It was eight in the morning, and the sun had risen softly over the horizon, spreading a gentle golden glow through the sky. Very few people ever walked toward the forest at this hour—most avoided it entirely. Wild animals lived here, and rumors were enough to keep villagers away.
But not me.
I discovered this place when I was six years old, and since then...
this forest has felt more like home than my own house.
Rayma: "Hah... finally. I'm here. But... why is it so quiet today?"
The usual chatter of birds, rustling leaves, and distant animal calls were missing.
A strange stillness hung in the air.
Rayma: "Hello...? Where are you...?"
She took a few steps deeper between the tall trees.
Rayma: "Hell! Hell! Where are you—"
A sudden rustle.
Then a sleek black leopard stepped out from behind the bushes, its silver eyes bright and sharp.
Hell: "You're late today, Master."
Rayma: sheepish smile "Well, yeah. I was watching the news about last night." giggles lightly
Hell sighed, tail swishing.
Hell: "Master... you should be more careful."
Rayma: "Careful? Here? I don't think anyone in this forest can scare me."
She smirks. "By the way, where's Shy?"
Hell lowered his head.
Hell: "I'm not sure. She was here in the morning. If you want, I can go look for her."
Swish... Swish...
The sound of wings cutting through the air.
Rayma: looks up "No need. There she is. Hey! Shy! Over here!"
A large blue-feathered American bird swooped down gracefully, her wings shining like the morning sky.
Shy: "Master! I missed you!"
Her voice chirped happily.
I know it sounds strange.
But yes—I can speak to animals. And even stranger... they can speak back.
I met Hell when I was six. It was a rainy day, and he was no bigger than a kitten—soaked, shaking, and trembling with cold.
I brought him home.
My mother treated him.
My father nearly fainted when he realized the "kitten" was actually a leopard cub.
And Shy... poor Shy.
When I found her, she had fallen from a tree. Her entire family was killed by a stronger bird. She survived, but barely.
She was timid back then—thus, the name "Shy."
Now, they are my friends.
My companions.
My small, secret family.
Shy fluttered closer, tilting her head.
Shy: "Master... what is that token in your hand?"
Rayma held the ancient black token up for them to see.
Rayma: "I heard this token has some kind of magical power."
Hell: raises brow "Really? And do you believe that?"
Rayma: winks "No idea. That's why we need to test it."
Shy: "Ooooh! What do we do?"
Rayma: "Hmm... let's start with something simple."
She turned the token toward the sun.
Nothing happened.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
After several attempts—
Hell: "I told you. It's fake."
Rayma: laughs weakly "Yeah... maybe."
Shy: "Oww... that's not fair. I wanted magic."
Rayma dusted off her clothes.
Rayma: "Alright, I should get going. It's been a long time since I came here."
She turned to leave.
Crack—
A low hanging branch scratched her cheek, leaving a small cut.
A thin drop of blood rolled down her face...
...and fell directly onto the token.
The moment the blood touched the surface—
The forest stopped breathing.
Dark clouds gathered out of nowhere, swirling violently.
Winds roared like angry beasts, shaking branches and bending trees.
Hell crouched, fur rising.
Shy flapped her wings in panic.
Hell: "Master! Something is wrong!"
Shy: "What's happening?!"
Rayma's heart pounded.
Rayma: "What... what is this? Why is the weather changing like this? In the middle of summer?!"
Lightning cracked across the sky—
but it wasn't normal lightning.
A column of blinding flame-like light burst downward, targeting one place only—
Rayma.
The ground shook. The air trembled.
And the world—
her world—
started breaking apart.