Mariposa

He's Awake

"He's dead meat." I said, standing up.

"Who?" Rose inquired, but I didn't have time for questions, so I simply ran in the direction where I saw the man in my vision. I ran as fast as my legs would allow because I knew the man had a limited amount of time. The others were running alongside Grandpa, chasing after me, telling me to wait, but no! A person's life is at stake here.

Finally! I noticed a man running towards me. A wolf jumped on him and dug its claws into his shoulders just as I was about to reach him. I quickly teleported to him and yanked him away from the wolf. I reached out my hands to the wolves, and they all burned to ash. I approached the man and took him in my arms.

Help me." Were his final words before passing out. If it's not too late, I could still heal him. Red wolves have some kind of venom their teeth that helps kill their prey quickly. The others had already joined me by the time I got to the man.

"All right, let's go back." Roxie said as he turned his back and walked away.

"What? A man is on the verge of death, and you're just walking away?" Rose quarried Roxie.

"Pathetic! You're heartless!" Claudia threw up her hooves.

"Are you still able to heal him?" Grandpa inquired.

"If I get him home quickly, it's a 50 50 chance. Guys, I'm teleporting home with the man. Meet me there." With that, I teleported back to the garden and carefully placed the young man. His hair was covering his face, so I brushed it to the side of his ear with my hand, and what I saw left me speechless.

Oh, he's so adorable. Is he, like, a big baby? I could really pinch his cheeks and not get tired. His nose, hair, and mouth. Geez! Look at those lips, they're flawless. All I want to do is feel the texture.

Mari, get a grip. Remember, you're supposed to heal him. I heard footsteps and realized that the others had returned.

"Heal him already," Grandpa said, coming to a halt beside me.

"All right," I said. Nothing is going to happen to this man under my watch. My hands emitted light, which I applied to his wound. The blood had dried up, and the wound had been closed.

"That should do it," I said confidently.

"Is he breathing?" Rose inquired, clearly worried.

"Let me check," I said, leaning forward and putting my finger to his nostrils, and yes, he was breathing.

"He's breathing." I said

"Thank goodness." Claudia breathed out.

"It's late, let's sleep." Grandpa said, lying down as he got ready to sleep.

Rose yawed and she bid us goodnight. "Good night guys. Goodnight Roxie, make sure you don't die in your sleep." Claudia grinned, earning a scoff from him.

"Goodnight.".I said, taking a final glance at the cute young man before drifting to sleep.

|•NARRATIVE•|

It was already morning. The birds were chirping and singing, the sky was as blue as ever, and the trees glistened in the sun's rays. As the gentle breeze blew, the sparkling water fall added to the beauty of the garden. Novah was preparing to begin his guardian duties. Roxie stood up and approached him. Novah became aware of his presence and turned to face him.

"Good morning." Novah smiled and said hello.

"Morning." As he stretched, Roxie mumbled a response.

"Are you preparing for today's work?" Rosie asked an obvious question.

"Yeah," Novah replied as he hung his sword behind his back.

"Don't you think it's about time?" Roxie inquired as he took a seat.

"Time for what?" Novah inquired, unsure what Roxie was on about.

"Of course, it's time to tell her the truth. Novah, you've been keeping it from her for 20 years! Twenty years, Novah! Isn't that plenty of time? You can't simply...

"I'm keeping her safe!" Novah roared, refusing to let Roxie continue his rants, which surprised him because Novah had never thundered like that before.

"Look," Novah said, sighing. "I know you think telling her will be best, but it will endanger her even more. I made a promise to Queen Aurora that I'll keep her safe. I took an oath Roxie, and me revealing everything to her will lay the groundwork for me breaking my promise because definitely, she will be endangered." Novah paused and sighed. "Just get that please." Novah pleaded.

"Fine." Roxie sighed as he walked away, but then he came to a halt. "Just keep in mind that you'll have to tell her sooner or later." He walked away without looking back at Novah.

Roxie will never understand. Novah is doing everything she can to ensure her safety. Sorex isn't going to stop until he gets Mari. Sorex is the king of the underworld's demons. He was the mastermind behind Nymphodia's destruction, and he murdered Mari's mother and father, and he won't stop until he gets Mari. He destroyed the kingdom, slaughtered some people, and took others as slaves. He's a true devil, and if he gets his hands on Mari, the results will be disastrous.

"Grandpa." Novah smiled as he heard his daughter's voice. She's awake, as well as Rose and Claudia.

MARIPOSA'S POV

I was getting some beauty sleep when I felt something sweep across my face. I brushed it off, but it persisted. I became irritated and grabbed it firmly.

"Ow!".

I heard a voice and immediately recognized it as Roxie's. I opened my eyes and oops! It was his tail that I snatched.

"Do you have to be so strong?" Still in pain, he inquired.

"I'm sorry, but you kept sweeping your tail across my face." I defended myself.

"Well, you wouldn't get out of bed on time." He said this while licking his tail to relieve the pain.

Our conversation jolted Rose and Claudia awake. They both said good morning in unison. I responded, and, as expected, Roxie did not.

When I looked forward, I noticed Grandpa sitting before us, his elbow on his knee and his hand supporting his chin. He appeared to be deep in thought. A typical posture for someone deep in thought.

"Grandpa.".

I called, but received no response. I moved closer to him and called him again, this time a little louder. He turned to face me, a smile on his face that I returned.

"Good morning." I greeted, sitting next to him

"Morning my little angel." As he ruffled my hair, he said.

"Grandpa, come on. I've evolved into a powerful angel." I whined.

"No, you're still a child to me." He said this while pinching my cheeks. I chuckled and smoothed my hair. I furrowed my brow and turned my head to the side. It was as if I was forgetting something but then, it clicked.

"Oh my goodness, the guy!" I yelled in hushed tones.

I'd completely forgotten about him. I dashed over to where he was lying and bent over him, my hands on the left and right sides of his body. He appears to be sleeping soundly.

"Is he awake?" Rose inquired.

"No, I don't believe so..."

Just then, his eyes fluttered open, and he quickly closed them again. That made me gasp...

"What?"

"He just opened his eyes and closed them again. I swear I saw him open his eyes."

"Really?" Rose inquired.

Oh my goodness, he's done it again!

"He's awake." I screamed with delight.