“Aren, do you think she’s okay?”

The duo was currently at the edge of the mist that was just right in front of them. The plants around the area have become darker in shade, as well as the light being dimmer than usual as if it was covered with thick with trees. Aren was currently debating on himself whether to follow Seris in or to leave her be, both of which contains consequences.

“She’s going to be okay. Probably.”

Aren was frankly not sure if she’s even alive with all the creepy aura this place is giving off. It’s unnerving. If there’s one thing he learned in horror movies, it’s that you should never go inside this kind of place. Going inside without even knowing what’s in store for them is just plain stupid, relating to Stan’s advice. Thus, Aren normally concluded that they should back off, turn around, and report it to Stan.

“We need to go in.”

Unfortunately, Misha had a different idea. Aren turned to face Misha in an annoyed manner.

“Misha, are you serious? Look at this place!”

Misha then looked at Aren with serious eyes, taking Aren slightly aback. He knew this look, and he knew this was bad news.

“She’s going to go as far as to go in knowing how creepy this place is. She must have a very good reason.”

“For goodness sake Misha!” Aren argued “For all we know, she could be out of her mind! You gotta be crazy to be walking in there without a group with you.”

Aren paced around, trying to find a way to convince Misha to back out. This wasn’t the first time he had to persuade Misha to look to the other side and it will certainly be not the last. He would usually not create a big deal about this, but this is different. They are dealing with an uncharted part of the forest which may house something that they have never seen before. It was therefore only logical to think that it’s a stupid thing to pursue the spear dancer any longer.

“Look, I get it that you’re worried for her, but what can we do? We don’t even know what’s inside there, and you’re telling me that we should go in just to save some stranger who, I might add, almost shanked me with a spear!”

“I know!” Misha argued back “It’s just that…”

Misha trailed off, looking at the abyss of a forest that stared back at her. It wasn’t just because of her usual concern for every people she meets, but it feels as if something wrong will happen if they don’t do anything. She had always followed Aren’s footsteps of always thinking logically, but her heart would always have the biggest say in most matters. Her instincts tells her to go inside along with Aren, and it’s tugging her every thought to make the decision.

“...are we really going to let her be? She’s going in there, alone.”

Aren crossed his arms, listening to what Misha has to say. It’s not as if he’s against the idea of following Seris in, which he actually strongly is, but if she were to give a good enough of a reason then he might reconsider and do the stupid. It’s not that he hates the girl, but he wouldn’t just go and help someone who hasn’t even given their name without a good reason. However, this is turning into a direction of morality in which he cannot ride along.

“Didn’t you realize how she warded us off? She wasn’t threatening us. She was warning us.”

Misha swiveled her eyes back to Aren, determined and resolved.

“She probably didn’t want us to follow because she knew the risks of what she is about to do. Are you just going to let a defenseless-”

“Ahem.” Aren interrupted.

“I mean, a lonely girl alone in this lonesome forest?”

Aren sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose.

“Misha, you may think I’m a goody two-shoes, but we both know I punched a child because he stole a Gail from me. If we’re going to talk about morality, at least let it be in a situation where it’s appropriate-”

“How about gaining her favour. Her stuff looked expensive, so she might be a noble.”

Aren lifted Misha up like a sack of potatoes without notice, surprising her, then dashed deeper into the dark forest much to her chagrin.

This was a reason he can get behind on. Of course, Seris is affiliated with a royal family. Misha may not know it, but Aren does, and he’s not going to let this opportunity pass by. Sure, he may have yelled at her for being an imprudent brat, but there's always a second impression. If everything goes well, he may even have the support of Seris’ family, and no one would dare go against anyone with the slightest hint of affiliation of a royal family. This was a chance too good to be ignored. The best part about this is that it’s rather easy. All he needs to do is make sure Seris comes out alive or by assisting her whenever necessary.

