Fire Breath
Centaur Forest

The next morning Sabina, Aiden and Nora set off on their journey. Valerie and Miangase let go of them with worry. Especially Valerie who witnessed her sister had to go to dangerous places.

"Sabina, I'm really worried about you. You've never made a dangerous journey before. I want to go with you, but I have to keep this place away from the Centaurs" Valerie said sadly.

"I'm fine, Val. There's Nora and Aiden with me. I'm not that weak either" replied Sabina.

"All right then. Hope this trip gives you a good experience. You can learn to be more mature and strong, Sabina," Valerie replied.

Sabina nodded. "You too, go home once in a while. Mom and Dad will miss you."

"I'll place it later," Valerie said with a smile.

"Then we're leaving now."

They left the tree house and walked in the direction Miangase had told them. They cut through the forests of the Centaurs to the west. Valerie made sure there would be no centaurs hanging around since she had paved the way since this morning. The centaurs must be now hiding in their residences and not daring to go out.

Even so Sabina was half convinced that Valerie was secretly escorting their way from behind to prevent the centaurs from approaching. At least until Sabina's entourage came out of the forest, Valerie would continue to be with them within a certain distance. Her brother always showed her care in a strange way.

Dusk was approaching and there was no sign of the forest coming to an end, even though they were already walking very fast. Aiden rode on Nora who turned into a lion. While Sabina darted away using her Vampire power. Their speed is above average. But Aiden noticed that the trees in the area were not as big as before. According to his calculations, at least tonight, or at the earliest in the morning, they will be able to penetrate the forests of centaurs. It could happen if they didn't stop walking.

Aiden felt a little strange because their journey since at the tree house was so smooth. Not a single centaur or beast was seen around. Faintly Aiden also felt Valerie aura behind them. Although not sure, but the calmness of this dense forest seemed to confirm his conjecture.

At midnight, Aiden looked exhausted. Although she is a witch, but compared to Sabina who is a vampire or Nora who is a mystical animal, Aiden is only human. His body capacity is quite limited. Sabina seemed to realize that, then immediately stopped.

"We rest first" Sabina said.

"But we're almost through the forest" said Nora, who noticed the trees getting rarer.

"It's okay. We can continue the journey tomorrow morning," Sabina said as she sat under one of the large trees.

Nora looked like she was about to protest, but Sabina glared at her. Nora then went to look for some dry twigs to make a bonfire. Aiden took off his backpack and put it on the ground. The light of his staff had dimmed as he was exhausted from using light magic to illuminate their journey since the sunset.

Nora returned shortly afterwards while carrying dry twigs. After being arranged in such a way, Aiden cast a fire spell to ignite it. The bonfire was blazing giving warmth and light all around.

"Have a rest, Aiden. Let me and Nora stand guard" Sabina said.

"Thank you Sabina," Aiden replied gratefully. Sabina seemed to be able to understand it even without words. He knew the girl was worried about him being exhausted.

"Lay on my lap. The hard ground was definitely uncomfortable. At least your head can be comfortable on my lap," Sabina said later.

Aiden according. He laid his head on Sabina's lap. Sabina's silhouette looked beautiful despite being seen from below. The girl looked at Aiden with a reassuring smile. Sabina's hand rubbed Aiden's head gently.

Both of them just smiled in response. The night passed quickly. Aiden fell asleep in Sabina's lap, until Aiden faintly heard the sound of birds chirping nearby. The young man immediately opened his eyes.

"Norah. Shhhh. Aiden was still sleeping," Sabina's whisper was heard on the sidelines of the birds chirping. Aiden.

"It's noon, Sabina. Until when we have to wait for the witch to wake up." Nora sounded annoyed.

Aiden also rose from Sabina's lap while writhing slowly. In front of him he saw Nora playing with small parakeet birds flying around her.

"I'm sorry I slept so long. Why don't you wake me up, Sabina?" ask Aiden in a loud voice.

"I love watching you sleep, Aiden," Sabina said.

Aiden snorted softly with a smile. He then washed his face with water from his drinking bottle.

"Did your leg not hurt? I slept for a long time" asked Aiden later.

Sabina stood up while patting her clothes off the ground. "No. My body doesn't have many pain sensors" Sabina replied.

"Thank God then."

"Let's go. Aiden, you can have breakfast on my back, "cut Nora impatiently. He had already turned into a huge lion ready to be occupied by Aiden. It feels good to have your own animal.

Finally the group moved back. The aura of Valerie who followed was still felt even vaguely. They were back at full speed. Because the distance of the trees had been stretched, Nora could run more agilely, and Sabina also shot as fast as a bullet.

It was already hot when they finally got out of the forest. The forest was on top of a hill. Under the hill they saw a small village containing some of the inhabitants. The village looked backward with most of the houses made of rough cut stone.

"What is the city mentioned by Miangase?" ask Aiden.

"It seems so," answered Sabina.

"But the place looks like a lagging village rather than a city" Nora commented later.

"We better go first to be clear" Aiden, who then came down from Nora's back.

Nora soon changed into an ordinary cat. With one jump Nora climbed into Sabina's embrace. They immediately walked down the hill to the small village ahead. A village known as the Forbidden City.

***