In the dense, dark forest, Hadassah's panting echoed as she ran, her feet bruised and bloodied. She could hear the distant shouts of her captors growing louder, panic surging through her as she stumbled over roots and branches clawed at her clothes. Outrunning them would not last long, she realized, but she had to try.

Bursting through a thicket and into a clearing, Hadassah found herself at the edge of a cliff.

The bloodhounds were close, and her heart pounded like a drum. She had to jump.

Her feet left the earth, and the world spun around her as she plummeted towards the jagged rocks below, the wind roaring in her ears. She struck the rocks with a sickening thud, her vision blurring as she saw a figure swimming towards her before everything went black.

Hadassah winced as she tried to open her eyes, coughing violently and spitting out mouthfuls of seawater. Her body convulsed with dry heaves as she struggled to get her bearings, every muscle screaming in pain. As she turned over, her eyes widened at the sight of fine sand leading to the ominous forest she had left behind. Relief filled her as she didn't see any trace of the bloodhounds. Trying to stand, a splitting pain shot through her head, forcing her to collapse back to the ground, where she lay, breath ragged, trying to piece together what had happened.

Summoning what little strength she had left, she crawled slowly towards the edge of the trees, her vision blurring with each movement, needing to find shelter, water, or anything to keep her alive. She stood up shakily, taking in the sheer immensity of her surroundings, aware that navigating this world as a human was extremely difficult. Everywhere she looked, the forest seemed to pulsate with life and danger, massive, ancient trees stretching their gnarled branches toward the sky and forming a dense canopy that blocked the sunlight. She could hear the faint rustling of unseen creatures, their eyes undoubtedly watching her every move, knowing her survival was a full-time job for a lone human.

Carefully, she made her way deeper into the forest, avoiding the large, snapping flowers that could easily mistake her for prey. She spotted a narrow path ahead, partially hidden by foliage. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

As she moved along the path, the sounds of the forest grew louder-bird calls, insect chirps, and the distant howl of some unknown beast. The air was thick with the scent of earth and decay, mingling with the fresh, green aroma of the plants.

The light was fading, and the forest would become even more perilous in the dark. Her head throbbed with pain, and the bleeding had slowed but not stopped. She could not afford to lose any more blood.

In the distance, she saw a small cave, partially concealed by a curtain of vines. She paused unsure of if she should continue forward. Common beasts often made caves their homes, if she entered and was met with a boar or a bear, she would be a dead man. Yet staying here meant the blood hounds could pick her scent much faster. She grit her teeth, it was a gamble, but she had to take it. Gathering the last of her strength, she stumbled towards the cave, praying it would provide some measure of safety from the forest's relentless dangers.

With a final, desperate push, she reached the cave's entrance and collapsed inside, her body finally giving in to exhaustion. As darkness enveloped her, she hoped that the cave would be a sanctuary, even if just for a little while.

She woke up to the sounds of thumping coming from outside the cave. Her heart pounded as she stiffened, listening intently. The noise grew louder, each thump reverberating through the ground. Panic surged through her, and she began to move deeper and deeper into the cave, her breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps.

The creature, drawn by the smell of blood, was closing in. It was massive, with glowing eyes and a hulking, twisted form that filled the entrance of the cave. The Orc’s nostrils flared as it sniffed the air, searching for the source of the scent. Despite being a senseless beast, it was dangerous, notorious for eating weak beast men who weren’t careful, most Orcs are killed by tribe hunters to protect the civilian beast men, yet she was unlucky to meet one here.

Hadassah kept creeping to the back of the cave, her hands trembling as she felt her way through the darkness. She stumbled over rocks and debris, the rough surface scraping her already wounded body. Desperation drove her forward, her mind racing to find an escape.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her gave way, and she fell through a hidden hole to the underside of the cave. She landed hard, the impact jarring every bone in her body. She groaned in pain, the world spinning around her. With great effort, she dragged herself toward the sound of trickling water.

As she reached the edge of a small, hidden pool, she let her bloodied hand dip into the cool water. The pain was excruciating, but she needed to clean her wounds and regain her senses. As her blood dripped into the water, the pool began to ripple and shimmer with warm ethereal light.

From the depths of the pool, a man emerged. Long, flowing hair adorned with delicate chains and beads sparkled like stars. His eyes were a deep, mesmerizing blue, and his enigmatic presence alone was enough to captivate her.

