HELPING A STRANGER

Alenna Delevingne

"Kill him!"

A loud yell and the noise of running people awakened me from a deep sleep here under a lofty tree.

I immediately get up, wondering what is currently happening around me since my mind still seems to be floating in the clouds.

"What a nuisance!" I lazily yawned as I crept, slowly standing up, grasping the trunk of the tree, and looking around the area where I could hear a sound.

I quickly hid myself when I saw a man running, slip, and fall on the ground. He's wearing a torn white dress full of fresh blood stains, and I can clearly see a lot of cuts and bruises all over his body.

The man looked so weak and exhausted while catching his breath, trying to stand up as he kneeled, but it looked like his knees couldn't carry his body weight anymore, so he fell on the ground again.

"Poor one!" I mumble while looking at the pitiful man, who's clearly fighting so hard to save his life that when he can't stand up anymore, he starts crawling just to move.

I smirked while watching him, thinking how persistent he was to stay alive.

"He's there!" A total of seven assassins in black suits and cloaks are running towards the man; only their terrifying eyes are visible on their faces.

Such bullies! Seven monsters versus one weakling! It looks like they've been hunting down this man like rats. They surrounded the helpless man and pointed their swords at him.

One of them stamped his foot on his left hand. "Stop struggling now, little boy," he said as he crushed his hand and kicked his face. In his sharp, dark-black eyes, there was a deep murderous intent.

The man spit blood as he flopped on the ground near the other assassin, and then everyone else started to stamp their feet everywhere on his body.

I clench my little hands as well as my teeth while watching the merciless assassins stamp and kick him. I want to gnaw on them with my teeth, but I don't want to get into trouble too.

These assassins looked strong and powerful; it seems like they're cultivators, but they're just like little rats to me.

"I promised! I will do my best not to interrupt others' businesses and keep away from troubles!" I clearly remember what I promised my father before I left the city.

Geez! I badly want to show up and play with these arrogant assassins, but all I can do now is watch them kill this helpless man.

I'm always stubborn, and I often cause trouble, but I really hate it when someone is being bullied and having an unfair fight in front of me.

Not too long after they finally stopped, the man was lying down on the ground, facing the sky with his unreadable face.

After all the beatings, I can see no resentment in his eyes. He even smiled when one of the assassins thrust his sword into his chest; blood flowed from his lips before his eyes closed.

I guess he knows very well who is behind these assassins, but I wonder why he's not even showing a little resentment on his face. Is he stupid or just a strong person accepting his doom?

"He's already dead. Let's leave his body to be eaten by wild animals and beasts here." It looks like this man speaking is the leader of the assassins.

"Alright, boss! We can go now and get the other half of the payment," one of the assassins said.

"Let's go!" The leader replied and laughed like a devil; its sound seemed to echo around this forest as he walked away.

I waited for a few seconds until they weren't in my sight anymore.

I run into the man and crouch beside him. I stretch my hands and lay them under his nose to check if he's still breathing, but it looks like he is dead already.

Well, I already expected this to happen because, while watching lately, I can see in their eyes that they will never leave him, not unless he's dead.

Nevertheless, I took a deep breath and summoned my magical wand. I can still sense his spirit inside his body, so I can still wake him up.

I gathered my energy and slowly blew some air towards his nose, saying, "Wake up!" I woke up his spirit while pointing my wand at his chest, and then his heart started to beat again.

His eyes slowly opened. "Help!" A breathy voice came out of his lips. He kept on whispering while looking at me with his blank eyes until he lost consciousness again.

For a moment, I was so meticulous about his appearance. He has thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, a pointed nose, and cute reddish lips. I can see no scars on his pale face.

I checked his hands and rubbed his palm; it was so soft and smooth, like a lady's. I grin as I look at my palm, which is full of calluses.

"Ale!" I heard a manly voice, and when I turned my head around to see who was calling, I saw Feirro approaching.

Feirro is undeniably the strongest werewolf in our city. He is the current alpha of the Blue Moon pack, the second wealthiest and strongest pack, next to our Magenta Haze pack.

Magenta Haze pack's alpha has been the leader of the city of Nalaknabak, the leader of all packs, for ten thousand years already. However, it looks like my generation will be the end of our dominance.

I am the only child of the family, and there are already a lot of conflicts with my father's leadership, together with the false rumor that our wealth is declining.

Since we are mixed with witches and wizards, there is an unbreakable rule in our city. Only a wolf can be the leader.

At the age of 18, I am already known as the unbeatable witch. I can secretly transform into a white cat, but never into my wolf form, which I can show off in the crowd.

I have been pampered with attention, care, and love by my parents since I was young. However, to prevent the rebellion and keep our bloodline as the rulers of Nalaknabak, they have to force me into marrying Feirro as soon as possible.

His eyes were suddenly filled with dismay when he reached just a few steps away from me, staring at the half-dead man lying beside me.

"What happened to him?" His voice was husky.

"It's a long story! I will tell you later!" I stand up and squint my eyes as I look around. "This man urgently needs a physician. You said a while ago that we were already near the gate of Dolocab Kingdom, right? We should hurry up."

While crouching and checking the wounds of the man I saved, he replied, "He's half-dead already, and blood continues to flow out of his wounds. He can't make it to the kingdom."

I gaped out of disappointment since I badly wanted to save this man.

"Why don't you just call your fairy friend, Joque? She's a healer, and we are still here inside her territory anyway."

His last sentence made me smile. I can feel the warmth of joy inside my heart.

"You are right; we are still in the forest of Nalyamamih, and she can surely hear me if I call her here."

I turned around immediately, summoned my wand, waved it three times, moved it closer to my mouth, and closed my eyes.

"Joque, can you hear me? I need your help now!" I whispered to the wind.

I immediately felt her presence, and when I opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful fairy in a light green gown made of shining silk. The morning sun was just right, and the bright golden light accentuated the outline of her tall and graceful figure.

"Joque!" I smiled as I looked directly into her shiny gray eyes.

I really admire her beauty—such a perfect shape of face, pointed nose, and pinkish lips that totally fit her little bit of curl and blonde hair.

"I was busy with my little garden. Such a troublesome kid. What do you need from me?" She asked, looking around, and when she saw the man lying on the ground, she quickly walked towards him without even waiting for my answer.

"Move aside!" He told Feirro, and he immediately nodded, stood up, and walked towards me without saying a word.

We just watch for Joque's next move. She's not really a good healer, and actually, in their fortress, she's the most inferior healer. I wonder if she can save him from death.

Joque faced her right palm towards him, and a golden light started to come out of her hands and go straight to his heart. As his heart absorbed the light, his bruises and wounds slowly disappeared.

It was about a minute before Joque stopped healing him and turned around to face me and Feirro.