Reverse Chronicles

Daniel the Apprentice

     After Daniel told me the tale of the forest, we followed the trail that the mysterious creature left. It led us a long way from the pond. Mysteriously, as we went by the trail, not a single monster attacked us. There were goblins, elapieds, scocreeps, and wild boars that we saw. However, not a single one came close to us and attacked. Instead, they acted as if we never existed. I turned to Daniel to see if he was witnessing this but he was focused on following the path.

     The trail led us deeper into the forest. Redwoods were so big that those at the edge looked juvenile compared to the ones here. The trail seemed to lead somewhere even deeper. “It seems we are now at the middle of this forest,” Daniel spoke as we walked. “Be on your guard, Josh. Monsters run amok here.” As soon as Daniel said those words, we were attacked by four scocreeps.

     “Watch out for their tails,” Daniel readied his bow and arrow. “They are venomous.” Scocreeps are monsters that look like large scorpions. They were the size of crocodiles and had two tails contrary the common scorpions. One scocreep approached us, but Daniel shot it at its eyes defeating it. “Aim for their eyes, they are their only weakness. But don’t attack carelessly. I’ll shoot from afar while you defend if they strike.”

     At the edge, he was cool-headed, but now there seems to be a different air around Daniel. His eyes became aquiline-sharp as he aimed at one of the other scocreeps. One scocreep came close to us but I managed to scare it away with Whisperer. Daniel landed one finishing blow to another scocreep. He breathed slowly and stood very still. And as he released the arrow, not a single sound could be heard as it killed a scocreep. With two scocreeps left, the battle became easy. Daniel finished them off with his skills defeating them instantly.

     “Scocreeps defeated, gained 18 experience points. 2 experience points needed for level 6.”

     “That was so impressive, Daniel,” I exclaimed as the battle ended. “Your eyes were sharp focused and your arrows did not make a single sound as it zoomed through the air.”

     “Thanks, that was just my skill, Intense Accuracy. It is the only skill I know, though,” Daniel laughed. “Compared to other archery skills, that was just child’s play.”

     “Skills? Do you just learn them as you level up?”

     “Well, no. Skills do not show up just because you leveled up. You must work hard to learn and to master them. Just like in climbing, the more you climb, the more your climbing skill will increase, the better you will be at climbing,” he explained.

     “I see, where did you learn that skill?”

     “My father taught it to me. He is the best archer in my village,” Daniel proudly shared. “And one day, I want to become just like him.”

     “So, he taught you that?” I wonder what skills I can learn with my class. He is an apprentice, so he is adept at specialized skills, such as archery and thievery. “You think you could teach me that?” I smiled while asking.

     “Sure, I could teach you the basics, but when it comes to actually learning the skill, practical application is important so you have to use it in battles as much as possible. But for now, let us go where this trail will take us.”

     I agreed and we continued following the trail. Suddenly, something can be seen from the distance. Vegetation was thick, but the silhouette of a structure is visible. We slowly proceeded. Stealthily and silently, we made sure not to gather attention as we approached. When we got close enough, we saw an ordinary hut. From where the trail of flowers and grasses ended, the hut stood proudly.

     “Strange,” Daniel said, “could the legend be true after all?”

     “True or not, I think we found ourselves a place to stay. We should see what’s inside,” I knocked at the door but there was no answer. I knocked again, but there was only silence. I pushed the handle and surprisingly, the door was unlocked. There was no light inside, but light coming through the windows revealed a fireplace and some firewood.

     We spent the night inside the cozy hut. Aside from the flame in the fireplace, there were candles that we lit that provided light. We covered the windows with curtains so as to not attract attention because of the light coming from inside. There were also cutlery and kitchenware that we could use to cook our food. What surprised us even more was the clean supply of water in the barrels beside the door and the fresh fruits and vegetables in the cornucopia beside it. There was also a bed just enough for the two of us.

     “How strange and creepy,” I remarked. “Could this be Araplene’s house and that deer, could that have been Araplene?”

     “Well, if that is true, then we are in gratitude for this kindness,” Daniel answered.

     We started to cook dinner. As someone who was literally no kitchen experience, I let Daniel have the privilege to cook the meal. I did not stand idle, but helped him in preparing the ingredients. As he started to cook, he removed his leather jacket and wore a garment without sleeves. On his arms, I saw scars and tattoos. On his right shoulder, he had a tattoo of a red bird that seemed to be burning.

     “What’s this?” I inspected the tattoo on his shoulder.

     “Oh this?” he showed me the tattoo. “This is my phoenix insignia. I had it when I earned the right to venture outside the village. I passed tests and fought monsters just to earn this.”

     “That’s cool, is the phoenix an important part of your village?”

     “The phoenix is the symbol of my village. I’m from Syphim, to the plains south of this forest. We don’t usually venture outside of the village, but I had to get out and follow my dreams.”

     “Wow, that’s something else,” it seems Daniel is a remarkable person. He left home just to follow his dreams and he did it alone. “Could you tell me about your village?”

     “Well, my village is the most peaceful place in the world. It is protected by the great phoenixes of the southern mountains. There are no monsters and no bandits around. It is the happiest place in the world, but…”

     “But?” I continued his last word. Something seems to be bothering him. He seems to hide something from me.

     “Well, I must finish cooking our dinner. I’ll tell you that later,” he evaded the question taking all the ingredients and made stew for the both of us.

     After we ate, I wanted to return to our conversation, but he seemed to be avoiding my question. In his eyes, I know that he is hiding something from me. I tried every way possible to make him talk about his village again, but he just kept avoiding them asking me questions in response.

     We eventually called it a night. He went to bed first. I went to wash my face and change to something lighter. As I was about to remove my clothes, I remembered that I was in Alyssa’s body. I looked to Daniel to see if he was peeking, but it seemed he was already sleeping. I changed as quickly as possible and washed my face. I weakened the fire and put off the candles. I lay beside Daniel shoving him aside in the process.

     As I rest my back against the soft bed, I could not stop thinking about what Daniel hid from me. Is it something about his village that he cannot really tell me? Is it something about him with the village? I eventually stopped the futile wondering and went to sleep. The forest was cool so I grabbed the blanket up to my chest. I closed my eyes and eventually surrendered to silent sweet slumber.