Morienn kicked a pebble off the pavement as he heads towards the Ruins. Whenever he visits the Helios castle, he makes sure to stop by the ancient site. It's just a shame the times he could wander here could be counted on his hand. But what can he do? His boss takes pleasure slaving him to death.
[ Not only is he a slave driver but moody as hell. Tsk.] He inwardly complained for the nth time due to the wrongful treatment he receives.
Morienn takes pride in claiming Xaphael is his boss/brother-in-arms, whom he knew all his life. He had witnessed his growth and stood by his side, supporting him every step of the way. If anyone asks how vivid he recollects their first encounter as proof of their closeness, he could narrate it with precise details. That's how traumatic their initial contact was. How could he not? That rascal enslaved him the moment he laid eyes on him. How he wishes he could time travel and impart some words of wisdom like; "Run, bitch." to his younger self before he meets that little devil. Alas, it's too late as he is eternally doomed to be to that psycho's (self-proclaimed) bestie.
[ Anyway, it's alright. That man is pitiful as he is.] He let out a depreciating smile. Then as if remembering something, he grieved once again.
[ But how could he block me! That bastard! Ugh!!] He kicked the nearby post several times as he mutters to himself.
Realizing the existence of a newly erected structure, he stopped.
Morienn viewed the lampposts and noticed the refurbished stone pathway. He is amused that Xaphael finally developed the Woodrealm.
Trekking within the grove, he could hear nothing aside from his footsteps. His mind started to wander in such a relaxing condition.
" He doesn't care about this place, so why would he make it people-friendly, huh?" He has long been egging Xaphael to rehabilitate the Woodrealm but always fails.
" Oh! Is it because of that incident?"
A while ago, he heard about the girl he mistakenly kidnapped nearly got abducted for real. He knitted his forehead as he recalls strenuously.
" What was her name again?" He scratched his head.
" Everest?"
" Evrein?"
" Evangelion?"
[ Ughhh. How annoying it's on the tip of my tongue!] He pulled his hair in frustration.
Suddenly, the earth trembled.
He swayed a couple of times before gaining a foothold.
[ Earthquake.] Morien clicked his tongue, wondering if the castle is alright. He planned on returning to check for any damage or casualty after the movement stops.
However, contrary to his expectations, the tremor immediately halted.
In the end, the phenomenon was brief that he almost thought he hallucinated. Then a rustling noise echoed in the grove. It was the sound of a heavy body falling into the ground.
[ Did a tree fell?] He hurried towards the source of the noise.
***
A few minutes earlier.
( Host, I thought you'll prepare a gift for the villain, so why would you come to the woods?) A certain furball can't contain its curiosity and finally asked.
( Indeed, I've come here to get his gift.) Eve stepped on some branches and leaves, producing a crisp sound.
[ Is she planning to give him grass or stones?] Halfsie can't understand its host. She boasted formulating the perfect design to get into the villain's pants but, how will she do that using a present from a forest? Is she planning to stone him or tickle him unconscious using grass?
Eve scanned the surroundings, feeling vexed by the trees looking similar to each other. How can she find those little things at this point?
( Halfsie, you're somewhat a spirit, do your thing and sense where your fellows at.)
( The what, host?)
( The spirit-filled fireflies. Just tell me where they are.)
( Host, how do I do that? I can only sense the evil aura.) Halfsie voiced out.
( Tsk. You said you could do anything. ) Her tone is dripping with disappointment.
( Host, I only said I'm partly perfect.)
( There can be no "partly" in perfect, little swindler.)
Halfsie wanted to shed tears. Why is its host so unreasonable? It's not its fault it is merely partly perfect, ok? Who gave it an ugly body in the first place?
( Host, why not try wishing to know where it is?) Thankfully, its IQ still functions fueled by its fear of death.
( Wish?) Eve was taken aback and questioned.
( Yeah, host. Your cheat, remember?) It was growing dubious of its host. [Don't tell me..]
( Oh yeah. I forgot.) She casually responded.
Halfsie: ...
[ No wonder, aside from mumbling strange curses at Hemiura some time ago, the host has never wished for anything again.]
Halfsie shed crocodile tears. It laments that if it has the host's ability, it would wish a form as awesome as its personality. But what can it do? Nobody can be too perfect.
If Eve could hear its ridiculous delusions, she might swat the donkey to reality.
