- Usually there were two guards posted at the entrance of the village. Even on nightshifts, there weren't anything too dangerous in Ruben Forest.
- The creatures were not violent, and they were on friendly terms with the nearby human village. The guards were talking to each other, but looked around when Rena told them her concerns.
 Ta'al: You're right. It is more quiet than usual.- Etna: Well, some nights are just quiet.
 Rena: But don't you think it's too quiet? It's night, but there should be some spirits around...- The two guards hummed, but they couldn't think of a cause.
- Ta'al: I don't know. What do you think, Etna?
- Etna: Huh? No clue. I thought you would know better than I would...
- Ta'al just shrugged.
- Ta'al: It could be because the spirits were bored. It is quiet here at night.
- The guards tried to reassure her, but she was still worried. Her senses were warning her that something was wrong.
- Rena: You could be right... But it's still odd that it's abandoned like this.
- Ta'al: We'll keep our eyes open. Since the spirits might have ran away because there's some kind of threat.
- Etna: Thanks for letting us know. It was why you're awake? You can go back to bed. We'll protect the village, there's nothing to be worried about.
- Rena: .......
- Rena: Will do! I'll see you around.
- Rena smiled and waved the guards goodbye. Once she arrived home, she picked up her bow and left the village through the forest pathway away from the guards.
- Rena: .......
- Rena: I don't sense them in the forest... And I don't hear as many critters
- Rena pauses and listened to the sound of the forest. With all her focus on her hearing, she could gather more information.
- It wasn't just the critters. While most may think of night as a time of rest, some creatures started their day in the middle of the night. Night had it's own rules and sounds.
- But Rena couldn't hear a single thing. Not the sound of animals stepping on grass, of snakes slithering, or birds flapping their wings, or any growls or cries.
- Rena: Something's wrong. It doesn't seem normal... What should I do?
- There were no other signs except a lack of noise, but Rena felt like she knew this feeling. Like she experienced something similar before.
- Rena: Let's keep thinking... Ruben Forest is too big to hope to stumble into the problem.
- Of course, even if you lose the way, you could always follow the Tree of El to find yourself back on path.
- Rena: ... That's it.
- Rena: I'll head to the Tree of El since the spirits usually like to gather around there.
|
The Elf Who Overcame Her Nightmare 1
