" So what can you see from up there? "

  " I think Mia led us to the right place, I can feel her mana more here, she is close! Clear out, I'm coming down. "

  Richard jumped down from the tree he had climbed on and rolled on the ground. He then walked up to his horse and packed some pouches and knives onto his belt.

  " From where I was I saw smoke, which means there are people and it's probably that old man. I'd say it would take us an hour or two to get there. "

  " It's going to be dark by then. "

  " Perfect, this time I'm going to ambush him. "

  " You mean 'we'! "

  " No boy, I'm going alone, you stay here and watch over Mia. "

  " Oh come on Rich'! "

  " Rule number one? "

  " Roooh! Fuck your rules! Let me come with you, this guy is dangerous! "

  Richard had a slight smirk.

  " So am I. The decision is final, you stay here, I'll come back with Bella and we'll be alright. "

  Konnor let out a loud sigh. " And I'm the thick headed one here? "

  An hour had passed since Richard's departure, Mia was getting fidgety and pointed towards the forest.

  " Rich? "

  " We will stay here for now, this is the boss's orders! He will be fine .. I think."

  Mia started pouting at his inactivity. She walked over to him and started pulling on his vest.

  " What do you want? "

  She pointed at the forest again.

  " Rich! "

  " He is gonna be ok, just sit down Mia. "

  She then grabbed his face in her hands and images started flashing in his head, one of them was Richard getting an arrow in his throat. Once he was out of the vision, Mia stumbled backwards but remained upright, she had used quite a lot of mana to show him this. She then grabbed his shoulders and fixed her yellow eyes into his brown eyes.

  " Richard, friend! "

  " Ohh may the creator give me strenght .. alright. "

  Konnor stood up and with the help of Mia put the saddle back on Richard's horse, they both mounted and started heading in the same direction.

  " Let's go save the magic idiot. Yah! "

  Richard's senses were on edge the whole way there. Each step could lead him into a trap so he decided to not haste his progress and remain careful. Each time he would hear a branch crack he would stop dead in his tracks to listen to the sounds of the forest. The night had fallen when he finally managed to reach the house. It was barely a house, more of a put together shack that was livable. " Is it really his home? Or a simple place to rest between his hunts? ". Richard carefully approached the house and looked through the windows in search of the man. " No one, why wouldn't he be home so late in the day? ". Richard circled back to the entrance door, he took his dagger out ready to breach inside. He slowly opened the door and snuck inside. The shack had a simple bed, a small table with a wooden stool, a fireplace with a pot and a few cupboards. " It does seem like someone lives here, the bed is undone and there are clothes hanging. ". He approached a non finished plate and hovered his hand on it. " It's cold. " He then walked over to the pot and touched it. " It was lit not long ago, whoever was in here left in a hurry, but why? ". While crouched to look at the pot he noticed a small box under the bed, he pulled it out and laid it on the bed. Inside of it he discovered what looked like a journal and dried leaves. " That's interesting. " He turned a few pages and his eyes locked onto a specific part that left him in a state of surprise. Isabella's name was mentioned a few times, before he could read more of it he heard the string of a bow getting drawn behind him.

  " Don't. Move."

  " Fuck ... "

  " Look at the wall in front of you and raise your hands. "

  Seeing how defenseless he was, he simply listened and raised his hands.

  " Now walk to the wall till your chest touches it, slowly. "

  Behind him the old man kept his bow and his eyes locked on Richard's back as went towards the wall.

  " Now let me be clear stranger, here is how it's going to play out, I'm going to ask questions and you better give me the answer I want otherwise I put an arrow right up your ass. Nod if you understand. "

  Richard nodded slowly." I need to create a diversion or get information somehow. "

  " Nice house you got th- "

  Richard's sentence got interrupted by an arrow flying right next to his head.

  " Listen stranger, if you talk without me asking you to talk, I will put an arrow ri- "

  " Right up my ass I get it. "

  " Clearly you don't, you just spoke. " The man drew another arrow and aimed at Richard " Want to test it again? "

  Richard remained silent. " He is awfully precise with these and I can't let him graze me. My only option is to rush him and hope he can't draw another arrow. But I don't know if he stepped inside or not. "

  " Aight stranger, question number one, who are you? "

  " That's a complicated question to answer .. "

  The old man tensed the string of his bow.

