I had not yet felt the blow against the ground and I stopped feeling the wind as well.
-Am I dead? Did I die before I even touched the ground? – I thought in fear.
I was still screaming, so I couldn't be dead.
-O...Hey...Are you okay? - I could hear a girl's voice near me. I stopped screaming, stretched my body a little and opened my eyes to see who it was.
It was a girl and very pretty. Her skin was white, her eyes were red and seemed to glow, and her hair was a shade darker than her eyes. She was wearing a white dress with many red ornaments a little bit tight that made her body stand out, it came a little above her knees but she had stockings that covered her legs, it seemed a little weird but she had on white and red boots that matched everything. All that made me think she was a 16 year old girl, a year younger than me, but her clothes made me think she was cosplaying.
-Are you okay? What are you doing here? – She asked as she came a little closer.
-Well... I... this... – I tried to speak, but my brain couldn't process everything because of fear.
I paid a little more attention and I could see a sword hanging on the side of his waist. Again fear took hold of me, I jumped up and started to run.
-I'm sorry!!! – Was all I could say as I ran and more tears streamed down my face.
I realized I was now in a forest, but it wasn't fast enough. A branch appeared in front of me and I couldn't dodge it. The blow was so hard that it made me lose consciousness.
It was a while before I could finally open my eyes. The first thing I saw was the blue sky with a few clouds through the treetops.
The girl I had seen earlier was leaning over, looking worriedly at me. I wanted to get up and run away again, but she put her hands on my chest and prevented me from getting up.
-You mustn't move yet, the blow you took was too hard! – His voice was soft and warm, it didn't sound like he was scolding me.
-Please... don't kill me – were the only words that came out of my mouth.
-Kill you? Why would I want to? – She tilted her face to the side, confused.
I was sure she wasn't with the people who had chased me, or at least I hadn't seen her, but that old man had ordered them to kill me and she, apparently, wasn't going to do it.
-Who... Who are you? Where am I? – I asked confused.
-Heee? My name is Sayuri Kirishima. You're in the East Meadow, near the Syrph forest. Don't you remember how you got here? Do you remember your name? - she was worried.
Her way of speaking was strange, it didn't seem to be Japanese or Spanish, but I could understand what she was saying. Other than that, she seemed to be worried about me.
-Maybe it's not a good idea to tell her my real name, at least not for now. But what can I use? – I thought trying to understand the situation.
-My name... my name is Soji... Kurata... My name is Soji Kurata – I said trying to sound convincing.
-I hope she doesn't watch that much anime or she will notice the name – I thought while looking at her.
-So... Kurata, how did you show up here? – She asked me.
-Well, there were a lot of people chasing me, so... How did I appear here? What do you mean by that? I jumped from the temple over there – I said pointing to where I thought Kiyomizu-dera was, but there was nothing there, only forest and after that there seemed to be a large meadow. I looked in all directions, but there was no sign of the temple.
-Temple? There has never been a temple in this area – she answered.
-But... I was there. The statue of Seiryu... Kiyomizu-dera... Kyoto... – I said trying to remember.
-I don't understand what you're trying to say. Seiryu was supposed to be a guardian, but he died many centuries ago. But answer me, how did you appear here? You don't seem to be able to use a teleportation spell, but there was a very strong light and then you were on the ground screaming – she said, she seemed to be thinking about something.
His explanation only made me feel even more lost.
-Spell? A strong light and then I appeared? I must have hit my head when I fell and now I'm in a coma in the hospital and this is just a dream – I thought as I touched my head.
My mind took the most obvious and simple answer, but if this was a dream, it was the most vivid dream I had ever had. I could feel the grass on my hands, the air touching my skin, the smell of the grass and Sayuri's subtle perfume.
-If you feel better already, then we'd better move to the city. Soon it will start to get dark and the monsters will become more dangerous – she said looking around us.
-Monsters? Yes, this is definitely a dream – I thought when I heard that word.
-By the way. A while ago I hit myself so hard that I fainted, but it doesn't hurt at all – I said realizing that.
-It's because I used healing magic on you. You should be able to walk without any problem now. Let's hurry to get to the city before it gets dark – said Sayuri worried.
She stood up and held out her hand to help me to my feet. I hesitated for a moment if I could trust her. Sure, she was cute and had taken care of me while I was unconscious, plus she had no intention of killing me. But if this was a dream, shouldn't she be someone I already knew?
I had a lot of doubts, but I couldn't get her to answer all my questions. Finally I took her hand, it was not as soft as I had imagined, and I could notice that some parts were hard, maybe because of using that sword.
