Rain poured heavily over the forest, flashes of lightning split the sky followed by the deep rumbles of thunder.
"We should find some place to pass the rain," Karan suggested, calling Cindy and Luna back to their Summoning Stones. "We'll get into trouble if we fight some monsters now. I can't use Cindy's fire in this heavy rain."
Eris agreed. She, too, would struggle to keep her footing on the muddy ground. Each of them carried a part of the Scythe Mantis' corpse after splitting it in two - Eris held the head and thorax, while Karan, the abdomen.
After a few moments of searching, they heard the sound of rushing water. However, it was not from the falling rain, but rather from a towering waterfall spilling from the cliffs above. The white cascade struck the rocks below with thunderous force, sending cool mist and the scent of moss into the air.
Behind the curtain of falling water, the two noticed a dark shadow in the rock face - a cave hidden by the torrent.
"I think it's safer there than out here," Karan looked over to Eris with a weary glance.
Eris nodded, silently agreeing that the hidden cave was their best option for now. The veil of water would conceal their presence and the rock walls promised refuge from the raging storm that battered the forest outside.
They pushed past the thickets and broke into a run, making a beeline straight for the cave. However, they had not expected what happened next.
"Aaaaaaah!" the two shouted in unison.
Once inside the cave, they were met, not with solid footing, but with a treacherous incline. Their boots slid on the muddy slope of earth, sending them tumbling deeper into the cave. They landed with a soft thud at the bottom. Mud squelched beneath them, leaving them filthy but unharmed.
"What happened? Where are we?" Karan asked frantically, his voice echoing off the damp cave walls. His eyes darted around the shadowy cavern as he reached for a stone in his bag. "Cindy, come out."
Light from the Cinder Fox's fiery tails filled the dark space, casting faint shadows on the wall.
"Was this always here?" Eris scanned the area for any sign of danger. Did they accidentally went inside a dungeon? If so, what type of monsters would they encounter? These were the thoughts that ran in her head as she stared into the darkness.
As the flame's light stretched farther, Karan caught a glimpse of a figure lying on the cave floor. "Look, something's there."
They moved slowly toward it, tension thickening the air with every step. They had to be careful so as not to startle the creature - or anger it, lest they become its next meal.
…
"It's a Leafhorn," Karan sprinted toward it. The Leafhorn was a deer-like monster that grows leaves from its antlers. They were generally safe to be around for humans, harmless in nature, as they were herbivores. "I think it's hurt."
This particular Leafhorn sprawled upon the cold, damp floor of the cave, its breath shallow and uneven. What was supposed to be lush foliage on its antlers, now hung as wilted leaves clinging limply to the beast's horns.
"Don't worry, we'll get you back up again. You must've been in a nasty fall," Karan murmured, his voice soft and steady, trying to comfort the injured beast.
"Come out, Luna," a Moonhorn Owl appeared before them, flapping its wings. "Luna, get some twigs and leaves. Be careful, there's a storm outside," the owl hooted in acknowledgement of its master's orders then flew off.
"Cindy, come closer. We need to warm her up."
Eris was touched by Karan's care for the monster, realizing how rare that kindness was in the world. To most, monsters were nothing more than materials to be claimed or threats to be defeated. They were beings incapable of feeling, their fate was only to be hunted or harvested.
"You really love them, don't you?" she asked, her eyes filled with compassion.
Karan smiled gently. "Sometimes, monsters are more human than humans."
Karan came from a minor noble house of Adalan. His father was a baron on a small piece of land north of the First Kingdom. However, they faced several struggles to maintain their family's power and influence, particularly from higher nobles and rival houses.
His father wished for him to be a knight in Adalan's army to strengthen their claim over the land but Karan had other dreams. Instead of practicing swordplay and magical skills, he was more interested in the arts - music, painting and poetry, even cooking with his mother.
Aside from pressure from his father, he was also bullied by the other noble children for being 'different'. This led him to spend more time with his pet dog, finding comfort and companionship in the loyal creature's presence.
At age thirteen, his father had grown tired of Karan's defiance and in a cruel display of authority, struck down the dog before his eyes. The companion that had helped him through heavy days was gone in an instant. His heart ached, tears fell down his face. Different emotions consumed him - grief, rage, helplessness. He let out an anguished cry that echoed through the halls.
"If you had trained for the sword, perhaps you could have stopped me. Instead, you cry like some weak woman," his father yelled, eyes cold and indifferent.
Karan bellowed, "You're a monster! No, worse! You're not my father!"
His father's eye flared with fury hearing Karan's words that cut deeper than any sword. "You…"
"He didn't mean it, dear," Karan's mother interrupted, holding his husband's arm to prevent him from harming their child. "Karan! Apologize to your father right now!"
