In the quiet depths of the forest, a young girl wept uncontrollably, her tears falling like gentle raindrops onto the earth below.
The sounds of her sorrow echoed through the trees, reaching the ears of Velian. With compassion in his eyes, he approached her, his gentle footsteps crunching on the forest floor.
Velian knelt beside the girl, his voice soft and soothing. "There, there. Don't cry, Inwomt harm you," he said, his voice carrying a comforting tone. "Can you tell me how you ended up here?"
The girl sniffled, her eyes red and puffy. "I-I don't remember," she stammered, her voice choked with emotion.
She shook her head, her short, tousled hair swaying in the wind.
The girl's name was Mia, and she was lost and frightened, with no recollection of how she found herself in the depths of the forest.
And Velian thought about telling her what really happened to her, but he decided against it as things might be too much for her, at least right now without anyone she can rely on.
Velian's heart ached for the young girl. Determined to help her, he made a decision. "Mia, I'm going to take you back to the village," he declared gently.
"There, we'll find a way to treat your infection and ensure your well-being. But first, I want you to meet the other villagers. They will welcome you with open arms and you need to meet your family,"
With hope twinkling in her eyes, Mia nodded in agreement. She wiped away her tears, allowing Velian to lift her gently onto his shoulder.
"Really? Are you trying to deceive me?" She asked, but Velian just shook his head.
"I have no reason to do that, I'm trying to help you, you're free to do what you want, but believe me for now," Velian said hoping she would understand, and she really did as she felt Velian was not lying to her.
Together, they ventured out of the outskirts of the village near the forest, following the faint path that led to the bustling village.
As they approached the village, the sounds of laughter and chatter grew louder. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, mixing with the scent of blooming flowers.
Velian's footsteps quickened, his anticipation growing as he led Mia through the village gates.
A group of villagers noticed the unfamiliar duo entering their midst and turned to face them.
Their expressions shifted from curiosity to concern as they noticed Mia's distressed state. One of the villagers, an elderly woman named Eliza, stepped forward, her eyes filled with surprise and tears.
"Nooooo way! No wayyyy! My daughter, she is back, where have you been?" Her voice was on the verge of breaking down from the pressure and happiness she felt.
***
In the heart of the village, a group of villagers stood in a circle, their eyes filled with despair.
They were gathered around a missing poster, their hearts heavy with worry and longing.
The village had been searching tirelessly for their lost girl, Mia, and their hopes had begun to dwindle, as weeks passed after not getting a clue about her.
Eliza her only relative and the grandmother were on the verge of getting sick just by imagining her granddaughter getting caught by some bandits or getting attacked by monsters.
But fate had a peculiar way of unfolding. As the villagers huddled together, their faces etched with sorrow, a figure emerged from the outskirts of the village.
It was Velian, his eyes brimming with determination and a touch of sadness. Behind him stood Mia, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion.
Before he took her to the village, Velian made sure to give her some clothes so the people won't misunderstand his intentions.
The villagers gasped in astonishment and relief. Whispers filled the air, a mix of hope and disbelief intertwining.
"Mia... is it truly her?" they murmured to one another, their voices laced with fragile hope.
Eliza, the girl's grandmother, stepped forward, her eyes searching for answers and worries about her granddaughter. "Who are you? Where did you find her?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of hope and caution.
She was not asking it friendly as she suspected that Velian might have done something to her.
"Calm down! I will explain everything but first, let me introduce myself," Since he had nothing to do in this village anymore decided to tell them the story and ask them to be careful.
"My name is Velian Keller, as you might know, the first royalty bloodline of the Kelleros Kingdom," As soon as they heard his words, everyone just jolted from the spots that they were standing in shock and took a quick and good look at their new king.
They didn't know whether he was telling the truth or not, but they had to believe at least for now, as the things were not looking good.
Velian took a deep breath, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "And I found her in the outskirts of the village," he began, his words slow and deliberate. "But something had happened to her."
Velian hesitated for a minutes, bit at the end he decided to tell the truth because they deserve to k ow about it.
"She had transformed into a monstrous creature, barely recognizable."
The villagers exchanged alarmed glances, their expressions shifting from relief to apprehension.
Fear crept into their hearts, for they had not expected such a revelation. They took a step back, creating a cautious distance between themselves and Mia.
Except her grandmother everyone else quickly went back showing they were believing what Velian said.
"..."
Mia's gaze dropped to her own body, her hands trembling. Her eyes widened with horror as she noticed the strange markings, the distorted finger, and the feral presence that emanated from within her.
Tears welled up in her eyes, her heart heavy with the weight of her monstrous form.
However, amidst the fear and uncertainty, a flicker of compassion shone in the eyes of the villagers.
They knew this was still their beloved Mia, despite whatever she was going through. The village had known her since she was a child, and their love for her ran deep.
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