Chapter 1: Arrival

It's so dark. I can't see anything.

Where am I?

Am I dead? I barely remember what happened before this.

"Who are you?" A voice echoed. Very clear to my ears.

My heart beats fast. I can't see anything, I can't move.

"Who is there?" I asked in a low voice. I tried to move. Exerting my strength. Seconds pass and slowly but surely, I could move my hands and my body even a little. And the first object I could reach was something big, cold, and I could feel very slow movements from it. The scent that came from this big hairy thing, hit me as I know who it was. Or who he was.

Largo! Oh my God, Largo!

I quickly hugged him tightly. We were lying on a surface that felt hard and cold. Largo lay right next to me.

“Largo?” I whispered. I groped for everything I could reach. And then I felt that my hand touched something wet on him.

“Ugh…” I heard a heavy groan. And that was Largo's voice.

"My love, are you okay?" I reach and tried to touch his face. But a big hand grabbed my hand. Largo held my palm and kissed it. His lips were very cold.

I tried not to panic. My brain tries to think clearly. What happened and what should I do?

Largo was injured because Mira attacked him, stabbing him with a dagger just before they jumped into the portal.

And now I can't see anything.

“Love, what happened? You can't see?” Largo's deep, low voice sounded worried.

I haven't had time to answer yet. That strange voice was heard again.

“Your scent is familiar… Did we know you?”

We? But I clearly heard the voice of one person. It was a deep voice. But I can't sense any danger from him.

“What's your name?” He asked again. I don't know why but I'm pretty sure it was a male voice…

“I-I'm.. My name is Cyllina…”

I felt Largo squeeze my hand gently. I returned his grip tightly. Honestly, I'm very scared. At times like this, we are in a weak state. I don't know how serious Largo's injuries are, but from his weak movements I'm very worried.

What happened to my eyes?

"What's... your mother's name..." The voice spoke again.

This time I was confused by my own mind. Do I remember my mother's name?

“Deruna… Deruna Ivybow…”

But my mouth speaks louder and faster than my brain.

“Ah… It's you my child…” The voice sounded so please.

“Welcome home, Cyllina Ivybow. Welcome back to the Elden Wood…”

Suddenly a bright light entered my eyes...

……………………………

“Largo!”

I gasped when I saw how terrible Largo's condition was. He was still in his Lycan form. The dagger was still pierced in his chest, the dark red blood seemed to have stopped flowing. But the dark pacth of blood could be seen very clearly on his chest and body.

Oh my Goddess…

I swallowed hard, what do I do? I can now see black veins spreading from the wound all over his chest and neck.

It's poisonous! This dagger is poisonous!

Lilly, think of something! I forced my poor brain to think quickly.

“The plants… Plants! I need some herbal plants!” I mumbled and nodded. I frantically looked around. Since I could see again, this forest was not as dark as I imagined. The giant trees that were even bigger and taller than the ones in Blue Moon gave me goosebumps. The size of the plants here was bigger than anything I had ever seen anywhere.

"Love..." Largo's deep voice called me. I looked at him, and he didn't look good.

“Largo…” I gripped his hand tightly. Convincing him, especially myself, that he will be fine. “Largo, my Love, you'll be okay. I promise… I promise…” I couldn't control my tears.

"Don't cry..." Largo tried to wipe my cheeks which were wet with tears. Instead of stopping crying. My tears flowed even harder.

“Don't worry, my Love. I won't die that easy…” Largo grinned weakly and I laughed through my tears. But suddenly, I became even more panicked when he coughed.

“Please, don't talk anymore…” I tried to calm him down.

"Love, will you help me?" He asked after he coughed again. I saw the black veins from the dagger spreading further down his shoulder.

No. Please, no...

“I will, I will help you. What can I do, please?” I wiped the tears from my cheeks. I have to help Largo. He is my soulmate. He is my family. I will do anything for him.

“Okay. First don't panic. Relax for me, okay?” Largo rubbed my face. And I nodded quickly.

“Can you lift my head? So at least this stupid poison didn't get into my head….”

Correct. Why didn't I think of it before? How stupid I am.

I looked around but didn't find anything for Largo to lean higher. Then my gaze shifted to the thick tendrils from the top of the tree that descended to the ground.

That's it. Use them. The voice in my head seemed to order my body to move immediately.

I don't know how long it took me to realize it. Largo and I were surrounded by these giant trees, as if they were wacthing and judging us.

“Can I please borrow your tendrils? For my mate, he is hurt..." I said softly. I talk to them, anyone who can hear me now.

Not long after, I saw something moving towards us.

The tree's tendrils spread slowly, heading under Largo's head and forming a high cushion so that he could half sit up.

"That's better, thank you my Love."

I nodded while smiling sadly. I should have done this from the start. I immediately checked the rest of his body, praying that no other parts of his body were injured.

"Love, one more thing." I looked at him. The dark yellow eyes of my beloved Lycan looked at me so sadly. Makes my tears flow again.

“Pull out the dagger for me.”

As soon as I heard him say that, I saw the dagger that still stuck in his chest.

"Is that…okay?" I asked slowly.

"If we don't remove it, it will make my healing slower..." he said.

"But... The blood... you will lose a lot of blood..." I said.

Silence. Largo didn't say anything to what I say. He probably also thought the same thing.

“Wait, here. Just a moment.” I stood up but his big hand held me down.

"No, stay." He said firmly. His deep voice sounded soft and weaker, making me very worried.

“I'll look if there's some Sawang leaves around here, I won't be too far, I promise.”

Largo looked into my eyes and then frowned for a moment, he was holding back the pain.

I quickly bent down to kiss his forehead. “Wait for me.” After that, I quickly darted around me to look for Sawang leaves which were often used on me in the past.

“Please… Take care of him for me. Please..." I said in this very quiet forest and silent trees. I felt like I was being watched and tested. But I'm sure they heard my sincerity.

Elden Wood, please be kind to us.