Friendly Encounter

Lila walks through the edge of the Smoky Woods as the thick fog emanates from all tree and plant life. Haruto sees some nearby shrubs releasing fog vapors as he squints his eyes from the bothering fog.

“This fog certainly is annoying. The plants release it to protect themselves.” Lila tells Haruto.

“My eyes! Now I know why it’s called Smoky Woods, the fog keeps bothering me!” Haruto says as he wiggles to get her attention.

Lila feels Haruto’s pleas as his eyes are watering. She wipes his eyes as Haruto feels relief.

“Thank you, Lila.” Haruto expresses.

“I need to do something about this fog. Haruto, I’ll need you here.”

Lila grabs Haruto and breathes.

“Plena Luxeriana Vocara.”

Haruto glows as he lets his energy release into the air. There, a massive floating blue square with various incantations and words appears. Lila gazes as she slowly moves Haruto downward to scroll through the words.

“Where is it? There must be something to be used to get rid of this fog.”

Lila skims through the words as she rubs her eyes. Haruto closes his eyes as he concentrates his energy on the spell. Lila keeps looking until she finds the words she needs.

“Got it Haruto. You can stop it for this spell.”

Haruto hears Lila and begins to slowly stop using hope for the spell. It disappears in no time.

“I’ll definitely have to get used to that. I’m a little worried if I use too much energy like that fire spell.”

Lila clears her throat as she holds Haruto steady.

“Evaporare.”

An orange aura begins to expel from the tip of Haruto, as the fog and its effects begin to disappear.

“That’s better. Keep focusing Haruto, this fog won’t bother us anymore.”

“I’ll do my best Lila.” Haruto expresses, even though she can’t hear him.

With a clearer view and no issues, Lila continues walking as she holds Haruto. Step by step, Lila keeps an eye out for the troll she needs to encounter. Haruto does the same as he keeps glancing anywhere, he sees.

Minutes pass by as no troll can be found.

“Where is that troll?” Lila says.

Snap

Lila stays still as she turns her head around. She sees nothing as Haruto has his eyes wide open now.

“Who’s there?” Lila asks.

No one replies.

“This is getting creepy.” Haruto expresses.

Crack

“Aaah!” A mysterious figure yells out.

Something lands on top of Lila as she loses Haruto. Lila readies her fist awkwardly as the the figure begins to get up. She sees it’s not fully human but has animal ears, like a fox.

“Sorry girly, didn’t know if you were real or a trap put out for this assignment.”

Lila gazes as it’s a male Kitsune, with orange fox ears, same colored tail, and wearing loose pants with a vest version of her school’s attire. But something catches Lila’s mind.

“Ah, where’s Haruto!? Haruto, please keep glowing!”

Haruto lays flat on the ground, not knowing what is going on. He focuses his energy on the spell Lila casted earlier. She looks all over the ground and finds Haruto.

“Oh Haruto, are you alright?!”

Haruto wiggles as his eyes focus on the figure standing bewildered.

“Um…honey…are you talking to a stick or something?” The male Kitsune asks.

“Huh? No, it’s my wand. I can’t go anywhere without Haruto.” Lila hugs Haruto.

“O…kay. As I said earlier, I’m sorry for landing on top of you. My name is Taro.” Taro smiles

“I need to get a gold coin for this assignment. I ended up leaving it to the last minute and the Dean was not happy.” Taro adds.

“Wait, really?! Same here, but I struggled with making spells until I met Haruto,”

Taro looks uncomfortable as Lila speaks and hugs with her wand.

“Are you alright Miss…”

“I’m Lila, and this is Haruto.” Lila shows Haruto on her palm.

“Nice to meet you two, I guess. Wait, your wand has eyes?!” Taro looks in shock.

“Yes, Haruto is not from here. I conjured up a being full of hope to help me and I ended up having him for my wand.”

Taro looks speechless as he has never seen or heard anything like this. He snaps out of his shock to ask them something.

“So, have you two seen a troll? I seriously need to complete the assignment.”

Lila shakes her head in disapproval.

“Nope, the both of us have been trying our best and nothing so far.”

“Hmm.” Taro expresses as his ears begin moving to sense a noise.

Haruto looks on as the Kitsune appears to have targeted something from listening.

“A real life Kitsune in front of me. So cool.” Haruto says happily.

“I think I hear the troll. It’s about at least 5 minutes from where we are now.” Taro says.

“Great, is it alright if we tag along with you?” Lila asks.

Taro sees both of them, hoping to hear a yes. Although weirded out by the two, Taro nods positively.

“Thank you, Taro. Me and Haruto owe you one.”

The three of them begin to go towards their destination, as Taro scratches an ear of his. But, he can’t help but keep glancing at Haruto behind him.

“So, Lila, you conjured someone not from Luxeria?”

“Yes, it was a complete accident as I must have said the spell wrong. How’d you know?’ Lila and Haruto raise an eyebrow.

“Usually, fairies or golems would have helped you and become a hope enhancer for you. Also, talisman markings would have been left on your wand to help determine who’s in it.”

Taro looks over Haruto’s body to see he is right. He’s just an ordinary wand with eyes and no other markings.

“Say, can he talk? Taro asks.

“No. I can only communicate with him through telepathy.” Lila responds.

“Oh, thank goodness! I have a limit to what I can accept. A talking stick with bulging eyes would have been it for me. Hehe he.”

Haruto looks annoyed as he hears Taro’s claims.

“I’m not a stick idiot. I’m a wand and Lila’s best friend!” Haruto says, unheard though.

“Oh! That’s another thing, no wand anywhere here has eyes. Even if it has someone inside. Your weird wand is one of a kind Lila.” Taro enthusiastically says.

“Weird? I’m not weird, you’re weird for focusing on your issues for my eyes. Hmph.” Haruto closes his eyes in disgust after his unheard rant.

Lila and Taro continue walking as Haruto continues emanating his energy to dispel the fog from its effects. Taro’s ears shift as he guides them to the troll. In no time, they find a clearing where there’s no fog and a large cave with some gold coins.

“We made it Haruto; you can calm your energy now.”

Haruto concentrates to end the spell as now the three of them see a large green pale like troll guarding its treasure. Knowing their biggest challenge yet is here, Haruto is more determined than ever to assist Lila in any way.