Under Kelvin's seasoned leadership, the band of heroes ventured deeper into the forest, seeking the cunning rabbit and the witch's stolen crystal ball. The dense canopy overhead was a tapestry of green, filtering sunlight into emerald beams that danced upon the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of moss and the distant echo of a brook—a siren song of nature's serenity amid their fraught quest.
Kelvin led with a quiet confidence, his eyes alert for the slightest rustle, the softest paw print upon the loam. Demi flanked him, his senses attuned to the whispers of the arcane that permeated the woodland. Kit's fingers rested on the smooth wood of his bow, ready but reluctant to loose an arrow should the need arise. Fiona's hand lay on her sword hilt, not in threat, but as a solemn vow to protect her comrades. Mica, clutching the map and compass, navigated the untamed wilds with a watchful prudence.
The world seemed to hold its breath when a soft rustling whispered through the undergrowth. There, caught in a dapple of light, was the rabbit—a mere wisp of fur and timidity. He looked up at the heroes, eyes wide, his body poised to flee at the faintest indication of danger.
Kelvin tackled the rabbit to the ground. “Please don’t kill me.” He said
“We mean you no harm,” Kelvin reassured the rabbit, his grip gentle. The creature trembled beneath his touch, his fear palpable in the quiver of his whiskers. “But, you predators have always harmed and enslaved us.” The rabbit's voice was a fragile whisper, laden with centuries of bitterness and resentment. Kelvin placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I know we haven’t treated your race with the respect you deserve but that’s no reason to be stealing from common foke.”
The rabbit huffed, his gaze meeting Kelvin's with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. "You speak of respect now, but our kind has suffered at the hands of yours for too long. We take what we need to survive in this harsh world, just as you do. The crystal ball was meant to help me find valuables, free my kind, and make them regret enslaving us.”
Kelvin listened intently to the rabbit's words, sensing the depth of his pain and determination. His heart swelled with empathy as he realized the gravity of the situation.
"We have took everything from you," Kelvin spoke softly, his voice carrying a weight of understanding. "But in this moment, we stand at a crossroads where we can choose a different path. Let me help you find a way to coexist peacefully. We can work together to bring about change, to build a future where all people can thrive without fear of one another."
The rabbit regarded Kelvin with wary eyes, his mistrust slowly giving way to a glimmer of hope. "You are different from the others," he said, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Can we truly find a way to live in harmony? Can your kind see beyond their predatory instincts?” Kelvin smiled “I have protected my boyfriend Mica from all kinds of dangers, despite the risks.”
Mica's eyes widened at Kelvin's words, his heart swelling with pride and love for the courageous man beside him. The rabbit observed the genuine affection between Kelvin and Mica, a flicker of understanding crossing his features as he saw the depth of their bond transcending boundaries of species and prejudice.
Kelvin turned to Mica, his gaze soft yet resolute. "Together, we have faced countless challenges, and our love has been a beacon of strength in the darkest of times. If we can overcome our differences and stand united against adversity, then there is hope for a better future where all creatures can coexist in harmony."
Mica nodded, his hand reaching out to grasp Kelvin's in a silent pledge of solidarity. The rabbit watched this display of unwavering devotion, a newfound glimmer of trust kindling in his eyes.
“I’m Mat, I don’t want to go back to being slave.”
Kelvin's heart ached at Mat's words, the weight of centuries of injustice and suffering pressing down on his conscience. He knelt beside Mat, his eyes brimming with compassion. "No one should have to live in fear or servitude," he said, his voice tinged with determination. "We will help you find a way to freedom and ensure that no one is enslaved again."
The six went to walk to the witches tent. “We’ve returned with the crystal ball and I believe Mat is reformed.” Said Kelvin.
The witch eyed Mat warily, her gaze flickering between the rabbit and the heroes with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. She slowly reached out for the crystal ball, her fingers brushing its smooth surface before lifting it up to examine the swirling depths of magic contained within.
