" Alika, Get the parsley from the farm, You lazy peasant! " Lord Althur said. He's always been a pain in my ass. One day, I always wished to escape... But it's like I am in an eternal cage.

I always wanted an escape from here.

Growing up poor, My family was born into a serfdom I never had actual love. My family was too busy working on the fields to have focus for me, or either of my siblings. No prior education whatsoever, I never had anything. This was the ordinary life I was forced to have, So I thought... But atleast I knew how to read...

I continued working on the fields, the sound of my worn, leather boots crushing the dirt soil, As I'd plant my rake onto the dirt soil, continuously tending to the crops of parsley and delivering it into baskets.

Suddenly, The shuffling of dirt, the laughing of the brothers...

The Schmidt Siblings - Offspring of that disgusting Lord Althur, One of them was a girl named Azeana and a boy named Gohan. . Once again, I was tired. The sun crept down on my dirty dress, as I felt an impending kick down my stomach. I groaned in pain, as my body clashed with the dirt

Gohan laughed in
excitement as Azeana then said
" Peasants! Eugh. You're lucky to be alive in the first place. Continue with your business... "

One of them proceeded to slap me, before stealing my rake. As they ran away as swiftly as a fox, the sounds of the soil crunching through the dirt.

I sighed against my muddy face, until I saw Devi. She was always my friend, and one of the close relatives of the Schmidt Siblings. She wasn't like her siblings, instead she took care of the peasants. She's the only kind of family I had other than my parents, too busy noticing their daughter.

Devi chuckled, as she brushed away the mud off my cheeks. I was still tired, and the trauma I've gained from the Schmidt Siblings made me almost unable to speak at times.

" It's okay, Alika. Ignore my siblings, They've always been jerks. So, Ready to do the sneak out? " Devi offered to me.

I muttered under my cold breath with simple words.
" They are pretty scary.... Should I be.. scared? "

Devi once again slapped me playfully, trying to convince me further
" Listen, Taking action against them may be scary at first, but trust me. It'll be fine. " She responded.

It took a little bit of time to adjust, rolling my fingers around, and just as I was about to say my response, Lady Margerine, Spouse of Lord Althur, Came out and shouted

" Devi! Do not hang out with these dumb peasants. Don't be such a fool messing around with them. Come on now, Let's go meet your tutor, Devi. " She shouted.

Devi felt a slight pang of sadness through her chest. But she was forced to do it. Knowing her parents will take untimely action against her if she even dares to speak back.

I'd now frown once again, and continued farming. The night shade was near, and some peasants are getting tired and ran to the small, shaggy living quarters.

I continued farming with my barehands, which was normal at the time considering how much they abused the other serfs. As I continued farming, I collected all the parsley and put it in the basket, I only got scraps of bronze coins.

All in a normal day's work. Wake up, Abused, Farm, Deliver Products, and Repeat.

I slept inside a small, wooden shack. Run down, vines overflowing it. Gaping holes ridiculing the shack, and only a dim candle lighting it all. It was as small as a poor man's bathroom, dirty, frail and the bed was just a tottering sleeping bag. Wasn't the best, but normal.

I saw a box next to my bedside, and contained a bunch of books and a note from Devi... She is really a kind girl. I just wish I get to see her more, other than her failure of a brother.

I read the note, as I skimmed through the words like a winter breeze.

" Dear Alika, As your dearest friend. I'm sorry for ignoring you on that morning, My parents are like a chokehold. Choking me to a pulp. I need time to relax, breathe... But it's just all so impossible. But yet, our friendship is one of the greatest I ever had.

I keep my promise. Meet me at the tunnel beneath the farms. I dug a golden apple inside the location of this mysterious tunnel. I've discovered it leads to an ancient library, and some sort of ritual... Perhaps find out?.. Midnight. Come here at midnight. But be careful, there are guards, My father doesn't want any peasant to go out in curfew hour. Go at the shed, I laid down some weapons to protect yourself. Though... It's not the best. "

The note ended briefly, showing Devi's signature and a pouch full of coins

I'd pocket it out, and look at the time using the candle. The candle typically burns out at midnight... The candle dimmed in the dim light, the night shade enveloping it. Seems like the day is over... Yet, I wonder in that page. What was she talking about in that ritual site?

I'd continue watching over the candle, which melted off against the wooden floorboards. The candle burnt out slowly but surely, enveloping the room in a dim embrace of the moonlight. Soon enough..

The candle burnt out.

It was time for midnight. I heard the guards shuffling around in the dirt of the farmlands before I saw the perfect opportunity to strike; Bingo! I'll go down at those trees over there, and from there. Reach down for the guards.

