Chapter 0.5
As Rei sat quietly in the bush, he heard rustling in the underbrush. Suddenly, Athea burst forth, her face alight with a mischievous grin. Sticks were stuck in her wild hair, giving her an almost horn-like appearance, while vines hung around her like a halo.
Athea (giggling, pretending to play): Look at me! I'm a forest creature!
The villagers, startled by her sudden appearance, froze for a moment. One of them, a tall man with a scruffy beard, squinted at her.
Villager 1 (relieved, chuckling): Oh, it's just Athea! What are you doing out here?
Villager 2 (concerned): You're Yael's daughter, right? Why are you all the way out here? You could've gotten lost!
Athea (playfully, twirling around): I was just exploring! Look at my new look!
Villager 1 (smiling, shaking his head): Your parents are going to worry about you. Do they know you're here?
Athea (with a hint of mischief): I didn't tell them. It's more fun this way!
Villager 2 (serious but gentle): You really should be careful. This part of the woods can be dangerous. Come on, let's get you home.
Villager 3, a stocky man named Alejandro, stepped forward, looking slightly shaken.
Alejandro (nervously): Athea, have you seen anything strange out here? Maybe... an aswang or a demon? I swear I saw one earlier, and I broke my machete trying to defend myself!
Athea (feigning shock, wide-eyed): A demon? In these woods? What did it look like?
Villager 1 (concerned, glancing at Alejandro): Seriously, Alejandro? A demon? You might've just seen a wild animal.
Alejandro (defensive): No! I'm telling you, it was big and scary! It had... things on its head!
Athea (playfully, teasing): Maybe it was just another forest creature like me!
Villager 2 (smirking): If it were, you wouldn't have broken your machete.
Athea (giggling): Exactly! You should've taken a picture instead of breaking it!
The villagers exchanged amused glances, but Alejandro crossed his arms, still uneasy.
Alejandro (sighing): Just promise me you'll be careful, Athea. If you see anything strange, come straight back home.
Athea (rolling her eyes but smiling): I promise!
As the villagers began to guide her back toward the path, Athea turned around, pretending to be a creature from the woods once more, making silly faces to lighten the mood.
Athea (playfully): Maybe I'll find some treasure next time!
Villager 1 (smirking): Treasure, huh? What kind of treasure?
Athea (giggling): The magical kind! You'll just have to wait and see!
As they continued walking, Rei remained hidden in the bushes, his heart racing. He felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about being discovered. Would Athea truly come back for him?
With that thought, warmth flickered in his chest as he waited patiently, hoping for their next adventure together.
As Athea and the villagers ventured deeper into the forest, Rei remained hidden in the underbrush, heart racing from their earlier encounter. He gazed in their direction, a mix of hope and uncertainty swirling within him.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure cloaked in shadows observed from a distance. The mysterious girl, her face obscured beneath the hood of her dark cloak, watched intently as Athea and Rei interacted. Her piercing eyes glimmered with an otherworldly knowledge, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Mysterious Girl (softly, to herself): My, my... they've finally found each other
Her voice was melodic, filled with a strange familiarity. She stepped closer, her movements fluid and graceful, as if she were part of the forest itself. Her gaze remained fixed on the two children, nostalgia washing over her.
Mysterious Girl (thoughtfully): It's as if the stars have aligned once more. They always seem to find one another, don't they?
She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with secrets untold.
Mysterious Girl (reflective): Each time they meet, it's like the universe sings in joy. They bring out the best in each other, a light in the darkest of woods
As she spoke, the girl's eyes shimmered, reflecting a deep understanding of what lay ahead for both Athea and Rei. The bond between them was undeniable, a force that would guide them through challenges yet unseen.
Mysterious Girl (whispering to the trees): You must watch over them. They will need guidance on their journey, but their hearts will know the way
With that, she faded back into the shadows, her presence blending seamlessly with the forest. As she disappeared, the air hummed with a sense of magic and promise, echoing the unseen connections that would shape their destinies.
Rei, still watching from his hiding place, felt an inexplicable warmth wash over him, as if the forest itself was whispering secrets he couldn't quite grasp. For now, he remained hidden, waiting for Athea's return, unaware of the forces at play that had brought them together.
As Athea and the villagers ventured deeper into the forest, Rei remained hidden in the underbrush, heart racing from their earlier encounter. He gazed in their direction, a mix of hope and uncertainty swirling within him.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure cloaked in shadows observed from a distance. The mysterious girl, her face obscured beneath the hood of her dark cloak, watched intently as Athea and Rei interacted. Her piercing eyes glimmered with an otherworldly knowledge, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Mysterious Girl (softly, to herself): My, my... they've finally found each other
Her voice was melodic, filled with a strange familiarity. She stepped closer, her movements fluid and graceful, as if she were part of the forest itself. Her gaze remained fixed on the two children, nostalgia washing over her.
Mysterious Girl (thoughtfully): It's as if the stars have aligned once more. They always seem to find one another, don't they?
She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with secrets untold.
Mysterious Girl (reflective): Each time they meet, it's like the universe sings in joy. They bring out the best in each other, a light in the darkest of woods
As she spoke, the girl's eyes shimmered, reflecting a deep understanding of what lay ahead for both Athea and Rei. The bond between them was undeniable, a force that would guide them through challenges yet unseen.
Mysterious Girl (whispering to the trees): You must watch over them. They will need guidance on their journey, but their hearts will know the way
With that, she faded back into the shadows, her presence blending seamlessly with the forest. As she disappeared, the air hummed with a sense of magic and promise, echoing the unseen connections that would shape their destinies.
Rei, still watching from his hiding place, felt an inexplicable warmth wash over him, as if the forest itself was whispering secrets he couldn't quite grasp. For now, he remained hidden, waiting for Athea's return, unaware of the forces at play that had brought them together.
As the scene shifted, Athea walked back towards the small village, her steps slow but steady. She was deep in thought about her day with the strange boy in the forest, twirling a twig in her fingers absentmindedly. When she approached her home, she was startled to see her parents rushing out to meet her, their faces filled with worry.
Mother (frantic, arms wide open): Athea! Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you!
Father (stern but relieved): You can't just wander off like that! Do you know how dangerous it is in the woods?
Athea stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide as they hurried toward her. Her mother enveloped her in a tight embrace, smoothing down Athea's messy hair.
Mother (worried, breathless): I was so scared something had happened to you! What were you thinking, going so far into the forest?
Father (frowning, crossing his arms): Did you hear anything about the creature Alejandro saw? The villagers are on edge, saying there's something dangerous lurking around. You shouldn't have been out there alone!
Athea (innocently): I wasn't far... I was just playing. I'm fine, see?
Mother (checking Athea over, still shaken): Fine or not, you can't be so careless! What if the stories are true? What if something had found you?
Father (gruff, but softening): It's not safe, especially with those rumors about a demon. Next time, you tell us where you're going, understood?
Athea (nodding, sheepishly): I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you worry.
Mother (relieved, hugging her again): Just promise us you'll be careful. We can't lose you, Athea.
Father (placing a hand on her shoulder, concerned): Stay close to home for now, alright? Until we're sure it's safe out there.
Athea gave them both a reassuring smile, though her mind was elsewhere, back to her time with the boy in the forest. She had made a promise to him, and no matter what, she intended to keep it.