The Forest Spirit

3

Jeongin took Serena's hand and in the blink of an eye they were in the forest. When the other spirits sensed the young one return, they all went to see him. They were all curious to know what happened. Everyone was taken aback when they saw the little girl with him. Everyone went silent.

All parted for the oldest spirit to come. He looked at the young girl then at Jeongin.

"What happened, Young One? Why are you back with a human child?"

Jeongin looked at Serena and smiled at her, ushering her towards the other young spirits, so she couldn't hear them talking. When he was sure she was far enough, he started explaining.

"That's the South Kingdom's princess. The only survivor of the inferno." Jeongin said firmly.

Everyone was shocked. Gasps and murmurs filled the air.

"I was called for her. To find her and save her. When I went there..." Jeongin stilled for a moment from the memories of what happened. What he saw.

"Everything was on fire. There was no one alive, but I could hear their screams. I could feel their fear. It was suffocating. There was a second wish, but I couldn't hear it from the screams. Then out of nowhere it started raining. The rain overtook the flames, and with them the screams as well. But I could hear only one wish. The one ushering me to save Serena. The other wish died with the flames."

"Rain? Did you do something to summon the rain, Young One?" Asked the oldest spirit.

"No. I don't know how it started." Said Jeongin.

"And the girl? Why did you bring her here?" Asked the eldest.

"The Forest told me Serena needed my protection until she can rebuild the Kingdom. So, I brought her here with me." Jeongin told him.

"You know the rules very well, Young One. She can't stay here with us. This is no place for humans. You need to take her somewhere else." Said the eldest.

"Did you find out how the fire started?" Some of the spirits asked Jeongin.

"No. The Forest wouldn't tell me. She told me it was time to test me." He spoke.

"What will you do, Young One?" Asked the eldest.

Jeongin was getting frustrated. He ran a hand through his hair thinking.

"I have no choice but to go with her. The Forest told me to protect her, so I will. I will try the North Kingdom, since our influence is still strong there. And the Queen has such a big heart. But..." Jeongin trailed off.

"But you don't want to live with people." The oldest spirit ended the sentence Jeongin couldn't finish.

"Young One, you need to take that step. How will they believe in us, if we don't believe in them? And you won't be alone there. They have an Elder spirit to guide them."

Jeongin said nothing. He knew he didn't have a chance here. He looked at Serena. He was the only one she had now. He still loved the children. It was the older people whom he feared. But he didn't want to disobey the Forest. Neither did he want to leave the poor child alone.

He ran a hand through his hair again, sighing.

"We are going to the North. I don't know when I will return." Jeongin said.

"Take your time, Young One." The eldest told him.

"Serena, we are going." Jeongin called the girl.

"Won't we be staying here, Innie?" Serena asked him.

"Innie?" Jeongin looked at her with confusion.

Serena just smiled at him.

Jeongin sighed and took her hand in his.

"Now sweet child, we need to go. We can't stay here" He told her.

Jeongin looked at the eldest for the last time. Nodded at him, and was gone with Serena.

"I hope you do not fail, Young One." The eldest whispered.

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The North Kingdom

"Why did you call me in the palace Elder" Jisung asked.

"The Young One is coming, and he will be in need of help." The elder said.

"Well why don't you help him? You are an elder and I am barely that much older than him. I won't be much of a help." Jisung said.

"You are young and have stamina. I am old." The elder said.

"And lazy." Jisung murmured to himself.

They both entered the throne room to let the King know what was happening. There were The King and the Queen and next to them stood the Prince.

"My King." The elder started but was interrupted by the two forms standing in the middle of the room. Jeongin with a little girl in hand.