-Yes, let's go – I said trying to sound confident.
We walked for more than an hour through the meadow and it seemed that it would not end soon. It was very hot, so I had taken off my jacket and put it in my backpack.
-Hey, how big is this meadow? – I asked tiredly.
-mmm... it's pretty big, to cross it completely it takes 6 hours and walking at a good pace. Luckily we were in an area that is less than half that. I think that in a little more than an hour we will reach the city – Sayuri answered me.
-Then we still have a long way to go... by the way, you said that the monsters become more dangerous, but so far I haven't seen any – I said a little relieved.
-That's because it's still a bit early. But it's strange that we haven't found a single one. This area is known for having a lot of low-level monsters, so a lot of beginners come this way. Come to think of it... we haven't seen anyone else either – she said a little worried.
-I was thinking of asking you that too. But if that's the case, something weird must be going on – I said as I started to worry about Sayuri's attitude.
-Yes, this gives me a bad feeling. Hey, tell me something, do you have any weapon under those strange clothes? – she asked while pointing at me.
-Strange clothes? No, I don't have anything, not even a knife – I answered immediately.
This was strange. I could talk to Sayuri very easily, without getting nervous. I didn't find it hard to talk to girls, but it didn't feel natural, but with her it was the opposite.
-That's a problem, if we are attacked by a group of monsters I won't be able to defend us both... but I have an idea – said Sayuri.
She untied a strap she had around her waist, it was the same color as her dress and that's why I hadn't seen it. She took something from behind her hip and handed it to me. From the size and shape it must have been a dagger.
-With this you will be able to defend yourself, it's short range and it's light, but you can use it," she said as she handed me the dagger.
-Tha… Thank you – I said.
I took the dagger and tied it on my belt, on the right side of my waist.
-You do know how to use it, don't you? – she asked curiously.
-Shit, of course I don't! I've only seen how they use it in anime... Maybe I should try it – I thought while I saw the beautiful shape of the dagger, not only the handle had some symbols engraved on it, also the blade had them.
I took the hilt of the dagger, not as if I were going to take a sword, but the opposite. But I couldn't hold it properly, I put it back in its sheath and took it, this time in a normal way.
-So you can use it even though it will take a while to take it out, you have to have it out or you won't be able to... – said Sayuri getting a little closer.
Before she could finish speaking, I pulled the dagger as fast as I could out of its sheath, making an arcing motion in front of me. I had crouched down a bit and took the opportunity to cross my arms in front of me, with the crimson colored dagger in front of me. A battle pose I had seen in an anime.
Sayuri looked a little surprised.
-I hadn't seen that move, but it's pretty cool. Although it looks like it's not very natural for you. What kind of weapon did you use before? – She asked even more curious.
-Actually... I don't think any – I told her calmly.
-It doesn't seem so, but... – She stopped in mid-sentence. She seemed nervous and looked in all directions.
-I guess our luck ran out. If you weren't used to using a gun, you'd better do it soon. We're surrounded – she said as she gripped the hilt of her sword.
I didn't know what he meant, until I turned around. Around us were people? No, they were very small. Also their skin was green and their ears were pointed, their eyes were small and I could feel the bloodlust in them.
-Go...go... Goblins? – I asked scared.
-Yes, there are about 12 of them – she answered.
-And... What do we do? – I asked even more scared.
-Well, fight, that's obvious. I'll take care of most of them, you cover me with that dagger. I hate to admit it, but I'm not that good with this sword – she answered me.
I was in the worst situation I could have imagined, but I couldn't look like a coward, at least not that much, even if it was a dream.
-Yes... I... will... cover for you – I tried to look calm, but the fear made me want to run away.
-Okay, if you can kill at least 2 you can keep the dagger – she told me.
-What? – I asked confused.
But she didn't answer, she just went on the attack, drawing her sword.
She cut in half the first goblin in front of her, then the second one she cut off an arm and the third one she decapitated. Goblin blood flew all over the place, it was grotesque, but fascinating.
-Should I really cover for her? She seems to have everything under control... – I thought when I saw her fighting.
At that instant a goblin dodged her sword, while another one ran towards her with its claws ready, but she was able to dodge it with a leap.
-When do you plan to fight?! – Sayuri shouted angrily.
Her shout woke me up. Two goblins were running towards me, I was able to dodge the first one, but the second one managed to bury its claws in my leg. Pain ran through my body and then I could feel the blood coming out of the wound.
-This is not a dream! This pain cannot be in a dream! – I thought as I felt the pain.
My brain didn't have time to search for an explanation, right now I was in danger.
