things, but mostly of making new friends. But despite she didn't really liked me, I couldn't stop to feel quite bad for her. I just wanted to be nice with her...

As I was thinking at myself, I could hear the old Van'Rah sighting, before speaking calmly.

"H'aanit... Definitely a cool-headed young woman... Each time she is upset, hunting is such the only preoccupation she never hath..."

That's right everything of what happened today was really bothering her, if only I wasn't so stupid like that for she could forgive me.

Since I arrived in that place, I just felt bad to have done some troubles in that village, so I told honestly the village chief.

"I think the inhabitants are right. I should leave the village if I annoy them with that story..."

He suddenly gave me a simple blow of his stick on my head.

"Ouch !"

"Dost not say such a thing, young boy. They dost not hast to decide if thou hast to leave or not. Believe me, thou art better safe here than somewhere else."

I was just thinking a bit about the events: maybe this old and nice chief was right, maybe it's could be better if I stay here in that house, away from the anger. That's right I mostly preferred to leave in order to join my friends, but I was still asking myself a lot of questions about that place. I think I should wait again, waiting that the citizens would calm down and to stop accusing me of being part of these sapphire eyed men. They weren't really nice with me, but they surely have a family, and they didn't want their closest ones to become crazy, like the wife of the old chief. Me too I never would like that my friends, dispersed through the world, would catch that damn disease.

I just cooled down a little, and answered at the chief.

"...Okay, I'll stay here."

~2 hours later~

The night was already falling down, and the chief was nice enough to give me an unused but clean bedroom for sleeping at night. It was a bit like the shelter where H'aanit had taken me in, but the ground and the wall were made of wooden planks, a window was wide opened at the right side of my bed, which was decorated with a cover made of animal fur, and there was on the ground a weird carpet, with a bear lying on the stomach, where we could see his mouth wide opened, but it wasn't moving. It was quite scary... but original.

H'aanit wasn't still not back yet, she must be still hunting some animals, with her pet tiger. I was wondering a lot of things about her: she was such a very skilled hunter, quite cool-headed and not very sympathetic, okay, but she has really a strong will to defend animals of the forest, by just killing the ones who eat humans, and protecting the others. Curiously, me too I wanted to know more about those animals, I wanted to know the reason which pushed her to defend this natural law.

And then, even if she cared a little for me, she blamed me for my mistakes and there were still a lot of things from that world that I never knew. Maybe this video game wasn't my native world, as a lot of things were new for me, but if I wanted to be adapted in that new world, I better have to quickly learn the most important things.

By the way, that story with that Aisenma disease had really concerned me: one more mystery to resolve. Effectly, I would like to discover the truth about that disease, so I could learn a lot of things about that word.

But they was still something that I wanted to discover the most: my superpowers. Why couldn't I control them ? Where did they come from ?!

If I wanted to discover more about the truth about that video game, including all these weird things it was hiding, I think I better have to learn to control them, to know more about its source.

The window was wide opened, so I sneaked in and I now found myself outside, behind the old chief's home.

The forest was just a front of me, so I decided to go in, while making sure no one was noticing me, without being too fat away from that village, for not being lost. It was already the dark night, but I was still able to look clearly through the woods.

I could leave that place right now, normally. So, the inhabitants of S'warkii would be reassured, and I could start to find Therion again. I remembered the Woodlands region wasn't too far from the Cliftlands region, so maybe Therion will pass in that village, and maybe we will see each other. However, I couldn't leave right now: first, I promised at the old chief to not leave the village, and it would be a problem if I leave without warning them. Plus, it was the night, and I didn't know where was the exit in that vast forest. It must took me an eternity to find it, and it was really dangerous with all those wild beastes like the wolves who wanted to help me. I even didn't have my axe I lost this morning ! So, it would be useless to leave without being accompanied by someone who knows the right way.

For the moment, I had to focus on my superpowers, so I just stopped a front of a couple of trees, while being out of sight.