Aren’s enthusiasm didn’t last for long however when he felt fear slowly ebbing to his mind. Just as expected, this part of this forest is unnaturally creepy and filled with denser than normal ambient mana that has formed into a thick mist. Looking back at the way where he came from, he can’t even see far enough to see the light of the entrance. The whole area have become so dim that it’s as if it were almost night time. Aren slowly stopped to put Misha down, who seems to be feeling the same dread as him.

“What is this place?”

Aren took some time scouring his environment. The sun was almost completely blocked out, and all around them were just ominous plants, trees, and mist. It looks as if they’ve come into a whole new world. A whole new world that is passively making them tremble despite the lack of obvious threats and dangers around them. He had already knew that this was a bad idea.

“That’s what I’d like to know.”

A force so foul is at play here, and the worst part hasn’t showed itself to them yet. In the moment of silence of figuring out the existence of this place, the ground rumbled as if something heavy just descended upon the earth. The duo naturally headed towards the source, forcing themselves to move despite the cold fear. There’s something wrong about all of this, and they’ve made the willing mistake to involve themselves.

Seris dashed from one place to another, avoiding the humongous tail that haunts her every move. The giant abyssal that stayed still in its spot never released its gaze from her, trying to crush her with its tail with every opportunity it can get. Its jaws then opened to demand with its reverberant three-fold voice.

“Ssstop moving, little girl. Ssstop being ssstubborn and ssstay ssstill.”

Of course, Seris is not going to follow the oversized snake’s demands. Despite its size, it can surprisingly attack fast enough to keep up with her speed. It’s because of this that she can’t get any closer, along with the fact that the abyssal can actually spit out venom. Acidic venom, if the melted earth around it were of any indication. Moving to and fro, evading and dodging are the only things he can do for now. Her eyes kept caution to find any openings she can exploit, but the dreaded abyssal wouldn’t let her.

Miniature craters were left at the wake of the abyssal’s tail as it chased Seris ever more. Just one hit from that would be enough to cripple her, and so she would not stop moving until then. With the proficiency she has gained over training, she was practically untouchable despite the abyssal’s speed. But even masters cannot run indefinitely. Sooner or later, she’ll have to regain her stamina from all the running and evading she’ve been doing and she’ll be too exhausted to dodge any more. She cannot win with the battle of attrition, and so she must end this fight as fast as she can.

Every abyssal known to Alterea all had one thing in common; they are entities of fear. These fearful monsters harbor corrupted auras and vile souls, and are true embodiments of heresy against the gods. They are often identified by the natural dread and terror they emit from themselves, a consequence of a living being’s natural instinct against these ominous heretics. Even the most proficient mind mage cannot suppress the terror they give off, for it attacks the soul itself. However, it is because of this that they are the weakest of all against anything holy.

An abyssal is deathly weak against the holy, with even those with the faintest of holiness would be enough to damage an abyssal. But one cannot simply walk to an abyssal without it being agitated. They can sense divinity and holiness, making the only people that could stand a chance practically always visible to the abyssal itself. This is also true for any item that happens to be blessed. With Maharlika by her side, she'll have a chance of striking down the abyssal for good.

In this case, Seris was thankful that all of those books about the general bestiary of Alterea were forced on her by her trainer. If she hadn’t known those, she might’ve already given up and let death take her. Anyone who has seen this monster would know why Seris would think of doing so.

The abyssal’s body was darkened by the shadow of it’s own visible corrupted aura. It appears as a long coil of dark cloud, with its glowing red eyes illuminating in where its head should be. Its horns makes itself distinct from its body, as if separate from the apparition. This horn faintly glows red, with it getting brighter as it nears the tip. Thus Seris cannot fully see the actual snake, but the light from its eyes and horns reveals the scaled face a snake would have, and its hidden fang whenever it would open its jaws. It’s because of these features that Seris could only think of the abyssal as not a snake, but something else entirely.

The irritated abyssal finally started to move, withdrawing its tail to raise its head. Seris, finally having the opportunity to rest, stopped on her tracks to face the monstrosity. Her spear drawn at the ready, she awaits for a chance to strike. One good thrust into the abyssal’s stomach should be enough to take it down. She clutched her spear tightly, springing into a stance to prepare for her decisive blow.

