The Transcendence

"Percival!" the newcomer exclaimed, his voice trembling with urgency. "Antoine... he's not healing. His wound won't close."

In an instant, the leader's expression transformed, the amusement and mockery draining from his features. Without a word, he dashed out of the room, his focus now squarely on the injured individual who had just arrived.

"What happened?" Percival demanded, his voice tinged with concern as he hurried after the boy.

"I don't know," the boy replied, his hands trembling with fear. "I just found him lying near the border, covered in wounds. They won't heal, Percival."

Annoyance flashed across Percival's face as he processed the information. "What do you mean? He's a Werebeast. He should heal within seconds, no matter how deep the wounds."

Driven by curiosity and concern, I followed them outside, joining the group gathered around the injured man. It was evident from their expressions and words that a mix of anger and doubt clouded their minds.

Lying on the grass, the muscular man was covered in blood, a gaping wound visible on his side. Despite their efforts, the wound showed no signs of healing. Panic and confusion gripped the onlookers as they struggled to comprehend the unprecedented situation.

Amidst the chaos and concern surrounding Antoine's condition, a woman adorned with tribal tattoos approached, carrying a single lavender-colored flower. Its unique appearance captivated my attention, its delicate petals resembling those of a sunflower but on a smaller scale, barely the size of my index finger. Though familiar, I couldn't place where I had seen it before.

With everyone focused on tending to Antoine, Ludwig engaged in a serious conversation with Percival and Liam on the outskirts of the forest. Their tense posture hinted at the gravity of the situation they were discussing.

As Antoine's clothing was removed for a closer inspection of his wounds, the woman knelt beside him, examining the injuries. "They appear to be just normal wounds," she observed, her voice tinged with confusion. "But why aren't they healing?"

The realization of Antoine's grave condition struck me like a bolt of lightning. It wasn't merely a "normal" wound as the woman had suggested. It was a gaping hole, still oozing blood. If left untreated, Antoine could bleed out. I couldn't comprehend why they would label such a severe injury as "normal." The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on my mind as I watched anxiously, fearing the worst.

As the woman squeezed the flower, extracting its liquid and directing it towards Antoine's parched lips, I watched with a mixture of hope and trepidation. With his thirst quenched, Antoine was gently carried inside the quaint house for further treatment. Despite the urgency of the situation, I hesitated to follow. The unfamiliar surroundings and Ludwig's absence left me feeling uneasy and out of place.

Before everyone could enter the house, I stepped forward, blocking the path of one of the individuals present. He appeared young, his face bearing an innocent expression that momentarily eased my apprehension. Still, I maintained a cautious distance, acutely aware of their otherworldly powers and formidable presence.

As I blocked his path, the young man blinked in confusion, furrowing his brow at my interruption.

Curiosity driving me forward, I questioned him about the peculiar flower used to aid Antoine. His gaze sharpened as he replied, his tone firm and authoritative. "Enchanted Moonvine," he stated definitively, noting my lingering curiosity with a sigh. "It's an herb known for its ability to numb pain, commonly used in treating deep wounds for Ravagers and Werebeasts." He elaborated further, explaining its taste and the side effects it induces. "The telltale sign of its effectiveness is a significant rise in body temperature, often accompanied by steaming sweat. The duration of its effects varies depending on the dosage."

I absorbed his words, contemplating his explanation, but before I could respond, he addressed my earlier remark about the flower's familiarity. His tone turned dismissive as he asserted, "It's unlikely you've seen the Enchanted Moonvine before. It's native to this continent and doesn't grow elsewhere. You're not from around here, Halfling."

With that, he brushed past me, leaving me standing alone with his words echoing in my mind. Despite his abrupt departure, I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that lingered in the wake of our brief exchange.

With a heavy sigh, I conceded that perhaps my encounter with the Enchanted Moonvine was nothing more than a creation of my imagination, fueled by the pages of the books I had read. The uncertainty gnawed at me, leaving me restless as I waited for Ludwig to conclude his conversation with Percival.

As the group disappeared into the house, I found myself aimlessly wandering the perimeter, taking in the surroundings while grappling with my unanswered questions. Every attempt to approach Percival was thwarted by an overwhelming sense of apprehension, as their serious discussions filled me with dread.

Repeating Percival's words in my mind—"We weren't the ones who brought you here, Halfling"—only fueled my growing unease. If not them, then who? Where had we gone, and how could I find my way back home? The prospect of being stranded in this unfamiliar land sent shivers down my spine, igniting a desperate longing to return to the comforts of my own world.

