Beckoning Spring to the Feast of the Skies (Walpurgis Night 2021) - Chapter 5

[dotsuitarehompo]

Location: Forest of the Spirits (Day)

Mitile: You mean… You’ve been here before?

Rutile: Hmm… No, I think this is my first time here…I don’t recall ever going through such thick clouds…

But why is it that this place brings back these precious, timely memories…

Mitile: Brother…?

  

Rutile: …

Mitile softly tugged at Rutile’s hand, worried about how entranced he had become by his surroundings.

Rutile: Ah…Sorry for worrying you, Mitile. I’m alright. 

Cain: We gotta focus on searching for Helena first. But how are we supposed to find her in a place this big…

We surveyed the fields around us, but Helena was nowhere to be found. 

Chloe: Helenaaaaaa! If you can hear us, please tell us where you areee! 

Akira: Helena—! Where are youuu—!

Hmmm…No response at all…

Shylock: It appears we’ll have to put in a little more effort.

Rutile: Aha! I got an idea. Why don’t we try using this? Behold everyone! 

Nero: A plush… bunny...?

Rutile: Yep! I got it from Helena's parents. They said it was her favorite stuffed toy. 

They told me to give it to her once we find her.

I’ll cast a special spell on it that will help us with our search. It might give us some clues.

Snow: What a splendid idea indeed. As long as it's a simple spell, we won’t be disturbing the spirits and their home. 

Rutile: Let’s try casting it together, Mitile. 

Mitile: Okay!

Rutile and Mitile drew their magic circles next to the stuffed toy. Then, bowing their heads, they chanted their spells.

Rutile: << Ortonik Setomaouge >> !

Mitile: << Ortonik Sealsispilce >> !

From within the bunny came out a ball of faint light which, as if guiding us, began heading somewhere, softly swaying from side to side.

Rutile: Let’s follow after it! 

(Grass rustling)

✾ ✾ ✾

Location: Forest of The Spirits - Inner Part (Day)

Following the light, we advanced to the depths of the forest while calling out Helena’s name. 

After walking for a while, we found ourselves in a wide area in the forest. 

Cain: … Why do I have this feeling that we’re not the only ones here?

Rutile: Oh, hey, there's someone over there! Could it be Helena? 

We ran over to the figure we saw lying at the base of one of the trees. There, we found a girl who looked exactly like the fetch we saw in the village; her eyes were peacefully closed.

(Running footsteps)

Mitile: Miss Helena…!

Chloe: A-Are you alright…!? Are you hurt anywhere?

Helena: Zzz….zzz…

Chloe - Mitile: Huh?

Shylock: Oh my. It would appear our little princess is blissfully asleep. 

Rutile: Helena, Helena…It’s time to wake up…

Helena: Hm…hmm…

As Rutile shook her awake, Helena faintly opened her eyes. Now awake, she eyed every one of us carefully.

Helena: …Who are you all?

Rutile: My name’s Rutile. Are you alright? Do you have any wounds you need treated?

Helena: No, I'm okay…

Rutile: That’s good to hear. Don't worry, everything's fine now.

We’ve come to look for you on behalf of your parents. You are Helena, right?

Helena: Mhmm… That's my name.

Rutile: I see! We are glad to have finally found you, Helena.

Snow: She appears to have regained her consciousness.

Akira: Thank goodness…

Everyone sighed in relief.

Cain: There’s nothing to be worried about anymore, Helena. It must've been pretty terrifying for you to be out here all alone. 

Helena: No, I wasn’t scared at all.

Akira: (Huh…?)

Helena smiled as if she was completely unfazed by the whole ordeal. 

It was rather odd how a little girl such as herself could’ve wandered into the mountains all alone, where no one was supposed to be, and be so calm as if it was something that happened on the daily.

Nero: …

Disregarding how visibly uneasy her words had made us, Helena continues her story.

 

Helena: I was very scared and lonely when I first woke up, but…

Just when I was about to cry, all of a sudden, I heard a voice coming from somewhere.  

There was no one around so I didn’t see them, but their voice was sweet and gentle. 

Mitile: Gentle…How?

Helena: When I heard it, all of my anxiety just…disappeared. 

Along with the voice came running all sorts of rabbits and other animals I had never seen before. They were so adorable and fun to play with! 

Nero: …I see how it is. 

Nero nodded in acknowledgement. 

Nero: The voice Helena was hearin’ musta been the spirit that brought her here. Seems like it has taken quite a liking to her.

Akira: But humans don’t usually hear the spirit’s voices, do they?

Nero: Yeah, only if yer some normal lad. Helena, however, is a wizard. 

Akira: She is!? 

I turned to look at her in awe, but Helena only replied with a smile. 

Helena: Mhm. I can’t use much magic though…

Akira: (Her parents didn’t say anything about that…But then again it’s typical for wizards to live in the South, so I guess they didn’t bother bringing it up.) 

So wizards can hear the voices of spirits huh... Is that true, Snow? 

Snow: Yes, though it is rather hard for younger wizards to come to hear their voices, regardless of their presence. One's experience with magic and strength has an effect on that too, of course.

Children of younger age are a lot more susceptible, however. Some can easily sense the voices and appearances of non-human entities regardless of how strong their magic is.

Therefore, we can assume that Helena was indeed taken away by a spirit.

Helena: I wonder where everyone went… I wanted to play with them more...

Chloe: Hey, Helena. 

Chloe crouched in front of a wistful-looking Helena. He locked his eyes with hers and held her hands. 

Chloe: It’s time for you to go back home. Your mom and dad are waiting for you.

Helena: …I don’t want to. I had so much fun being here and made so many friends. I’m not going back yet.

Chloe: But, don’t you want to see your parents? 

Helena: My parents always tell me to do all kinds of chores back home! It’s way more fun being here! 

Chloe: Helena…

Nero: …

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