Hidden World

Chapter III - The Dream

Up on the hill, she was sitting on the grass. The shy spring wind was carrying around the scent of the newly blossomed cherry trees. The sun was slowly bringing everything back to life with its warmth. A smile rose on her face while her heart was filled with peace. Besides her laid a sword with a deep red crystal embedded in the handle. On the blade, a series of runes that looked oddly familiar.

"May I sit..." a voice asked, and her heart skipped a beat. She looked up and saw a familiar face. His features were soft and gentile while his voice was warm.

"Of course..." she answered and patted the grass next to her. The young man, dressed as a knight almost, took his own sword out and laid it on the ground before accompanying her.

"I thought I would find you here" he said, and his red eyes seemed to shine a little because of the sun.

"I am always here, is quiet." Rose said and caught a flower petal that was floating through the air without an aim. "Did anything happen?" she asked as usually people came to her when help was needed rather than to ask her about her day.

"Nothing today, at least not so far... but... there's been a wolf attack in a town that's only 2 days away." He said and a trace of worry could be felt in his voice. "Someone from there arrived this morning... it was a black wolf..." as soon as he mentioned the animal, Rose's hand instantly searched for the sword's handle.

Once she touched the handle, the crystal pulsated a couple of times, in a way trying to reassure her that it was there. She could feel her own body relax a little, now realizing how tensed she got upon hearing the news.

"It's coming here." She muttered as she looked at the man besides her, she saw how his smile faded and his expression became serious. "We have to be ready." She added knowing well what they were up against. Black Wolves were not regular wolves. They were much scarier. Their black fur was making them blend into the darkness of the night, their red eyes could give nightmares even to the bravest soldier while their metal fangs and claws could give a fatal blow with little to no effort.

She got up before leaning down and lifting the sword. The sword slowly changed its properties looking like it was alive, liquid even and just like a snake, it wrapped itself like a bracelet around her wrist, the only thing remaining as before being the red stone.

"We have to make sure that everyone is prepared." Rose said and looked at the knight that was now laying relaxed on the grass. She crossed her arms over her chest before grabbing a twig. She stared poking his forehead attempting to annoy him. "Come on, moooooove." She continued but stopped when his hand grabbed her new weapon.

"We can't protect all humans. Besides it's not in my nature. I am doing it because you scare me." He said and looked up at her, amused by the fact that his answer angered her a little. "Alright... let's go." He added before getting up as well. "After you" he smiled and gestured towards the path that led back to the town.

She smiled back knowing that it was in the young man's nature to complain or say anything against what she had to say. It was always like that but in the end, she had the winning hand. Even if she never forced him to stay by her side in any way, he always was. Her companion through time. Her only friend in the world....

....................

Rose woke up at the sound of the insisting doorbell. The dream was alive in her mind, just like a story with no ending. She was still holding the book in her arms as she fell asleep reading. With a sigh she got up from the bed and placed the book on her desk, but she couldn't help but wonder who that man was. Why did she feel like she knew him? It was a face she's never seen yet that felt so familiar. Why was she sad? She did not know. She put a hand over her own heart, it was racing like crazy while her eyes felt heavy with tears.