A New Leaf

  Maxwell awoke to find himself the first person awake. Elizabeth was still asleep in her bed while Rei had returned to her place on the floor, in her yokai form.

  He got up and quietly moved towards the front door. Elizabeth had told him where he might find a goblin nest the night before. If his plan was to work he’d need to find the nest before nightfall.

  He’d just reached for the door when he heard Rei stir. “Maxwell? Where are you going?”

  It was too late to tell her to go back to sleep. He considered telling her that nature was calling him until he realized she’d search for him when he didn’t return.

  “So you’re talking to me now?”

  Rei transformed back into her human form a walked over to him. She was carful not to wake Elizabeth.

  “I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting lately, I shouldn’t have gotten so upset.”

  Maxwell hadn’t expected for Rei to apologize this soon. Perhaps Elizabeth was able to convince her to try speaking to him.

  “No, you were right.”

  A look of surprise flashed across Rei’s face.

  “I shouldn’t have said those things about the people of Dulciena. No one can truly know what’s inside the hearts of others. It was wrong of me to assume the worst of people.”

  “I…I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything, I know you still don’t believe, I’m from another world. But I hope that if you’ve believed anything I’ve said, it’s that we are in this together.”

  Rei was silent for a moment. It was clear she wasn’t expecting what Maxwell had just said.

  “Things have gotten so much more complicated since we met.”

  “I expect things will only get more complicated going forward.”

  “I think that’s to be expected.”

  “But I want you to know that this will never change.”

  “This? I don’t even know what this is?”

  “This partnership between us. I asked for your help because I saw something in you. If I’m to achieve my purpose here, I need you by my side.”

  “That’s just it, what is your purpose? You claim that a goddess summoned you here to uncover who killed Maximus and now you’re working with King Midas to stop the goblin attacks. But you still haven’t told me what you want. Are you doing what the goddess says so that she will return you to your world? Are you staying to replace Maximus as a hero?”

  Maxwell placed his hands on Rei’s shoulders. “My purpose has always been to protect the innocent. Even in a new world that purpose will never change. Whoever or whatever killed Maximus is still out there, Dulciena is being attacked and Buros is dead. This world is in need of heroes more than even. Even if they come from other worlds.”

  Rei smiled. “That we can agree on.”

  “Elizabeth had mentioned a few places where the goblins nest could be. I was just heading to go check them out.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  “I’d like that, but I was hoping you’d stay here with Elizabeth.”

  “What happened to you needing me by your side?”

  “Elizabeth needs your protection.”

  “You don’t think the goblins will attack here do you?”

  “I can’t be sure but what I’m more concerned about is King Midas.”

  Rei looked puzzled. “King Midas? What’s concerning about him?”

  “We both agree that his story about Elizabeth is a lie. He’s obviously trying to hide something.”

  “You think he’s got something to do with the goblin attacks?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”

  “You mean we’re going to fight out.”

  “Yes, but right now I need you stay here. I’ll be back before nightfall and if I’m not I’ll need you to come find me.”

  Rei sighed. “Shouldn’t I be the one searching for the goblins nest since I’m the one with heightened senses?”

  “All the more reason for you to stay behind, you’ll be able to find me easier if I don’t come back.”

  “If you say so, just be careful.”

  “I will, see you later.”

  Rei returned to her yokai form before curling up and falling back asleep. Maxwell set out to begin his search for the goblin nests. 

  The fog from the other day had all but vanished, allowing Maxwell to easily traverse the forest without the fear of getting lost.

  Elizabeth had assured him that there was nothing to be afraid of so long as he followed her directions. It felt strange to be wondering the forest alone. If he ignored the creatures the crept in and out of view it was almost as if he were back on earth.

  It’d been a long time since he’d been in a forest, a normal forest with squirrels and rabbits. His various activities had kept him preoccupied before his incarceration. 

  He didn’t let his mind wonder for too long on the subject. Earth was no longer his home and he needed to stay focused if he was to find any trace of the goblins nest.

  Hunting was never one of his particular strengths but for his plan to work he’d need to be the one to find the goblins first. There was no doubt that King Midas would grow impatient and send his own guards to search the forest. Not that he actually expected to find anything.

  The mystery of what really had been attacking Dulciena was still yet to be solved. Although if Maxwell’s plan succeeds it would not longer matter.

  As Maxwell continues his quest to find the goblins nest, he hadn’t noticed the figure who’d been following him and Rei since they left Dulciena.