Chapter 3: ✴WHAT KIND OF WONDERLAND?✴

"Dèbè fìhwè àgkìlò."

"Minmenàì aßloþ ba ďeķìa?"

Distinct voices and strange sounds.

"Hiò ģrìòĺè fìeŕbe abìmò. Mhìeeď hìòhjer aĺem?"

"Amèkìko?"

My eyes were heavy, as if I had gone into some strenuous work and was now on the process of recovering.

I was sure the sun was up. I could feel its gentle warm dabbing my skin. I thought it would be cloudy today. The weather forecast said so. Well, I guess climate change was doing its work pretty serious.

Lazily, I opened my eyes but then shut it again. Was I in an open field? The light was blinding and that luminous celestial body seemed to be sitting just around the corner. As if it was possible. For moment, I stopped thinking and relaxed my mind as a mild pang settled in.

The blabbering continued. I was forced to finally lift my eyelids and sat in haste.

"Ouch!" I slanted my head while holding it with both arms. I just felt dizzy. "My, did I fall while walking?"

I looked around. I'm in the middle of a forest which without doubt, not familiar to me. It was my first time seeing the scenery. Where am I?

There comes the noise again. I irritatedly shifted my sight to where it came from. The heck? Time froze, I must have hit my head hard causing me to see things not existing.

Was I lethargic?

"Ah!" I sprang faster than someone who had intestinal evacuations.  This weren't real. It couldn't be.

I receded gradually, away from those three green creatures. They didn't attempt to move, the sack-like body stayed still for a while. I knew they were talking about me, I could tell it by the looks of their---er face? They didn't have a nose at all, only eight eyes divided into two columns and an elephant like trunk curled on each side of their heads. Their medium size mouth opened, revealing  two teeth up and another two below, probably a size larger than ice cubes.

I stood straight. What a relief, they were just half my height but their body were thick and fluffy.

"What are you?" I could be so stupid sometimes.

All they did was rumble and glance at me from time to time. Tell me how creepy  it was seeing twenty four eyes watching you. Wait, must they be contemplating how to eat me? I shivered.

This should be a dream. But no matter how I tried to convince myself that this weren't true, I couldn't do.

I was confused and as well as scared. For the first time, I wasn't sure. No calculations and facts stored in my brain could induce coherent reasons for these. I'm lost.

Pull yourself together, Rohama. Was I weak for thinking of crying? Jeez!

My dilemma was even greater when I sensed an alarmed reaction coming from them. Their little fingers were pointing something.

I hesitated to look back, I was afraid to do so. My sight remained fixed at the soil beneath me.

Sounds of hooves filled my ears. Something was coming but I don't want to know what. I knew they were nearing, and when the place was quiet again, I took the courage to elevate my face.

Men who were riding horses? No. That was technically wrong. The animals' eyes glistened, like some diamonds in an auction room and their colors were blue with a white long wings attached to it. On their hoves were little feathers intact and a tail like cotton balls.

The men were wearing long black cloak, and as they showed their bare face, I was in awe.

I had never seen faces as perfect as that, they were even gorgeous than most celebreties, but I cut my admiration shortly.  This wasn't a time to be mesmerized. They weren't human, and the green creatures' response to their arrival gave me a hint. They didn't show up for a friendly welcome.

The new comers surveyed my being and lingered their gazes on me. They started talking, with a language I couldn't comprehend.

There was no way to escape, we were sorrounded. It would be a suicide to even think of running.

What have I gotten myself into? What is this place? Who are this people? How did I get here? The questions kept on coming, its wearying my mentality.

I couldn't remember meeting creatures with orbs that had different colors. Except cats and dogs, but theirs were yellow, purple and red. It wasn't a contact lens.

The blonde hairs were long, almost reaching the middle part of their backs. They have pointed ears as well. Those attribute weren't of man.

The thumping of my heart doubled as the one nearest to me grinned, an implication of something dire to take place. Indeed, I was out of words when he raised his hands and formed a ball of fire.

His menacing gaze was directed to me. I was his target then. What should I do? I wanted to flee, if only my knees were firm and not jiggling like a bowlful of jellies.

He motioned to attack.

I stood still waiting.

But something happened, another group came and everyone dispersed, leaving as four at the middle.

I couldn't be wrong, they weren't on the same side. The apoplectic rage displayed on their faces were evident.

I heaved a sigh. Atleast, we were saved for now or perhaps, our death was just postponed for a moment or two.

I didn't know what will occur, but my instinct tells me it wasn't good. I could smell the conflict.

And in the serenity of daylight, an arrow flied with the wind. It traveled fast but I still caught the tiny fire starting to grow on its tip. It hit a man from the first comer. And what transpired next was a shock to me. He became ashes and his remains dematerialized as if he never existed!

I fell back.

My whole being trembled. Yet it didn't stop there.

The battle started and I had to crawl myself out of the chaos.

Everyone was struggling, some do physical attacks, some use enchantments. I had to go.

It took me a while to finally pick myself up. And the moment  I was able to take a step, a loud growl beside me made me flinch.

A beast appeared, it was as big as a tiger and it was approaching me. Goodness! I was shaking with trepidation. I was so scared to even move!

The red eyes were staring at me, I stumbled. I knew I can't possibly outrun this animal and there was nothing here to atleast help me protect myself. It growled, and the brown fur became thorns. Slowly it walked, preparing to lunge and devour me. Was I fortuned to die this way?

One bite, and I'm sure I'll be done. There would be nothing left of me, even my bones.

The fangs were atleast eight inches long, both up and down, not counting the other teeth inside.

It attempted to leap making me  shut my eyes emphatically. I waited for pain to strike, for something sharp to tear my flesh but nothing came.

I gathered all my courage and opened my eyes. The beast was fighting against another one. It was like a huge bird, with eyes as red as the first one. I might had mistaken if for an eagle, only that it could probably carry a full grown carabao with its long claws.

The lengthy yellow wings flapped as it tried to avoid the attack of the four-legged beast. Its tail, with a fire burning on the edge smite its foe making it whimper in pain.

They continued to battle while I searched around to find shelter.

And I remembered, I wasn't the only one trapped in the middle of the fight. The three green creatures were still here, at the very place where they had been before.

The heck? Don't they know when to run? But I realized, the trembling knees couldn't do better. They just hugged each other fully accepting the fate that may befell them.

Why would I care? I tried to ignore their presence. I had to focus on my own safety but dang it, my conscience was bugging me.

And even before I could decide. A man lifted his arm, created a ball of fire and stared grimly at those three.

I had a hunch of what was about to happen. I knew he will throw those ball. Yes I do. Yet I don't know why I'm doing this. Why I'm running, not away from danger but towards it instead.

Seemed like my body had its own system. I didn't make a call for this. I had no plans to become a hero but my feet just acted on its will.

The next thing I knew, I held those three closely and a sudden burning sensation made me scream in torment.

Was this the end? I smiled faintly and rested my eyes.