The Legends of Anigma: Ethiel Archer | ONC 2023

PART XXXV

It took great effort in carrying both Lord Veer and Maya to the big stone gate surrounded by tendrils and wisps of green mist, all while holding Tifa close to his side so she didn't run off, deluded by the temptations of the godforsaken forest. But with some help from her levitation magic, it was a little less tedious for Ethiel.

He laid Lord Veer and Maya gently on the ground, despite his reluctance and displeasing disgust credited to the weird, uncomely appearance of it; chimeras squirmed and wriggled, shifting in their position, their bodies and limbs entwined to the point distinction became impossible.

Tifa plopped by the listless body of Lord Veer and bent over to hug him, sobbing with her head dug into his comforting and furry chest.

Red Wings went beside her, his head turning in startling jerks at the savage surroundings. It was probably the voices...

Ethiel doubled over, propping his arms on his buckling knees, panting and puffing, his sweat-drenched sticking to his skin. His green jacket was discomforting and he felt like taking it off and tossing it aside, but the fact that it was a gift from his mother made it comforting in such an oppressing environment. He was in desperate need of a rest and wished to sit by his sister, but he couldn't have stopped. Delay meant doom. The best thing to do was to, as soon as possible, get the fragment and bail out of there.

He looked at the stone gate, his eyes wide with fear and all feelings uncomfortable.

The green aurora of mist became thicker at the top centre of the gate and started churning unto a storm of bright radiance. Radiance turned to leafy flames, and flames fluttered in thick reels to the calm centre, forming a divinely human shape.

Ethiel looked away, the glow was too bright, absurdly sudden for a place seated in shadows.

He forced his head to turn back, holding up his hands with fingers spread wide to filter the blinding light. After a few brief moments, his eyes adjusted to the bright green.

Over the gate, he made out a figure. A young man with glowing green skin, dressed in a majestic chiton revealing one side of his sculpted chest, blazing and dazzling green hair letting out leaf-shaped embers. A mocking and notorious grin was fixed on his thrill-seeking, handsome face. His cunning eyes were lit like the spirit of the Cave of Truth, and they were amusingly staring down upon Ethiel.

He nonchalantly sat cross-legged, one arm bent, elbow propped on one knee, slanted head resting on his palm. His other arm was free, playful hands moving on a dancing wave of flame, fingers twirling and conjuring fiery blades of leaf over them.

"Who are you?" Ethiel asked in a fatigue-heavy voice.

"Why is not that obvious?" The man burst into a vain laughter and raised his eyebrows at Ethiel, "Oh my, you're serious! Well well, I cannot really blame you. The forest does dumb down even the smartest."

Ethiel gasped, or so he thought because he couldn't even open his tired mouth properly. That glowing man, he was...

"I'm the spirit of the forest!" The spirit swished its free hand and the hovering leafy flames blew out. "Please make yourself - home." Its smile got wider in mocking.

Anger rose in Ethiel. The spirit was in no way any close to the serene and sincere spirit of the cave.

"Woah! Anger!" The spirit fainted fear, raising its hands to its face defensively and jerking back in its position. Then it smiled even more, leaning forward tauntingly. Do not expect all spirits to be like that boring one! That one took time literally and grew old - in style!" A long laugh followed.

"You... you read my thoughts?!"

"Of course! Want me to list out all about you, lover boy?" Its eyes glanced at fainted Maya and slid back to him, squinting as if teasing. "I can read minds. How else will I make this trial fun and interesting?"