A/N: It's taken ages, but we've finally gotten to the part where Elizabeth leaves! Sorry it took so long, it's just that I add detail because it all means something later on. It's a weird writing quirk of mine :P
Anywho, enjoy the next chapter. The animal companion was purely an addition I did cause why not?
D.L.D
~~~~~Paw-Prints~~~~~
Day One.
It was the afternoon, the sun still sitting high in the clear blue sky. Puffs of pure cotton clouds drifted by from time to time, soft and friendly, but other than them there was no sign of the earlier rainfall of the previous night. No lingering charge from the crashing thunder that raged the skies.
Warm rays of the sunlight sailed down to be soaked up by the inhabitants of Britannia, gentle and bright. A cool breeze rushed by, refreshing and easy on the lungs just like any other summer day's would be. Everything that the day held suggested summer, warmth, and it matched with the emerald leaves that hung over the many stretches of land Britannia held. It traveled in the cool breeze; it blossomed in the wild flowers that curled and bent in the wind.
Sometimes, the fresh scent of moist leaves and dirt would waft into the air, suggesting autumn and not summer, but majority of the time the air was filled with the distinct aroma of fresh water, grass and leaves. Dryness, warmth and heat.
Even the rocks and dirt had complied with the time of year, usually blunt and dull boulders being warm to the touch and having a sheeny glimmer. The dirt was even gentle to the touch, its warmth bleeding into anyone's palm if they chose to scoop some up - which Elizabeth did at times when she spotted a plant that needed to be moved.
Elizabeth herself was humming a simple tune as she tread along the road leading towards the town across the valley. Her movement had been relaxed but purposeful, the hybrid deciding that she would not waste her energy by rushing towards the location of the bridge between the human and demon world.
In fact, Elizabeth wanted to enjoy and savour this journey, her mind set on taking in every sight and wonder she could find by herself. She would not let homesickness and grief take over. She would not grow distracted. She would stay on task and take in the beauty of the world. It may be her last chance to, after all.
That led to the young woman frowning as she spotted a small track of paw prints, the pads of a small animal's paws leaving very distinct marks within the sun-baked soil of the earth. Each print was comprised of one larger pad surrounded by four smaller and almost circular pads, lacking the distinct point of a claw.
Not many creatures in Britannia lacked visible claw marks in their tracks. Wolves and dogs had pointed edges to the smaller pads; birds had their distinct fork-like pattern; and rabbits and other small mammals were far too small to leave tracks this big.
Did that mean an unknown predator was nearby?
Automatically, Elizabeth's bottom lip was trapped between her teeth. That could be possible.
"What could have left this?" Elizabeth pressed her lips, gently prodding the dirt with her finger. She did not recall seeing any animals so far - least of all predators. In fact she was certain they had cleared the nearby vicinity due to the frequently used roads.
Animals never liked to be disturbed; busy roads were places that they automatically avoided. Bustling noise and busy humans were always a deterrent to animals; even horses hesitated at times.
"Perhaps it is a baby," Elizabeth mused, studying the tracks a little deeper. She was pretty certain she'd seen them before - they looked frightfully common and yet... "Although, they do look rather small to be a predator's..."
Meow!
Jumping in her chest, Elizabeth's heart jolted her forwards as a furry head stroked itself against her bare leg. Sounding again, a soft and yet clear meow filled the air, another furry nudge stroking against bare skin.
The fur and meow belonged to the small furry head, the gentle hair coloured in a glossy and rich black that shone luxuriously in the streams of sunlight that trickled through the treetops. All that could be seen was the sea of darkness; not a patch of any other colour was visible, only the luxurious black.
"A cat?" Elizabeth breathed, her eyes wide at the creature that cocked its head in response. She then laughed, her chest feeling light with both relief and humour when she stared at the thing. "A black cat! Of course!"
Crouching downwards, the hybrid stroked the creature underneath its chin. The feline obliged, mewing in thanks as it leaned into her touch. Golden eyes, with specks of tortoise shell green, stared back at Elizabeth, holding a wisdom she could only dream to hold.
"You're said to be bad luck, you know," Elizabeth giggled a little, already fishing into her bag to give the creature a treat. Once finding something suitable, she hummed to herself as the cat began to nibble at its gift. "I should really chase you away."
Blinking, the cat only bends its ears as it seemed to raise a brow at her. Delicately, its tail swished from behind. A sign of question, listening.