"It seems to be a quite place, here...", I said to myself.

I wanted to train my powers by myself, so I needed to find a discreet place in order to not disturb people, I would not like to accidentally electrocute someone while I'm gonna use them.

I needed to control my powers, because I wanted to be stronger, strong enough to protect my friends. Therion, Ophilia, Alfyn... They have done so much for me, despite they barely knew me, and I wanted to give my best to help them in exchange whenever they were in troubles. I didn't want to be the kid who have to be protected anymore... now, I would like to be the one who protect them anytime, at any danger. If my superpowers refuse to unleash, I will force them to appear again if I needed to !

I then concentrated myself, before calmly saying in a determined voice.

"Well... Here we go !"

I clenched my fist hard, and focused my entire body.

"Gnnnnnn !...."

I waited that a single blue spark would appear on my hands, but still nothing.

I continued to stay focus in the middle of the night, when I saw a blue spark travelling my arm at quick speed, before it disappeared.

Finally ! I succeeded to create one ! I was glad of that result, but it was only just a spark.

Just a spark... I need to keep practicing !

"Gnnnnnnnnnn !!!!"

I continued to concentrate myself, trying every means possible for hoping to create some electricity, like stretching my arm a front of me, with my hand wide opened, or extending my arms towards a tree, wanting to electrocute it.

"Aaaah !", I yelled in effort, but not too loud for not waking up the village.

I then managed to close my fists the tightest possible, and to concentrate myself, by using a lot of effort when

GZZZZZZZTTTT !!!

It worked again, but after a few seconds, it suddenly stopped.

It was very tiring to try using my superpowers, so I took a breath.

"That's really hard...", I said calmly to myself.

I could have at least covered my entire body of electricity one more time, but that haven't lasted long enough. Generally, it would work for at least one or two minutes. Maybe they must appear randomly, but now, if I wanted to protect my friends at any moment, I have to learn how to use them when I wanted to.

"Here I go !", I said calmly, while I continued to try to make appear lightings again.

I think I'm gonna train for a few minutes, maybe during an hour, before I will go back to sleep. I couldn't sleep directly after all I had been through today.

Even if I was quite tired, I won't give up so easily !

~H'aanit's POV~

I managed to move in direction of my hometown. Linde was faithfully following me, without showing any fear from the darkness of the night, as she was already used to live in dark places as a snowy panther.

"Nature hath not brought me something new, this night. Am I right, Linde ?", I told her, with a small smile.

"Raawwr...", she growled at me in a friendly manner, as she wanted to say yes.

My night hunting gave nothing: I just checked one more time the traps made of nets and holes I made a few days ago, but not a single animal had fallen in those traps. Decidely, the small animals of these forest became smarter in this period of the year, so I should prepare more elaborated traps tomorrow. That must be explained by the fact they had to find better hiding spots from the most ferocious creatures of these lands, who were actually more active, and more fond of small animals. Their behavior was quite normal, but the village needed more meat these days, and us, hunters, must be ready to shoot our arrow right in their heart if ever one of these bloody creatures would approach. However, this year, they pretty seemed to be more agitated that before: I've heard that in a town not far from S'warkii, a monster had made again more victims before being slayed...

I was thinking about the whole day: such an annoying one, between my violation of the natural law, and that there was one more person infected by Aisenma in our village, but it was mostly this young boy who was puzzling me. Despite he wasn't very smart and that there were still many things he needed to learn, he was quite impressing when I observed him giving a kick at this individual.

I admit he may hast a strong will for his young age, but he still seemeth to be a normal kid, after all...

Suddenly, a few meters away through the trees, I just noticed a blue light, followed by electric sounds.

Gzzzzzttt !

It was like a little ball of electricity which appeared and dissappeared constantly. What was that ? An electric beast lost and far away from its natural habitat ?

