Chapter 13: Hunting Accidents
Somewhere in the North America, Human Realm
In the year of 1400s
The day unfolded with a serene tranquility, the sun casting its warm glow upon the wild horses that grazed leisurely in the verdant meadow. Among them, a unicorn cleverly disguised as an ordinary horse blended into the herd, his shimmering coat glinting subtly in the light. His dark, intelligent eyes scanned the horizon, catching an unsettling sound that hinted at the approach of humans. Sensing the mounting tension, he quietly slipped away from the group, aware of the nearby human village that posed a threat to their peaceful existence. He let out a soft, warning whinny to the other horses, but they remained oblivious to the danger.
Seeking refuge, the unicorn trotted into the dense embrace of the forest, eventually arriving at a small, babbling river. He lowered his head to quench his thirst, savoring the cool water, when suddenly a sharp noise pierced the air—he felt it before he saw it. In an instant, the realization hit him; he was being hunted. His instincts kicked in, and he bolted deeper into the trees, hoping the shadows would cloak him from his pursuer. But before he could fully escape, he felt a sharp pain in his hindquarters—a javelin had lodged itself near his back legs.
Unlike a typical horse that would succumb to such an injury, this hidden unicorn channeled his magical energy, effortlessly extracting the brutal weapon. In one fluid motion, he hurled it back toward the young hunter, sending the human scrambling in fear. With adrenaline fueling his flight, he ventured deeper into the forest, where few dared to tread. As he reached a secluded glade, he transformed into his true humanoid form and leaned against a sturdy tree trunk, feeling warm blood trickle from the javelin wound on his side, a stark reminder of the danger he had narrowly escaped.
Meanwhile, a white wolf prowled through the underbrush, his keen senses honed for the hunt. He had been stalking a small bunny when a sudden pain pierced his side—another javelin had found its mark. Gritting his teeth, he used his powerful jaws to pull the weapon out, wincing at the effort needed to free himself. Breathing heavily, he turned to face the group of young hunters who had turned him into their target. Unlike the unicorn, this wolf harbored a deep-seated animosity towards humans.
With the hunters fleeing in terror, he staggered deeper into the woods, his strength waning as blood streamed from his wound. Each step was a battle, and he relied on sheer willpower to reach the familiar spot where he could rest. Just as he tumbled to the ground, darkness began to close in around him.
The unicorn, sensing his friend's distress, blinked slowly and pushed himself off the tree. He made his way to the fallen wolf, concern etched across his features. “Hanari, what on earth happened to you?” he asked, lowering himself to the ground beside him. Despite having staved off his own bleeding with his magic, he knew he lacked the strength to fully heal his friend.
With a soft sigh, Lance began to concentrate, calling forth his limited magical abilities to stem the wolf’s bleeding. He could feel the chaotic surge of demonic energy within Hanari attempting to assist, but the conflicting magics only made the task more challenging. Gradually, he noticed the wound begin to close, albeit slowly.
As the healing magic drained him, Lance felt the pain from his own injury intensifying. He fell back, breathing heavily. “Damn it…” he muttered, frustration seeping into his voice.
Just then, Hanari stirred, shifting to his humanoid form, his blue eyes reflecting concern as he examined his wound. “Thank you, Lance…” he murmured, his voice strained. “Looks like the humans got the jump on you too?”
“Yeah, just a young hunter…” Lance replied, trying to keep his tone light.
Hanari grimaced. “I had a whole pack chasing me…”
An uneasy silence fell over them as they processed their shared plight, but soon Lance propped himself up. “We need to head back to Elyasia. It’s safer than here.”
Hanari considered this for a moment. “True, but how far can you manage before you collapse?”
Lance pondered, his brow furrowing. “Not certain… but we should aim for the Northern Castle. Kai is the best healer in our realm.”
The wolf chuckled softly, a hint of mischief in his gaze. “That’s only because the Southern realm lacks a healer!”
With their plan set, the two friends took a moment to gather their strength before beginning the arduous trek towards the hidden portal that lay deep in the forest. The trees seemed to close in around them, wrapping them in an almost protective cloak against the dangers beyond. After four grueling hours, they reached the portal, both nearly spent. A shimmering barrier loomed before them, and the air crackled with latent magic as they paused to catch their breath.
Lance was weary and still fraught with pain, his body trembling as he fought against weakness. Beside him, Hanari struggled to keep upright, as fresh blood seeped from his reopened wound. They took a moment to steady themselves before stepping through the shimmering portal.
Emerging on the other side, Lance surveyed their surroundings and the lush greenery that welcomed them, the cool air filling his lungs. “I think… we’ve landed in the northern lands…” he said, before his vision began to blur.
Hanari, collapsing next to him as darkness swirled in his vision, muttered weakly, “Good…” before losing consciousness.
