Of Blessings and Curses

The caravan moved steadily across the endless expanse of the steppe. The landscape was a vast, rolling sea of golden grass that swayed gently in the breeze. The sky above stretched out in a brilliant blue dome, unmarred by any clouds, slowly turning red. The calmness of the steppe was almost mesmerizing, the quiet hum of the wind and the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves and footsteps creating a soothing symphony.

Arsec gazed out at the horizon, taking in the serene beauty of the steppe. 

"I never thought about the wind, you know?" he mused aloud, his voice barely louder than the whispering breeze.

"The... Wind?" Narwa said, "What's there to think about it?

"Its intensities, the currents of wind that soar right above the grasslands, if you think about it, the wind changes a lot around here, both in direction and strength."

"Hmm," Narwa replied, looking at the expanse. 

Mesui nodded, her eyes scanning the landscape with a familiar fondness. 

"That is why the goblins settled in the southern and northern steppes," she explained. "According to the clan's stories. Us goblins followed the Twin Sisters' guiding wind to a place where their presence could be felt everywhere. All of them followed, the myth says, Tulags, Koltans, Kenets, Khuzats... Even the orcs, who went further North towards the Tundra where the land is dotted with endless whites. The winds here are like a constant reminder of their protection and guidance. My father says that the Tulags remained in the Southern Steppes because of its gentler breeze, but also to protect the grasslands from darkness."

"You never told me about that," Arsec noted, "You know how passionate I am for these stories!"

"Oh come on, there were more interesting things to do!" Mesui remarked.

"Oh come on you! How can ruining your mother's carpet be more interesting than history?"

"Chill, Arsec, now you know... Now you know, what's done is done, I promise I will share all I know about goblin lore in the future" Mesui said.

"You better!"

Narwa, who had been quiet for a while, chimed in as she felt the wind with her hand, "Where I last awoke was a place choked with air, with so many vines and trees blotting the sky that nefarious scents filled what little air was breathable. I find the steppe quite relieving, to be honest." She took a deep breath, enjoying the clean, fresh air.

Arsec smiled while looking at her, and gave a huge sigh of relief. Narwa then pressed her arms around him as she felt she was losing balance.

Their conversation was interrupted as the caravan came to a halt by a stream of clear, sparkling water. 

The caravan leader, a grizzled goblin with sharp eyes, approached Mesui. "This is the first checkpoint to reach Makeb," he said, looking up at the sky where the sun was beginning to set. "The Khan's Seat is still two days away and we're are at the limits of Tulag territory, it would be wise to set camp here for the night."

Mesui nodded in agreement. "We'll camp here then," she said. "Let's make sure everyone gets a good rest. We have a long journey ahead."

The goblins began setting up camp, their movements quick and efficient. Tents were pitched, fires were lit, and the caravan settled down for the night. The stream's gentle babble added a peaceful undertone to the evening, blending seamlessly with the whispering wind. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the steppe in shades of orange and pink.

"Hey Narwa, catch!" Mesui said, tossing a water bag to Narwa. The girl however saw the bag hit her face, and her eyes glowed angrily.

"You little!" She roared.

"You were supposed to ca—" Arsec was saying as he felt the water bag on his face, plummeting him down to the muddy ground, "Why is this my fault? I did not throw it!" He complained.

The cubs giggled, and Mesui chuckled a bit.

Narwa walked to him and snatched the bag begrudgingly, "Next time just hand it, princess."

"S-sure," she said, grinning as she turned to talk to the old caravan leader, the cubs walking close.

"What am I supposed to do with this, Stinky?" Narwa asked.

Arsec sighed, "You don't carry many things, so I assume Mesui thought of gifting you the water bag so you could at least drink water at your leisure."

"But I can drink water without any water bag, I just bow down and drink from the stream," she said.

"And what happens when there is no stream?" Arsec noted, "Come on, make sure you fill it up."

Narwa examined the bag as if she had no concept of such a thing. 

As Arsec set up his bedroll, he glanced over his shoulder and noticed clouds forming ominously behind them. The once-clear sky was now tinged with dark hues, hinting at an approaching storm. 

He furrowed his brow, wondering aloud, “Do you think that storm will reach us before morning?”

Narwa, who was busy securing the water from pouring out of the bag, looked up and followed his gaze. “Don’t worry about the storm,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of reassurance. “It’s headed elsewhere. We’re safe from it.”

