Chapter 9

“Do you think he’s alive?”

“His cries sure sounded alive. Hey look, Fatty’s up.”

“He’s alive,” a crow cawed. “I lost the bet."

Whispers. Tiny unfamiliar voices, all around me.

I blink at the window, my half-lidded eyes wet and unfocused , and find myself staring at the strangest sight: a squirrel, a sparrow and a crow perched together like old drinking buddies. I stretch my arms and yawn. Ugh, my body feels stiff. How long was I out?

“You sure did, Shadowbeak,” the squirrel exclaimed smugly, while stuffing its cheeks full with stolen grain. "Now, c'mon. Pay up."

The crow cawed in salty defeat.

I just stare at them, dumbfounded.

“What, never seen animals before, pipsqueak?” the squirrel asked, still shoving more food into its mouth like it was preparing for a rough winter ahead.

...Is this really what I came back to? What was the point of returning amongst the living, if all I'm being subjected to is hate crimes, committed by a rodent? Death, wolves, witches, all for nothing? And how the hell, is it any beneficial understanding them? Dammit. This isn’t a blessing. Give me the power to actually talk to humans, not… bunch of small fries.

I sigh, trying to ignore them as I try taking in my surroundings, and then I feel something else envelop me, besides annoyance.

Warmth.

Not the harsh fire of pain that I felt when that wolf tore into me to shreds. Not the void’s numbing cold when I stood before the Founder Witch. Instead, I'm greeted by a gentle, steady warmth that seems to sink into my bones. I breathe in deep. Herbs, smoke, the soft crackle of a fire. I blink my eyes a couple of times in comfort and take a couple of deep breaths. A draft whispers through the window, brushing me with cold. My chest rises and falls slowly, call it meditation, if you will. For a moment, it feels good. Mmmm, this is so much better.

“Tch, look at him, getting all cozy,” the squirrel piped up again. “While he lazed around for thirteen cycles, others worked their tails off.”

“Poor Leron,” the sparrow chirped. “Fooled by such a sloth.”

"Naive as ever." the crow added.

...Never mind. I can’t even wake up properly in peace, without these nuisances yapping. Why am I catching strays from wildlife? Sorry for almost dying  while trying to save a kid in this pathetic meat-sack body of mine!

I glance down at myself. Bandages wrapped around my stomach and arms. My abdomen’s a mess, well, belly. Dim firelight flickers across rough-hewn walls, as I scan my surroundings, and a small mirror catches my eye. Right, I still don't remember how I look like. I try to stand, but the moment I push myself up, pain stabs through my side, and I collapse back to my knees. I clutch my stomach, gritting my teeth.

Shit, I thought that at least by now, my wounds would've healed to some extent.

“Such a weakling.” the squirrel muttered. “Honestly, why did Mama even bother saving you?”

I glare daggers at that smug ball of fur.

“If I get my hands on you, I’ll fillet you.”

They freeze. Silence. Then the squirrel lets out a scream so shrill and ridiculous I can’t help but burst into laughter, even though it hurts like hell. The crow and sparrow panic, flapping out of the window yelling, “He understood us! The newbie understood us!”

The squirrel trembles, squeaking, “S-stay back! Please don’t hurt me!”

Grinning through pain, I crawl closer, eyes glowing with mock menace. “Your end has come, rodent.”

“PLEASE DON’T-!” it squeals.

I poke it with one finger. The squeak that erupted nearly kills me with laughter. My ribs ache, tears streaming down my face. God, high-pitched screams will always not be funny. I flop over, gasping. Any more of that, and the poor thing really will  have a heart attack and explode like a hamster under pressure. The image constructed in mind, quickly brings me back to normal.

When I catch my breath, I pick the poor trembling thing up and set it on the bed. Then, legs shaking, I shuffle to the mirror.

