𝕾𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖘 [𝗲𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻]

★[𝐜𝐩𝐭.𝟎𝟐]★

𝐎𝐫𝐚 𝐏𝐎𝐕...

With a dry mouth, I awoke in my small hut. Sunbeams carved their way through the curtains, and the scent of fresh forest enveloped the room. A low growl reminded me that my stomach craved attention. I got up, yawned heartily, and headed to the kitchen.

A glass of water was meant to quench my thirst, but as the first sip flowed down my throat, I realized that hunger claimed my attention. The idea of getting some food became increasingly tempting. Glancing at my basket, lonely in the corner, I decided to heed the call of the forest.

Birds chirped happily as I closed the door behind me and ventured onto the path through the woods. The sun played with the leaves of the trees, and the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet accompanied me. I discovered juicy berries, enticingly hidden among the bushes, and gently collected them in my basket. The scent of herbs wafted into my nose, and I couldn't resist picking a few leaves for an aromatic tea.

With my filled basket, I returned spiritedly to my small hut. The table in the room now showcased my forest harvest. Juicy berries, aromatic herbs, and the sweet freshness of nature spread out before me. A sense of fulfillment flowed through me as I sorted out the not-so-fresh fruits and carefully washed the remaining under running water.

The washed fruits radiated in their freshness, ready to merge in a delicious creation. My gaze wandered to the cabinets and shelves in my hut, where a variety of ingredients awaited to be united in a culinary dance. My fingers moved over the jars and cans as I selected the perfect companions for my pancakes.

A scent of sweet spices and fresh fruits filled the air as I prepared the batter and placed the pan on the stove. The gentle sound of sizzling accompanied my anticipation as I let the filled pancakes glide into the pan with the prepared fruits. The hissing and sizzling, combined with the enticing aroma, promised a wonderful breakfast. With a smile on my lips and the aroma of fruits and batter in the air, I enjoyed my homemade pancakes.

After a while, I decided to go outside. The purpose was clear: to feed the animals that had survived the harsh winter. My path led me deeper into the forest, toward the kingdom. But as I approached, my throat tightened more and more. The idyll of the forest gave way to a disturbing scene—trees were ruthlessly chopped down, as if nature itself were crying out in pain. A dull pain ran through my chest. Who could do something so cruel?

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted when I heard a foreign voice. "Twenty square meters of the forest are to be chopped down!" it echoed through the trees. The footsteps of the perpetrators approached, and soon after, I heard the ominous roar of a machine. Panic rose within me, but before I could act, I heard a clear thought: "Twenty square meters of the forest are to be chopped down!" I turned to a bee and whispered to inform Alice and bring her to me.

Hidden behind bushes, I could now see the men. Their words and the eerie sound of the machine cut through the silence of the forest. Without hesitation, I unleashed my powers. The ground trembled, and the roots of a tree rose to entwine the intruders. The machine fell from their hands, and I could hide my basket behind a bush. With the hood of my poncho and a cloth covering my face, I camouflaged myself, ready to confront the evildoer.

"What are you doing in my forest?" echoed my voice, accompanied by a magical flame that shattered the machine into pieces. The men screamed in fear. "WHAT ARE YOU?! Let us down immediately!" they pleaded. "I won't harm you as long as you leave my forest and never return," I spoke with a gentle voice. "We have to cut down the trees, it's our job!" Anger surged within me. The men trembled in fear. "Who gave you the order?" "Rheos, the king," they confessed. A moment of shock ran through me. Rheos? But he's in the underworld! It can't be him, it must be someone else!

In haste, I ran to my basket, distanced myself from the men, and encountered Alice. "Alice, drive the men out of the forest and come back as quickly as possible," I instructed her without waiting for her response.