*scrunch*
Aster stepped on a twig as he was walking through the forest.
" I'm tired....So tired..." the words escaped his lips in a weary sigh. Hours of walking and walking had taken it's toll on Aster. His hands felt like unnecessary pieces of weight hanging from his shoulders and his legs felt like they break anytime.
Normal people might be in this state after walking the same time Aster had walked, but due to his illness, Aster's stamina was very low.
Even his backpack and sword, which he thought would be helpful, were now his worst enemies. The backpack, laden with food and supplies, felt like an anchor weighing him down. His sword, once a comforting presence in his hand, seemed to drag him down now.
But just when Aster thought his body would give out, God sent a glimmer of hope.
The brown giants in front of him parted, revealing a clearing. The open area stretched out before him, a haven from the endless sea of foliage.
Aster's eyes widened as he stumbled into the clearing.
" Hahhhhhh.." the breath left his lungs in a relieved exhalation.
He had finally found a place to rest, a place to call shelter. The clearing seemed pristine, untouched earth stretching out in every direction. No rocks, no mud, just pure unadulterated ground.
Aster dropped to his knees, piercing his sword through the ground to gain some support to stop himself from giving out.
He took out his bag and unzipped the zipper. He grasped his water bottle with his right hand, took it out, and chugged it.
" gulp, gulp, gulp, Phaaaa!! That's good! " Aster let out a refreshed exhale after downing the water through his mouth like a shot of beer.
He had placed a bet with himself that he would not drink water as long as he didn't find any shelter, a bet which he later regretted.
" Aghhh! F*ck it, I'm too tired to build a shelter. I'll just build a bonfire! " Aster reluctantly said.
.....
After building a shelter, 10:30 pm, a cold and chilly night.
" Now I can finally rest...." Aster said, standing while looking at the newly-built and burning bonfire in front of him.
His backpack and sword lay right beside him, placed within arm's reach.
As the fire crackled, Aster sank down beside it, his exhausted body grateful for the warmth. He held his cold and numb hands out, palms facing the flames, letting the heat seep into his chilled bones.
He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth seep through his hands, up his arms, and into his chest and into his very being, soothing his aching muscles.Aster's breathing slowed, his body relaxing as the heat washed over him.
For a moment he forgot about all his pains, the dungeon, and his worries about the monsters. All that existed was the warmth, the fire, and the darkness beyond. As the flames continued to dance, Aster's eyelids drooped, his head nodding forward. Sleep's pull was irresistible.
" yawn....Well, I guess it's time to sleep. "
Aster layed down on the ground, his bag serving as a pillow. He looked at the night stars, shining bright, and wondered about how they were never lonely.
*whooosh*
The chilly wind crossed Aster's cheeks, making him somewhat feel at peace.
" At least they're never lonely. Always surrounded by their own kind, never going against each other, and always shining in their own glow. Mom, you must be watching from above, aren't you? If you're watching me right now, I'm doing it. I'm doing what I always wanted. "
' But what about after you become Awakened? Will you keep killing monsters, stay on the front lines, keep avoiding people and live your life that way? ' The thought suddenly crossed Aster's mind.
He opened his eyes and looked to the beautiful, white stars twinkling once more.
" I don't f*cking know. Though if I had one wish, it would be for a white star like that to come in my life. I already know that's not possible, still. Hah....how I miss having my Mom. " Aster thoughtfully ranted out.
" Sleepy sleepy time. " Aster closed his eyes, being able to see only an endless, black void. He could still hear the fire crackling beside him, and night crickets chirping all around.
Aster inhaled deeply, the crisp, cold air filling his lungs. " Hoo...Haa..." he gently sighed, surrendering to the serenity of the forest.
*bushes rustle*
" Oh, great! An uninvited guest! I can't even have one moment of peace and quiet! Freaking morons! "
Aster sprang upright, sword at the ready, it's obsidian blade gliniting in the firelight as he faced the bushes, ready to face whatever came out.
His eyes scanned the dark bushes unaffected by the fire's light. Just then, his gaze landed upon....a tiny ball of fluff?!
