"You can take Rhea and run out the forest from the back, I've sent a the map of this whole forest to your head. Just run out and stay in the human side. I doubt he'll attack you there, if he does. Just. Run," Rio said. I could feel the signal and a huge visual map in my head.
"What about you?" I asked. He shook his head, "Don't worry, he won't attack me, I'll try to stall him. Get Rhea and run, now, before he comes. Remember to not get lost," He warned and pushed me out. I ran downstairs and called Rhea out, "Rhea, we need to run."
"Why?" She asked, I shook my head and told her to he quick, "No time to explain!"
She nodded and ran towards me. I grabbed her arm and put Crystal on my shoulder as Rhea carried Leo. I pulled her with me and ran out. I quickly scanned through the map and chose a route to follow. I pulled her and kept running. "How about Rio?" she asked as we ran.
"He'll be fine, he's helping us!" I told her, "Don't stop running!"
I suddenly have a good stamina and ran without getting tired, maybe I'm just scared and worried and it gave me a boost. "Lord of Spirits is here to take you back, it's dangerous for you!" I told her. She didn't respond so I continue leading her, visualising the map as we go. Trees flashing past us as I try not to run into one. Crys' grip on my shoulders getting tighter as he adjusts himself onto a better position as I ran.
I could see the edge of the forest. "Miss Rhea Cardenes, you are under arrest for blessing a human with no permission," a spirit stopped us as soon as we were about to get out. I signalled Crystal to fend them off and I pulled Rhea out and slipped out to a crowded market. "Crystal, back," I called out in my mind as he could hear my thoughts if I open them to him. He appears on my shoulder, all worn out. He whimpered tiredly.
I got us to a restaurant and realised I didn't have any money on me. Rhea teleported some from the house to me as soon as she realises it too. It was a Chinese based restaurant. It's crowded, definitely and also very traditional and pretty. I got a seat in the middle of the room to stay hidden. I ordered two bowls of noodles, saying that I'm starving as an excuse. The waiter looks at me weird but still served me two bowls of noodles.
I paid him the proper amount and dug in. I saw Rhea hesitate because there's too many people, someone would notice a flying chopstick at some point. "Just slurp it," I whispered. She glared at me but still did it nonetheless. When she was done and so was I, I switched our bowls and pretended like I was eating the other bowl incase someone saw us.
I told Crystal that he should tell Leo to inform Rhea about what he said to me earlier about spirit animals and how they eat. Crystal started barking to Leo and he rolled his eyes. Same kind as his owner, I see. I think Leo told Rhea because she then perked up and looked at me, "So we basically share the same stomach space as them?" she asked me. "Yes and no," I whispered. From what I understand, they share our stomach but we don't share theirs. For instance if they eat, we don't get full, but if we eat, they get full or at least feel theres food in their stomach as well.
She carried Leo and hugged him tightly. Just then a loud siren was heard but no one was bothered. This tells me that the siren is from the spirit world. "Rhea Cardenes, you need to show yourself, you're under arrest!" the loud siren continues which followed by a loud speaking. I was alarmed and got up. I ran out of the restaurant with Crystal on my shoulder and Rhea beside me. Everyone looked at me but decided to shrug it off.
We ran past the crowded market. Which part of the world is this? Why is everything medieval like? The stalls, the clothes, they all seem medieval styled. Have I time travelled? "Right, I forgot to mention, every single exit leads to a different place," Rhea said as we ran.
"Well you might as well tell me when I've explored all the places!" I yelled sarcastically and push past everyone. People staring at me, some people ahead of me looking back to see if anyone was chasing me. Of course they wouldn't be able to see it. We need to get back to the forest to go back to our place. I took a huge round before getting back at the forest.
I visualized the map and I think I found the way back to where we came from. I pulled Rhea and ran towards that direction. I could hear the spirits chasing us. I toon a deep breath and ran as quick as I could without tripping. I ran in a zig zag to try to lose them but because of how this forest is build magically, I have very minimal space to do so.
We emerged out the forest after a run and went back to where we were. "Make way!" I yelled at people because it was too crowded. I pushed my way through and kept running. I saw a small slit between the buildings and pulled Rhea in. I pinned her to the wall to make it seem like we're kissing but really, we aren't. Crystal and Leo hid behind Rhea as the spirits stroll past the place. Our breathing are the only source of sound.
After awhile when it seems safe, I got myself away from her and cleared my throat awkwardly. "I'll go check the situation," I said, turning around to leave. "Also, Crys, you should take Leo and go back to Rio. Ask if he could send help, but if the situation gets worse, you stay there, don't come for me," I ordered him. Leo looked at Rhea for permission to which she nodded. They both disappeared and I headed out to check things out.
"There he is! He ran around screaming for no reason! No one was chasing him and we feel very threatened!" A lady yelled, pointing at me. A group of police and a group of people running to me but the people seemed scared. They alarmed the spirits and they came and surrounded me. I ran, as fast as I could to divert the attention and signalling for Rhea to run.
She didn't. She ran towards me to try to tackle the spirits. I tried to stop her but the group of people surrounded me and I couldn't slip out this time. The police cuffed me and pulled me to the cars. On the way there I could see Rhea fighting them off. "I'm sorry Rhea!" I yelled. She stopped fighting as she looked at me with tears forming in her eyes. She allowed herself to be captured. "No! Rhea, keep fighting!" I yelled at her but it was too late.