Orsgadts
The Dumina Forest

Birds chirping, small earthy insects enliven the morning at the edge of the forest. The Proner and Emune had already woken up before dawn came. Leonz was still curled up in Proner's cloak. Horeen was nowhere to be seen, perhaps she was busy dividing her misfortune elsewhere. They're waiting for Avena who hasn't returned since last night.

“Emune, reconsider. Greg and the others must be worried. Crossing the territory of the magical world is not a matter of playfulness.”

“I'm not kidding. Proner, I'm just like you. Followed the words of a fortune teller without understanding why and for what, but the more I advanced, the more open my eyes became. I have to go to Orsgadt.”

“Good. We'd better wait for Avena.”

Emune looked into the distance. Horeen is crazy. Yesterday the edge of this forest was a peaceful green meadow. In an instant Horeen turned it into an abyss nearly a hundred meters wide and an unknown depth. It is impossible to cross unless it can float like Horeen and Avena.

“Where is Avena?” mummified Proner. Why did he leave so long?

“I am here,” replied Avena who suddenly appeared. He brought something. “They're all fine. Just riled up, especially the guy named ‘Greg’. Your handsome boyfriend held me back and forced me to tell stories. Then your sister told me to hand this over. I told them the abyss was impassable. They have to go after him. They'll be coming to Onykz. Where did the fairy si— ahem, I mean Horeen, make this abyss? Really troublesome.”

Emune opened the cloth parcel given by Avena. Tidily folded inside was a long robe Fiona bought, a vest and a pair of hand guards. Those vests and hand guards are Fiona's favorite things. She hugged him.

“This is from the man with the mustache,” Avena said. He handed Emune a bow and a set of arrows.

“Alfred, his name is Alfred,” Emune received it with pleasure. The first weapon he could use was an arrow. These bows and arrows belong to Aiden, he will return them later.

Emune approaches Leonz who is still dreaming. He patted her on the cheek to wake the little girl up. Leonz opened his eyes and sat down.

“We leave now?” ask Leonz.

“Yes. If you are still sleepy, I can call you,” said Proner.

“I'm already big, no need to be shouldered,” Leonz yawn. “Perhaps until a pile of big stones, this road just keep going,” murmured and then fell asleep again.

Emune laughed amusedly. Proner finally carried Leonz.

“Sweet little freak. At least he said what was in there,” grumbled Avena.

“I don't think there's anything. Leonz must have warned if there was any danger.”

“Mana Horeen?” ask Avena.

“Entahlah. Let it go, he will catch up,” replied Emune. “Avena, why are you following me?”

“I think that's a pretty good idea. If Horeen's curse can be removed, I'll ask Olevander to remove my power.”

“Can that be? Wouldn't that still be yours forever because you're half-fairy?” ask Proner.

“I'd rather be anything that doesn't get me kicked out and pelted.” Avena hates too superficial of human judgment.

“Your strength is amazing. When you use it for good, I don't think it needs to be eliminated,” Emune said.

“So do you think? In fact, humans often misunderstand, very annoying.” Avena smiled smirkily.

“I understand,” said Emune. Humans are annoying, especially those whose brains are left in the neck.

They continued walking on a small path that led to the middle of the forest. Proner did not look tired at all with the extra load on his back. Leonz hasn't woken up yet.

***

The sudden attack from the black mob worsened Toure's condition after the jekzer attack. The distance between the two events was so close and there was no time to anticipate it. Aiden clenched his hands to see the corpses of the townspeople and the blood that pooled in the streets. The horde really wanted to finish off the entire population of the city they met. If Greg and Fiona don't tell them right away, it could be fatal.

“We have to leave for Onykz immediately if we want to catch up with Emune.”

“Why Emune didn't say he was going to Onykz. Elric, what are you hiding from us?” Greg kicked the table. It's all been weird since this guy showed up.

Elric was silent. He was busy thinking about Emune. Avena did say they had nothing to worry about because there was Horeen and herself who would take care of Emune but still Elric's worries were endless.

Greg is upset that Elric doesn't care about him. He felt like he wanted to slam Elric if Alfred did not stand between the two of them.

“Sit. I'll tell you,” said Elric. There is no other way. Emune's safety is at stake if these guys catch up with Emune without knowing what they're really up against.

Fiona pulled Greg to sit on the chair beside her. Elric took a breath and exhaled slowly. He looked at them one by one. He trusted them for seeing for himself how they were so persistent in looking after Emune. Like a small herd, they had been protecting each other without being asked. This was what Emune needed the most.

“Remember, keep what I say a secret. Emune was the last descendant of the Great King Orsgadt.”

Everyone looks at each other. They didn't think he would say that. The entire royal family had been massacred during the Orsgadt rebellion, including the newborn little princess.

Greg kicked the table. He's very angry. What lies did this young man tell? Greg pointed right at Elric's face. “You liar!”

Alfred, Aiden and Sean stood up as if preparing to beat up Greg. Fiona restrains Greg's body.

“The Prince of Eimersun Kingdom is not a liar! Keep your words,” said Alfred coldly and threateningly.

“Prince? Elric?” Fiona scratched her head. He often went to Eimersun but had never seen a royal in a public place let alone traveling around Amartea like Elric and his friends.