"There you are, I was looking for you," he said, his voice smooth and calming. Her heart almost stopped.

A celestial beast.

It was the unmistakable aura of a celestial beast, the very enemies of humanity. One of the five major clans that had decide to wipe humans off the face of this continent. She shook, pushing herself back, her eyes filled with fear. Her body couldn't take running away any longer, but she couldn't stay here and wait for death.

Seeing her fearful reaction, he paused and looked at her with confusion, cocking his head to the side. "Are you afraid of me?" he asked. He pouted, crossing his arms. "Do I look that scary?"

A celestial beast, pouting? Was she seeing things?

His childish demeanour was unexpected, but it gave her a moment to calm down and think allowing her to vaguely remember his figure reaching out to her in the waters after her fall.

"Did you save me?" she asked in a shaky breath.

The man nodded, his expression softening. "Yes, I did. You were in grave danger, and I couldn't leave you to just die," he said slapping his hands against the rim. "Those guys were really chasing you fiercely! Are you a fugitive?"

Could it be, he didn't know she was human?

Hadassah nodded, her heart pounding with the fear that if he found out she was human, he would kill her on the spot. "Yes, something like that," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

His eyes widened with curiosity. "Wow, that's so exciting! I've never met a fugitive before!" He grinned, his demeanour childlike and full of wonder. "My name is Ahqi, by the way. What's yours?"

"Hadassah," she said cautiously, still unsure of his intentions. "Thank you for saving me, Ahqi."

Ahqi beamed. "Well, if I didn't help you would die, that would be a shame!"

She forced a smile, trying to match his enthusiasm. "Can you help me? I need healing." If he was unaware, he might be able to heal her without any issues. Then she could sneak away and never have to see him again.

Ahqi nodded eagerly. "I can help with that! One second!" He scrunched his face dramatically, his features contorting as if trying to squeeze out tears.

Hadassah watched in a mix of disbelief and hope. Ahqi seemed to be genuinely trying, his eyes squeezed shut, and his mouth twisted into a grimace of concentration. After a few intense moments, a single tear rolled down his cheek, glistening like a precious gem.

"Got it!" Ahqi exclaimed triumphantly, catching the tear on his fingertip. "This should help you feel better."

She was expecting him to use healing magic, she did not expect his tears to turn to pearls much less for them to have healing properties. She felt embarrassed to admit - she didn't know something so crucial about one of the five celestial beings.

He carefully placed the tear on her lips, and she opened up to swallow it. As soon as the tear made contact with her tongue, it spread a soothing, cool sensation throughout her body. The pain began to fade, and her wounds started to heal almost instantly.

Feeling better she could finally relax, at least now she would be able to run away if things got bad. "Thank you, Ahqi. I feel much better now," she said quietly.

Ahqi beamed, clearly pleased with himself. "I'm glad I could help! You should rest a bit before you go. I don’t think you’ll survive if you remain this weak." He said it with such gusto, as if she wasn't running for her life.

"This place, it's connected to the sea?" she asked him, looking up at the cave. Now she could actually appreciate how beautifully lit it was, crystals standing against the walls of the cave with gems sticking out of the ceiling, all glowing a soft purple.

"Absolutely! I know this cave system like the back of my hand. I come here often to hide from my retainers," Ahqi said with a carefree grin, his tone carrying a hint of playful mischief.

She looked at him and couldn't help but sigh. Did she get picked up by a kid? "How old are you?" she asked.

"Hmm, I don't really remember. We don't normally keep track," he replied with a thoughtful expression.

Of course, she thought. Celestials don't die by natural causes, and they also can't reproduce by natural means. He must be at least a hundred years old, but still, wasn’t he too childish? Was he just sheltered?

She felt he was lucky, before she was twelve, she had already seen the death of her caretaker, it must be nice to be carefree for hundreds of years.

As she sat there, gathering her strength, Ahqi's childlike manner eased her initial fears. Despite his celestial nature, he seemed genuinely innocent and eager to help. The situation was bizarre, but she needed to take advantage of it.

"Ahqi, do you think you could show me the way out of the cave system?" she asked, trying to sound as calm and composed as possible.

Ahqi's eyes lit up. "Sure! I can guide you. This place is like a maze, but I know all the secret paths."

