Haru woke up to the sounds of winds brushing through the branches and the annoying noisiness of late morning, the screeching and chirpings of birds are things that he couldn't bear to listen when he wants to sleep more. Sitting up, he wiped his sleepy violet eyes before letting out a yawn, hand reaching for one of the small leather bands he usually uses to tie his hair into a small ponytail behind his head. After a while of searching without finding any of them, Haru blinked his eyes opened, but instead of seeing the familiar corner of the house where he sleeps, a put out fire pit and a cliff overseeing the valley below greeted him. The boy was tossed into maelstrom of panic and fear, not knowing what to do except for wrapping himself in his leather blanket.

Wait. Leather blanket? This isn't his, it belongs to someone else. A name popped out into Haru's mind as he began to stitch up the scattered memories from yesterday. It was a bit foggy at first, but it started to become clearer as he recalled his adventure. Everything seemed to be in their places, except for his strange companion who he last saw was sitting near the cliff has gone.

- Keto-san? - Haru looked around, hoping that his companion was just around the campsite.

- Yes?

The voice came from above, somewhat muffled as if he was choking on something. As soon as Haru looked up, his face turned white, immediately regretting his decision. Quetz was sitting on a large tree branch, his big toes acted like thumbs, gripping the wooden barks tightly while his long tail coiled around it, anchoring him as was trying to swallow a large lizard whole. It was still moving, its hind legs and tails flailed around desperately to escape from the fearsome predator that is Quetz. Haru flinched as the older male slightly unhinged his jaws, twice as wide as a normal human could and clamped down, slicing the poor animal in half like a monstrous guillotine.

He gulped down the upper half of the lizard, throat inflated like a pelican as he did, blood dripping from his mouth, down to his chin and onto the ground below. The man, the monster, dropped down on all four in front of Haru, cocking his head slightly in confusion at Haru's terrified face. He slowly crept forward, half crawling, half hopping like a monkey, leaving a trail of bloody handprints and droplets behind while his young companion crawls backward.

- Hey! Wait! - Quetz yelled out a warning and reached out his hand, trying to grab the boy before he crawls to the edge of the cliff.

Haru's mind was filled with terror, his ears buzzing from his own breathing and frantic movements in order to get away from this...beast. It was too much for his mind to handle, the sight of the half bitten body dropping from Quetz's mouth to the ground just inches away from him, the sensation of blood droplets splashing on his face, it was too much! As the creature moved forward in an inhuman fashion, he could feel his heart beats louder and louder, matching quickening breathes. The beast's eyes glowed eerily, drowning everything around him in utter silent and darkness, reflecting Haru's fear mockingly as if revealing his grand scheme of leading him here to devour him whole.

- No! No! - The boy yelped in horror as tears streamed down his cheeks. - Get away from m...

His sentenced was cut short, his heart stopped for a second as the sensation rushed from his hand to his arm and spread out throughout his body. Instead of hitting the hard ground, Haru hand reached into the empty void, so transfixed in getting away from Quetz that he's forgotten that they were on a cliff. His mind went blank, unable to think of anything as his view shifted from the approaching beast to the clear blue sky.

Then suddenly he stopped.

- Te tengo! - Quetz's voice pierced Haru's mind, bringing him out of his freezing state.

The boy looked up, sensing his shirt being gripped by Quetz's grey hand, holding his upper half from falling down. The older male forced a smile onto his face, both intentionally to calm Haru and unintentionally showing his relief. Before the boy could react, he yanked his arm backward forcefully, but instead of opening his mouth and chomp down as Haru's feared, Quetz wrapped both his arms around the shaking boy, making Haru fall on top of him.

- Hey! Hey! Are you ok? - The older male grabbed Haru's head with both of his hands, but instead of ripping it off, he gently turned the boy's head from side to side, looking for injuries, his face tensed worriedly.

- I...I'm fi-fine. - Haru shook his head free from the older male's hands, confused and shocked at his actions, how it was different from what he used to receive.

