A single hand placed on the floor, Lyriel rose with difficulty. He muttered curses as he staggered foward. A sharp ache through his back.
Tch! Such weak hands!
He would be damned if this body could even strike down a reed!
A long silver coat trailed behind him and concealed the dirt's of his sandals. Muddy stain ringed it's edges. But Lyriel didn't care. Lyriel reached for the opened door, at the same time some moist currents escaped into the chamber from the opening. Little crawlers scurried away from his footsteps.
While leaning his body against the doorframe for support, there was hesitation to step out of the shrine.
Quietly, Lyriel only stood and roamed his gaze over.
The sun had just risen with a bath of colourful hues across the lands. Shades of orange and blue hues smeared over the shrine walls. The mosses gleamed as well, A few patches graced Lyriel's skin. The shrine had five to six paper lanterns outside—all orange, stroked with black rune-like writings— And they danced as the cold winds struck them. The fresh scent of patrichor, Lyriel perceived. Low creaks noised from the swaying lanterns.
Ahead, Lyriel could sight the rows of tall trees. The size of giants, towering over the shrine and his figure. Leaf-covered branches scattered around their slim stems It was as though they raced for the sky. Somehow, they were endearing and relieving to look at.
A gentle breeze rustled his cloth and caressed his skin. A smile etching his face as he climbed down the concrete stairs also covered in moss. Everything was covered in moss patches. Down to the cemented floor around the shrine, signifying it's years of emptiness.
Although Lyriel didn't know why he was given this second life or why this soul chose him in particular, he would be more than happy to live this life.
Once, he left the last of the six stairs and reached the concrete ground. He stopped.
Ignoring a bird's hoot, he scanned everywhere once more and at the same time kept a 'great, so I'll just survive in a thick forest alone ' face.
Sighs...
It wouldn't hurt to survive by himself anyways. He was once a boy scouter.
The previous years of rain must have been heavy, the cemented ground had been perforated. A dozen potholes scattered right over the surface and puddles of water filled their openings. With the sunlight reflected, they appeared clear enough. Lyriel neared one of the clear puddles to look at his reflection.
Short silver hairs were neatly trimmed as they fell beside his face. However, due to how distressed Lyriel must've been before he died. A few strands estrayed both sides of his resolute face.
Pale milky skin, thick arched brows, long rows of night-shaded lashes. The remaining features were yet not only sophisticated, but as calm as a frozen lake. An epitome of ethereal handsomeness. The face staring back at Lyriel held so much youthfulness, a blend of intruigue and liveliness. The light coloured pair of silver pupils brimmed with vibrance! A work of art! Lyriel had never been fond of good looks but this face was a first! Those striking pairs of silver eyes could definitely bewitch a kingdom!
Grrrrr!!!
"..." An abrupt growl sounded as Lyriel hugged his stomach lightly, frowning. It wasn't for anything else but that this body hadn't eaten anything since it entered this shrine. It was empty and hungry. Lyriel sighed helplessly.
The previous soul had just died of hunger, and he might be next!
Without a second thought, Lyriel straightened before heading into the forest. There must be anything edible he could find.
Surely...
....
Over an hour passed, and doubt slowly grew in Lyriel's chest. All the trees were annoyingly similar and somehow difficult to navigate through. Lyriel hadn't seen anything. Glancing back a few times, Lyriel had forced himself to walk ahead. Dragging his feet over the lush green grasses.
The biting hunger was like a parasite, latching away away Lyriel's bit of strength. For a moment, Lyriel thought that he might die in the woods only to laugh at the thought. These were times which revealed how silly Lyriel could be. As his steps gradually reduced, Lyriel found himself rather attracted to the grasses than anything else. Halting, he took time to admire the lush greeneries.
They were clean and fine and...
"Hmm..."
It wouldn't hurt if he ate them for meal right?
Sure, Goats had done it all their life but Lyriel wasn't better of. Perhaps, there was something he could try out for survival.
The deal was settled. Lyriel proceeded to cuts a few grasses when one of the environment thicket rustled noisily.