  " Don't play stupid, I want a name. "

  " Glenn. "

  " Glenn? "

  " Yes, my name isn't good enough for you? Want me to send a pigeon and ask my parents why they named me that way too? "

  The old man took a step inside the house and with his foot closed the door behind him. " Fuck, welp that makes it harder to get out, but if I don't get poisoned I can win. '' Richard decided that before attacking he needed to gain any information he could.

  " And you? What's your name?"

  " It's none of your business, I'm asking the questions. "

  " Ok ... "

  " You said you were looking for someone, why? "

  " She is a friend, we just want to get her back and we meant no harm. "

  " Friend huh? Weren't you the one saying you would knock her out and bring her back by force? "

  " How do you kn- "

  " I'M ASKING THE QUESTIONS!! "

  " ..."

  " I tracked you and your friend the moment you entered the forest, I attacked because of what you were saying. "

  " Listen, we don't mean any harm for real, you can trust me. "

  Richard heard the bow string tense again.

  " You can't even give me your name properly, Richard. "

  Richard let out a deep sigh. " He is sharp. "

  " Ok clearly you know her or you would not attack random travelers like this. I just want to see her and talk ok? Who is she to you? "

  " I don't know her, I just don't want anyone attacking travelers in my forest. "

  Richard slowly turned his head to look at the man.

  " Lies, I've seen your journal, her name is mentioned in there. You know where she is don't you? "

  " ... "

  " She is someone important to you isn't she? You talked about a sanctuary, who are you protecting? "

  " I won't let anyone touch it ... no one will step on her sanctuary. "

  Taking advantage of this second of inattention, Richard quickly pivoted on himself and kicked the stool in the direction of the man. The hunter reacted and ducked, he tensed his bow string and let out and arrow that narrowly missed Richard's leg. Realising he was getting rushed down, he quickly ran outside the house. He then remembered that Richard could accelerate and catch up in a matter of second. He looked behind him and saw Richard kneeled at the entrance of the house and the entire building was shaking. The wooden floor cracked under the pressure of Richard's magic being released from his legs and feet. The hunter dived to the side and managed to dodge Richard's tackle. The two of them rolled to the ground and a chase ensued. Everytime Richard was close to catching the old man, he was managing to dodge him but at the same time he could not land a shot on him either. The hunter jumped over a fallen tree and shot towards Richard at the same time. He dodged by side stepping the arrow and dived over the tree. When he stood up an arrow was already lined up and coming his way. " I can't dodge it! ". Just before the arrow was about to hit him, Konnor emerged from the forest and jumped in front of him, the arrow bounced straight off his back.

  " What are you doing here?! "

  " I'm saving your life idiot! "

  The two of them looked at the hunter and he was already running away further into the forest. Richard started running after him.

  " Ok, we get him together. "

  " Right behind you! "

  " Where is Mia!? "

  " I don't know, when I saw you about to get hit I ran in! "

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Running through the forest, they were keeping their eyes on him. At some point the hunter stopped and looked at the both of them but didn't aim his bow, as if he was waiting for them to step closer. All of a sudden, Konnor was stopped as if he had bumped into an invisible wall while Richard kept running forward. Completely taken by surprise the hunter did not have time to move out of the way and got tackled by Richard. The both of them rolled down a small hill. On the way down they bounced off a few rocks and trees. Richard's descent came to an end and he landed so hard on his back that the wind got knocked out of him. His blurry vision allowed him to see the hunter stagger away. Frustrated, Richard let out a scream of rage.

  " Get back heeere!!! "

  He had lost sight of him and ran blindly through the forest, after a while he was completely out of breath and took a breather by putting his hands on his knees. " Where did this bastard go? ". A strong cough to his left gave him the answer, he took out his dagger and pushed away some bushes ready to fight again. The sight he discovered was not what he expected. He stumbled on the pitiful sight of the hunter coughing heavily and groaning in pain due to a piece of wood stuck in his side. The man smiled at Richard but coughed up blood.

  " You ain't looking too great now old man. "

  " Stranger, will you .. will you please take me to the sanctuary? I feel like I will need to say my goodbyes. "

  Feeling pity for the dying man, he decided to accept.