- That's good. - Quetz sighed and looked up, a smile of honest relief made his fearsome fangs less terrifying. - I'm sorry for scaring you, I should've eaten somewhere else but I wanted to stay close. - He apologized and continued, honest and natural, unlike how other people in the village treated Haru.

The boy felt his eyes burnt and slowly filled with water, he closed them tight, teeth clenched tightly as he tried to hold in his cries of desperation, fear, anger, sadness, emotions he has to suppressed through a lifetime of being neglected, reviled, feared and hated just because of his odd features and fragile physique. But here Quetz was, a stranger he's just met yesterday and knew almost nothing about, saving him from dangers and even shows genuine caring for him, it was too much. He put his forehead onto the older male's chest, sobbing quietly, letting out all of his frustration on the one person that he somehow knew would understand.

And Quetz did, he has seen people acting like this before, he acted like this when he was young and naïve too, but that was a lifetime ago. When once he was feared and hated for no reason, now Quetz has given enough reasons for others to do so, a way to weed out those who he couldn't trust. Yet the people whom he has seen acted like this were much older than Haru, with issues manifested later in their lives. Seeing one so young having suffered through such hardship at a young age, something snapped inside the older male's head, reminding him of those early years of his life. The urge to comfort his companion overtook Quetz's mind, he wrapped his arms around the boy's shaking frame and pulled him into his chest, caressing his hair to calm him down.

Both of them sat there for a while, not a single word was spoken but they knew that they understand each other better to some extent. It was Haru who broke out first, violet eyes still wet with tears but were now calm and relieved of some of his frustrations. Surprising his older companion with responsibility and awareness, he pointed out that it might rain soon and that they should get going. Receiving an approval nod from Quetz, Haru cleaned his face and tooth with charcoal and water, a hygiene routine he's learned, before continuing his journey down the valley with Quetz.

The lower they went, the denser and wetter the forest became, overtaking the ruins marked with tribal symbols and landmarks. This is one of many hunting grounds for small games hunters as Haru recalled, he has come here many times with his adoptive siblings, not to hunt per se, but to gather herbs and wild fruits that littered the forest floor and canopies. In fact, those were some of the few happy memories he had, it seems like the only thing that kept people from mocking or giving him disgusting glares was the fear of the unseen threats that may lurk in these lands, especially the fabled Walker. Unconsciously, Haru leaned closer to Quetz, who's just casually plucked a handful of low hanging apples from their branches.

- Here, want one? - He handed one to Haru before biting off a large chunk of another one.

- Th-thank you... - Haru replied shyly as he held the fruit, looking around nervously under the hood before biting down on the fruit's shiny red skin, into the sweet juicy flesh below, a rarity in this forest. Swallowing the piece of fruit in his mouth, he turned his gaze at his companion, confused as why he was so...calm when they're in the Walker's territory. - Keto-san, - He said quietly. - we should be careful, this is the Walker's Forest.

- The what forest? - The older male looked down, confused but still not lowering his voice, the sheer volume of his voice made Haru flinch a bit.

- Well...you see...there's a...story...in my village. - Haru's voice was soft and quiet as he began to recite the myths and tells of the Elders. - A long time ago, wh-when my tribe first moved here...they encountered...something. - His voice was quiet, fearful of the mystical beast told in the elders' tales. He looked around, terrified of the creature that might be stalking them right now. - They...didn't know what it was, but...hunters that actively hunted in these woods started to disappear...only to be found days later, either mutilated or just bits and pieces of them. Some said that the forest was cursed, other said that the hunters defiled the ruins. But after a while, some of them survived the attacks...or they were spared, to spread the words that these woods are protected by the Walker, to hunt for big games here is to invite its wrath...

- Well we're not hunting for big games are we? - Quetz chuckled, amused by the villagers' superstitious nature. - We're just getting you home, the Walker or whatever it is shouldn't be bothered by a lost child and his guide.

- That's not the point! - Haru hissed in terror as his companion's blasphemous tone. - These ruins are haunted, not only by the Walkers but the people that died here too. They were mutilated, torn apart by the claws of something big and...