"I think you're magic," Elizabeth spoke to herself once more, a hand running through the feline's dark fur. She produced another strip of meat from her bag, happily placing it before the cat. "If anything, someone sent you to either help or stop me."
At Elizabeth's words, the cat stopped snacking on its small strip of preserved meat. Instead it peered at the female, blinking once, solidly, as if communicating some sort of code. The hybrid caught it immediately, a small shiver of something electric shooting up her spine as she regarded the creature.
Black cats were said to be very bad luck; they were the agents of witches, people who messed with evil, and so Elizabeth should avoid them entirely. Goddesses did not mix well with the company of evil - least of all witches.
Plus those with power tended to send animal agents to spy upon their intended prey. They were easier to control, manipulate, than people, and could easily win over the hearts of the naive. Elizabeth was a perfect candidate for such a scheme.
But at the same time, Elizabeth had always wanted an animal to care for. She had never had the chance to look after one, to dote upon a creature as much as she had seen others do, and so she was curious.
Plus, what harm could it really do?
"You're rather smart, aren't you?" Elizabeth smiled, abandoning her proper behaviour and sitting on the dusty road. Dirt patches onto her exposed legs. "Would you like to come with me?"
A mew came in response along with another swish of the cat's tail. It pranced up to the female, brandishing the red collar that was around its neck.
Automatically, Elizabeth focused to see the creature properly, her blue eyes focusing on the red collar. If it was owned, then she'd be sure to return it. If not, then she didn't mind bringing a stray with her on her quest. It would be nice to have a companion - a friend.
"Very well..." Elizabeth squinted, peering at the tag around the feline's neck. She smiled sheepishly at the name. "Minx?"
Another mew and the cat gracefully nodded before continuing down the path. Its little paws moved with an elegance that Elizabeth could only wish to hold, prancing upon the dirt as if it was walking upon thin air.
"Minx," Elizabeth laughed, knowing very well that this cat was showing signs of being bad luck for her already. Very bad luck. However, she just didn't have the heart to turn it down.
Mewing, the cat turned to face the female as she leapt onto a rock. Further ahead than Elizabeth had thought, the animal nodded towards the northern edge of the path, its whiskers twitching with a small nose scrunch. It then disappeared out of view.
"Wait up!" Elizabeth cried out, already running to catch up with the feline. Frantically collecting the skirts of her dress, Elizabeth took extra-large steps. But even with the female's outcry, the cat didn't bother to turn around, instead continuing and swishing its tail in acknowledgement.
It seems that Elizabeth would be scampering behind the cat rather than the other way around.
~~~~~Paw-Prints~~~~~
Late lunchtime was when Elizabeth had finally managed to arrive at the town across the valley. Throughout the entire trek, Minx had been unhelpfully appearing and disappearing, the dainty feline taking an unknown route through bushes and trees rather than the clear path. That led to Elizabeth wasting at least an hour trying to locate the cat before even heading into the bustling town.
At first, it had started off as a few hunter's lodge's and areas of sprawling land that withheld livestock and game. Wood was the primary material of these structures, metal being used for fencing, but very sparingly.
But as Elizabeth progressed along the path, things began to develop, grow more sophisticated, and soon she was in the middle of a maze-like town that she had no idea how to navigate. It was then that she truly realised, truly learned, that she was out of her element.
Civilization was different here. A lot louder. A lot bigger.
Back in her village, Elizabeth knew where everything was. Each place, each road and lane had its own specific purpose and meaning in her village. She had no need for maps, as everything was rather easy to find, easy to deduce the location of. The village centre was where the fountain and most village-related buildings would be; further outwards would be a few of the more wealthy business; then panning even further out, between the houses and empty gaps, you would find the basic farms and facilities of any functioning town.
It was only rarely, occasionally, when Elizabeth would come face to face with packed out streets and rolling carts and wrangling merchants. It was only during festivals, celebrations, when she would placed in the middle of such a lively and confusing landscape. A place where she would need to use cartography skills.
But now she was left to fend in one by herself, a single black cat being her lone companion, Elizabeth realised just how important maps were. She realised just how clueless she was.
"Alright, we just need to find the inn," Elizabeth breathed, glancing at her surroundings as she stepped through the beginnings of a more widened road.
Immediately, she was lost for words, plunged right into the centre of a great, big hubbub of eager townspeople and visitors.
