The Kabelu Woods 1

The Kabelu Woods was still at dawn.

I sat on the hillside and sketched on my notepad.

As sunlight rolled into the woods behind me I was met with a gorgeous view. Slanted rays of sun flooded in through the gaps of the trees, I quietly took in the view unti a strong gust of wind passed through, nearly blowing away what was in my lap.

It was just like in the game. This forest was once the land of an archer clan, called the Kabelu. They made use of the trees to obstruct the path of the demons, when they emerged from the forest an army would be awaiting them. Or at least, so I planned. If their neighbors didn't fall the demons attacking from behind wouldn't have gotten to them. Surrounded on both sides, they wouldn't last long.

Thankfully, there was a "flee" game mechanic. To command your clan and its survivors to band together and flee, forever leaving Black Apple never to be found again.

I didn't know about blessings nor did I have any to bestow. Their un-realozed potential to this day, grieves me.

A powerful draft of wind blasted through, ripping off one of the pages from my notepad, I chased after it.

As I did I could hear the flips of the arrows, the cries of the demons. Dressed in beast fur skirts, headdresses with feathers and capes, their arrows never missed. Kill. Stun. Slow or Maim.

I clasped my hands and prayed.

If there is a Lord out there, watch over me and bestow me the spirit of the Kabelu. May my sling never miss.

I didn't ask for the guards to accompany me today.

I wanted to see how much could be done with Grandma's teachings. How useful could I be in this world?

If I'm not mistaken an elementary technique would be enough. The only thing I'd need would be these sharp-edged rocks and a slingshot. And... paper.

You didn't need to swing a sword around all the time. Take the Mikos for example and the Hachisuka who created strong paper for their fans... I can do this.

It fell into the river, thankfully the shallow part.

As I bent over to grab it, something emerged from the bushes, and that's when I became conscious to the lumps lining the banks.

Slimes?!

They nearly blended in with the scenery, their bodies were transparent, if it weren't for the dew drops decorating their heads, I wouldn't have noticed! Something round and red with dots appeared within them, and their bodies slowly began to move.

Were they sleeping? Did I just wake them up?!

Something wrapped itself around my ankle startling me and I looked down to see a slime nearby attempting to swallow my foot whole.

It's touch felt slimey and it stung.

Crap!

Slimes on their own may have been no threat, but they were the janitors of the forests. They dissolve the flesh and bones off of dead carcasses and when in groups are much more dangerous to deal with.

To think I'm already off to a bad start...

I ran away. Or at least tried. My leg suddenly became heavy. I swung it against the tree trunk, the slime hopped off and I ended up slamming my ankle into a tree.

It's intelligent?! I mean...duh! Dammit!

The same slime bounced back to slam into me, it's body was hard and solid.

So they could control their solidity at will huh?

I didn't retaliate, I ran away as fast as I could with a limp using the dips and gulleys.

They were isolating, and the slimes wouldn't risk straying from the group too much.

Glancing back, that seemed to be the case, but who knows they could appear invisible too? If it weren't for the sunlight would I have even seen them? A chill ran down my spine at the mere thought.

I kept moving, after hobbling for nearly an hour, took a break behind a tree to nurse my ankle.