Elena retreated until her back hit the rough bark of a tree.
The thing tilted its head, studying her with quiet curiosity.
"Why do you look so scared?" it asked, its voice soft—so soft it seemed to drift with the wind.
"A-are you seriously asking me that?" Elena stuttered, eyes wide.
It nodded genuinely, looking confused.
"What are you?" Elena asked, forcing herself to steady her breathing. She couldn't sense any hostility from it.
She couldn't sense anything at all.
"I'm not sure what I am," it replied thoughtfully. "I have no memory. But I'm certain of one thing—you called me here."
"I… I did?" Elena asked, bewildered.
"Yes. I was somewhere dark. Endless darkness. Then I heard a voice calling me."
It smiled faintly. "I followed it… and found you."
It hesitated, its expression dimming.
"I felt your fear."
The fog shifted and in a blink, it vanished.
Elena gasped as it reappeared right in front of her.
"I didn't want to show myself," it continued softly. "I knew you wouldn't like me. No one ever does."
Then its eyes brightened suddenly.
"But even though you were afraid, you told me to come out. You sounded so confident… so brave."
A small smile curved its lips.
"I like you already. Can we be friends? Please?"
Elena stared, stunned and unsure what to say.
"What's your name?" she finally asked.
"I am Lena," it replied, drifting through the fog.
"And you're… me?" Elena asked carefully.
Lena spun around happily. "I feel like you. I want to be like you too. You're so beautiful."
Elena blinked. "Okay… that's flattering, but I have a very important question."
"I'll answer anything," Lena said eagerly.
"Why do you look exactly like me?"
Lena's smile faltered.
"I don't know," she admitted quietly. "I've never seen myself before."
Then she brightened again. "But if I look like you, that means I'm beautiful!"
Elena sighed. "So… why are you here?"
"You called me," Lena replied playfully, floating in lazy circles. Her giggles echoed through the forest, distorted, almost overlapping.
"Alright, enough," Elena said tiredly. "Can you at least call off the fog? It's freezing, and I need sleep."
Lena looked down, fiddling with her fingers.
"I don't know how. It follows me everywhere."
Elena studied her for a moment. She felt no threat. Still, caution lingered.
"Come. I'll relight the fire. Maybe the warmth will help."
"Okay!" Lena replied happily, trailing after her like a shadow.
Elena rekindled the fire and sat close, warming her hands. The flames danced, spreading comfort through her aching body.
Lena sat opposite her, guilt flickering across her face.
"I'm sorry I made it cold."
"It's fine," Elena said softly. "I'm warm now."
Gradually, the fog thinned… then disappeared entirely.
"It's gone! Elena, it's—" Lena paused.
Elena was already asleep, clutching Dante's cloak with a faint smile.
Lena watched her quietly.
"Good night, Elena…"
***
Ray lay sprawled on the floor, breathing heavily.
"Just kill me," he rasped.
"I'd love to," Yami said lazily, "but I promised someone I wouldn't kill anyone else tonight."
Amber nodded in approval and tightened the wind binding Ray's limbs, lifting him slightly.
"Tell us where it is."
"Never."
"I'd rather die than give it to monsters like you."
Shadows gathered around them.
"Oh hell," Amber muttered. "They're back."
"My cursed beasts won't slow them enough," Yami growled. "And this one's stubborn."
"What do we do?"
Yami tightened his grip on his axe. Anger surged through him "I don't know."
His carefully thought out plan was about to be ruined and there was nothing he could do.
A voice echoed startling them.
"Surrender, and we'll grant you a peaceful death."
Amber's eyes glowed crimson. She glanced at Yami.
"Can you hold them? I have a plan."
He grinned darkly. "With pleasure."
A violent gust of wind erupted, throwing the attackers into disarray.
When it settled, Amber was gone.
"Where did she go?"
"That's not who you should worry about," Yami snarled and charged.
Amber slipped through the house silently.
Her eyes glowed in the darkness.
The whimpering grew louder.
She opened the door.
The little boy cowered in the corner, shaking.
"Hello," Amber said gently.
"Stay away from me!" he cried.
"Relax...I'm not here to hurt you," she said calmly. "Please, trust me."
"You're lying! You hurt my daddy!"
"No," Amber said softly. "We were just talking. But my friend… he's losing control.
Your daddy is in possession of something that belonged to us and we just want it back but he's making things difficult for me— for us."
The boy sobbed.
"There's a way to save him," Amber continued. "Your father is hiding it somewhere and we don't know where. If you show me where it is, he'll live."
The boy hesitated… " Are you sure?"
"Of course! I always keep my word. You will have to hurry up though. My friend is really impatient.."
The boy nodded.
"Follow me."
Amber smiled. "Of course. Lead the way."
***
Yami struck a guard down breathing heavily. "One down, three more to go."
Ray clenched his fist and tiny sparks of flames engulfed them. He was too weak.
"You cursed beings deserve death! We will never let you succeed!"
Yami laughed darkly. " You humans are so weak. Three of the guards from the royal capital can't even beat me. That's a shame because my magic is way stronger than yours!" He screamed and charged again.
Yami was exhausted already. Ray was a tough opponent. It was obvious the village leader was the strongest one here.
He only defeated him fairly quickly due to Amber's wind magic which was getting stronger by the hour.
"If you just let your emotions take over your sense of reason, you will become just like me..."
"Never!" The guards screamed in unison and attacked again.
A fierce wind surged as Amber reappeared beside Yami, clutching a box.
"She has the potion! Quick stop her!" One of the guards yelled.
"I would love to have keep you guys company but we're late," she said cheerfully. "See you, Ray."
They vanished in a trail of wind leaving the guards confused.
"Noooo" Ray screamed and collapsed
Silence followed.
A/N
Hey guys!
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Your comments and votes are my motivation.
Before I leave, Who do you think Lena is?
Leave your answers in the comment.