Chapter 2: The Challenge
He had been walking for days, facing dangers and difficulties, obstacles and ordeals. He had seen no signs of life, no traces of hope, no hints of change. He had only encountered enemies, traps, and threats. He had fought, escaped, or survived them as best as he could. He had suffered injuries, hunger, thirst, and exhaustion. He had endured pain, fear, anger, and despair.
He wondered if he would ever find a place where he could rest, heal, and relax. He wondered if he would ever meet someone who would not try to kill him, rob him, or enslave him. He wondered if he would ever feel something other than emptiness, loneliness, and hopelessness.
He doubted it.
He came to a mountain range that blocked his way. He decided to climb it, hoping to find a better route or a hidden passage. He gathered his strength and courage and began his ascent.
He climbed for hours, using his skills and tools, his sword and dagger, his cloak and rope. He faced steep slopes, sharp rocks, loose gravel, and narrow ledges. He felt the cold wind, the hot sun, the dry air, and the thin oxygen. He heard the echoes of his breaths, his heartbeats, his footsteps, and his curses.
He reached the top of the mountain and looked around. He saw nothing but more mountains, more rocks, more sky. He felt nothing but disappointment, frustration, exhaustion.
He cursed again.
He sat down on a flat rock and took out his water flask. He drank some water and ate some dried meat. He checked his wounds and bandaged them with some cloth. He rested his head on his backpack and closed his eyes.
He tried to sleep.
He heard a voice.
He opened his eyes and saw a figure standing in front of him. It was a woman.
She was tall and slender, with long black hair and pale skin. She wore a dress of white silk and a cloak of blue velvet. She had a sword on her hip and a bow on her back. She had green eyes, red lips, and a beautiful face.
She spoke to him.
"Hello there, stranger. I hope you don't mind me interrupting you. It's not often I see someone like you in a place like this."
He did not answer. He did not know what to say.
She continued.
"My name is Lila. I'm a traveler, a seeker, a wanderer. I've been exploring this world for a long time, looking for something that might challenge me or thrill me. I've seen many things, many people, many wonders. But nothing has ever tested my skills or aroused my senses like you have."
He blinked. He did not know what to think.
She smiled.
"You're probably wondering who I am, where I come from, and what I want. Well, I'll tell you. I'm not from this world. I'm from another one. A different one. A world where there is no peace, no harmony, no order. A world where there is war, violence, chaos. A world where there is magic, danger, and adventure."
He frowned. He did not know if he should believe her.
She nodded.
"I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true. I'm not human. I'm something else. Something more. Something different. I'm a faerie."
He gasped. He did not know if he should be amazed or terrified.
She laughed.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to harm you or trick you or enslave you. I'm here to challenge you and teach you and guide you. I'm here to offer you something that you've been missing all your life. Something that you've never found in this world. Something that only I can give you."
He tensed. He did not know if he should be curious or suspicious.
She leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear.
"I'm here to offer you peace of mind."