Chương 3: Friendly Conversation
~~ Author Note ~~
https://discord.gg/6PBf4ccNCT
First, I wanted to mention the auxiliary chapter warnings for the last time. Some stuff that isn't tagged is discussed there. I'm unsure if I plan to include it, so it isn't in the tags. I will update them if it comes to that.
Second, I don't plan out my writing too much ahead of time. That is part of the reason why updates might be slow. I prefer to write and change the story as I go.
Third, I don't know if you will like the main character's name, but I like it. It is my favorite genus of flower, and I will explain the name more in the future.
I hope you enjoy and continue to enjoy my book.
~~ End Author Note ~~
***
Seeing skepticism from the three children, the man chuckled lightly. "Stop scaring the kids and get out here."
The children turned back towards the dark cave. From the shadows and into the moonlight, three women emerged. The previously glowing red orbs dimmed, leaving three pairs of eyes with varying shades of brown.
"You're the best boss," the woman on the right said as she smiled wide. "You brought us dinner!" She pressed her two cheetah-like paws together and licked her lips as hunger flashed through her eyes.
The three girls froze in place. They just escaped being swallowed by a snake only to be placed on the menu by this cheetah woman. The woman, too busy hungrily eyeing the children, missed the man maneuvering behind her. The children's moment of fear was brought to an end by a resounding smack.
"Ouch!" The cheetah woman yelped in pain and moved her two paws to cover her throbbing head that the man had thumped.
"I said stop scaring the kids." The man reprimanded the now teary-eyed woman.
The nearby woman with white hair was doubled over with her black-furred paws covering her stomach, laughing boisterously. "Serves you right, moron." The woman mocked the cheetah.
The cheetah woman turned towards the laughing woman and bared her fangs. "What'd you say, you over-glorified skunk!"
The white-haired woman stepped forward, putting her face in front of the other girl, and revealed her sharp teeth. "Who're you calling a skunk!"
The two women growled at each other, neither backing down. Before a fight could break out, the moment was disturbed by a giggling pink-haired rabbit girl. The women proceeded to turn their anger towards her instead of each other.
Both women opened their mouths, preparing to yell at the giggling rabbit. They were, however, cut short by a thump to the back of their heads. They both covered their heads with their paws as tears welled at the corners of their eyes.
The three children watched in confusion at the interactions between the demons. They were unsure of what the man's plans for them were at this point. It seems as if the four people completely forgot about them at this moment.
The man looked over the two fiery women and the now stone-faced rabbit who pretended to be uninvolved. He sighed lightly at the troublesome trio of yokai women. "Instead of continuing this comedy skit, why don't the three of you go hunt some animals. I'm sure our guests are hungry."
The three girls nodded, albeit with two women giving aggrieved looks at the man while covering their heads. The two women started to walk off towards the forest with the rabbit girl following after giving the man a bright smile.
The man took a second to gather his bearings and donned a friendly smile. He turned towards the children and motioned for them to follow as he walked towards the dark cave stepping into the inky blackness. The girls stopped before the darkness that seemingly swallowed the man. Hesitatingly, the blonde child gathered her courage and stepped forward into the shadows. The other two children seeing this, shared a quick nod towards each other and followed after.
The three girls had to shield their eyes from the surprising brightness that assaulted them. After a moment of adjustment, they managed to open their eyes to an entirely different world. Above them was the sun providing warm sunlight from its home in a slightly cloudy bright blue sky. They were standing on a vast flower field that expanded out as far as their eyes could see. The flowers splayed many colors over the land in front of them.
Flustered, the girls turned around to see that the flowers continued onwards behind them as well. The path out of the cave was nonexistent at this point. Worry adorned the faces of the kids. They had quickly realized they were trapped in this new world with no exit in sight.
A small chuckle escaped from the man as he saw the panicking children. "No need to worry. I have no intentions of keeping you here against your will." He paused, allowing the three of them to calm down slightly. "Though I would like to have a small chat."
The man snapped his fingers abruptly. As if responding to his will, the roots of many nearby flowers burst through the ground. The roots twisted and stretched to form a chair facing a bench with a small table in the middle.
The man sat on the lone chair and gestured forward towards the bench. "Please take a seat. It will make our chat much more comfortable."