He bobbed up and down the water, his beautiful iridescent blue tail occasionally rising above the pool.

Hadassah hesitated for a moment before dipping into the cool water. She held on to his waist tightly much to his amusement.

"It tickles! Be careful!" He said chuckling, before diving back in the pool. He swan through the carven, hiss strong strokes propelling them forward effortlessly, but as they swam deeper and longer without surfacing, her anxiety began to grow.

She could feel her lungs burning, and panic set in. She started to thrash and hit him in desperation, trying to signal her need for air. Ahqi glanced back at her, puzzled by her sudden distress. "What's wrong?" he tried to ask, and despite being underwater, his voice was clear enough for her to understand.

Realizing her struggle, Ahqi swiftly changed direction and guided them upward to a small air pocket in the cavern's ceiling. As soon as they broke the surface, Hadassah gasped for air, her chest heaving. She clung to Ahqi, their bodies pressed close together in the confined space.

He looked at her with concern, noticing the small details of her face for the first time-the delicate lines around her eyes, the way her hair clung to her skin, and the intensity of her gaze. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft and full of genuine worry. She must be a really bad beastman for this little swimming to make her this breathless.

She nodded, still catching her breath. "I can't hold my breath for too long underwater. I'm not like you, Ahqi."

He frowned, tilting his head in confusion. "You're a weird beastman. You're really bad at swimming."

She felt frustrated, "I just can't hold my breath that long!"

Realization dawned on Ahqi's face. "Oh! That makes sense now. I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were a rabbit beastman. You should have told me sooner. You didn't have any ears so I didn't expect it!"

Her eye twitched, rabbit beastman were notorious for being cowards, their females also couldn't swim very well.

"It's okay," she said, she had an inkling that he didn't mean it as an insult. "I should have explained better."

As she caught her breath, she noticed his gaze lingering on her face. "You know, you're actually really pretty," he said, almost as if realizing it for the first time.

"Did you just realize that!?"

He blushed sheepishly, smiling he said, "hold on!" Before she could say anything else they had descended again. She cursed him in her mind, he knew she was about to cuss him out for just noticing she was pretty, did he think she was ugly before!?

Hadassah gasped as she emerged from the swim, dragging her body out of the pool. She looked up, her breath catching as she realized she was in a more open space than before. The cavern had opened up into a large, natural chamber, and through a large hole above, she could see the sky, streaked with the colours of the setting sun.

She collapsed onto the rocky ground, her body exhausted from the swim and the adrenaline of the escape. The cool air of the open space was a welcome relief, and she took deep, calming breaths, trying to steady herself.

Ahqi surfaced beside her, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, pulling himself out of the water with ease, his iridescent tail shimmering in the light.

Hadassah nodded weakly, managing a small smile. "I'm fine, just tired. Thank you for helping me."

Ahqi's face lit up with relief. "Good! This place is a lot safer. You can rest here for a while."

As Hadassah lay back, she took in the beauty of the cavern. The walls were adorned with trees and plants, creating a hidden haven. There was only one way in—through the water or through the hole above.

Hadassah collected her thoughts. What now? She couldn't go back to where she had stayed since the hunters had found her. She needed to find a new home out of the way of other beastmen.

Ahqi watched her stare up with conflicted eyes, wondering what was on her mind. "What are you thinking about?" he asked, leaning on his elbow against the floor, his tail slapping the water surface casually.

"I don't have a home to go to, so I'm wondering where I should make my new home," she admitted.

His tail swung in the air, catching the light. "Well, you can stay here until you have somewhere to go," he said happily. His happy-go-lucky attitude made her feel odd, like she was overthinking her situation.

"I guess I could, but I don't really have any way to hunt or forage," she said, her voice tinged with worry.

"Why not just climb up?" he said with a shrug. Hadassah frowned. He still thought she was a beastman. At this point, was it worth lying? How would she explain why she couldn't live here?

Taking a deep breath, she decided to come clean. "Ahqi, I'm not a beastman. I'm a human. We can't climb as easily or breathe underwater like you can."

Ahqi's eyes widened in surprise, his tail momentarily stilling. "A human? Really? Wow, I've never met a human before! That's so cool!" His excitement was genuine, but he quickly sobered, realizing the implications. "Oh... that explains why you couldn't stay underwater for long."

