Warm Food (Part 1)

As we stand before the majestic tree that seems to reach the heavens, its towering branches stretch out like arms welcoming us. The leaves rustle gently in the breeze, creating a soothing melody that fills the air around us.

“And here’s the foundation that flourishes our land; The Yggdrasil Tree…” Celicia motions towards the massive tree.

“…”

It was already massive looking at it from afar, but getting up close, the trunk looks like it consumes as much land, if not more than the earth clan’s village. The tree also has no loose bark from the side I’m looking at, followed with beautiful green leaves that shades us from the sun.

Above me, the Yggdrasil's magnificent crown spread out like a vast emerald canopy, each leaf a vibrant brushstroke in nature's masterpiece. The leaves swayed gently in the breeze, creating a mesmerizing dance of shadows and light that offered a cool refuge from the sun's warm embrace.

“The Yggdrasil Tree originally spawned thousands of years ago when a traveling mage, Rarasha planted one of these kinds of trees around each country to keep the land of each country flourishing,” Celicia gathers her breathe and continue, “With each country, Rarasha gave this duty to the Elves to preserve them, whilst the government of each country made a law to protect these trees.” Celicia explained as she touched the tree.

“This world has some Norse Mythology influences huh…”

“…? What do you mean?” Celicia asks.

“Oh nothing… Just thinking to myself…”

I don’t know if it’s a good idea to talk about how Celicia’s world is interpreted in my world or not. I’ll just keep that to myself…

“NOOOOO!”

A scream came from the forest, which made both of us reflexively look to our backs.

“That voice…” Celicia muttered.

“What about it?” I ask.

“Sorry! I’ll be going ahead! Something bad might have happened to her!” Celicia then looks towards the forest and sprinted towards it.

“Hahhh?”

Do you think I know the way to get back from here?

God dang it…

“Celicia! Wait for me!”

I yelled out as I chased after her, prompting her to look back towards me.

“What are you doing?” She asks whilst still running, “You can just go back, you know?”

“I don’t know the way back!” I said as I try to keep up with her, my stamina quickly depleting, “I’d get lost if I try to go back on my own, so I’m coming with you!”

“Fair point…” Celicia replied, running ahead into the forest, “Just don’t lose track of me, okay?”

“Yeah!”

I gave a nod and we head into the forest together.

---

“My god you’re persistent!”

As we arrived at the origin of the voice, my eyes fell upon a girl with short red hair. She crouches on the floor, wearing a weathered hat and rugged hunter's clothing. On her left lays a boar that got its left leg injured.

“Sofi?!” Celicia sprints towards the girl and holds her shoulders, “Are you okay?! Did you get hurt?!”

“Celice?!” The girl’s eyes widened, “What are you doing here?”

“I heard a scream and thought that it might be yours…” Celicia explained.

“You could at least call for someone…” The red hair girl then redirected her gaze towards me, narrowing her eyes, “And… who are you? Why are you with Celice?”

“Oh Sofi, this is my friend Yuuma.” Celicia said as she points towards me. She continues, “He’s an Otherworlder that will be helping my dad. Yuuma, this is Siofra, my childhood friend, the daughter of the Wind Clan dining hall, and a hunter from the Wind Clan.”

“Hello…” I greet Siofra.

“Hi.” Siofra replied, furrowing her brows.

This girl is most definitely suspicious! Not that I blame her, but still…

“Siofra! We’ll be leaving soon!”

A rough and deep voice came out from somewhere deeper in the forest, yelling at our direction.

“Okaaaay!” Siofra yells out towards the direction of the voice, “Stupid annoying old people… I get it okay…” Siofra mutters.

“…”

Silently, Siofra produces a hunter's knife from her belongings. With an air of reverence, she utters cryptic prayers, imbuing the blade with an unsettling aura that sends shivers down my spine.

“I’m sorry…” Siofra mutters as she thrusts the knife towards the boar’s head at a speed that I could barely see.

“…!”

In one seamless motion, Siofra deftly twists the knife with incredible speed, swiftly ending the boar's life. As she pulls the blade from the boar’s head, its lifeless gaze becomes vacant, and the knife becomes soaked in crimson

“…”

“Sorry for making you see that Celice.” Siofra looks at Celicia, her knife still tainted with blood.

“I’m already used to it, so you really don’t have to worry about it,” Celicia gave a shrug and continues, “Although, it might be too much for Yuuma here…”

“…”

Siofra for some reason flashed a smirk and brought up the boar’s dead body over her shoulder without any issues.

"That's just how we deal with life, Otherworlder," Siofra said, her voice carrying a tinge of assurance despite what happened. Her smirk, though puzzling, remained on her face. "We are tampering with nature itself, so the least we should do is to end them painlessly." She redirect her gaze towards the lifeless boar, a forlorn expression appeared on her face.

“…”

“…”

“By the way Celice…” Siofra switches her gaze towards Celicia, “Do you know how to get out of this place?”

“…Ah.”

“…What?” My gaze quickly switches over to Celicia.

“Haahh…” Siofra fixes the boar on her shoulder and continues, “Follow me…” She starts walking ahead of us.

“…”

“W-What…? Why are you looking at me like that?” Celicia asks while fidgeting.

“Nothing…” I put my hands on my hips and follow after Siofra.

“Y-Yuuma~~! I’m sorry okay~~!” She yells out as the sound of rapid footsteps quickly approaches me.