Silver eyes narrowed.
Before it would rustle a few more times, Lyriel already snapped a sharp twig. Making sure it noiselessly broke before he armed himself.
With a pair of dimming eyes, one feet over the other. Like a spear, the long twig also neared at the thicket warily. Lyriel quietly closed the distance.
Suddenly, the thicket stilled after a final rustle. Then a flash of furball rolled out.
Uwu!
Something small and round, exactly the size of a ball quickly rolled out from the thicket stopping just close to Lyriel's foot. Alarmed, Lyriel widened his eyes. Still positioning the spear readily, just in time as he took a pace backwards. However, the man's eyes never left the silver-coloured furball that was beginning to unfurl.
Slowly and delicately, what happened to be a pup tiger stood on all fours. Black stripes coated it's silver furs, three semi-attached tails swayed adorably behind it. It was really small, Lyriel doubts it would cross his ankle. As for the deer like brown antlers crowning it's forehead, it barely awed Lyriel. This was a magical world to begin with...
Uwu!
With a pair of wide grey eyes, the little white creature released a low cute chuff. If this was anyone else they would probably be roaming over this little creature, gushing words about how adorable and cute it actions was.
Unfortunately, this was the opposite for Lyriel . He had just found food. His stomach growled in unison. Someone really spared him the trouble of eating grasses... How delightful!
The white tiger whined pitifully when it sensed the terror behind Lyriel's wide grin. However, it still dared to near Lyriel's legs. Lifting it's little paws, it rubbed the tips of his toes and made low whimpers. It furs was exceptionally soft.
Lyriel didn't know how and why but he felt himself softening up to the little creature. He briefly hated himself for falling for those adorable grey eyes. Perhaps, they felt pitiful. They really worked on him. Releasing a sigh, Lyriel found himself patting the creature's brown antlers as he crouched.
"Fine... I wouldn't eat you." Lyriel exhaled. The tiger really looked helpless to begin with. It tingled at the touch of his fingers while closing it's eyes briefly. Lyriel replied with a snort.
"You should go now.", Lyriel stood and turned. He pressed his lips together and made to move ahead, surveying. Guessing, he would still have to rely on grasses to survive after all.
"..." Lyriel halted when he felt a slight tug against his coat. Glancing back, and frowned. This time, this small tiger had bitten the flows of his coat as it was floating in mid-air. Brows creasing, He roamed his gaze to the connection of it's little maw around his silver coat. And he cocked an eyebrow. Shouldn't it be on its way already?
"Shoosh, go!" Then, Lyriel shot it a questioning look. He thought of threatening it. "... Else i'll have you for breakfast."
Uwu!
The little beast stopped, blinking up at the perplexed man with a pair of frightened pupils. Lyriel almost thought the cat particular understood him. Only to be surprised when the tiger fiercely tugged at the hem a few more times, ripping the fabric, and ran off with a light mischievous chuff. Leaving a tiny gaping hole in the silver coat.
"You little —", Lyriel gritted his teeth as he watched the notorious beast flee. He glared at the gaping hole within his silver coat, and back to the floating tiger. Did this little cat just play him for a fool? This was his first day in a new world and some cute creature was really being troublesome already!
Watching it float around, making little sounds. The remaining piece dangling in it's rosy mouth as it swirled happily. A flit of annoyance crossed Lyriel's eyes."Just you wait till I get you."
He gestured, darting a finger. " I'll have you roasted, grilled and cooked!"
Bluuurrrrrgh!
What the?..
Instead the tiger stuck out it's tongue at Lyriel. Uncaring, wagging it's long silver tail while creating more distance. It eagerly anticipated a chase. It floated off before Lyriel could chide it. It's figure shooting like a gliding cloud through the sky. Strangely, It's intention were made known to Lyriel whom conceivably understood it immediately.
"Fine..."
Lyriel held back his thought. He would give it what it wanted. Silently glancing back curtly, the young man moved his legs foward to chase after the little beast.