The Draconian of Dicathen

Branded as Blood

Alice's legs scrambled across the dirt mounds beneath her, gazing over her shoulder she could still see a pack of mana beasts hot on her tail. Her expedition into the beast glades with the Twin Horns went south as soon as they arrived. Her breath hastened as her body began to strain through the constant changing through the forests. Mounds of dirt kicked up underneath the weight of each individual, feet, and paws racing through the uncharted terrain. A swift cut of the air was all it took for blood to plaster across the pavement, Rey stood grandiosely as his sword was rested against the deep cut made into the beast's neck. 

"Keep running, I'll take these freaks on!" Alice's gaze widened in a brief moment of hesitation before she turned back running aimlessly away from the approaching mana beasts. 

Several minutes flew past Alice in the blink of an eye before she came across a stone cavern. She stopped in her tracks for a breath of air and noticed the lack of mana beasts in the area. Upon coming to her realization, a ring pierced through her eardrums followed by echoed words. 

"Welcome, though I typically don't allow adventurers in my domain, you carry with you something I've found interest in. Please step into the cave to your left, I wish to speak to you." The mysterious voice's ambient tuning subsided in Alice's head. 

"Um, excuse me? Who are you?" The voice rang out again to reply to the young woman. 

"You will know in due time, but please follow my instructions." Alice gave caution to the wind as she stepped onto the cold stone that gave an obvious trail, glowing crystals emanating in the brisk dark leaking from the cave. 

Step by step the echoes of footsteps rang throughout the dark crevices within. Alice's hand clenched at her chest, worried about what the near future may bring, but her curiosity collapsed her psyche as she continued down the cave. Soon after walking a few more paces, her vision was encapsulated in brilliant gems as the cave expanded to a massive dome. Her eyes ventured across her surroundings before her heart collapsed at the sudden sight of an onyx brimmed suit of armor staring down at her. 

A tight scream clenched out from her strained throat as her face went blue with anxiety. Though the ambient tunning in her head commenced. 

"Please do not be alarmed by my appearance, I promise no harm will come to you, young lady." The stranger's appearance was haunting to Alice, though, its voice resonating in her head swept over a calm sensation even Alice couldn't explain. Her tightened muscles loosened before speaking. 

"H-Hello there, um... My name's Alice!" The armor shifted sporadically as if it was chuckling as the tunning in Alice gave soft chuckles. Alice returned an awkward smile before their discussion continued. 

"Alice, that's what your name is, yes?" The hulking metallic set of armor got up to pick an orb from the vine that reached out between a few rocks, picking the orb off from it before offering it to Alice. 

"Thank you, what is it?" Alice held the orb gently, the situation was still awkward for her, but it seemed whoever she's with poses no threat or ill intent. The orb was slimy on the surface. 

"It's fruit, you must be parched and hungry, please eat." Alice slowly took a nibble along the surface of the mysterious fruit. After its distinct flavor settled on her tongue, she began to take chunks out at a time, she was hungrier than what she had lead on. 

"Ruts Yur Nrme!" Alice's mouth was still full, her cheeks expanding out like a squirrel. The archaic fruit has now been shrunk down to half its size with bite marks. 

The armor let off a soft grin, followed by another subtle chuckle through the crimson resonating mouthpiece of its helmet, "You may call me Sylvia, child."