The woman with horns welcomed Mella and Rufian into her modest yet warm home. The interior was simply decorated, exuding a cozy charm, and the air was filled with the playful sound of two little horned demons scampering about, their mischievous grins lighting up the room. Rufian, who had once been a large, fluffy white dog, was now in human form, chasing the children around on all fours with an exuberance that mirrored his previous canine life. Mella observed him closely, noting that despite having cared for him since he was a puppy, he seemed to have lost his grasp of language and struggled to understand even the simplest words of her own tongue. Curiosity gnawed at her as she pondered the mysterious circumstances that had brought about his transformation.
Her gaze drifted back to the children, their antics reminiscent of the playful days she had shared with her own brother in their youth. "What are you people?" she asked, and immediately regretted the words, feeling they might come off as offensive. She fidgeted nervously, wringing her hands together. "Oh, I apologize! I didn't mean to be disrespectful or anything."
"It's quite alright, young one," the horned woman replied with a reassuring smile. "You must be filled with questions. There are five different territories divided among the great demons."
"So, this is just one of many homes for people like you?" Mella spoke, a flicker of understanding illuminating her expression as if a light bulb had sparked to life above her head. "I think I get it—sort of like having a chief leader in my village."
"That's right! Wanderers like you often come here due to a truce forged long ago, and we provide them with a place to stay," the woman explained, her voice steady as she omitted the darker truth—that humans had long disappeared from their realm, and those who had stumbled here by chance met grim fates.
"Oh, you people are so kind! That's truly wonderful!" Mella exclaimed, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you for allowing Rufian and me to stay here. I had no idea there were so many kind souls in this world."
"You must have had quite a journey," the woman observed gently. "How about something to drink while I prepare a delicious meal for you and your companion?"
"Yes, please!" Mella responded eagerly, nodding. Within moments, a steaming cup of fragrant tea was cradled in her hands. The aroma wafted up to her, evoking tender memories of her mother's comforting presence. She looked down to see Rufian eagerly lapping the same tea from a bowl on the floor, his actions strikingly like those of a dog.
"As long as Rufian is comfortable,"Mella thought to herself, taking a cautious sip. The warmth spread through her, but suddenly, her eyelids grew heavy and her head sank down onto the table.Oh, no. What is happening? Why am I'm suddenly so sleep?Blurred visions surrounded her as drowsiness enveloped her, and she barely caught a glimpse of Rufian, who had succumbed to slumber as well.
A cacophony of shattering glass and clanking metal echoed around her, piercing through the fog of Mella's consciousness. Her head throbbed with an intensity she had never experienced before, a relentless hammering that made every heartbeat feel like a drum. Desperately, she tried to lift her hand to massage her temples, but an icy grip held her wrist captive. Panic welled up inside her as she realized her arms and legs were secured by heavy, unyielding chains.
Turning her head, the dim light revealed Rufian's familiar face, contorted in equal distress, bound just as she was. A sudden, sharp pain seized her, radiating through her body, and she couldn't suppress the scream that erupted from her lips, a raw cry that echoed her desperation.
A soiled, damp, and crimson-stained knife clattered onto the gleaming metal tray.
Rufian opened his eyes and kept yelling the word "bark."He struggled against the chains that held him, hearing Mella's screams—unyielding and painful. They shattered his soul and threatened the very foundation of his world. He couldn't bear to see her hurt. He ran forward, even though the chains restricted his every movement. He didn't care about the bruises on his ankles and wrists; all he cared about was Mella. He balled up his fists and stomped his bare feet hard, and then, suddenly, the chains broke. His teeth sank in the demons as he bit them.
"That wretched dog has escaped!" the horned woman lamented, clutching her knife defensively. "I will not allow you to take the Moon Princess; she belongs to me!"
As Rufian sprang into action to face the Roman, Mella instinctively stirred, wrapping her arms around him with fierce determination, a protective shield against the impending danger. A sharp pang of pain shot through her as she held him close, yet her grip remained unwavering. "Are you alright, Rufian?" she murmured, her voice laced with concern and tenderness. "I don't wish to harm anyone, no matter the circumstance." Her eyes glimmered with both fear and resolve, embodying a mix of courage and compassion in that tense moment.
Rufian's eyes shimmered with a chilling malevolence as he gazed upon the horned woman, her wicked presence electrifying the air around them. Yet, he opted for silence, holding back the storm brewing within him. With deliberate caution, he cradled Mella in his arms, muscles taut with determination as he stepped through the threshold of the house. Just as the horned figure lunged at him with fierce intent, Rufian pivoted, locking her in place with a searing glare that pierced the tension, freezing her in mid-motion.
"You are such a good boy, Rufian," Mella said, her voice warm and affectionate as she reached out to gently stroke his velvety white hair. "You were absolutely incredible just now—like a superhero in action, saving the day!"