Chapter-4
Part-1
"Geez.! Come on wake up already!" Lucille shouts.
"Just one more minute please.. "
"It's already so late you know!"
It's hard to give up your habit; especially when you ate a whole damn amount of delicious food before sleeping.
"Go and take a bath! Meanwhile I'll have a change of clothes for you there."
I gently smile at her looking right into her eyes.
*she blushes
I have always thought of how I will tease her once I become friends with her. The face she makes is all worth it.
Hehe...!
(Water splashes)
"Urgh! Ummaahh!!"
"I will use this method to wake you up everyday if you keep doing that." Lucille says with a bucket in her hand.
It was all a dream.?!
"Get up from the bed already!"
A sweet dream. Huh?!
And here I thought I finally overcame my fear.
"My, My! See your hair and beard, all messed up!" Lucille exclaims.
I never trimmed my hair and beard after that incident.
"You should cut them and try to look more like a human being."
"Yes! I will cut it." I answer her.
"No! I got a better idea than this. I practiced hair cutting in a salon on earth, so I will cut your hair." she says with excitement.
"What...! No! No! I will do it myself."
Who knows how she will cut my hair and did she really take a lesson from a salon.
I doubt it.
"Hmm!? You doubt my skills right? Come with me I will show you my real skill."
She grabs my arm and takes me with her.
"No! I can do it myself. Just let me go."
Why is she so strong. Right! she's a wrestler, but still why am I struggling so much with her grip.
"Now, quietly sit here!"
No!!! My hair!
"Sit quietly! Otherwise a mishap is unavoidable."
But..! This is the end of world.
(*Snip)(*Snip)
My life is over.
This is the worst. A man's soul and pride are his hair if they are gone then what is a man without his hair?!
(*Snip)(*Snip)
I caressed it every day, just to be ruined today.
I close my eyes as she goes on cutting it.
"Open your eyes" she says.
Nevermind, I just need to bear with it. I can't make her sad.
I slowly open my eyes.
This.. Is.. Is this for real?!
"You really cut it very neatly. Wow!"
I praise her as I check my hair.
"You really got a knack for this job."
"Hehe.. Didn't I tell you that I am a professional. I made most of the time useful, when I was on earth."
Even though she seems simple but she is very skilled on the inside.
"Now go take a bath. I have hot water ready in the bathroom."
"Umm..before that can you tell me where to.. Urgh.. I mean.." I try to signal her what I want to do.
"Come on! Don't be shy around me we have to spend 6 months together. If you go down the lobby you will see a door. Behind it, is a bathroom specially for taking shit." Lucille says nonchalantly.
"Ah..Oh..ohk!"
I want to die. How embarrassing. Doesn't she feel embarrassed while talking about it too.
"Also don't forget to clean it afterwards." she adds
Argh..! I really want to die!
"Yes! Yes! Madam!"
I do my work and enter the bathroom.
I enter the bath tub. Hot steamy water was already poured in it. As I take my bath, I wash away my scent. I wash away my old self to start a new beginning. As I change my clothes, I change my appearance to form a new identity. To experience this world I need to mold myself into it.
"Does it look good?!" I ask her.
"Yess! It really suits you." she compliments me.
She gave me a poet shirt just like her and a black jeans with it. And big boots as icing. I really look like an adventurer now.
I step outside to see what this world looks like.
Incredible! What a view!
Sky looks bluer here!
The wooden house where I am in, is surrounded by big and huge trees. We are situated in a forest.
I go near a tree.
As I suspected the trees are too tall compared to a normal tree. It seems as if they are touching sky. I can't see the top of it. They look strong and sturdy. I wonder what it will take to cut it down.
Part-2
Besides the house we reside in; there's a small barn, 1/3 of the wooden house.
I think they keep horses or animals in there. As I freely and carelessly try to sneak around the environment here, some weird sound starts coming from the barn.
"Grrr..Grr.."
It's faint but clear enough to hear.
It's like a roar of an animal.
The voice continues to growl.
I am curious now. I start approaching it.
Slowly and steadily.
The voice start to get more violent. I can feel the danger.
I can feel the pressure and fear it's giving off. It's clearly warning me- 'not to approach '
But I still continue to walk toward it.
Suddenly the noise stops.
