The portal to Apricon.

10

The wind, wet and hot, rustled through the leaves as they crunched beneath Válian's feet, stopped in front of a leafy trunk and dropped to rest.

Between your arrival and the appearance of the sirens, the barracks has prioritized the safety of the village after the attack a week ago, so your return will be delayed," he said, his voice firm.

With great trepidation I asked:

"And what shall I do in the meantime?"

"Get in the way," I turned to Nero who was sitting on the branch of a withered tree, "that's why we brought you to the most distant forest wasteland, lonely and suspicious, where if anything happened to you no one will hear you scream."

A shiver ran down my spine as I watched his feline smile expand in a macabre way.

"Neron," Válian scolded through gritted teeth.

"But we're here to prevent someone from doing something bad to you, kitten!"

The fox jumps up and lands in front of me, its nine tails wagging with happiness passing its arm over my shoulders.

"We'll teach you how to kick mystical balls!"

"To defend yourself," Valían corrects. It will be the basics in case you are alone and we are not with you.

"A little difficult since I get attached to you," Neron planted a resounding kiss on my cheek with his voice full of enthusiasm. Let's go! Show me your best guard!

I raised my fists like I had seen in the movies, but a gust of wind moved my hair. Nero's foot was inches from my face.

"You're dead!" He declared, lowering my tension. If you place both hands in front, you won't be able to cover the sides.

"Again," Valian demanded, reaching over to correct my posture. That's how my training began.

I saw many curious strange creatures around us, a kind of reptilian dog snoring on Válian's legs at dusk and a white owl spying on us with its chicks overhead.

Nero has broken several sticks in my back without contemplation, it seemed that he enjoyed hitting me and the sickly laughter increased the intensity the few times I attacked him.

"I think enough is enough," Válian took pity when he heard my stomach growl.

A sigh came from my soul.

"We put up with a few more blows!" exclaimed the fox with glee.

"NO!" I shouted angrily.

I'm going to shove Nero over the head if he won't let me breathe.

My body could no longer go back to the barracks, I was full of sweat, my dress dirty and a little torn made me realize that I had never in my life been involved in a fight. my friends were always there to protect me, especially Konstantin.

What will happen when my life depends on it?

My legs faltered, carrying me to the ground. My hands were burning with embedded splinters.

"Did I go too far?" Nero asked.

I gave him a murderous look, his laughter and Válian's conspired to sound at the same time that the blond picked me up in his arms. Nero wrapped his coat around me as the moon began to blow a cold air.

We had to cross through the peaceful town of Apricon, the atmosphere of harmony and peace was comforting. It is nice to see creatures of different species living together in such a fraternal way.

The cyclops who guarded the barracks opened the bars to let us in.

"You can take it down now," Válian said.

"Stop jealousy!" Nero snorted, rocking my body like a baby he didn't want to detach himself from. You can't even handle its weight.

Did he call me fat?

I must not complain. I'm so tired I'd let him leave me in bed. The bath can wait another day.

"Why are you holding her?"

That voice got me thrown to the ground as something untouchable that was forbidden to Nero, or something that Nero didn't want Annalis to see.

"It's not what it seems!" He hurriedly clarified.

"Huma... Milenka, can you join me, please.

Despite having recovered from the wing, his voice continued with after-effects, only that his request was heard with a cold tone, he brought the serious temper that he had never seen. Válian helped me up, looking at me with pity.

He also noticed.

We leave the children behind, from the path we take I deduce that it leads me to the garden of flowers hanging from the trees like lianas illuminated by fireflies.

"Do you like them?" they are Jades flowers

"They seem magical.

The head of the barracks did not take her attention off me, I preferred to admire the statues that decorated the garden than to face her gaze.

"The effect has worn off, you're human again," he said, touching my head and confirming that the ears were gone.

I didn't even feel it, I no longer felt the pain of the beginning, Ragna was right, with time I got used to it.

—Was the training rough?

"Nero used me as a punching bag.

The harpy looked at me with eyes full of intrigue and surprise, letting out a soft laugh.

"I have no idea what you said, but it must be a bad thing.

I nodded, with the accumulated desire to ask if everything was okay or if it was my impressions.

"Did you know that as in your world, we have our own legends and superstitions.

"I thought that being a world of mystical creatures they had no myths or... magical creatures? I don't know how to say it

It's ironic.

"Yes, one of the best known is the violent enmity of the mermaids and the king of the serpent.

"For millennia, the Basilisks were our protectors, they had a keen sense of danger. After the war against the human world, the serpent king was proclaimed monarch of all creatures, the Gorgons supported him and the elves knelt; until the great mermaids rose and both species disappeared.

"Excuse me if I sound rude, but did you want to talk to me about something or..." I just wanted someone to chat with? "The anxiety of knowing where this strange atmosphere comes from made me nervous.

"Above all, ask you a favor."

I frowned.

"Near the river where you were found, there are speculations that devil's cherries bloom, one of the deadliest in the mystical and human world, and our plan is to use them against mermaids.

"Do you want me to go get them?"

"It would be dangerous if you go alone, unfortunately Valian is more about strategies and I need Nero in the Barracks. We asked Krohonan, but he has refused and I need you to convince him to go because I don't trust anyone else to take care of you.

"Why me?" I haven't spoken to him since the fire.

A smile came from his lips.

"He asked about you... in recent days I have noticed that Krohonan esteems you very much.

"Did you ask for me?"

"After all, it was he who found you fainting in the creek and the first to defend the idea of you staying in the barracks. Perhaps, I will listen to you and you will achieve what we do not.