The abyssal reared its head, but when she was about to go in, its horns brightly shone red as a shockwave knocks dust and leaves away from itself, prompting Seris to block. She peeled her eyes a moment after against the wind, only to witness the abyssal glaring at her very eyes. Chills ran down her spine to the sudden realization of what was about to hit her.

In an instant, the giant abyssal shrieked and howled with such power that it shook the earth and routed the wind. Two frills suddenly protrude from the sides of its head as they shake violently to the vibration, serving more intimidation to the terrified Seris. She somehow managed to stay in one place, but found herself to be immobile and intensely trembling from the abyssal’s dreaded shriek. She was then suddenly flung to the side like a fly and into a nearby tree after the abyssal’s tail whipped her away. Maharlika landed itself next to a crippled Seris, bloodied and bruised.

“I told you to ssstay ssstill, yet you didn’t lisssten. Ssshameful and ssstubborn.”

Seris tried to reach for Maharlika, but she could not find the strength to wield her weapon again. She could only do nothing but cough out blood and watch in horror as the abyssal slowly made its way to her. That single hit from the abyssal disjointed her elbow and fractured her ribs, causing her to have difficulties in breathing. It only took a single hit from it to effectively take her out of the battle.

“If you had ssstopped, you wouldn’t have to sssuffer.”

The abyssal once again lifted its tail, only for it to unwrap into an appendage with three finger-like protrusions, then picked the helpless girl up. Seris didn’t even have the strength to struggle and could do nothing against it.

“But do not worry, it will be over sssoon.”

Seris closed her eyes, accepting her fate as she was lifted up high over the abyssal’s opened jaws. Her life flashed before her, with all the memories of the good and the bad giving her a nostalgic feeling. She remembered her family that once supported her. Most of all, she remembered her father and the words he would speak to her. He was right. He was right all along.

“Forgive me father… forgive me all... I failed you.”

The abyssal suddenly paused, suspending Seris in the air with its tail. A presence unexpectedly made itself known as a tiny speck in the distance. The problem is, the presence seems to be getting closer in a ridiculous amount of speed. Curious and intrigued, the abyssal decided to stall the time to inspect the rapidly nearing visitor.

Meanwhile, Seris opened her eyes after realizing she’s still not in the abyssal’s stomach yet. She found the abyssal facing to its side. Not long however, she could soon notice the instantaneous expression of surprise from its face, as well the whistle that was quickly increasing in volume.

“AAAAHHHHH!!!”

Selis then fell without notice, only to realize that the abyssal has been hit in the head by something so blindingly fast that it whirred past them and destroyed the trees in its path. She could hear the object whack and crash along the forest while she fell rapidly down to the ground. Everything happened so fast, there wasn’t even enough time for her to blink.

“I got you!”

Misha was already at the ground before Seris could fall any more, catching her just in time. Unfortunately for Misha, she didn’t take into account Seris’ weight before she almost broke her spine after cushioning her fall with her arms, with the catching alone taking all of the air from her lungs. To save herself from any encumberment, she had to put her on the ground before preparing her spell.

“W-what?” Seris asked dumbly.

“N-no time to… huff... explain.” Misha said as she gestured her hands for casting.

As Misha hastily casted a spell, Seris looked back at the abyssal that once overwhelmed her, now howling in pain as it flailed its body wildly. The damage seems to be insignificant, but its screams of agony says otherwise. Luckily for the both of them, the force of the impact was enough to disorient it and give enough time for Misha to finish her spell.

Misha finished casting her spell, letting a portal open before her that ends away from the clearing. Misha hurriedly dragged Seris on the other side of the portal, before going back to retrieve Maharlika. The abyssal has recovered by then, but it wasn’t fast enough to catch Misha before she closed the portal with Maharlika in hand.

Misha had to dive jump into the other side to avoid the abyssal’s grasp and just barely made it, and thus why now she found herself lying on the ground with heavy breathing, clutching Maharlika tightly. She looked over to her side to see Seris struggling to breathe as she eyes the red head.