From the dark, two eyes flashes at me. It slowly starts to come out. And what I witness is a 'MONSTER'.
I get surprise and stumble back.
(Woah!! You are kidding me right? Is that a dog or a wolf?)
"Roar!! Grr..!!" It stares at me like an unwelcome guest, trying to invade his home.
It's big as a lion or bigger.
It's sharp teeth are ready to bite and chew me out. It's purple and black coloured with six legs.
It's dripping saliva, shows how much he wanna eat me.
I lose my composure.
My body starts to tremble.
I slowly and quietly take my steps back by uttering -
"Ea.. Easy... Easy!"
(Gulp)
I know if I show any hostility or any intent to endanger it then I am good as dead. That's why I need to take it slow.
"Good doggy..Go fetch this stick! Go!" I desperately try to think of ways to get me out of here.
That said, following my actions, it too starts taking steps forward.
(What should I do now?)
It's my first day! There are still 5 months and 29 days left.
"Roarrrr! Grrr.. Grr.. " It aggressively roars at me, giving me a warning before it attacks.
It's starting to get impatient. It clenches the ground with it's claw. Getting ready to attack me.
(Help!!)
As he is about to jump me, a familiar voice echoes and stops it's movement.
"Kuro!! " Lucille steps outside because of the ruckus and see how I am going to become a meal of a monster and stops it.
Hearing her voice it changes it's shape into a small, six leg, white furry puppy and dashes toward her.
(What the..?!)
I am left in shock!
Just what is happening here!? A few seconds earlier it was a vicious animal ready to tear apart anyone and now a dog with six legs and thick white fur?!
"Kuro! Didn't I instruct you, not to scare our guests? Why are you so mean to all our guests?!" Lucille says to him by patting his head.
"Wuff! Wuff!" He shows affection toward her.
It's kinda hard to comprehend this situation.
"It's okay now! He will not intimidate or attack you anymore."
"Huh?!.. Yeah!"
"Isn't he cute...?His name is Kuro!" she adds.
Cute? He's a so dangerous! I should maintain distance from him.
"Wuff! Wuff! Grr..!" he barks at me again and then rubs himself againt Lucille's leg.
I get a bit agitated, seeing how close he is to her.
Tsk!
Seeing my frustrated look, he barks at me again.
"Wuff! Grr...!"
"What?! You wanna fight? Then come here."
I will not back off, if the matter on hand is Lucille.
I can tell by looking that he is trying to get on my nerves.
(Get away from her! You little.)
"Oii..eyes here!"
"Wuff! Wuff!"
"Come on! You two! It's enough now.. I have breakfast ready for the both of you. Come on in!"
Still, I am aware now that he will be a great hindrance in my way to her.
Part-3
After we finish our breakfast. We pack our backpacks. It's entirely not a traveling bag but yes there's plenty of room to keep things
We take off to explore the forest.
Lucille Kate, she was on earth on a mission. A mission which cannot be disclosed to anyone. Apparently, a piece of her soul was sent on earth. A clone of her, that's how I will describe it.
It sounds absurd, but what I have seen so far, I can't help but believe it.
It was a clone of hers, so overall it was impossible to kill her. Even if I hadn't interfere, she would still be alive.
But I am glad I did die. Otherwise I wouldn't have a chance to come here.
This forest is filled with vast variety of flowers and green bushes. It's not very different compare to the fauna on earth.
The only difference is that they are bigger and different shaped.
"This is called 'The Glowing Forest'." she suddenly speaks.
"Glowing Forest!?"
"Yes!"
"And why it is called the 'Glowing forest?"
She smiles and says-
"I will show you why, when the time comes, so don't be so hasty - Mr. Curious."
"Don't come up with weird names for me."
"Oh! Why not?! Didn't you present yourself that way during breakfast. There were more questions than food in your mouth." in a teasing manner she says.
After hearing her, I nervously say-
"Tha..that's not a reason for you to make fun of me."
"Oh really?! That's cute."
Eh?
"Eh!?" after hearing cute, I blush in embarrassment.
"Hahaha" she suddenly laughs out! "Look at your face all red!"
This girl..
Is really interesting!
"Follow me! Mr. Curious!" with a grin she said.