- Like these? - Quetz stopped and raised one of his legs, claws twitching teasingly, claws that resembled those of large raptors, claws that matched the wounds found on the bodies. But before Haru could react, and the older male knew that he would let out a scream so loud that would wake the dead, his hand ruffled the boy's white hair, comforting and reassuring him of his safety. - Don't worry, I'm not the Walker, whatever it was that your people saw must have been dead or moved on long ago, just because my legs look somewhat weird doesn't mean I'm the Walker, right? Now let's hurry, it's going to rain soon.

- Uh-um...yeah, let's go. - Haru nodded, looking around one last time just to make sure that the Walker wasn't looking, an irrational lingering fear seeded and reinforced into his subconscious by the respected elders, though they might don't know as much about these forests as they've thought.

Just as Quetz said, the dark clouds that have been hanging lazily over the sky ever since they've reached the Walker's Forest soon released their loads. Water crashed down the canopies, flushing birds and other animals that have sought refuge in the high branches out of their hiding places. Against all the intertwining branches and leaves, the rain sounded deafening, seemingly drowning every sound made by the residents of the forest. Where once the earth was firm, it's now like that of a marsh, drowned and transformed by the downpour, making it impossible for Haru to take one step without struggling to lift his other foot still stuck in the mud.

- You're stuck. - Quetz stopped to look at his struggling companion.

- I'm....fine! - Haru grunted, finally succeeded in pulling his foot free from the mud, just to land it ankle deep in the thick layer of mud, this time with several vines concealed by the wet earth. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he forced a smile onto his lips, trying not to look helpless. - It's just that it's been a while since I've walked in mud this deep.

- Tch. - Quetz rolled his eyes under his hood and smiled then walked toward Haru. Kneeling down, he pulled the boy's stuck foot out of the mud, much to Haru's embarrassment, before taking off his cloak and turned his back toward the boy. - Here, get on, you're slowing us down.

- N-no! I'm fine! I...Yah! - Haru's protest was cut short into a high pitched yelp as Quetz leaned backward and pulled him up, freeing his feet from the mud and his stuck grass slippers. - My slippers! - The boy yelped and turned around but still hugging his journal tightly in his chest.

- Leave them, - Quetz grunted and adjusted the boy into position. - I'll make new ones for you, still got some spare materials in my pockets.

Haru reluctantly agreed, flinching a bit as Quetz draped his cloak over them before continue walking. Pressing his entire body against his older companion's, Haru now noticed how fast Quetz could be without having to wait for him. The older male's toes splayed out, distributing his weight so that his entire feet wouldn't sink as deep as Haru though he's obviously heavier, leaving behind shallow three-fingered footprints with a small impression of a fourth toe wherever the mud was deeper. The boy pressed his face onto his companion's back, trying to keep warm as his body now felt cold, he could barely keep his eyes open as he struggled to keep his journal tucked between his arm and chest. With his other arm hung loosely on Quetz's shoulder, Haru pulled himself upward, putting his face into his companion's neck, a last ditched attempt to stop himself from slipping down, before slowly dripping into sleep.

The strange sensation caught Quetz off guard, making him flinch a bit and accidentally pressing his foot a bit deeper. The man stopped for a second to take a quick glance at the white-haired boy, the cause of the strange sensation on his neck. Haru's lips were slightly open, breathing warm, shivering breaths onto the older male's skin but his eyes were closed, his entire body laid motionless, save for the rising and collapsing of his small chest. "Poor kid, he must have caught a cold." Quetz thought to himself, lifting his foot to shake off the mud before continuing.

It wasn't long before they reached an unusual path, the size of two wagons. Cutting through the forest's maze-like structure, the beaten path of earth and stones was slightly elevated from the surrounding forest floor, enough to keep it firm and dry, making it easier for travelers to walk through the forests, should the needs come. On both sides of the path, grim totems of skulls, bones, seashells and even crudely crafted idols littered the undergrowth, partially hidden from sight, landmarks and warnings for both human and beasts. Luckily, Quetz was neither. As he started walking on the path, he couldn't help but sigh in relief that he's found the path, it would've been much faster and easier for both him and Haru. Following the faint salty smell of the sea, the stranger carried his companion on the path, all the while planning on how to get other human's attention without drawing too much on himself.