“Please, sit. No time for fuss.” Elric waited for everyone to sit down. “Emune has a Book of Wisdom. Only the descendants of the king could see it. Even though I knew, I waited until he told me himself. He managed to find out his history from Voispir and the prophecy from a hand-line reader made him insist on going to Orsgadt. The only problem is, he can't get away from the two of you keeping him so tight.”

Elric looked at Greg and Fiona. Both of them looked very angry because they knew nothing. “Today I should have asked you to hand Emune over in my custody but the attack happened until it all collapsed.”

“You can't even take care of it properly,” scorned Greg. He's fed up with Elric.

“I've guessed. I think Emune is calmer now because he can move on without hurting your feelings. Alfred, send the news to Eimersun. My father should know. Aiden, Sean, you're free to return to Eimersun.”

“Do not konyaol. You will not survive without the help of the Great Aiden,” said Aiden pongah.

“Moreover without the Amazing Sean,” Sean added.

Elric scolded. He expected it. Eventually they will all leave together following Emune.

They're getting ready soon. If, as Avena had said, Emune would cut the road to Onykz through the Dumina Forest, they would arrive in five to seven days on foot. With the best horses, the Elric troupe can arrive in just four days if unhindered on the way.

Alfred patted Elric on the shoulder. “We will find it,” he said calming Elric.

“Yes. We have to find him,” Elric's jaw hardens. He'll make sure Emune survives and take him to Eimersun as soon as possible.

***

Emune's entourage arrived at a huge pile of rocks. At first they thought that the huge pile of stones called Leonz were just rocks as big as a wagon but the one before them was a huge, towering mountain of rocks.

“Leonz, this is the stone pile?” ask Avena. This little boy could not even distinguish a pile of stones from a mountain of stones, his grunts in heart.

Leonz opened his eyes. He smiles. “Yes, there it is. Take the road to the left. We're going past the butterfly field.”

“We are not traveling. Is there a faster way?” ask Avena ketus.

“Indeed no. That's the safest way. Unless you want to pass through the territory of giants and giant scorpions.”

“I think butterflies are better,” says Avena fast.

Leonz asked to be dropped off on Proner. He patted Proner's shoulder and back before descending. Instantly Proner felt like someone was massaging him. It feels so comfortable. Leonz blinked at him then pulled Emune's hand and invited him to hurry.

The part of the forest they passed through was far from being haunted. Grasslands, valleys and small ponds actually look beautiful.

“What happened to humans who were deceived by witches?” ask Emune.

“They become a meal or an offering,” said Leonz.

Emune gulped. So spooky.

“Not all evil witches. Some live in groups to be safer and avoid the attack of supernatural beings. My mother and I live north of the butterfly field. You'll love it.”

“Happy to hear there are witches who are not evil. How long do you think we can get out of Dumina?”

“I want to drop you off right away but can't. I was a kid, my strength wasn't strong enough to keep you guys going. “

“Keep? Meaning?” ask Proner.

“I can invite you into the forest but I also have to protect you from attracting predators or other witches. You're in the light of my protector.”

“Yes, so he continued to sleepy, Horeen's” that suddenly appeared confirming Leonz's remarks. The elf no longer made any major damage, only the dried grasses were visible as he passed by.

“Oh, Leonz, thank you!” Emune hugged Leonz. Leonz patted Emune on the back.

The sky between the lush tops of the trees looked bright. Their journey seemed to be without a hitch. They will visit Leonz's mother and ask permission so that he can escort them out of the forest.

The sound of growling surprised them. Proner held the handle of his sword vigilantly. Emune prepared with a dagger and Avena had already made a cold mist on both of her palms. Hooray ... Horeen? Where's that one elf?

From the thickets of something big black jumped in front of Leonz who was picking wildflowers. Emune, Avena and Proner turned back to see a nearly two-meter-tall jet-black lion grinning and revealing deadly fangs. His eyes fluttered, only his two eyes were white and his forehead had a mark that looked like drops of ash. His claws looked menacing and Proner was convinced that every sabetage could kill.

“Horeen, where are you?” whispered Emune. It could be that one elf disappeared in a crucial moment.

“Sorry, I'm allergic to cats!” horeen peeked out from behind a tree.

Avena was very upset to hear that. He sent his cold mist to punch Horeen. “Do not joke!”

“Ouch! Really, I'm allergic.” Horeen.

“Now or not at all,” said Proner. He grins. Is this the end of his journey following Emune? So the prey of a giant black lion? Tragically.

“Leon!” leonz's yelling made it all diverted to the little girl. He ran and hugged the haunted lion without hesitation and fear. The lion licked Leonz's face with his wet tongue. Leonz giggled amusedly. “Mother told you to pick up?” Leonz's question was answered with a roar that made Emune, Proner and Avena turn a deaf ear.

“Small girl, you made my heart almost fall,” Avena complains.

“Sorry, this is my mother's pet lion. I must have been worried to tell him to pick me up. Let's ride Leon only,” take Leonz on Proner and Emune, “Avena and Horeen can follow,” he said happy.

Leonz, Emune and Proner sat on the back of the lion. They were led away towards the butterfly field. Leonz and Emune exclaimed in delight while Proner seemed not to enjoy and wanted to quickly get to the destination.

“Cat allergies? Silly fairy,” burles Avena on Horeen.

Horeen flicked her hair. He doesn't like to spend energy on Avena. Black cats are a bad sign. He should avoid it.

“My feelings are not good,” said Horeen. Even so he kept following where Emune and the others were going.