While Linde's instincts were concerned by that thing, my own instincts forced me to take my bow by purely precautions, and to take one arrow, ready to shoot it on a target.

But before, we first slow'y approached the mysterious entity, which was unleashing a few electricity with difficulty. That was strange: I've never seen blue electricity in my whole life, as generally, it would be a bright yellow color.

I approached again, spying on this strange living form, when I could notice it has the shape of an human.

Is that... an person ?!

Was it this human who was the source of this small amount of blue electricity ?! What kind of magic this person was practicing, by the way ?!

Me and Linde managed to stay discreet, in order to not disturb the person in question, when I was quite observed that it was in reality just a kid. Indeed, it was someone familiar to me: Travis.

It was him, who was at the origin of that releasing of lightings. I was witnessing him, using a lot of effort to make this blue electricity appear. It was quite difficult and tiring for him, but I was a little surprised that such a young boy could create this kind of magic.

This young boy must be really able to mastere magic...

I lowered my bow, when I kept observing this young boy continuing to try to create this electricity by using a lot of effort.

"Come on !", he yelled calmly, as he hasn't still noticed our presence.

It wasn't really the right way to provoke magic's emergence, but this boy was trying everything he could for making appearing again those blue sparks. Due to his facial expression, he might be already aware that he was keeping such an amazing power.

He was concentrating himself, when he unleashed a blue sparks covering his body.

Scraaaaachhhhttt !!!!! Gzzzt ! Gzzt !

A thunder just hit at the instant the tree right next to me, almost touching me, as it let a burning mark on the trunk.

As I stayed calm and observant, he slowly turned at me, when he looked surprised.

"...H-H'aanit ?!"

He just caught his breath, after all the effort he had made for releasing his magic.

There was a small moment of silence, in the middle of the night, between those trees covered by its darkness. Travis, now figured out, just looked up at me, as he felt guilty just like he made something bad.

"...I-I'm sorry, H'aanit ! I didn't want to touch you ! I've never noticed you were..."

"Stay calm. It's ok.", I interrupted him calmly, as he sighted in relief. I was slightly curious about why he was there at such a late time. "I see that you haven't still found any other ways to sleep than this."

"Errr... I didn't know how to get some sleep, after all what happened today...", he then yawned, feeling quite tired.

"I understand. After all, 'tis not everyday that there is such an incident like this one earlier, in S'warkii.", I answered calmly to him, making sure I wouldn't disturb this boy.

"All I wanted to do, is that he stopped to abuse that boy. I couldn't even know it would end like this..."

He was quite upset, as he was talking about that annoying man yelling that young barkeep.

"You have nothing to reproach. You just wanted to help that boy in your own way, by staying brave towards that annoying guy."

He seemed reassured, when he asked me.

"In... my own way ?"

"Let's say... you were pretty hot heated for a kid like ya, especially when you faced this abusive guy."

"Wait... You have observed me at this moment ?!", he exclamed curiously.

He finally understood that I had effectly observed him when he was dealing with that damn drinker.

I told him the truth.

"That's right. After I came back from hunting for venison as usually, I then I saw what happened to that poor young man being humiliated by the other guy. I was about to take care of that fool, I just never expected to see you intervening for taking the defense of this barkeep. I have to admit it was quite unique for you to help someone who was totally a stranger for you..."

He answered me, feeling quite reassured.

"So... Do you really think what I've done to help him was good ?!"

"Not really. It was stupid and impulsive from you to push violently that man.", I told him in a cold way, as he felt embarrassed and upset, when I continued to speak."...However, we could say you had a lot of guts to stand up to him, even if he was more imposing than you. But if I have to be honest with you, I have decided to not intervene directly before when things began to be more complicated when he grabbed you. For a moment, by seeing you how quick and mighty you were by pushing that man, I was just starting to think if between you and him, you were obviously the strongest."

There was a small moment of silence. Travis was quite impressed about my opinion on what I was honestly thinking about his strength and his values, even if he wasn't really the smartest.

