His.

Chapter 5. Fluffy.

The trees leaned in, giving the faint illusion of tall, different beings looming over the dark forest. It was cold. Owls hooted. The smell of cold air. Rot. The sounds of different creatures at night giving a chill.

He casually adjusted his cape and kept walking.

The path was a rough, yet slimy path. The snow wasn't helping. It rather increased the pressure for sloppiness on some rotten woods and leaves. This was the popular Durumagi. The sacred forest in the whole of Annoulha. It was named after the goddess's death, it was now a place evil roamed about, killing people. No one has ever had the courage to come there even in daytime.

Durumagi had a symbol. It was the gown the goddess wore before death. A territory, a place where clans, colonies,kingdoms and people with positions came to meet her to discuss and make agreements. There was never a specific explanation for what she really looked like. Her appearance was at different angles when people saw her. It wasnt natural. One moment from the left could make her look like a young girl, then the right angle gave an illusion of a young, glowing, yellow woman. Her face showed different spasms. It's almost ephemeral, as before one can explain it changes to another. She had no name as it was never revealed. People only saw her as a creature with powers and a goddess with great virtue.

A twig snapped .

Sedymon slowly turned, and saw a silhouette with a lamp. It crouched down, its hands reaching out to the plant in front of it. The forest was really foggy, but Sedymon could tell it was human and not some creature. It shoved the leaf quickly into a satchel. Sedymon wondered what someone would be doing in this place at this dark. What kind of man wants to act tough?

He cautiously moved to the spot, his steps noiseless. He placed the tip of his sword against the part taken for the neck of the hood. Next, he heard a whimper. It quickly turned it's face away. With a groan he yanked off the hood, revealing a white, pale, young woman. What in goodness's name will a woman be doing out here at this dangerous hour?

Sedymon touched the hilt of sword, suspicious. She doesn't look harmless. But he knows this forest. The spirits of different beings that roamed around this forest can almost, be felt.

"P-please.." The woman shuddered when Sedymon swept her hair behind her ear. Strange, but he found himself doing that. She was looking too fragile to be here. Too fragile. Her Aquamarine eyes revealed panic with her mouth open, breathing hard.

"What will someone like you be doing out here? Don't you know it's dangerous? " it was weird, but he couldn't stop holding her face. It was ethereal, watching her face, and those lips...soft.

...What??!

Sedymon quickly pulled his hand away as if controlled. What could possibly come over him?!

"I came to get the magic leaves from Durumagi. I am safe here, as I had prayed to the gods of this land before my entry." She quickly backed away in her ladylike manner, aware a Man is in front of her, and should maintain her distance.

Sedymon scanned her body. Nothing to show of her as a Harlot. He knew some harlots came here to get spices for their perfumes, But only at daytime of course. The leaves her tiny hands clutched were the Abyss, magical and powerful. They were brown and green, with the impression of something expired. Only one that didn't know of it's power ignored the outlook. These leaves were used for charms, perfumes, and incense. Charms. Ah, Seren had that one for a credit. He felt like laughing. The woman, noticing Sedymon's distant gaze at the Abyss plants shuffled behind, scuttling to get away. But Sedymon was too quick for that, and he caught her. He didn't grab her arm or anything, he just gave a glance.

"How am I so sure it's just the leaves you came to get?"

"I have no idea. But my Mistress persists I get them at this time, sir . " Another scuttle.

" I wouldn't hesitate to kill you if I wanted to." He said, looking at her feet already about to take another step. Such a woman. She seemed bold enough to even run. Most would stay at the spot to await their fate. As expected, she halted.

Her steady eyes looked at him. " My mistress demands I bring it to her at this instant once I have plucked out as much as she needs. Else there would be punishment. Now I beg you to let me go. The weather isn't favourable. "

So that's it? Whoever her mistress was must be unkind. He wondered why he felt like showing care to this woman. Her hair was a graceful brown, smooth as silk, that fits her oval face. Sedymon looked away. Appearance has it's way of appealing. Not this time.

" You can go. " He said, and she immediately ran away, clutching the bag more tight. The snowfall was heavy, and for a brief moment he wondered if she would be fine.

He shouldn't seem too bothered, he has his own mission to carry out. But he saved her silhouette in his mind. Her coat was like a fur skin. His lips moved, the words rolling behind his tongue. "Fluffy.."