Her eyes then fell to the ground, scanning the steppe with a keen interest. A sudden shift in her expression caught Arsec’s attention. She stood still, her gaze fixed on the horizon. 

“But something else is coming,” she murmured, a note of urgency in her voice.

Arsec followed her line of sight and spotted a giant shadow galloping across the distant grasslands. The massive form was moving swiftly, its powerful legs sending up clouds of dust as it advanced. The sheer size of the creature and its rapid approach sent a chill down his spine. “What is that?” he asked, his voice tense.

Narwa’s eyes narrowed as she observed the approaching figure. “That,” she said slowly, “is a giant beast of the steppe. 

"There are no giant beasts on the steppe..." He chuckled, before reconsidering his words. Something was not right.

"We need to alert the others," Narwa said, "If that thing decides to charge us, we’re in trouble.”

The sight of the towering creature brought an immediate sense of unease. As the caravan began to stir, preparing for any potential threat, the travelers exchanged worried glances, their evening’s calm disrupted by the looming danger on the horizon.

Arsec's unease intensified as he watched the colossal beast charge closer. His heart pounded with an unfamiliar intensity, a strange warmth spreading through his chest as if ignited by the very sight of the creature. Despite his rising apprehension, he struggled to shake off the feeling.

The caravan guards, sensing the looming threat, swiftly readied their weapons. Bows were drawn, arrows nocked, and the entire line of defense braced for the impending clash. Mesui joined the ranks, her bow drawn and aimed at the beast with practiced precision. Her eyes, usually calm, were now sharp with determination.

"Come on, it's day one in our journey, can't we catch a break?" She whispered.

Narwa, her instincts on high alert, let out a low growl and assumed a wild, defensive stance. Her hands were steady, ready to act at a moment's notice. Beside her, Arsec tightened his grip on his spear, its familiar weight offering some semblance of comfort amid the rising tension.

The giant beast continued its approach, its massive form silhouetted against the setting sun. As it drew nearer, its roar echoed across the steppe, a primal sound that seemed to resonate with the very earth beneath them. The caravan's defenses braced for impact, and Arsec's heart raced, caught between the searing sense of danger and an inexplicable connection to the approaching creature.

As the archers released their arrows, they struck the massive beast with little effect. The arrows seemed to bounce off its thick hide but managed to divert its path slightly, buying the caravan some time.

Restless and determined, Mesui mounted her black boar with swift efficiency, her eyes fixed on the approaching danger. 

She turned to Arsec and Narwa, her voice urgent. "We need to hunt this beast. I can't rest knowing something that big is following us. Will you help me?"

Without hesitation, Arsec and Narwa mounted the boar behind her. As the boar surged forward, Mesui led them in hot pursuit of the beast. 

"So what's the plan?" Arsec asked.

"Rhino formation!" Mesui exclaimed.

"You mean our Rhino Formation?" 

"YES!"

"WHAT RHINO FORMATION?" Narwa asked, pressing her hands tightly on Arsec.

The creature was now in full view: a colossal bison with a thick red mane and ivory fur, its sharp horns gleaming menacingly. It seemingly bellowed and charged with ferocious intensity.

"Oh no, blasted winds!" Mesui said as she maneuvered the boar deftly, trying to draw the beast away from the camp and protect her people.

Mesui’s eyes widened in shock, but her resolve remained unshaken. “Then we need to draw him away from the camp quickly. Hold on!” She urged the boar forward with renewed urgency, aiming to steer the beast away from their allies and toward a safer, more isolated location.

Despite their efforts, the creature gained on them, its heavy steps pounding the earth with each stride. Arsec’s heart pounded in sync with the rhythm of the beast’s steps. As the creature’s eyes locked onto him, a searing realization ignited within him. His heart burned with recognition.

"I need to get down! He’s come for me!" He said.

"What?" Mesui asked.

"I need to jump!"

"You're delusional!" Narwa said.

Arsec, with a surge of determination, leaped away from the boar and used his strength to propel himself further from Mesui and Narwa once he touched the ground.

The massive bison, seemingly fixated on him, abandoned its pursuit of the boar and charged directly at Arsec.

The young man halted his retreat, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. The bison thundered toward him, its powerful hooves shaking the ground. As it drew close, he stopped in his tracks right in front of the boy. Arsec closed his eyes, expecting to be rammed, but instead, he felt a massive head bumping into him with an unexpected playfulness, knocking him slightly off balance.

