**Tatiana's perspective**
Our long and strenuous journey was marked by an endless march through an expansive, tangled maze of the dense forest. The weather was harsh and merciless, yet the cold was somewhat abated by the large, looming lust trees that spanned the entirety of our view, their broad leaves casting a comforting shade. Although the conditions were tough, we found solace under the dense umbrella of the forest, protected from the relentless and unforgiving sun.
My endurance had begun to falter, each step I took felt like a monumental task. The countless miles we had covered were taking their toll on my body, my pace noticeably slowing. I could feel my strength waning, my muscles screaming in protest. I couldn't help but break the pressing silence, hoping to reassure my anxious mind, "Mr. Kobold, how much further do we need to go?"
Lady Sakuya, with her sharp intuition and keen perception, immediately picked up on my distress. She cast me a worried glance, her voice gentle and comforting as she asked, "Tatiana, are you doing alright? I know this journey has been anything but easy."
Torn between my pride and the pressing need for a rest, I chose to put on a brave face. I didn't want to appear weak, didn't want to be a burden to Lady Sakuya. I managed to squeeze out a response, "I can still keep going. We're close to our destination, aren't we?"
Without skipping a beat, Mr. Kobold reassured me, "Yes, we're close. It won't be much longer now." His gaze was unwavering, his steps steady and sure as he continued to lead us through the winding forest paths.
Suddenly, a thoughtful silence fell over Lady Sakuya. Her gaze drifted into the distance as she murmured almost to herself, "Something doesn't add up." Her words, quiet and cryptic, hung heavily in the chilled forest air.
Intrigued and somewhat confused, I sought clarification, "What do you mean, Lady Sakuya? What doesn't add up?"
She turned to face me, her eyes clouded with thought and curiosity. "We've walked a significant part of this forest, yet there's been no sign of the guardian. Its complete absence... it's almost eerie. It's as if it doesn't exist."
Her statement resonated with my own thoughts. The guardian's absence was indeed puzzling, unsettling even.
She suddenly turned to me, her gaze serious yet encouraging. "Tatiana, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. What do you make of the situation?"
Taken by surprise, I tried to gather my thoughts. I stuttered, "Could it be that... the guardian is somewhere deep within the forest? Maybe it's resting or staying out of sight? But then again, my understanding of this forest's geography is quite limited."
Lady Sakuya nodded in understanding, "That's a plausible explanation. It's a perspective worth considering."
The weight of our conversation, the gravity of our situation, overwhelmed me. I let out a deep sigh.
Just then, Mr. Kobold's voice cut through the silence like a sharp knife, "We're here!" He gestured towards a small, inconspicuous cave tucked away amidst the thick greenery.
The sight of the cave took me by surprise. I mumbled, "A cave? Is this where we're supposed to be?"
With a gleam of excitement and a trace of apprehension in his eyes, Mr. Kobold replied, "Yes, this is my lair. We need to proceed with caution."
As we drew closer to the cave's entrance, a strong, repulsive smell hit me. It was so intense that my head started spinning. I instinctively covered my nose, trying to block out the stench.
Seeing my discomfort, Lady Sakuya reassured me, "Tatiana, don't push yourself too hard. If you're not feeling well, it's alright to step back."
Feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me, I muttered an apology, "I'm sorry for causing trouble, Lady Sakuya."
She simply smiled warmly, "You're not causing any trouble, Tatiana. It's my responsibility to look after you."
As Lady Sakuya and Mr. Kobold made their way into the cave, I chose to remain outside. I used this moment of respite to catch my breath and gather my thoughts. But the tranquility didn't last long.
A series of terrified screams echoed from within the cave, "WAAH!!! BOSS, PLEASE DON'T DESTROY EVERYTHING!!" The sounds of destruction and chaos filled the air, causing my heart to pound in fear. What on earth was happening inside?
Suddenly, Mr. Kobold came dashing out of the cave, out of breath and clearly terrified. He was pale and his eyes were wide with fear. Clearly, something had occurred inside the cave that had completely spooked him.
After Mr. Kobold's abrupt exit, an elderly kobold hobbled out of the cave, surprisingly calm and composed. He greeted me with a warm smile, "Oh my, oh my, so this must be the beautiful Lady Tatiana…"
His demeanor and politeness caught me off guard. It contradicted the stories and descriptions I'd heard of kobolds. This elderly kobold was a far cry from the intimidating and muscular creatures depicted in tales.
Regaining my composure, I turned to Lady Sakuya for answers, "What just happened in there?"
Mr. Kobold chimed in, still visibly shaken, "The elder you just saw was once full of life and vigor, but the boss beat him down to near death. It was as if the very essence of life was drained from him, leaving him weak and frail."