Lance, noticing his friend had fainted, felt a pit of worry in his stomach. He leaned back against the grass, exhaling with soft breaths. “Now what do we do…?” he pondered aloud, the weight of uncertainty settling around them as they lay vulnerable in an unfamiliar realm.
Northern castle, South Gardens
Lyra found herself deeply engrossed in the world of books alongside her aunt, Lira. The sturdy wooden table was scattered with a variety of novels, each one a gateway to different realms and stories, as the two girls happily explored their literary treasures. Nearby, Ryan was diligently honing his swordsmanship, the rhythmic clang of metal ringing out as he practiced his strikes, while Max, in his majestic dragon form, slumbered peacefully. His enormous blue scales shimmered in the soft afternoon light, casting an almost ethereal glow around him.
Midst this tranquil scene, a shimmering portal suddenly manifested a few feet away, swirling with colors that danced in the air like a vivid painter’s palette. The rest of the group, completely absorbed in their activities, remained oblivious to this phenomenon — that is, until Rain strolled over, an inquisitive expression crossing her face as she spotted the portal. “Uhm, who opened a portal this time?” she asked, a mix of curiosity and caution in her voice.
Lira blinked in surprise, her brow furrowing in thought as she shook her head. “Not I,” she replied, glancing from the portal to her niece with a puzzled look.
Lyra, however, was captivated. A spark of excitement ignited within her as she hummed softly, the allure of the unknown tugging at her adventurous spirit. “I don’t know how this happened, but I can’t resist finding out what’s come out of the portal,” she declared, her voice brimming with determination. Without waiting for a response, she hopped off her chair, her heart racing, and darted toward the glimmering vortex, her hair trailing behind her like a comet’s tail.
The group blinked in unison, moments of surprise coursing through them. No one had expected the princess to take such a daring leap into the unknown.
Ryan, exhaling a resigned sigh that mixed annoyance and protectiveness, knew he couldn’t let her venture alone into whatever mysteries lay beyond the portal. He quickly followed after her, his thoughts racing with concern. He certainly didn’t want to face the wrath of anyone if Lyra found herself in danger.
.
Lyra halted in her tracks, her eyes widening as she spotted two injured young men on the ground. With cautious steps, she approached them. One of the boys had long, unruly silver hair that cascaded around his face, contrasting starkly with his pale complexion. He wore a peculiar white kimono that appeared almost ethereal, its fabric tattered at the edges, telling silent tales of his struggle. The other boy had a more rugged appearance, featuring short, tousled dark brown hair and a similarly pale complexion. He was dressed in a white collared shirt that was stained with dirt and blood, overlaid by a sleek grey-black jacket, and he wore denim blue jeans along with black and white sneakers reminiscent of classic Converse. Droplets of crimson marred their clothing and pooled on the grass around them, a grim scene that tugged at Lyra's heart.
Behind her, Ryan approached swiftly, concern etched on his face as he assessed the situation. “Princess, don’t get too close to them,” he cautioned, his tone firm yet protective. “I’ll go fetch Kai.”
Lyra nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Okay…” The unease in her heart only deepened as she continued to observe the two boys, wondering about their fates.
Reluctantly, Ryan departed to summon Kai, the castle's healer. It took him longer than anticipated, and when he returned with Kai, the healer’s expression was a mixture of urgency and annoyance at the delay.
Kai glanced over the injured boys, exhaling a heavy sigh as he formulated a plan. “Ryan, grab the wolf,” he instructed with a note of command, “while I take care of the unicorn. We need to get them to the castle so I can treat their wounds.”
Ryan nodded resolutely. “Right.” With care, he lifted the boy with the dark hair, Hanari, while Kai hoisted the silver-haired boy, Lance, onto his shoulders. Together, with Lyra trails behind, they made their way back to the castle.
Once inside, Kai sprang into action, meticulously tending to their injuries. He noted that the wolf, Hanari, bore harsher wounds than Lance, but both displayed clear signs of distress and pain.
Healing proved to be a lengthy process. After a full month, Lance finally stirred awake, a soft groan escaping his lips. Curious about his surroundings, he began to explore the castle, weaving between corridors, peeking into rooms, and absorbing the stark contrast of his new environment before eventually returning to where Hanari rested.
Hanari had fared worse, with his recovery stretching out over an arduous three months. When he finally regained consciousness, it was to Lance's relentless poking. The wolf growled in annoyance, swatting at Lance, but the persistence of the silver-haired boy was undeniable. Laughter bubbled within Lyra as she watched the two, finding their playful banter endearing. She grew fascinated by Lance, especially as he regaled her with captivating tales of the human realm while allowing her to brush his silken hair.
Time passed—two years, in fact—before Lyra made her decision. With determination, she claimed Lance as her paladin. Meanwhile, Mira, an her seemly cold little sister that was visiting, couldn't resist the charm of Hanari and declared him cute, deciding to take him which the wolf didn't mind.