Despite the fearsome appearance of the beast, Arsec couldn’t help but smile. The overwhelming sense of relief and joy washed over him as he realized that the creature’s aggressive demeanor had turned into a more affectionate gesture. Arsec patted the bison’s thick fur, laughing with a mix of astonishment and delight.

"Malimali? Malimali! Is that you?" He wondered.

The beast opened its mouth.

"BAAAAAAAAAUUUH"

Arsec rejoiced and tears flowed from his cheeks. "Look at you! What happened to all that fluffy wool?  Why?" 

"BAAAAAAAAAUUUH"

Arsec’s voice was filled with confusion and wonder, trying to reconcile the majestic, enormous creature before him with the lamb he had once known. His joy was palpable, even as he pondered the dramatic transformation of his old friend.

In the distance, two girls had their jaws dropped, although Narwa's could not be seen. They were speechless, utterly inarticulate.

"Wha—?" Mesui finally enunciated, "But... Wha—?"

******

"So... That happened..." Mesui concluded.

Right in front of her, a group of twenty goblins cowered in fear and uncertainty as behind their princess, the ex-slave caressed the thick fur of a giant, innocent-looking bison. A few moments ago, everyone had been fearing for their lives as this giant charged at them, now they all had to dismiss their earlier glimpses of death because the beast, in reality, wanted to play with Arsec.

The boy tapped the animal, unsure of how the caravan would take it.

"The thing is," Mesui continued, "that this beast, without doubt, is the little lamb called Malimali. How did she change into this is something I cannot explain fully, but I have a theory."

Everyone stared at the goblin princess intently as she showed her three adorable rodent companions to the group.

"You see," she began, "these three used to look differently before I met them, their color was similar to the rodents found in the peaks behind us, but when the Twin Sisters blessed them, they changed, and these two dots appeared on their foreheads." 

Mesui got closer to Malimali, pointing to its belly, "Look at the symbol this part of its fur makes, it looks like a fiery ball with a tail flowing down the hinds, like a shooting star!"

Everyone looked unconvinced.

"This is a very big coincidence if you ask me," she pressed, "no natural stripes or spots grow like this on animals. No, my brethren, I think this creature was blessed, like my cubs here!"

"Princess, you say the cubs were blessed by the Twin Sisters?" The seasoned caravan leader stepped in, his eyes widening.

"Indeed!" She replied.

"If I may, could you describe to us such an event?"

Mesui sighed, then promptly told the events after the battle of the sacrificial shrine. As they listened, the younger goblins looked at each other in amazement, as if monsters, magic, and gods were a tale for kids. The old goblin, however, having lived enough to return to these stories, listened attentively.

"Incredible! It sounds like the attested manifestations of the Twins!" He exclaimed, rejoicing, "Oh, blessed thou art, princess, for you have witnessed the goddesses themselves."

Mesui smiled, "That is why, I say these cubs are blessed! They bear the mark of the Twins."

"Yet I don't see such a mark on the huge bison here," the old goblin said, scratching his long beard.

"No, that's because the bison here has been blessed by another god," Narwa noted, grunting in the background.

"Another... God?" The goblins wondered.

"What other Exalted One could be interested in the windy steppes?" The old goblin pondered.

Arsec sighed and stepped forward.

"I was called and blessed by the Red Flame," he declared.

There was a sudden silence. Everyone stared at Arsec.

"I've never heard of such a god," the goblin said, shaking his head in surprise.

"Well, he did say he had been forgotten," Arsec commented, crossing his arms.

"The point here is, "Mesui interrupted, "That if this is the Malimali Arsec had grown close to for these three months, then it clearly received a blessing from this Red Flame."

"But how?" Arsec said, "How can these creatures change due to our blessing?"

"Because of the inherent Blessing that fills this world," Narwa said, stepping forward.

"Inherent Blessing?" Mesui asked.

"Surely you know, that the animals and plants all came to be the way they are thanks to the will of gods—" she explained.

"BAAAAAUUUU" Malimali suddenly bellowed, scaring everyone around it.

"...as I was saying," Narwa said, shaking her head, "I mean, look at me, I am the way I am because some god from the old savage days 'blessed me', giving me a new form and powers. Same thing happened to Arsec here, by the will of this... Ugh... Red Flame."