Quetz solution became clear to himself as he gazed upon a large ruined house of stone, tribal symbols and markings covered the wall with an unlit brazier on the top, along with several wooden ladders and lookout points stretching out beyond the roof. Cocking his head slightly sideway, he older male cautiously approached the seemingly emptied den, experiences have taught him that there's no such thing as an emptied den until it's thoroughly checked. But just as Quetz was creeping toward the ruined house, Haru's eyes blinked open, the boy gave his violet eyes a quick rubbing before looking up at the house.

- Oh...you found the abandoned watch post. - He smiled sleepily and nuzzled his face into the older male's neck, making him blush a bit from the ticklish sensation.

- A-abandoned? - Quetz stuttered, blushing a bit as he was partially surprised by Haru's action.

- Yeah... - Haru let out a yawn and tiredly pointed at the house. - Guards used to use that as a watch post, but they've moved a bit further inland...now it's just a resting place in case people want to take a break before going to the village...

- Then rest here we shall. - Quetz nodded, pulling Haru up a bit then walked toward the house with a bit more confident.

Passing through the mossy doorway, the pair entered the house, making the animals that were using it as a shelter scattered and run out through the holes that littered on the walls. The smell of mosses made Quetz shook his head a bit, but given the fact that his sense of smell is more powerful than that of human, he's sure Haru wouldn't mind. And to be honest, what choice did they have left? The rain was picking up, so much water was poured down that a small river was forming on one side of the path.

- Wh-why are we here? - Haru's eyes blinked open again.

- Oh you're awake, good. - Quetz turned his head slightly and knelt down, letting his companion slide onto the floor. - You stay here, I'll get someone to get you.

- Y-you're leaving me here? Alone? - Haru gripped the journal on his chest, he looked up at Quetz with eyes filled with fear and desperation.

- No. I said I'll get someone to get you to the village, it's not safe for us to walk together there. - The older male knelt down, letting his eyes matched his companion's in height and patted the boy's shoulder gently. - Wait here, it won't take long.

- B-but...what if some animals...the Walker... - Haru's face reddened with the fever, his mind and vision became blurry as he stumbled forward and collapsed onto the older male's shoulder. - Don't leave...don't leave me here...alone... - Tears streamed down his cheeks uncontrollably as Haru hugged Quetz's neck tightly, unwilling to let go, partially because he's scared to be here alone, but also because he's the only person who's treated him as equal outside of his adoptive family. - Please don't go...Keto...please don't...

Quetz's lips slightly opened up, readied to protest that this part of the forest is safe, but seeing those terrified, teary eyes, he couldn't think of any good reason. He didn't want to think of any reason to leave Haru here alone. Letting out a sigh, the older male removed the boy's arms, much to his fear but quickly reassure him with a gentle nudge on his forehead with his knuckles before turning toward the dark corner under the staircase. Removing his cape and laid it onto the floor, Quetz sat down, the way he sits made he looks like a large dog in the shadow of the house. Eyeing the younger male with his amber eyes, he gently patted the space next to him with his long tail, bidding the boy to sit down.

Wiping the lingering tears from his eyes, Haru struggled to pick up his journal that he's dropped and held it tightly in front of his chest, trying to calm his quivering heart. It was weird, he's never cried like that in front of a stranger before, throughout his childhood Haru was told not to cry for help, that he's the embodiment of bad luck and is a curse, both for himself and to others, that he has no right to cry for help. So he learned to hide his tears, to kept silent, only dared to weep quietly either at night when no one could hear him or on rare occasion, in his sister's arms. But here Quetz was, no loudly spoken words condemning him for crying, no malicious teases or disgusted glares. Moreover, this man didn't deny Haru affections, tolerated every mistake he made, he didn't leave Haru to his own fate or ignored him when he's in danger. Not like most people in the village, not like most people would.

- Why? - The boy asked, his voice shaking with doubt and fear that this man, this stranger, this...creature, was tricking him, using him to his own end.

- Why what? - Quetz raised one eyebrow and tilted his head slightly, seemingly confused by his companion's question.