Chapter 6: Momentary Respite

  Time: 10:53, Day: Jaashrim, Week: 2, Month: K?rgoyde, Year: 36651

  The forest grew thicker as Ayanna tried to keep pace with Grim, who moved through the trees as if he were part of them. She could still feel his words lingering in her mind—sharp, dismissive, but also layered with something else. Something she was unable to name.

  She followed cautiously, her pink eyes scanning her surroundings.

  Elix Forest was beautifully dark in its ancient mysticism, but its power was undeniable. It seemed alive, watching, waiting. The chirps of Sprites and the rustle of leaves painted a serene picture, yet Ayanna couldn’t shake the feeling that something was just beyond the edges of her awareness.

  “Do you have a destination in mind?” Ayanna asked, breaking the silence.

  Grim slowed, turning to look at her. His piercing blue eyes glowed faintly in the dappled light. “Do you?”

  Ayanna’s steps faltered. “I was trying to get to Blaire City.”

  Grim’s lip curled slightly, his tail swishing in irritation. “That pit?” he scoffed, “You wouldn't survive the week.”

  Her irritation piqued, Ayanna crossed her arms. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Blaire City doesn't care if you bleed,” Grim replied gruffly. “It only wants to know what you're willing to trade for a used bandage.”

  Ayanna bristled. “I can take care of myself.”

  “Clearly,” Grim said, his tone dripping with sarcasm as his gaze flicked to her broken wing.

  Ayanna huffed, glaring at him. “What do you suggest, then? Continue being hunted? Go back to my mother’s prison?”

  Grim’s expression softened slightly to a wicked smile, but his voice remained firm. “I suggest you figure out how to be strong. Find or make your own place. Whatever you do though, do it away from me.”

  “Of course the recluse God suggests I go elsewhere.” Ayanna shot back, her frustration bubbling over.

  Grim’s jaw tightened. For a moment, he didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and began walking again, his steps quieter but no less deliberate. “I know enough to recognize someone who doesn’t know what they’re running from, or what they're running toward.”

  Ayanna froze, his words striking deeper than she’d like to admit. Before she could respond, they came up on a small clearing. The glade was full of Nature and Water Sprites dancing, the sunlight filtering through the treetops. The ground itself seemed to hum with magic, like a spot of light in deep darkness.

  Grim stopped at the edge of the clearing, his silhouette framed by the dappled light. Ayanna watched as he leaned against a tree, his tail swishing slowly.

  “Why did you stop?” Ayanna asked, ducking behind a nearby tree and looking around frantically.

  “Just waiting.” Grim smirked, noting that she couldn’t even tell that she was in a safe place, “There’s nothing out here other than Sprites, and they're too occupied with their dance to worry about the likes of you.” Grim growled at her.

  Ayanna slowly came from behind the oak tree, looking around and taking the scene of serenity just as it was. She gave a relaxed sigh and a laugh, her confidence returning as she placed her hands on her hips and looked at Grim, her tail slowly swaying.

  “Tell me why the God of Beasts is hiding in Elix Forest, and maybe I’ll actually give your advice some thought.” Her eyes glowed brighter as she attempted to use what little magic she had left to charm him into responding to her.

  His bright blue eyes flared livelier, and his tail fell still. His cold stare seemed to look far beyond her eyes, and into the depths of her soul.

  “Why are you waiting?” Ayanna asked, suddenly beginning to feel as if she were under the microscope.

  “I'm not waiting for anything. Your stench is trying to force me to open up to you, and I’m simply showing you that it doesn't work.”

  Ayanna's power pose fell, as she realized that her Succubus charm wasn't affecting him at all, “Th-that’s impossible! Gods can be charmed!” She stammered, almost falling as she took a step back, wincing in pain as her broken wing attempted to flutter.

  Grim raised an eyebrow in shock, “Maybe you really are a Grimoore, that's the same way Syren reacted. Gods, I hate remembering that creepy bitch.” He tried to shake the memories of Queen Syren trying to seduce him, out of his head.

