Chapter 25: The start of what could've been an easily avoidable incident.....(2)

Dawn had left the Mansion. She didn't speak with anyone before leaving the mansion as it seemed like both Magnus and Gloria were busy instructing something to the other maids and servants.

"I wonder if an important guest is coming today. Everyone looks more busy than usual." Dawn commented as the atmosphere of the Mansion changed. Usually, it was laid back but now there was a sense of urgency within the Maids and servants as they began walking at all corners of the Mansion, cleaning and organizing the place.

She didn't want to bother Magnus and Gloria while they were focused on their work so she left without telling anyone.

"Ok! Now let's head to the forest! Just you wait, Dusk! I'll find that fruit and have you show me more respect!" Dawn said to herself as she walked towards the north after leaving the mansion.

The distance between the Darkmoon Grove forest and the Mansion was shorter than the path to the Owl woodlands. But that didn't mean the journey would take a short time. If it was Dusk, He would be able to make the trip quickly due to being able to enhance his physical capabilities tremendously with the power of mana. Not to mention he had also trained his body to be quite athletic for his age.

But Dawn was a normal 8-year-old child. She may be able to use a bit of mana but she wasn't capable of boosting her speed to travel faster. She was just a bit athletic due to her outgoing nature.

So she started walking at her own pace while admiring the beauty of the Nightmoon family's territory. There was a beautiful garden filled with attractive flowerbeds near the mansion but she didn't have the time to stand and stare at them. She passed through the gate of the place as the guard let her out without questioning anything since he recognized her. Then she followed the paved path that leads to the city. She would take a turn at a certain point that would lead her to the forest.

Although she didn't think the forest would be dangerous she still knew that it would be wiser to stick to the roads than the wilderness until she got close to her destination. She was tempted to travel through the wilderness as it was a shortcut to the forest but she dismissed the thought as wild animals could attack her.

After an hour of walking Dawn started feeling tired.

'Wow, this is a bit far. When I passed through this road with Daddy on a wagon it felt close.' She thought and looked at the sky. She could tell it was already late afternoon as the sun had started moving towards the west.

"Ah!" She suddenly made a sound and started running.

"This is the place! Daddy pointed his finger in this direction saying this was Darkmoon Grove. He said it was filled with charming flowers and tasty fruits." She remembered Lucius's words.

"He also said it was dangerous to be here, but he says that all the time...." Dawn muttered and started entering the outskirts of the forest.

She wasn't exaggerating at all. Lucius was an overly-protective man when it came to his daughter. Dawn still remembers that her father would tell her it was too dangerous to go to the bathroom alone as she could lose her balance on the slippery floor and fall. So he accompanied her inside until a year ago. After she turned 7 She fought with her father to stop him from being so protective and he settled on waiting outside the bathroom.

Dawn sighed when she thought about that.

"Wait I don't have time to think about that! I need to find the fruit!" she said to herself and started searching for the fruit as she wandered around the forest.

The Darkmoon Grove shared similar characteristics with the Owl woodlands in that it was also less active during the day and most active during the night. It was strange that the two forests close to the Nightmoon territory were so similar in this regard. But in the end, people dismissed it as a coincidence as there seemed to be no other example.

However, this trait of the forest was favorable to Dawn as it was still afternoon. She had some time to find the fruit and leave before danger started lurking in the forest. Though she didn't know that.

Dawn searched the forest for the fruit called Nixantus everywhere. She had seen numerous other fruits and flowers. There were big trees and small bushes alike. She even saw some wild foxes roaming around and some squirrels in the trees. But she couldn't find the fruit.

"Where could it be...." Dawn muttered still searching for the fruit.

Then her eyes suddenly caught the sight of a purple-colored fruit hanging on a large tree. She quickly ran ahead in the direction of it so she could inspect it. After coming close she jumped onto the tree and managed to successfully swipe away the fruit.

"This is it!" She exclaimed in joy. The fruit looked almost exactly like the one in the picture she saw. It was beautifully shaped and soft to hold. Its purple exterior had an aura of elegance. She only managed to find one but to her, it was enough.

"Alright now I can go back!" she said with relief and took a look at the sky.

It was already evening. It had been at least two hours or more since she entered the forest. She was so focused on the search that she lost track of time.

Dawn got down from the tree and rushed back towards the Nightmoon family's mansion. But before she could get very far she suddenly halted as the earth started to tremble.

"Huh?" She looked around her surroundings as she sensed something unpleasant. Something dangerous.

Then she saw it. A massive humanoid figure. It was at least 6 meters tall. Its nose was crooked and its body was bulging with powerful muscles. It had a hideous face that would make most people look away in disgust. It was a troll. It was heading towards Dawn with slow but heavy steps.

Spotting the troll, Dawn quickly hid behind a tree. She started to hyperventilate due to the innate fear caused by the Troll's threatening presence. It was like she was the prey hiding from a predator.

As the troll drew nearer and nearer she covered her mouth to stop herself from breathing so heavily and moved to the bushes beside the trees to hide. She hoped that the troll would walk away without noticing her. Luckily it seemed like the troll didn't notice her.

Dawn didn't know it but it was due to her being in the forest for so long while touching and inspecting the flowers and fruits. The aroma of the flowers had covered her distinct scent which allowed her to go unnoticed by the troll's sharp sense of smell.

The tremors on the ground felt by Dawn seemed to weaken as the troll walked further and further away.

'All right! I think I can run away now!' Dawn thought and got out of the bushes. But at that moment she accidentally stepped on a branch which made a loud "CRUNCH" sound.

To her horror the troll had tilted its head toward her hiding spot, to investigate the source of the noise. Then it started heading in her direction.

She quickly hid herself in the bush again and tears started flowing through her cheeks as she had become extremely afraid.

'Daddy...Save me!' she wanted to scream but she knew doing so would only hasten her end.

The tremors grew stronger and the Troll kept coming closer. Just when Dawn was about to scream in fear she heard another loud "CRUNCH" sound.

She spotted a deer-like creature with huge horns. It was away from her and near the troll. The troll noticed it too and glared at the creature as it quickly ran away. The Troll didn't seem very interested in it as it turned away to head back to its previous destination. It misjudged the source of the first noise to be the deer-like creature.

Dawn couldn't feel any happier as the tears of relief flowed down her cheek. As soon as the troll was a safe distance away she started running toward the Nightmoon mansion hoping to not come across another dangerous monster. She wanted to get out of the forest as soon as possible. As she ran, her grip on the fruit that she came this far for, had unknowingly tightened.

Note:I'm thinking of making the writing style third person for Dusk as well. After writing from the Pov of Stygian, Magnus, and Dawn I realized writing in third person feels more comfortable for me.

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