"You have done well to return what was stolen," she murmured, her voice a caress of power and ancient knowledge. "And you, Mat, have shown a rare depth of courage to defy your instincts and seek a new path."
Mat shifted nervously, his ears twitching with uncertainty as he awaited the witch's judgment. Fiona stepped forward, her eyes meeting the witch's with unwavering resolve. "We believe in second chances and the possibility for redemption," she said, her voice firm yet compassionate. "Mat has shown us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope for change."
The witch regarded Fiona with a shrewd gaze, as if weighing the sincerity of her words. “Very well, but I expect you to keep him in line.”
"We will do our best," Kelvin responded, turning his attention back to Mat.
"I promise, Witch," Mat whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "You won't regret giving us this chance."
As the heroes gathered around the witch, Demi offered his healing magic, mending any wounds Mat may have sustained during his escape. The witch watched in silent gratitude as Demi's magic flowed through Mat. “Let get going.” Said Kelvin.
Kelvin led the way back through the forest, Mat following closely behind. “You’re a thief?” Mica asked “Do you have any skills to help us defeat Marlin?”
"I suppose so," Mat admitted. "But those skills are best used for avoiding traps and navigating through unfamiliar territory. I spent most of my time as a rabbit hiding from predators, after all."
Kelvin nodded. "We could use that. Our plan is to infiltrate the fortress and get the magic elixir. Your thieving skills might just be the key to our victory."
Mica shot an arrow to send a message to Edwin. Mat’s eyes widen at the device. “Is that tablet named Edwin?”
Kelvin chuckled. "No, Mat. That's a device that allows us to communicate with our friends from a distance. It's very useful, and Edwin is actually the person on the other end." Mat’s thoughts were buzzing with possibilities. “Can I borrow it?” Mica passed the tablet to Mat, Mat put a scroll on the tablet and said “Activate”. A magical software program appeared on the desktop and the scroll burned into the air. Mica took the tablet and clicked on the program. He was amazed to see that it mapped the entire world they were on and even pinpointed their exact location down to the inch.
"Wow," Mica whispered in awe, his eyes wide as he stared at the intricate map. "This is incredible. How did you make this?"
“When I escaped, I stole this scroll from my “Employer”, felt he at-least owned me that much.”
Kelvin clapped Mat on the shoulder, a firm and friendly gesture. "Well, it seems fortune favors us today. With this map and your talents, we have a fighting chance against Marlin and whatever awaits us in that fortress."
The heroes stood tall and determined, their eyes filled with fierce determination as they looked towards the fortress looming before them. Their weapons and armor glinted in the sunlight, ready for battle.
As they approached the spot a rabbit sitting outside said. “Hey Kelvin.”
Kelvin's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he studied the unfamiliar rabbit. "How do you know my name?" he asked cautiously. The rabbit, sensing Kelvin's unease, spoke quickly.
“I come from a planet where the predators are super strong and super cruel.” The rabbit starts crying while looking at a round stone in his hand.
"I’m sorry for what you have gone through," Kelvin said empathetically, his voice tinged with sympathy. "But we are here now, and we will help you."
The rabbit finally lifted his head, revealing tear-stained cheeks. “My name is Wallace and I’m kinda clairvoyant.” “I’m not very strong, nor brave, I threw a tantrum when the challenge got too hard, and I panicked and cried, saying I don’t want to do this anymore.
Kelvin nodded, understanding the weight of Wallace's words. "It's okay to feel fear, my friend. We all do. But it's how we face that fear and choose to grow from it that truly matters."
Wallace nods in agreement “That’s why I’m here, my god gifted me with the power to make portals after I threw a fit at him.”
Kelvin's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Wallace's revelation. "Portals? That could be incredibly useful for our mission against Marlin. Can you show us how it works?"
“My god doesn’t want me to abuse the power he gave me, sorry.”
Mica raised an eyebrow, curious about the implications of Wallace's statement. "So, what you're saying is, you have a supernatural ability to create portals, but your god doesn't want you to use it?"