He began to speak again.

"R-really ?! Are you ?"

I nodded to him.

"'tis just my opinion. I just think you must have habilities that only a few people have, other than your magic."

I watched down at him seriously, when he looked at his hands, aware that he was stronger than he expected.

He seemed quite concerned, when he spoke calmly.

"It's been a moment that I'm wondering where did I got this strength. I would like to know more about them, but I couldn't manage to control my powers."

"I see. Tell me, since when did you get them ?", I asked him, proposing to help him.

"Errr... Just for 2 days."

2 days ?!

Surprising ! His powers have awakened just 2 days ago, while he was still a young kid ?! How was it possible ?! How such a powerful magic could be found by someone like him ?!

He noticed I was quite surprised, when he told me.

"Aren't you too surprised ?..."

"...not really. I'm used to meet persons provided of magic, when I'm hunting...", I answered him calmly, before I asked him. "Technically, I think you're forcing yourself too much to produce a lot of electricity, and you seems to act too quick for summoning a thunder."

"Too quick ?"

"Yeah. You should be more focused to create sparks between your hand, and to take your time. Give it a try."

Honestly, this little boy started to concern me, and I was quite interested to help him using his magic.

So, he slowly prepared himself, he took a breath, and he focused by positioning his hand a front of each other. And a few seconds later...

Gzzzzzzzttttttt !!!

A blue spark of around 20 centimeters was scratching between his hands. When he noticed it, he became excited.

"It works ! It works !"

The spark suddenly disappeared from his hands.

After what he has done, Travis looked surprised, his blue eyes widened by what his hands just produced.

I told him calmly, my hands crossed, and my back leaned against a tree.

"Well done. I think you still have some progress to do: if you continue to train, maybe you will be able to control it one day."

He watched up at me, with a small smile.

"Thank you, H'aanit !... You seems to know a lot about magic, you know..."

"Well..."

I quickly took my bow and grabbed an arrow, pulling it against the thread, when I managed to wrap it of electricity, especially at the end.

Gzzzzzzzzttttt !!!

I then shot this arrow at quick speed, before it reached a narrow tree, making a small explosion of yellow electicity.

SCRAAAAATCCCHH !!!!

The arrow exploded, letting a burning mark on the tree, while Travis was completely speechless.

I then stowed my bow behind me, before saying calmly.

"Some hunters can be provided with magic for improving their activities..."

"That's... amazing !! Could you teach me now ?! Pretty please ?!!", he exclamed at me.

I could see his eyes were tired, and he was epuised.

"Maybe... But not now. It's too late, I think you should go to sleep."

He sighted, before he answered me by yawning.

"Ok..."

I didn't really want to have time to take care of him, but this boy seemed to insist a lot that I teach him about controlling his magic, and it's could be maybe better if he knew how to control it.

I was about to leave, alongside with Linde, when an idea came in my mind.

"By the way. If you want to learn more about this land... I propose you to accompany me for an hunt, tomorrow. But, if you want to, you will have to wake up very soon the morning."

He seemed quite interested.

"For an hunt ?!"

"Yep. If you accept, I'll show you the true principles in hunting."

~

A/N: So ! I continue to use the special accent H'aanit and other characters use while talking, just like in the game (you know, shakespearan english.). I hope that didn't bother some of you, but H'aanit can sometimes talk normally, for some reasons.

After reading this chapter, I understand that you must ask a lot of questions about the current events. Let me just tell you that the big man will not be an important character at all ! But what happened to him might be an important plot in my fanfiction...

Anyway: big news. I deciced to show my talents for once, so I participated my book Ninepath Traveler at a writing contest on wattpad called The Royal Awards by _kaira_love !

Here's the link for more informations:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/157311700-the-royal-awards

I don't think I'll have the first place in those awards, but I just hope the judges will enjoy it !

I hope you too you liked this chapter !