Ch. 7: Chasing the Poachers
Riel and I headed into the forest, accompanied by his servants.
The leaves rustled restlessly overhead, as if they were afraid of something.
Riel: “OO… I’m sorry for dragging you into this. But I’m asking for your help…”
Riel spoke calmly, thought I could see the sorrow and rage intertwined in his expression.
OO: “I know how much you care about this forest Riel.”
Riel: “Yeah, thanks. And it makes me happy that you’ve come to love the forest and the spirits this much… It’s really touching. And I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m sure that if you hadn’t supported me, I wouldn’t have been allowed to go into the forest…”
OO: “I’m glad I was able to be helpful.”
Riel smiled briefly as he looked at me.
OO: “Um… what did the poachers come to the forest for?”
Riel: “……”
At my question, Riel quietly shook his head.
Ch. 8: The Voice of the Forest
OO: “Um… what did the poachers come to the forest for?”
At my question, Riel quietly shook his head.
Riel: “There are a few reasons I can think of, but I don’t know what their real goal is. First, the pokkle are a rare type of creature, so they could be trying to catch them. Or they could be after the plants that only grow in this forest… or they could be mistaken about the sacred bonfire of the forest and think it’s a treasure.”
I wondered if that those things had happened in the past, but Riel’s expression was grim.
Riel: “In this case, they threatened and attacked the pokkle.”
OO: “That’s true…”
(How dare they lay their hands on this beautiful forest…)
My heart ached as I thought of the injured pokkle and the idea of the plants getting torn up.
Riel: “It’s a sad story. I… have always wanted more people to know about the forest. That’s why there’s a section open for anyone to access… but then something unforgivable like this happens.”
With sorrow etched on his features, we finally arrived at the inner part of the forest…
Riel: “We should be able to meet up over here.”
OO: “……?”
I looked into the distance as Riel started to speak.
Riel: “Jukab.”
Riel called out… and from the shadows of the trees, a single large pokkle appeared in silence.
OO: “Jukab…!”
Riel: “Jukab is the herd leader of the pokkle. So I thought it’d be a good idea to talk to him.”
OO: “That’s a good idea. Thank you Jukab.”
I greeted Jukab, and he gave a snort through his nose in response.
Then as we stood there, a number of different animals gathered around Riel…
(There are animals that look like squirrels, and foxes…)
OO: “Riel, can you speak with other animals besides the pokkle?”
Riel: “Yeah, I can hear the voice of the forest in general.”
OO: “Eh…?”
I could only respond with a short, shocked sound at the idea of the voice of the forest.
Then Riel looked around the forest, his expression happy as he spoke.
Riel: “For instance, from that tree you’re touching right now… the tree is happy and says you smell nice.”
OO: “……!”
I hurriedly pulled my hand away from the tree in surprise and Riel chuckled.
OO: “You can even hear the trees…? That’s amazing.”
Riel: “It’s not that special. It’s just a natural thing for me.”
OO: “But… if the poachers could hear the voice of the forest… maybe they wouldn’t do such cruel things. That’s why your abilities are truly special Riel.”
I spoke my thoughts aloud, and Riel looked at me in surprise.
OO: “Riel…?”
Riel: “……s-sorry. I was just surprised… that you thought that way. I had no idea you thought so much about the forest…”
Riel’s face broke into a pleased grin.
(He really looks happy.)
But at that moment, Jukab let out a low whine.
Riel: “…what’s wrong?”
Riel’s expression grew stern, and his voice dropped.
Riel slowly wrapped his arms around my shoulders as I stiffened from tension.
Ch. 9: The Road to the Shrine
Riel tightened his grip around my shoulders…-.
Riel: “…Jukab?”
In response to Riel’s voice, Jukab looked further into the forest.
Riel: “……”
Riel immediately paled.
OO: “Riel?”
Riel: “…this way.”
Riel took my hand and quickly ran down the path Jukab had gestured to.
We walked down this new path for some time before we came to a wide cavern.
Riel: “This path leads to the shrine.”
OO: “…? We’re heading back to the shrine?”
Riel: “Jukab just told me. That the poachers are headed for the sacred bonfire.”
OO: “The bonfire…!?”
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Riel: “And deep in the forest, there’s a sacred bonfire that the spirits all protect so that not even strong winds, or heavy rains, or snow put it out. If it were to ever go out, it’s said the forest would disappear too… that’s why everyone protects it.”
————————–
(Oh no…! If the bonfire goes out…)
Riel: “It won’t extinguish easily… but it’ll be terrible if something happens to it.”
OO: “Let’s hurry…!”
We ran back to the shrine.
…
……
At last we arrived back at the shrine where the sacred bonfire was housed…-.
Poacher 1: “Is this the shrine where the treasure is?”
Poacher 2: “I didn’t think it existed but… this place does feel pretty weird.”
Poacher 1: “Hmph… we lost the spirits we captured. So we should nab another prize.”