I had never been in a fight like this before, not against someone who wanted to kill me and I had to kill him to survive, let alone using a weapon.
I kept dodging the two goblins, but they had already given me a couple of wounds.
-At this point I'll be finished! Think, think about how to fight! – I said to myself.
I remembered the anime I had seen, in more than one I had used daggers but it had never occurred to me to use one. But I had to try.
A few minutes had passed and I still couldn't get rid of the two goblins, but I was tired of looking like a fool. I managed to kick one using all my strength and managed to lift it off the ground, the fact that they were small helped a lot. Before it hit the ground, I launched a slash and was able to cut its throat.
Blood began to flow immediately, making me nauseous. But I shouldn't think about that, the other goblin was already very close. I bent down and grabbed him by the neck, I stabbed him to the ground and stabbed him until I saw that he was dead.
I turned to see Sayuri, she seemed to be having trouble with the last 4 goblins left. I ran towards her, using the strange wave of courage that had surged in me.
A goblin jumped behind her, but before he could touch her I stabbed him in the head using both hands, the blow was very strong, so much so that his body hit the ground and the dagger came out of him.
Somehow I turned to dodge another goblin and stabbed the dagger into his back. I didn't know if he was dead, but I grabbed his hand and threw it at the other two goblins, making them lose their balance. At that instant Sayuri ran towards them and with a single slash cut them in half.
She looked a little tired. She let out a long sigh and then wiped the sweat from her forehead with her hand as she turned to look at me.
-That was impressive, if a little scary. You say you haven't used a weapon, but you have a very fierce way of fighting – she said in surprise.
-Very... fierce? – I asked fearfully, the wave of courage gone.
I saw my hands, they were stained with blood, even my arms were stained with blood and the dagger was still dripping. I lost my strength and the dagger fell to the ground. I was nauseous and dizzy. I was afraid of what I had done.
I turned to look at the goblin bodies and it only made everything worse. I fell to my knees on the ground, I was panicking.
-I... I did this?! I killed those four?! - I said in my mind, I was horrified by the scene.
-Are you okay?! React, what's wrong with you?! – she asked worriedly.
She knelt down in front of me, grabbed my shoulders and shook me.
-I... I killed them... I killed them – I said terrified.
-Is that why? I guess it's your first time doing it... – His tone was lowering little by little. He let go of my shoulders and grabbed my hands – Listen... You did it because I had no other choice and you know it. If you didn't kill them they would kill you. That's what they do, they find a defenseless person, kill them and then... devour them. That's why we shouldn't hesitate or feel guilty for doing this, besides....
I looked up and saw his face. He had a beautiful smile, it made me regain a little calm and my confidence.
-Besides...? – I asked
-You helped me... no, you saved me from that goblin. If it hadn't been for you, I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to handle so many of them attacking me at the same time. So... thank you – she said with a cheerful tone.
-But... you helped me first, you even gave me this dagger... I'm the one who should thank you – I said that while I leaned forward.
-It's true that I gave you my dagger, but you wielded it and protected me, without hesitating for a single second. So don't hesitate or feel guilty – she said.
I could not understand her words well. I only felt her let go of my hands and stood up.
-Let's keep walking before another group of goblins shows up. But first we must heal those cuts you have. Stand up – she said as she looked around.
-Ok – was all I could say.
I got up as she said, but I was in a lot of pain. She bent down and put her hands in front of where the cuts were. I heard her whisper something, until she raised her voice.
-Quick Healing.
The instant she said that, her hands glowed a little and the pain in my leg disappeared. She got up and did the same with the scratches she had.
-What was that? – I asked in surprise.
-It's healing magic, although it's very basic. At the moment I can only use this one, but if I can learn to use some other element besides fire, I'm sure I'll be able to use more powerful healing magic – she said as she finished healing her wounds.
-Besides fire? I would like to ask you many things, but I'd better do it when we are in a safer place – I said trying not to sound cowardly.
-The city is the safest place, at least against monsters. There we can talk a bit while we eat something. Although first I have to go to the guild to report that I accomplished the mission, I also have to report about these goblins... - she said while she turned to look at me a little confused - I guess you don't know what I'm talking about – she said.
-Hee... well... no – I said while scratching my head.
-I'll explain you about the guild once we enter the city, but I'll tell you this, you have to enter the guild if you want to get a reward for killing those four goblins – She said in a serious tone, it was the first time I heard her like that.
-All right, but let's go. I don't want to meet another group like that – I said while looking around.
-I don't either, besides, the later it gets, and the stronger monsters will appear – said Sayuri.