The Magic Within ↠ Once Upon A Time

[Chapter 74] I've Always Protected You

I know who...

Either way, I really should've kept this place furnished with something. Maybe hide away a mattress where humans couldn't find it because I know that the cave it bare to the bone without me having to go all the way in.

I scoff to myself.

I can't believe I thought this time was going to be different. I should've learned a long time ago humans always betray one another despite if they're family... I should've never called those people my family. But figures, if I can be betrayed in the Forbidden Jungle, then it'll happen here. The only difference between both realms is that here there are more Humans, which means more betrayals.

Humans are the worst animals in the world.

Oh-if Papa could see me right now. Would this be my punishment for not listening to him in the first place? Would he be satisfied with my suffering? Would he finally let me come home now?

An empty chuckle escapes my throat and I wipe away the tears that already start to form. I take a moment to force away the dread that fills my chest. Each time that I keep thinking about home, it hurts more and more each day that I'm away from it. It's been so many years... I can't bear the thought at who's still alive today. The Forbidden Jungle used to be home, but now, it's only an empty dream that'll never come true. Even if it does, it won't be the same and that's what will make it hurt more.

I pinch at the bridge of my nose, brushing at my tear ducts. I have to stop thinking about that, stop thinking about the past. Old memories can't comfort me anymore. They only make each day bitter. And I can't survive if I become a hollow shell of tattered memories.

I have to keep going, to face all the challenges again.

With that, I pull my hand away from my face and onto my side. Then I continue traveling through the trail. The path isn't too long, I know that for sure, but the terrains can be tricky if not too careful. It wasn't until the tight walls spread outward when I knew that I reach my little home. It's still utterly dark, even at this point where light barely pokes into this part of the cave. Good thing I don't necessarily need candles to light things up.

I snap my fingers and a bright orb manifests above my palm. The heat from the light warms my skin while I feel a small stream of energy being sucked into the light. At least my small magic isn't draining me like my wound is. As I think about it now, my head starts to feel drowsy.

First, I'm casted away in this place after waking up from the dead. Now, I'm back with a gnarly neck wound that gives me another opening to breathe through-if I try hard enough.

I hope this isn't another trend I'm creating for myself.

Shaking away the thought, I look to the ball of light in my hand. I bring my other hand near the orb, and when I feel my skin touch the prickling heat, I pull away and a second orb is created. Now with two magical lightbulbs, I throw them high enough until they touch the ceiling of the cave. Once at the top, the two orbs light up the entire space, at least until the magic gives out on them.

Now, seeing the small cave for what it is, I realize everything that was mine-that belong in this place-is all gone and I see how small the space really was. The cave is no bigger than a studio apartment, and it definitely wasn't the size of a loft apartment. I know that this area must be half the size of it and not as high as well. This place isn't grand. It's only a small cave, and it's not like I have to pay rent for this place. I mean, there are other cave paths in this area of the forest that leads to bigger, better-looking caves, but this is the only one that I can get to on foot without having to spend an hour mulling through.