Chapter 1:Feros
961 Words
A week had passed since the sudden appearance of the fox in my palm, aiding me in every theft I committed. I wondered if it truly understood my actions. But the most troubling feeling was the gradual loss of my strength. My true power and energetic self seemed to be fading away.
I noticed this change since the fox joined me. I found myself walking in a corner of an alley, the midday sun casting its light upon us. The fox still trailed behind me.
I still wondered why it was so small, unlike in my dreams. I faced it, and upon closer inspection, it paused in its tracks. Its expression seemed puzzled by my behavior.
"Ahem... Foxie—" I barely got the words out before its eyes widened, a mischievous grin spreading across its face, as if ready to pounce. I swallowed nervously.
"Okay! fine! I won't call you Foxie," I retorted, trying various names, each eliciting the same reaction—anger, widened eyes, and a grin.
The tension eased as it calmed down. "So, what should I call you?" I raised an eyebrow.
It simply gazed back at me, sitting and blinking.
"What should I call you then?!" I exclaimed, exasperated by its silence.
"Up to you!" I turned away and began to walk. I didn't care if it followed or not. I would survive with or without it.
Suddenly, I felt weak again. My heart raced, as if deprived of oxygen. My balance wavered, and I collapsed, my vision blurring before everything went black.
*******
I faced a woman, her back to me, clad in a long white cloak. We stood in a place of pure light, suspended as if floating, bathed in brilliance.
"You need to return your guardian to the Guardae Dimension," her voice sent chills through me, each word chilling my entire body. Her voice echoed around us.
I was puzzled by her words. Guardian? Guardae Dimension? What did she mean?
"What do you mean?" I asked, trembling at her icy tone.
"Your guardian is the fox with you," she replied without hesitation.
I was even more confused. "Why do I have a guardian?" I asked, bewildered by her response.
"Because you're a Garcae (Gar-kaye)."
"G-Garcae?" I stammered, feeling the tension in the air thicken.
"Garcae are people born with guardians. Since birth, they have them. As their strength grows, the guardians try to emerge, draining the owner's stamina. If the Garcae can't control their guardian, their lives are forfeit. If a Garcae dies, their guardian becomes a wicked soldier of Gajeel and Zeraffina."
I needed to return the fox to the Guardae Dimension, but how?
"H-How do I return the fox to the Guardae Dimension?" I asked nervously, her chilling presence still lingering.
"Using an incantation. Say the name of your guardian, then add... experi!" She walked away, vanishing into a sudden light.
"Wait!" I called out, and she halted.
"What's your name—" she vanished as I spoke, leaving me wondering. What was her name? And why did she tell me all that?
I felt dizzy, my vision spinning. I was nauseous, and darkness closed in.
****
When I opened my eyes, my vision was blurry. I blinked to clear it.
I scanned the area and found myself still in the alley. Thankfully, no one saw my breakdown.
I felt the fox on my chest—Feros.
I stood, but remembered the woman's words. I needed to return Feros to the Guardae Dimension before collapsing again.
The incantation to summon him was to say his name followed by "auravoir." To undo his appearance, I was to say "experi" after his name. I now knew I was a Garcae.
But the pressing question remained—why did Garcae exist?
I set aside my questions, focusing on the present. I stood, looking at Feros, who gazed back at me while seated.
"F-Feros?" I called his name, and he stood, wagging his bushy tail.
So, his name was Feros, and he seemed pleased, almost challenging me to play. He ran away and back, tugging at my pants with his mouth, then running off again. He repeated this playfully.
I smiled but felt a pang of sadness. I needed to return him to the Guardae Dimension before I collapsed again.
As he returned, he stopped, seeing my sad expression.
I sat, patting his head, smiling sadly.
"I'm sorry, Feros. I need to return you to the Guardae Dimension as I weaken when you're not there," I saw the sadness in his eyes. I held back tears.
I remembered our days of stealing. Despite fainting daily, I was happy with him, as stealing became easier. Even amidst our misdeeds, I grew close to him. Perhaps, for the first time since losing my caretaker at seven, I had found a new companion, even if he was just an animal.
I heard him whimper, though no sound came out. I knew he was sad. The woman in my dream was right; Feros was intelligent, understanding my actions and aiding in my thefts.
"Sorry, Feros... I think it's time," he whimpered, and tears welled up in my eyes.
Is this how I feel when close to a being?
"Feros, experi," I said, feeling his chill.
I watched as snowflakes surrounded him, almost enveloping his entire body.
"Don't worry, Feros. I'll call you again," before he vanished, his eyes gleaming with approval.
I quickly caught the snowflakes before they dispersed in the wind. I wiped my tears.
Perhaps onlookers would mistake me for a drug addict or a drunkard.
I was puzzled. Why did snowflakes appear when Feros vanished? Could he have ice powers? Never mind!
I stood and walked away, feeling an energy surge. I smiled.
It's thief time!
- Writer
