Preface

The Essential Book of Human Survival is meant to ensure safety and provide ways for humans to survive while wandering outside of Arrenquile's barrier and protection. 

Therefore, below the author provides one pivotal tip for humans to survive. 

Never in any circumstances, open the door when someone knocks in the middle of the night. 

May the spirit be with you.

-Excerpt from 'The Essential Book of Human Survival'.

Jonathan Lorth.

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If Ruby could, she wants to be able to wake up from this dream.

Right about now, dreams are better than reality.

Her sight is fooling her at this moment or she has gone mad.

Perhaps, both.

There is no plausible excuse and explanation as to why her one and only human friend arrived by her front door. The current condition of her hut wasn't suitable for an unexpected visit from a human. The scattered vials and bottles of potions from last night research Ruby had conducted could cause unknown harm for the person before her, who shivered with cheeks turning red from the cold and green eyes staring right at hers while cradling something within her arms. 

Wind chimed through the wide open door while the wavering cries of owls within the forest caused Ruby to further raise her eyebrow at her friend. 

There are a few reasons as to why she should not be here.

Humans weren't allowed to leave the protection of Arrenquile territory. Though this Wasteland spans a wide array of limited amounts of natural resources and space for creatures to live within the territory. A large part of it had been claimed by Arrenquile, considered as one of the smallest Kingdom ever existed. 

Ruby herself only came to know the existence of this small kingdom through this friend she encountered inside Tirren Forest. One who greets her with a smile and being insistent for a handshake. Ruby came to know about Arrenquile, the only place where humans can live without the risk of the slowest and painful death. 

Humans have the most desired blood that almost every single creature seeks. Some need it for strength, a few creatures want it for longevity and others crave it because of its taste that makes every single creature thirst for more. As a mixed blood herself, though she never tasted the blood of a human in her entire life, the piece of information about human blood within the mainland is still quite renowned. 

One other reason why it is not suitable for her to appear like this is because today is the day her friend should deliver her baby.

Meaning she should rest, right?

So then, why did she appear in front of her?

Shivering with eyes staring right into her orbs with deep furrowed eyebrows. 

Ruby eyes widen upon recognising a small tiny head within layers of thick clothes, tuck in and sleeping soundly within her arms. With a quick movement, Ruby stood aside and let Estalle come inside. After making sure no one is around, Ruby reaches out her hand and with a swift movement casts a spell of barrier around her hut, closes her front door and turns around to face her best friend. 

Ruby crossed her arms while her gem-like eyes inspected Estalle from head to toe, clear confusion and derision within her manner, "give me one good reason why you are here?"

Estalle's green eyes shift down to the old red rugged carpet, avoiding the sharp stare she received from her friend. Ruby could hear her heartbeat quicken. Sighing, she closes her eyes to calm her own erratic heartbeat. She is worried. 

At a time like this, during the night in the middle of winter, creatures of different kinds and sizes would love to roam around the forest. To make things worse, her hut is located exactly in the middle of the forest. 

"I need help," Estalle whispered after a while.

"Yes, you need help. Mentally."

Estalle flinches, she keeps glancing at Ruby who started to pace around her small living room. Avoiding the scattered empty bottles and open books on the floor, the sound of each step she took managed to calm Estalle's heartbeat, though she stopped and stood in front of her at that second. 

"You do realise what time it is?" Ruby raised her eyebrow, her eyes blaring with visible fury, ruby coloured orbs flickering like mesmerising flames under the dim magical lights. 

It wasn't the first time she became the receiving end of her palpable anger, though it is the first time her heart was stricken with guilt, being reprimanded and scolded by her friend like a mother would to her own child. However, there's no one she could seek beside the person she trusts with her own life. The one person who stood right before her. 

"Should I remind you where you are at this moment, with-" Ruby glances down at the child within Estalle embrace, "-that," she continues after averting her eyes. Finding the sound of crackling fire at the fireplace quite loud. 

A newborn baby has the tastiest blood or so a witch had told her once before.

Ruby takes a step backwards, "don't you need rest? I know you told me last time that you want to show your baby the minute you give birth to her. But don't you think it is not the time, and..." Ruby sighs, "-place," her eyebrow raised. 

Both of her arms crossed with the same frequent expression where Ruby questioned Estalle's level of sanity since they were children. 

It is unlikely for a human to befriend a non human creature. Though being a mixed blood could somehow explain the form of their friendship. Her father is a werewolf while her mother is a mixed blood of a fairy and a nymph, which is a reason why Ruby believes she can control her craving for human blood much better than other creatures. 

Until this day, she could remember that time when Estalle asked to be her friend. The very first time Ruby throws that look at her.

Ruby takes a deep breath, assessing the way Estalle trembles in fear.

"She is sick. I don't know what to do. She keeps shivering and her nail turns black. I ask the Royal Physicians for help, but they are also as clueless as I am," she muttered, her voice cracking with lips quivering while her emerald orbs had gathered a good amount of tears, "Ruby, please."

It is the first time Estalle sounds so desperate. Estalle is the type of person who could stay positive despite her troubling matters, the only person Ruby knew who possessed a high amount of trust and an ability to smile at everything and everyone she encountered. This sight of the current Estalle is surprising because she finds a side Ruby thought Estalle never had.

Ruby inhales before she approaches Estalle, trying hard not to breathe in the scent of the baby within her hold, her eyes examining the way her tiny nails had turned black as obsidian. It took a minute before her eyes widened in fear, recognising what seemed to be the problem, she whispered "Moon Cursed."

The minute Ruby stated the word, Estalle's eyes widened and her breath hitch. The tears that had gathered quickly fell down both her cheeks, no longer able to prevent them as she tried hard not to hiccup. Her strong will to remain calm despite everything had clearly shattered that night. 

"What should I do?" she whispered, eyes shaken in fear. Her heartbeat quickens, unsure of what to do.

Moon Cursed is the type of curse widely known to give pain and slow death to the recipient, the pain could last for years which drives them insane and causes them to die out of mere pain alone. 

As of now, this curse has been considered as the highest offence known within the mainland, performing or assisting in placing a moon curse on another creature would result in heavy punishment throughout the entire mainland. The hair of those who are being cursed will either turn red or white, eyes red like blood and nails turn black within seconds. 

Ruby is clueless on what to do. She is now aware of the reason why Estalle chooses to sneak out of Arrenquile, risking her life and safety to come seeking for her help. As one of known healers with reputable ability in healing and curing almost every single type of early symptom and disease, her knowledge of ancient herbs and potions has countless creatures that knock her door for help. However, she never cured a human or those who received the Moon Curse. She never heard of anyone who was able to cure it.

And it pains her so much, Ruby can't face Estalle as she looks down and exhales.

Estalle cries out in pain as she hugs her newborn baby, her body shaking in disbelief at the mere thoughts that she had to part with her baby as soon as she is born to this world. 

Ruby rubs her friend's shoulder as she exhales a deep breath and takes a little glance at the baby. Eyes the colour of captivating obsidian, white pale smooth skin as a little smile starts to stretch, a hidden tiny dimple reveals itself on the baby's cheek, her little fingers reach out, the colour on her tiny hand slowly turns black clasping and unclasping as the baby tries to touch her. Ruby smiled at that.

"I couldn't help you. but-" she muttered.

The baby girl's smile faltered and in turn a small sweet chuckle erupted from her.

Ruby raised her gaze and found Estalle questioning eyes, "perhaps she can."

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

If you happen to go against the rules, I hope the spirits could save you. Certainly, I couldn't.

-Excerpt from 'The Essential Book of Human Survival'.

Jonathan Lorth.