The grasses rustles beneath his feets. His coat billows with the winds. Breathing heavily, Lyriel could hear the whiffs of passing air beside him as he ran. His figure swooshed past countless trees as they raced down a mound, his heart pounding loudly. And when he tried accelerating his speed, he couldn't still meet up with the tiger. It was just too fast, making those annoying yips.
The farther Lyriel moved, straying from his initial place, curiosity flooded his mind like a perilous wave. Strange. It was as if the creature was leading him, guiding him, it didn't stop until they reached a scanty area within the woods.
Lyriel stopped. His body jittered as he bent to catch his breath. The trembling of his knees evident. A minute after he regained his composure, he rose to the winds caress upon his face as he lifted his waist.
There weren't any grasses at this side of the forest. The trees were fewer, and the bare ground were caked with heaps of dead dried leaves. Piled up in reddish and orange color. He cleaved through a dried thicket and finally arrived at a small spacing. There, his eyes found the little beast whom was staring down before it.
A suffusing glimmer escaped from within the pile of dead leaves.
Initially, the beast had been circling the light as though a precious rare item, pausing once it noticed Lyriel's figure emerge from the thicket. It held it's head and abruptly retreated with a yip.
...?
Silver eyes inclined and Lyriel confusingly glanced at both the retreating beast and the glow on the floor. Using his hand, he removed the cluster of sticks that clung to his clothes before marching foward. Approaching the light source.
The glow became even brighter once the beast unshielded it's flares from Lyriel. Although Lyriel wanted to deal within this creature, he couldn't overlook the abnormal light on the floor. Sliding the beast a last curious gaze, Lyriel could hear the crunching of leaves all the way to the light source. Then all of a sudden, he stopped.
He gazed down at the streaks of light. What met Lyriel eyes was a bow. A radiating bow.
Wreaths of pure glazing lights swirled around in a magical dance, glaring beautifully as they danced around the body of the bow. A trail of silver dusts arose from the patches left by the leaves and they faded with the winds. It was mesmerizing. Luring. Brows suddenly knitted, Who would have left such a cool-looking weapon within a forest like this?
Had it been forgotten—Or lost?
The little tiger scurried into a thicket, afraid to meet Lyriel's questioning gaze. Frowning as Lyriel returned his gaze downwards. He Added.
Or was this a trap? A set-up?
His eyes abruptly narrowed.
Somehow, Lyriel could still feel an invincible force tugging the youth towards the glowing arrow. It was like a call. Maybe, a connection. Lyriel couldn't resist the temptation as he silently bent over to pick the glistening bow.
However, he made sure to check around for any movements before he did so. For all it could be he would only find out afterwards.
The dead leaves fell back towards the earth as the youth lifted the bow from the ground. It was light, Lyriel noticed. However, he didn't study the bow until after a few seconds.
When there were not any movement did Lyriel begin his scrutiny.
The body of the bow was entirely made of transparent glass, sleekly curved. 6ft long. Silver lines weaved, embellished the body in a celtic knotwork pattern as well as star structures surrounding it's tip. The limbs were gradually tapered from the centre to the apex. And the polished horn-like tips curved outwards. The riser, the area Lyriel gripped. A fair grasp to his grip emitted a cozy and warm touch sufficient enough to leave Lyriel amazed.
Overall, it exuded a fierce yet graceful energy.
Lyriel had itched to test it but there was no arrow. Not even a lengthy stick on sight could serve as a makeshift arrow. Glancing around, he thought on searching the area one more time for branches when—
[ Ding!]
Suddenly, a sharp sound buzzed, the bow dropping at the man's fright as a mechanical sounds stringed the air.
A floating star appeared in Lyriel's sight of view, and he moved back in alarm. "..."
[Congratulations Host! ]
[ System Notification: You have Acquired Aether's Bow: Tier 7 (Revered Weapon)
Made from the fragments of light drawn from the shattered soul of the Greek god of light, you have been blessed with the power of Light! And an affinity to it's manipulation! ]
Lyriel was more wary about the hovering figure that nearly startled him to death. His fists are clenched, his silver eyes glared. He eyed the star figure from head to toe as if assessing it, not realizing he positioned in a battle stance.
When Lyriel hadn't sensed any threat and found it harmless, he fixed his composure and exhaled.
"Hey, " His eyes remained vigilant. "What are you?"
The floating Star blinked cluelessly it's black dotted eyes. Ingesting the earlier scene, he couldn't help but be left speechless. Did the organization offer him to guide a retard? He silently grieved within as he answered.
