Lim woke up from a soft touch to his shoulder. Kiki, who had already woken up, was sitting next to him and smiling at him. Her eyes glowed with kindness, and Lim felt that he was not alone in this world. He felt the warmth in his chest again.
"Good morning," Kiki said, and Lim was once again surprised by her melodic voice. He wanted to ask again where she got such an unusual voice, but he restrained himself again, realizing that he would not be able to answer. - How did you sleep?
Lim nodded, showing that everything was fine.
Kiki sighed.
"You know, I don't know your name," she said, looking thoughtfully at Lima.
- I can't read, and you can't speak. I was thinking what to call you.
She thought for a moment, and then began to list different names:
- Maybe I'll call you... Mal? Or maybe... Fang? Or... Darkness?
Lim shook his head every time.
- No? All right... Maybe then... Lim?
Lim's eyes widened. He didn't know how she guessed, but that's exactly his name. He nodded, quickly and confidently.
- Lim? So, Lim," Kiki laughed. "I like it. Very beautiful name.
After that, they went to the forest, deciding to swim in a small waterfall that Kiki knew. The water turned out to be cold, but refreshing. Lim, not used to such openness, was a little shy. Kiki, on the contrary, was completely calm. She swam and splashed, splashing water on Lima, and he, without noticing it, began to smile, rejoicing in this relaxed game.
When they came out of the water, Kiki blushing slightly and suggested Lim to dry up in the sun. Lim, embarrassed, turned away, covering his nakedness with his hands. Kiki giggled, realizing his embarrassment.
After swimming, they went to pick berries. Kiki told Lim about the kicks, their cities, their customs and her hopes. She said that when she finds Icarus, they will all return to their home together. Kiki spoke non-stop, until she suddenly stopped and said:
- Lim, hide!
Lim didn't ask questions, quickly bent down and hid behind the bush. Kiki followed his example. Because of the trees, a tall and thin figure appeared, dressed in black. Her limbs were long and unnaturally curved. The head was hidden behind a white mask, which made this creature look like a creepy doll. It moved with some inhuman grace, sliding between the trees, and its movements were both fascinating and frightening.
- This is a hunter," Kiki whispered, her voice full of horror. - They are created by Lord Lurk, he lives in a castle on the mountain. He picks up the children and eats them. He wants all children to be slaves, and those who don't listen, he just eats.
Lim looked at the hunter, and his body trembled. This creature was not like anyone he had seen before. It exuded death and fear, and Lim understood that meeting him did not bode well.
Lim and Kiki, trying not to make unnecessary sounds, returned to the hut. Lim's heart was still pounding with fear after meeting the hunter, but next to Kiki he felt safe.
As soon as they crossed the threshold of the hut, Kiki, as if nothing had happened, began to talk about her travels, about the strange creatures she met on her way, about the distant lands she wanted to see. She talked about everything in the world, and her voice, soft and melodic, warmed Lim like a warm ray in this eternal fog.
Lim, without noticing it, even relaxed. For the first time in his life, he did not think about how to survive, he was not afraid of every rustle, and it was the first and, as it turned out, the last time.
Suddenly, his eyes caught on something in the gap between the wall and the roof. There, in the forest, behind the trees, a tall, thin figure flashed. Lim immediately recognized the hunter.
He was here, he tracked them out. Not Lima, no, he didn't smell it, but Kiki, her smell was like an alluring bait for him.
Lim gestured to Kiki that he needed to hide. He pointed to the hole under the floor, which was made for rat hunting.
Kiki, without asking questions, quickly followed him, they barely had time to hide, as the door of the hut opened, letting the sinister figure of the hunter into it.
The hunter burst inside, his mask dispassionately looked nowhere. He inspected the hut, moving with inhuman speed and grace. His movements were sharp and clear. Lim, holding his breath, watched him through the crack in the floor.
The hunter seemed to feel something. His head bent, and his eyeless mask turned towards the floor. Then, with a sharp jerk, he broke the floorboards, opening the shelter where Lim and Kiki were hiding.
Grabbing Kiki by the hand, the hunter dragged her upstairs, ignoring her screams and attempts to escape. Lim was left downstairs, paralyzed by horror and a sense of his own powerlessness. He wanted to jump out, wanted to save Kiki, but he understood that it was useless. He will never defeat this creature, he was not as strong as Kiki.
Watching the hunter drag Kiki away, Lim felt despair swallow him. He said goodbye to his first friend, blaming himself for being too weak. He allowed this creature to take her away, and now he is left alone.
But even so, Lim didn't give up. He climbed out from under the floor, and despair and determination were written on his face. He didn't care if he would survive or not, he needed to save Kiki, even if it cost him his life. He swore to himself that he would get to Lord Lurk's castle and that he would save Kiki, even if it was his last action.
Lim ran out of the hut, his little heart beating like a madman. Fear, despair and rage mixed in him, giving him strength. He knew that he needed to save Kiki, that he could not leave her in Lord Lurk's paws. Even though he wasn't strong, even if he couldn't speak, he'll still try.
He looked towards the mountains, where, as Kiki said, Lord's castle was located. It was a long and dangerous journey, but Lim was ready for anything. He swore to himself that he would save Kiki, no matter what it cost him.
The first obstacle on the way to Lord's Castle was the Forest of the Fallen, a place he once considered his home. Now this forest was like a distorted reflection of hell, where every step threatened death. It was no longer just a gloomy forest, it was chaos.
The forest of the Fallen was wounded by fire. Black, charred trees, with cracked bark, stretched into the sky like the claws of the dead, desperately grabbing the remnants of their former life. The ground under my feet was scorched, covered with ashes and bone fragments. Everywhere there were burnt remains of animals, whose cry at the time of death still echoed in the air like a curse.
Here and there, against the background of the gray sky, lightning flashed, like harbingers of a new flow of fire. The Forest of the Fallen seemed to still remember the time when the sky was spuring fire, when the gods enjoyed the spectacle of mortal suffering.
Lim carefully jumped from tree to tree, using his climbing skills to avoid open areas that seemed too vulnerable.
Every step was given with difficulty. There were plenty of dangers around: both beasts that could appear from anywhere, and the remains of the past that could collapse at any moment.
He understood that he needed to be careful. The hunter could not be the only dangerous creature living in the Forest of the Fallen. But he also understood that he needed to move forward, despite all the dangers. He couldn't afford to stop, he was walking for Kiki.