"Yes," she said softly. It was already good he didn't plan to kill her. "I can't climb up there or stay hidden underwater. I need to find a place where I can survive, on land."

Ahqi nodded thoughtfully. "That sucks, so what can humans do? Can you fly?"

She shook her head, smiling slightly at his innocence. He thought briefly before suggesting something else. "At least you can swim, right?"

"I can swim!" she said quickly, a bit embarrassed. "I'm just not very good at it."

Ahqi sighed in relief. "That's good. I was worried for a second." He didn't mind her being human, but he drew the line at not knowing how to swim? She didn't know if she should laugh or what. "Then, do you eat? Can you eat seaweed?"

Hadassah chuckled. "Yes, I can, but seaweed isn't really a human's main food. We eat things like fruits, vegetables, meat, and bread."

Ahqi's eyes widened. "Wow, humans eat a lot of different things! I guess seaweed might not be the best for you then. But don't worry, I'll help you find the right food."

"Well, you can help me get some fish? And do you have salt?" 

Ahqi turned his head in confusion. "Salt?"

"Yes, it's something we use to season food and preserve it," Hadassah explained. "It's essential for cooking."

Ahqi looked even more puzzled. "I've never used salt before."

"Humans use it a lot in their cooking, we get it from the sea." she elaborated.

He nodded slowly, absorbing this new information. "So, do we need to make some from sea water?"

Hadassah smiled at his quick understanding. "Yes, exactly. We can boil sea water until the water evaporates, leaving the salt behind."

"But if you boil all the sea water, what will you drink? You'll be dehydrated," Ahqi said, genuinely concerned.

She snickered, "Ahqi, I can't drink salt water anyway. The ocean is too vast for me to finish it in my lifetime."

Ahqi looked relieved but still curious. "So, what do you drink?"

"Fresh water," she explained. "From rivers, lakes, or rain. Salt water can make us very sick."

"Fresh water," Ahqi repeated thoughtfully. "I've heard some beastmen live there, they're quite dangerous."

How can they be more dangerous than you?

She kept her mouth shut, did he not realize he was like a walking deity, or in his case - a swimming deity.

"Thanks anyway, I'll find a way out of here, you can go back to swimming and putting shells in your hair." There were a ridiculous amount of sea shells in his hair, she wondered if he just spent hours a day doing that or if he actually had a job to do considering how he was following her around.

He twirled his finger around a lock of pale hair proudly. "Do you like it? It took hours for the sea sprites to do! I think I look really pretty. Don't I look pretty?"

Hadassah's eye twitched. What a frivolous man. Despite his extreme handsomeness, she didn't want to give him the compliment.

"I'm going now," she said stiffly as she stood up to leave.

Seeing her leave, he panicked, reaching out. "Wait! Don't leave yet!"

She turned to look at him, stopping in her tracks. "What? Are you going to take my soul in exchange for the mer tears?"

"What? No!" he said quickly, his face showing genuine surprise. "I just wanted..." He stopped, blushing furiously. "I don't normally have anyone to talk to, everyone just treats me the like a glass vase... so will you come back?"

Such a surprisingly innocent question made her feel guilty for assuming he wanted something more sinister. Well, he did want something, but it was something she could afford to give him. He squirmed under her stare, twiddling his thumbs nervously.

"Alright," she said finally.

He jumped up in happiness. "Don't forget to come back! No matter where you are, just step into the water and I'll find you!"

Hadassah couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "I promise. I'll come back."

Ahqi beamed at her, his joy infectious. "Great! I'll be waiting. And don't worry, I'll make sure to find you the best places with fresh water and good food."

Leaving the merman behind, Hadassah headed toward the edge of the pit. Looking up at the steep rock and dirt climbing upward, she sighed. Humans were the weakest in terms of strength; climbing something like this was no problem for a beast men, but it was a huge problem for her.

"I'll need a rope," she muttered to herself.

She looked around, assessing her surroundings for anything that might help her. There were sturdy vines and roots hanging from the edges of the pit, but they seemed fragile and unreliable. She could only make the best of what she had.

She began to weave them together, creating a makeshift rope. Her fingers worked quickly, she had done this numerous times, living by herself for all this time meant her survival skills were pretty good.

After what felt like hours, she finally had a decent length of rope. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do. She managed to throw it up and catch a large chunk of broken tree trunk. She gave it a few tugs to ensure it was strong enough and now she could only hope it could hold her weight.