  “So it's true then?” Ayanna began to recover a bit of her courage, though her pride as a Succubus still damaged, “You really are immune to even a Succubus Queen's aura?”

  “Can we just keep going and find somewhere to leave you?” Grim asked, agitation clear in the way his tail swayed erratically.

  Ayanna gave a surprised and offended look before filling with anger. Her pink irises flaring vibrantly, “What the fuck is your problem with me?! I spent every chance I could in the library reading about the strong, and terrifying God of Beasts, Grim Kelevra! You were a hero! Someone everyone loved, and here you are hiding in the trees like a sad puppy! Being a complete ass to me when I've done nothing to you. Couldn't even if I tried!” Her eyes welled with tears she refused to let fall, even as her rage turned to a deep lonely sadness, “You know, I was raised as a slave.” Her voice was barely a whisper, “Beaten, forced to learn and master magic. Told that my only purpose was to grow strong so that my mother would be even more powerful when she took my heart. Not even called by name…” She trailed off, sniffling, “Somehow, you’re worse than all that.” Her wings shuddered, but she didn’t wince at the pain, “You're just a scared dog. Not a Beast God, and I'm tired of being subjected to your disgust.” Ayanna wanted to shout but knew she couldn’t without letting her tears fall. Her emotional turmoil caused the Sprites to scatter. Her hands were balled into fists, her unbroken wing outstretched, her tail striking the ground hard as if to emphasize her points.

  “You wanted to talk, I was fine with silence.” Grim gave her an angry and irritated look before going into the clearing. He sat among the flowers, looking up out into the sky through a hole in the canopy.

  Ayanna took a step forward.

  Grim released his aura without looking back at her, keeping her from entering the glade safely, “No, we're done, run along broken thing, whatever you are.”

  “Do not leave the Beast God, Nephal.” The voice rang through Ayanna's mind, feminine and firm.

  “Fuck no!” Ayanna shouted, turning away from Grim.

  “You must, Nephal. You will die without his protection.”

  “NO! What do you mean, NO?! You will do as I say! Run along!” Grim stood, red specks appearing in his sapphire blue irises. The wind began to stir. His aura caused the trees to slowly creak and crack as they bent backwards trying to escape him.

  “See, Nephal, his aura is not imposed on you, you are safe. Do not run!”

  “I'M GOING!” Ayanna turned and shouted back at Grim, tears carving through her mud caked cheeks, before turning back and stomping away from him.

  “Nephal, please go back to him. You are the first to ever meet me in my plane. You are more powerful than you know, but not now. Not like this.” Ayanna stopped, shocked, she had never heard the voice beg. She turned around and looked back at the glade.

  It was empty.

  As if he were never there in the first place, other than the trees that were still bent backwards.

  Ayanna could no longer suppress the empty hollow feeling.

  The deep lonely sadness rising to the surface after years of suppression. She slowly fell to her knees, hugging herself.

  Her tail wrapped around her waist.

  Her unbroken wing covering her.

  Tears streaming faster down her cheeks.

  A silent shuddering sob.

  “I'm going to die alone, voice.” She whispered as her tears ran dry and her eyes were puffy and red, “And that's just going to have to be okay. I wasn't meant to have freedom anyway, I should've stayed and just waited for my mother to kill me. At least then I would've been useful.” Ayanna whispered through sobs that turned to a laugh when she heard a deep snarl and twigs snapping in the underbrush.

  A low growl echoed around Ayanna, and she laughed louder, throwing her head back.

  Grim stepped from the shadows of the forest around her his claws extended, his body tense. “Stop laughing like an idiot and get up,” he ordered, his voice low and dangerous.

  Ayanna’s heart raced at the sound of Grim’s voice. The knowledge of his presence put her at ease even as she felt hated by him.

