The village had no clear exit.
No path.
No hidden trail.
No conveniently placed "Oops, I guess I just stumbled out" kind of escape route.
Either trolls didn't get many visitors, or they really didn't want anyone leaving without permission.
Probably both.
I sighed, rolling my shoulders before continuing forward, pretending I had somewhere to be.
The village was… impressive.
Massive huts were built into twisting, ancient trees, their gnarled roots forming natural stairways.
Thick wooden platforms connected different levels, like an entire city strung together by bridges.
Glowing fungi clung to the trunks, their eerie blue light pulsing faintly in the dark.
Shadows danced along the bark, making the entire place feel alive.
It was the kind of sight that might make a traveler stop and admire.
I strolled past a group of trolls fixing a rickety wooden bridge, their rough hands working fast to weave thick ropes and hammer planks into place. The scent of damp wood and moss filled the air.
Then— squeak!
A series of high-pitched, frantic squeaks cut through the usual background noise.
I frowned, ears twitching at the strange sound.
Not troll.
Definitel not human.
Curiosity won.
And I followed the noise, stepping carefully over tangled roots and pushing aside thick undergrowth.
Leaves brushed against my arms, and the damp earth squished softly beneath my feet.
Then I saw it.
The strangest sight yet.
A small gang of creatures—hunched, furry, with large, glowing eyes—were surrounding one of their own.
They weren't just fighting.
They were ganging up on it.
A flicker of text popped into my vision, identifying the monkey-like creatures.
[Lemur – Level 2]
[Lemur – Level 2]
[Lemur – Level 3]
The lone lemur stood its ground, snarling as it clutched a hunk of raw meat between its tiny, clawed fingers.
Its dark, bristly fur bristled, and its oversized ears flicked at every tiny movement around it.
Its striped, whip-like tail lashed the air, warning them to back off.
But the others didn't seem to care.
The creature's glowing amber eyes flicked between its attackers, sharp and calculating.
It wasn't panicking.
It was waiting.
The others circled closer, their chittering turning into an aggressive, high-pitched frenzy.
Clawed feet scraped against the dirt, muscles tensed, and then—
SCREEEEECH!
They pounced.
The lone lemur exploded into motion.
With a furious snarl, it lashed out with its claws, swiping one attacker across the face.
Another lunged, but the little beast ducked and countered, sinking its tiny fangs deep into the attacker's tail.
A third came at it from the side—
BAM!
The lemur threw its entire weight into a body slam, knocking the opponent to the ground.
Damn.
I had to respect it.
It was outnumbered, clearly weaker, but it refused to let go of its meal.
I liked that.
But it wasn't enough.
One of the attackers latched onto its back, sinking its needle-like fangs into the lemure's shoulder.
Another yanked at its tail, pulling it off balance.
A third raked sharp claws across its side.
The little guy let out a pained screech.
It was losing.
The little lemur shrieked—a high-pitched, painful sound that cut through the air.
It was desperate. Struggling. Losing.
I let out a slow breath.
Something about the scene… bothered me.
I didn't like it.
Not one bit.
My feet moved before I could think.
"Alright, break it up, you little gremlins."
The lemures froze mid-attack, their glowing eyes snapping toward me.
For a second, there was silence.
Then—
SCREEEEEECH!
Pain exploded in my skull.
One of the little monsters had just yelled at my face.
A strange, dizzying sensation followed—like my brain had just been rattled in its skull.
What the hell was that?!
I stumbled back, blinking through the haze, then instinctively swung out.
My palm connected.
SMACK.
The little bastard tumbled into the undergrowth with a surprised squeal, flipping head over heels before landing in a dazed heap.
It twitched. Shook itself off. Then bolted.
The other lemurs hesitated, their glowing eyes flicking between me and their fallen comrade.
For a second, I thought they might charge me all at once.
But then—
SCREEEEEE!
They screeched in protest, then scattered into the shadows, their tiny feet pattering against the forest floor.
I let out a breath. Finally.
Turning back, I found the lone lemur still clutching its stolen meal, staring at me.
Then—A strange, chuckling noise.
Was it… laughing?
I frowned. "Yeah, you're welcome," I muttered, rubbing my temple.
I turned on my heel and walked away from it.
Or at least… I tried to.
Because the damn thing followed me.
At first, I ignored it. Kept my pace steady, eyes forward.
But no matter how many turns I took, no matter how many times I glared over my shoulder, the stubborn little gremlin was still there.
Trailing after me like some tiny, smug shadow.
I stopped. It stopped.
I walked. It walked.
I whipped around.
It grinned—actually grinned—clutching its half-eaten meal like this was all some big joke.
I groaned, running a hand through my hair.
"Seriously?"
The lemur just chittered, eyes glinting with mischief.
And that was how I found myself wandering through the village with a smirking little beast at my heels.
Right up until I bumped into her.
I staggered back, blinking.
She stood tall, lean, and effortlessly poised.
Gray skin, smooth and cool-toned, adorned with intricate blue tribal markings that curled along the curve of her arms and traced the slope of her collarbone.
Her long, white hair cascaded down her back, thick and unbound, catching the dim torchlight in a way that made it shimmer like spun silver.
She was…striking.
Way more eye-catching than Talia.
Her eyes—sharp, amber gold—studied me.
Not with suspicion. Not with hostility.
But with something else.
Curiosity.
Amusement.
And yeah… I was definitely watching, too.
[Zephra - Level 3 - Forest Troll]
She looked young but carried herself like someone who'd seen her fair share of fights.
Perched on her shoulder was another lemur.
Smaller than the one clinging to my heel, its fur a blend of gray and brown.
It coiled its striped tail around her neck like a living scarf, its glowing eyes flicking between me and my unwanted companion.
She tilted her head, lips curving into a knowing smirk.
"Looks like you've been chosen."
I blinked. "Chosen?"
The word rubbed me the wrong way.
I found that I didn't fancy it very much.
She nodded toward the lemur still tailing me, completely at ease.
Her voice was smooth.
"Lemurs don't follow just anyone. They pick their own masters. Once bonded, they...