Taking a deep breath, Hadassah grabbed the rope and began to climb. Her muscles burned with the effort, and the rough vines scraped against her hands, but she pushed through the pain, focusing on each movement.

Slowly but surely, she made her way up the pit, using the natural footholds and the makeshift rope to steady herself.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she reached the top. She pulled herself over the edge and collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily. She had done it. She had climbed out of the pit.

As she lay there, catching her breath, she felt the sun against her dark skin, with the sky above her and the vast forest stretching out in every direction, she knew she needed to find a new place to call home, she couldn't wander aimlessly forever.

"Thank you, Ahqi," she whispered to herself, grateful for his help, since she was no longer injured, survival no longer seemed impossible.

Since she was healed, it was easier to traverse the inhospitable forest, though climbing a piece of root could still take her half an hour. The wood was slippery and painful to grab onto. As a human, Hadassah found this world really was not meant for her kind. She marvelled at how humans barely had any adaptations to live here. Why were they the only species without any significant traits? They also couldn't transform, so they were seen as extremely weak creatures. The only reason humans became so powerful was because of their ability to tame beastmen.

Notorious, the first human queen, had over 300 husbands and 700 concubines in her court. Her death was understandably gruesome, and her title as the 'Queen of Debauchery' wasn't one her people could stomach.

Hadassah moved through the dark, quiet woods without a location in mind, hoping to find somewhere hidden and barren to call home for a while. Preferably somewhere with a natural water source. She slid down a piece of bark, her feet feeling the wet squelch underneath her. She winced as she stepped on a sharp piece of wood. She desperately needed new shoes, but most beastmen did not wear shoes, so buying a pair was impossible.

Shoes were sometimes worn by the rich as a sign of their wealth, so even if she did find shoes, she wouldn't be able to afford them.

Her stomach rumbled, but she tried to ignore it. Foraging for wild vegetables was her best option, but as long as she was on the move without a disguise, it would be hard to find edible food safely. The moment she could, she would weave a pair of exquisite rabbit ears. Upon close inspection, they would look odd, but from afar, they would seem fine.

Her shadow was directly under her feet by the time she came across signs of life. Small scratch marks along the bark marked the territory of a minor clan.

She sighed in relief. Most beastmen didn't know much about humans to question her, and the chance of finding someone knowledgeable was even less with a minor clan. Judging from the scratch marks, she guessed it was a rabbit tribe. Other than the fox tribe, they were the most populous. The fox tribe did not often associate with other tribes due to their relationship with the Fox Spirit tribe, one of the five great clans along with the Sky Deities, the Celestials of the Sea, the Vermilion Birds, and the Seers.

The five great tribes ruled the beast world. Each tribe had a select few minor tribes under them. The Fox Spirit tribe had the fox tribe and the bloodhounds under their banner. Most minor tribes did not have the privilege of gaining the protection of a major clan.

The rabbit tribe relied on their numbers and their intellect to survive, and so they were the most advanced in terms of skilled kesems. It was a blessing to have one kesem in a tribe, but due to their numbers, they could have up to five.

Soon enough, Hadassah began to hear signs of life. She was getting closer to the rabbit tribe. Her stomach growled again at the thought of the food that would be available to her soon. She needed to get some money, though; her bag was lost when she fell into the sea. All her hard-earned money gone, just like that. She could only sigh and take it as the price for coming out of that ordeal alive.

She came across a main path and finally noticed a carriage coming up the road. She stood to the side, letting it pass, but it stopped in front of her.

A man with a straw hat covering his face, with a pair of pristine white bunny ears popping out of his head, peered at her. She saw the gleam of what looked like a pair of glasses under his hat. He was also wearing shoes—a pair of brown leather boots—indicating he must at least be a merchant.

"Do you need a ride?" he asked.

"No, it's fine. I don't have anything to pay you with," she replied politely. Angering a merchant before she even reached the tribe would be foolish.

"It's no problem," he said reassuringly. "Just hop in the wagon. You can hop out when we pass by your location."

She peered behind him, seeing the open carriage, and felt a bit more reassured. If she could jump out at any time, she was fine with that. She placed her fist in her left palm and bowed in gratitude. "Thank you!"