  “Interesting. The fateless recluse Beast God chose to come to your aid. Perhaps I was wrong to worry.” The soft voice rang through Ayanna’s mind, surprising her again as this time there was a trace of humor, and a sound that almost felt like laughter.

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  Ayanna’s laughter ceased as she stood and recovered herself, facing the direction of the low growling and snapping twigs that seemed to draw closer. Even the scent of the deep forest was beginning to acquire a brimstone and blood smell.

  “More Hellhounds?” Despite her exhaustion, she summoned fire to her hands, the flickering flames illuminating her determination.

  Grim sniffed the air, his tail swishing sharply. “Just stay out of the way.”

  The growling grew louder and closer until a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared in the shadows. A massive canine creature stepped into the clearing, its deep black fur bristling and dripping fangs glinted in the light.

  Ayanna’s breath hitched. “What is that?”

  “Shadow Beast,” Grim said, his voice low and gruff, “Rare and deadly, but pretty fun to pass the time with.”

  The Shadow Beast snarled, its eyes locking onto Ayanna.

  Ayanna stepped up beside Grim, her flames burning brighter. “Then let's have some fun.”

  Grim glanced at her, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

  For the first time, he saw the fire in her—not just the magic, but the defiance, the strength she probably didn’t realize she had.

  The Shadow Beast lunged, and together, they faced it head-on.

  The Shadow Beast moved like a blur, its massive form blending seamlessly with the shadows as it charged. Ayanna’s flames crackled to life, illuminating the clearing with a fierce orange glow. Grim leaped forward, his claws meeting the beast mid-air in a violent clash that sent a shockwave rippling through the forest, and added a burning scent to the area.

  The force of the impact pushed Ayanna back a step, but she quickly steadied herself, her pink eyes locked on the fight. Grim’s powerful strikes were precise, each claw swipe tearing through the Shadow Beast’s thick fur, but the creature’s agility was unnerving. It twisted and countered with fangs and claws, each swipe narrowly missing Grim’s scarred torso.

  “Don’t just stand there!” Grim barked, his voice a snarl as he grappled with the beast, “Make yourself useful!”

  Ayanna’s irritation flared, yet she channeled the emotion into her magic. The flames in her hands shifted, turning from a wild blaze to concentrated orbs of fire. With a flick of her wrists, she sent them hurtling toward the Shadow Beast. The first orb struck its side, the flames searing its fur and earning a pained roar. The second grazed its hind leg, slowing its movements.

  “That’s more like it!” Grim shouted with a hint of approval as he pushed the creature back with a controlling swipe.

  The beast snarled, its glowing yellow eyes darting between Grim and Ayanna. It lunged again, but this time, Ayanna was ready. She raised her hands, summoning a barrier of flames that forced the creature to halt mid-charge. Grim took the opening, his claws raking across its side with enough force to send it tumbling into an oak tree.

  The beast slammed into the tree with it’s ribcage, a pained yelp forcing its way from the beast's throat in tandem with the crunch of broken ribs. The creature’s black ichor-like blood painted a spot on the tree.

  The Shadow Beast fell to the ground, unmoving.

  The scent of bloody mildew and spoiled meat spilling from its body.

  Ayanna lowered her barrier, panting heavily. “Is it dead?”

  Grim approached the fallen creature cautiously, his eyes glowing red as he observed its motionless form. He sniffed the air, his ears twitching.

  “Not yet,” he muttered, his claws flexing.

  Before Ayanna could respond, the Shadow Beast sprang to life, its massive form lunging at her with terrifying speed. Ayanna barely had time to react, throwing up another barrier of flames, but the force of the impact sent her stumbling backward. She slammed onto her broken wing, tears welling in her eyes as the pain tore through her beyond exhausted body.

  Grim roared, his aura flaring as he launched himself at the beast. This time, there was no hesitation, no holding back. His claws tore through flesh, his fangs sinking into its neck. The Shadow Beast thrashed wildly, but Grim’s grip was unrelenting. With a final, bone-crunching snap, the creature fell limp, its glowing eyes fading into darkness.

