The crickets in the light buzzed, a sickly sweet hum that matched the sour taste in her mouth. She was alone, hunched over her sketchbook, the graphite scratching out a world far more interesting than this one.
A weird creature, wings half-formed, a mess of lines and shading that somehow felt more real than the kids chattering around her. They were all in their little groups, giggling and whispering, a language she didn't speak.
Not that she wanted to, exactly.
It just... felt impossible. Like trying to squeeze into a club already full of people who didn't want her.
Thump!
"Oh.. sorry." A random classmate bumped into her desk, the backpack was getting in the way of her space.
Who was he again? She couldn't remember. Even though half the school year had passed, she never fully knew all of her classmates names.
To her, they were all just strangers who she saw everyday.
The figure disappear quickly before they arrive, blending with the people like it's the most easiest thing.
She stared at the ruined sketch, the graphite a mess line in the paper, like a mocking scratch.
A normal person would have reacted, wouldn't they? A frustrated sigh, a muttered curse, maybe even a sharp word directed at the person responsible.
But nothing came.
It doesn't matter anyway...
She flipped the pencil in her hand, silently erasing the unwanted mark. But the feeling of hallow was never going away.
"For your project," A teacher's voice cut through the low hum of conversation, "I need you to form groups. Anything goes."
The classroom swam before her eyes. Rows of desks, each occupied by clusters of chattering students. In her eyes, another blurry faces in the ocean of people..
Resting her head, she looked out the window, not moving an inch. The sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating motes of dust dancing in the still air.
"Is anyone wanna include her in their group?" The teacher spoke,
In this world full of empty colors.
"There's a leftover here."
Every seconds of dead silent. It feels suffocating.
She felt utterly adrift, a single, insignificant speck in a vast, indifferent universe.
'I want to disappear...'
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The forest floor was covered in a soft layer of fallen leaves, giving off a comforting smell that mixed with the earthy scent of the woods.
Kara, a teenage girl with chestnut hair that flowed past her shoulders, laying on a giant, moss-covered boulder.
She opened her eyes, their silver orbs reflecting boredom. 'That dream again..'
"You're a descendant of the Demon tribe," a voice echoed, vibrating through the air around her. "Yet here you are, slacking off."
Kara let out a sighed, looking down at the metallic staff in her hand, fingers absentmindedly tracing the curved design.
At that moment, a small hologram of a girl around her age appeared.
She had long, dark red hair styled in twin tails that reached her waist, framing a face with sharp crimson eyes. Her ears were slightly pointed, and she had two pointed horns, one intact and the other chipped.
A red-tipped tail swayed behind her as she regard her descendant with a dissatisfied look.
"What do you want?" Kara muttered, dismissive within her presence.
Lamia hands shot on her hips. "What are you going to do for yourself? You've spend years mostly avoiding anything that might challenge you. Do you honestly believe that's how you'll fulfill your destiny?"
"What destiny?" She deadpanned. The brunette pause while her eyes slowly closed, thought drifting. "I guess, i don't even know what I want to do with my life."
"Don't give me that answer," Lamia's voice sharpened. "The bloodline of a powerful lineage flows through your veins! You should be the embodiment of power and charisma!"
"Easier said than done, Ancestor." She switched her position to the side, avoiding the demon's demand.
"Uh, excuse me? Please get up! Your ancestor would be ashamed of you! I would be ashamed, mind you!"
'Thats irritating..'
"Rwaf!"
Kara's head traveled to that squeaky sound, only to be attacked with a snuggle of affection.
"Hey..!" She chuckled in response, seeing it's tail wagged happily made her unable to struggle away.
The brunette picked up the white ball like pet, resting him in her lap as she sat up. The creature hummed and purred with each caress, slightly making her smile.
"She's really persistent, right, Yuri?" she muttered with low energy, burying her face in the animal's soft fur.
Lamia's impatient voice broke their moment. "Are you even listening?"
Kara stayed still, shaking her head. "Nope."
"Hah?!"
"Nope," she confirmed, her voice muffled.