Arsec examined himself and the spear as if something he had not fully thought of were now sinking in.

"The Blessing that affects the world is an establishment, an edict of sorts that affects everything when activated," Narwa began to point at the animals tied up to rocks, culminating in Malimali, "The same way boars here were called to be mounts and kindred spirits to the goblins of the steppes, so do animals evolve and change according to the spirit instilled in them by a greater will."

Words from the Red Flame, spoken during the fight against Voidmaw, echoed in Arsec's mind. 

"Whoever and whatever is named in the breath of my flames... holds power..."

"Heh," Arsec smiled, "that's really something..."

"I've heard of this Blessing you speak of, masked one," the caravan leader said, "if the princess says the bison is not harmful, then we have nothing to worry about. Besides... Having such a hulking beast sleeping nearby will definitely scare off bothersome beasts." 

The goblins smiled and relaxed, with Mesui looking at Arsec and Narwa, thanking the latter.

"Thank you," Arsec also said, smiling, "That did clear some things I did not understand."

"Hmm," Narwa uttered, stoic. However, a strange sense of warmth filled her, a heat no pelt could erase. She felt... pleased? It was a strange feeling for her, alien even, that sent a small shiver down her spine. She crossed her arms and walked back to her spot.

The caravan leader turned to the rest of the group, "Let's finish setting this camp up, surely the princess and her friends are hungry!"

Everyone returned to their saved spots, grabbing utensils to prepare their meals. As they walked closer to the stream and their beds near the fire, a strange breeze reached Narwa, piercing her mask and making her slowly look over her shoulder. She examined the tall grass behind them, beyond Malimali, and spotted two shadows lurking at a relatively far distance, stalking the caravan. 

Narwa drew closer to the grass, attempting to catch a better glimpse of the figures. Her fists clenched as an eerie and freezing sweat dripped down her neck.

"Narwa, let me show you your bed!"

The masked girl turned to the goblin princess, taken by surprise. She calmed her nerves and nodded to her new friend. As she turned back to the grass looking for the shadows within, they were nowhere to be seen.

******

Night had finally fallen, and Narwa sat by the flickering fire, the warmth seeping into her bones as she observed the bustling activity of the caravan around her whilst boringly twirling a skewer with some pork and vegetables.

The rest of the goblins were quite busy—some standing watch with keen eyes scanning the dark horizon, while others tended to their boars, feeding them and leading them to the stream for a good sip of water. Others checked the integrity of the goods they were transporting to Makeb in carts. Laughter and chatter filled the air as a few goblins gathered around, warming up fermented milk, their preferred drink, and sharing anecdotes of past journeys. Narwa made sure not to stare too much, as the goblins had gotten used to her... wild looks and behavior, and she did not want to creep them in any way.

Her gaze drifted to Arsec, who was fast asleep by Malimali’s side. The enormous beast’s fur served as a comfortable bed for the young man, his head and back nestled against the warmth of Malimali’s massive body. 

Narwa found herself staring at Arsec, and staring, and staring... Her thoughts drifted to how he had bravely confronted the towering bison and gotten a new friend in the process.

"Disgusting..." she said, twirling the skewer faster.

There was something comforting about seeing him at peace, his chest rising and falling with each breath, his face serene in the soft glow of the fire.

"Ugh..." she complained, the skewer now twirling so fast it became a blur.

Narwa was lost in thought for so long that she didn’t notice Mesui watching her. The goblin princess shook her head.

"I hope you're not planning to kill him tonight," Mesui said, jokingly.

Narwa seemed unfazed as she stopped twirling her skewer and began staring at it, "Killing when someone is asleep would not be honorable."

"Erm, what?" Mesui said, surprised and worried, "You mean to say you won't kill him, right?"

"Yes, that's what I meant to say," Narwa looked at her, "I just said that to appease you."

"You should work more on your appeasing skills," Mesui noted, walking towards her.

Narwa looked agitated the skewer impatiently before grunting, crossing her arms, and sinking her head in between, not letting the skewer go.

“Hey,” Mesui said gently as she sat down beside her, worried, “What’s on your mind?”

Narwa hesitated, then sighed, her eyes flicking back to the fire. 

“It’s strange,” she began, her voice quiet. “Sitting here by the fire, eating a cooked meal... it brings me comfort. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this way.”