The man smiled. She couldn't make out his facial features very well, but his smile looked kind. "No problem, hop on."

She nodded and hopped on the back, seating herself between bags of vegetables and hay. Small boxes were also dotted around, emitting the strong scents of herbs and roots. She wondered why he was traveling with an open carriage and no guards. She pushed the thoughts out of her mind and settled down.

As the carriage trundled along the path, Hadassah took in her surroundings. The forest here was slightly less dense, with occasional clearings revealing glimpses of the sky. The rhythmic creaking of the carriage and the occasional chirping of eased her earlier anxieties, she was safe for now.

"Where are you headed?" the merchant asked after a few minutes.

"To the rabbit tribe's village," she replied. "I need to find a place to stay for a while."

The merchant laughed. For a moment Hadassah felt like she asked the wrong thing. "I mean where I the rabbit tribe are you headed? The black-rabbit tribe is quite large, I'm assuming you've never been."

Hadassah flushed in embarrassment, did she come off like such an outsider? "Thank you for the ride. It's very kind of you." She evaded the question; the merchant understood her embarrassment.

He chuckled softly. "No need to thank me. It's always good to help a traveller in need. Besides, the road can be lonely. You seem like a rabbit female, are you from a smaller tribe?"

"Yes, I am new to this part of the continent." She said, despite her lack of ears she looked just like a rabbit female, known for their frailty and intelligence. Since the concept of a human should not exist, she could only be a rabbit.

They rode in companionable silence for a while, the scenery slowly changing as they approached the rabbit tribe's territory. The signs of civilization became more frequent and the large trees all but disappeared—small houses, cultivated fields, and villagers going about their day. Hadassah's stomach growled again, louder this time, she wanted the ground to swallow her whole, why so loud!?

"Sounds like you could use a meal," the merchant said with a grin. "Don't worry, we'll be there soon."

True to his word, they soon arrived at the outskirts of the rabbit tribe's village. It was bustling with activity, merchants selling their wares, children playing with their disproportionately large black ears often tied back out of the way, and villagers tending to their daily chores. The air was filled with the mingled scents of food, spices, and fresh earth.

The merchant pulled the carriage to a stop and turned to Hadassah. "This is the Black Rabbit Tribe. You're welcome to stay with me until you find your bearings."

"No, I have inconvenienced you enough. Thank you very much for the ride!" she said, getting off quickly. Before she ran off, she remembered to ask, "Do you know where I can find the Great Kesmes?"

He pondered for a while. "What business do you have with the Great Kesmes? He is not an easy beast to meet." The Great Kesmes was a title given to the Kesmes with the most seniority in a tribe. In a big tribe like this, he must be quite skilful.

"Well, I am an acolyte. I was hoping to continue my studies under the Kesmes." She was getting quite good at lying. The merchant remained quiet for a second, and she felt a bit scared. Did he figure out she was lying?

"So that's how it is," he finally spoke, making her release her breath. The merchant pointed up at the tree located in the centre of the village. She could vaguely see a building integrated into the large tree. "Just go to that life tree; the Great Kesmes should be there."

She smiled and bowed once more. "Thank you again for your kindness!"

He tipped his hat. "Take care, and good luck."

As he rode away, Hadassah took a deep breath and looked around. The village seemed welcoming, and she easily blended into the crowd without raising suspicion. Her first task was to find some work or a way to earn money. She spotted a market area bustling with activity and decided to start there.

The market was lively, filled with the chatter of vendors and customers. Various stalls offered fruits, vegetables, fabrics, tools, and more. Hadassah's stomach growled again, reminding her of her immediate need for food. She approached a vendor selling an assortment of greens. "Excuse me," she said politely. "Do you know where I might find some work?"

The vendor, a middle-aged rabbit beastman with a kind face, looked at her curiously. "Work, eh? Well, we always need extra hands around here. What kind of work are you looking for?"

"Anything, really," Hadassah replied. "I just need to earn some shells for food."

The vendor nodded, understanding her plight. "I could use some help packing my items this evening. If you're willing to wait for a couple of hours, I'll pay you in shells."

"That would be wonderful. Thank you!" Hadassah said gratefully.

The vendor smiled. "Great. Why don't you look around the market and come back here just before sunset?"

