Elemental Beast of the Forest (4)

When Vivian passed away and reincarnated in this different world, she even had no memories of her past life. When it comes to her life, like any other normal person in this world, was completely the same. Though they were not born as noble bloods who hold a lot of power and control toward others, her life with her family was average but it was peaceful and had a balanced life.

For her family in this world, her mother, who took care of her children at home, did embroidery and made baskets for extra income so she can provide for her family as well by not being so dependent on her husband when it comes to finances. Then, a father who went to hunt in the woods for their main income and have delicious meat meals that was offered for his family. The father was the primary provider in their family as he holds the power and strengths to hunt. Even he knew that hunting was a difficult task because at any given moment his life would end.

While on the other hand, for the eldest daughter, Sasha has a small vegetable farm on her own taught to her by her deceased grandmother. Using the knowledge that has passed for her, he definitely uses it to earn money to help herself and her family for extra income to become responsible as the oldest siblings for her family. And the two youngest daughters Vivian and Biance since they were little help with assisting their mother or eldest sister. Her family was acting as a team and really helping each other by having their back all the time.

It was a simple living. However, they were happy and content that most people would like to manifest into their life.

Not until it happened that it completely changed the dynamic of their life…

Like some tragic plot in any story that we read, listen or watch, their happiness didn't last. Where the table has completely changed in a new direction. It was just a normal day, the sun was high above and the sky was clear. It was just a peaceful and ordinary day.

Everything was typically alright and seems like nothing suspicious is going to happen in their life. Except for one thing. The ten hunters who usually went home at dusk, returned after mid-afternoon.

The villagers gathered around them. Their appearance was bloody, wounded and their faces couldn't hide the fear that was visibly written all over their faces. Another bad thing that has just happened is that there were even some who were in critical condition.

Such news reached the hill where Vivian, her mother and sister were staying. Vivian could remember clearly, how a knock so loud and desperate rang through their house. Followed by a scream of a boy, who told them to hurry in the village.

Vivian still remembered every detail how her mother trembled as he talked to the boy and how they both rushed out, heading towards the village.

When she flashbacks everything, her mother that time yelled at her elder sister, Sasha. To take care of her younger sisters and never get out of the house until they returned. Without any words, Sasha just follows what her mom says to her. Then they ran towards the village without further delay.

Unbeknownst to their mother, the three of them followed after her.

Vivian remembered the fear and devastation when she saw her father lying above a straw mat. He was covered with blood, to the point where they didn't even recognize his face. Her whole body was trembling and she couldn't even say any words as she felt like there were blockages that stopped her from speaking and even thinking. She was just looking at her father on the map, not breathing anymore. Everything just happened in one snap.

After a few minutes her memories with her father start to play inside of her head once again. When he said that he will be saved by the beast no matter what happened ' Why did this happen to you dad? You lied to me about your hero. Everything was just completely fiction.' a mix of anger and sadness is what she felt inside of her.

While their mother sat there. Her eyes held disbelief. .Just when Vivian's two sisters that time ran towards their mother, that was when everything sank them. The four of them burst into tears and kept screaming until they lacked energy.

The survivors told everyone that a ferocious black wolf that was never seen in the forest attacked them.

***

Back to the present…

Vivian told this to the elemental beast. The elemental beast remained quiet until Vivian was finished.

"Indeed that tragedy happened in my forest ten years ago..." the Beast said. Vivian can feel the atmosphere change between her and the beast. The tension was no longer there but the feeling of sadness was already felt in their surroundings. Followed by the cold wind that can add to the energy.

What happened next shocked Vivian, as she didn't expect that thing to happened.The almighty elemental beast. She didn't expect it to bow down to her, she blinked her eyes many times and her heartbeat started beating so fast while looking at the beast who was in front of her.

"I deeply apologize for not being able to protect your father and the other hunters that day when they believed deeply in me. As I wanted to protect them, I still failed to do that."

'This.' Vivian was left in a dilemma. While looking at the beast who is still bowing to her she saw the sincerity of the beast's actions. All the things she would do to make him pay for not being able to save her father.

Though she can't hide the fact that the beast indeed saved her father many times. And because of one moment that he was not able to save her father, it caused his death. That truly changed the dynamic not just her life but also people who are part of it.

That's just one moment.

One moment…

Everything changed for them.

Maybe somewhere inside her, she was just finding something to blame. Because in that way, it helped her to ease some pain that she was feeling inside. So she choose to blame,

Blame for her father's death.

"Lord Eclio, I deeply appreciate how sincere you are right now but there is only one thing I want to know."

The Beast just look at her and waiting without saying any words

"Tell me, Lord Eclio. At least you know the beast that killed my father?"

"Yes. That beast is a stray that was contaminated by dark miasma. As I still remember, during that time something strange occurred and the miasma got thicker in one of the territories of my acquaintance. I had to leave the forest and see the other elementals. Sadly, when I came back it was too late and that beast who killed those hunters had disappeared. I just knew about it based on the traces it left on the forest.That is why I genuinely apologized for what just happened before"

'Dark Miasma? It can't be… the Midnight Allure is still two years in the future after the beginning of the plot. First the constellation thingy then now this? This is getting more complicated the more I know about this world. Hah. I will just focus on the beast contract.'

"I see." Vivian stretched her right hand and brought out a dagger. "With this you know that my hate has been reasoned now. Please give me the trial now. I will not leave this place…"

"It's alright." Lord Eclio cut Vivian. "I will allow you to take the trial now child. But are you certain that you are ready to trade a part of your soul to me once the trial is successful or not?"

"Yes." Viian said without any hesitation or fear in her voice.

Lord Eclio looked at Vivian's clear eyes. "Alright. The trial would start once you offered your blood on this very land."

Without a moment of hesitation, Vivian cut her already wounded right palm. As her blood dropped down on the ground everything around her changed and become unclear.

The trial of the Elemental Beast of the Forest, Eclio began.