Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Prologue~

In the middle of a dark forest, was a young girl; sat on a sedan chair, covered by a long, red veil. Outside she heard the low rumble and growls of creatures of the night; creatures no being should hear; creatures that had lost all their humanity. They were not scraping at the sedan chair, but they were close in the bushes, watching and waiting to strike the fresh meat. The fresh meat of a living girl, who was not afflicted by the rotting of the darkness of the forest. Who was pure and untouched. The girl, her name was Leora Mohan, sat anxiously; her hands pensively placed on her lap. Her soft, brown locks cascaded down her cheeks, reaching only chin high. Her hazel eyes glazed over like the ice on a lake, praying the monsters outside would not feast on her flesh nor body. Leora cast a quick glance at her outfit, it was something she'd never worn before. Something she could not quite explain. It was a red hanfu, though she did not know what that was; embedded in patterns of gold with elegant patterns sprawled across the hanfu's expanse. She fiddled with the hems of the hanfu; nervously listening to the low groans outside. She didn't particularly wish to be spirit food. Her breath caught in her throat, hearing a new noise. Bells. These were no ordinary bells; they were small and elegant. They sounded like footsteps almost. Perhaps shoes with bells on? But for what cause? To ward off spirits, style...?

The forest seemed to become denser. All Leora could focus on was her racing breath, caught in the back of her throat, and those bells that seemed to be footsteps. Those bells were the only comforting noise. They seemed to cut over the low growls of the hungry monsters outside, purging them in a mere step. They seemed to get closer and closer with each passing second, until suddenly...they stopped. There was a noise of fabric, ruffling in the wind. Her lips parted, watching an elegant hand slip through the sedan chair's veils. Leora let out a silent gasp, staring at the hand. So slender and beautiful, with a red string tied around their middle finger. She found it an alluring hand, one she trusted. Hesitantly, she reached out for it; gently intertwining her fingers with theirs. Her small hand fit so well in their large one. The figure squeezed it softly, reassuringly, and tugged her closer. It felt cold to the touch, yet there was an underlying warmth to it that Leora couldn't explain. The figure gently pulled her out of the sedan chair; making her push past the veils with a small gasp of shock. As they gently pulled her out of the Sedan chair and the viel, she stumbled into their chest. She blushed, glancing up only to see the figure's mouth. Their, no, his; expression remained unreadable, but his eyes flickered with a warmth she hadn't seen before. His arms wrapped around her, steadying her.

Leora stared at his features for a moment, bewitched by each passing moment she spent in his warm embrace. His hair was long and dark, tumbling down much lower than hers. He wore a hanfu, except his was a hue of ebony and purple, like the galaxy spun into a fabric. He wore long, slender black boots; bells attached and strung around by a string that was woven from the moon itself. His skin was cold and silky, like porcelain; elegant and fragile. Yet there was a sense that he himself was stronger than she was, she could tell by the way he had gripped her tightly to steady her uneasiness. Leora didn't dare look him in the eyes. She didn't know if she could. This man was already alluring and she was afraid. Afraid of his true intentions. Afraid he was one of those monsters. He cleared his throat and guided her forward, maintaining the long silence between them. The forest was dark and oppressive, and the spirits hissed in the bushes as they stared at the two; the soft jingle of bells filling the air. Leora glanced around, wincing as she noticed the spirits try to attack her, but unable to from some kind of barrier. She held his hand, glancing up at him.
"Who...are you...?"
He did not speak, he did not even cast his gaze to her. He simply held her hand and led her through the forest path. Leora gripped his hand tighter, furrowing her brows at his silence as they walked. He slowed his pace slightly, allowing her to keep up as the furious spirits were kept at bay.

"Why won't you speak to me?" Leora muttered.
His expression hardened. He simply stared straight ahead, continuing to walk. It seemed he had his reasons, yet Leora was not easily swayed.
Leora walked alongside him, deciding to fill the silence," You look different to me. You wear different clothes to me, have different hair, skin, eyes..."
He clearly listened to her words, his jaw clenched. He glanced at her, his golden eyes; resembling that of a wild cat, met her hazel ones. Her breath caught slightly in her throat at the sight of his gaze meeting hers, but she bit it down, stubbornly.
She studied his hanfu as they walked," We don't have that at home..."
He remained silent, his gaze returning to the path ahead. Evidently he felt it was better if she remained ignorant to him and her surroundings. Whatever surroundings they even were in. Leora held his hand, tightly. She glanced up, rain starting to fall on them as he led her down the path. No, not just any rain. Red rain...? He paused suddenly, his gaze flickering upwards. Leora stuck out her tongue, wincing as there was a familiar metallic taste as the droplet hit her muscle. It was blood. He pulled out his umbrella, holding it over them.

"Such a pretty pattern," Leora hummed, staring up at the umbrella," We don't have those as pretty as that at home either..."
His lips twitched slightly at her comment. He continued to lead her down the path, the blood rain falling heavier around them. Leora held his hand tightly, as they walked. Her persistent and annoying questions had luckily seemed to die down. Nearby, spirits manifesting as wolves growled at the sight of the two, hands clasped. The mysterious male's gaze flickered towards the wolves. His eyes narrowed and he let out a low growl. The wolves cowered with a pitiful whimper, like mere puppies, and backed away; slinking off into the shadows. He pulled her closer, tuckng her under his arm. Leora blushed, surprised by this gesture; glancing up at him. His golden eyes met hers briefly before returning to the path ahead. His arm remained wrapped around her protectively. Leora could feel his icey-warmth and the gentle rise and fall of her chest. His pace slowed as they approached a portal. It swirled and churned like a stormy sea; a hue of navies, violets and greys. He stopped, his arm still around her, before he looked down at her.
"We've arrived."
Leora's eyes widened, glancing up at him," You speak-!"
The male silenced her with a finger against her lips, making her gaze soften as she glanced at the portal. He lowered his hand, his expression unreadable.

"You should go through," He gestured to the portal, his voice low," Back to your world. When you wake, you will forget all."
She scowled, crossing her arms," What if I don't want to?"
His brows furrowed, his expression unreadable.
"It's not an option. You're human. Go into the portal, now."
Leora frowned, yet she gave a tired nod before gently clasping his frost-bitten hands in hers.
"Thank you for guiding me."
His heart skipped a beat at her touch. He studied their joined hands, then back at her face.
"Go," He gently pulled his hands free, his voice softening," Now."
He stepped aside, gesturing to the portal once more. Leora gave a small smile, before waving breathlessly. She plunged head first into the churning portal, letting its waves swallow her whole. The male watched her go, his expression unchanging. He waited until the portal closed behind her, then let out a slow breath that He had not realised he'd been holding. He had done his duty. He turned to leave, but paused, his hand reaching up to touch his chest. Why does it feel so empty?