  Grim stood over the fallen beast, his chest heaving and his claws and chin dripping with dark ichor. He let out a deep ominous howl to the sky, beckoning the next challenger.

  He turned to Ayanna, his eyes returning to their vibrant sapphire blue.

  “It is him… Is that aura why you want me to stay with him, voice?” Ayanna thought as her gaze fell onto Grim’s form. His natural weapons dripping with ichor, his dark scarred skin lightly misted with sweat, his tail swaying as if celebrating victory, and his aura coating her a familiar feeling of protection that she couldn’t quite remember.

  “You’re welcome,” he said, his tone gruff but laced with the faintest hint of a smirk, bringing Ayanna back to the moment.

  Ayanna scowled, brushing dirt off her tattered dress, and forcing back her tears as she stood, “I didn’t need saving.”

  Grim raised an eyebrow, his tail swishing lazily. “You’re welcome anyway.”

  She huffed, crossing her arms, anticipating the insult but accepting the lack of one, “Well… You could’ve warned me it wasn’t dead.”

  “Maybe next time, don’t assume,” he shot back. His dismissively offensive demeanor returned.

  Despite her irritation, Ayanna couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips at the mention of a next time, “Fine. Thanks.”

  Grim nodded, stepping closer to her, “You held your own better than I expected.”

  “Is that supposed to be a compliment?” she asked, arching an eyebrow as she crossed her arms, and her tail struck the ground.

  “Take it however you want,” he said with a shrug. “Just don’t get cocky. That was one Shadow Beast. There are worse things out here.”

  Ayanna’s smile faded as she looked at the fallen creature. “Worse than that?”

  Grim flashed a predatory smile, his tail wagging excitedly, “Much worse.”

  The weight of his words unsettlingly settled over her, but she managed to push the fear aside, “Then I guess I’ll just have to get stronger.”

  Grim studied her for a moment, his gaze unreadable. “Maybe you will,” he said quietly. Then, louder: “But first, you need rest.”

  “No I’m fine,” Ayanna protested, “Need to find somewhere to live anyway.”

  Grim scoffed. “You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that. But even you need rest.” He gestured to a nearby tree with low-hanging branches. “You’ll camp here for now.”

  Ayanna looked at Grim, hesitated, then nodded.

  As Grim began preparing the area, she sat against the tree, her mind racing, thinking of what lay ahead. Despite everything, she felt a strange sense of security being near him. He was rough, gruff, and infuriatingly arrogant, but something about him made her feel safe, warm, and at peace.

  As the sun rose above the forest, casting its light over the clearing, signaling noon, Ayanna’s exhaustion finally caught up to her. She closed her eyes, her breathing steadying as sleep overtook her.

  Grim glanced at her from where he sat, his back against another tree. His eyes softened as he watched her, the faintest trace of a smile playing at his lips.

  “Finally some peace and quiet,” he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.

  And with that, the God of Beasts kept his silent vigil.

  The forest seemed to breathe around them, the trees creaking softly in the cool air. Grim's sharp ears caught every sound—the chirping of distant crickets, beasts mating, the rustling of leaves, and the faint rhythmic breathing of Ayanna as she slept against a tree.

  She was different, he had to admit. Despite her defiance and sharp tongue, he hadn’t expected the strength in her. Most people quailed before him, their fear palpable. But Ayanna? She met his challenges with fire—literally and figuratively.

  He had even been pushed to use his aura for the first time in centuries.

  His mind wondered about her, his eyes studying her form. She was exquisite, but for the first time, he realized something was wrong with her scent. She did have the scent of a Succubus but also of something else he hadn't smelled since The Cleansing. He tore his eyes away as he felt himself moving closer to her.