Ahh.. This is bad she's gonna tease me all the time with that name now. That's how the first impression lasts.
But for starters it's not bad. I'm having a fun conversation with her now. I'll slowly proceed like this and ask her to be my friend.
"Wuff! Wuff!"
Tsk!
Argh...! Really! Why is he even coming with us? Couldn't we have left him home? That way I would have properly traverse the forest with her alone. Such a pain in the ass!
After walking consecutively for 3 hours, we reach the edge of the forest. The sky is much clearer now.
It's too great(What a sight!)
Because of the trees most of the sky was not visible.
And infront of us is a territory where people of this world live. I can smell the adventure in this plain. The long awaited adventure of mine is finally here.
Lucille speaks
"This is the town called 'Kanisha'."
It is a magnificent town surrounded by forest and desert. From this height, I can see the east side of the town is mostly sand and the west side is occupied by this forest. This much big city I wonder what is down there. What kind of occupation they do or what kind of fun activities are present there.
"I brought you here so I can warn you! "
The cheerful mood we had before changed into something serious.
Confuse me ask her-
"Warn me?! About what?"
"What my Grandpa said yesterday was not a joke. People of this land despise humans."
"But why?!"
"It's a long story, you really don't need to know." with a sigh she says,
"Not even a single race of your world has succeeded to survive here."
Other races, you mean humans came here before and didn't survive?
"You mean there were humans here before me?"
"Yes, but a very long time ago."
I thought I was the first one.
How disappointing!
"So don't think of getting involved with these people. People who live here(in this world) know the difference between a human and a citizen of this world. And since humans aren't allowed here, your head will be severed as soon as they find you. Even in the forest, if you spot any person just come to me. Otherwise, the consequence of them finding you, will not turn out to be good. Understood?"
Scary!
But what a waste!
I won't be able to have fun in this town. I was eagerly waiting for this moment. I had my hopes high from the start. I thought she would take me to visit people and have some pep talk with them and I would learn some magic or whatever it is that make people vanish here, but the alternate is not much promising.
"Why are you sulking?!"
"Huh?! Yeah right, I was thinking of some adventure in this world but I can't even visit a town so how would I have fun in this world without interacting."
"My, am I not enough for you?"
"What?! No! That's not what I mean."
"I thought you will be happy to spend time with me! Was I wrong to wake you up?"
She did me a favor by waking me up from the deep sleep. Otherwise that old geezer was planning to keep me in deep sleep and sent me home after six months. Like nothing happened but she insisted on letting me stay awake for 6 months and took responsibility of me. Thanks to her I am able to witness this! I can't disappoint her like this.
"No.. I am mean I am happy to be with you."
"Hehe. Cute!"
*Blush
Tsk!
Argh! What! ... She always catches me off guard.
"I mean it's disappointing to not be able to speak to other people that are ready to kill you but also I am the luckiest person to have you whole for me only." looking toward her, I say in confidence.
Yes that's it, that's how you flirt with girl. Now she will blush and feel embarrassed. Thanks to the dating simulation games I played. I know every trick.
"That's enough! Don't sugar talk me. You are my guest and I am your host, so don't get any funny ideas."
No!!! It didn't work. That's not how I imagined her to react.
Calm down!
This is only the starting. But I am sure eventually it will become better.
"Right!" just play along for now.
She looks at the town and says-
"One of the reasons that why humans never stood chance is because our bodies are special, they are 5 times stronger than an average human being. Let's just say if you go down there, then it is the same as a sheep walking between a group of lions. They know whom to hunt."
It sounds terrifying! What fantasy world I am in?
"Is that a thing in this world?!"
"Yes! That's how it's gonna be from now on."
She continues-
"But don't worry as long as I am here no will dare to touch you."
After completing her sentence, she looks at me with a gentle and appeasing smile.
So cool!
Her words have more weigh than any person in my life.
As she stood by my side, I felt warmness in this azure atmosphere. It is like I can do anything. Despite the fact, that people will kill me the instant they saw me, I feel no fear and it's because of her.
I can't describe this feeling....
"Thank you, Lucy!"
(Damn! I went through the flow and called her Lucy.)
"Huh?! What did you say?! Say it again."
"Hmm?! Ahhh.. Thank you!?"
