Reborn As A Villain?

[T̶w̶o̶]

Purr

Purr

The dark creature purred on Claude's lap, snuggling deeper into his lap. Claude smiled softly, tickling the little creature under its chin. The dark creature was Skound, a creature with the appearance of a puppy or a grown dog but with a bone mask as its face and a bone tail. A small ball of light hanging over one of its hair like an anglerfish.

"Guquan-ah, is Guquan happy?" Claude asked the little floof who only replied him by snuggling more against him.

(Gu-Quan is 骨犬, which means Skeleton Dog or Bone Dog.)

Hearing the few barks that Guquan has let out, Claude continued to tickle his belly, earning more high pitched barks which very much indicated that the Skound was laughing. It wasn't long for the little canine to feel bored so he quickly stood up on his four little feet before jumping off his master's lap, landing on the ground with a small bark. He wagged his bone tail a few times before running out of the door. Claude was able to hear the footsteps growing more distant before hearing the small little taps made by the paws against the staircase, telling him that the little one have went downstairs.

The Chinese man stare at the door for a while, distant barking was heard along with a few other creatures' noise, maybe Guquan have found the others to play with, before he stood up swiftly, behind him a projection was being played in the mirror.

[🍁🍁🍁]

Darkness loomed over the Ancalenian soldiers, though the sun is still up high in the sky, it was as if the darkness from the Darkyeon region was not affected by it, truly living up to its name.

"Your Highness, we've already entered the Darkyeon region." Nathaniel informed Lucian who still had an unreadable expression on his face, replying with a sideway glance, the Elf then asked. "How much further?"

"We should be arriving soon." The brunette Elf answered, "Is Your Highness really sure about this?"

When Nathaniel wasn't given a reply, he let out an inaudible sigh before catching up to the Prince on his horse, nearing to their destination which was the Forest of No Return.

Moon silver eyes stared ahead of him, watching the black mist that now served as a divider from the soldiers from advancing into the territory. The mist swirl and twist, as if daring anyone who was brave enough to venture into its unknown embrace, giving off a chilling vibe that you would not survive if you took a step in.

Lucian and those who were on their horses, dismounted, letting the horses stay behind. Without another word, the Prince stepped into the misty forest, immediately his silhouette was engulfed by the blackness. This alarming the general and his secretary that both quickly followed him along with the soldiers, not wanting to lose the Ancalenian royalty.

"Your Highness! At least give us a warning! What if we lose you??" Nathaniel let out a cry of distress and joy when he finally saw the Prince. "This is still an unknown territory!"

"It's fine, it's fine, Nathaniel." The Prince tries to reassure his friend. "You always have an affinity in finding me."

"This is not the time to joke around!!"

"Alright, alright."

"Your Highness!!" Nathaniel couldn't help but be worried by the nonchalant tone that the Prince have given him but could do nothing but follow him as the group trudged into the Black Forest. The sight of the shrivelled up trees and black soil was enough to make anyone turn back and leave. And it wasn't helping the secretary and the others when there were creepy whispers and noises that seem to be following them. Sometimes sounding so close to their ears that they snapped their head back but was met with nothing.

Sometimes creatures of flight would dart down, brushing against their head by barely an inch out of the blue to startle them or to even scare them away but the Prince was firm and continued in his path, not wanting to go back with no results in hand. Nathaniel who was worried for His Highness's safety, couldn't help but said, "Your Highness, I think it's best we retreat. Whomever it is, clearly does not want us here."

"If that person does not want us here, he would have killed us all by now, don't you think?"

"Shouldn't we take this chance to leave before he decides to do so?!"

It was as if an answer to the elf's question as when they stepped into a clearing, the most dispersed almost immediately in that area but the surrounding was still shrouded with the black fog. The Prince immediately raised a hand, halting the movement of the group. The soldiers and Nathaniel immediately have their hands on the hilt of their swords, drawing the blade an inch out of their respective sheaths.

All senses were alert as they observed the surrounding for even a tiny movement that could be consider as a threat. Their guards were all kept up until a bark sounded through the air, clear as a bullet. The group immediately snapped their head to the source of the sound and saw a creature in front of them.

"Protect His Highness!!" The general yelled out as the soldiers went into formation, it was no doubt a Dark Creature that had announced its presence but it was only Guquan. The Skound bark another time, this time tilting its head as if it does not know why had they yell at it.

Guquan was sitting down, his tail wagging behind him as he barked a few more times. Noticing that the group before him was being extremely cautious of him, he quickly stood up on his four little legs and stood in a prowling stance, his head low while his butt high in the air. Guquan barked again before running around in circles and resuming back to his pose. After repeating this a few more times, he finally stood up and ran a little towards a direction before running back to the group, repeating this motion a few times.

"Arf! Arf!" He barked towards them, his tail wagging excitedly in the air. His behaviour had no doubt stunned the Syphillian group that Nathaniel was even more cautious than before. "Is it...telling us to follow it?"

"Why is it being so....playful?"

"Isn't it suppose to be a Dark Creature?"

A few soldiers were heard murmuring among themselves and then the Prince said, "Let's go."

"Why??"

"Do we need to turn down the person whom we want to meet?"

"The Reaper??!"