Waking up. Something he learned to hate with a passion.

  Some of that hate is natural, some of it came with recent events.

  nevertheless, the fact remained that waking up was something Val didn't love to go through. And once again, that's what he had to do this morning, like any other.

  He groaned at the forest, as if it had called for him to get up.

  Val: "Ahhhhhh come onnn..."

  His eyes were still sealed shut. Until a sudden wind almost blew him out of place.

  And so, opening his eyes and raising his head, the pile of leaves under his head placed for comfort were swiftly swept away with the breeze. He watched the empty space under his head with delusion and surprise. Now it really looked like the forest was calling for him to start his day.

  Val: "Oh you HAVE to be kidding me."

  Slightly spooked out, Val stood up slowly, with caution. He felt watched now more than any other moment in this chaos odyssey.

  He checked his surroundings, and without fail, the trees were in their usual place, partially covering up the sun's light. Some of it still was able to pass through.

  And so, another day started.

  He was able to survive about 3 days now, coming into the fourth. Even though in the last day or two, he was having more and more difficulty hunting, and he was also getting a bit thirsty. He hadn't drunk any water since being in heaven.

  But don't worry, angels can go more than three days with no food or water.

  --

  Before he departed, he looked down, and his gaze met the halo on his neck.

  He grabbed it, but he didn't really know why he did that. Val remained with his halo in his hand for a moment.

  Then, after a customary deep breath, he left his halo be and started walking.

  The day before this one had been solely dedicated to walking toward the place the human had come from. He was sure he came from some sort of settlement, or town, or city. Anything would suffice for Val.

  Walking and walking, it was tiring after a while, and especially because of the uneventful nature of this forest.

  While walking, Val would only really see that many things; The trees, the grass, and sometimes there would be flower patches.

  The trees, the grass, the trees, the grass, the trees, the grass, the trees, a small house, the grass--

  A house?

  Val quickly hid behind the closest tree's trunk.

  Observing...

  The first house he had seen was a small one, made out of wood, but the others were bigger and seemed more sturdy. Was this the place that man came from?

  Val once again looked down at his collar--

  He gripped it firmly. Probably trying to gain confidence that he was not gonna be found out like this. He was putting his trust into the halo.

  --

  Even though he had gained some confidence, he still stood still behind the tree. What if they found out? Maybe it's better to not go there. If they found out, I'd have to--

  These thoughts coursing through his head were no good. As he'd already done many times, he shook his head looking down to shoo them away.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Another deep breath was necessary for this venture.

  And then, he turned around the tree suddenly. He was now facing the village head on. It was still pretty far away though, so only turning around wasn't going to do much. The standing still with eyes wide open was probably because of his surprise at the lack of action, caused by this. He needed to get closer up.

  He put on his game face. He relaxed his muscles, and made the most neutral expression he could muster. And then he was officially ready, for real now.

  He walked toward the village, while he tried to calm his breathing as he noticed it was getting out of control.

  And then he started spotting some of the villagers there. A guy, a kid, and another guy. He continued on.

  And then, about 15 meters from the first people he saw, they spotted him. The two men walked toward him.

  Man 1: "Not who we were expecting..."

  He muttered that, probably not wanting Val to hear what he said.

  Man 2: "Hey there! Are you a traveler, perhaps?"

  Val breathed a sigh of relief before answering.

  Val: "Well, yeah, you could say that. I- I've been traveling, but I'm having a hard time."

  Man 2: "You could say that again! That side of the forest, where you came from, is almost empty. Apart from those damn boarhounds roaming."

  Val: "Boarhounds? Are those creatures with horns coming out of their mouth and head?"

  Man 2: "Yep!"

  The man looked at Val with excitement.

  Man 2: "You seen one?"

  Val: "Multiple. It's how I got this wound...--"

  Val pointed to the side of his leg. Though, when he checked, nothing was there. Then, he checked his wounds from his fight with the human. The cut on his hands, was gone. And the deep wound where the man's sword had been enlodged in his forearm, was also unnoticeable.

  Val: "Weird..."

  Man 1: "You good?"

  Val quickly raised his head and straightened his posture once he was startled by the man's surprisingly deep voice.

  Val: "Yes. Sorry. Anyways, I have a request to make of you."

  He prepared to ask the big question.

  Val: "So, I've been having trouble finding anything to drink or eat for the past... three days, really."

  The men's faces quickly turned to surprise and worry.

  Man 2: "Three days!? It's a miracle you're alive! Follow us!"

  Val: "H- Huh?"

  Man 1: "Come."

  One of them grabbed Val's right arm, and dragged him through the town.

  Slowly, but surely, a smile appeared on Val's face.

  --

  They reached what seemed to be an inn.

  Man 2: "Here! You can have food and drinks, however much you want!"

  Man 1: "If you also need a place to stay for the night, this is the place to go to. We'll pay for you, max three days. Kay?"

  Val: "Wha- What?"

  Man 2: "Let's go inside! You must be starved..."

  Approaching the door, the man was still holding Val's arm. He looked at it, and decided to let it be.

  --

  They sat down, and some water was brought right away. There was dim lighting, and the interior was spacious. From the inside, it looked completely made out of wood.

  Val grabbed the weird shaped cup. It was made of wood. What a stark contrast between the glass ones at home.

  Ignoring the differences, he drank up, calmly.

  Man 1: "Damn, for someone who hasn't drunk anything for three whole days, you're composed."

  Val still hadn't completely atoned to that man's unusually deep voice.

  He placed the cup back in front of him.

  Val: "Ah, well, it's not that long"

  The two men looked at each other, and gave a slight laugh, shaking their head. Then they settled down, putting their arms on the small table, which leaned toward them.

  Man 2: "Oh! Let me introduce myself! My name is Masako Neymore, and this is my brother--"

  Man 1: "Riney. Riney, Neymore."

  Val looked at the two with an attentive expression, and nodded, now noticing the resemblance.

  Val: "Okay..."

  Val paused and looked down. He wasn't thinking of anything in particular, he was just taken by the moment. He was fascinated by the dynamic of the two brothers.

  They looked at him, almost disappointed, obviously waiting for an answer.

  He finally raised his head quickly, sensing their gazes.

  Val: "Oh! Right, my name is Valaeron."

  The two looked at each other once more, this time with a confused look.

  Masako: "Valaeron..."

  He made a gesture with his hand, clearly expecting something to follow.

  Val: "Yes. Valaeron. Y'all can call me Val."

  He smiled, almost crossing the line of 'awkward'

  Masako darted his eyes side to side, while Riney slowly nodded, brows furrowed.

  Val: "Thanks for this, by the way."

  Masako: "No problem!"

  Riney: "No need. It's the least we can do."

  Some bread had been served, and Val chowed down. Bread back in heaven was considered a classy food, in fact Val was pretty surprise seeing a food like that in a grunge place like this.

  But he couldn't help it once again. He smiled.