  " I guess I can do this for you. "

  Richard helped the old man up and assisted him on his way to the sanctuary. After a short walk they stumbled upon a circle of trees marked by illuminated runes. At the center of the circle was placed a giant stone with carvings on it and a few runes. " An obelisk? " Richard looked around in search of an eventual trap.

  " Won't these hurt us? "

  " Not me at least, but you are special too, earlier you were not stopped by it while your young companion was. Go on stranger. "

  Somehow, Richard decided to believe him and simply walked forward. He entered the circle and felt like he was passing through a barrier of heat, the contrast with the previous cold air of the night was a strange change to him. They walked up to the giant stone and Richard helped the hunter lay against it.

  " So this is your sanctuary huh? "

  " Am I so close to my last breath that my voice has gone that faint? I believe I said so. "

  " Well I'm sorry things happened this wa-"

  "Someone is coming ! "

  Richard could hear footsteps coming from the other side of the stone, he covered the old man's mouth to keep him from making a noise. The footsteps were getting closer and closer and came to a stop right in front of the stone. From the other side Richard could tell the person just sat down against the stone. A familiar voice started to speak from the other side, a voice Richard had craved to hear for weeks.

  " Hi mom, this is the Circadium again. I mean you should know because I always visit at the same time. I still work as an herborist like you taught me, ever since you have been gone I have tried to stay away from people as much as possible because .. because I was scared they would leave me too. I still see Talia but there is nothing between us, I don't think there will be anything ever again, she is still a great friend. But guess what? I met someone incredible. The first time we met, I was trying to act indifferent but my heart already knew I think. The second time, I was annoyed by them and then I was scared of getting attached. After that everything went so fast, we just connected, as if we were fated to understand each other. He is a human male that can use magic, do you believe that? And from what he says, he is the son of a king. I'm in love with a prince. " She chuckled a little bit but then sighed. " But he manages to make me feel like a princess, like I'm the most important person in the whole world. I feel like I can rely on him and I do not have the need to feel crushed by responsibilities. But I'm scared of going back, because eventually, the same thing that happened to you and your mom is starting to happen to me. And I refuse to let him go through seeing me this way. " A long silence fell on the burial site. Richard could feel her sorrow and understood that she was crying when he could hear her speak. '' I'm so scared mom ... I don't want this to happen to me too, I don't want to lose him. Somedays I think I have changed but I'm still like a little girl lost in the forest ... I wish, I wish I wasn't feeling so alone. I wish he was here right now, holding me in his arms telling me it's going to be alright. "

  The old man took Richard's hand from his mouth and whispered into his ear.

  " Just go now you idiot, I won't die just yet. "

  Richard stood up and walked around the rock, there she was, sat down against the rock, her knees against her torso and her face buried in her hands. Richard felt at a loss of words seeing her in such a state of despair. He decided to let his instinct and his heart speak for him. He sat down next to her and stood there silent for a few seconds.

  " Hey dad, you aren't gone from this world yet but to me you might as well be gone because you never wanted me. You don't even know I exist, I grew up thinking I needed to stand out in order for you to one day acknowledge me, for you to be proud of your rejected son. I almost got my best friend killed to do that and the day I finally met you, you looked at me like I was nothing, just another sword in your army, just another soldier in your ranks. But you know what? I don't need you, I never did. I found someone who makes me feel needed, someone I can trust and I can still learn from. I realised that there was a void inside of me and I thought I needed your presence, your love and validation, but all I needed was her. She is smart, she is beautiful, even though she tries to push people away it is always with a kind heart and thinking about them first. She has been hurt for so long, your crusade against witches is one of the reasons she is so hurt but you still taught me something valuable dad, a lesson about hearts. That yours is non-existent, that hers is the most precious thing in the whole world and .. " Richard turned his head to look at her face, the moonlight was making the tears on her cheeks shine like diamonds, on the right side of her face was a strand of immaculate white hair, he wiped one of her tears with his hand. She missed his touch so badly that she simply grabbed his hand like he was going to disappear. His hand felt like burning iron on her cold cheek but she didn't want to let go, Richard pulled her in closer to him. " .. and that my heart will be forever hers. "

