After their successful prison escape, Ray, Emma, and the other Grace Field children above the age of five venture out into the new world that they know nothing about.
✦ What will they possibly encounter in this world ruled by demons - and demons alo...
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The sunlit forest was alive with anticipation as the group embarked on a quest the following day. Their mission was to capture a bird, not just for sustenance but also as an offering to gain the blessings of the ruler of the Demon World, an essential step in ensuring the safe return of Ninelie and Zazie to their hidden sanctuary.
As Ninelie attempted to load her gun, Sonju intervened, his voice gentle but firm, "Don't use that, you'll disturb the forest,"
Ninelie lowered her weapon and sighed, admitting, "I didn't have any spare bullets anyway. What should I use then?"
Sonju, the experienced hunter, retrieved a finely crafted bow from behind their bags and handed it to her, along with a couple of arrows. As she delicately plucked the bowstring, testing its tension, and assessed her limited arrow supply, she made her choice clear. "I'll only need one for this."
Impressed by her quick adaptation, Sonju inquired, "Can you aim properly?"
"Kind of," shrugged Ninelie, "I rarely use them, so I'm not sure."
Mujika, observing Ninelie's prowess, couldn't help but admire her. She leaned over to Zazie, remarking, "Goodness, she's quite remarkable, isn't she?" Zazie, captivated by Ninelie's skills, nodded enthusiastically, keeping his eyes fixed on the young huntress. The trio waited patiently, their attention now focused on Ninelie as she meticulously scoured the forest for her target.
Ninelie's hands danced with grace and precision as she prepared to take her shot. In her left hand, she held the bow with a vice-like grip, extending it proudly in front of her, its curves exuding an aura of power and elegance. Her right hand descended towards the earth, where an arrow, adorned with delicate feathers, stood proudly upright. The earth reluctantly released its grip on the arrow as her thumb, index, and middle fingers delicately plucked it from its soil sanctuary.
With the arrow now in her grasp, she gently notched it onto the bowstring and drew it back, her well-trained muscles flexing and straining under the weight of the bow's tension. The bowstring snagged at the flesh of her index and middle fingers, a painful reminder of the force she was about to unleash.
As Ninelie's firm muscles subtly bulged, her eyes keenly surveyed the scene before her. Her mind calculated range, distance, crosswinds, and the trajectory of her arrow. With a deep breath, she adjusted her aim, accounting for all these factors. The world seemed to slow around her as she finally released the bowstring, and it snapped with a resounding crack.
The arrow tore through the air, soaring into the afternoon sky at breakneck speed. In a matter of seconds, it found its mark, piercing the stomach of a passing bird. The unfortunate avian spiraled out of control, plummeting earthward.
With a resounding thud, the bird crashed to the ground. Ninelie hurried forward to inspect the creature's condition, her companions, Sonju, Mujika, and Zazie, following suit. Their faces were etched with awe, witnessing her incredible display of skill. A nearby creek offered the opportunity to refill their water jars, a testament to the convenience of their find.
"It's still alive," Ninelie remarked, gently feeling the bird's chest rise and fall. "Maybe I overdid it..."
"Not at all," Sonju knelt beside her, his presence a comforting reassurance. He extended a peculiar plant toward her, a Vida, its dark, vampiric leaves, and tendrils reaching out. This plant, known for its blood-absorbing properties, was a secret of the Demons, employed to extend the shelf life of hunted meat.
"You did well," The demon whispered with an air of wisdom and gratitude, offering the Vida to Ninelie, who accepted it with a curious look in her eye.
Her fingers gently touched the stem of the Vida, and a rush of memories flooded her mind. This was the very same flower the demon children carried when they ventured out to hunt. Their return was often marked by lifeless animals, their hearts punctured by the sharp, sinister stems of the plant. Ninelie vividly remembered the day she had been taught the ancient ritual, a somber yet natural conclusion to the hunt.
Sonju began explaining, "You have to pierce the prey's heart while it's still alive, then after that-"
"I'll pray and ask for hisblessings."
A knowing nod from Sonju acknowledged her resolve, and she moved with a resolute purpose. The small bird, helpless in her grasp, became the subject of a swift, yet compassionate, act. She plunged the sharp end of the Vida's stem into the bird's heart, ending its torment with an air of finality. As she did, Ninelie bowed her head and brought her hands together, her left hand gently touching her brow, her fingertips delicately resting on her glabella. With graceful precision, her right hand traced an intricate pattern through the air as she performed a lower bow.
In hushed reverence, her voice carried the weight of a request as she implored,
