16. Reality. Lila's Pov

"Arghhhhh." Ondine screamed, jumped down and plunged at the boar with heavy force.

 The animal made a painful grunt and barely swerved past me before collapsing. It was still conscious. I guess the wound cut deep that it weakened it.

 I had my heart in my hand already. My breathes were heavier and shaky. I pulled away from the boar and ran to Ondine.

 "I could've died!" I lamented.

 "But you didn't." She said casually, making for the boar. She pulled out her dagger and made more stabs at the neck.

 My anger melted the moment I saw the blood rushing out. The contents in my stomach splashed out by the gory sight.

 "I'm beginning to think otherwise of you.' Ondine remarked while cutting through the boar.

 "That's good to hear."

***

 Derek was awake when we arrived. He was making some light traps around the cave, gently lacing grasses methodically and at designated spot.

 Ondine had earlier worked on the boar, strapping lengthy ropes on its limbs, we needed more than a gentle push to drag the boar with us. She did most of the pulling and I just pulled as much as more power can. The earlier adrenaline rush had made me weakened.

 Aurora just started the fire and the smoke rose high. She sent a delicate concerned frown when she sighted us especially covered in blood.

 "My goodness. What happened? Are you two okay?"

 "I'm fine." I answered in a croaked voice, obviously still shaking from the incident. I let go of the rope and moved away.

 The silence was louder this time. I caught Derek gazing at me but I ignored. I needed some time to myself to think, to analyze and find a way out of this place.

 I barely made it to my spot in the cave when warm tears rolled down my cheeks. I had wanted an inaudible sob but what I surprised myself with was a loud audible shriek and groan. My lung gave out the air that inspired the tears more better and louder.

 I was weak, tired and seemingly hopeless. I thought I was gonna die in this forest, just like I saw my life flashed in front of my face. I was scared and I didn't waste no tears to show it.

 "Hey, Lila." Derek called out softly behind me.

 I cleaned my face and moved a little farther away from him.

 "Go away." I said amidst sniffs.

 "Why are you crying Lila? Ondine told me what happened? That was scary but it's how we hunt, the risks and all, you can't escape it."

 "Well, I'm sorry I put myself in that position. I shouldn't have gone but how am I going to be strong? How can I not be weak when you refused to teach me?" I pointed angrily.

 "Seeing how easy a dagger is used by someone doesn't mean you can use it pretty much."

 "Yeah. I'm a weakling." I snapped.

 He was up close behind me now. "No you're not. You're brave, smart and pretty. I admire your courage." His hands grazed my shoulder and I pulled away.

 "Don't do that Derek. Look, I don't care anymore. I just want to go home and I need all the courage I can muster to find my way back home." I turned facing him now.

 "You will, I promise. But the prophecy…"

 "What fucking prophecy??? Y'all just get a random helpless girl that had lost her way in a weird forest and tag her a goddess? For the last time, I am not the prophecy!" My scream was frustrating and furious. I took a last huff and sauntered off.

 "Lila!" I heard him call after me.

 Ondine and Orion were busy cutting into the boar, it was quite a sight when its inside was opened. I ignored and walked past them to the river.

***

 I was taking a swim at the water fall. The blood was dried on me that it was really hard scrubbing it off. 

 I was additionally pissed there was no scrub, no scented soap, no warm water. Just icy cold water that burrowed deep into my bones.

 I rolled my eyes when I saw Derek again. I was now neck deep into the water because I've got no clothes.

 "Can you not be rude and unashamed and leave? I snarled.

 He turned his back and stayed defiantly.

 "We need to take Lila. As the leader of this group, I can't let things be at unsolved."

 "And you think the talk can't wait until I'm done bathing?" I rose, now waist deep into the water.

 "I'm sorry I did this, I'm not at rest. You're taking too much time now and I decided to check you out."

 "Now you see I'm safe, you can go now."

 "Please Lila, if you'll just listen to me."

 "I told you already, I am not the prophecy." I bit harder this time.

 "Can you hear me first?"

 I was hesitant for a while, then I gave in and allowed him speak.

 "We…I, Orion, Lucas, Aurora and Ondine were just ordinary people who lived our lives in our little village, peacefully until we were faced with a threat, a plague that started claiming lives and our peace. We pile up corpse everytime and this led the elders to talk to the heavens. They claimed we need a remedy for the plague as it was no ordinary disease. They claimed there is power in a mystical pearl and it can't be gotten anywhere near us or around. We were told we need to travel into the future to get it and come back…" 

 I was out of the water now and walking towards him naked. My ears were attentive as he spoke.

 "...of course it would be impossible, we can't go into the future, not without some teleportation or guide. There was no way we could get carried into the future, but the elders said a guide was possible and all we needed to do was keep on journeying deep into the forest that a guide would find us. She would be a fine reflection of the goddess of whishes. Blonde hair, blue eyes, skin like snow and she would be like the heavens. Beautiful. And you fit that perfect description, Lila."

 I walked round to face him not giving a care about my being naked.

 "It's hard to believe. You have to convince me I'm your guide." I said ordinary not believing any of the fallacy.

 "I won't be the one to convince you, Lila. Your powers would."

 I was failing to pick up this piece of information and weave them into something meaningful. My brow creased in confusion.

 "Power? What power?"

 "You have powers, Lila. That's why we consider you a goddess."

 "You're joking. You all are joking." I said. There's no way I have magical powers.

 "Lila?"

 I lifted my head to met his gaze, surprisingly, they

were rested on my boobs.

 "Fucking pervert." I cupped my breasts almost immediately.