Chapter 2: Contract

'I'm dreaming, aren't I?' I asked myself over and over again, as I used my bare, icy hands to rub my eyes gently. Trying to erase the image of a wonderfully natural landscape with a few artificial touches before me.

But no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn't disappear. It remained intact.

The spiral-shaped red flowers kept blending with the low green grass. The small blue tulips were joined by small flattened stones. Surrounding the fruit bushes, producers of blackberries, strawberries and wild figs.

Chamariz, for small animals to gather to eat, rodents. Rabbits and small rats. They didn't even mind my presence. As if I wasn't ten paces away.

I could easily catch them in a snare or stone trap...

Also, in this forest, there were trees of radiant colors all over the place. Mixing green, red, yellow and various others.

Like a painting, where various colors were thrown harmoniously around the canvas. Or like Mrs. Riuster's flower shop. There are various kinds of flowers there, especially the medicinal kinds. They are beautiful and good for health.

So she tells everyone, but I recommend not to believe strongly. I remember giving some to my grandfather, wanting to help with his baldness problem. But I ended up with a red ass and marks on my back after he lost all his hair.

Back to the subject.

I never imagined that there could be such a type of foliage. So much diversity in one place. The forests near the village are not like this. There is only one predominant green and orange.

It's common sense really.

And the same goes for the other villages, maybe in the eastern continent there is something similar or much higher. At least, that's what I read in a book about the geography of the world and heard from a merchant. But he was drunk, so he is not reliable.

I'm not entirely sure about that.

And how on earth would I get to the eastern continent? By flying? I should be lying on my bed now, with straw padding. Resting peacefully.

Which increases my suspicions even more, I must really be dreaming. I hope so.

But I have never dreamed of such a rich landscape, I have only read a few stories with similar themes. Maybe it is my subconscious that produced it all, since I wished to see something similar with my own eyes.

But, why am I feeling the slight breeze of icy air that is passing by? I even have goose bumps.

I can hear the birds singing clearly, the leaves and dry twigs rustling under my feet, the animals. The distant sound of a waterfall ahead. So perfectly natural.

"Should dreams be that realistic?" I really don't know, I just had stupid dreams, like working in my father's fields, and that one....

Maybe I should check out this waterfall? I don't think it's that far away. I have nothing to do here anyway.

There don't seem to be any monsters nearby either, since these animals are relaxed, very calm. I would still like to have my sword, even though I can no longer wield it...

All right, I will be there in a matter of minutes, and it will be good to walk. Because I will increase my body heat, I am cold right now.

Too sensitive for a dream.

"This place has such a sweet aroma in the air." The natural scent of flowers wafted through the whole place, no matter where I was, how far I walked. It was very soothing.

Moreover, to add to my surprise, as the sounds of falling water increased, the vegetation became a little denser, There were more bushes, some thorny to my displeasure. Closer, I began to hear a harmonious chanting, it came from the waterfall, I was very sure about that.

Her voice was delicate, feminine enough for someone weak to fall in love with. Not that I am a strong man, my skinny body of almost 1,80 meters already answers for itself. But it's not that kind of strength here.

When I got close enough, I could catch a slight glimpse of a blue lake and a person near the waterfall. Even with a still bad view, I could tell it was beautiful.

I was anxious to see him, as was the owner of the passionate voice I hear. Shaking off the bushes, I carefully climbed down a small ravine to reach the edge of the lake.

It wasn't very big, but it was by far the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. And I had checked all the lakes near the village. Except those in the goblin hill and the crow forest. Too many monsters and bandits to make any explorer running away from work in the fields back off.

There were white stones all around its edges, similar to the walls of a large swimming pool. Its water was a very light blue at first, but upon closer observation, I realized that the bottom cannot be seen. It gets darker with depth. I cannot tell how deep it is, even at the far end, where it should be the shallowest part.

The rays of sunlight didn't help much either.

Around it, on the slopes, there was a single species of flower that was as blue as the water in the lake. They are beautiful. Besides small red bushes interspersed.

But neither the lake nor the flowers could overcome that beauty, the woman who was singing perfectly, sitting near the waterfall. She continued to sing even after noticing my presence, smiling, moving her hands in a seductive way. Asking for my approach.

She made my heart pound, my cheeks burn. My blood pumped for my friend when I saw her full, exposed breasts. With only her long blue hair covering her.

How could such a woman exist? So perfect. Singing in a place like this, naked. With her shiny tail waving in the water.

Wait! Wait, wait, wait, wait! Shiny fish tail... Attractive, naked, singing.

"S-mermaid? Is it really a mermaid?" This is a lady surprise, I am in front of a real mermaid. Well, not so real, if it's all a dream.

I have heard many stories about mermaids, they are magnificent beings. Creatures that lure men with their beauty and sweet songs, and then take them into the water, guide them into the depths where they will be devoured.

I have never really believed this nonsense. For they are just stories made up by drunken fishermen in bars.

Although I have heard Clemont's personal account of his encounter with a mermaid. Where he escaped with his life and managed to steal some hot moments with the creature.

But he is already a little crazy.

They say he lost some of his mind after he found his wife choking with three men, but it's just a rumor...

