Ashley stared into the dark forest, her legs rooted on the ground, she couldn't believe her luck today. Being chased by a creature she didn't know existed, and now she was stuck with a stranger in the forest —with bloody hands.
Noticing her bleeding hands again she flinched. "If you walk around with those bleeding hands, you might as well call the predators in the forest to come have dinner" Kyle said.
Ashley frowned turning her head to the side, she hated to admit but the strange man was right. And she had a better chance surviving the forest with him —than alone, reasoning the fact that he saved her, why would he even want to hurt her.
But how did he know she was in trouble?, where did he even appear from?, was he watching her in the forest all this while she was being chased by that creature—she started to rethink her safety with him
Kyle watched his bride stand quietly. his patience was wearing thin, he didn't have all the time in the world and he needed to take her to the underrealm as fast as possible so they could fix the problem she was causing.
He wondered why he saved her from the shadow creature when his goal was to kill her anyways. Maybe he should leave her alone in the forest. come back for her soul when a wild animal kills her or another shadow creature finds her.
Shivering from the cold wind, Ashley decided that she was better off with the strange man than in a forest alone not knowing what next might find her, turning around to speak to the silvered eyed man— he wasn't there
Her heart dropped to her stomach. Frantically looking around for the man that was just standing few inches behind her not long
"hello?" She called out softly, walking towards where he stood, there was no way the man would have simply vanished
But the way he appeared from nowhere —that could be possible, she thought standing helplessly. Her eyes burned trying to hold herself from crying. she could have listened to him when he offered help
Now she was stranded alone in the middle of the forest.
Kyle watched her silently in his mist form as she looked for him. He had decided to abandon her in the forest—but something was stopping him from leaving her. He cursed the bond they shared.
Watching her finally give up, sitting with her back slouched on the bark of a tree. He morphed into his human form
"Is that where you chose to stay for the night"
Hearing the voice of her saviour, she stood up quickly, more than happy to see him
"I thought you left" Ashley said, her voice coming out happier than she intended
Staring at her bright expression, his eyes traced down to her still bleeding hands "you really want to get eaten— leaving a trace of your blood everywhere" he said flatly, like he didn't hope she got killed minutes ago
She looked down at her palm "I forgot my health kit in the shop, but if we can find a body of water —I can stop the bleeding"
Cocking his he head to side, Kyle did not believe she just suggested to leave more traces of blood in the forest until they found a body of water, it really did seem like she really wanted to get eaten.
Grabbing her hand, black mist formed on his hand closing the wound.
Ashley's eyes widened seeing her injury disappear completely "I would prefer if you didn't leave more traces for the creatures in the forest to find us" Kyle said releasing her from his hold
Still in shock, she stared blankly at her palm then at the man who proceeded to sit at the bark of the tree unfazed.
"How did you—"
"I used magic" he replied cutting her off
Intrigued she sat next to him—she had never seen a mage before aside leora "thank you" she said, feeling bad she treated him rudely when he only tried to help.
"What is a mage doing in the south—your type aren't welcome here" she asked, finally Calm
"Mage?" Kyle asked, confused when did she conclude he was a mage
"Yeah aren't you a mage?, only mages are able to use magic" Ashley stated, curiously. looking at him
silent, Kyle was torn between playing along or just telling her the truth since he came to take her away "I'm no mage" he replied, deciding to do neither
"Then who are you?" Ashley asked, even more curious leaning in to try and catch a glimpse of his face again
"You will find out —when you come with me" Kyle replied turning his face to the side.
"To where?" She asked
"The underrealm" he answered.
Ashley nodded slowly, realizing she was talking to a crazy mage, who was probably lost on a journey and couldn't remember his way back to the capital "mmhmm yeah, like I'd willingly follow you to the underworld" she said, half amused
"Well I could take you by force" he replied, unaware he just threatened her
warning bells rang in Ashley's head. she had assumed he was just joking— no living being could go to the underworld. it slowly dawned on her that this man might be after her life, why did everything want her dead today? she cried internally.
The forest didn't seem so scary anymore, attempting to stand up and take her chances with the unknown creatures,
"I won't kill you"
Ashley sat back slowly, realizing that running from a crazy person who can vanish and reappear at will might not be the greatest choice of action—nobody spoke.
Ashley prayed in her heart that she survives the night, promising to never leave her house— not for any reason.
As time passed, Ashley's eyes grew heavy, trying to keep them open was difficult...soon she succumbed to the lullaby of the forest falling asleep with her head leaning on the tree.