  Finally after weeks away from each other, they exchanged a passionate kiss. Isabella was feeling a tornado of emotions, she had so many questions but right now all she desired was to be connected to him. She pulled back from the kiss to look at him, he was looking way more frail than when she last saw him, he also looked paler. " He seems so tired. "

  " Richard, how did you get here? How did you find me? "

  " It's a very long and complicated story but there is someone we need to tend to first. "

  Richard stood up and took Bella's hand to lead her to the other side of the stone, she discovered the hunter but he wasn't alone, a small translucent creature with yellow eyes was kneeled next to him and was emitting light from her hands. The creature looked at Bella and showed all her teeth to her but then focused back onto the hunter's wound. Bella kneeled next to the old man and touched his face in a reassuring manner.

  " Elias ?! Are you ok? "

  " I'm fine, thanks to this young Miryan."

  The name Elias rang a bell in Richard's head.

  " Wait, Elias .. you are Torik's father .. "

  " Was. My son passed away long ago. "

  " But isn't that where Magnolia is buried? "

  Isabella turned around with a look of surprise.

  " You read the journal, didn't you? "

  Richard simply nodded, the light on Mia's ends faded and where the piece of wood was previously stuck there was now a round scar. The small creature sat down and crossed it's legs. Richard approached her and gently patted her head.

  " Thanks for helping Mia. "

  Mia smiled at the compliment and pointed at Elias and then Isabella.

  " Friends. "

  " Yes they are, and so are you. "

  Isabella was looking at Richard with a look of shock.

  " Bella? What's wrong? "

  " How did you befriend a Miryan? "

  " A what now? "

  " They are guardians of the forests, born from the pure magical energy that lies in places where magic is strong. But it is rare to see them as they only perform miracles when needed, most of them avoid humans. It seems this one likes you enough to stick around and even call you a friend. "

  " I'm just that charming I guess. "

  " Ahah, ok mister magic don't get too arrogant now. Elias, can you stand? "

  The old man painfully groaned as he attempted to move his body.

  " The healing took every last bit of my strength that was left. Can your prince charming here carry me or do I have to sing his praises too? "

  " Come here old man, don't abuse my kindness. "

  Richard raised Elias and started carrying him on his back.

  " Ow fuck! Careful young man, I may be healed but it still hurts, also you can stick your kindness where the sun wont shine, it's because of you that I ended up with a spike in my guts!"

  " Keep complaining and I will drop you. "

  Bella gave Richard a slight punch in the shoulder.

  " Ow! "

  " Stop annoying him! He is my grandpa so respect him! "

  " Hmmm. "

  The little group started walking away from the burial site and headed towards Elias's home. They had to climb back up the hill they fell from, coming from over the hill they could hear a voice calling out for Richard through the night.

  " Rich'! Rich'! "

  "Konnor! We are ok! "

  " Oh thank the creator, I still haven't found Mia. "

  " She is with us! We are coming! "

  The small group carefully walked up the hill and ended up finding Konnor standing behind the invisible barrier that prevented him from continuing the chase. He smiled when he saw Isabella and Mia but tensed up as he saw the old man on Richard's back.

  " Why are you carrying this geezer's dead body? "

  Elias raised his head to look the young man in the eyes.

  " I'm not dead yet you fool!"

  " Ok I got two questions then, why and how? "

  " The little Myrian here that you call Mia healed me."

  " Oh, again I'm sorry to ask but HOW and WHY?!? "

  Elias let out a sigh of frustration and turned to Richard.

  " Does he always ask so many questions? "

  " Everyday ... "

  " My poor man, no wonder you seemed desperate to find someone else to talk to. "

  Bella could not hold back her laughter at their banter and realised it had been weeks since she last smiled or laughed. His simple presence was making her feel like life wasn't that hard anymore and that somehow she had the strength to keep going. The small group headed back to Elias's house. Once inside, Richard dropped him onto his bed, Isabella sat on the stool while the rest sat on the ground. Richard had a question he absolutely had to ask to Elias.