Hadassah nodded and thanked him again before wandering off to explore the bustling market. The village was vibrant and full of life, with stalls selling everything from fresh produce to handcrafted goods. At first, she was excited to look around, taking in the fabrics, the accessories, and the food – gosh the food- she ogled every remotely delicious looking plate in her way. She regrated not smoking some fish before leaving, but the thought of eating tasteless unsalted fish really put her off eating.

Hadassah stared at the food so intently that the chef mistook her for a beggar and chased her away. She was one night away from sleeping on the streets. Determined to avoid that fate, she made up her mind to quickly help the vendor and get something to eat before heading straight for the life tree.

She eventually made her way back to the vendor's stall just as the sun began to set. The vendor greeted her with a smile and handed her a basket filled with various items.

"Here, start by organizing these into the crates over there," he instructed, pointing to a stack of wooden crates.

Hadassah set to work, carefully packing the items into the crates as the vendor directed. She worked diligently, and as the evening progressed, she found herself enjoying the simple task and the sense of accomplishment it brought.

By the time they finished, the sky had darkened, and the market was beginning to quiet down. The vendor handed her a small pouch filled with polished iridescent conch shells.

"Here you go, lass. You've earned these," he said with a warm smile.

"Thank you so much," Hadassah said, accepting the pouch with gratitude. "I really appreciate your help."

The vendor nodded. "You're welcome. If you need more work, feel free to come by tomorrow."

Feeling a mix of relief and hunger, Hadassah rushed to the nearest food stall. She had earned five shells, but two were quickly lost to purchase a simple but hearty meal. As a human she had no satisfaction eating raw vegetables so she splurged a little on the more expensive stuff with lots of meat. She ate her fill, savouring the warm, comforting food. It was the best meal she had had in days, she nearly cried in relief. She planned to spend the rest of the money of new items for her journey later.

With her hunger satisfied, Hadassah turned her attention to the life tree in the centre of the village. She made her way through the now quieter streets, clutching the remaining shells in her pouch. The closer she got to the tree, the more impressive it appeared. Its massive trunk was covered in lush greenery, and its branches stretched high into the sky. The tree was well lit with what looked like translucent balls floating among the leaves. It looked beautiful, and the wooden spiral stairs that ran up the tree were also dotted with the translucent light balls.

'This must be the work of the Kesmes,' she thought to herself as she approached the tree to climb up. Despite hosting arguably, the most important person in the tribe, the tree was unguarded, but she soon figured out why. Midway up the stairs, she felt a sort of pressure pushing against her, stopping her from moving up.

She tried to keep going, confused as to why she couldn't move.

"Who is there?" the voice of a woman came from seemingly nowhere, resounding all around her.

"Um.. I'm an acolyte. I'm here for the Great Kesmes," she explained, seemingly speaking to herself. She was met with a few moments of silence, and just as she was about to speak again, she received a reply.

"Please make your way upstairs."

Relieved, Hadassah continued her ascent, the pressure easing as she moved higher. When she reached the top, she was greeted by a striking young woman, long black hair, and large, expressive eyes. She had tall, elegant, black rabbit ears and wore deep purple robes draped across her body held together with iridescent clips. Her exposed arms showed off her extensive markings and her wrist was adorned with a long-beaded piece of jewellery that had wrapped around her hand multiple times.

The woman smiled warmly. "Welcome. I am Neveah, a junior Kesmes. You must be the a acolyte."

Hadassah bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Neveah. Yes, I am here to continue my studies under the Great Kesmes."

Neveah nodded, her rabbit ears twitching slightly. "The Great Kesmes has been informed of your arrival. Please, follow me."

Hadassah paused. Why would the Great Kesmes look forward to her arrival? She wasn't a real acolyte. She felt this entire situation was getting precarious. Could it be they were actually expecting an acolyte to arrive? If so, she would be in serious trouble if they found out she was lying. Her body went cold, but Neveah had started walking, so she had no choice but to follow.

Hadassah followed Neveah into the grand hall of the tree. The interior was just as awe-inspiring as the exterior, with shelves of ancient tomes, glowing orbs of light, and various magical artifacts. The air was filled with the scent of herbs and old parchment, each inhale leaving a bitter taste in the back of her throat. She felt a strange mix of awe and anxiety, taking in the beauty and mystery of the place while worrying about her deception being discovered.