Wallace hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to trust these strangers. "Yes, that's right. I'm not supposed to use it unless it's absolutely necessary. But if you need to go somewhere, I imagine that it won’t be abusing my power.” He hinted.
Kelvin's eyes widened with excitement at the prospect of a portal. "If it's not abusing your power," he said, his voice trembling with anticipation, "then we would truly be honored to see this incredible gift in action."
Wallace nodded, taking a deep breath to muster the courage to demonstrate his power. He held the round stone tightly in his hand and focused his mind on the destination they needed to reach. As the portal formation began to take shape, the air around them grew thick with anticipation.
"Wallace, are you sure you want to do this?" Mica asked, concern lining his voice. "We don't want to push you into doing something you're not comfortable with." But he was too late, they were back on their home planet.
The heroes blinked in confusion as they found themselves transported back to their home planet. Kelvin's face was a mix of shock and disappointment. "What just happened?" he asked, his voice echoing in the emptiness of the room they had just appeared in.
“We’re in Ketill.” Said Wallace “I really need a brake and some peace after my best friend died from predators. I was thinking of burying his stone here, hopefully he enjoys it here.” He went outside to bury the stone under a tall tree.
Feeling a sudden surge of fatigue and sadness, Kelvin stepped outside to join Wallace. He placed a comforting hand on Wallace's shoulder and sighed, "I'm sorry for your loss. It must have been truly devastating."
Wallace looked up at Kelvin, his eyes red-rimmed and puffy from crying. "It was, Kelvin," he whispered, his voice trembling. “But I know that I’m here for a reason.”
Kelvin nodded, a sense of understanding filling him. "We're here for a reason too, Wallace. And I believe it's to help each other and fight against the dark forces that threaten our world. Whatever happened to your friend, his sacrifice will not be in vain. We will honor his memory and work together to make sure that his life meant something."
"I'm not certain if Marcus is truly dead. Typically, if someone isn't seen for three days, they're probably gone. We don't usually have burials, since most prey die far from home. I hope, at least, that they ended his suffering quickly. As for my sister, I know the predators raped her before they killed her. That's why I have this prosthetic arm."
Wallace looked down at his prosthetic arm, a remnant of his own dark past. Kelvin placed a comforting hand on Wallace's shoulder, sensing the weight of his friend's pain.
"We'll stand by you, Wallace," he promised sincerely. "No matter what you've been through, you're not alone anymore."
Mica nodded in agreement. "Together, we can face whatever challenges come our way. Our mission to retrieve the magic elixir is important, but our friendship and unity are just as valuable."
“That’s why I’m here,” He said. “did you forget I’m clairvoyant?”
Kelvin chuckled, a warm smile forming on his face. "Of course not, Wallace. Your gift is truly a blessing. We're just lucky to have you on our team."
As they walked back into the room, Mica turned to the rest of the group with a determined look in his eyes.
"Alright, everyone," he began, "here's our plan: Wallace, you'll use your portal power to transport us directly to the fortress. Kelvin, you're on point to lead the charge. Mat, cover our rear. I'll hang back to keep an eye on our surroundings." Wallace nodded, visibly reassured by the solidarity. "Just tell me where to go, and I'll make sure we get there as quickly and safely as possible." Right outside the fortress, Wallace stopped. "This is as far as I can take us," he announced. Kelvin turned to Wallace with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Wallace. You've provided us with an invaluable gift, and we won't take it lightly."
Wallace returned the smile, looking slightly relieved that he had been able to help.
“I pretended to be a predator for years and my friends betrayed me when my cover was blown.”
Kelvin and Mica exchanged a look, understanding the pain that Wallace was still carrying.
"Wallace," Kelvin said softly, placing a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder, "we're glad you're here with us. Your experiences have taught you valuable lessons, and we'll be there for you every step of the way as we face our mission."
