Villain's Second Heart: Trapped in A Fantasy Novel (BL)-Chapter 17: Ferin Village

"Boy, it sure seems busy," Ezra remarked.

He took a look around the village. It looked like any fantasy town he'd ever imagined - except for the fact that there was not a single human in sight. This place was fully inhabited by the demihumans known as 'Ferin'.

The Ferin were truly an altogether unique race, and none of them necessarily looked like each other. Many were covered in fur-skin, while others had smooth, natural skin visible, like his.

Some were a mix of hairy and smooth. Others were covered in scales, and some in billowing plumage. All sorts of tails, claws, hooves, and paws danced around his vision. Ears of every shape. People of every height. What a miraculous place!

They were stopped at the front of town by a Ferin guardsman. He was a tall fellow who looked more 'wolf' than human—other than the fact that he stood on two legs, of course.

"Hey, Decoy!" his voice was deep and masculine, and his demeanor gave the impression he had been in a fight or two - and won. "You're in early."

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Deek tapped Ezra's arm to direct Wolfman's attention to him.

"Got a lost human here who can't go to Asteria for personal reasons. Trying to figure out what to do with him."

"Er...hi, I'm the lost human," Ezra said nervously.

"Refugee from the north, or Asteria?"

"Neither?"

"Where are you from, then?"

Ezra scratched the back of his head. "It's kind of a funny story..."

The Wolf Ferin shook his head. "There are no other humans here, if that's what you're looking for. No work for someone like you, either. You're welcome to stay at the inn, as long as you're paying."

It wasn't the warm reception Ezra wanted - but maybe the one he expected. Seemed he'd have to wait a little longer to find a place he'd be accepted.

"Move along. See you around, Deek."

The village hummed with life. Laughter and chatter filled the air, accompanied by the rhythmic clatter of wooden tools against stone. The scent of freshly tilled earth mingled with the faint musk of animal pelts. Ezra found himself lost in the moment, wanting to see as much of this place as he could.

He started to rush down a side street, but Deek grabbed him by the back of his shirt. "Not so fast!"

She yanked him back onto the main road. "I dunno if you caught Mr. Wolfy's vibes, but your kind ain't exactly welcome here. Humans have brought nothing but suffering to the Ferin people - at least those Asteria meatheads. We didn't start living apart from humans because we wanted to. We did it cause we had to."

"What happened between the Ferin and Asteria?"

Deek huffed, blowing her bangs out of her eyes and stopping in the middle of the street. Passerby and carts veered around them in a circle as she spoke quietly to him, as to not be overheard.

"Same thing that happened to Mr. Nephilim. Ferin are known to have a lot of magic, you know. And Asteria hasn't always sent us to the 'Royal Magic Academy'. There was a time that they saw us as threats. They used to send their own Magicians after ours. Hunted us for sport."

Ezra's stomach twisted. This wasn't just ancient history. The way Deek spoke, the gravity of her words...it was all still fresh.

Ezra frowned. "Deek, that's horrible. I'm sorry..."

"That was a long time ago, buddy. Nothing to apologize for now. Tensions may have improved, but a 'Ferin Never Forgets'."

She tapped her temple. "You'd be smart to remember that."

There was some kind of commotion when they arrived to the main square - the crowds were so thick they couldn't make it through to the market. Deek stamped her feet in the ground, frustrated.

"What the heck is all this about. Hey!" she smacked a nearby villager on the arm to get his attention - a burly, lizard-type.

"What's the big idea? I can't get to any of the shops!"

The lizard-man flicked his tongue like an iguana catching flies. "The heeeero is in town tooooday."

His voice was robotic, and a bit gurgly. His wide throat expanded when he spoke.

"The hero!? No way, you mean Mr. Rav!?"

"Yeees. The Great Saaaage of the Clouds."

Deek grabbed Ezra's arm and bounced up and down excitedly. "Mr. Rav is here!" she exclaimed. "You know what that means, right?"

"You can turn your homework in?"

"Well, yeah," Deek blushed. "But not just that! Listen, if anyone can send you on the right path, it's gonna be him! Let's go before he gets away!"

Deek started to push her way through the crowd - quite aggressively. She seemed to have no qualms about pushing people out of the way as she forced her way through the mass of Ferin.

Everyone around was gathering in the circle just for a chance to see this 'Mr. Rav'. Ezra was amazed - he must truly be a big deal, to get this amount of attention.

He followed after Deek as best he could, saying 'Excuse me' and 'Pardon me' every few seconds as he slipped through the gaps Deek left behind.

Eventually, they broke through to the center of the crowd. That was the first time Ezra ever laid eyes on the 'Sage of the Clouds'.

Rav, as he was called, was not a tall Ferin - but his vivacious personality made him larger-than-life. He stood on a crate right in the center of the market, his arms outstretched as he basked in his glory.

"Yes, thank you, thank you," he smirked as the people showered him in admiration. His cute cat ears twitched in every direction as he soaked up the praises of the people. He seemed more celebrity than hero, from Ezra's perspective.

He was stunning, as well. Beautiful enough that even Ezra took pause to stare at him. He was fit, athletic, mostly human-looking save for a few catlike features, such as his long tail. He used it like a third arm, and brandished a folding fan he was using to fan himself with.

His thick white hair was a mop on his head, and men and women alike reached for him just for the chance he'd touch their hand.

He gave a wink to someone in the crowd and pointed at them. Immediately after, his eyes - brilliant, bright blue, brighter than the sky - locked with Ezra's.

He was looking directly at the human, and as he did, his demeanor immediately shifted.

'Uh oh.'