6 Chapter Two - 2 || Encounter (2/2)
The fox bristled in hostility as it faced off the humanoid demon. However, it looked to have taken a harsh beating; its fur was in a disarray, all matted and dried with blood.
Apparently, bleeding was possible in this world, making Essairyn confused about why the demon from before didn't. If the fox wasn't a demon, perhaps it was only demons that didn't bleed?
”Today, you'll finally get what you deserve. And after you die, we'll hunt you down again and again, mercilessly ending your life each time until you no longer have the ability to even reincarnate!” the demon retorted in triumph and pure hatred.
The notion of reincarnation was a revelation. If reincarnation was possible in this world, Essairyn wondered if it had something to do with why she appeared here. And seeing that the demon and fox knew one another, it seemed that past memories were also retained.
However, it was also possible to lose the ability to reincarnate too. These discoveries elicited ambivalent emotions inside Essairyn.
Humans had always feared death and the unknown after death. Yet the prospect of reincarnation wasn't completely palatable to Essairyn.
The idea of having no definite end to existence made current lives and time seem less valuable. It was no longer about living a full life without regrets.
But the man's barbaric words triggered something inside Essairyn.
Somehow, ending a living existence through the inability to reincarnate seemed more cruel than simply dying once.
Humans lived knowing they would die one day. Those with the ability to reincarnate died knowing that their goals could be achieved in the next life.
But if that safety net was suddenly stripped from them while they still had these aspirations, then it was an existence with regrets. That kind of desperation and despair… How sorrowful was that kind of end?
Spurred on by tragedy, pity, and indignation, Essairyn hardly realized she had stepped away from her hiding spot until she was in the open, a streak of magic flying from her hand toward the man.
It hit him squarely in his stomach and sent him stumbling backwards. Briefly in shock from the sudden attack, he could only gape at Essairyn before straightening his hunched back and giving her a wary glare.
”Who are you? A friend of this murderous rat?” he spitted with narrowed eyes, quickly taking in her appearance, ”But you're just a human!”
Essairyn only blinked, hastily searching for an answer as he studied her a little closer.
”And with such strange fashion for being in the Spirit and Demon Forest, too,” he added, raising a brow at her black combat boots, lavender chiffon blouse, and stonewash light blue jeans. ”But a pretty one,” he leered, making Essairyn's skin crawl.
The fox flashed a look at the both of them and decided now was as good of a time to escape as ever. But as soon as she began to dart out of the scene, the man immediately blocked her path with an arc of smoldering ash-black magic.
”Trying to escape again, eh?” the demon jeered, ”Leaving your friends to save your hide again, no less—that is, if she is your 'friend'.”
”What do you know, you brute!” the fox shot back, revealing her small canines as he drew near.
”Aww, how cute,” the man mocked, making a fake, adoring face. ”Yeah right, you worthless pup,” he switched, eyes sinister as he raised a leg to give her a sharp kick in her side.
But before he made impact, a lilac streak knocked his foot away, unbalancing him and causing him to swivel a step aside. He swiftly swung his head at Essairyn who had her hand outstretched.
”So you're on her side,” he snarled with glowering ash-black eyes, ”I was going to maybe let you go, but it seems like I'll have to hurt you before I have some fun.”