To the unknown

The night had settled over the farm.

Everything was still, save for the chirping of insects and the whispers of the wind brushing against the roof of the old barn. The stars scattered across the sky as if standing guard over the place but beneath this quiet, something stirred.

Inside the barn, Jonathan Weber lay atop a pile of hay, his breaths slow and steady. Sleep had embraced him like a mother's gentle arms. Beside him, on another pile of hay, Mao Mao lay curled up, his tail wrapped around himself. He seemed asleep… but he wasn't.

In the shadows of the barn, a mysterious figure clad entirely in green crept forward, their face completely hidden beneath a hood. They moved without a sound, as if their feet never touched the ground. Their vision was obscured by the hood, but… the aura that strange energy emanating from the sleeping child was enough to guide them.

They approached slowly, their right hand gripping a cleaver, its wide blade glinting under the moonlight seeping through the wooden windows.

They raised the cleaver high… just a moment away from bringing it down upon the child.

But before the blade could descend, a muffled cry of pain shattered the night's silence.

"?!"

The figure quickly glanced to their right or what remained of it.

Their right hand had been severed.

Before they could comprehend what had happened, they saw Mao Mao standing before them, coldly holding the severed hand, his claws still dripping with dark blood.

"I expected you to come… but not this fast."

Mao Mao's voice was low, laced with mockery and threat.

"So… you're the one who's been kidnapping children from the village? I didn't think your stench would reach here so quickly."

Then, he muttered to himself:

(It seems Jonathan's aura… is stronger than I thought. It's already attracting something dangerous.)

Mao Mao raised his claws, ready to strike, his eyes glowing like lightning in the dark.

But

Before he could attack, the figure suddenly vanished into a misty haze, the severed hand disappearing with them.

Mao Mao lunged forward, but his fangs and claws met only air.

"Tch…"

He spat in frustration.

"A magical clone… What a coward."

He returned to Jonathan's side, where the boy remained fast asleep, completely unaware of what had just happened.

"Seems we won't be having any peaceful nights from now on."

Mao Mao sat beside him, his eyes fixed on the darkness outside the barn.

Then he sighed, adding with a faint smile:

"Well… I'll guard you, you little troublemaker. Until we figure out who you really are… and what they want from you."

Morning came quietly, the sun's rays slipping through the cracks in the wooden barn, painting golden streaks across the scattered hay.

A gentle breeze drifted through the small window, carrying the scent of bread, milk, and comfort… or at least, comfort for those who had managed to sleep.

Jonathan Weber was still deep in slumber, his face peaceful as if nothing could disturb him. Meanwhile, Mao Mao… sat beside him, unmoved from his position since midnight.

He hadn't slept a wink. His breathing wasn't calm.

His ears twitched at every sound, and his crimson eyes remained fixed on the door… and the shadows.

"I didn't sleep all night," he thought, yawning silently. "And that bastard… thought I wouldn't notice."

Then… the barn door creaked open softly.

A twelve-year-old girl stepped inside, carrying a wooden tray with warm bread, cheese, and two cups of fresh milk. She wore a simple yet intricate dress, her hair tied with a linen ribbon, her face bright with a cheerful smile.

"Good morning!"

She chirped as she approached them.

Jonathan stirred awake slowly, stretching as he rubbed his eyes, then lifted his head to sniff the food.

"The smell of bread…! Am I in heaven?"

The girl laughed and moved closer.

"Almost. This is your reward for sleeping so well!"

She sat beside him and began feeding him gently.

"Say 'ahh'~"

She held out a piece of honey-coated bread.

Jonathan shyly opened his mouth but quickly relaxed, clearly enjoying himself. Then, in the midst of their playful exchange, the girl suddenly kissed him on the cheek without warning.

His face turned bright red in an instant.

"Wha—?!"

"You're so adorable! I wish you were my little brother!"

She giggled, resting her hand on his other cheek.

Mao Mao watched silently, his tail twitching restlessly behind him.

The girl soon turned to him, noticing something unusual.

"Mao Mao… your eyes are redder than usual. Are you sick?"

He replied as he nibbled on a piece of bread:

"No. I didn't sleep last night."

She raised an eyebrow in concern.

"Oh… why not?"

He answered with a half-smile, trying to mask the tension in his voice:

"Maybe… the hay wasn't soft enough."

But inside, he was thinking:

(No point in telling them now… The boy is attracting danger, and that clone that attacked us last night was just the beginning.)

(I have to stay awake… As long as he's here, there's no such thing as a "peaceful morning.")

The sun climbed slowly over the hills, its golden light spilling through the barn windows, illuminating faces still heavy with drowsiness.

Suddenly, Mao Mao stood up, patting his head as if remembering something important.

"We need to go, Jonathan. You and me."

Jonathan lifted his head from his bowl of milk, confusion written on his small face.

"Where to?"

Mao Mao replied calmly, with a faint smile that hid far too much:

"To the Green Forest… to play for a while."

Jonathan's face lit up with childish excitement.

"Really?! We're going to play in the forest?! Yay!"

But his joy was short-lived. Behind him, Lily appeared, her arms crossed, her eyes sparkling with a mix of jealousy and irritation.

She immediately ran up to him and hugged him tightly.

"Whaaaaat?! You're leaving me?! Take him with you?! No! Stay here! I'll play with him! I don't have anyone else!"

Mao Mao smirked slightly before replying:

"Lily… you have work here, don't you? The barn doesn't clean itself, and the goats are waiting for their meal."

Lily glared at him, stomping her foot in frustration.

Inwardly, Mao Mao thought:

(I have to take him with me… Not to play, but to observe. The forest might hold the key to the missing children… and his aura is growing stronger. I can't leave him here, nor can I tell him the truth yet.)

"But he's just a little kid!"

Lily protested, pointing at Jonathan.

"Can't you see how cute he is?!"

Jonathan replied kindly, raising his hand:

"Don't worry, Lily. When I come back, I'll stay with you for a long time. We'll play until you're tired!"

Her cheeks flushed instantly.

"O-okay… but don't be late! Got it?!"

Then, in a swift motion, she kissed him lightly on the cheek before spinning away to hide her embarrassment.

Mao Mao turned to leave, murmuring:

"The forest waits for no one."

Jonathan followed him with small steps as the village of Eden gradually faded behind them.

And in the distance…

The trees of the Green Forest loomed like towering walls of silence and secrets.

(I don't know what I'll find there… but one thing's certain: this child is at the center of it all.)

Mao Mao narrowed his crimson eyes.

And so, the two stepped into the forest…

Where no real games awaited only answers… and even greater dangers.