The Forest Spirit

4

Everyone was shocked at the two figures who appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the room.

"What is happening here?" Demanded the King.

Jeongin looked around the room setting his gaze on the two spirits. An old one and a young one. The younger hiding slightly behind the older. Jeongin looked at the older assuming he was the Elder.

"Slow, aren't we Elder?" Jeongin spoke cocking one of his eyebrows at the Elder. He wasn't the most patient being.

"I am here in need of your help for this child. She is the only survivor of the South Kingdom. The princess." Jeongin said.

The rulers heard what had happened to the South Kingdom. Burned to the ground with no survivors.

"How did she survive?" Asked the King.

"When the attack started, mother took me to her room.'' The princess started retelling her ordeal. ''Since it was the furthest away in the castle. But we saw the fire starting. In seconds the Kingdom was in flames, along with the castle. I don't know how it all started. Mother wouldn't tell me. We knew Father was somewhere in the fields. When the fire reached the castle there was no escape anymore. No way out. Mother hugged me tightly. Then she opened the closet and took out a chest from there. She placed me in it, telling me everything would be all right. But I knew it wouldn't. I begged her to come with me, but the chest wasn't big enough for the both of us. She just repeated that everything would be all right. I knew she was talking about me. When she started closing the chest, I knew I was seeing her for the last time. I heard her praying for me but soon the flames came. I don't know how the chest withstood the flames. The next thing I knew was Innie opening the chest." Serena told her story.

The room was quiet. Only the sobbing from the Queen and Jisung could be heard. Jeongin looked at the ground asking himself hundreds of questions.

The Queen went to the girl taking her in her embrace.

"You are home now, sweet child. You are safe." The Queen told her.

"And who are you?" Hyunjin asked looking at Jeongin.

He was silent the whole time. His eyes fixed on the Forest spirit.

"My name is Jeongin. I am..." Jeongin began.

"He is one of the young spirits of the Forest." The Elder interrupted Jeongin.

It was the King who spoke next.

"If help is what you are looking for, its help that you will get. We will take care of the princess."

Jeongin was glad to hear that.

"I need to stay with her, until she is ready to rebuild her Kingdom." He spoke.

"We will never turn down a Forest spirit. You can stay as long as you want." The Queen told him.

"Young One, we need to talk." The Elder told him.

Jeongin looked at Serena who seemed tired. No wonder that was. From what she went through.

The Queen sensed that and took the girl by the hand.

"I will bring her to her new room." She told him.

Jeongin nodded to her and turned again to the Elder.

"Let's go somewhere private." He told him.

He motioned for Jeongin and Jisung to follow him. They went out on a terrace, so if the Forest had something to tell them, they could hear her.

"Young One, this is Jisung. He will be the one who will help you if you have any needs." The Elder pointed to Jisung who was again standing slightly behind him.

"Jisung, this is..." The Elder started.

"I know who he is. I heard the Forest as well." Jisung said frustrated.

"Then why are you hiding squirrel?" Jeongin asked.

Jisung was shocked by the question. Everyone knew who Jeongin was. He was the only Forest spirit who looked and was intimidating. Usually, they were peaceful creatures. Then why was he so intimidating? But he got frustrated for being called a squirrel. So, he went in front of Jeongin looking him in the eyes and spoke.

"Well, F-fox. I just have a feeling that in my previous life I got eaten by a fox, and that fox may be you." Jisung tried to stand his ground.

Jeongin bared his teeth and imitated biting. To which Jisung got startled and backed away from Jeongin.

"Thought so." Jeongin said smirking.

"Young One, please don't do that. Jisung is a very skilled Forest spirit. He will be of great use if you need help." The elder told him.

"I know, the Forest told me." Jeongin told him tiredly.

"If that's all, please leave. I need some space to breath." He continued.

They wished him good night and left him alone on the terrace.

Jeongin turned around to look at the view that the terrace provided him. It was night-time and he couldn't see much, but the silence and the slight wind that the night provided set him at peace. But he still had questions which needed answers.

"What now? What should I do?" He asked, hoping the Forest will give him a hint.

Then he felt a presence. He was not alone anymore. Without turning he spoke to the person behind him.

"Show yourself. There is no need to hide."

Hyunjin was in the shadows of the terrace. Wanting to see more of the forest spirit who got his attention. He was sure the other couldn't see him. So, he got startled when Jeongin spoke to him. Thinking there is no need to hide anymore, Hyunjin stood next to Jeongin. Looking at the same direction the spirit looked.

"What do you want?" Jeongin asked him.

"That's not how you speak to a ruler." Hyunjin answered.

"You are not my ruler human. I answer only to the Forest." Jeongin told him.

"My name is Hyunjin" He told him.

Jeongin just looked at him.

Hyunjin wasn't happy with the answer but decided not to get on his bad side, so he spoke what was on his mind the moment he saw the spirit.

"You are stunning." Hyunjin told him.

"People easily trust what's beautiful. All forest spirits are beautiful. That's why the forest created us that way." Jeongin spoke, finally looking at Hyunjin.

"But you are not like the others. You are different." Hyunjin answered.

"Maybe I am." Jeongin said.

They looked at each other for few more moments. Jeongin thought Hyunjin was also beautiful for a human. But that didn't matter much to him. He smiled lightly, taking his leave.

Hyunjin stood where he was. Looking at the back of the spirit who left him alone.

"Maybe you are."