"No! No! After that?"
"Huh? I didn't say anything!"
"No! You said something."
"Nah...I don't remember."
"Jeez.... So shy!"
(Hehe! This is a win for me.)
This feeling it's similar to home.
Part-4
Lucille suggested that we should take some fishes on our way home. There's a waterfall nearby. We are headed in that direction now.
"Wuff wuff!"
Why is he always barking? And to which type of species he belong to?
Species which can transform itself into a vicious creature how's that even possible. No wonder I'm really in a fantasy world.
After walking for a while I start to hear rumbling sound of water.
"We are nearby." She says.
As we walk toward the sound it becomes more louder.
We are here.
A large and broad waterfall.
This waterfall was making this loud rumbling noise.
It is steep and have rocks at its boundaries.
The water is crystal clear. I am even able to see the pebbles at the bedrock.
What even surprise me is that the fishes are swimming up the waterfall. The waterfall is quite high. So how can they swim upward.
Meanwhile lucille is taking out knives to catch fishes.
I approach and ask her-
"Lucille, how can they swim against the gravity?"
"Oh you mean those fishes. They are called twin tailed fish."
Twin tailed? Ahh.. I didn't notice but the tail is further divided into two fragments.
"When the season comes to form a offspring or during a mating season, they go to their origin place. It is said that it's a ritual performed those type of fishes."
"A ritual?"
" Yes! If the ritual is not carried out properly then a curse befall upon them."
"A curse?! That's odd for fishes!"
"Who knows?! But that's what I heard."
Very strange!
Frowning myself I say-
"Now, come on! Enough of that already."
"Ok alright! You got me! I'll elaborate for you. The twin tail fishes just go there only during mating season. They use there tail like a spinning thrust or like a boost to their swimming skills. With their slim and linear body, they tear apart the waterfall and move upward with this combimation."
"Now I see, basically they use their twin tails to their advantage. Still the water is rampaging down with great strength so.."
"Didn't I tell you, living beings of this world are much stronger!" Lucille exclaims.
"Right!?" With a surprise look, I say.
But still I didn't understand how much stronger. It's physically impossible right? I still have a confuse look on my face
Lucille looks at me and gives out a sigh. She knew I didn't understand what she meant and says-
"See! For example try puching that tree."
Without asking any question, I do what she asks.
I punch the tree, neither strongly nor weakly.
"Like this.. ?!"
To my surprise, my punch left an slightly deep imprint on the tree.
(My hand is alright.. I didn't feel much pain.)
What's next now?
"Now..! If I punch it with my full power.. !"
*Smash
Lucille punches the tree with her right arm and a half of the big, huge and sturdy tree is smashed apart.
Incredible!
"You..you are so strong!!" I exclaim.
"I know! Right!"
The difference in our power is immense!
I never imagined her to be that strong.
This world is fascinating me again and again!
"That's the difference between living beings of here to earth. Now come on, let's catch some fishes." by flicking the dirt on her arm she says.
"Yeah.... But you know what, this world is literally so strange. I mean.. Umm.. like its surprising me at every corner of every moment."
"Yeah.. I know right! It is strange. It is beautiful and yet at the same time it is dangerous too." she says while unpacking her bag, "You know like the stranger it gets the dangerous it is. People always feel themselves in danger before something unknown."
"No.. No! That's not what I mean. I am not feeling danger or terrified, instead I am excited." with a chuckle I say "Excited to discover more of this stranger things, you know!"
"Believe me! You'll regret what you are saying." Giggling a bit she says.
"Yeah? Is that right then I am looking forward to it." rolling my jeans up I say "Let's get dinner then!"
"Coming!" she answers.
After some time.
We catch a lot of fish.. Of course I was unable to catch any because I don't have the expertise in that field.
Lucille with knife caught many and kuro, he just filled his whole mouth with water and fishes in it. Lucille said that she will teach me later, so wait for it.
We are now headed toward our house.
Argh.. We are walking nonstop from morning to evening. It is already time for the sun to set. The sky turns crimson red, just like in fantasy movies as if a curse has fallen upon us.
Part-5
Before the light of sun disappears we reach home.
That's how I end my day.
Ha! It was pretty tiring.
Of course I had my own enjoyment and met with unexpected surprises.