"Call me Star." Dotted eyes turned crescent, Star spoke mirthfully. As Lyriel picked the bow, he continued. "...I would be your personal assistant throughout your journey in Certaryia. Would you like me to reveal your stats?" His voice chimed sweetly yet confidently.
...???
A two minutes silence descended. It took only a brief moment, a dazed look flitted across the pair of Lyriel's silver pupils as his fingers on the bow lightly loosened.
Brows creased. Lyriel wasn't shocked, he was processing. "Wait... Wait... What do you mean? Are you like... A system?"
He'd known about those, somehow.
"Hmn. You could see me as a navigator too! Stationed to assist you to get stronger." Nevertheless, Star explained dutifully. "Now are we done asking silly questions?"
Stars response almost made Lyriel irritatingly huff. After which he nodded.
It wasn't that Lyriel didn't understand what Star meant since he was a hardcore reader. But the prodding revelation struck Lyriel like a lightning bolt, he never expected it. He thought his new life would be like other basic transmigration he'd read. He never expected it with a system.
Lyriel moved his eyes to study the holograph beside Star. It had appeared after Lyriel nodded. It's was a transparent silvered tab and the writings on it were black in colour.
[Name : Lyriel Neil Tharagon ]
[Age: 23 ]
[Race : Human ]
[ Class: Harnessers ]
[ Level : 1]
[Exp: 12]
[ Occupations : Blacksmith ]
[ Ability : Heliokinesis]
[ Strength: 10/1000 ]
[ Weapons: Aether's Bow (Sacred Weapon)]
[ Consumables: Nil]
[ Others: Locked ]
[ Skills: Hisense: Grants the user a heightened seeing, hearing and smelling ability towards the environment. Usage: 10 times a month. ]
[ Intuition: Enables the users to dictate an oddity in the environment, with 20% chances to predict the cause beforehand. Usage : 12 times in two months. ]
[ Attacks: Lumos arrows: Materialize glowing arrows while wielding the Aether's Bow.
[ Light shards: conjure sharp shards of spined lights capable of piercing through flesh and bone.]
...
" Ugh..." Lyriel finally groaned as he couldn't read further. Lyriel's eyes were literally rolling and he barely steadied himself from tumbling as his stomach growled. He swore he was going to die if he didn't eat anything. As he walks away from Star and the holograph, his eyes caught the little beast steal him a gesturing glance before heading towards a direction.
It's multiple tails disappeared into the bush.
'Did it want me to follow him again?' Lyriel paused to think before he followed the tiger's direction, heading for the bushes. It didn't matter anymore. Lyriel had to survive.
"Seriously", Star grumpily chased after Lyriel and the tiger when he overhead a few rustles around him. Overwhelmed by fear, his light voice echoed after him.
"Hey. Wait for me!!!"
The three trudged through the forest as the tiger led the way. Marking their path, Lyriel's steps were sluggish. Behind him was Star chattering endlessly about every single tree they passed. Lyriel almost wanted to scold the little noisemaker and order him to disappear. The tiger diligently led the way although Lyriel was beginning doubt its intention. They had not seen anything convincing yet.
When Lyriel lifted his hands to massage his brows, he heard the sound. The sound of gurgling water. Relief washed through him and his chest swole with joy he energetically raced ahead the tiger.
A wide lake came into view guarded by rows of grey sizes of rocks and tall trees. It was twice larger with a defined circular shape as Lyriel left the bushes and entered the rocky grounds. Bathed in sun, the round lake appeared to mirror the light blue sky, shimming breathtakingly. It was like a miraculous mirage. Lyriel's eyes could sight a barrage of fishes hop within the water from the ripples.
Uwu!
"Thank you."
Smiling as he turned to the beast that rubbed against his body, he patted it's forehead. The little tiger yipped merrily, wagging his tail.
Strange, Lyriel thought. There was a puzzled look hidden beneath the smile on Lyriel's face as he briefly pondered on how to little beast could tell he was hungry. Sure, he had been weak. However, he never voiced it out so how could it...
Lyriel shrugged. Why was he even bothered about it? At least it had helped him for the moment.
The bow was laxly worn over the youth's shoulder and he made for the shores. Behind him, with an air of loftiness, the tiger tailed the young man's stride towards the lake.
Star enjoyed the view with star shaped eyes.
Before dusk approached, Lyriel, together with Star and the tiger exited the lake with armful of fishes, few twigs and stones. Lyriel precisely carried the fishes wrapped within his tunic. His skin glistened with sweat. He took the duty to lead them back to the shrine, relying on memories.
Without any idea of where he was and how to travel back, Lyriel settled to dwell in the shrine for a few days. That way, he could train his ability, level up, and grow stronger. He had to be prepared for what Certaryia had to offer.