Chapter 5: The Guardian

Adam Novak

I looked around and found a large tree branch but not too high for me to hide. I reached out my hand and one of the tendrils stretched out and pulled me up.

"Thank you..." I muttered softly.

I stood still, sharpening my eyes to every direction that my sight could reach. This forest felt quieter, they felt more alert.

“She is here….”

I heard them whispering softly. She? Cyllina?

But then the aura that came out from around me said that they weren't talking about Cyllina or that injured Lcyan that was with her.

If it’s not her then what my sense telling me was right. They bring something or someone dangerous with them.

Are they lost? Cyllina is a half-Dryad. It seemed impossible for them to get lost. There's a big possibility that they're really heading for this place. But what exactly do they bring with them?

I took a deep breath. Another half-Dryad? I didn’t know that. I never thought that would be another Half-Dryad. Turns out I'm not alone.

I didn't know where Mother was. There was a big possibility that she had been hunted by the dark witch who was killing and wiping out the Dryads at that time. So, I thought I was the only one left of my kind.

When I first felt the presence of other people in this forest, I smelled many scents that I didn't recognize.

But when I first saw that young woman…. I started to realize it. She's just like me. I asked her, who she was, only to make sure what I thought matched the reality. That wasn‘t dreaming, I really met another Dryad.  

She looked... Tired, panicked, and afraid... but even so, it didn't cover up the beauty that came within her.

I don't know if it's because of the Dryad blood flowing in me, or the young woman's strong aura. I immediately knew that she had no evil intentions at all. She just has that innocent look on her soft, breathtaking appearance.

She seemed very careful when she saw me. I could see and feel how tense she was. Especially when she heard me, that I am a half-vampire.

I didn't blame her. I also wouldn't trust anyone I'd just met, especially from another Realm. But I can already read her aura. Can't she see mine?

But from her appearance, I guessed that Cyllina Ivybow, that beautiful half-Dryad is still very young. Her innocent eyes and her body movements are very easy to guess.

Her slightly gapped lips, her widened green eyes, when she saw me….

I immediately shook my head. Cyllina already has a mate. That Lycan from earlier, he looked quite badly injured.

In essence, I'm quite happy when I know that in this world, I'm not alone.

A gentle breeze blew and I sat, closed my eyes, trying to focus with my senses of hearing and smell.

One… Two people I know are around here. Cyllina and her mate earlier. Apart from that, nothing….

But then, I shot my eyes wide open, when I accidentally heard that a whisper, a soft voice.

“Largo… Hmm…”

Was that really necessary for her to sound that sweet?

I closed my mouth with the back of my palm. I could feel my face burning. Well, I've never heard such a soft and sweet voice!

I cleared the lump in my throat and shook my head.

Get yourself together Adam! I shouted internally. What am I thinking?

I was willing to help her guard the surroundings, while she and that big Lycan… did that thing around the bush since she was someone of my kind, and I really wanted to help her. Not because I want to take advantage of this moment...

I took a deep breath and leaned against the branch of this large tree.

What is wrong with me? After all this time, I've never been interested in women because they're too much trouble. Very noisy and spoiled. They really make me dizzy. And I never intended to find my partner.

Unlike Werewolves and Lycans, we vampires, do not depend on our destined mate. We are creatures who are free to determine who our partners will be.

I really like the mate bond idea. This will definitely prevent one-sided love, or the heartbroken for only one party.

 If only I had grown up in Theta.

I took a deep breath for the umpteenth time. Since the Realm portal can be opened and can be controlled in one place, thousands of years ago, I have become accustomed to seeing many other creatures besides vampires. I often see Lycan or Werewolf couples walking side by side, and the aura of a very strong bond radiates from them. It felt… warm.

It's not uncommon for me to dream of being born into a family that has such strong ties. How good it would be to be them, right?

I closed my eyes briefly, trying to ignore the muffled, soft, low, and sweet voice. I tried to focus my sense of hearing on anything but that.

Just as I was starting to focus, I heard the voice that had accompanied me throughout these years.

“My child….”

I sat up straight and cross-legged. But didn’t once open my eyes. I have to be calmer and more focused if I want to communicate with him.

"You've come..." I greeted him. I couldn't guess what this creature looked like, but its strong and gentle aura told me that it was the only one guardian spirit from this forest that was left behind. The only thing left after the Dryads were slaughtered.

“She is here, you and Cyllina need to be careful…”

Out of a sudden, the strong wind blew, and it shocked me. It almost made me fall if the tree's tendrils didn't quickly wrap around my body.

"Thank you," I said while stroking the thick and strong tendrils.

My heart was beating fast, drumming in my ears. I know, it’s not the guardian that made that wind. But there was something else dangerous and it seemed like the forest was trying to warn me.

It's a shame I didn't get to ask further who he was referring to. Cyllina and I have to be careful? Does that mean that those who threaten her life are also dangerous to me?

The hairs on the back of my neck bristled when I realized it and was able to pull out all the red threads.

Cyllina clearly nodded when I asked that it wasn't just her and the Lycan who entered the Realm portal from Theta. And the guardian spirit clearly said in my ear that the creature was a woman...

She….

I stood between the tree branches and leaned against one of the branches. This tree is so big that it can hide me without being seen at all from below.

I clenched my fists repeatedly, trying to stop my hands from shaking. I also tried to breathe more steadily.

My fear and adrenaline mixed into one when I realized who had been successfully brought back to Elden Wood.

There is this one mythical creature that has been my target for a long time. And I swear on my own life to bring her back to the place where he shed so much blood on my people.

When I calmed down, I refocused my thoughts. Just then, the corner of my eye caught a black shadow streaking by, not far from where I was standing.

That's it! That's her!

Wait, Cyllina!