(That’s…)
Just as we thought, we saw the men start to sneak into the shrine.
Riel: “Hold it!”
Riel called out and the men jumped in shock before turning around.
Then…
Poacher 1: “You’re…!”
Poacher 2: “Hey, get in the shrine!”
And the men shut themselves in the shrine.
Ch. 10: The Light of the Sacred Flame
The poachers we found in front of the shrine locked themselves inside…
Riel ran up to the entrance and threw himself against the door.
Riel: “…it’s no good. They locked it…!”
OO: “Open up!”
I shouted at the closed door.
But the door didn’t open… and we were at a loss.
Riel: “…I was too weak. I never thought they’d actually find this place. The pokkle normally conceal this path… but Apleli got hurt, so they couldn’t.”
OO: “There must be a way…-.”
Though I racked my brain, I just couldn’t think of anything.
OO: “……”
I turned to look back at the door.
OO: “…this forest is the real treasure.”
Riel: “OO…?”
Riel looked at me in surprise.
(I don’t think this will get the door to open… but I need to try anyway)
I thought back to the beauty of the forest, of the trees… and the pokkle I had met since coming to the forest.
OO: “Do you not understand? This entire forest is the treasure…!”
A passion burned in my heart.
I felt alight with anger at these people who would trample on something that was precious to Riel.
Then…
Poacher 1: “…you’re not fooling us!”
Poacher 2: “Hand over the treasure! If you don’t, we’re going to tear this shrine apart!”
A gunshot came from inside.
OO: “…!”
Riel: “OO!”
Suddenly, Riel was holding me protectively.
Riel: “I’m sorry… and thanks.”
He stroked my head comfortingly, then went to stand in front of the door.
Riel: “I am the prince of this country, Riel. Open the door. I will give you the treasure.”
Poacher 1: “Did he say… the prince…?”
Poacher 2: “Then we’re even less likely to open the door!”
Riel: “I keep my promises. If you’d like, I’ll serve as your hostage until you leave this country.”
(Riel…!)
Poacher 1: “…you serious?”
Riel: “I swear it. I’ll hand over the treasure.”
Responding to Riel’s unflinching tone, the door slowly started to open.
Poacher 1: “If you try anything funny… we’ll shoot.”
Riel: “I understand.”
Riel squeezed my shoulder protectively, then walked towards the shrine.
…
……
As the men held us at gunpoint, Riel held up a small lamp as he stood in front of the sacred bonfire of the forest.
Riel: “This is the most important treasure of the forest…”
As he said it, Riel gently placed the flame of the bonfire into the lamp.
Poacher 1: “Huh? Don’t mess with me! This is just a regular fire!”
Poacher 2: “That’s right, did you kids think you could pull a fast one on us!?”
The poacher swung his hand and…
OO: “…!”
The small lantern with the bonfire flame went flying and smashed on the ground, its flame going out.
Riel: “……”
At that moment, there was a change in the air as Riel’s aura suddenly shifted.
Riel: “How could you do such a thing to the sacred bonfire…”
Riel’s eyes were burning with anger… just like when the pokkle had been hurt.
Riel: “I won’t go easy on you…”
As soon as Riel said it, he suddenly disappeared from beside me and I couldn’t track his movements until…-.
Poacher 1: “Uwa…!”
The gun fell clattered on the floor as one of the poachers was pinned down.
(That was so fast…!)
Riel was displaying a power of speed that I could never have imagined coming from the quiet and gentle Riel I knew.
Poacher 2: “Gh…!”
In a blink, the second poacher was down and bound with a rope.
I stood there in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Riel: “I’m sorry for scaring you.”
OO: “O-oh, no! I was just surprised you were so strong.”
Riel: “I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”
As he said it, the spark of rage in his eyes seemed to have vanished, but…
His eyes fell on the broken lamp.
(The precious flame…)
I slowly bent to pick up the pieces, but…-.
Riel: “The glass is sharp, don’t touch it.”
OO: “Ah…”
Riel stopped me before I could pick up the lamp.
Riel: “I don’t want you to cut yourself… and besides, it doesn’t suit you to be on your knees.”
Saying as much, Riel got down on one knee.
OO: “Riel…!?”
Riel: “…I can feel it.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Riel’s eyes looked down in sorrow.
Riel: “All of this happened because I didn’t take my duties as a prince seriously. If I had truly valued how precious this forest is and done the right thing, this wouldn’t have happened… This forest is the real treasure… you were right when you said that. I should have realized it myself. I only loved this forest… but I wasn’t able to convey those feelings.”
OO: “That’s not true…!”
I vehemently shook my head and Riel chuckled.
Riel: “And yet it happened again. You surprised me with your words.”
————————–
OO: “But… if the poachers could hear the voice of the forest…”
————————–
Riel: “I’d never thought of it that way. But you were exactly right. If they could feel the pain of the forest…-.”
OO: “Riel…”
Riel: “I wonder, if there were more people like that out in the world, then this kind of horrible thing wouldn’t happen.”
