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Chapter 4
Third Person POV
"What brings you here, Alice?" Moro asked.
"I just needed somewhere to be. My friends are getting curious and my friend Mira saw the rope of the necklace around my neck. I didn't mean for her to see it but I left before I had to tell them. I'm sorry, Moro," she apologized.
"You have nothing to apologize for Alice. Accidents happen," Moro said.
"Why do you sound so tired and weak?" Alice asked concerned.
"My body has been infected with the poison of an iron bullet. A woman and some other humans came last night and attacked the Boar Clan. We went in to help but their leader Okkoto had already been infected severely. He nearly turned into a demon but I had to kill him before that happened. Now, the Boar Clan have no leader. They are already making way to attack the city," Moro informed. Alice gasped shocked.
"I had heard of a legend about you. And your son. They called him Prince Seishin," Alice mentioned. "What happened over the years? How did he live for over three hundred years?"
"I suppose you can know," Moro said and turned to Prince Seishin. "Tell her your true identity. She deserves to know."
He nodded. He removed his mask to reveal his face. His long hair tied back and his auburn eyes stood out. He sat down next to Alice cross legged. "My true name is Shun. Long ago the Forest Spirit saw what my mother called 'the goodness in me'. So he touched me and gave me life as long as the gods. When I turn four hundred, I will begin to age as a normal human does," Shun explained.
Moro turned her head smelling something at the entrance. "I believe we have other guests," she said. Shun stood up and put on his mask.
"Come out!" he demanded. Nothing happened. "Don't make me come out there and force you out!"
Slowly, Alice's friends appeared from behind the wall. "Guys, what're you doing here? I told you only I was welcomed," Alice said.
"We wanted to make sure they didn't eat you or something," Dan said.
"We do not harm those who are not a threat," Shun said. "Now leave! And don't come back!"
"Listen, dude, if you think we're going to leave our friend with the likes of you, you've got it wrong," Ace retorted.
"Leave now. She is in no danger here. I can promise you that," Shun said.
"Leave now. You have infiltrated our forests. You should be happy we haven't killed you yet," Moro said.
"Hydranoid, are you sure your guys are safe here? These guys could eat you easily," Drago said.
"We are fine. These wolves mean no harm to us," Alice responded for Hydranoid.
"Alice…" Runo said.
"Leave!" Shun said.
"Shun and I will personally escort her when she wishes to leave. No harm with befall her, I promise. And a god does not break a promise for as long as they live," Moro said.
"Fine," Mira said. "You guys, it's obvious Alice trusts them. We need to trust her judgment." The other reluctantly followed.
"I'm sorry, Moro. I didn't mean for them to follow me," Alice apologized after they left.
"You apologize too much, Alice. You don't need to apologize to us. In these woods, apologizing is a sign of weakness. But we can see you are truly strong on the inside," Moro said. Shun nodded in agreement followed by the other wolves.
"May I know your names?" Alice asked turning to them.
"I am Mana," said the female.
"And I am Klyn," said the male. "It is nice to properly meet you."
"And it is nice to meet you," Alice responded.
"You truly have a good heart, Alice," Shun said.
"You really think?" Alice said.
"Yeah," he answered.
"T-Thanks," she stuttered struggling to hold in a blush.
"I sense that you knew of our troubles with the people," Moro said.
"I wasn't entirely sure it happened. Last night I had a nightmare of the event. But I thought it was just a nightmare," Alice said.
"Intriguing. Perhaps since you where it, you are amplifying the arrowhead's abilities," Moro said.
"How?" Alice asked.
"Sit down, child. I will explain," Moro gently ordered.
Alice sat back on the ground and Shun sat next to her. "We have been searching for the right one to give the arrow to. You see the arrowhead cannot be given to just any human that we see fit. It also has to glow when its rightful owner is near. An owner worthy of our secret," Moro began. "Long ago, these lands flourished and were full of life. But then humans began to burn it down and destroy the land. So the Ape Tribe, Boar Clan, and Wolf Clan took their separate sections of the forest to guard. However it was said that the time would come where the one with a good heard will rise up with one from a clan or tribe and work together to make peace between man and god. The forest spirit gave each clan a crystal arrowhead to show whose section the one will belong to. You found us and we found you were the one who will help us."
"Are you sure you have the right person?" Alice asked.
"We wouldn't be telling you this if it wasn't the truth. We wish we didn't have to bring such a kind girl like you into this, but we will need your help," Mana said.
Alice looked down. "Don't worry, Alice. We can face this together," Hydranoid said.
"Thanks, Hydranoid," Alice said.
"We'll all be there to help," Shun said placing a hand on Alice's shoulder.
"Thanks," Alice said. "All of you."
They talked longer and Shun explained how he became Moro's son. Alice was shocked his parents would do such a thing but Shun said, "It doesn't matter to me. If they had kept me, Mother, Klyn, Mana, and I wouldn't have met. And I wouldn't have met you." Alice blushed at the last comment but kept a small smile on her face.
Shun looked outside and noticed the sun. "It's getting dark. We should've gotten you out sooner," he said.
"Why?" Alice asked confused.
"The boars hunt and scout at night. If they were to see or smell you, they would kill you. Even if you were with us. The only reason they haven't gone after Shun is because Okkoto has forbidden them because of what the Forest Spirit gave him. Even if you had the arrowhead, now that Okkoto is gone, there will be no reasoning with them," Moro informed.
"Oh, so what do I do?" Alice asked.
"You will have to stay here for the night until morning. Then it will be safe to move," Shun said.
"But my friends…" she trailed off.
"Don't worry, young one. When the sun rises, we'll get you home," Mana said.
"O-Okay," Alice agreed.
The night grew darker as time went on. Shun had Alice lay on his animal fur skins he used as a bed and lied down on another pile of leaves for a bed. Shun wrapped his fur cloak around him and watched as Alice slowly fell asleep before falling asleep himself.