From what she could see, vendors and merchants had whole streets to themselves, stretches of roads dedicated to the booming haggling and beckoning business. Fresh fruits, vegetables and goods were on display for all to see, the bright colours and shiny skins and peels being enticing to anyone who would wander down the street.
Beside the shiny fruit and vegetables were even bigger stalls reserved for fine fabrics and clothes, scented fragrances and spices wafting into the air. Thin smoke spewed glowing incense, the aroma differing from stall to stall as each vendor aimed to target different customers.
Then, there was the other stalls lines with other subjects of observation. Foreign exports, fancy powders and jewels and other unnecessary trinkets that only the wealthy would choose to waste money upon.
Naturally, all of these products would attract people - old, young, rich or poor - and of course it was just Elizabeth's luck that landed her right in the middle of them all. Right smack bang in the middle.
"Excuse me!" A group of children twisted around the female, nearly trampling on Minx's tail, as they scattered within the crowd. Their grubby faces were carefree, light, contrasting with their bony frames and weighted sprint.
Elizabeth wondered if they ate enough.
"Oi!" A portly man waddled after them, shoving Elizabeth aside. He carried the scent of cigars upon him. "Thieves!"
Stunned, the female staggered backwards, feeling the darkness licking at her neck. She had not expected that - to be pushed. In places like these, she'd expect people to be civilized and well mannered, not rough and uncouth.
"Hopefully we're not staying here for long," Elizabeth hummed to herself, frowning as she stared after the long-gone children and man.
Something about what had happened unsettled her, made her question the reality of this world, but she set it aside. She didn't have time to worry about others; she didn't have time to waste.
"You must be a traveler," An old man grins from his kiosk, brandishing a mouth of yellowed teeth. His thin, grey hair was covered by an old wicker hat, the black band faded from what was probably years of wear. Thin, tanned arms protruded from his body, the jut of his shoulder blades and elbows pushing through his skin.
"Come, take a gander!" He cackled rather loudly, gesturing to his object-laden kiosk. "I'm sure it will interest a beaut like you!"
"Me?" Elizabeth frowned a little, biting into her lip as she approached the kiosk. She had been taught to avoid places like these, people who meddled with cursed items, but just like with Minx, she was easily swayed.
"Yes, you," Nodding vigorously, the man took her soft arm into his grasp. His wrinkly skin felt cold against her down, brittle and dried like tree bark. "Look."
Doing as told, Elizabeth scanned over the arrangement of items upon the kiosk. All sorts of odd trinkets and charms stuck out to her, some sort of mysterious rune carved into each one. Some objects were simple wood carvings, others were combinations of feathers, bone and string, but most looked like the many treasures she'd been told of through oral stories. One treasure in particular, earrings made of beautiful blue crystal, caught her eye.
"Ah, the earrings," The old man grins once more, exposing the hole within one of his molars. He scratches the stubble on his chin. "A good choice."
Once again, Elizabeth is caught off guard and her face floods with warmth. This town, it was so different from her sleepy and closed-off village. The people here were so wise, so intuitive, that it made her question if she was truly ready for her mission.
After all, if it took a human a few seconds to read her intentions, how long would it take a demon?
"I-I can't possibly - " Elizabeth choked out, shaking her head as the man fished out the jewelry and began to package it. Beside her, Minx pawed at her ankle, prodding for Elizabeth to move on. "I don't have a way to pay for it!"
"There's no need," The old man beamed once more, flashing her an odd look. A sparkled entered his tired, brown eyes. "Although I do warn you, dear, that these earrings are cursed. Within them are the tears of a god."
"The tears of a god?" Elizabeth breathes, staring intently at the earrings. Now that she thought about it, they did have a strange shimmer - like drops of water. It was abnormal, odd. Plus the blue stone was just so pure, so clear, that Elizabeth immediately thought of her praying spring at home.
Was it because they linked to the same thing?
"Yes, the one who ruled the sky," The old man continued, passing her the earrings. He sucked his teeth, pausing, before rearranging the items on his kiosk. "When her lover was locked away with the other traitors of the Great War, she had wept and wept for well over a thousand years. For that millennium, Britinnia only received rain and all life died."
Silence filled Elizabeth, the hybrid well aware of the war that preceded her birth. The Great War - or the first war as many called it - was the beginning of the long list of conflict between the goddess and demon races. It was during that war when her late elder sibling had been born, the product of her mother's first romance. No-one currently living was alive then - even the Demon King and Supreme Deity were rather young back then.