Listening to his account, I was filled with a sense of dread, realizing the tremendous power that Lady Sakuya possessed.
We took a moment to recover from the ordeal and gather our thoughts. The Elder Kobold began to recount the recent struggles that had befallen the forest.
"Conflict is natural among the creatures of the forest," he started. "But one night, a human army invaded our territory, and their intrusion resulted in the guardian falling under a mysterious curse."
His voice was tinged with sorrow as he continued, "For three consecutive days, the guardian unleashed its rage, sparing no creature in its path. The once teeming wildlife was decimated, and our once fertile land became barren."
I leaned in, absorbing every word he said, and asked, "What became of the guardian after its destructive rampage?"
The elder replied with a hint of melancholy, "It retreated and took refuge in the sanctuary located opposite the northern road."
Lady Sakuya chimed in thoughtfully, "That would explain why travelers have been unable to pass through the forest."
A plan began to take shape in my mind. "So, our mission is to convince the guardian to return, right? If we succeed, the forest can begin to heal."
A heavy silence settled over us as Lady Sakuya fell into deep contemplation.
However, the Elder's next words sent a shiver down my spine. "I must admit, I once tried to confront the guardian," he confessed, his voice trembling with fear. "But the power it possessed, fueled by the curse, was beyond my grasp. Another encounter would surely lead to my demise. The curse has only made the guardian stronger."
Yet, in the Elder's eyes, there was a glimmer of hope as he looked at Lady Sakuya. "But with your strength, Lady Sakuya, you might just stand a chance against the guardian."
Nervously, I tried to inject some humor into the situation, "Ahaha…, I suppose it'll be alright, won't it?" It was a feeble attempt to lighten the mood, but deep down, we all understood the gravity of our task.
"We should get moving now that we know where it is," Lady Sakuya declared, her voice firm and resolute.
"Allow me to guide you, Boss," Mr. Kobold offered eagerly.
"I already know the way, your assistance isn't required," Lady Sakuya replied dismissively, turning to Mr. Kobold.
As we prepared to set off, the Elder approached me with a request, "Lady Tatiana, may I have a moment of your time?"
With our destination looming closer and the impending confrontation with the guardian ahead, I turned to face the Elder, ready to hear his words of wisdom.
**Lamia's Perspective**
"Well, isn't this just perfect?" I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes in exasperation. They had left me alone in the middle of this verdant forest, tasked with taking care of an unusual creature. This wasn't just any ordinary animal, mind you. No, it was what they referred to as a 'steed.' A horse-like creature, its silken mane gleaming under the dappled forest light, eyes glinting with intelligence far beyond an ordinary animal.
But here's the kicker - who on earth had a steed like this in a forest? It was absurd! With its long legs and broad frame, it seemed more suited for vast, open pastures, not the restricted confines of a thick woodland.
"Nighed!!"
Startled by the sudden outburst, I took a step back. The creature snorted, shaking its head as if irritated by my ramblings. "Whoa, whoa, calm down!" I exclaimed, raising my hands in a placating gesture. "I don't mean any harm. Please don't turn hostile...or worse, decide to make a meal out of me! Uhhh, I'm terrified," I admitted.
"Nighe..."
"Food?" I blinked, comprehension dawning on me. "You want food? Do you eat fruits? I mean, I've seen a few lying around here, probably fallen from trees nearby. Hold on, let me fetch some."
I quickly retrieved a couple of ripe fruits, offering them to the creature with slight hesitation. To my relief, it accepted the peace offering with a pleased whinny.
"Nighe..."
"You're welcome, I suppose. But seriously, why do you only say a few words?" I frowned, puzzled by the creature's limited vocabulary. It was almost like trying to hold a conversation with a toddler.
"Nighe!!"
"Oh, your master taught you to speak like this?" I exclaimed in disbelief. "But...but that's no way to communicate! It's no wonder you're not making many friends."
The creature merely snorted in response, almost as if it was mocking me.
I huffed in annoyance, crossing my arms over my chest. "Now you're just being rude! And for your information, I might not have many friends either, but that's because I choose quality over quantity!" I defended, cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
The truth of the matter was, I had always been something of a loner. Socializing never came naturally to me, and I found it easier to keep to myself. But explaining this to a horse-like creature? It was both hilarious and absurd at the same time.
"Tatiana, please come back already!" I pleaded aloud, despite knowing she was far away and couldn't hear me. I was out of my depth here, trying to make small talk with this...steed. It was safe to say, I was in desperate need of rescue from this awkward 'conversation.'
-Chapter 17 End-