Glowing pixies floated all around it, singing a harmonious and unworldly tune.
All the nerves in my body told me that this place wasn’t safe at all, but my mind had already fallen into the trap of their songs.
The pixies flew to the tree, plucked a large golden apple and brought it to me.
I raised my palms, collected the apple and took a bite.
It was the tastiest thing I had ever tasted in my entire life, none of the fruits in my kingdom could match up to this; its taste was beyond heavenly.
I finished the apple in my hand in a matter of seconds, and the pixies brought down more and more fruits.
They pulled me to the base on the tree and made me sit down, then served me more fruits.
I giggle and laughed at their childish play, staring at them mindlessly.
I had completely forgotten that I was still in the f0rest of the damned because I felt so safe here─like nothing could harm me.
Was I really going to survive the next three days here?
“Ughh…” I groaned softly as my eyes opened.
I had slept off after filling my stomach and now I was ready to eat some more.
“Lila,” I called, wiping my eyes with my right fist.
My eyes opened fully; the blur in my eyes cleared out and they widened in response to what I saw.
The light that once illuminated the space around the trees had become very dim and red, and the smell of blood radiated through the air.
I covered my mouth with my palm, my face contouring in disgust as my eyes darted from one human body part to another.
Legs, arms and heads scattered across the ground and the pixies who seemed like harmless creature at first fed on the carcases.
I tried to get up, but the moment my right foot pushed against the ground, I felt a sharp pain on my shin.
I yelled in pain and fell back to the ground.
With tears in my eyes, I turned to my shin and found that a large chunk of it was missing.
The bone in that area was almost completely gone, and the entire lower half of my dress was drenched in my own blood.
I screamed and cried, my voice sounding gory and pained.
More tears poured out of my eyes as I cried for help.
But all my efforts were to no avail as the possibility of someone being inside here was far below zero.
On hearing my scream, the pixies rose up from the other body parts they fed on and flew towards me rapidly.
As I watched them approach me, I went completely quiet, waiting for my death with tears in my eyes.
This was my execution, I brought this upon myself by seeking revenge for my father’s death, and there was no way to survive now.
My entire body went stiff with fear and my heart beat rapidly.
Just when the pixies were inches from tearing me apart, large flames burst out from behind me and bathed them.
The pixies squealed in pain as they roasted under the intense heat, dropping to the ground one by one after burning to a crisp.
The flames continued to shoot out from behind me until all the pixies that were in its reach were dead, and the ones who weren’t flew off in different directions.
Afterwards, the flames disappeared, but I dared not to look back.
I didn’t know what was behind me and I did not want to find out.
It was probably another monster looking for its next meal, and was here to steal the pixies food.
My plan now was to stay hidden behind the tree and wait for the monster to walk past me so I could crawl away.
I heard the bushes behind me rustle and I felt a large electric shock in my heart.
My breathing got louder and my heart resumed beating rapidly.
The monster was approaching me─my life was spared only moments ago and now another fire breathing beast was about to take it.
I placed my palms on the ground and tried to crawl my way to the other side of the tree to avoid getting seen, but my efforts were to no avail; the large wound on my leg hurt so much and bled profusely.
The pain increased every time I tried to move and I could barely hold myself back from screaming.
“Where do you think you’re going?” A female voice sounded out of nowhere.
I quickly turned around and found a human figure standing beside me, leaning against the tree.
My vision had become too blurry and I could barely keep my eyes open, so I couldn’t see the person’s face clearly.
“Who… who are you?” I struggled to ask.
“That should be the least of your worries young maiden.
Your number one priority here is surviving and I’ve come here to help you with that,” the female answered, throwing a half-burnt piece of wood and bottle of alcohol to the ground.
I could tell it was alcohol from the smell.
“What?” I asked, dizzy and confused.
“Your wound is getting worse, and in a matter of minutes you will die here, Celene.
I can save you, but you have to choose; LIFE OR DEATH?” The female asked, crouching down before me.
I remained silent; I could feel the world fading away rapidly.
I could feel my soul gradually leaving my body.
With all the things I had been through today, that was a very stupid question to ask.
But I had to be careful, who knew what consequences came with choosing life over death?
Could this person really save me?
and if she could, would my life remain the same afterwards?
Although her question was stupid, I realised the questions I asked myself were even dumber.
Whether or not my life would change didn’t matter at all, all I wanted to do was live.
“Please… save me!” I said softly with tears in my eyes.
“I don’t… want to die…” I added.
The last thing I saw before my eyes finally shut were her glowing blue eyes, and her canines elongating into fangs underneath her sinister smirk.