Lost in my thoughts, I found solace in the vast expanse of the forest surrounding the house. The towering trees provided a sense of sanctuary, their branches reaching towards the sky as if offering guidance amidst the uncertainty that enveloped me. With each step, I immersed myself in the tranquil embrace of nature, seeking clarity amidst the chaos that consumed my mind.

My heart leaped in my chest as four large, furry wolves emerged from the shadows of the forest. Their presence was imposing, each one towering over me in their ferocious form. Despite their resemblance to ordinary wolves, their size was intimidating, dwarfing my own stature.

I watched in astonishment as the wolves began to undergo a gradual transformation, their bodies shifting and contorting until they stood before me as humans. Yet, my awe quickly turned to discomfort as I realized they were entirely unclothed in their human state. Blushing furiously, I hastily averted my gaze, feeling a rush of embarrassment flood over me.

"You must not go too far, My Lady," a voice cautioned from behind, startling me.

Turning, I found one of Ludwig's knights standing there, bowing respectfully. Despite his height, I could see his handsome face and youthful physique. There was a subtle quiver in his lips as our eyes met, and he blinked once, his expression betraying a sense of urgency.

"Louise," Ludwig's voice cut through the air, his irritation palpable as he quickly approached us. Without waiting for my response, he took hold of my wrist and gently guided me toward Percival, who stood with the newcomers, his gaze fixed on us. Feeling a mixture of confusion and apprehension, I allowed Ludwig to lead me forward.

"Alpha Night, this is Louise," Ludwig announced, gesturing towards me.

The four men, attired in shorts like many others in this place, possessed a magnetic charm accentuated by their tribal tattoos. Among them, the one Ludwig addressed exuded an aura of gravity and power, his demeanor serious and commanding.

Acknowledging me with a nod and a terse smile, the man introduced himself. "Alpha Night of Eldertree," he stated succinctly.

Ludwig quickly interjected, expressing gratitude for the welcome before indicating our departure. "Thank you for the warm welcome," he said, his tone regal but with an underlying urgency. "We have to go. We're done with our work here."

Despite Ludwig's diplomatic words, I sensed a palpable tension in the air as the men exchanged meaningful glances, silently gauging each other's abilities and intentions.

Alpha Night nodded once more, his imposing presence leaving a lasting impression. Before I could react, Ludwig had already swept me up and carried me to the awaiting carriage. I was taken aback when he silently settled beside me, but I concealed my surprise as the horses neighed and the carriage lurched forward along the path.

As we traveled, I struggled to contain the tears threatening to spill. I felt a deep sense of disappointment and confusion. I had hoped to finally find a way home, but instead, we had returned empty-handed, leaving me with even more questions than before.

Percival's words echoed in my mind—how had they found me covered in blood? I racked my memory but couldn't recall any instance of being in a fight before arriving here. And the revelation that I was not human, as they claimed, left me reeling. I had always considered myself a perfectly ordinary human being in this world.

Confusion clouded my mind as Ludwig handed me a soft handkerchief. I began to ask, "What should I—" but before I could finish my question, Ludwig gently wiped away the fresh tears that I hadn't realized were already streaming down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry I disappointed you," Ludwig said in a soothing voice, his words laced with regret. "You didn't get the answers you were looking for," he added softly.

Feeling a wave of shyness wash over me, I used the handkerchief to wipe my tears away. Throughout my journey in this unfamiliar world, I had strived to maintain a facade of strength, suppressing my emotions even in moments of turmoil. But now, the weight of disappointment and uncertainty bore heavily upon me, threatening to erode my resolve.

Exhausted both physically and emotionally, I felt my defenses crumbling. It was becoming increasingly challenging to hold onto hope when the possibility of returning home felt more distant than ever before.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this pain, and I can't help you go home," Ludwig said, his voice tinged with genuine remorse. "No one can traverse two different worlds, not anymore."

Ludwig attempted to console me by rubbing my back, but instead of finding solace, I felt a surge of tension coursing through me. Despite his efforts, a heavy silence settled between us as I struggled to contain my emotions.

Time seemed to blur as the weight in my chest persisted. I longed to ask Ludwig about Percival's cryptic remark regarding my identity as a Halfling, but my mind refused to cooperate. The disappointment and sadness of realizing I may never return home and see my family again weighed heavily upon me, casting a shadow over any semblance of hope. It felt like an unbridgeable chasm stood between me and the life I once knew.

"The Transcendence, the portals from this world to mine, have been destroyed. And those who brought me here don't know how I can return home. How can I now?" I murmured, more to myself than to Ludwig, as despair tightened its grip around my heart.

"You don't have to go home," Ludwig whispered, his voice almost a soothing melody that might have slipped past my ears had he been any closer. "You can stay here with... me."