Interlude 2

The sun was sinking over the vast Harko Forest, dyeing it in dark, rich colors. Although usually it was brimming with wildlife, much of it dangerous and bloodthirsty, tonight it was deathly quiet.

As if something ended.

As if the Forest itself was mourning some sort of loss.

In that area now walked a woman. She was dressed in frilly, oddly mismatched clothes like she was some dark clown. Her face was similarly adorned not only in black makeup, but painted shapes such as stars and moons.

She strolled through this dangerous forest, her gait light, even skipping from time to time.

A smile spread across her dark-red lips as she peeked at something held in her hand. She stepped carefully yet casually between trees and bushes until she finally found what she was looking for.

A head was gazing up at her. A fat, bald head without a body to accompany it.

Despite this, its expression was serene. Empty fake eyes looked up at her, while the facial muscles were still frozen in a smile.

Where the neck was cut off there was an assortment of colored wires, and a black liquid formed a pool under it. There was the scent of something burnt in the air.

Her expression not crumbling in the slightest, the woman reached down and picked up the head. Surprisingly heavy for its size.

“Alas,” she said, her voice like a bell, “poor One.”

How many years had it been now since he’d been placed as guardian of this area, Harko Forest, that connected to the Crossroads of Avallux?

“You have done splendidly,” she continued, lovingly caressing the head with hands sporting fingernails dyed in dark colors. “And you have fulfilled your role as the first of the Three Warriors well.”

Ruling the forest, terrorizing the natives, controlling animals and impeding all travelers. Squeaky in particular was quite the masterpiece.

He had done quite a lot, thus far. And did it well.

But eventually, all living beings die. Even those that weren’t technically alive.

“Ah well,” she said. “I can always build another one.”

Glancing at One’s frozen face one last time, she then let her fingers go—abandoning the head to gravity.

Launching a well-directed kick, she struck the falling head as though it was some sort of ball game, launching it high up in the sky and to another part of the forest.

Some birds chirped and flew away.

Now that One was gone, all residents of the Forest, whether human or not, would become as free as that. They would expand and prosper.

But she didn’t care.

What interested her right now was those that vanquished One—meaning that the so-called prophecy really was coming true.

She laughed.

“My beloved Master Three… Don’t worry, I will fulfill my mission no matter what,” she muttered, putting a couple of fingers to her lips.

Two then sauntered away, humming a pleasant tune under her breath.