"Well, enjoy it, you are unto a better lif—"

"And I hate it," Narwa said, her eyes tensing as she interrupted Mesui.

"O-oh? Why is that?" Mesui asked, now sitting a tad further.

Narwa glanced down at the stick in her hand, with charred meat and vegetables still sizzling on it.

 “I used to think of this as a simple thing, but now, it feels like a luxury. I have no idea as to why since I don't remember anything about my... my past life. Out there, as a revenant spirit in the wilderness... I was always cold, always hungry. I had to eat whatever I could find, raw or barely cooked. I slept in the dark, with the sounds of the wild all around me—sometimes soothing, sometimes terrifying.”

Mesui listened quietly, her eyes soft with understanding.

Narwa paused, her brow furrowing as she struggled to grasp the passage of time as she toyed with the skewer. 

“I don’t even know how long I was out there,” she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness. “It feels like a lifetime... like I was under their servitude for ages.”

Mesui placed a comforting hand on Narwa’s shoulder.

“You’re not alone anymore,” she said. “We’re here, and we’ll face whatever comes together.”

"But... I don't feel deserving of this," Narwa said, not minding the hand, "It's all a blur, a red blur, full of rage and... intoxicating bloodlust... but I think I did some horrible things in my time..."

She looked at the skewer, then at Arsec, and the food began twirling again, faster and faster, 

"Disgusting," she uttered.. the feeling that stirred within her was intense, unsettling—a feeling she couldn’t quite name. Her chest tightened with an unfamiliar sensation, and she struggled to make sense of it.

Mesui noticed the change in Narwa’s demeanor, unsure of what to make of it. 

“What is it about Arsec that makes you so agitated?” she asked, her tone gentle but curious.

Narwa hesitated, her thoughts a jumble. 

“It’s... an infuriating desire,” she admitted, her voice low and edged with frustration. “I don’t understand it, but I feel this need to be close to him. It’s only grown stronger as I’ve watched him fight, seen his power. I have power too, and it warns me, it aches before the fires this human bears... despite our very essences clashing, he... he reaches out... and... ugh disgusting!”

Narwa twirled the skewer so hard only the stick was visible.

Mesui raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “He gave you that skewer?”

The masked girl growled.

Mesui examined Narwa's body, noticing her pale and thin arms not displaying a healthy green like her or any other goblinesque color.

"I've wondered this for a while, Narwa," Mesui began, "But... you are not goblin, right?"

“No,” Narwa responded quickly, shaking her head. “I’m not... whatever I was before, I’ve forgotten. All I knew was servitude, living only to obey my old master.”

"Right, the Ancient Ones," Mesui nodded, remembering the dark grotto opening out of nothing in the shrine, shivering a bit, "good thing he's gone for good."

"It's a she," Narwa said, her eyes still looking at the fire, "The Verdant Fang..."

"Oh, is that so? I just learned of the Ancient Ones, mind you, us goblins just look after the guidance of—"

"The Twin Sisters, I'm well aware of that, you carry their blessing, manifest in those cubs of yours... It amazes me that the Sisters chose rodents as a sign of their power on you."

"Why?" Mesui asked, curious.

"Well, just as goblins won't have any part with the Ancient Ones, aware of them or not, rodentmen or any wilderkin won't have any part with the Sisters, aware of them or not."

"I-I see... but then again you are free from their control, and the cubs are with me."

"Hmm," Narwa nodded, "I don't know what to make of all this."

"Well, I bet the Verdant Fang is far away now," Mesui said.

"A naive guess..." Narwa shook her head.

A quiet moment passed between them, the crackling of the fire filling the silence. The goblins around them slowly went to their beds to continue with indistinct chatter, whispers combined with the fire's cracking were soothing.

Arsec snorted a bit, followed by a huge moan from Malimali.

Mesui looked at her human friend, twitching her head as a new question arose. 

“Do you know anything more about the library Arsec saw in his vision?” she asked.

Narwa shook her head again. “No. Only what little he told me back at the healer’s tent.”

As she looked at the serene, sleeping Arsec, thoughts of her duty weighed heavily on her. 

"So he wants to go out there and find a library... a library!" Mesui said, "Do you know how many of those you could find in this world?"

"I've never seen one... at least not recently," Narwa said.

