Dorothy's POV:
- Is this the way?
I reach a clearing on a small hill. The trees sway in the wind, casting enormous shadows.
- It's a relief to be out of those lizards' territory.
I turn to look back the way I came. Having left the house halfway through the day, I walked across the muddy ground where those lizards spontaneously appeared. They didn't seem very interested in me, but if one got too close, I scared it away by creating a small flame in my hand.
- Vulk's power is too convenient for surviving in the open.
I sit down in the middle of the clearing and take out some of the food Ame—I mean, Mother—had packed. Although now cold, the smoked meat and the improvised salad are a perfect filling for my now empty stomach.
- Mmmmmm. I expected nothing less from Mother. Perfectly seasoned.
The taste and aroma of the meat filled my mouth as I savored its crispy yet tender texture that spread throughout me. The salad, with its slightly acidic touch, complemented its flavor, creating a perfect harmony. Each bite was a breath of fresh air for my soul.
Now that I think about it, I never really learned how to make this salad properly. Among the things I'd learned from Mother, we hadn't gotten to this salad. She said she had a special recipe for it. A long sigh escaped my lips before I composed myself.
- Don't be negative. I'll definitely go back to them and learn every last one of Mother's recipes.
With a loud slap, I slapped my cheeks. I couldn't let myself get depressed now. I had to move on so I could finally leave the past behind.
- Wait for me, Nath.
I put the leftover food back in the basket and headed down the hill. If the map was correct, I should arrive in a few more hours.
..........
And here I am. It was almost dusk when I arrived. A clearly abandoned village lay before me. Though not destroyed, the decay of the houses was painfully evident, with plants and moss clinging to the walls and windows. At a glance, it was quite obvious that the villagers had left in haste. Many of the animals still lived in their gateless pens. Inside the houses, traces of what had once been perfectly ordinary dwellings were still visible. The only sign of life in the village was a small plume of smoke rising from a large mansion at the top of the village.
- I can't help but think this is rather sinister.
During my time as a slave, I had seen many empty and half-destroyed villages, but never one so untouched. It almost seemed as if the darkness had swallowed the inhabitants whole, without giving them any real time to escape.
- ...Let's not waste any more time.
I looked toward the old, half-collapsed mansion. Parts of the structure had begun to crumble around them, but it still seemed habitable in some areas. As I approached, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I nervously stood in front of the door and knocked.
*knock knock*
- ….
I waited a few seconds, but there was no answer. I assumed someone would be there because of the smoke, but the silence was discouraging.
*knock knock*
I tried again. From inside, I heard a strange creaking sound. As if something were trying to drown out my knocks.
- Excuse me, is anyone there?
A movement. The floorboards creaked violently. As if a wild animal had gone on guard after noticing my presence. My heart filled with unease as I tried to stay calm. The lack of a verbal response was also intimidating. But I wouldn't give up so easily.
- Is anyone there?
I persisted, creating a small flame in my hand in case it was a wild animal. It wasn't long before the creaking turned into an explosion. Something was approaching me at high speed.
- Welcome to your death, Hero!
The high-pitched, nasal voice chilled me to the bone. The flame in my hand immediately grew larger as I pointed it at the door, expecting to fire at whatever was trying to cross it.
- Huh?
But contrary to my expectations, the door didn't shatter or fly away; instead, it began to disintegrate as if turning to dust. I stared in astonishment behind it as a black and white figure emerged. Without thinking, I threw a fireball the size of my head at it.
"Did I hit it?"
But the figure dodged it in a split second before lunging at me again. I tried to flee, but before I could even try, the figure extended a bony hand and grabbed my neck. The basket fell to the ground as I struggled with all my might to break free.
- Guuugg
A throbbing pain shot through my lungs as I desperately tried to breathe. The bony hand is much stronger than it looks. Its slender fingers curl perfectly around my neck, increasing the pressure. The pain shoots through me as I desperately kick for air. Its grip is so tight it cuts off my air supply. My consciousness is quickly overwhelmed by pain and fear as I try in vain to grab his hand.
"I don't want to die."
My kicking intensifies in one last desperate attempt. I dig my nails into the little flesh left on the hand. I only manage a muffled voice as my whole world fades into darkness.