Lamia let out a deep sigh. "Out of all the descendants I've guided, you're the most... peculiar." She pinched the bridge of her nose, sounding a bit defeated.
"Really? What about Dad, though? He's got some weird habits, if you ask me."
"He's the bothersome one. Still, I am utterly appalled that you speak of your father that way..."
"I'm joking! Well, mostly... He did have that thing with the taxidermied giant bug...."
"If so, he clearly got an ambition unlike his good-for-nothing daughter..." Lamia whispered, folding her arms.
A pause silence them both, the wind slowly dance Kara's long chestnut hair. Alongside the occasional movements of rustling leaves, the time felt still in that moment.
Kara's expression didn't altered, but her eyes remain distant in the far away sky. She never shoot back a reply, why would she?
'Thats because she's right.. I just can't find a clear path.'
She have her whole life with her, so much to see in this world. She could have found something, think things through, or planned ahead of how much time she has moving forward.
But in the end, nothing really struck out to her. 'I couldn't find anything..'
Lost in thoughts, the silence extended more than both of them pleased. And the constant movement of her leg makes it hard for Kara to hide this restlessness any longer.
Worries washing over her, making her grip the staff tighter.
Lamia observed, 'There's that long stare again.. This keeps happening for weeks now..' She thought of asking her descendant directly, but stopped, knowing it wasn't her role to do so.
Her mind remaineded her to be sensitive when it comes to human emotions, not that she understands it herself. But offering comfort to someone when needed is both sensible and a way to understand her descendant better.
"Agh, bonding moments..."
Despite that, she still finds the thought unpleasant.
"I'll have you know, your father's a great warrior," Lamia began, trying to draw her descendant's attention. "His determination was his greatest strength. He may have been foolish in his youth, but his good heart brought hope to those around him. Back then, he could have achieved the title 'Hero' if he wanted..."
Even after hearing it multiple times, Kara still listens with interest. After all, she shared the same regard towards him.
But that didn't stopped her from making fun of his silly flaws. "Then.. If he was so great, why didn't he break the seal?"
At the brunette's innocent remark, Lamia's face darkened.
Her image flickered like a dying candle, and the staff in the brunette's hand vibrated as if it were boiling.
"Because.. THAT SON OF A DEMON FORGOT ALL ABOUT IT!!" Lamia shouted, her voice echoing through the forest. "Do you know what it was like to be dragged into his crazy adventures and gain nothing?" She stomped her foot like a child throwing her daily tantrum.
"Those continuous advices i gave him, all of it was taken for granted, i never gotten a single paycheck! It's like I'm just a fortune teller solving his problems! I wanted to strangle him after that!"
'I didn't think it was.. that bad..' Kara sweat drop as she regret questioning it.
Lamia paused upon realizing her outburst.
She then take a deep breath to calm down.
Kara wasn't sure whether to feel sorry for her or find it funny. She knew her father was a good man and that they had sorted things out in the end.
Still...
"I can.. sort of picture that happening," she admitted. "It was Dad, after all."
"So, about what I asked earlier." Lamia breathe firmly.
"That was quick to change gears." The brunette raised her brow.
"Humour me for once." Lamia narrowed her eyes at the girl, hands clapped together.
Kara leaned back, finally hearing her ancestor out.
"Please tell me you're going to try and make some friends.."
"Nope," And she replied almost immediately, blocking her hand in protest.
"Think carefully before you answer!" Lamia exclaimed, her patience wearing thin.
"Like I said, when you say it like that. It feels like i'm gonna be forcing myself.."
Kara sighed. "I'm already bad enough at approaching people... I'm more functional alone. Besides, don't you think I might drag them down?"
"You can't decide that for yourself..."
Kara paused, wanting to change the subject. Her silver eyes lit up with an idea. "Hey, you know those characters who get kicked out of their groups and then start off alone, but become powerful without needing anyone?"
Lamia rolled her eyes. "You and your obsession with fictional shows. "
"Come on, hear me out!"
