Three days ago, we asked our parent's permission to go hunting with Lupel, my father. Now here we are at my house preparing to leave.
Lupel questioned. "Alright kids, before we go do you remember what I oriented to you just earlier?"
We both replied. "Yes." In addition, I said. "Father, you mustn't forget your promise."
He nodded at me while Zia was left in confusion, but she didn't bother to ask.
"You guys take care~" Lilia bid us farewell with Ube and mush.
We walked in the direction of the town. There, people always greeted Lupel, Me and Zia were just quiet while walking; we would exchange glances whenever someone greeted Lupel, though. We already walked for a while we already passed the market, library and the smiths stores yet we aren't passed the town yet so it must be pretty big. Although I have lived here for seven years, this is the only time I have traveled this far. Finally, we are out of town; where we are going isn't where Lupel usually hunts because he frequently hunts fat-horned bunny than deers. And about what Lupel promised me, it's not something serious. I made him promise me that he'll take us first to see where the deers live since my main reason for requesting this trip is just to see the deers. As for the details-
"We're entering the forest; you both focus. We've discussed the drill." As Lupel started to walk really silently. The drills that Lupel is talking about are; if we meet a monster, we are to hide with the covering-spell formula, walk quietly, don't kill unnecessarily, and run if we ever run to a demon. We walked, and It's been quite some distance from when we entered the forest.
"Zeal, Zia come here." He says as he raises his arms, inviting us to go see what he is looking at. At last, we're at the deer's habitat; they're living at a center of a clearing where the sun shines. This is where I observed if my conclusion is correct. I squint my eyes in an attempt to get a more detailed look.
"So Zeal, are you done?" Lupel asked.
I answered uninterested while still looking at the deers. "No, not yet." I sneakily walk away to get a closer look at the deers.
"Zeal why are we looking at the deers? we can hunt them outside of their habitat there's no need to scout them." ... "Zeal?" as Lupel looked around but didn't find Zeal.
"Uncle where did Zeal go?" Zia asks while looking around too.
Lupel replied to Zia and suggested. "Damn that kid, don't worry Zia. He'll be fine on his own, let's go outside where we can see the deers run out."
Zia nodded and followed Lupel out. As for me, I managed to find a spot where I could look at the deers closer and clearer. I observed them from here.
"What is this... this is unbelievable." I chuckled. What I saw was neither impressive nor nonsense; it was that some of the deer didn't emit mana, some are full of them, some only on the antlers, and some only emits a vague amount of mana.
"This has been helpful; with this- I got a good grasp of where and who can have mana among animals, including monsters, friendly or non-friendly.
"A chill...!? this isn't... this.. chill.. icy cold... someone is looking at me.. oozing with bloodlust. Danger.. I got to.. RUN.. I.. can't move my feet.." ( It's like getting frozen starting on my feet. )
"Damn it... Move... MOVE!!!" I stood up with all my strength trembling; the deers took notice of me and ran.
( No matter, this isn't important right now. I must use all my strength to get out of here. )
A voice.. whispered to my mind. "Hey.." A voice that could render me to stop moving. However, it didn't stop me. I kept going at my own pace to run; I was out of breath.
It's like I practiced my sword a thousand times. Again.. this thing is hitting me with its gaze again... I don't know if I can shout for help.. is this where I die..? No, I just started my journey in a more fulfilling world... it can't end like this. I bit my lip as hard as I could; I then faced where the stare was coming from while backing up.
I still can't move my mouth to say a single word; I can't call for help yet! It was weird maybe it was the adrenaline of feeling near death, but I can feel where it's staring. Everything was slow; I could see the figure from afar, I am seeing multiple images in my head... what... what is this..?
Unconsciously, I moved my body downwards. As soon as I did this, I saw a sword fly right where my face was standing a moment ago. I continued to run away from it; I could move my mouth I had my voice back! I realized and shouted. "HELP!!!"
The pressure from the gaze just felt heavier; I struggled more to move my body. However, that didn't stop me. I gritted my teeth and continued my effort to run. Again my body moved unconsciously, throwing the sword at my waist towards the gaze as I continued to run. I heard the clashing of metals sounds.
I was near where Lupel and I decided to meet if he ever lost sight of me. I'm sure he is there. He should be!
At this moment, Zeal didn't know, but the adrenaline was nearing its end; in just a few moments, his body would stop moving, but at the speed he was running, he would most likely slide and fall with his momentum.
I feel like I'm about to fall; this can't be it. I need just a little more.
Moments before Zeal shouts for help, Lupel felt something is wrong, after all, he has good intuitions. Lupel then activated the covering spell formula and applied it to Zia.
"Uncle? Where are you going? What's wrong? why did you activate this uncle?" she asks as Zia is distressed by what Lupel is doing.
"You need to stay here Zia, I won't be able to bear to explain to Elioth if you too get lost in here." Lupel replied worriedly.
"HELP!!!"
Both exclaimed. "Zeal!" as they looked at each other.
"That was Zeal, Uncle let me come! please!" Zia asks of Lupel. Lupel looked at Zia and started to head to where the calling voice of Zeal was.
"Uncle!!!"
At the present time. "I'm losing strength... I can't go on.. anymore.."
Zeal fell and rolled due to him running too fast.
"What's this.. I can't feel anything.. Am... I... dead?"
"A human.." [unknown voice]
"Someone is whispering something.. got to.. hear.."
"This is good.." [unknown voice]
"This voice.. I know.. this.. voice.. dream?.. losing consciousness.. oh no..."
Zeal lost consciousness...
[ BLOOD WEAPONS these weapons were crafted by the best smiths in the era of war. People get them when they reach ten years old through the town square ceremony. They say that because they are from the era of war they gained consciousness throughout the years and picks their own bearers. ]
Wild winds blew, the trees were in chaos, the forest animals were trembling, the air condensed, the clouds opened, and one crimson light was seen in the sky.
"You who was chosen must bear what I have seen, have been through, have experienced. As you grow I will get stronger. To slay the damned ruler of the Unda Meda. Stand tall, stand high, and call out my name!"
Zeal stood and shouted.
"VINCU OCULUS!"