As Liliana and I traverse the forest whilst keeping an eye out for any roaming soldiers; she explains many things to me about this new world.
The first being this forest. The reason it is so highly contested for amongst the nearby countries was not only its large amount of resources but also the abundance of magical flora.
As Liliana is telling me about the different kinds of mystical plants that inhabit this forest, I notice things about the forest that I did not notice before.
The trees seemed to touch the heavens with their height and just in the general vicinity there was a multitude of exotic looking flowers that seemed to glow with energy. If it wasn't for the fact that I had no idea how I ended up here, I would've loved to explore this place.
The more we walked, the more this new reality had begun sinking into my mind. This really was a whole new world. My mind once again began drifting into deep thought, to stay somewhat alert I begin talking to Liliana.
"So, what did you do for this kingdom? You said you would be welcomed by them?" I ask.
"Mhm, a long time ago I was the Telum of a well known king. He led the kingdoms golden age and as his Telum I was treated with great respect. Though its been a while I assume they still remember me." Liliana responded with a hint of sadness in her voice.
I notice this sadness but decide not to ask her about it, maybe that explains to how she was in that pond.
"Telum? Is that what you call it when someone wears your ring?"
"Yes. I suppose I should explain to you what my kind are. It's story time! Before the beginning of life there was only energy. That energy flowed around for millenniums until all the requirements were meant for a spirit to be created. The first spirit, who we call Cacumen, was born and he created the world. As Cacumen finished the world a second spirit was born, Pupillus. Cacumen was much stronger than Pupillus. This created jealously within Pupillus, thus leading to the creation of the Lues -- spirits that are the embodiment of negative emotions. To combat these spirits, Cacumen created the Lucrum, who were much more complex then the Lues. This battle between the two major spirit types still wages on to this day."
All these new names and concepts fill my mind and I struggle to comprehend all the information I'm being given. So which type of spirit is Liliana?
Just as I am about to ask Liliana this question I feel an intense shiver go down my spine.
"Roman, there is danger nearby. I feel the presence of an animal." Liliana speaks to me with urgency.
My eyes scan the surroundings, attempting to find the animal.
However as soon as a few seconds past of not seeing anything, I feel a familiar force in my eyes that guides me to the beast.
"Thanks." I say.
I assume she doesn't respond due to the large creature in front of us. It seems like a monster more than an animal, however, there was a certain beauty to the beast. It resembled a black bear. Except it was almost twice as large, its eyes glowed bright blue, its claws hued with the same color and on its back were large intricate glowing patterns.
"I'm gonna need permission to take over your body for this." She says.
I hesitate for a moment. She can do that? That moment of hesitation was enough for the creature to fully emerge from the cover of the forest and rush towards me.
My body freezes in fear.
"Roman! Just say yes! Hurry!" Liliana yells out.
I snap out of my trance and yell out yes.
As soon as I do, I feel myself lose control of my body. Then, my body began to move by itself, much faster than I'm used to.
I dodge to the left of the beast as it rammed towards me.
It ran into a tree, splitting it down the middle.
Fear digs deeper into my mind as I witness the ungodly strength of the beast, yet, my body moves with cold precision, as if its been in this situation countless time before.
I want to ask Liliana what she did but now didn't seem like the time. The beast roars in anger as it missed its target.
It began chasing after me whilst swiping its ginormous claws.
I barely dodge each claw while backing up. Suddenly, I hear Liliana's voice within my mind.
"When I activate my powers, you need to focus on the bear and the bear only. Understand?"
I'm confused but I hear the urgency in her voice, I follow her directions to a tee.
My body suddenly leaps into the air, higher than the beast in front of me and I push my legs into the giant tree behind me and I fling forward past the beast.
I feel my body gracefully twist and contort in the air, it felt so natural even though I've never done anything close to this.
I land behind the beast and I feel the ring on my hand vibrate.
"This is it!" I hear Liliana yell.
As her voice rings through my mind, I focus on the bear-like creature.
I focus on its glowing claws, its deafening roar -- every single detail about the animal I picture in my mind.
Suddenly, I feel the ring release an intense energy.
I see the beast begin to turn around to attack me once again.
However, he never made it fully around, as his body withered away before he could face me.