The Blade Of God-Chapter 57: The Maze of Arcane (Slash II)

"This forest has got to be the most annoying thing ever created with magic." Clarke sighs, dodging another tree branch as her and Rel wander further into the forest. Clarke turns her head, watching as they pass the tied cloth to a small branch for the third time.

"It was for the Goddess, Persa." Rel said, smiling as Clarke bites her cheek in irritation--how cute--"God Hayden created the forest so no one would wonder to the Lake of Foretelling without reason--well except for us, but we do have reason..."

"I forgot about that tale..." Clarke said. "Thank Gods we didn’t run into that lake. Who knows what horrid things we’d see for our future."

"For a woman who is always so cheery, that’s a bit of a pessimistic view of things, no?" Rel asked. "

"W-well, as much as I’d love to be more hopeful," Clarke said. "The legend behind the lake isn’t so positive as my thoughts. It’s...it is scary, you know? Thinking that your future will contain something so...s-so horrible-."

"I am not sure why Ms. Clarke is worried." Rel said. "I-there is nothing I’d not sacrifice to make sure Ms. Clarke is safe and happy. You’re a lovely woman, Ms. Clarke. I’d only desire for your future to be just that-as lovely as you."

Clarke slowly turns her head, like she’s a robot with lose grease on her neck, and she lets out a voiceless scream as her neck and cheeks blossom’s red and her ears burn pink. She quickly turns her body and hurries forward, robotically moving her arms as she hustles ahead.

"H-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-how about w-we think of another method of getting out of h-h-here, hm?" Clarke asked, avoiding Rel’s soft eyes and sweet smile. "A-a-a-any ideas?"

"I can try calling upon wildlife." Rel said. "Maybe I can summon an animal or spring spirit to help us out!"

Rel slowly closes his eyes, hearing the wind pass his ears; the trees whistle and breeze. Rel hears the movements of pebbles and the cries of water rumbling near. Rel even hears Clarke’s labored breath, and he’s not sure, but he may have heard trees crashing to the ground at a far-away distance, yet no signs of life yet nearby.

"I hear nothing yet, oh wait-." Rel stills, waiting with bated breath as he hears the sound of buzzing, as if a small person is whipping through the air and headed towards their direction. "Not sure if that is a being, or a bee or-." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"I am not a bee!" A voice said, before Rel feels a tiny, yet very powerful kick to his nose. The attack is tiny yet so powerful it knocks Rel off his feet, sending him flying backwards and landing on his butt.

"Well, certainly that was no bee!" Rel exclaims, holding his pale, slim nose. "Bees are at least nice!"

"Whatever!" The voice calls from besides Rel. Rel raises an eyebrow, turning to his side to look down as Clarke slowly walks to where he resides, following him as she peers down at a tiny woman--the size of a small fairy-- laying on her side near Rel’s sprawled form.

"And whom might you be, pretty lady?" Clarke asked, watching as the small woman glares at Rel before whipping her head around, meeting eyes with a curious Clarke. "Wow! Are you a fairy? You’re so cute and tiny!"

"I-I am no fairy, no! But yes, I am cute. I am only tiny sometimes, though." The little lady said, gripping what appears to be a thick leaf in the form of a cruiser board, like the type of skating board Clarke’s seen the slum boys use to play around with their friends. "I am a Maiden, not a fairy! Maiden’s are so much better! And we’re stronger! And more beautiful!"

"I see, pretty Maiden-lady!" Clarke said, a soft smile on her pretty face. "What are you doing here, Ms. Maiden?"

"N-nothing in particular..." The small woman averts her eyes. "I h-happen to be on a small mission. Really small. And I saw Mister Green Leaf over here trying to summon some holy spirits which--ew--those spirits are so annoying!"

"I see..." Clarke said, exchanging a look with a disheveled, annoyed Rel as she softly chuckles, which causes Rel to smile in response. "Well we may need your help, little lady! Could you help us with something?"

The little woman--the Maiden with long pink hair and big, red eyes and thick pinks and green eyelashes and beautiful, deep brown skin--shyly looks up as she points to her leg, which Clarke notices has a deep scrap starting from her knees and ending at her ankle.

"H-holy Gods! Are you alright, Ms. Maiden?!" Clarke exclaims, rushing to scoop the small lady in her hands and examine her leg from up close. "That looks quite painful, no?"

"It is! Using my cruiser often comes with risk, it seems." The small lady mumbles, flinching as she tries to move her leg. "I’m in a bit of a pickle, it appears, so not sure if I could help and um-honestly, I’m not even sure if I should trust you...! I heard humans like to eat tasty-looking things, and I do look rather tasty..."

Clarke snorts, bursting out in laughter as she delicately brings herself to sit on her knees, cupping the small lady in her hands as she slowly raises her eyes to meet a memorized Rel, who’s staring at Clarke’s smiling face with shimmering eyes.

"If Sir Rel is alright with it," Clarke said, shyly looking at Rel with her warm eyes and Rel, Rel feels like he’s melting. "I-I think we can help you with your issue, if you can help us get out of here maybe?"

The small woman looks between Clarke and Rel before she scoffs, puckering her lips and placing her cheek in her hand.

"If pretty boy heals me up," the small woman said, raising her eyes at Clarke in anticipation. "I can see what I can do. ’Course, it’s gonna also cost ya’ something later."

Rel snorts, rolling his eyes as he spins his fingers, radiating a golden glow from his fingertips.

"We will then discuss such things later." Rel touches the injured woman’s legs, watching her flinch before she blinks, looking down at her now healed leg in awe. "In the meantime, you should be good to go young lady, but make sure to be more careful when you are out and about-."

"Whatever, old grumps!" The small woman wallows, causing Rel to gasp in offense, clutching his heart. "Now follow me, if you can keep up, of course!"

Clarke and Rel share a look before they both shrug, beginning to follow the small woman to whatever designation she leads them to.

"Oh and, the names’ Medusa!" The small lady--Medusa--chirps as her red eyes glow in mischievousness. "You probably will need to remember that soon!"