“W-why?”

“Well, it’s Misha we’re talking about.”

Aren suddenly shows himself from behind the tree Seris was leaning on, causing her to recoil as well as hurting herself in the process. Aren was insulted by her shock, but refrained from saying anything for the sake of second impressions.

“Careful. You’re badly injured.”

Seris eyeballs Aren, who was ironically more or less in the same shape as she is. It seems as if a torrent of attacks hit him all at once, considering that one of his arms and legs are limp and his body is full of fresh wounds. The padded tunic and pants that once covered his body is now tattered and is in a dire need of repair.

“You’re one to talk.”

Aren shrugged, albeit with pain and difficulty.

“I’ve been through worse.”

Aren then placed himself on the other side of the tree, sitting down to the ground full of dead leaves and twigs prickling his bottom. It wasn’t the most comfortable place to be in, and frankly the whole place is really shitty to stay on, but he can do nothing about it right now except complain. Misha have calmed down enough to give back Maharlika as well as hand a health potion to Seris, who expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you... “

Misha sweetly smiled as a reply. She then went and gave Aren another bottle to help him recover. Seris gazed at the two for a second, before turning her attention on the potion.

Looking at the potion on her hand, Seris contemplated on what has just transpired in the past few minutes. She nearly died in the hands, or tail rather, of an abyssal that was surely much stronger then her. She even thought she could have an advantage against it just because she has Maharlika by her side, only to realize soon after how naive she has been.

“Father was right…” she softly mumbled.

Time and time again she felt the need to prove herself to her family. They were all outstanding people, her siblings and especially her father who have been there for her since forever. Yet despite the excellence of her family, she was the only one who was inferior. Talentless, with no promise on becoming a potential heir of the royal family. She was always below them no matter how hard she tried. They say it’s fine, they say it’s okay, that they’ll still love her no matter what. Eden so, their love couldn't erase her bitterness. She can’t accept the feeling of inferiority, and she did want to prove to herself and to others that she’s capable. She wanted to show them.

And so she trained in the only thing she’s mildly good at; combat. She trained and trained until her footwork was practically flawless, until her movements were akin to a beautiful dance, until Maharlika chose her. However, her accomplishments weren't even outstanding in the slightest to the others that shared the Rosen family name. Her siblings were in an unfair distance ahead of her, and the only thing she took pride of only shattered once she realized that she could not reach what the others have achieved.

Her father had already warned her to never be too stubborn, to never try to reach something without knowing the path ahead of her. She has been too focused on her inferiority that she has started to neglect what she already has. Alas, no matter how hard her father would speak to her, she never listened. Instead she stubbornly followed what she blindly desired into this cursed forest. And now, she regrets it. How her fixation got the best of her, how she ignored the words of the person that loved her the most.

Now she knows. It was never meant for her to be better than her siblings, or even just to be better at anything at all. Even the spear that gave her newfound hope only filled her now with doubts. Is she even truly worthy to be its chosen? Why did Maharlika choose someone as stubborn and weak as her? Every second that passed only filled her heart more and more with doubt and sorrow.

It was only a miracle that she survived. Even the heavens took pity of her weakness by giving her a second chance. She was so pitiful that she needed two people to save her. She was so pitiful that she needed to meet death before she could truly realize what she really is. She was so pitiful, that the gods’ merciful eyes wanted to see her try once again, but she can’t anymore. After what has happened, she doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to repent and repay. What only remained in her was a shattered soul, trapped within her own inferiority.

One more time did she look at the red liquid inside the vial, before slowly gulping the potion. She had hoped that her body’s recovery would ease her thoughts. Her wounds healed, bones fixed, and body felt better than ever. She slowly lowered the now empty bottle and placed it on the ground, shedding tears. Sadly, the feeling of revitalization that washed over her seemed so insignificant from the misery she felt.

“It’s bitter…”

Seris then could only gaze on the ground after, softly weeping and brooding. For a moment, for a precious while, she trembled not in the grasp of fear, but the sadness and regret that welled in her heart.