We traveled together and hunted together.
And I realised how many loopholes I have within me. Thanks to Lucille for taking care if me. She's skilled in one and many ways. Also she is determined to protect me. I don't know why she is so kind to me but I can't take all of this for granted.
My experience in doing house chores while I was living can be useful.
But wait I can make instant noodles but anything.
Anyway, it will work out.
She serves us freshly grilled fish.
(Delicious!)
We sit together at the dining table. Me and Kuro sit on her both sides.
I dig in like I am starving for days.
"Ouch..?!"
(I forgot to remove bones)
And on her right side I see Lucille feeding boneless fish to Kuro.
Tsk
Why am I getting jealous... He is just a dog. Everytime I see them cherishing each other I get uncomfortable.
Out of the blue she asks me.
"You too haven't removed the bones? Here eat this one, all the bones are removed from this fish."
Reallyy?! She's going to feed me this fish with her own hands.
Yess!
I don't know why but I get excited and surprised at the same time.
(This is my first time, being fed by a girl! How exciting!)
As I lean toward her and open my mouth, Kuro jumps in and grabs the fish from her hand.
"Oh!" she exclaims.
Argh!! The moment is all ruined.
I get angry.
"You little....! Come here! You wanna fight me? Then let's do it."
"Grwaa.." He transforms himself and threaten me.
But I don't even flinch a cm.
"You two are getting along. Very nice." she says in a teasing manner.
"No! We are not!"
"Roar..!!"
We deny together.
Part-6
It is night already. Time surely goes fast.
*Yawn
I'm feeling sleepy.
Lucille comes in my room and with a soft tone she says to me-
" Rayan, will you come with me, I want to show you something."
"Huh?! Ok!"
What is it that she wants to show me?
We walk together toward the entrance. She opens the door.
As soon she opens the door, a bunch of rays of light glimmers on me.
This.. This is the most amazing and luminous scene I have ever seen!
The trees are emitting luminous light. The whole surrounding is being wrapped by green light coming from the outer surface?
No!
From the veins of trees and leaves.
Because of the glowing leaves this whole place is shaded with green colour.
Not just the trees but even the flowers of different colors are glowing. Red, yellow, violet, blue, all the different coloured flowers are glowing as thier respective color. It's a whole new vibe out here. Like a disco night or like a festival this whole forest is enlightened.
Just Glorious and amazing!
"Astounding....!"
Have I ever seen anything like this before?
Nope! It's so captivating.
It's totally different compare to the daytime.
At night the whole scenery changes into something extraordinary.
Surprise me exclaims!
"So.. This is why it's called 'The Glowing Forest'."
"Nope!" she answers.
"Really... then why?!"
"I don't really know myself yet. But I will tell you someday."
Argh!!!!! If there's a God then I want to thank you for all of this.
"This is also one of the reasons for why I like this place. A place where there is no need to fear. Whether it's day or night, it gives hope to the one who is lost. These leaves symbolises that no one is ordinary, there is a proper place and time where you shine the best." Lucille says with a slight smile.
I am unable to say anything. She just opened up and yet I can only think and wonder. I know why girls like to talk in personification. Because they don't want the scars to be seen. Yet they want to be loved.
Truth is cruel sometimes.
For now I can just stand here and wonder. I wish she could share a piece of her heart with me.
Wait! Now is the perfect time.
"Lucille, would you like to be my friend?" I say to her.
"Eh?! What nonsense are you uttering. You are just a guest, so don't complicate things. Go inside! Now!" She gets really mad at me.
"Yess but.. I want to watch this scene more."
"Nah..watch it tomorrow again. You won't get up early if you don't sleep early."
She forcefully takes me inside.
How's she so strong?
Yet she's so stubborn and... amazing!
My habit of doing nothing can't take me anywhere. I will help her in my own way. This is how I repay her.
Yess! She changed me and brought me into this wonderful world.
I atleast need to repay that debt of her. Otherwise I won't be able to see myself in the mirror again.
And surely I will not let her down and will do my best.
---Status---
Name :- Lucille Kate
Age :- 23
Who is she :- A caretaker(for now)
What she likes :- Playing with Kuro, Making food and teasing me.
What she dislikes :- Going against her will
Education :- Unknown