Riel looked at me, his expression serious.
Riel: “I need to spread the voice of the forest. I want to honor the example you’ve shown me with your beautiful heart and your fierce courage…”
OO: “……”
Riel lightly kissed the back of my hand.
That kiss before the sacred bonfire… felt like an oath he was swearing for his own future.
END
Secret Story: A Fate Decided
Thanks in part to OO’s quick wit, we were able to capture the poachers that had locked themselves in the shrine.
However…
(I couldn’t forgive them for doing that to the sacred bonfire of the forest…)
The poachers had hurt the pokkle, who were like family to me.
They had violated this precious forest.
And on top of that, they had worked to get their hands on the sacred bonfire, the most important part of the whole forest…-.
OO: “……”
The rage and hatred that burned in my heart fell silent after capturing the poachers, but…
OO looked at me out of concern, sadness in her eyes.
After that…-.
Riel: “The glass is sharp, don’t touch it.”
OO: “Ah…”
I knew she was doing it for me.
She had reached her hand out for the broken lamp where I’d put the sacred flame.
(It’s fine… you don’t need to be the one doing that. And please don’t look so sad…)
Riel: “I don’t want you to cut yourself… and besides, it doesn’t suit you to be on your knees.”
(That’s right… to me, that kindness of yours is…)
Gently, I took her smaller, warm hand in mine and got down on one knee.
OO: “Riel…!?”
Riel: “…I can feel it.”
OO: “Eh…?”
(I had never realized it. But your courage showed it to me…)
Riel: “All of this happened because I didn’t take my duties as a prince seriously. If I had truly valued how precious this forest is and done the right thing, this wouldn’t have happened… This forest is the real treasure… you were right when you said that. I should have realized it myself. I only loved this forest… but I wasn’t able to convey those feelings.”
The words kept coming, as if they were a confession I had kept deep in my heart.
OO: “That’s not true…!”
OO shook her head.
She was so kind, yet that reaction was just so cute… I couldn’t help laughing a little.
Riel: “And yet it happened again. You surprised me with your words.”
If the poachers had been able to hear the voice of the forest, such a horrible thing may not have happened…
I remembered her words then.
Riel: “I’d never thought of it that way. But you were exactly right. If they could feel the pain of the forest…-.”
OO: “Riel…”
Riel: “I wonder, if there were more people like that out in the world, then this kind of horrible thing wouldn’t happen.”
All of these were the words of my heart.
I was truly thankful that I had met OO and that she’d made me realize these things.
(I’m so glad we met… I want you to know just how grateful I am that we met, and that you exist…)
Riel: “I need to spread the voice of the forest. I want to honor the example you’ve shown me with your beautiful heart and your fierce courage…”
OO: “……”
I placed all my feelings into the kiss I placed on the back of her hand.
Her sweet scent was so different from anything in the forest…
…
……
That night, OO and I couldn’t sleep, so we went and stood on the balcony.
Despite what had happened earlier, the forest was now asleep, wrapped in a gentle quiet.
Soon, the night would end.
It was a long, long night…
Riel: “Are you cold?”
OO: “I’m fine. I’m sorry for coming along with you…”
She was apologetic as she looked down to where her hands were clasped over the railing of the balcony.
Without thinking… I stared at her lovely fingers.
(I want to touch her… more, and more… I want to share my feelings with her.)
This newborn desire was slowly dominating my heart.
An impatient yearning grew in my heart, like waiting for the warmth of the morning to come.
Riel: “Don’t worry about it… I couldn’t sleep a wink either. It’s strange, isn’t it. I can feel myself being tired, but I’m too anxious to sleep.”
OO: “You too then?”
Riel: “Yeah. I’ve realized a lot. Only just now though… I really am grateful for everything you did…”
OO: “Oh, I didn’t do much… I just came to love this forest.”
Riel: “This is the first time I’ve met someone who has said something so true and pure.”
OO: “Oh… really?”
Riel: “Yeah.”
She turned her eyes towards me.
I wondered how a look could convey so much meaning without any words…
(She’s so lovely… You are truly beautiful and precious. But is that all? Is that really it? I can know… if I touch you…)
Riel: “OO…”
OO: “…?”
Riel: “I’d like to touch you.”
OO: “Huh…?”
She didn’t respond with any words.
Then, as if such things were unnecessary, I felt a strange type of passion burning inside me…
Rather than responding, OO looked down.
Riel: “OO…”
OO: “……”
I gently put my hand on her cheek.
The warmth of her skin spread through my hand, and I felt it deep in my heart.
(How is it… that you’re able to touch my heart like this…?)
Slowly, I moved my fingers till they were on her lips…
She started slightly then looked straight at me.
Riel: “…I love you so very much. This feeling is different than anything I’ve felt for anyone… I love you…”
Gently, our lips met… and it felt like something fit perfectly against my heart…
(Ah, this person…)
It felt like… the pull of fate.
END