Chapter 18: Sacred Animal

They moved away from the tunnel entrance, stopping near a towering tree. Isla rummaged in the travel bag, pulling out two sets of simple clothes: roughspun shirts, trousers, and cloaks with deep hoods. The garments looked worn and smelled faintly of woodsmoke.

"I hope those rags don't rub off all your aristocratic polish," Aren joked, nodding at the bag.

Isla rolled her eyes, a familiar expression. "Just turn around and get changed, Aren."

Aren turned his back. Well, this is awkward, he thought. Changing clothes in the woods with a young noblewoman... who would have thought?.. And here come those ridiculous thoughts again. When will this body finally reach an age of tranquility? He sighed inwardly.

He quickly pulled on the rough shirt and trousers. The fabric was coarse against his skin, a far cry from the soft, expensive materials of his noble attire.

By the time he finished, Isla was already dressed in her simple clothes. She pulled the hood over her head, effectively concealing her hair and most of her face.

"Well?" she asked, turning to face Aren. "Do I look like an ordinary townswoman?"

Aren scrutinized her. In the plain clothes and with the hood obscuring her features, she did resemble a commoner. But Aren still sensed something about her, a certain bearing or grace, that betrayed her noble origins. She carries herself like an aristocrat, even when she's trying not to.

"Yeah, that'll fool 'em," he said. "If they're blind. Seriously, you look like you're playing dress-up. Get some grime on you, and try to look less like you're expecting a royal carriage to arrive any minute."

Isla frowned, her brow furrowing. Leaning down, she worked dirt into the lines of her palms, coating them in a layer of brown before putting it on her clothes

"Wait, I was just kidding!" Aren hadn't expected her to take him seriously, especially since she usually ignored his jokes. I guess she's really committed to this.

"Aren! This isn't the time for jokes!" Isla stood up straight, brushing off her hands, her eyes flashing with indignation. "This is serious, you know."

"I'm just trying to lighten the mood. Do you even know the way out of this forest?" Aren asked, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

"Of course. I used to wander around here all the time when I was a child," she said, her voice muffled by the hood. "I know every path and every tree."

"Then, ladies first," Aren said, gesturing forward.

They continued through the dense forest, the trees growing thick and tall, reminiscent of the Amazon jungle, yet distinctly European in their character. Forest life teemed around them: insects, birds, small animals, all unfamiliar to Aren. He followed Isla in silence, observing the natural splendor. Everything seemed so peaceful and serene. Isla walked with purpose, deftly navigating the terrain, turning and avoiding obstacles.

After about thirty minutes, they emerged into a small clearing, an island of sunlight amidst the dense trees.

"We'll cross the clearing, and then it's just a short distance to the road where the caravans travel," Isla said, catching her breath. Although they had only been walking for a short time, the pace had been brisk, clearly unusual for a noblewoman accustomed to castle life. Aren, on the other hand, felt fine. His training had just begun, but his young body was adapting quickly and was no longer as weak as it had been on his first day. He was even starting to get used to the traditionally heavy objects in the castle.

They walked across the clearing, the grass reaching their knees, soft and yielding underfoot. It felt as if they were wading through a green sea.

As they walked, a massive creature emerged from the forest ahead. It stood about 2 meters (6.6 ft) tall on four long, powerful legs. Its body was bear-like in its bulk, but its legs were longer and more agile, ending in sharp, formidable claws. Its fur was a rich, golden wheat color, shimmering with a coppery hue in the sparse sunlight. The creature's head was more elongated, with a black nose and large, pointed ears that twitched and swiveled with every subtle current of air. But what truly captured Aren’s attention were its eyes—two piercing, glowing blue orbs that radiated an almost otherworldly calm and wisdom. The creature moved slowly, its massive frame swaying gently as it walked.

“What the fuck is that?” Aren asked, his voice cracking with a hint of his true age.