The reflection staring back hits harder than the wolf ever did. Dirty blond, short hair in a mess. Blue-green eyes, ringed with exhaustion. Acne scattered across a pale face. Chubby cheeks. A soft, bandaged body.

I'm... not exactly in the best shape, am I?

I glance back at the squirrel, still shivering, and lift it again, holding it up close.

“Have I really lost it?” I mutter, bringing my face closer, inspecting it up close. “Has my brain, at last, been fried completely?”

“Nope,” chirped a new voice. The sparrow fluttered in through the window. “Brain’s still mushy, but not entirely cooked.” Never mind, it's that strange bird again.

“Oh, so you’re back.” I groan. And not only that, but it seems like they brought some more company. The crow and sparrow returned with what looks like a rabbit amongst a few other creatures, which I can't name, in tow. To them, I probably look like the newest sideshow attraction at a circus.

The rabbit’s ears twitch. “You really can understand us. It must be Mothers doing.”

“Why would Mother grant that gift… to a stranger?”  another voice whispers.

Gift? I can hardly call it one. Although... Hm... I suppose it could become useful, definitely not right now though. First, I need to understand what other humanoids, like myself, are saying. Still… talking to animals? That’s pretty damn cool. I can already imagine situations where this could come in handy. Yeah, I can definitely picture some scenarios where it could really prove useful.

“...Fuck if I know.”

The door creaked open. A young woman stepped inside. Short dark hair, brown eyes, average build. I don't think I saw her before while walking with Leron around the village. She looked at me first, then turned to the creatures gathered around my bed. Muttering something sharp, she shooed them toward the window. I just stared, wide-eyed, hoping she’d catch on that I couldn’t understand a word.

She shut the window and then crossed to a small table lined with jars and bundles of herbs, checked a few things, then came back to me. Her hands were steady, clinical and precise, but I still flushed as she inspected my bandages. H-hey, careful with those hands. I'm still a holy maiden.

“Everything looks stable,” a voice squeaked by my ear. Not her, that stupid chipmunk from earlier had somehow wedged itself on my shoulder, smirking. “That’s what she said,” it translated with a smug little flick of its tail.

Turning her attention back to me, the girl noticed the rodent and frowned. I waved frantically to reassure her it was fine, but she didn’t look convinced.

I tried communicating with her, me fumbling with gestures and broken words, her replying through the chipmunk’s squeaky translations. Bit by bit, the story unraveled.

After I had collapsed from the fight, Leron hauled me, half-dead, back to safety. However, it didn't end there as another hooded figure arrived, alongside the Shadow Reaper, demanding something they called a fragment. That was also when the protector of this village, called Yaga Baba, a hunched terrifying elderly woman made her appearance. The old witch stood against them, her voice sharp, her branches tearing through the earth, as she threatened to crush them where they stood.

Even then, they insisted on their demand. It was not until snowfall began out of nowhere, heavy flakes drifted down, slowly blanketing the village. The hooded figures froze when they saw it, then pulled back abruptly, retreating alongside their beasts, as if the snow itself had driven them off, warning them that they'll be back. Coincidentally, the mist had also dissipated. Before leaving, Yaga Baba herself patched me up with her strange plants and power. Apparently, I would be a goner if she wouldn't have intervened. Afterwards, the girl (Serin) stayed behind to watch over and take care of me.

After finishing the checkup, she gave me one last lingering look… then left the room, shutting the door softly behind her.

"Hey, you owe me one," the guinea pig exclaimed, proudly puffing out its tiny chest like it had just saved the whole world. "The name's Lord Chestnut, punk. Remember it."

“Yeah, yeah. Many thanks.” I muttered, too drained to argue. I sank into the silence, trying to process... well, just about everything. This was my new reality. It feels surreal. I open and close my palm, over and over again. I sigh and let my eyes fall shut.

Then, a few minutes later, the door slams right open.

Leron stood there, chest heaving, eyes wide.

“You’re alive,” he whispered hoarsely, with a mix of relief.