  " Elias, can I ask you why you were guarding this sanctuary? "

  " Before my son passed, he made me promise to watch over his wife and daughter. I could teach him all the skills and all the ways to heal but I could never teach him how to heal his heart." Elias was fixing the ceiling and the words were stuck in his throat. " He took his own life when he learned of Magnolia's death, despair overcame him and the darkness took him away from me. He loved that woman more than anything. I found little Isabella at the center of this sanctuary that she had made herself. She knew that if she stayed she would not be happy, so I swore to protect her mom's last resting place for her. "

  " I'm sorry to hear that Elias. Your son, was lucky to have such an amazing father. "

  " I'm not so sure about that.. "

  Elias rolled over to the side and turned his back to the rest of the room, trying to catch some rest. Richard yawned and laid down as if he wanted to sink into the floor of the shack.

  " Personally I'm exhausted, I think I'm going to drop instantly. "

  Konnor tucked himself into his cape.

  " Same, I can't wait to be out of this forest. "

  Isabella was watching outside with an air of melancholy. Richard noticed her look of worry." Something is troubling her. ". Richard was so exhausted that he barely realised he had fallen asleep. His eyes closed on the vision of her back, so frail yet strong as she looked like she was shouldering the burdens of the world.

  When he woke up, it was still nighttime but Isabella was missing. Elias was still on the bed while Konnor and Mia were sleeping next to each other. Richard stood up and stretched a bit. "Let's see if I can still find where she is now. ". His magic compass was getting better and better after weeks of use, with barely any effort he could tell in which direction she went and how far she was. Richard stepped outside the house and started walking into the forest lit by the moon. The cold air was making him shivering but he decided to keep walking. He approached what seems to be one of the extinct volcanoes he saw previously and could tell she was there. Richard kept walking and eventually discovered a peculiar sight. He stumbled upon a flat terrain where there was water inside of holes and it was steaming. " Natural hot waters? ". In one of those, was standing the pale naked figure of Isabella.

  " Do you mind if I join you Bella? "

  His voice startled her. " How does he manage to move so silently at all times? "

  " You scared me.. "

  " I'm sorry that was not my intention, what is going on Bella? "

  " ... "

  " Listen, I know we don't know that much about each other and still have much to learn and I'm ready to go at the rhythm you need, I don't want to rush you. "

  " Can you do me a favor then? "

  " Anything you want. "

  " Can you get in but just put your back against mine? "

  Richard simply nodded and started undressing, he unclipped his cape, took off his weapons and belt. He then took his shirt off revealing his tattoos and many scars. Realising she was staring at him undressing, Bella turned around. A few seconds later she could hear him step inside the warm water, he then pressed his back against hers and waited in silence.

  " Richard, the reason I left and didn't think I would come back is this. "

  She held out a strand of white hair.

  " I've been having nightmares, my hair has slowly been turning white, just like my mom, and her mom before her. I saw what it did to their partners and I don't want it to happen to you either. I care about you. You saw the journal so you are aware of what is going to happen to me, I'm going to slowly lose my mind, until I can no longer be the person I once was. " Tears were now flowing from her eyes. " I don't want to .. I don't want to become someone else other than the woman you fell in love with. I don't want you to stop loving m- "

  She got interrupted by Richard hugging her from behind, she could feel him shaking, it's when she fell tears on her shoulders that she realised how hurt he was.

  " How could you say such a thing? I told you, my heart is yours, and it will beat for you even if it gets ripped out of my chest, it will beat for you until I draw my last breath. I am here with you till the end. "

  She turned around and looked him in the eyes, his beautiful grey eyes were more piercing than ever, he leaned forward and rested his forehead on hers. They both closed their eyes and reveled in their silent exchange. No more words were needed, their bodies were now doing the communication. She wished this moment could last forever, just the two of them in the world, just enjoying the touch of the other bathed in the warm waters of extinct volcanoes. Their noses were touching, they looked into each other's eyes and ended up exchanging the most passionate of kisses. So passionate that the already hot water started heating up and boiling around them. Their skins were burning hot but they did not care, they didn't want this to end. Lacing her arms around his neck she abandoned herself to him completely, at this moment, the both of them made the following pact.

  " He is my moon in the night,

  she is my sun in the day,

  and for our love we will fight,

  despite what fate has coming our way. "