I didn’t know what I was doing. It was an emergency, so I knew I had to do something. That’s why I ran towards the herd before thinking about what I would do when I got there. I was running along the fence with balance I didn’t remember having. The cows were pushing against the gate on the other side of the field.

At this rate, they’ll break out. I glanced at the worm-like creatures chasing them. Maybe that would be for the best. As I got closer, I got a better look at the worm creatures. Their ‘skin’ was a dark brown and their eyes, red. One of them broke off from the group and charged at me instead.

‘It’s good that I’m up here where they can’t reach me.’ Is what I was thinking before it leaped up and soared towards my face. These things are pretty big. Bigger than I originally guessed from further away. I bet that my hand would wrap around it perfectly.

To test this theory, I caught it with one hand inches from my face. It opened its mouth, revealing rows and rows of jagged, metal teeth and hissed at me. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one of these before. Maybe Aunt Wen will know what they are. They say that wisdom comes with old age.

I flinched imagining her knocking me on the head for that comment. I need to focus. Not recognising the worm things means I have no Idea what they’ll do to the cows.

CRASH!

The cows managed to break open the gates. Good for them. I rushed over. Hold on… Won’t the worms just follow them through? That would be a problem. I held the wormlike thing away from me and picked up the pace. If I can close the gate before they get there, I can stop them for at least a short while. That’ll give me more time to plan something more permanent.

I reached the gate area with a good distance between me and the creatures. Now to close it. I kicked the gate shut and ran across it to do the latch. The latch was twisted apart. The cows probably broke it in their panic. What do I do now?

The creatures were fast approaching. Thinking on my feet is never going to work. I should do something simple. I need to keep the gate from moving to keep the creatures back. I tapped my foot, then looked down. That could work.

I used what was left of the latch to hold the gate in place then ran back along the fence. With a deep breath, I ran back to the gate faster than I normally allowed myself to go. If I went any slower, they would get there before I could. However, this made things like balance and strength harder to control.

The rubbing on the wood made my heels hot so I ran on my toes. At one point, I had to stretch my arms out to maintain my pace. The worm in my hand whimpered. Oh, I almost forgot I was holding that. Well it’s too late to let go now. I narrowed my eyes. They’re almost there. I leaned forward.

We reached the gate at around the same time. They snarled at my presence but it was too late for them. Using the momentum that I had gathered, I leapt into the air and came straight down on the gate, sinking it into the ground. I did this with so much force that the ground around me cracked and a shockwave of air was sent out. This stunned both the creatures and the cows bringing about a sudden silence.

I rolled my shoulders, shaking off the shock, and crossed my arms.

“Leave. Now.”

To my surprise, the worms listened. They slithered back towards the forest at a slower pace. Following that, Cam rushed over with Trist under her arm.

“Zekey!”

She was laughing at who knows what and doing the occasional twirl as she ran. She did a leap mimicking my own and landed in front of me. She held out her fist and I bumped it.

“Zekey, this boy and I are going on an adventure!”

I glanced at Trist. He shook his head like his life depended on it.

“Hold on.”

I grabbed her collar before she could march off. This collar seemed a bit familiar… Oh, that’s because it’s my shirt. How did she break into my cottage this time? The image of a trashed room flashed through my mind.

“Before you head off somewhere, go report your arrival to Aunt Wendy.”

I had a hunch that she came looking for me before telling anyone that she was even here.

“...Alright.”

She pouted.

“What’s that?”

Her bad mood evaporated as quickly as it came. Her eyes were glued to the worm creature in my hand. By now it had become quite docile. Like a limp noodle. Guess I scared it a bit too much.

“It’s a worm thing.”

“Can I have it?”

I thought for a second. My intuition is telling me that it won’t be able to do much on its own. Especially if Cam is the one looking after it. What’s the worst that could happen?

“Sure.”

“Yay!”

She tucked it under her other arm and jumped quite high. Both Trist and the worm grimaced as she landed.

“Then, after saying hi to Miss W, We’ll go on an adventure!”

“No.”

I shook my head. Letting Trist go off with Cam would be too merciful. Although barely. This man has caused me too many headaches for me to let him go with just a slap on the wrist.

“Tell Aunt Wen to put him to work.”

If he has to pay back his medical expenses, there’s no time like the present. Cam gave me a salute then paraded off, swinging Trist and the worm like they were buckets. Leaving him to Cam might not have been the best idea. She doesn’t really value any life but her own, and even that is shaky. Dealing with the worm monsters was more important though.

“What were those things?”

I sighed.

Those were Bygs. Of course an ignorant human such as yourself wouldn’t be able to identify the simplest of creatures.

The metal in my side bag was acting up again. Does it recognise those things? I’d like to take any lead I can get but this could be a clever ruse to trick me into signing a soul contract.

“Will talking to you sign any contracts? I don’t want to speak to you till I know.”

…You’re not the brightest of the bunch, are you? To answer your question, no, I’m just a regular cursed object that can influence all that touches it.

“That includes me, right?”

It should. However, I cannot penetrate your soul for some reason.

“Well I’m not the most passionate person.”

That wouldn’t change anything!

I rubbed my ear at its sudden outburst. It’s good to know that I wont get possessed any time soon though.

“You recognized the worm things?”

The Bygs, and yes. They’re a creature from ancient Terra that used to toil the fields of giants.

“Then why are they here? This isn’t giant territory.”

Who knows? If you can find their nest then I can probably tell you where they came from.

“Really?”

Of course not! Why would I ever help a human scum? Hehehahe!

“Guess you’re better off buried deep underground.”

I headed towards the barn to grab a shovel.

No! Wait! I’ve been asleep for so long! I can’t go back! Fine, fine! I’ll help!

I paused mid step and brought the cloth out of my bag.

“What do we do when we find out where they’re from?”

Send them back there of course!

That’s a good enough plan for me. I grabbed an axe and headed back to the field. I’ll move the cows when I get back. Maybe I’ll be able to get some wood while I’m there. Then I’ll be able to complete all my tasks before sundown.

“Which way should we go?”

Follow the Byg tracks you imbecile.

“I don’t like your tone.”

Hah?

I went back to get the shovel.

Wait, no! I’m sorry! Follow the Byg tracks if you will, Master.

Master? Well, I’m not gonna stop him if he wants to call me that. I followed the tracks and glanced up when the trees covered the sun. Guess I’m the one who’s going on an adventure this time. Should I have told Aunt Wen? She probably wouldn’t let me go alone. If this cursed piece of metal is correct, then this is something I’m better off dealing with myself.

I turned back one last time without stopping. This village is a peaceful place. Girls can go about doing their tasks without a care in the world. Smiles last a while and frowns don’t stick around. It’s a paradise that we created with our own hands. I rested the axe on my shoulder and pulled the cloth off the cursed metal.

I won’t let anything change that.