Ashley stared into the dark forest, her legs rooted on the ground, she couldn't believe her luck today. Being chased by a creature she didn't know existed, and now she was stuck with a stranger in the forest with bloody hands.
Noticing her bleeding hands again she flinched. "If you walk around with those bleeding hands, you might as well call the predators in the forest to come have dinner" Kyle said standing where she left him
Ashley frowned turning her head to the side, she hated to admit but the strange man was right. And she had a better chance surviving the forest with him than alone, reasoning the fact that he saved her, why would he even want to hurt her
But how did he know she was in trouble and where did he even appear from, was he watching her in the forest all this while she was being chased by that creature, she started to rethink her safety with him
Kyle watched his mortal bride stand silently, his patience was wearing thin, he didn't have all the time in the world and he needed to take her to the underrealm as fast as possible so they could fix the current problem she was causing.
He wondered why he saved her from the shadow creature when his goal was to kill her anyways, maybe he should leave alone in the forest, and come back for her soul when a wild animal kills her or another shadow creature finds her.
Shivering from the chill in the air, Ashley decided that she was better off with the strange man than in a forest alone not knowing what next might find her, turning around to speak to the silvered eyed man, he wasn't there anymore
Her heart dropped to her stomach, frantically looking around for the man that was just standing few inches behind her not long ago, where did he go "hello?" She said softly, walking towards where the man formerly stood, there was no way the man would have simply vanished
But given the way the man appeared from nowhere that could be possible, she thought standing helplessly, her eyes burned as she tried to hold herself from crying, she could have listened to the man when he told her to come with him
Now she was stranded alone in the middle of the forest in the dark.
Kyle watched her silently in his mist form as she looked frantically for him, he had decided to abandon her in the forest, but something was stopping him from leaving her. He cursed the bond they shared.
Watching her finally give up, sitting with her back slouched on the bark of a tree he cursed morphing into his human form
"Is that where you chose to stay for the night"
The voice of her Savior made her jump, standing up quickly, she was more than happy to see him
"I thought you left" Ashley said, her voice coming out happier than she intended
Kyle watched her bright expression, his eyes tracing down to her still bleeding hands "you really want to get eaten, leaving a trace of your blood everywhere" he said flatly, like he didn't hope she got killed few minutes ago
Staring at her palm, she paused "I forgot my health kit in the shop, but if we can find a body of water I can stop the bleeding"
Kyle cocked he head to side, not believing she just suggested to leave more traces of blood in the forest until they found a body of water, it seemed like she really wanted to get eaten.
Taking her hand, black mist formed on his hand closing the wound.
Ashley stared wide eyed as she saw her injury disappear like it was never there "I would prefer if you didn't leave more traces for the creatures in the forest to find us" Kyle said releasing her hand
Ashley still in shock, stared blankly at her palm then at the man who proceeded to sit at the bark of the tree like he didn't just completely heal her injury.
"How did you...."
"I used magic" he replied not letting her finish
Intrigued she sat next to him, she had never seen mage before "thank you" she said, feeling bad that she treated him rudely when he only tried to help.
"What is a mage doing in the south...your type aren't really welcome here" she asked, her voice now calm
"Mage?" Kyle asked, confused when did she conclude he was a mage
"Yeah aren't you a mage, only mages are able to use magic" Ashley stated curiously looking at him
Kyle was silent, contemplating if he should continue with the lie or just tell her the truth since he came to take her away anyways "I'm no mage" he replied, deciding to do neither
"Then who are you?" Ashley asked, even more curious leaning in to see if she could catch a glimpse of his face
"You will find out when you come with me" Kyle replied turning his face to the side, to stop her from seeing him
"To where?" She asked
"The underrealm" he answered bluntly
Ashley nodded slowly, realizing she was talking to a crazy mage, who was probably lost on a journey and couldn't remember his way back to the capital "mmhmm yeah, like I'd willingly follow you to the underworld" she said, half amused
"Well I could take you by force" he replied, not realizing he just threatened her
The warning bells in Ashley's head started to ring, she had assumed he was just joking because no living being could go to the underworld, it slowly dawned on her that this man might be after her life, why did everything want her dead today she cried silently.
The forest didn't seem so scary anymore, attempting to stand up and take her chances with the unknown creatures, he said "I won't kill you" when he Noticed she was becoming uncomfortable
Ashley sat back slowly, realizing that running from a crazy person who can vanish and reappear at will might not be the greatest choice of action, nobody spoke for awhile the silence was uncomfortable
Ashley prayed silently in her heart that she survives the night, promising to never leave her house not even to bid a customer farewell.
As time passed, Ashley's eyes got heavy, trying to keep them open was proving futile...soon she succumbed to the slow lullaby of the forest and fell asleep with her head leaning on the tree for support.