But even so, the mention of that war - the Great War - left a terrible sinking feeling in Elizabeth's gut. The sort of feeling she'd come to associate with dread.
"But even through grief, the god's tears also brought hope," The old man continues, his eyes studying Elizabeth's neck. He frowns a little, noticing something she cannot name. "They revitalized the lands and cured the once barren south."
"Do you know this god's name?" Elizabeth breathes, holding the packaged earrings close to her heart. She has a feeling she knows who it is - the god who cried over her imprisoned lover - but she needed verification. She needed to be sure.
Minx hissed, her golden eyes narrowed on the package Elizabeth held.
"They used to call her Daiya," The man muttered solemnly. "But now they call her the Supreme Deity."
~~~~~Paw-Prints~~~~~
"My mother has been repeating herself..." Elizabeth frowned, digging her fork into her slice of cake. Fresh cream spilled onto the metal, light and fluffy unlike her stormy thoughts. "She keeps trying to fill the void of her grief."
After talking to the strange old man at his kiosk, Elizabeth had chosen to get a bite to eat before even attempting to try and locate the inn. Figuring it would take a good chunk of time, Elizabeth saw reason in stopping for a small lunch break. After all, she'd been walking all day and the discovery of her mother's past actions had not settled well within her empty stomach.
If anything, she could still taste the bile upon her tongue. Even cake could not mend the sour taste her mother's past had left within her mouth.
"Perhaps I am reading too far into it," Elizabeth sighs, placing down her fork and bringing her gaze the feline perched across from her. "But I just think that she keeps having children destined to defeat evil in order to seek closure for her lover's death."
Minx blinks from upon the table, nudging her own little plate of fish biscuits. A blot of cream was specked on her nose, making the tiny pink feature appear white.
"What do you think about it, Minx?" Elizabeth asks, truly valuing the creature's opinion. She couldn't say why, but something about this cat just made her feel like it was magical, sentient. It was too smart to be just any old cat.
Rolling her eyes, Minx buried her head back into her biscuits and ignored Elizabeth completely. Instead she occupied herself with eating, occasionally glancing up to eye the earrings lying upon the tabletop. Instinctively, she hissed.
"You don't like them, do you?" Elizabeth raised a brow, recognising the tense arch within the creature's spine. Animals were usually more aware of curses than any other race, their acute senses making them more sensitive than the more humanoid races of Britannia. Animals rarely missed anything.
"I won't wear them, then," Elizabeth announced, tucking the earring into her breast pocket. They were too valuable to place in her bag, but she also didn't want to just give them away - they could be dangerous.
Minx simply lolled her head in response, blinking once more before taking another healthy bite out of her loaded plate. Lazily, her tail swished behind her. Obviously, she didn't care as much as Elizabeth about the fate of the world.
That would change.
"Lunch break is also over," Elizabeth spoke promptly, swiping away the plate of biscuits. She pocketed the lot, dangling one over the cat's twitching whiskers and wiggling nose. A small pink tongue darted out of the creature's mouth.
"You can have more," Elizabeth smiled sweetly, giving the feline a small nibble. "After we find the inn."
Stroppily, Minx sniffed and huffed at the female. Twitching, her whispers betrayed her annoyance as she pawed at the dangling fish biscuit and aimed to nip to Elizabeth's dainty fingers.
"Now, now, don't be like that," Elizabeth sighed, scratching behind the feline's ears. "I just want to make sure you don't overeat. Remember, we're travelling together. That means we have to ration."
Growling a little, Minx stopped her clawing and nipping and instead swished her tail. Once. Her golden eyes narrowed, the specks of green highlighted in the sunny street. She was angry, very angry, but she would forgive Elizabeth with time. It wasn't like the hybrid was going to lose her fish biscuits on purpose...
"Now, let's go find our guide!" Elizabeth beamed, standing up from the table. Still miffed, Minx skillfully perched upon her shoulder, the feline innocently waving her tail as she lightly dug her claws into the fabric. Just a little payback.
Happy that Minx was complying, Elizabeth set off down the street, leaving her payment for the treats on the table. Nothing could ruin her mood now - not when she was little closer to ending this endless cycle of war and grief.
After all, even if the earrings were a sign of the inevitable, she was going to stay positive. She was going to be the child to prove them wrong.