Eve, forgetting her cheat, can't be helped. In the first place, she is too lazy to do anything or wish for anything more. Given that whatever she fancied will be given or delivered to her, especially back in Jacea castle, she ended up forgetting to use her cheat. She was also too preoccupied doing many things. For example- she was busy accompanying Carla to kick numerous asses and leeching snacks over tea-time with her aunt or Tess. She also punctually visited Judas as he sharpens his claws. In addition, she was forced to wrestle with Lyka in mobile games, and lastly, busy escaping Lucian's weird requests. Her jam-packed schedule made her omit the existence of her golden finger altogether.
In any case, she has an excellent use for it now.
" I wish to find the fireflies' home." After speaking, she scanned the surroundings, waiting for the black magic to occur.
However, nothing happened. The sun on top of her head still shines brightly, not showing signs of cloud formation. She was hoping a bolt of lightning will strike the place or something.
Before she could spout a mouthful of complaint, the ground shook, causing a nearby tree to fall.
She walked towards the tree, scanned its roots, bark, and crown for any signs of the luminescent spirits, but there was none.
( Host, they're in the shrub. I detected some faint lights in there.) Halfsie snitched.
Eve neared the bush and dragged open the foliage. There she saw numerous firebugs, quivering side by side. Even the lights on their bodies flickered in panic.
" Hello, ancient spirits." She politely greeted.
Suddenly, a box appeared in Eve's hand as she crouch before the shrub. She then requested the bugs,
" Get in here, spirits."
Nevertheless, the fireflies refused to move. It seems they are terrified of the creature before them.
Eve narrowed her eyes and gently asked once more.
" Move it, or else I'll turn the lights on your butts into a real fire. You'll be real fireflies." Her voice ever so gentle, as if whispering endearment to a loved one.
The pitiful creatures ultimately followed her command.
Closing the box and patting it satisfactorily, Eve stood up and reassured,
" Don't worry because I will set you free after."
***
" Hey, you!" A man suddenly called her out.
Eve checked her surroundings and thought she must be famished that she is having auditory hallucinations. After all, she only had a light snack before seeking the gift. Since it's imperative to complete her task early, she didn't even drop by El's sleeping chambers. Aside from the doors being securely locked, she also needed to finish her matters as soon as possible.
[ I should eat to refuel my energy before feasting over El. ] She shamelessly made up her mind.
" Hey, lady! I said, turn around and state your identification." Morienn's seemingly friendly tone fished Eve's flying thoughts.
Eve turned around and met the clamorous fellow.
Morienn got momentarily distracted because of her looks.
[ Banquet guest?] He inferred upon seeing her appearance. However, she's out of the castle grounds and loitering in a place only a handful of people know. Not to mention, she's way too early for the party. She is too suspicious.
" Who are you?" He narrowed his eyes upon observing a parcel in her arms.
" I am Eve." She calmly stated her name despite seeing a gun aimed at her chest.
" What's in the box?" He interrogated.
" A gift."
The hand grasping the weapon tightened. Morienn was contemplating the validity of her words. Still, carrying a gift in the grove sounds absurd.
[ Maybe it's a bomb?] He became menacing considering the possibility.
They knew those rascals wouldn't let this chance go to waste and would try various means to get back at Xaphael. The lady before him might be one of their pawns. It's a good thing he came here and discovered their plans beforehand.
" I said, what's in the box?" He cocked his gun, ready to fire at her any moment.
" Gift." Eve's eyes flickered. She is annoyed to be questioned repeatedly despite hearing her answer earlier. Besides, she finds his behavior highly discourteous.
[ It's inappropriate to point your gun at an unarmed person.]
If he is not El's right-hand man, she'd be annoyed at such rude treatment.
" This is your last warning, lady. What's in the box?!" Morien roared, irritated at her insouciant cast.
Eve, exhausted at such brain-dead conversation, refused to cater to him anymore. She'd rather preserve her thinning patience than converse with the silly man. Feeling hungry, she quickly stepped forward, ready to leave the bothersome scene.
Morien stagnated when she walks past him, treating him like air. He only returned to his senses when she was a few meters away from him.
"Hey! Where are you going!"
" Stop right there! If not, I'll shoot you!"
Morienn speedily chaste after her, not forgetting to point the gun at the woman with dangerous baggage.
" I said stop!"
His bellow blasted Eve's eardrums, triumphantly irking her.
" I wish you'd trip." She murmured under her breath. Simple curses like this are easy to cast and have the highest probability of occurring.
[ That will shut you the hell up.]
When he was a few steps away and about to yank her, Morienn unexpectedly tripped, taking him by surprise. He failed to take hold of the lass as he falls backward.
*Bang!
A gunshot echoed within the solemn Woodrealm.