"Never… This house can burn for all I care and I hope you die with it," his voice was calm and sharp. He didn't shout out of anger, he meant every word.
"Get… out, ingrate," his father growled, his tone unyielding.
The room fell silent. No one said another word. Karan left with no goodbyes.
After leaving his home, he found himself in the slums of Bridgetown where he started his new life as a street urchin - begging, stealing and doing odd jobs to survive. It was two years later that he finally set out as an adventurer for the guild, working mostly as a temporary scout for passing parties.
…
"Luna! You're back," Karan greeted the owl, taking the flora it collected from the forest.
"Here, you should eat and regain your strength," he gathered handfuls of leaves and offered it to the injured Leafhorn.
"Come out, Belle," Karan called out to his remaining summon.
Eris tilted her head slightly, brows furrowed. "A… slime?"
"Hey, don't judge me! I heard Belle crying for help and I couldn't turn away," Karan tried to explain his seemingly poor choice, a faint blush coloring his cheeks as he spoke.
Images of the delicious Slime Stew she had the night before filled her thoughts. She let out a guilty chuckle. "So, we're not going to eat it, right?" she confirmed, scratching the back of her head.
"Of course not. Belle, gather some water over there," Karan instructed the slime, pointing to the nearby underground lake. It made a series of cute, adorable hops with its squishy body, bouncing its way to the lake's edge. There, it gulped down a generous amount of water, doubling in size and wobbled back to Karan.
"Drink as well," the slime let out a steady stream of water into the Leafhorn's mouth.
They stayed with the wounded creature all night until dawn, taking turns to feed and water it. As for their dinner, they feasted on the remains of the scorched mantis along with mushrooms and berries that Luna gathered.
Come sunrise, the storm had already stopped. Soft morning light crept into the cave, as the air filled with the scent of rain-soaked stone and moss. Droplets of water trickled from the ceiling, echoing in the cavern's silence with perfect rhythm.
The Leafhorn slowly rose to its feet, its movement shaky at first but steadied eventually. A faint strength had returned to its body after Karan and Eris nursed it back to health.
"It's fine," Eris sighed in relief. "You saved it, Karan."
"We…"
…
Suddenly, a blinding flash of light illuminated the entire cave.
"Aaaaah," the two screamed, shielding their eyes from the glaring brightness.
Once the light had faded, they slowly opened their eyes, blinking and squinting into their surroundings. Then, they realized something.
The Leafhorn had disappeared.
"Where are you?" Karan cried out.
"It was here a moment ago," Eris panicked. Her eyes darted around the cave, trying to look for an answer.
"Calm yourselves, humans," a melodious voice resonated through the cavern.
The underground lake beside them began to shimmer with an otherworldly glow. At the heart of the lake, the water stirred. Ripples spread outward in perfect circles. Beads of water rose from the surface and combined until the shape of a woman stood tall upon the lake. Her body shifted like liquid glass - translucent and seamless.
An Undine.
Undines were creatures spawned from Mana-rich bodies of water. However, they were not seen as monsters, but more so as Spirits - manifestations of rivers, lakes, and sometimes even rain. Though not seen as monsters, they are equally feared by the people. Fear carried from reverence, for the same flowing grace that sustains life could just as easily take them.
"When met with the wounded, most of your kind see only prey."
The water rippled underneath the Undine. In her reflection, the Leafhorn reappeared - whole and uninjured.
The two gasped in awe. The Leafhorn and the Undine were one and the same? So, they thought.
"… Yet you chose to show compassion, soothed my pain, and gave me strength. For this, I am truly pleased."
The Undine raised her hand, "Give me your hand, young Karan." He did as he was told. Hearing his name spoken by the great Spirit sent shivers down his spine. An experience unlike any other.
From the tip of the Undine's finger, a single droplet of water fell, landing onto Karan's palm. Instead of splashing about, it sank beneath his skin and coursed through his veins. He felt as if waves were crashing inside him.
"For your kindness, I grant you my Blessing," the Undine declared. "In your time of need, call upon me. I shall hear you."
He turned toward her, his eyes glistened with silent gratitude.
Before he could speak, the Undine raised her hand in a graceful arc. The still surface of the lake surged upward in a sudden swell, carrying the two adventurers out of the cave.
The water spat them back into the forest beyond the waterfall, tumbling onto the wet grass, as the current receded behind them.
Gasping for breath and soaking wet, they looked back at the waterfall, dumbfounded. The cave they once entered had completely vanished. Nothing remained but a wall of stone behind the cascading water.
Wait, did that really happen?