Omega's Rebirth

Dante heaved a quiet sigh as he walked through the forest in search of some fresh water to refill the water skins.

They had run out of water amongst many other things, the supplies they had procured before leaving Fort Blazed would be exhausted soon and Dante hoped they would soon get past this forest and arrive at the next human settlement.

Of course, Dante could always forage for supplies but he just did not know if Estelle would adjust easily to such, she was one who had always lived in abundance.

As Dante moved at a relaxed pace, his mind was occupied by worrisome thoughts.

Though Dante tried his best not to think too much of all that had happened in the past days,

It was not because he truly was not bothered, it was only because he did not want Estelle to sense his concerns.

Between the both of them, Dante knew Estelle relied on him to be the strong party in this turbulent time and Dante could not disappoint her.

It had already a week since they left and Dante could sense Estelle’s despair that seemed to grow deeper the farther away from Fort Blazed they travelled.

Dante had spoken nothing of it, he did not know how to offer comfort to Estelle or what exactly would be the right words to say.

Where there any words that could be considered right to say when the entire Fort Blazed had disappeared right before Estelle’s eyes, taking her father and loved ones along with it?

Creator alone knew just what had happened to Fort Blazed but Dante did not dare think the worse, he could only believe as Estelle did that everything would be resolved once they arrived Dragon Keep.

This was to be the first time in Dante’s life that he would travel at such a slow pace like a human, it was difficult for Dante himself to adjust though he did not let it show.

There was no other choice but this available to them and so Dante could only do his best.

However, Dante did feel regretful that his troubles had also come at such an inopportune time.

If Dante could still shift at the least, they would already have a solution by now and the more the days passed by, the greater the anxiety grew.

Dante shook off his thoughts when he finally arrived at the stream where he crouched down and began filling p the water skins.

As Dante went about this, he suddenly took notice of something he should have been mindful enough to notice much earlier.

The forest all around Dante was quiet and still, so much so that it was suspicious.

It felt as though the forest was much too quiet to be possible at such a time and Dante’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, his brows furrowing into a deep frown.

"Something is offf here." Dante murmured to himself in a low tone as he quickly filled the water skins and made his way back to Estelle.

Arriving where he had left Estelle, Dante found she was now seated by s tree and had drifted off to sleep.

Dante stored away the water skin on their horses before he headed over to Estelle and crouched down beside her.

"Elle? Elle, wake up." Dante called to Estelle as he lightly shook her awake.

Estelle was completely unresponsive and did not react to Dante’s attempts in the slightest, she remained perfectly still, her eyes shut and her expression peaceful.

"Come on Elle, now is not the time, we need to be out of here as soon as possible." Dante whispered urgently as he attempted to shake Estelle awake once again but it was ultimately a fruitless attempt.

Dante’s brows furrowed in concern as he spared a glance around their immediate surrounding.

Dante’s senses did not pick up on any strange scents or any sound of movement, and it did not seem like there was anyone else present in the forest but them.

However, Dante still could not be rest assured. His instincts were completely on edge, and he could not even tell why.

"There is just something about this forest." Dante murmured to himself as he placed a palm down on the ground, his eyes fluttering closed.

Dante tuned his senses, in an attempt to pinpoint exactly why he was so uneasy but try as he might, he could not sense anything.

Dante heaved a quiet sigh, he knew for sure that his instincts had never once failed him, if he was so uneasy then there would definitely be good cause.

It was still best to be on the safe side, this forest just would not do it and though Dante knew Estelle was already exhausted from riding non stop with barely any rest stop, he knew they could not tarry here for too long.

"Elle, wake up. We have to get out of this forest. Wake up." Dante whispered urgently but Estelle still did not respond.

It was at that moment Dante began to realize that what was off about this forest was perhaps right before his eyes.

Estelle could not be in a sleep so deep that she would not respond to Dante’s calls, there had to be something wrong.

"Elle! Elle!" Dante called, shaking Estelle’s shoulders with more urgency but Estelle was still completely unresponsive.

"Scales! What happened to you?!" Dante exclaimed in panic, immediately regretting leaving Estelle by herself.

These past days, Dante had stuck to Estelle’s side, he had been the one watching over and protecting her.

This time, Estelle assured him to go without worries and she would wait for him right at that spot,

Dante realized now that he should never have left her.

"Elle, we have to leave." Dante said firmly as he lifted Estelle up into his arms and carried her over to his horse.

Just as Dante placed Estelle on his horse, he felt a heavy force hit him at the back of his head and Dante’s eyes widened,

He turned around sharply, facing his attacker right before he crumbled down to the ground unconscious.