The Gems of Element

Part 2: Earth Region ~ Chapter V

My head hurts.

Feeling the area I'm currently lying down on, I graze my hand along the soft, bristle like texture around me, it's grass. My back slowly rises into a sitting position but as soon as I'm able to, my head starts to ache again. I reach up to the spot on my head that's causing my discomfort, and apply pressure to it to relieve some of the pain.

I decide to try opening my eyes, but immediately a blinding white light forces them shut again, making my other hand reach out in front of me to protect my eyes from the light. 'Is it daytime already?' My vision starts to adjust to the brightness until I'm finally able to see where I am.

I'm currently in the middle of a clearing in the woods. The grass I'm sitting on is short, but long enough to cover my legs whilst I'm still seated. Looking ahead, I've also noticed the leaves of the trees in the horizon and the grass, is the same shade of lime green. It's a little too vibrant for what a regular forest should look like. The temperature is cool, not hot at all which is also strange to me because the sun is fully out blazing down at me. It all just seems perfect, too perfect. I've been to the woods before so I know what they should look and feel like but I've never seen this part, It's too unnatural. Taking in what I've seen so far, I've come to a conclusion.

"I'm in heaven."

I feel weirdly calm. Like everything is going to be okay. Isn't this what heaven should feel like? I'm not panicking at all, or think I'm being crazy It's just... tranquil. Unfortunately that tranquility doesn't last long because as soon as I finish taking a breather, the shadow thing from like 5 minutes ago steps out from the forest and into the clearing I'm currently seated in, making a beeline straight towards me.

"OH GOD THIS IS HELL!"

I jump up from my spot and sprint into the forest. Its footsteps get closer and closer, making me breathe harder. Thankfully the adrenaline pumping through me prevents me from stopping.

"HELP, HELP ME PLEASE! SOMEONE?!"

I hope someone can hear me, somewhere out there, but I know the chances of anyone being here are slim. I keep running through the forest, jumping over roots, swatting away leaves, and dodging multiple tree trunks. Sadly I am forced to come to a halt. My body tosses itself to the ground with a *thud* courtesy of the rock that I had just tripped over.

"Ow! Oh of course I fall down now!" I look back at the shadow thingy, and suddenly we're face to face. It bares its multiple rows of teeth at me, making me tremble in fear. This feels sort of nostalgic doesn't it? It makes a loud groaning sound at me and a mix of saliva and bad breath make their way onto my face, forcing me to shut my eyes. I definitely didn't wanna keep them open anyways.

I wait for whatever comes next, whatever fate has in store for me. All of a sudden, the groaning stops. I hear the *swoosh* of a blade come down in front of me, sounding something like when an arrow from a bow flies through the air, or when you throw a knife at someone. Not that I know how that's like. I peek out of one eye, curious to see what has become of the monster, and let out a sigh of relief at what's in front of me.

"It's... It's gone?!"

'Yay! Fate still needs me alive!'

"Are you alright, miss?"

I hear a voice on my right say to me. It's male, it's a person! Fully opening my eyes to see who my savior is, it is definitely not what I was expecting. I can't see his face, but that's because it's covered by a metal helmet of some sort. In fact, his entire body is covered in armor.

"I hope that vile creature didn't harm you in any way. Here, let's get you on your feet."

I take his hand and he helps me up, placing his other hand on my waist as a leverage to keep me balanced. Now that can I get a better look at what he's wearing, It is exactly something you'd see the knights in those medieval movies wear. It's a little bit confusing to be honest. The silver of his armor is dull, and dirty. He must've been wearing that for some time now.