Isekai’d, Then Kidnapped?

‘You mentioned that I am the only human to exist here that doesn't have any animal form?’ I asked, giving my disguise a quick check.

This place could use a toilet with a mirror.

‘Yes. From what I’ve encountered so far, that seems to be the case.’

‘No talks from other folks about other sightings?’

‘No. It’s only you. Most living creatures here are unmagical beings who can’t transform. Making them a good resource for those of us who can.’

‘So… am I considered food for the wider population?’ I asked with a straight face, but I was a little bit scared on the inside.

’I will kill anyone who dares think of it.’ Celphi said seriously.

He picked up on my energy so easily, always intervening before my nerves spiraled. No wonder I accuse him of being a mind reader. He’s just so attuned to me. How though? And why?

‘But you’re known to be the most alluring and bizarre creature to ever exist in this world,’ he added. ‘You’re seen as a symbol of perfection. The ideal beauty. Not food.’

‘Excuse me?’

That can’t be a good thing. Forget ‘‘a-little-bit-scared’’, now I am terrified. He might not see me as prey, but others might.

‘See, magical beings like me, when we take on human form, we still carry some of our animal traits. Eyes, skin, horns, wings, tails…’ He gestured to his trailing tail. ‘We can never be plain human. And when forming… relations, it can be off-putting to some.’

‘Ah… So, me not having any percentage of animal or creature, just pure human, makes me not disgusting? Got it…’

So this is their form of discrimination. Seems like any world is bound to have some sort of favouritism towards certain looks. Surely if there are any ape-type of creatures here, they’d share traits with me?

‘Um, wait. How does that even work? How do you determine what interspecies offspring will be like?’

My stomach grumbled loudly.

Celphi could easily avoid my insatiable hunger for facts, but he couldn’t avoid my hunger for food.

‘I’ll take you to the riverbank beside a waterfall to cook your noisefowl. We can talk more there.’

He looked me over, his eyes lingering on my serpentine-shaped birthmark, before giving a small, satisfied nod.

Right. He also studied my birthmark closely after I woke up in the cave. And some frequent glances now and then. Does it bother him that much? Does having a small discolouration on my skin make my beauty imperfect?

In one hand he held both the skewered bird and a closed basket filled with cookware and seasonings. He extended his free arm to me. I reached out, expecting him to take my hand, but instead he brushed past, caressed my arm, and wrapped his sturdy arm snugly around my body, lifting me with ease.

‘It’s not safe to bring you down like that,’ he said plainly, eyes flicking to my hands. ‘You aren’t strong enough.’

‘Yeah? I can still hit you with this weak hand of mine,’ I teased with a pout.

He responded with his usual sexy smile.

‘Though I did almost die falling from a railing,’ I admitted quickly. ‘So maybe you’re right.’

I wrapped my arms around him compliantly.

‘Let’s go!’

Celphi giggled softly, avoiding my gaze. His ears turned red as he controlled his breathing.

‘I won’t let that happen to you here,’ he said eventually, still looking away. Of course, he had to watch where we were going. Another chance for me to study him without his attention on me.

His straight nose, the faint upturn of his lips, his defined jawline… the tied, glossy silver-white hair clinging with drops of water that trickled down his nape. Through his clear, jewel like eyes, I saw the vast forest he was focused on.

He is so beautiful! People in Earth will definitely ask who am I to be standing next to such pretty man.

I was so enthralled that only the stomach dropping sensation of falling snapped me back.

‘Aaaa!’ I screamed, my grip loosening from the sudden lurch. My heart stopped, then raced at a million beats per minute. I wanted to close my eyes, but I also needed to see if we’d fall into one of the traps I’d glimpsed on the ground.

Celphi’s upper body stayed human to hold me and my uncooked meal, but his long serpent tail stretched out, coiling, carrying us down. It felt like falling, but we were gliding at speed.

Whew. I absolutely thought the worst just now.

A warmth spread along the side of my face.

‘Oh. Sorry.’ I jerked back, realizing I’d pressed my cheek against his. My heart was just calming when I caught the rhythm of his racing heart. His expression remained cool and aloof. Like he didn’t care I’d noticed his excitement over my arms clinging to his shoulders, and, out of instinct from the fall, my legs wrapping around him.

Right… Mr. Nonchalant.