Mermaid, I am very close to a mermaid. Now with this encounter, I can say that they are amazing beings, but are the reports about their cruelties real? I don't want to die here, but can I really die in a dream? Well, I am feeling cold, so I can feel pain too.

"How long do you plan to stand there? Why don't you come to me? I want to meet you, little hero." She stopped singing and spoke to me directly.

Her voice came very sensual towards me, but there was something more.

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"Why did you call me a hero?" I asked, as I took a few steps towards her. I was a little skeptical.

"If you made it to this place. You meet all the requirements to be one," She just smiled as she continued to play with the water.

What does she mean by hero? Do heroes exist? Aren't they just fairy tales written in books, and shouldn't this place just be a figment of my imagination?

I mean, why should I, of all people, be someone who meets such requirements to be a hero? I'm not fit for the job.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not someone who can be given a hero's title. And this place, you, is not just my mind picking up pieces of me?" I approached his position, standing a few feet away, still vigilant.

"You may think you're dreaming, and I partly confirm that theory, but think of this place as an alternate space."

"Alternative space? Miss, what kind of play is here?"

"None, this place functions as a bridge, where two or several worlds can connect at the same time, but it is worth remembering that not all beings can get here. Only mythical beings of special rank and those who have the essence of Hero impregnated in their souls. And you are one of them." She spoke sweetly, but there was much sincerity and seriousness behind her words.

"Madam, I should be sleeping in my room, with the door locked, how did I get here?"

"You are still sleeping in your room, what has arrived and is here now, is your soul."

"My soul?"

"Yes, your soul, it is capable of walking in the dream world, but this time, it brought you here instead."

My soul walking in the dream world? Why is this sounding similar to the bedtime stories my mother told me as a child.

"Supposing all your words are true, that all this story about me being a hero is real. What do you see now?"

"First, sit down," she moved her right hand into the water, making it glow brightly. Soon a small wave of water moved upward in the form of a pillar, then unfurled toward me, wrapping around my waist and carrying me to the mermaid's side. I sat down on the rocks.

I should be panicking right now, but why am I not?

This is dangerous, now I can see her breasts clearly. Her pink nipples, milk-colored skin.

No... I must concentrate.

"What was that?"

"Magic, but you've seen someone using it before, so it shouldn't be any surprise."

Well, not a big surprise in fact, many people in the village can use magic. But what ended up surprising me was the lack of incantation, everyone knows that it is necessary to recite some kind of incantation to conjure magic. How was she able to do that? 

"Is it possible to use magic without casting an incantation? I thought only rank 3 and 4 monsters could use it."

"Yes, it is possible for all those who have great knowledge of magic, no matter the field of it. After all, if monsters can craft magic attacks, so can humans and others. You just haven't seen them in person yet."

Humm. I can't deny your logic, if monsters can, so could we. We just don't have the ability to do it, but I remember now, the village chief, Mr. Thaddeus. I have seen him use healing magic without enchantment, but in his case, it was only possible with his necklace. 

I saw a little glow coming from him, I thought I was wrong at the time, since he babbles frantically.

"That is enlightening, but my doubts still remain. Why my soul has come to this place and what has changed for me."

"Your soul having come this far can only mean one thing, your powers are close to awakening. And no, I cannot determine what your powers will be, that varies from hero to hero. But I can say that you are unlike any I have ever seen, the essence attached to your.... It looks delicious." Her blue eyes glittered dangerously as she leaned slightly toward me, running her tongue over her lips.

I'm starting to sweat from nervousness here, I feel my brother growing inside my pants.

"Fufufu, you don't have to be that nervous," she smiled fondly, before returning. "It's almost time for you to return, but before that, I need to inform you. Now that your powers are about to awaken, the trials will begin, many dangers have come to your village."

"What do you mean by that? I need to go through trials?"

"Challenges that have shaped you and your way of influencing the world; yes and no, it will be you who will choose your own path. Follow the path of honor, corruption or destruction. You will choose, no matter which, heroes don't have to be kind beings. You can be and have whatever you want."

Is she telling me that I can do whatever I wish? I don't have to follow a code of honor, like in the books.

I am free.

"So, before I go, may I know your name and why you are here? Also, are there any other heroes?"

"My name is Arlia. I am here for you. Normally, when a hero is about to awaken, his soul travels between points like this, to form contracts with special mystical beings like me. We lend our powers, in exchange for favors, such as protection for my kind and your help when the stars align on the five peaks. Yes, there are several other heroes besides you. But remember, you are not obligated to make contracts. Just know, should you fight another hero who has a contract formed, you will be at a great disadvantage."

Form a contract to gain his borrowed powers. In exchange I would have to protect you, mermaids? Do they really exist in my world? And what does that alignment of stars on the five peaks mean?

What is the meaning behind it? It sounds dangerous, but I feel that I will deeply regret it if I don't make this contract.

My intuition, it is very good. And when I don't follow it...

"Okay, how do we make this contract?"

"It's something simple, for now." She started to speak some strange words, I couldn't understand them.

Soon a blue light covered our bodies. She looked me in the eyes and then moved in search of my lips. A sweet, wet kiss, but it didn't last more than a few seconds.

It was short, but wonderful.

"We'll see each other soon... My hero"

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