“…”

Hehehe… That’s what you get for getting us lost. I’m not that mad about it, but it’s kind of fun to see her like that.

---

“Finally, your back…” One of the people at the camp yells out in an exasperated tone.

“I’m sorry for being late…” Siofra slightly lower her head.

“By the way, who are these people?” The person asked.

“Oh, these two people are my friends…” Siofra motions towards us. She continues, “We ran into each other while I was hunting, and I got too into it…” Siofra slumps her shoulders.

“That so…” The guy then looks towards me and Celicia that is standing behind Siofra. The guy continues, “It’s fine to talk with your friends, but don’t let that interfere with your job, okay?”

“…Yes.” Siofra replied, her tone of voice gotten smaller.

“Here, let me take that thing off of you,” The guy then snatches the boar from Siofra and walks away from us.

“…Thank you.” Siofra bows down to the guy’s back.

The man, hoists the boar's lifeless body over his shoulder and carries it to a nearby horse carriage. The carriage, shaped like a large wooden chest, seems designed specifically for such purposes. Without hesitation, he opens the carriage's lid, revealing its spacious interior. With a swift motion, he tosses the dead boar inside, its limp form settling into the depths of the carriage.

“Even after all of that, she was only able to bring in one huh…”

“Well, I was expecting her to get nothing to be honest, so I guess it’s a good thing she was able to get one…”

“She’s a girl after all! Why is Scalan so insistent in sending his daughter anyway? She can easily work in their kitchen and not get her hands dirty…

“Who knows what that guy thinks. Plus, we need to stop, she’s still here after all…”

“Who cares! Let her listen! She should know her place and work at someplace that is suited for her!”

“…” Siofra’s shoulder trembles, her clenched fist shaking fiercely.

“…Sofi—”

“…Celice… do you feel hungry?” Siofra cuts her off, her eyes still stuck onto the floor.

“Eh? But, I’m—”

“She is actually!” I quickly yelled out. “When Celicia was giving me a tour of her village, her stomach was rumbling throughout the tour!”

“Huh? What are you talki—”

"Siofra…" I interject, placing my hand on her shoulder. Her body jolts slightly in response, her eyes widening in surprise. However, I continue, "Can you take us there?"

“…Okay.” Siofra softly replied, a small smile on her face. She then blinks and looks at where my hand is located. She quickly pushes it off and turns her back on me.

“Wha…”

“Don’t get me wrong here! I just want to go back home and eat something is all!” She then turns towards me with her arms crossed, “I’m really annoyed right now, so I need some nice food to make me feel better!” She yells out with an awkward smile on her face, her eyes flashing.

“…Pfft… Hehehe… Hahaha!” Celicia suddenly bursted into laughter.

“W-Why are you laughing Celice?!”

“S-Sorry… Hahaha…” Celicia wipes away her tears and took a deep breath, “I can’t help but think that you’re amazing Sofi…”

“Huhhhh?” Siofra yells out.

I made eye contact with Celicia. Noticing my gaze, she gave a small nod and says,

“…Nevermind~~” Celicia closes her eyes and put both her hands on her back, turning her back on Siofra as she take a few steps forward.

“Heyyy! Tell me Celice!” Siofra tackles Celicia’s back.

“Nope~”

“Oh you…!” Siofra then starts tickling Celicia’s stomach side.

“…”

…

…..

……

“…”

After a long day of work, exhaustion tugs at every fiber of my being, and all I want is to collapse on the spot. My back aches, and my eyes feel heavy with fatigue.

With a weary sigh, I flick the light switch, and to my surprise, my usually chaotic room has been transformed. The clutter that had once overwhelmed the space has vanished, replaced by an orderly environment. Some of my clothes hang neatly on the balcony, basking in the gentle breeze as they dry. Upon my desk, the chaotic papers that were once scattered like fallen leaves are now meticulously organized into neat stacks.

“…?”

My gaze falls upon a plate of croquettes covered with plastic wrapping. Next to the plate lies a small folded paper, drawing my attention like a beacon of intrigue.

I walk towards it and unwrap the plastic, the croquette completely cold. I grab the piece of paper,

‘Hey brother. How are you doing? It’s been a while since you’ve contacted us, so we got \worried that something bad might’ve happened to you. Mom and I made these for you. If it gets cold, make sure you warm them up, okay? I’m sure it’ll help you cheer up a bit.’ Sincerely, Yuki.

“…”

I grab the plate and put them in the microwave. With a rumble of the microwave, I quickly reheat the croquettes.

Once it’s done, I placed them on the table, a delightful aroma filled the entire room.

“…Thanks for the food.”

I grabbed a tissue to grab the croquette and blew on it. Then, I sink my teeth into the croquette.

“…It’s good…”

The cheese stretched out as I took a bite. The combination of creamy, melted cheese and the delightful saltiness of the savory ham creates a tantalizing taste in my mouth.

“*sniff*”

After I finished the first bite, I took another one, my chest growing heavier and my nose becoming stuffier with each bite I take. The desk is slowly getting painted with droplets of water, my runny nose blending in with the croquette, giving off a salty taste.

…

…..

……

I wonder how are they doing now… In my world, I probably went missing, so they’re probably worried sick about it.

Is there even a way back to make it up to them?

“I should’ve at least met up once…” I mutter, clenching my fist.

“…” Celicia still hugging Siofra suddenly looks at me, her eyes looking distant.

“…?”