"No Narwa, I bet there are plenty of them out there!" Mesui exclaimed, "I mean, there's probably one on Makeb, the one I'm told to search for any information regarding this... Cycloth thing that we saw in the rodent territory. If the Khan has one, then every single city with a sense of pride will have one!"

"Well, he seems determined to go, regardless of how many there may be," Narwa said, staring at Arsec again, "Disgusting."

Mesui sighed, "I mean, the world is vast, you know? This complicates things..."

"How so?" Narwa asked.

"It complicates... everything! Time, the dangers we may find... time! Searching for an unknown library takes a lot of time, and I don't know if I have that... After I finish my errand in Makeb, I have nothing else bonding me to this whole adventuring thing... I feel like the world is making me choose... Should I join Arsec and keep traveling around the world? Or should I respect generations of traditions and honor my mother's wish... Blasting winds! I bet my mother will kill me once I get back!"

Mesui sighed and stared at Arsec for a brief moment, "I guess this human in red conflicts me similarly to you, Narwa... he represents the threshold of new things... and seeing that I love being a wandering breeze in the wind... who knows—" 

Her musings were interrupted by Narwa, who had turned to her directly. Mesui leaned back, surprised by the sudden move. 

“What exactly is your relationship with Arsec?” Narwa asked, a slight growl beneath her words.

"Ah?" Mesui said, confused, "W-well... We go way back,” she said, now thinking fondly of the past. “My father returned from Makeb once, bearing many gifts, and one of them was an aloof, dirty boy. My father told me Arsec had come with a shipment of slaves from beyond the great sea. Since then, we’ve been good friends, though he often complained about my antics and follies.”

Narwa’s concern deepened as she pressed further, her pale and delicate hands now pressed on Mesui's legs like a curious dog, “But your relationship... is it more than just friendship?”

Understanding the real meaning behind Narwa’s question, Mesui chuckled. 

“Oh, no. No no no no no... NO!" She said, trying to get the masked girl off her, "Humans aren’t my type, you know?” she replied playfully. “Their ears are unsettling, and their lack of fangs is just... creepy. Can you imagine kissing someone without fangs?”

Narwa relaxed a bit, though she wasn’t entirely sure why she had felt so compelled to ask.

"Sorry... I-I find relationships complicated... I've never had friends before..." She said, scratching her long, black hair.

Mesui smiled, staring now at the sky, "I'm more into sturdier types... Like this time when I saw an orc warrior escorting a Koltan caravan, they were passing by towards the sea, but... winds, his messy hair arranged in a crazy ponytail, his lower fangs showing over his lips...  I believe he was our age... well I'm not sure what's your age but you look young... The point is he was so... fierce, wielding that iron axe with those thick arms... I remember Arsec had to stop me from hiding in the caravan's carts, lest I would've been an Orc's wife through and through."

"That sounds reckless..." Narwa said, a bit confused as she looked at Arsec again.

"Princess Mesui," The caravan leader approached them, "I'm afraid we have to go through proper protocol to meet the Khan, you missed quite a lot of cues last time..."

"Again? It's too late, don't you think?" Mesui complained, crossing her arms behind her head, "Can't we try it tomorrow while we travel?"

The old goblin nervously played with his fingers, "You really messed up big time, little princess, and we have only two days to cover the pleasantries, we don't want to shame your father's good name..."

"Agh! All right, don't bring my father unto this... Let's go!" Mesui said, standing up, "It's all this 'count your steps' and 'keep your head up' stuff... Narwa, did you know I have to wear a long dress for this?"

"I-I didn't... sounds very uncomfortable, though," the masked girl said.

"Right!" Mesui agreed, placing her hands on the masked girl's shoulders.

"It's a great tradition, and you look great on it, if I dare say, princess," the caravan leader commented, placing his hand on his chest while smiling.

"You dare not, I beg you, elder," Mesui said, "It makes you sound weird."

"My! I would never suggest such things!" The caravan leader exclaimed, kneeling while apologizing profusely, "Please forgive your humble servant! I beseech you—!"

"It's all right! Let's just go!" Mesui yelled, "Please stand up!"

She leaned over and whispered to Narwa, “Maybe I’ll join Arsec after all if it means keeping my freedom from all this stuff.”

"Hmm..." Narwa noted.

As Mesui winked at her and walked away, Narwa found herself staring at Arsec again. She muttered to herself, “Disgusting,” before gripping her skewer and moving away from the outskirts of the camp.