Kara's tone immediately shifted, her fingers eagerly tapping the staff.
"Imagine it, Ancestor," she said, her eyes sparkling. "A lone traveler, wandering the world, defeating evil all on their own. No talking, just showing up, defeating bad guys, and disappearing before any human arrives."
"You sound like you're some other species..."
Kara ignored her, a grin forming on her lips. "A loner in another world. I could be that kind of protagonist!"
Lamia sighed, a mix of concern and amusement in her eyes. While Kara's desire for independence was admirable, her reluctance to connect with others was.. worrying.
She needed a group of people to support and push her forward. Could this stubborn girl ever understand that?
"You have that look again," Kara said, interrupting Lamia's thoughts.
She didn't reply, instead turn her attention on the brunette's face.
"I know you're looking out for me. But is it really necessary to form bonds with people? Make friends?" Kara paused, her silver eyes indifferent. "I spent three years alone, who says I can't do it again?" she continued, her expression blank and disdainful.
"Kara." Lamia's serious tone shot at her in warning.
The brunette looked down. "All the time I've spent thinking alone, what I've observed.. I've realized something."
Her chestnut hair shadowed her intense gaze. "Society is like a balance, a cycle of chain reactions.."
"When someone goes against the norms, they become the focus, the target of judgment." Every words, each form of sentence, escape on her mouth like a heavy weight.
"Whether it's out of real curiosity or some meddlesome intent. When that one thread snap, it will be impossible to repair them. Those who wanted to survive, become apart of that suffocating chain.. and the cycle goes on again..."
Lamia listened carefully, understanding her point.
Having such pessimistic thoughts.
It's like her words were rehearse.
Repeating them almost every time inside her head. Whether she wanted to or not.
Lamia sighed, her eyes followed the brunette's action. Curled up on her own, as she stared blankly on the ground.
Almost like a close shell.
Yuri walked up to his guardian with a quiet cry, sensing something amiss.
The demon ancestor knew what Kara meant. In fact, she could pinpoint every flaws of it.
But it remained unsaid. Instead, interject her own.
"You know, that chain.. it also reflects the struggles we face." Lamia's voice soft yet firm.
"In that point in life are what moves us forward. They said you can't really tell what peoples goes through, they all have their own problems. The world might be harsh, but people keep going and changing..."
"That's why, it's important to consider this. 'It's through the connections we make, the bonds we forge, that we truly understand ourselves and our place in this world.' Those who get past that are the ones who find true strength."
Kara stayed quiet, her gaze on the forest floor. A flicker of emotion crossed her silver eyes, but she quickly hid it. "I'm just saying people are scary," she mumbled, pouting as she looked away.
She hadn't meant to ruin the nice conversation, and now she felt a bit ashamed.
Shaking off her worry, she thinks of what to say to break the awkward atmosphere. "I just noticed... you've been speaking more casually now compared to before."
Lamia smiled, playing along. "It's only natural. I've practically raised you by now."
The brunette grinned at her words. "What was that again?" She tried to mimicked her ancestor's earlier formal speech. "Thou wast the almighty presence of me self! Isn't that how you spoke when we first met?"
"Hey! I do not sound like that!" Ancestor exclaimed, her cheeks slightly red.
"Ruff! Yap!" Yuri barked, adding his own comment.
"Oi! Don't encourage your master!" Lamia scolded, but a smile appeared on her lips.
Their laughter filled the clearing, and for a moment, Kara felt relief. It wasn't entirely grand, but it did lifted some weight off her shoulders.
A thought crossed her mind, the doubt that had been creeping in began to fade a bit.
In the end, she couldn't express what she really wanted. There was a slight regret, a lingering burden, but it was okay.
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In the shadow of the forest.
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A lingering threat draw closed..
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"..Grrwl.."
A low growl shattered the peaceful silence of the forest. Kara's senses heightened as she stood up, instinctively withdrawing Lamia's seal into the stealth on her thigh.
"Keep an eye out, Kara.."
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Ready or not.
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"...Will do."
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Here it comes.