Chapter 3: Memories

"Because I see King mogeko as a big brother, so you're obviously going to be my big sister if you're going to marry him!"

Moge-ko said happily as she combed Yonaka's hair, humming a cheerful tune without a care about the world around her. That was why she didn't notice that Yonaka had suddenly gone silent for a few seconds.

" 'Marry him'…"

Yonaka mumbled, repeating Moge-ko's words. Oh yes, the wedding they were preparing, she almost forgot about it for a second there. The Mogeko had been extremely busy these days because of it. The chef was cooking and making cakes, some Mogeko risking their lives in the bad weather tending to the flowers in order to keep its beauty until the big day, some spending most of their time making decoration and hanging them up all around the castle, some designing and making the bride's gown… Everyone had been very different from their lazed-back selves and the castle lost its usually quiet atmosphere.

Yonaka brought her left hand up and stared at the ring finger in mixed feelings. She was uncertain what she was feeling. Happy? Nervous? Impatient? She had no idea. But she was sure of one thing. In a few more days, on this very finger of hers would have a shiny ring, declaring her as the new Queen of the Mogeko. Thinking of it made her heart pound in anxiety.

How long had she been here? Maybe a year and a half now…

She still couldn't believe it… It had been over a year since that very day she met her significant other.

The pain in her head shook her whole body awake. Her eyes refused to, but they did eventually. With a soft groan, the girl fluttered her eyes open, gently moving her arms along the ground to slowly stimulate her entire body. She pushed herself up with her elbow, trying to do so with the light pain in her legs and arms, her braids slightly fluttered with her movement. It was hard for her to think straight or even take a look at her whereabouts. Her head was still throbbing so hard and painfully that she thought someone was using a hammer to split her head open.

While trying to get used to the pain, a cold breeze slipped through, sending a shiver down to her spine. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she tried her hardest to look around despite the blur in her eyes. It seemed like was she was in the middle of a very dark forest which she had never seen before. There was nothing around besides the tall trees, and ground and the cold wind occasionally coming by. The wind hit her again, and she hugged herself even tighter. Both it and the creepiness of the forest were sending shiver down her spine.

She didn't question where she was, but rather why she was here. Now to think about it, she realized she really didn't know what happened before or even who she was. She just remembered that her name was Yonaka, she was a high school student, judging by the uniform, and she was on a train. Those were it. A girl with so few information, so few memories and was alone in the middle of nowhere. The reality hit her hard and made her cry. But she hadn't tried to stay calm and think clear, she would be crying by now.

With the help of one hand, she pushed herself from the ground and stood still, head still swaying to look danger while she took steps forward, one by one oh so slowly, so cautiously. She kept on, keeping her paranoia and her fear away from her mind as she thought they would slow her down.

Then, that moment came, the moment she had been avoiding, the moment she thought she had escaped from. The rustling sound of the leaves and the footsteps behind her began ringing in her ears and they just kept becoming louder, louder… Her heartbeat increased, urging her legs to do the same, but they refused to. Instead, they started to become jelly-like, unwilling to move forward, no matter how much her mind was yelling at her to run. Fear never had physical form, but she never knew that it could hold her body still against her will.

Now with her feet glued to the ground, her body began to shake violently, her hands clutching at her sleeves, her lips trembling. Even her head was held in place. But even if it hadn't been, she wouldn't have dared to turn around to see what was behind her, ready to destroy her, devour her. Her head finally moved, but all it did was hung low, waiting for death.

Then, between a blink of an eye, she was pushed over and her body fell to the ground once again. Her body throbbed in pain even harder, but she did her best and tried to lift her head up just to see what pushed her, or what was going on.

A bloody sight appeared in her eyes. A group of zombie-like, yellow creatures was fighting against a similar creature with a golden crown and red cloak. The crowned one wielded its long, shiny sword tightly in hand as it bravely slashed the opposing group by itself without any kind of army or assistance. One by one, dismembered heads and body fell apart and onto the ground, spilling droplets of fresh blood and staining the ground with its redness. Before Yonaka could even progressed what was even happening, the last one was defeated and joined the others, letting silence take over the scene once again. The crowned one stood there with its body and sword stained with blood, looking at the bloody battlefield in victory.

It slowly turned its head toward her direction.

But before its gaze could meet her, her vision was filled with darkness and her body went limped.

With a small groan, Yonaka found herself back in consciousness again, but with a very pleasant and soft feel, despite her body still being sore. Rubbing her eyes, she looked over to the side and saw a nightstand with a lamp on it. She also saw that her body was covered with a thick and warm blanket, so along with the soft feel, she was certain that she was lying on a bed. It was a very big one actually, because a full stretch of her arm and she couldn't even find the edge of the bed. She decided to sit up to take a look around.

"Mogege~ You're awake."

She jumped at the sudden voice and looked at the direction of it, which was at the door-

No no no no…

The scream… The blood…!

Stop stop stop!

Don't let the scene repeat!

Stop stop stop-!

Blood! ...Blood!

STOP!

"Stand outside." Another voice came up, snapping her back into reality and out of her mind. "She was still traumatized by what just happened. I'll try to calm her down."

Sane again but still scared, she kept her hand clutched to her hair, keeping her head down. She heard someone pulling up a chair and sitting on it.

"Hey… Don't be scared… I'm not going to harm you, and I have no intention to do it."

The voice was soothing, but it didn't help much. She found her body still shaking rapidly.

"It's okay now… You're safe… Those scary creatures are gone now. There's nothing to fear anymore. I've taken care of all of them, not letting any of them remain."

Her heart skipped a beat. Did they say they were the one who took care of that group? Are they… her hero?

Wanting to check her theory, she brought up all her courage and slowly put her hands down. She took a deep breath, clutching the blanket before looking up at the person.

Yes… it was the one with the crown. She still remembered that exact crown and red cloak… Her heart started beating fast. She still couldn't believe it was her hero who was sitting across from her, and she also couldn't believe that she could look at it straight in the eyes, despite all the terrible things that were still roaming in her mind.

"You're crying…"

It reached out one cute tiny hand, attempting to wipe her tears away, but immediately took it back. It seemed hesitated for some reason, like… it knew that she was afraid of physical contact right now and decided not to frighten her.

It was such a small gesture, but why did it seem so precious to her? She could even feel the love and care in it…

"T- Thank y-" She tried to make out words between stuttering, trying her best to talk properly.

"You don't need to say anything." It cuts her off. "Just rest for as long as you need to, okay? I'll help you go home then."

With that said, it jumped out of the chair and proceeded to walk to the door with Yonaka's eyes following its every step. But then it stopped again when its hand was on the doorknob.

"Oh, and that pendant will keep you safe, so don't feel scared being alone at night. Its magic will keep the monsters away."

"H- Huh-?"

She stuttered out, but her only answer was the sound of the door closing. Still staring at it, she sighed. It was then she realized the strange feeling around her neck and on her chest. She touched her chest and there was certainly something smooth and round. She looked down and saw a beautiful golden pendant tied to a thin string around her neck, its bright light emitting from its deepest core and glistening beautifully.

She smiled and held it close. She felt warm, safe and protected. All the horrible things in her mind slowly faded away.

She secretly thought of him, thanking him for his kindness.

To be continued…