I finally looked down when we reached the ground. Celphi navigated easily around the traps.

‘Did you make those?’

‘Yes. Before your arrival.’

‘To keep me safe?’

‘No. To prevent you from escaping.’ His voice was flat.

Is that so? Shall make a dash for it just to show I can leave if I want?

‘Kyaa! Help!’ I let go, thrashing in fake protest, playfully hitting his chest and kicking. His grip on my waist never budged.

He stayed expressionless until the corners of his mouth twitched and a giggle slipped out. ‘I thought you didn’t want to be disturbed in your sleep. So I set them. In case anyone came near us… You. I mean you.’

’Is that right?’ I looked at him judgmentally. ‘Thank you.’

I wasn’t sure how much I trusted his words, but one thing I knew, I felt safe with him.

I wrapped my arms around him again as he slithered across the forest floor.

After studying the trees, I saw some differences. Leaves from the same tree is expected to have the same shape, but in Meu, some plants seemed to have irregularly shaped edges. Some tree barks had a shade of purple. I especially noticed the small plants sprouting from the roots.

’Are those baby plants? Is that the way of propagating the plants here?’ I asked, pointing.

’No, those are parasitic plants. They consume the host trees from the inside.’

I instinctively wrapped my legs back around him, even though his height kept me well above danger.

‘I can protect you from beings,’ he admitted with a small laugh, ‘but against plants? That’s harder.’

I leaned my head on his shoulder, falling silent as I drank in my surroundings.

I had so much to learn if I wanted to survive here. If what he said was true, I wouldn’t last a second alone.

Above, the sky seemed to be illuminated by a single sun. I reached my hand out to its warmth.

Was it the same sun as Earth’s, or this ‘daystar’ he spoke of?

‘Why haven’t I seen anyone else? Are you keeping me away from others?’ I finally asked.

‘This area is dangerous. There’s a predator here, one so fearsome most animals steer clear.’

‘A what now?’ I terrifyingly and also annoyingly asked, as I perked up and looked around us.

‘Why would you choose a base surrounded by dangerous plants and an even more dangerous beast?’

‘Do not think I am strong?’

‘I don’t know that yet. I haven’t met anyone else to compare you with. Are you planning to return me to my world, or escort me to this king you mentioned?’

Ha! You thought I was going to be distracted, huh? The thought had been nagging at me. If it had been two daystar rotations already, why hadn’t I seen anyone else?

Celphi stayed silent, his gaze fixed intently on the growing thicket. 

Suspicious.

‘Are you just keeping me here? To yourself? How did you even bring me to this world?’

Still silence.

‘Celphi,’ I said, trying a gamble, ‘if you tell me how to get back, I’ll give you a kiss on the cheek. Maybe even take you with me to my world.’

Risky, but future-me couldn’t scold present-me for not trying. Better not lie or give me childish reasons.

He gave a faint smirk, a flash of disappointment, but said nothing.

Seriously what is going on inside his mind? He hasn’t done anything to overpower me. If anything, it seems like he’s decided he will serve me endlessly, on isolation.

‘I admire your strength. Take the offer before I change my mind.’ I patted his shoulder lightly, part teasing, fully hopeful.

Celphi stopped. He turned his head, a storm flickering in his eyes, then faced forward again, continuing in silence.

Just say it! Oh my goodness. This is getting on my nerves now.

‘Ina,’ he said at last, ‘if someone you trusted with your life failed you in a simple task, an easy one, wouldn’t you be furious?’

’If it’s a life or death situation, then I would want it to be seen through, yes.’ I said while thinking of my patients at the hospital. ‘But what does that have to do with you… taking “care” of me?’

He looked conflicted.

Did I get it right? Is this really happening? Not only am I in a bizarre new world, but I am also being held captive? Is there even a kingdom? Is it only Celphi and me?

‘If I remember correctly, I got teleported, summoned, whatever you folks did, into an area with open skies, and then I started drowning,’ I pressed. ‘What happened there?’

He avoided my eyes.

‘Please give me some time with you. Then I’ll explain. I’ll tell you everything from the beginning. Just give me time.’

His words left me with more questions than answers.

What secrets was he concealing? What did he really want from me?

As Celphi carried me deeper into the mysterious dark woods, my doubts over his motivations deepened like the shadows stretching across the forest floor.