I got inside the shed, and all the supposed "gardening tools" were replaced with a variety of weaponry, like daggers, clubs, longswords, bow. But all were so dim, and wore down from years of abandonment. But it's enough to defeat them.

I prioritized the bow and a dagger. Clockworks ticked through my brain, devising a perfect strategy to fool and outsmart the guards in their own game of this hide-and-seek. This was a high risk, and high trade. If all goes well, I could meet Devi and finally find out what's this "ritual" site of the library... Unlock something new? Find secrets about the universe?.. Perhaps a secret escape from this horrific life? Couldn't know without making it there.

But if all goes wrong, the darkness shall be my domain.

The shadows enveloped me, the starry night sky turnt into a bloody, dim light. As the guards were patiently guarding the farmlands, I knew my plan won't work... I needed a distraction...But then I remembered. Peasants running away, Though... I have to sacrifice an entire camp of peasants in the dim woods. Yep, I am a bit selfish.

I ran directly to the guards, and screamed

" Guys! I saw a camp of peasants plotting a rebellion in Midnight Forest! Over there. I am definitely not a part of this, I could provide directions, Sir! " I said to the leader of the guards.

The leader, who was carrying a set of heavy, jagged chainmail and iron-plated armor would uncover his helmet.

" Really? Huh. Who would believe in you?... Or your trying to escape! " He said hesitantly, pointing his sword directly at me... I need a little bit of convincing to do this...

I said out loud and exclaimed, "
Just trust me! There's a campfire over there! Just please, Go! I don't want the Grand Lord Althur to be killed! " I said with such great dramatic skills.

To joke, There was no rebellion in the first place. I just got them lost in that forest.

The leader, now convinced about this so-called "rebellion" would immediately run to the Midnight Forest's gates. I secretly ran and bumped into him in the Midnight Forest. Stealing the keys to the exit and entrance.

" Uhm... Sorry! I just wanted to provide directions where they are! " I chuckled awkwardly, I really hope this works.

Again, The posse of guards chuckled, before the "Leader" said

" Trust me. We know this forest like it's the back of our hands. " He exclaimed with such pride.

They all went inside the forest's entrance, and once they were out of sight, I slowly locked the gates with the keys and then threw them away. Making sure they will never escape from this forest. Besides, that forest is vast. They'll get lost, or get insane.

I grabbed a shovel and dug up piles of dirt, and a clanking noise was heard. Eureka!

I held the golden apple, and I continued to dig further as the lunar eclipse was settling down, until suddenly... I heard footsteps crunching from the ground... It was the Schmidt Siblings.

Shoot.

I quickly got inside the hole before they found me, but I left my shoe outside... Damn I'm dumb.

Azeana shouted against the hole " Dumb peasant! Don't think you're trying to escape through a secret tunnel! " She pouted, before slipping inside the hole, followed by Gohan as their clothes crunched through the dirt.

I continued falling down from the deep, slippery slope leading down into a cavern as I screamed for my damn life. Knowing that I'm being closely followed by the Schmidts.

I saw the wooden doorway, with cobblestone walls enveloping it, and a special type of dark oak wood surrounding it... It's... Enchanted wood from the Midnight Forest! This place must contain high magical energy if this is guarded with such mystical works.

I opened the doors to see Devi, cloaked in a dark blue cloth and a purple, black mask which Devi wore. The place was filled with mystic energy, piles of bookshelves all stacked in a stairway which seemed to go on for miles. This was an infinite haven of knowledge, and all was discovered in my bare eyes.

My eyes were sparkling, but there was no time. I had to perform the ritual.

Devi, Knowing the worry that the Schmidt's will make it any time soon, closed and locked the doors with an intense slam echoing throughout the dense library. This'll buy enough time for us to complete the ritual just in time.

I held hands with Devi, the ritual site already set up. I felt a surge of power inside me, something almost unbearable inside me... Veins of my skin plumped up from every single part of my body, I was almost pale and weak... This was too much power to hold for an ordinary person.

I'll die sooner or later.

My skin turned a pale white, my amber eyes becoming dim and pale. I almost collapsed to the ground, but suddenly. I felt a surge of mystical energy engulfing me... Though the white, pale shades of skin were still there. I quickly covered it up, knowing it meant that one has consumed a high amount of mystical energy.

Suddenly, The door busted open and to see... The Schmidt Siblings. Holding their daggers up high, and throwing it at Devi's hand. Temporarily paralyzing her swiftly, and a huge thud was set loud on the ground.

We're screwed.