Neveah led her to a spacious office lined with bookshelves that reached the ceiling, Hadassah wondered how the hell someone would be able to reach those books. "The Great Kesmes will meet with you shortly. Please wait here," Neveah said, leaving Hadassah alone in the room.

Hadassah's eyes wandered around the office, taking in the rows of ancient books and scrolls. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she began to search the book collection for any information on humans. She hoped to find something that could help her blend in better or at least unlock her abilities.

As she perused the shelves, she found several volumes on the history of the beastmen tribes, magical theory, and ancient spells, but very little on humans. Finally, she came across a dusty old tome tucked away in a corner. She pulled it out and began to skim through it, finding a section on human-beastmen interactions.

Hadassah was so engrossed in her reading that she didn't hear the door open. She jumped when a voice spoke behind her.

"Ah, you must be the new acolyte."

Hadassah turned around to see a tall, imposing rabbit beastman with long white hair and piercing eyes. He wore a dark, intricately designed robe that emphasized his stature. His presence was commanding yet somehow familiar.

"Y-yes, Great Kesmes," Hadassah stammered slamming the book shut and placing it behind her, she stood and bowed respectfully. "I am Hadassah, here to continue my studies under your guidance."

The Great Kesmes looked her over, his gaze sharp and discerning. "Are you sure about that?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Hadassah's heart pounded in her chest. Had he seen through her lie already? "I... I am," she replied, her voice wavering.

The Great Kesmes raised an eyebrow, then suddenly burst out laughing. The sound was warm and genuine, not at all what Hadassah had expected. Confused and a little frightened, she watched him, not knowing what to say or do.

As his laughter subsided. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist," he said, still chuckling. "You should have seen the look on your face."

In that moment she recognised him – the merchant from earlier!

Hadassah felt a wave of embarrassment and relief wash over her. "You... you're the merchant from earlier," she said, her voice filled with surprise.

He nodded, his expression softening. "Well, I am not a merchant, I was just out collecting some herbs."

Her face turned red with embarrassment. "I... I didn't mean to deceive you," she said quickly. "I just needed a place to stay and learn." No wonder he looked confused when she said she was an acolyte; how silly she must have looked.

The Great Kesmes smiled kindly. "Well, it's not every day I get to meet a human. I was quite curious to see what you wanted from me. Turns out you just want to steal some books," he said, referring to the book hidden behind her.

Hadassah's heart skipped a beat. He knew she was human. She instinctively took a defensive stance. "What do you want from me?" she asked, trying to mask her fear.

The Great Kesmes raised his hands in a placating gesture. "You came to me. I just want to learn more about humans. If I had planned to sell you out, I wouldn't have let you go after giving you a ride."

Hadassah hesitated, considering his words. Slowly, she lowered her guard. "Why should I believe you?"

He chuckled softly. "Well, I don't care if you believe me or not, I won't force you to stay here."

"What gave me away?"

He looked at her as if she were crazy. "Your lack of ears might deceive the illiterate, but I know a thing or two about humans and can recognize one anywhere."

Hadassah paused, her curiosity piqued. "Have you seen any others?" Were there others like her? Wandering this world alone?

The Great Kesmes' expression grew distant. "Many, many years ago."

She studied him, noting his youthful appearance. He couldn't be older than twenty-five. "How many years ago could that possibly be?"

His eyes twinkled with amusement. "Longer than you'd believe." His voice seemed wistful, "Now, follow me. I'll show you to your quarters, you are my new acolyte after all."

Hadassah followed him through the winding corridors of the tree. They eventually reached a cozy room with a simple bed and a small desk. The room was modest but comfortable, a perfect place for her to rest and study.

"Get some rest. Be awake bright and early. I have a lot to teach my new acolyte," the Great Kesmes said, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"Wait!" she said, stopping him from leaving. "Um, where can I wash up?"

The Great Kesmes looked at her for a moment. "Hm, that's a good question." Most beastmen used buckets of water if they wanted to have a wash, but they often just washed in their backyard or went to the nearest stream with other beastmen. Privacy was mostly a human concept, but he understood that.

"You can use my bathroom. I'm sorry, we don't really have a place specifically for that right now."

She smiled. "Thank you." At least she had a place to wash up and a bed to rest her head. Her feet were killing her, and she didn't have the strength to be on her guard all the time. For just tonight, she wanted to forget her troubles—just for tonight.