  Grim leaned back, settling against a tree again, his blue-silver hair catching the sunlight. His eyes, bright and unyielding, scanned the forest for any signs of danger. He wasn’t sure why he decided to stay and protect her. She was not his responsibility, and yet, here he was. In fact he could just leave now and by the time she awoke he would be long gone.

  He glanced at her again, noting how her tail curled around her legs as she slept, her wings tucked close to her body, well at least the one that wasn’t broken. The gold tips of her gray feathers gleamed faintly, a testament to her royal Dharmic heritage.

  He noticed, really noticed, she was a Succubus with—Dharma wings? His mind fell to Elluraine's story about the Nephalem, and he laughed. He hadn’t missed how she hesitated earlier, the vulnerability in her voice when she spoke of her mother. He knew the surname Grimoore made her a princess, but he had never heard of any of the princesses of Salem Kingdom having Dharma wings.

  Never heard of her.

  "Syren," Grim muttered under his breath, his claws digging into the bark of the tree he leaned against. The memory of the Succubus Queen brought a sour taste to his mouth. He had crossed paths with her during The Cleansing, aiding her in freeing her people from human captivity. But her ambitions, her attempted manipulations... they left a bitter stain.

  And now, Syren’s daughter was here, running from her mother’s grasp. The only reason he could think of was because of those wings. The gold tips along with a birthmark above the left breast, signified Dharmic Royalty. Her curved ebony-red horns and long whip-like tail, signified Devil.

  Ayanna stirred in her sleep, mumbling something incoherent. Grim’s ears perked up, catching the faintest hints of distress in her tone. He moved closer, crouching by her side.

  He growled softly, close to her ear.

  Her eyes fluttered open, their bright pink hue catching the afternoon light. She blinked groggily, looking up at him, “Grim?”

  “You were getting noisy,” he said plainly.

  Ayanna rubbed her eyes, sitting up. “Was it bad?”

  “You tell me. I wasn't the one dreaming or having a nightmare, or whatever.” he replied, leaning back on his haunches, with a dismissive tone, a light blush across his dark cheeks.

  She sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I don’t remember. Just… a feeling.”

  Grim studied her, his expression unreadable. “Fear?”

  Ayanna hesitated, then nodded. “Maybe. Or maybe it’s just… everything. Running, hiding, never knowing if I’ll get caught. Listening to that stupid voice. Just all of it!”

  “Voice?,” Grim repeated, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

  She looked at him, surprised that he was paying attention but more surprised at herself for mentioning the voice, “Oh, um… Didn't you want me away from you? You're free to leave whenever you like.”

  “I told you, I don't like watching the weak die,” he said simply, his blue eyes locking onto hers, and an unfamiliar soft warmth spreading through him.

  For a moment, the weight of his words hung between them, and Ayanna felt a flicker of something she hadn’t felt in a long time: hope.

  “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  Grim shrugged, standing up and stretching. “Don’t get used to it.”

  Ayanna smirked, a hint of her usual fire returning. “And here I thought you were starting to like me.”

  Grim snorted, his tail flicking. “Don’t push your luck, Little Succubus.”

  “Little Succubus, I kind of like that…” She thought, chuckling softly, her gaze lingered on him as he turned away to resume his watch. Despite his gruff demeanor, there was a sense of security in his presence. She didn’t fully understand it yet, but she was grateful for it.

  As the sun continued to roam the sky, Ayanna found herself drifting off again, her body finally succumbing to the exhaustion of the past few days. Grim remained alert, his senses sharp and unwavering.

  The God of Beasts kept his vigil, the weight of centuries pressing on his shoulders. But as he looked over his shoulder at her, he didn't feel entirely alone for the first time in a long while. His companion slept the rest of the day away, and he joined her in sleep when the moons were high in the sky.

  — The Curator’s Notes —

  you notice how the forest behaved around them?

  The next chapter creeps closer, soft-footed and curious. Try not to startle when it exhales.