Chapter 5: A Charming Stranger

'Tri estrettis compagnis, mais bi estrettis un culos.'

Three is company, but two is a pair.

***

The trek along the river is calm. Kiora's mood brightens after her meal. A warm sensation brews in her tummy-box. As her stomach digests the needed sustenance, her magika steadily restores. Kiora maintains a stable food source while staying close to the crimson waters. 'The path fares better than being stuck in that desert!' Kiora thinks. After walking for another mile, she notices a forest laid out in the distance.

"At least, I have magika now." Kiora remarks while regarding her hands. A wave of excitement washes over her. "Let's continue!"

The river narrows as it courses through the forest. Kiora's sights turn to left. She observes the change in landscape. At the base of the woods, she notes the river's transition into a stream. 'Hopefully, there will still be enough water to host some fish.' Kiora sighs. The Daemik kneels beside the red water. To her dismay, Kiora doesn't see any little piranhas. She shakes her head in disappointment. 'Can't turn back now.' The lone soldier asserts herself.

Kiora rises from the stream and heads deeper into the forest. She stares at the trees with interest. 'Fascinating.' Kiora places a hand on a tree's trunk. She tilts her head while noting the black bark. She pulls a branch closer. The black tree is decorated with dark green leaves. As Kiora releases, the branch recedes with a 'thwack.' The sound disturbs several birds resting in the canopy. They chirp in reprimand.

"My apologies," Kiora replies.

The birds don't take her word. They continue to hop across the branch in protest. The lone soldier shrugs her shoulders. She takes a step forward onto the path. The young Daemik's curiosities bring her to every bush and sound that breaks the silence. She jumps as a shadow flies at her from behind. 'Phew, just a squirrel!' Kiora smiles. For the duration of her walk, the lone soldier cannot sense anything-odd.

"How pleasant!" Kiora exclaims.

At a bend in the trail, she comes across a set of trees that smell sweet. Her nose twitches in delight at the new aroma. 'I wonder if there are any blossoms nearby.' Kiora speculates. She wanders deeper into the foreign forest. To her disappointment, none of the trees have flowers. 'I guess that I'm just smelling their sap.' However, that possibility does not appear true. Still yet, the surrounding air charms the curious mind.

The lone soldier feels elated. She cannot deduce that the flowery scent affects her mood. Jovially, she romps around like a little goat hopping on a cliffside. As the crimson moon takes its place, Kiora appears in higher spirits. 'What luck!' Her thoughts beam. 'No foul beast prowls in this forest!' Kiora swings her arms back and forth. Her tail flickers in tune with her beat. Nocturnal birds hoot within the canopies. Kiora can hear them strike at unsuspecting squirrels.

"Oh dear," she whispers. "Though, everyone eats."

The idea seems desirable to her stomach. 'Perhaps, I should look for food too.' As Kiora walks closer to the stream, a 'sploosh' greets her. Although the stream is narrow, there is wildlife residing beneath the surface. Kiora smiles. 'Good!' She thinks with a squat. The water glistens in the pale moonlight. Black fish are easier to notice against the crimson stream. Kiora dips her tail with slight hesitation.

"I would rather not get bit," she sighs. "Though, what other option do I have?"

Surely, the lone soldier can simply catch a fish with her bare hands. The lone soldier, for some reason, doubts her capability use speed. Regardless, her tail does prove a remarkable tool for scaly game. 'Ouch!' She winces as a fish nips her appendage. As before, she flicks her tail backwards. Kiora hears a 'crack' from behind. While walking over to her catch, Kiora notices that the fish broke its back against a tree.

"What a bitter end," she grimaces. "Grattis for your sacrifice."

Claws rip apart the fish. Bits of sweet flesh entice Kiora's appetite. 'This taste is much better than the last!' She squeals with delight. Kiora eagerly returns to the stream. She continues to fish for four more times. On Kiora's fifth catch, something unexpected happens. Her tail draws the prey out from the waters. However, as the fish smacks into the tree, an owl swoops down to steal Kiora's prey.

"Hey!" She scolds. "I put in the effort, so that's my feed!"