Mica added, "We won't forget what you've been through, and we'll make sure to support you and learn from your experiences. Your pain is ours, and we'll fight together to ensure that no one else has to endure the same fate."
Feeling a sense of relief and gratitude, Wallace took a deep breath and nodded, knowing that he had finally found companions who truly cared about him.
Wallace looked at Kelvin. “You remind me of Kai.” He said.
Kelvin was taken aback by the comment, but he knew that the mention of Kai's name likely held a deep significance for Wallace.
"Kai was your best friend, wasn't he?" he asked gently, his voice filled with empathy.
Wallace nodded, ”Yes, he was the only predator to truly be a friend, he had feelings for me but I didn’t return them to him.”
Kelvin listened intently, sensing the weight of Wallace's unspoken feelings towards Kai. "It sounds like Kai meant a great deal to you," he remarked softly. "Even if your feelings weren't romantic, it's clear that the bond you shared was special."
Wallace nodded, “True but it seems kinda selfish that he wanted me and protected me from a group of predators wanting to kill me but I couldn’t even do that for him.”
Kelvin placed a hand on Wallace's shoulder, offering comfort and understanding. "It's not selfish to have boundaries, Wallace. You did what you felt was right at the time, and Kai surely understood that. Your friendship meant everything to him, even if it couldn't be exactly what he desired."
“I guess you’re right. I’m sure you still would have protected Mica, even if he didn’t ‘like’ you.”
Kelvin nodded, his gaze soft yet resolute. "Absolutely, Wallace. True friendship and loyalty go beyond romantic feelings. Just as I would protect Mica with my life, I know Kai acted out of love and friendship. It’s a testament to the bond you shared, despite any unrequited feelings."
Wallace smiled faintly, a mix of sadness and gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Kelvin. It means a lot to hear that." “But when he kissed me that day, he apologize for letting his emotions get the better of him but I was so scared and lonely, I would have let him rape me. It’s not like a prey saying ‘No’ means anything.”
Kelvin's heart sank as Wallace continued to share his painful past. He knew that this was a deep wound for his friend, but he also knew that it was important for Wallace to express his feelings and be heard.
"Wallace," he said gently, "you don't need to apologize for feeling scared and vulnerable. What happened to you was not your fault.”
“You say that but I did go on that hunting trip.” Wallace said.
Kelvin sighed, understanding the guilt that Wallace still carried. "You cannot blame yourself for being in a situation where you were not safe, Wallace," he said sincerely. "But what is important now is how you have grown from that experience. You're stronger now, and you have a newfound appreciation for true friendship. That's something worth cherishing."
Wallace nodded, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude. "You're right," he said. "I'll try to focus on the present and the people who care about me now."
"Let us carry some of your burdens for you, then," Kelvin offered, reaching out to give Wallace a comforting hug. "We're in this together, and our bond will only grow stronger as we navigate the challenges ahead.”
Wallace pushed Kelvin away. “Sorry not comfortable with predators touching me.”
Kelvin understood the boundary and nodded, "I apologize for the unexpected touch. Your feelings and needs are valid, Wallace. It's just hard for me to see you in pain and not want to comfort you, but I respect your decision."
Wallace looked at Kelvin, "I know it sounds selfish, but I need time to build trust again. I'm grateful for your patience." “Anyway lets get that medicine for the elven prince.”
Agreeing with Wallace, Mica nodded. "Our mission is our priority now. We'll retrieve the elven prince's medicine, but we'll also make sure that Wallace feels supported and heard."
"We mustn't forget what you've been through," Kelvin added, placing a supportive hand on Wallace's shoulder. "We'll work together, respect each other's boundaries, and be there for one another, no matter what challenges we face."
As the group made their way towards the fortress, Kelvin couldn't help but admire the strength and resilience that Wallace had shown. This mission wasn't just about retrieving the magic elixir; it was also about healing and rebuilding their bonds.
Feeling the weight of their shared responsibility, the group cautiously entered the fortress, their determination to complete their mission and to support each other driving them forward.
