{Larianess' Point of View}
She didn't remember everything clearly.
The pain blurred the years together: white walls, metal tables, fire.
But when she saw him.
The way he moved. The way he carried himself.
Not like a hero. Not like a monster. Cold, sharp, quiet.
When Elarion had knelt in front of her cage, she hadn't needed words to decide. Her body had tensed, ready to fight or run. Until she saw him.
The way he stood. The way he watched her. His eyes had no malice despite having no care either or maybe it was...too deep to see.
That was the reason she trusted him.
Because no matter how many years had passed suffering after getting betrayed, a part of her wanted to lean on him, the stranger she just met.
When he carried her out, she didn't resist. She let herself close her eyes.
For the first time in a long time, she let herself believe she might not be alone again.It doesn't matter if it's only for one day.
Not because he saved her. No, if there was someone else, she won't drop her guard, Never!
But he —He was different.
He didn't said sweet words when he don't mean it.
He was real, and that is what matters to her.
Not teh fake kindness, not the sweet smile she saw before being dragged to experiment chamber. Not the warm words while torturing her.
Just Real.
---
As they came closer to the gate, at th end of the passage he saw— Monstrous things in the cells.
But they weren't Monsters but children, children who were experimented at.
Elarion broke the cells and killed them all swiftly. The only way to free them.
He couldn't afford more delay either, since he could feel it.
The warmth of fire, the building is on fire which will spread in a matter of time.
Then, without saying anything else, he just pushed the girl on his shoulders closer, her face that had turned to look at the fight, now buried in his shoulder.
They both escaped that building. Elarion wanted to put this God forsaken place to fire but he couldn't.
The building was already burning.
In his past life the experiment must have failed and they would have burned the building, just like this.
Elarion stood there unmoving, still. Leoriness looked slowly towards where he was looking, her golden eyes shone brightly by the reflection of the fire.
Her eyes showed a flicker of emotion— Joy.
They both stood there in the middle of the forest. Nobody said anything, they didn't had to.
-----
In the forest:-
Elarion walked through the forest, silent as ever. His mind wasn't on revenge. Not yet. Not on the nobles, or the scientist, or the hidden killer.
Only on this: Not losing her again
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After the rescue, Elarion and Lerioness live in the forest.
Elarion tried to communicate with her but she had no memory and couldn't speak either because of it.
She only remember bits and pieces, people mostly negative.
She remembered the words but due to countless year of torture, she forgot how to speak.
Elarion knew that she was the princess of Everhart but.....it wasn't of concern yet.
He decided to take it slow, until she could choose for herself.
The sun sat and it turned dark in the forest. The forest felt even more creepy at night, like it wasn't creepy enough at morning.
The forest stood silent, broken only by the wind shifting through pale leaves. Dappled light slid down in cold rays. Somewhere distant, a rustle. Then quiet again.
Elarion moved calmly, steps light over the roots and fallen branches. Beside him, Larianel followed, her gaze flickering left and right with visible tension.
"Stay close," Elarion said softly, voice quiet under the smooth, dark mask covering his face.
It wasn't an ordinary mask:
thin black steel inlaid with pale silver lines, shaped into abstract curves that suggested a bird's wings. No eye slits, only two faint dark markings over where his eyes would be, obscuring their color and expression. A mask passed down in his family's estate, once worn by generals and assassins—an old custom for duels and hunts.
Suddenly—
The ground trembled. Leaves scattered. Larianel stopped breathing for a moment.
From between the trees, it stepped out.
A monster covered in dark violet scales, the size of a war elephant.
Six legs, each ending in clawed, obsidian-like feet. Two curling horns grew from its head, and its tail dragged behind like a great whip.
The worst part wasn't its size—it was the faint violet mist radiating off its skin, corroding grass and bark. Poison.
"...B-Class."
Even Larian's voice lowered slightly, though there was no real fear in it. His hand moved to his sword.
He didn't rely on his telekinesis yet. Not here. His control wasn't perfect. In real battle, the difference between thinking and acting was life or death.
The monster charged.
The forest shook again.
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Monster description:-
Monster: "Obsidian Horned Basilisk"
Grade: B-Class
Special Traits: Poison Mist, Regenerative Scales, Size (6-legged beast)