A faint tap on my skin jolted me awake. I blinked, trying to focus, but there was no one around.
I sat up slowly, taking in the scene around me. My gaze fell on the massive wolf, lying dead just inches from my side, its lifeless body drenched in blood.
My clothes were torn to shreds, soaked with both my blood and the wolf's. I instinctively reached for the slash on my back, the one that had nearly killed me the night before, but to my shock, the wound was gone.
"How can this be?" I muttered, running my hand over smooth, unscarred skin.
I leaped to my feet, feeling lighter than I had ever felt before. Strength surged through my limbs, a strange sense of vitality coursing through me. I stared at my hands, flexing them, marveling at how powerful they felt.
"Is this even my body?" I whispered to myself, as disbelief settled in. Every part of me felt... different. Alive.
But before I could contemplate further, my stomach growled loudly, a reminder that I hadn't eaten in days.
I strapped my sword across my back, deciding to find food. As I wandered through the dense forest, the sight of a small clearing caught my eye.
In the middle stood a field of apple trees, their branches heavy with bright, ripe fruit.
"Apples? Out here?" I muttered, puzzled by the sight. Who could possibly be growing these in the middle of the wilderness?
The apples glistened in the sunlight, red and tempting. My mouth watered at the sight, and my stomach growled louder in anticipation. Without a second thought, I rushed towards the tree, stretching my hand to pluck one.
I bit into the fruit eagerly, expecting sweetness. Instead, an overwhelming bitterness flooded my mouth.
"Ugh! What the—" I spat the bite out, disgusted. The apple tasted like poison.
Frustration bubbled up inside me.
"What kind of cursed apples are these?" I growled, throwing the rotten fruit to the ground. The bitterness clung to my tongue, making my hunger feel even worse.
I cursed under my breath, glaring at the tree as if it had betrayed me, and stormed off, desperate to find something edible.
Just as I was pushing through the forest, the ground suddenly gave way beneath me.
"Ahhhhh" I gasped as I was yanked into the air.
A massive net trap ensnared me, lifting me off the forest floor like a helpless animal. I struggled against the thick ropes, thrashing about in vain as the net tightened around me.
"Who the hell sets traps in the middle of nowhere?" I muttered, dangling in the air, trapped like prey
I looked around, trying to see if anyone was near, my mind racing. How could I have been so careless?
"Gottcha!" A shrill, almost comical voice echoed from the shadows.
From behind the trees emerged a short, grotesque figure, followed by a gang of equally bizarre-looking creatures.
They were so ugly that to call them humans would be a compliment. Their features were twisted and exaggerated, as if they'd been plucked from a nightmare.
They walked zig-zag like houseflies, giggling in an unsettling sound as they walked
"Look what we have here!" one of the creatures cackled, its crooked teeth gleaming in the dim light.
Their laughter echoed through the trees. I felt like poking my ears with my fingers so I wouldn't hear them laugh again.
GBAMM!
The guard dropped me unceremoniously to the ground, my body hitting the dirt with a painful thud.
Before I could pop out our heads, the creatures had their spears and swords pressed against my throat.
I raised my hand to show submission.
"I come in peace!" I shouted, trying to ease the situation.
"Peace?" the dwarf mocked, his laughter bubbling up from his throat.
His lips curled into a sneer, his breath foul as he spat on me.
It definitely sucked to be me.
"Stand up!" the dwarf barked.
I struggled to my feet, wiggling from the net wrapped on my body. The moment I stood, I towered over the dwarf, his beady eyes narrowed.
"Kneel!" he screeched, clearly displeased with my height difference against him.
I knelt.
The dwarf's guards shoved me forward, leading me into a cave that was dimly lit by flickering torches. At first, the cave seemed primitive, like something out of the Stone Age, but as I ventured deeper, the walls glittered with streaks of gold and gemstones embedded in the rock. It was an underground treasure trove, the air thick with the metallic scent of gold.
The dwarf let out a delighted squeal, his hands reaching greedily for the gold coins that lay scattered on the floor.
"What is he, drunk with gold?" I muttered under my breath, eyeing the dwarf with disgust.
The deeper we went, the more impressive the cave became. Stacks of gold, rubies, emeralds, and every precious gem I could not name lined the walls. It was more wealth than I had ever seen in my life.
This dwarf wasn't just ugly for nothing—he was real wealthy.
As I arrived, they threw me into a wooden cage, a slight improvement from the net, but captivity nonetheless.
One of the guards snatched my sword from behind me.
The guards proceeded to rummage through my body, his eyes lighting up when he pulled out my golden royal seal.
His face twisted into a greedy smile as he presented it to the dwarf, who was now seated on a throne far too large for his small frame.
The dwarf's eyes sparkled with excitement as he touched the royal seal, his fingers trembling with glee.
"Hehehe…" He laughed. " So you came to steal my gold!" he accused, his eyes narrowing as he stared at me with suspicion.
Still traumatized by the spit.
"I didn't come for your gold," I said, forcing myself to speak calmly. "I come in peace."
The dwarf's eyes darted toward me, his lips curling into a sneer.
"What is all this Peace, Peace talk?" He leaned closer, his face inches from mine. "Just tell me, if not my gold, what did you come to steal?"
I hesitated, unsure of what to say. But before I could come up with an answer, a figure stepped into the cave hall.
She looked so ethereal, her snowy white hair flowing behind her as she walked toward us. The dwarf's face lit up at the sight of her, his posture straightening as if he were in the presence of royalty.
I watched her closely, as she inclined her head toward the dwarf.
"I caught him in the bitter apple field. He came to steal my gold!" the dwarf declared triumphantly, as if he were presenting evidence in a trial. "Tell me, tell me he is a thief!"
The lady didn't respond immediately. Her expression remained unreadable as she approached where I was kept, her gaze scanning my face.
The guards opened the wooden cage to let me out, but still placed me in a kneeling position before her.
She placed her icy hands on my temples, her touch sending a shiver down my spine.
As she touched me, her dark brown eyes began to glow bright white as she delved into my thoughts. I could feel her lurking in my head. It felt so intrusive and uncomfortable.
Coldness washed over me, like being plunged into the heart of winter. My breath caught in my throat as her power overwhelmed me.
Then, just as suddenly as it began, she released me. A single tear escaped from her eye, though she wiped it away quickly before anyone else could notice.
"He did not come to steal your gold," she said, her voice soft but clear.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
"But…" she paused, her eyes lingering on me, "he came to steal something more."
The dwarf's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean? What did he come for?"
The icy cold lady didn't answer immediately, her gaze locked on mine.
"Uhn"