Chapter Ten - The Blade.

Hiro reached for the blade but was swatted by the bear. But instead of being thrown, this time, he tried pushing back against the bear’s paw. Hiro grit his teeth, putting all his strength into pushing back the might of the bear's arm. He groaned in pain,

“HOW STRONG IS THIS GOD DAMN FUCKING BEAR??!!” Hiro shouted. Suddenly his eyes perked.

“Wait a second, can I see my stats??” Hiro internalized. He looked around, trying to find the blade. He continued looking around,

“I can’t fight this thing with my bare hands…” Hiro internalized. He ducked and the bear swatted the wall. It roared in pain, looking at its paw. Hiro raised a brow,

“Did it just… Hurt itself…?” Hiro internalized. He stretched out his arm with his pointer finger out.

“Stats…” Hiro internalized. Suddenly, a pop-up appeared in front of Hiro.

[ ! STATS ! ]

[ ! Health (HP) - 97/100hp ! ]

[ ! Mana - Lvl.1 ! ]

[ ! PWR - Lvl.1 ! ]

[ ! Defense - Lvl.1 ! ]

[ ! Speed - Lvl.2 ! ]

[ ! Stamina - 43/50 ! ]

[ ! Endurance - 25/30 ! ]

[ ! Agility - Lvl.1 ! ]

“Speed is my highest stat…” Hiro internalized, looking up at the bear. He began breathing heavily,

“It yelled when it hurt itself hitting the wall…” Hiro thought to himself. Hiro turned, looking in the pile of skeletons, seeing the hilt of the blade. He ran over, grabbing the hilt and starting to pull it out. As he pulled it out he smiled, but the smile slowly vanished. He groaned, looking frustrated. The blade was broken and only half of it along with the hilt remained. He looked annoyed, glaring at the bear. He held the broken sword with one hand, looking at the bear. The bear noticed and started growling. Just then, Hiro jumped toward the bear, swinging back the sword. As he was about to slash his sword he got thrown into the wall of the cave. He looked around, raising a brow.

“O-Ow… What the hell, does the bear have magical powers??” Hiro internalized. Suddenly, the voice of a woman cleared their throat. The footsteps of high heels were heard near the entrance. Hiro climbed out of the hole that was made out of him.

He jumped down, glaring at the bear who was sitting like a dog. As the dust cleared from Hiro getting thrown into the wall, a silhouette of a woman appeared walking toward Hiro. She walked through the smoke, looking at Hiro.

“What’re you doing here?” She asked. Her long, flowing bright pink hair shimmered like silk, cascading over her shoulders and down her back, adorned with a delicate leaf-shaped ornament that seemed to blend seamlessly with nature. Her eyes, a striking shade of violet, radiated an enigmatic allure, capturing attention with their serene yet commanding gaze.

She wore a regal gown of deep sapphire blue, intricately embroidered with gold patterns that resembled vines, and studded with sparkling gemstones. The bold design of her dress, with elegant cutouts and flowing white drapery, emphasized her grace and poise. Every detail of her appearance, from her intricate jewelry to her polished wooden spear, spoke of power and sophistication, as though she were a queen or guardian of the forest itself.

“I was fighting this bear…” Hiro said, raising a brow. She walked over to the bear, glaring at Hiro.

“Fight this bear?” She asked. Hiro nodded. She scoffed, looking at the bear, and smiling at it. She had a sweet warm smile. She began petting it, and the bear smiled, making a cute sound. Hiro looked shocked,

“H-HUH!?” Hiro said, in obvious confusion. The woman looked back over at Hiro, her gaze cold. Hiro gulped,

“Do you know what bear this is?” She asked. Hiro scratched his neck,

“The Deep Cave Bear…” Hiro said. She looked surprised at the fact he knew that. She squinted her eyes, looking him up and down in suspicion.

“What’s your name, boy?” She asked. Hiro blinked,

“Why’s that important?” Hiro asked. She scoffed, pointing her spear at him.

“Your… Name.” She said, sternly. Hiro glared at her. The two glared at each other, as if they were trying to read the other's thoughts.

“Hiro… Hiroyuki Uyehara.” Hiro said. He then looked at her hair, his eyes perking up slightly.

“Wait, let me guess!” Hiro said. She raised a brow,

“Cyra Fournier!” Hiro said. She looked at Hiro blankly, blinking a few times. She then covered her mouth with her hand, chuckling.

“Oh, please boy, don’t make me laugh!” She said, Hiro raised a brow,

“So am I wrong?” Hiro asked.

“Extremely.” She said, moving her hand from her mouth. She then began petting the giant bear once again.

“I am the so-called ‘witch’ of this forest… My name is Dahlia Velris, though I’d prefer if you referred to me as an enchantress or sorceress rather than a witch.” Dahlia said, as she looked at the bear.

“And this little guy here… Is Pau.” Dahlia said. Hiro blinked looking back and forth at Pau then back at Dahlia.