“Relax,” Isla said, freezing in place. “That’s an Ursai. They’re peaceful creatures and usually ignore humans. He’s probably just passing through. In our Dominion, they’re considered sacred animals. You’ll even find them on our Dominion's flag. Let's wait for him to go on his way.”

Ah, so that's an Ursai. I remember seeing a painting of one in the castle. I thought they were the size of a dog, but this one's bigger than a grizzly, Aren thought, his eyes wide.

The Ursai, despite its slow and deliberate movements, was heading in their direction.

“It’s… coming this way,” Aren said, standing up and keeping a wary eye on the beast.

“Hmm, that’s unusual,” Isla admitted, though she still didn’t seem particularly concerned. “They’ve never shown interest in humans before. Maybe this one’s just curious. Don’t worry, they don’t eat meat. They’re herbivores.”

If it's an herbivore, then what are those huge claws for? Aren wondered, a skeptical frown on his face.

Aren remained cautious. The Ursai, despite its lumbering gait, covered ground quickly thanks to its long legs and massive stride. When it was around 20 meters (65 ft) away, Aren locked eyes with it. The creature’s gaze was calm, almost hypnotic, radiating a soothing aura that seemed to wash over him.

“It’s beautiful,” Isla remarked, her voice filled with admiration. “I’ve never seen one this close before. It seems… interested in you.”

The Ursai was approaching, its eyes never leaving Aren. The young man felt a twinge of nervousness, but there was no malice in the creature’s demeanor. It moved with a deliberate grace, its massive frame casting a shadow over Aren as it approached, passing Isla as if she weren't there. She could only look at him from the side, her eyes sparkled as she watched the creature. Up close, the Ursai was even more imposing than Aren had imagined. Its glowing blue eyes, like twin sapphires, seemed to pierce through him, and its breath came in slow, deep exhales.

Then, to Aren’s astonishment, the Ursai raised one of its massive, clawed paws and gently placed it on his head. Isla, who had been calm just moments before, tensed up. Aren, however, stood frozen, totally confused. What in the world is going on?

But the Ursai’s touch was gentle, almost affectionate. It exhaled deeply, a warm rush of air that smelled of pine and berries, before lowering its paw and continuing on its way, lumbering back into the forest, leaving the two humans in stunned silence.

“I’ve… never seen anything like that,” Isla said after a long pause, her voice hushed with awe. “An Ursai showing interest in a human? That’s unheard of. It's like you're blessed or something."

Aren didn’t respond immediately. He felt a strange mix of emotions—humiliation at being “petted” by a wild animal, but also a deep sense of awe. The Ursai’s presence had been overwhelming, its aura radiating a strange mix of peace and primal power. It was as if the creature had recognized something in him, something he couldn’t yet understand. I wonder if it's because I'm like a walking artifact, radiating Ether, if Jaxx'im is to be believed, at least? Or do I smell funny?

The young people watched the Ursai disappear into the trees and continued on their way.

"Too bad this all has to be a secret. Kira would be in a good mood for a week just from hearing about how an Ursai petted you," Isla giggled, breaking the silence.

"I'm glad it's our secret," Aren replied coldly, still feeling a bit ruffled by the encounter. This world seems to be constantly trying to humiliate me. First this frail body, then the heavy objects in the castle, that ridiculous bird, and now this bear. And it hasn't even been a week!

Soon, they emerged from the forest, a new vista opening before them: green fields and rolling hills and open meadows dotted with wildflowers. The wind grew stronger, carrying with it the scents of grass and blooming plants. Aren found himself enjoying the simplicity of the landscape, feeling a sense of peace and connection to nature. It's moments like these that make me forget about the whole 'Chronos Labs' thing. Back on Earth, you can't just live somewhere like this. The fucking bureaucrats with their regulations all designed to keep you crammed into the mega-cities.

They stood on a small hill, with a well-worn road stretching out below.

"We need to go that way," Isla said, pointing along the road that curved around the forest. Beyond the forest lay Stormia, but it was hidden from view.

"Then let's go," Aren said, his voice laced with a hint of anticipation.