She passed by one of the guards, who eyed her with suspicion. “Where are you going?” he asked.

“Not far,” Narwa replied, her voice curt as she continued walking. 

As she wandered through the grasslands, lifting her mask to eat the skewer, her mind was filled with images of Arsec. She saw him igniting those beautiful red flames in that weird incantation of his.

"Disgusting," she said, as she munched.

Narwa pictured him battling rodentmen with his spear despite his lack of experience, sending waves and waves of enemies away.

"Disgusting," she bit two chunks of meat.

Then she pictured him going toe to toe with Voidmaw, an enemy ten times larger than him.

Her bites became more frequent as she went for the vegetables next, "Disgusting!"

Each thought brought a strange twist in her chest, and each time, she muttered under her breath, “Disgusting.”

Finally, she thought of how he fought fiercely to free her, reaching out to those vines and breaking her bondage. Her eyes softened, and she went for another bite, only to realize there was only the stick of the skewer left.

Narwa turned to the camp, now a bit far from her location, and she spotted the enormous bison and the little man sleeping next to it.

"Disgusting..." she uttered.

"If so disgusting, why stay with them, little cub?"

The wind tightened around her like a noose, the air growing thick and suffocating. Narwa’s skin prickled, every instinct screaming danger.

She turned slowly, her pulse hammering in her ears, as two shadows emerged from the tall grass. Their forms were barely visible in the fading light, but the malevolent presence she’d sensed earlier was unmistakable. The figures moved with an eerie, fluid grace, their eyes glinting with malice as they approached. One was slender and humanoid, a coyote mask covering his face; the other was a wilderkin, resembling a feral canine with a breastplate shaped like a coyote's snarl. He bared his teeth and flexed his claws menacingly.

Narwa’s heart raced, but she didn’t back down. Instead, she dropped into a low, predatory stance, her muscles coiled and ready to strike. A low growl rumbled from her throat, her breath misting in the cold air. Icy embers flickered around her, casting a ghostly light on the grass.

“Keep your distance,” she snarled, her voice carrying a primal edge. Her eyes locked onto the intruders, ready to pounce at the slightest provocation. The shadows paused, but their dark energy hung heavy, taunting her with a sense of impending doom.

"Such hostility, little cub," the masked man sneered. "Why haven't you returned to your slumber?"

"I’ve completed my mission," Narwa shot back. "I don’t owe anything to the Verdant Fang anymore."

"Owe?" The coyote wilderkin cackled, a sinister amusement in his tone. "Do you think this is a debt you can repay with words?"

Narwa growled, her fury barely contained.

The masked man’s eyes narrowed as he inspected the flames dancing around her. "Look, you mutt, she doesn’t glow with the same bloodlust as the Ancient One… Hey, cub, why didn’t the vines take you back to the dark after your mission?"

Narwa refused to answer, but the man’s eyes widened in realization.

"So it’s true," he hissed. "The bond is broken… That’s why you’re still awake."

The coyote wilderkin’s shock morphed into a snarl, his body surging with the same icy light as Narwa's. "She’s a traitor! A heretic! Let’s devour her here and then go after the others—"

The masked man struck the wilderkin, snapping him out of his rage. "Think, you fool! There are too many goblins in that camp, and that unstoppable bison too… Besides, something tells me whoever broke this bond is in there as well."

The wilderkin hesitated, his confidence wavering. "But… Our power is unstoppable! You and I can take them!"

The masked man’s gaze returned to Narwa. "She’s still using the Fang’s powers…"

Narwa stepped back slowly, her heart pounding.

"Impossible…" the wilderkin muttered, his voice tinged with panic.

Narwa readied herself, her thoughts racing back to when she could barely control her powers, when she felt them slipping away. But now, she steeled herself, knowing she would have to fight to survive.

"Oh, make no mistake, little cub, we shall fight," the masked man taunted. "Enjoy your fleeting freedom… When your friends lie soaked in their blood, you’ll realize how much you’ve forsaken, how deeply you’ve offended the Verdant Fang."

The coyote wilderkin smashed the ground, sending a cloud of dust billowing around Narwa. Dread filled her as she anticipated an attack. She charged forward, ready to strike, but when the dust settled, the revenants were gone, vanished into the vast expanse of tall grass.