“W-Wait, you said, little guy?” Hiro asked. Dahlia looked back at him, nodding. He continued blinking, not really knowing what to think.

“Yes, Pau is a deep cave bear cub,” Dahlia said. Hiro looked shocked, his jaw dropping.

“THAT'S A BABY!!??” Hiro shouted. She smiled,

“Fascinating isn’t it? adults are much larger than this.” Dahlia said. Hiro looked shocked,

“Bigger? Than that!?” Hiro asked. Dahlia nodded,

“Much larger.” Dahlia said. Hiro exhaled, shaking his head.

“Anyways boy, where are you from?” Dahlia asked.

“I’m from uh, Earth…” Hiro said. She looked back at him, raising a brow.

“Earth…? I don’t know what that is…” Dahlia said. Hiro raised a brow.

“W-What… You don’t know what…” He trailed off his words in shock. Suddenly, a pop up appeared in front of Hiro. He looked at it, raising a brow.

[ ! NOTIFICATION ! ]

[ ! YOU HAVE “DEFEATED” THE DEEP CAVE CUB ! ]

Hiro looked annoyed,

“Of course it changed its name after… Damn Nexus…” Hiro internalized. Dahlia noticed this, raising a brow.

“What’re you looking at?” Dahlia asked. Hiro looked up at her in surprise.

“Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about something…” Hiro said. He turned around, looking up at the bear.

“So, why is this guy here anyways?” Hiro asked. Dahlia sighed,

“Well, It’s actually quite a sad reason…” Dahlia said. Hiro looked confused,

“I found him when he was first born, in the middle of this vast forest, he was probably the size of an average tree.” Hiro’s jaw fell to the floor (figuratively).

“You said the size of… what…?” Hiro muttered. Dahlia raised a brow,

“Pardon?” She asked. Hiro shook his head.

“N-Nothing… Continue…” Hiro said. She looked confused,

“So when I found him, he was all alone until I kept walking further into the forest..”

“That is when I found his parents…” Dahlia said. Hiro listened,

“They were… Both dead…” Dahlia said. Hiro looked shocked, looking up at the bear. The bear had a smile on its face, unable to understand the conversation. Hiro’s face saddened as he looked back at Dahlia.

“I apologize… I wasn’t aware…” Hiro said. Dahlia smiled, nodding.

“Now then, why don’t we leave Pau here and you come with me… He was just having a nap anyway.” Dahlia said. Hiro nodded,

“Oh, alright.” Hiro said. The two then began walking out of the cave and the torches blew out. They walked through a path in the forest only outlined by trees. Hiro looked around, smiling slightly.

“So.. Are you like the owner of this forest?” Hiro asked. Dahlia looked up at the leaves while walking before looking forward and stopping. She turned around and looked at Hiro.

“I used to be.” Dahlia said. Hiro raised a brow,

“Used to?” Hiro asked. She nodded, turning and continuing to walk.

“Pau seemed to beat you up a little bit, once we arrive at my cottage, you can take a bath and eat something.” Dahlia said, turning her head and looking at Hiro with a smile. Hiro nodded, though the look on his face was hesitant, noticing she had automatically switched the subject.

“So… What is this place?” Hiro asked. Dahlia kept quiet as they continued walking. Hiro raised a brow, looking at the back of her head.

“Quiet game eh… Guess that gives me time to look over my stats without fearing for my life…” Hiro internalized. He put his hand out with a pointer finger,

“stats.” He whispered under his breath. The screen popped up in front of him showing him his stats once again.

[ ! STATS ! ]

[ ! Health (HP) - 97/100hp ! ]

[ ! Mana - Lvl.1 ! ]

[ ! PWR - Lvl.1 ! ]

[ ! Defense - Lvl.1 ! ]

[ ! Speed - Lvl.2 ! ]

[ ! Stamina - 50/50 ! ]

[ ! Endurance - 30/30 ! ]

[ ! Agility - Lvl.1 ! ]

“30 endurance… Thanks, shitty game…” Hiro internalized.

“Everything except my speed is level one… That had to have been my base cause it never said I increased its level…”

“How do I get my health back up…?” He shook his head, swiping the pop-up away and it vanished.

“I’ll figure it out later…” Hiro finished. Just then, they walked up to a cottage next to a large mountain with a waterfall. The cottage wasn’t big or anything extravagant on the outside. It was about three stories, but it resembled more of some kind of tower than a house. It was a weird purple wood.

“Is the color of the wood natural?” Hiro asked. Dahlia nodded, walking over to the door. She grabbed the doorknob and the door casually opened on its own. The two walked into the house, and Hiro’s eyes widened in awe. He saw dishes cleaning themselves in the sink with a brush. He saw clothes being folded on their own and the shelves and other out of reach places being cleaned.

“Woah…” Hiro murmured. Dahlia looked back, raising a brow.

“Sit down… Make yourself comfortable.” Dahlia said. Hiro walked over to the living area. There was a couch and an armchair next to it. He sat in the arm chair.