Despite her shouting, the black owl regards her without concern. The bird flaps its wings and clings onto the fish with large talons. Kiora sighs while watching the feathered thief escapes. 'Oh well.' She shakes her head. 'I guess I had enough.' Kiora returns to the path. Within several paces, a yawn escapes her lips.

"Time for sleep!" Kiora stretches her body skywards. "Though, where to camp?"

Under normal circumstances, one would want a tent or make a shelter. Yet, Kiora doesn't have one, now does she? Her eyes scan her surroundings for a pleasant spot to rest. 'A tree must make do.' She decides. While walking towards the nearest trunk, Kiora smiles with gratitude. 'At least, there aren't any sizable beasts.' She plops down on the ground. As Kiora places her back against the tree, she looks up at the moonlight twinkling beneath the branches.

"Beautiful!" Kiora whispers.

The lone soldier closes her eyes. Sleep comes easy to those with a full stomach and reassurance. Kiora's breathing shallows as she submits herself to dream...

***

...The lone soldier stands in a jungle with perplexity written across her face. She removes a bit of plant muck from one of her horns. 'Ick!' She twists her lip upward in disgust. 'How did I get here?' Confusion and curiosity work their magika. Rather than ask more questions, Kiora decides to press forward. 'Leaving is more critical.' Kiora thinks. 'Jungles can be such hostile environments. She trudges along an unmarked path.

As the jungle thickens, the screeches of animals erupt from the canopies overhead. A sudden yowl makes her jumps. Kiora places a hand above her chest. 'Just breathe.' She insists. 'And be careful.' Kiora takes careful steps while contemplating all of the dangerous animals that thrive in jungles.

"That last howl sounded like a wild cat," the lone soldier muses. "Jungles have many predators. Let's see-jaguars, snakes, and...spiders!"

Kiora shudders at the thought. 'Too many legs can be worse than none!' She shakes the image out of her head. Regardless of preference, Kiora understands one detail that many predators have in common-camouflage! The young Daemik's attention shifts from within to the environment laying ahead. Thinking about possible threats will not help her avoid them in real time. After all, being absent minded is risky.

Carefully, Kiora continues through the overgrowth. Vines and lofty plants minimize her movement. Kiora vigorously fights through the greenery. Despite her efforts, Kiora's tail is entangled! 'Great!' She frowns. Kiora uses her hands deftly to remove the misfortunate appendage from the vines. Once free, her tail flicks about with joy. In order to maintain her tail's whereabouts, Kiora ties it around her waist. She huffs while reluctantly marching onward.

The scenery takes a slight shift. Kiora feels the ground soften beneath her feet. Two blue eyes widen to grasp for a reason. Unfortunately, Kiora treads through a bog! 'That explains the rotten smell.' She grimaces while covering her nose. The lone soldier looks around for an alternate route. With none in sight, Kiora presses deeper into the swampy terrain. The stinky mud clings to her boots. Each additional step becomes more difficult than the last.

A bird screams above her in alarm. Kiora is overwhelmed with panic by their cries. 'What are they afraid of?' She wonders. Kiora glances overhead. She furrows her brows in focus-searching for any sign of concern. The Daemik's pupils dilate at the sight of a...snake! The creature's tongue flickers towards the scent of a nest. The bird is small in contrast to the great reptile. When pecking does not deter the serpent, the bird abandons its nest.

Kiora shakes her head. 'There's nothing that I can do.' She sighs. 'It's only natural.' The lone soldier returns to her quest. As moments pass, walking turns into wading. Kiora startles at the presence of water. Especially after seeing the snake! She grimaces while moving deeper into the bog. Her heartbeat increases as anxiety takes hold of her senses. The nervous Daemik grows overwhelmed with misery.

"How can I leave!?" Kiora wails.

She pounds her fists into the water. Despite herself, Kiora thrashes about while wailing at the top of her lungs. Once a great soldier now becomes a frightened child. Initially, Kiora is unable to denote any change. As her fists flail over and over, the poor Daemik fails to realize the rise in the water level. The black liquid thickens into sludge. Kiora stops moving and watches as the muck engulfs her waist. The sludge rises towards her lips.

"What's happening?" She panics.

Kiora's thoughts run frantic. 'Am I going to drown?' An ancient fear resurfaces. Kiora feels more alarmed as she sinks further into the muck. Within another moment, she struggles to keep her mouth above the surface.