" What in the name of hair is that? A freaking cat? No way. Cats don't exist inside dungeons. " he raised his left hand in a denying gesture.
He was wrong. *bushes rustle*
As Aster stood prepared, a small, black kitten with bright red eyes peeked from behind the bushes. It's fluffy fur was matted, but it's tiny, sliver of a nose twitched as it tilted it's head, looking at Aster.
" Umm, well, uh, that's a kitten alright. " Aster said in relief. But he didn't let his guard down.
" Shoo! Shoo! Little ball of fluff! Shoo! " Aster tried to drive the kitten away by waving his hand up and down.
" Mew...." It looked at Aster, tilting it's head with it's sparkling crimson eyes.
" Oh man! Don't look at me in a cute way like that! Stop! Go away! " Aster hurriedly tried to drive away the cat.
" But, uh....fine! I'll give you a treat! Then you have to go away! " Aster crossed his arms and hesitantly said out loud.
Aster's gaze dropped to the ground, where his black backpack lay waiting. He strode over, bent down, and grasped the familiar straps. Standing the bag upright, he unzipped it.
Reaching his inside, his fingers closed around a small, blue box. He pulled it out, revealing an oroe biscuit pack. The vibrant blue packaging stood out against the dull forest surroundings and the burning bonfire.
*rrrippp*, He teared open the box which had around 4-5 large packs of oroe biscuits inside of it.
He took out one packet of it and carefully examined it in his hands.
" Hmmmm, this might be good...." Aster smirked as he looked at the black fur ball's eyes.
"Meow... Meeoow..." the kitten's pleading cries filled the air as she hungrily waved her paws at the Oroe biscuit pack. Her big, round eyes fixed on the prize, as if commanding Aster to surrender it.
Aster chuckled. "Alright, alright. You can have one, I suppose."
He carefully opened the box, extracted a single biscuit, and gently placed it on the ground before the kitten. It pounced, it's tiny paws wrapping around the treat as she devoured it with delight.
' It's cute....should I take it with me? It won't be able to survive with so many monsters out here anyways. I have heard of cases of there being normal animals in a dungeon, so I don't think anything bad is gonna happen! Plus, it could serve as a companion. ' he thought to himself.
The inner child inside Aster had awakened, and there was no way it was gonna let the kitten go.
So logically, there's no other option other than to take the kitten with himself! Yeah!
" Hmhm, hmhm, " Aster nodded, his finger cradling his chin.
He knelt down on one knee, extending a hand. The kitten, having already devoured the biscuit, looked at his hand curiously, tilting it's head.
" Come on, come here. " Aster urged the kitten.
The kitten's ears perked up, and it slowly walked towards Aster's palm with it's small paws, It's black fur glinting in the fire's light.
It reached his palm, and sniffed it with it's tiny nose, then began to purr softly and lick his fingers.
" That tickles! Wow, you're a tiny survivor, huh? "
Aster gently scooped up the cat, cradling it in his arms. The cat nuzzled it's fragile head into his chest, purring contendtedly.
' Cute...' he thought to himself.
" Mew.." the kitten, nuzzled in his chest, looked upto Aster's face.
" What do you want? "
" Mew...."
" Oh, I get it! You want a name! " Aster realized.
The kitten nodded.
" What should I call you....how about since you're black, nig-, oh wait, that's wrong. "
The kitten rolled it's round, red eyes at Aster, seemingly disappointed.
" I'm sorry, okay! It just popped out of my mind! How about, Nyx! It means the goddess of the night. You're a female aren't you? "
The kitten looked at Aster's face once again and satisfyingly purred, snuggling deeper into his chest.
Aster's exhaustion was all gone and a gentle and warm smile spread across his face. He was finally not lonely anymore and had found a cute travelling companion.
" It think it's time to go to sleep, don't you, Nyx? "
The kitten nodded in Aster's chest.
Aster set the kitten aside from his arms, as it gently patted the ground with it's paws and layed down.
" Good night, Nyx..."
Aster also layed down, facing Nyx, drifting off to sleep, surrounded by the warmth of the fire and the oppressive silence of the forest.