“Tea?” She asked. Hiro looked back,

“Uhm, what kinds do you have?” Hiro asked. Dahlia smiled,

“I have Luminbloom, Whisperleaf, Emberthorn, Dreamdew, and Featherbrew.” Dahlia said. Hiro blinked, his face frozen.

“Y’know… I should’ve remembered I’m not in the real world…” Hiro internalized.

“A-Actually, I’m alright, thank you…” Hiro said. She walked over, holding a tea cup and sitting down on the couch diagonal from him. She placed the tea cup on the coffee table in front of her. She looked over at Hiro, offering a soft smile.

“So, your name was Hiro, right?” Dahlia asked. Hiro nodded,

“Y-Yea, that's me…” Hiro said.

“May I ask what realm you originate from?” Dahlia asked. Hiro blinked,

“What do you mean?” Hiro asked.

“Well, you were taken aback by the different flavors of tea, so you must not be from Slyvethera.” Dahlia said. Hiro looked surprised,

“Sylvethera?” Hiro asked. Dahlia looked surprised as well, taking a sip of tea.

“Fascinating…” She said, Hiro raised a brow,

“What’s fascinating?” Hiro asked. Dahlia nodded,

“Have you ever heard of Eternaxis?” Dahlia asked. Hiro nodded,

“Actually, I have a friend who told me about it recently.” Hiro said. Dahlia nodded,

“Where is this friend…?” Dahlia asked. Hiro scratched the back of his head,

“Uhm, in Japan.” Hiro said. Dahlia looked confused,

“And where’s that?” Dahlia asked.

“I-In Asia…?” Hiro said. Dahlia still looked confused as if she had no clue what he was talking about,

“On Earth…” Hiro said. Her eyes then lit up,

“Ah, so you’re from Novaterra!” Dahlia said. Hiro blinked,

“Wha.”

“Novaterra, it’s one of the 7 realms of Eternaxis.” Dahlia said. Hiro shook his head, trying to process what he’s just heard.

“W-Wait, 7 realms??” Hiro asked. Dahlia nodded,

“Right now, you are in one of the 7, Slyvethera.” Dahlia said. Hiro nodded,

“You said I was from Novaterra?” Hiro asked. Dahlia nodded,

“Novaterra, the home of 5th generation beings.” Dahlia said. Hiro looked confused,

“5th gen beings?” Hiro asked.

“Yes, you are a 5th gen being.” Dahlia said.

“So uh… What is that…?” Hiro asked. Dahlia smiled, taking another sip of her tea.

“The different realms of Eternaxis coincide with your generation.” Dahlia explained. Hiro looked up at the ceiling.

“Wait a second, but you said there’s only 7 realms, in what order are they?” Hiro asked. Dahlia nodded,

“The realms are Aetheris, Sylvethera, Lunaris, Novaterra, Umbrenox, Cryonix, and Ignifera.” Dahlia said.

“Wait, wouldn’t that mean that I’m a fourth generation being?” Hiro asked. Dahlia clicked her teeth,

“And that’s the thing… There’s been a rumor going around the realms lately…” Dahlia said. Hiro raised a brow,

“It’s said that there may be two more realms in Eternaxis.” Dahlia said. Hiro nodded,

“The place holder names right now are Auréalis and Stellarith.” Dahlia said. Hiro nodded,

“So, how have they not been found yet?” Hiro asked. Dahlia smiled, yet again taking another sip of her tea.

“Because, only the monarch of each realm can travel between realms.” Hiro put his right fist in his left hand, looking down at the table.

“Cyrus…” Hiro whispered under his breath. Dahlia noticed this, raising a brow.

“What was that?” Dahlia asked. Hiro looked up, surprised.

“I-It was nothing-”

“-Don’t lie to me, boy.” Dahlia said. Hiro looked shocked,

“A-About what..?” Hiro asked. She glared at him,

“You said Cyrus’ name… How do you know about him if you don’t know about Eternaxis?” Dahlia asked. Hiro sighed,

“I understand…” Hiro said, looking at the table once again.

“Do you remember when I told you I had a friend who told me about Eternaxis?” Hiro said. Dahlia nodded, though she still had a stern look on her face.

“Indeed…” Dahlia said, her voice hesitant.

“So, the friend I mentioned was… The Princess of Aetheris, Lyra Fournier.” Hiro said. Dahlia looked shocked,

“I-Interesting…” Dahlia said. She leaned forward, her elbows on the coffee table, fingers interlocked below her nose. Hiro looked over, raising a brow.

“And the reason I’m here is because…” Hiro hesitated, not knowing how Dahlia would react.

“… Because Cyrus sent me here…” Hiro said. Dahlia’s eyes widened,

“I see… Well, why did he send you?” Dahlia asked.

“He didn’t send me here for any actual purpose…” Hiro said. Dahlia nodded, her lip curling with a smirk.

“Good… Then I have some way to make yourself useful… If you’re open to it.” Dahlia said. Hiro raised a brow as he chuckled nervously.