"Someone, please help me!" Kiora cries out-loud.

Without a soul around, the lone soldier is dragged beneath. The sludge makes swimming restrictive. Every stroke, seems to be negated. Kiora's heart palpitates at a deadly rate. Kiora hears a swishing sound in the darkness. Instinctively, her head whips towards the noise. 'What's that?' Her mind panics. Despite the muddy waters, Kiora strives to open her eyes. Grit clings to her cornea in discomfort. Before the mud forces her lids to recede, the lone soldier sees a snake!

Scales twist and wind around Kiora's torso. The pressure crunches her ribs. Bones 'crick' and 'crack' beneath the snake's might. The Daemik can no longer hold her breath. Her mouth unlocks as lungs rage. 'Remember yourself.' A voice enters Kiora's mind. Although she cannot recall the words, the melody sounds familiar. 'A seeker surrounded by darkness is still searching.' The calm tune puts her at ease. Even so, the snake squeezes her into submission...

***

...A pair of hands shake Kiora's shoulders. Sleep clings onto the Daemik. As the motion becomes more urgent, Kiora's eyes snap awake. A strong pull causes a searing pain in her body. Kiora peeks behind. To her horror, the tree attempts to eat her! She screams in alarm.

"Hang on!" A male in front of her shouts. "I'm here to help!"

Kiora's hands grab onto his wrists. The tree's tendrils tighten their hold. The struggle continues for several moments. As the male places all of his weight behind him, he manages to pull her free. She falls forward with a 'thud.' Quickly, she glances behind. Her eyes widen in panic while observing that the tree now has a mouth. The stranger grabs her hand.

"Come on!" he insists. "We have to move!"

The lone soldier agrees without a second thought. 'Who knew trees had a taste for flesh!' She thinks. Kiora runs through the forest of hungry trees. She notices that the other trees have gnashing maws. Kiora sticks out her tongue in disgust while the fleshy tendrils whip around. Her heart races as the sprint takes its toll. 'Don't stop moving!' She demands of herself. Soon, Kiora hears the trees gurgling in a fury.

Once the path widens, Kiora sees the exit. Her feet appear to fly like Hermes across the forest floor. When they leave the forest behind, Kiora smiles. She steadies her breath to control a pounding chest. With a curious glance, Kiora turns to the stranger. 'Is he, another Daemik?' She tilts her head in bemusement. For the longest time, Kiora trudges alone through this realma. Now, an unexpected stranger comes to save her life.

The stranger stands while glancing back at the black woods. His black hair is short and layered. Two emerald eyes appear with a youthful gleam. The Daemik does have pointed ears, claws and sharp teeth. Unlike Kiora, he has no horns. His light-tan skin has neither markings nor spikes. He catches Kiora's stare with a smile.

"Aren't you going to thank me?" he laughs. "You were just about to become fertilizer!"

Kiora's lips twist upward. She is unsure on how to take the comment. 'An introduction would be more appreciated!' She thinks with a brow raised. He notices the negative reaction and readjusts himself.

"I'm sorry!" He apologizes. The stranger smiles while throwing up his hands. "I didn't mean to offend you! It's just that...you should always take more care when in the woods. After all..."

"Obviously!" Kiora interrupts. "I would have been more cautious as I had known the nature of those trees!"

"It's okay." The stranger's green eyes soften.

"Thank you, for helping me." Kiora's mood changes as she notes his demeanor shift. "Well, what's your name?"

"Luce." He replies with a hand over his heart. "And you?"

"Kiora," she greets.

As the sun rises, its crimson light dances around the pair. 'Hopefully, I can trust him.' Kiora thinks. She fails to realize that the Daemik still speaks. Her thoughts demand her focus. After all, using one's intuition to gauge a potential acquaintance is critical. Kiora surmises that the Daemik does not mean harm. 'He could've left me for dead.' She concludes after sensing no hostility. Kiora extends her hand to the stranger.

"Care to join me?" Kiora's inquiry sounds abrupt.

"Why not?" Luce laughs. "Besides, you will fare better with someone who knows this land like myself."

"Let's set out then" Kiora beams with determination.

Luce agrees with a nod. 'Two is a pair.' He thinks with delight. What a lucky encounter!