The girls sat on the bench facing the man seeing no other options outside of complying. The blonde girl sat in the middle, her gaze probing the man's eyes for hidden intent. The two girls on either side showed more distrust in their eyes.
"Before we get to the main point of our talk, we should introduce ourselves." The man suggested as he noted the distrusting nature of the kids. He, of course, did not blame them. This world was quite harsh, especially when one's appearance was unique and their strength was weak. At least, that was what he had seen so far.
"I suppose I should go first." He stood up and performed an elegant bow. "I go by the name Dianthus." The man, Dianthus, again sat down and pushed his long hair back over his shoulders.
The blonde girl reciprocated the gesture of the man and performed a cursty. "This humble girl's name is Roxanne." Her face stayed cold as she retook her seat, her jewel-like eyes gauging the man's reaction to her introduction.
Dianthus retained his warm smile and gentle eyes. He showed no surprise at her knowledge of foreign etiquette. Instead, he waited patiently for the other two girls to introduce themselves.
"My name is Shinoa." Not knowing any particular etiquette, the purple-haired girl introduced herself quickly while still seated.
"Fremy." The white-haired girl gave the quickest and most blunt introduction. Whether it was due to distrust or lack of social skills, Dianthus didn't know.
Dianthus gave a short chuckle. "Since we're all well acquainted now, why don't we move on towards the more essential topics."
Roxanne decided that the blunt approach would be the most appropriate as she questioned him. "Why did you save us, where are we, and what do you want from us?" Her red eyes bore into Dianthus as if willing him to answer her questions. The other two girls shifted in their seats, clearly intent on hearing an answer as well.
"Hmm..." Dianthus paused to ponder on her questions. "The answer to your first question is that it was a coincidence. I noticed the snake before I saw you three. In my eyes, the demon was an easy meal."
The girls gave him a look of disbelief. Dianthus responded to their faces of doubt by not responding at all. Instead, he plowed ahead towards answering their next question.
"Where we are is a bit complex to answer. The best answer I could give you is that we are within my realm." Dianthus gave them a moment to try to understand what he was saying. "You probably believe that I am a demon like that snake, but that isn't correct. I am an external existence to this world. I don't quite meet the qualifications, but you could call me a god, I suppose."
The skeptical looks the girls were giving him proceeded to deepen. The girls found it hard to believe that the man in front of them was a god.
Dianthus sighed in dismay. "I don't see why this is hard for you girls to believe. I mean, the three of you have experienced reincarnation. That seems just as unbelievable compared to the existence of a god being in front of you."
All three girls tensed up at his mention of reincarnation. The girls knew that they shared the commonality of retaining memories of their past life. They were sure that they shared this information with nobody else. Due to differences in appearance, they were treated poorly. They didn't wish to be branded as freaks for claiming to have memories of a different world. That would only worsen their situation.
All three girls looked at Dianthus with hostility in their eyes. Roxanne spoke in a cold tone. "How do you know about that?"
"No need to be so alarmed." Dianthus attempted to quell their growing unrest. "I am reasonably adept at peering into souls. Your souls are not standard among children your age. Typically, the soul is wiped clean after death, but the souls of those reincarnated are denser. This fact alone tells me that you have experienced a rebirth, but it is unnatural for the three of you."
Shinoa decided to speak up and ask the question this time. "What do you mean our reincarnation is unnatural?"
"Reincarnation isn't exactly uncommon, but the soul should be strengthened to withstand the burden that comes with it. Your souls have not experienced this strengthening, leaving your souls damaged." Dianthus pointed towards Roxanne and continued. "Your soul is the least damaged by this forced rebirth. As for why that is, I am not sure. Though your soul does seem to be stronger than the other two."
Dianthus gave a look of pity towards the other two girls. "You two have probably experienced phantom pains. Also, your memories are most likely hazy. These symptoms are due to the soul constantly losing strength."
His expression grew serious, losing his friendly smile. "Unless you are treated, the three of you will most certainly die. Roxanne here will last the longest due to her unique situation, but you two have less than a year at this point."
The faces of the three darkened at what he stated. They still weren't entirely sure if he spoke the truth, but he seemed to know about their reincarnation. Not only that, but he even named symptoms that plagued Shinoa and Fremy for quite a while now.
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