The Crimson Snow (A Realm of Chaos and Void #1)

Prelude 2

Prelude

Evren Wraithwood

500 BGW Years Ago. Before the Great War

E vren was the youngest of the Wraithwood lineage. His lineage was made to rule over the Otherworld creatures, blessed by Nemera herself. “Humans are the least of my concerns,” Evren Wraithwood told his friend Theron Galehollow.

Theron smirked as they walked near the Weeping Forest. “You should care, though. Ren, we honor Nemera by keeping balance, tricking or gifting those humans.” Theron, part of the Galehollow lineage, oversaw air creatures. Evren admired that Theron could transform into a hawk. It was a better way to traverse the woods rather than as a wolf, which was the form he could take.

“Why are we discussing useless humans anyway?” Evren grimaced. “Lesser creatures can handle that. I actually enjoy seeing them trick those humans. It’s delightful to watch them suffer for their selfish wishes and desires.” To Evren, most humans sought help from Otherworld creatures for money, fame, or even love. What a pity it is to be a desperate human.

“I wouldn’t expect you to handle that or anything. I guess, you are lucky,” Theron muttered. “I must go. There are a couple of matters I need to attend to. But have fun, Ren. The woods are usually empty of humans, and there’s a waterfall a few minutes from here.” With that, Theron transformed into a hawk and soared into the sky.

“Lucky,” Evren grumbled. Transforming into a wolf, he wandered around the exuberantly green and alive forest, feeling fortunate to be a prince without the burden of ruling.

Leaves flew around him as he moved faster than any creature in the woods.

“Where are you going?” a female voice asked.

Far enough, but with keen hearing, Evren thought this could be the perfect scenario to scare some useless humans. So he approached the voices, remaining in his wolf form.

“Nowhere,” a softer voice, tinged with mischief, responded.

Evren recognized that tone well, having used it himself.

“Look, you cannot wander here alone. There are creatures and—”

The girl with the soft voice cut her off. “Yes, very dangerous and scary. I am trembling with fear.”

I like this human , Evren thought.

“But—”

“But nothing. Here, take this book back to the library, could you? I will be back in an hour. There are things I must do, so if you would excuse me,” the pleasant human said firmly.

Evren heard her moving deeper into the woods.

The human was walking fast, and while Evren’s plan was disrupted, he could still follow the girl. Maybe trick her. That way, I’ll have a fun story to tell Theron.

They both walked—he, hidden in the woods, and she, glimpsed through flashes of her long hazelnut hair and figure.

She moved like she was dancing. A bad dancer, though.

A few minutes later, the hazelnut-haired girl reached a waterfall, probably the same one Theron had mentioned. She turned her back to Evren, searching for a dry spot near the crystal waters. Evren was there, camouflaged between the trees. Maybe I can jump and scare her, summon a creature and trick her into a deal, or ask a selkie to mesmerize her with its beauty.

The girl turned around, a journal in her hand. She was writing, her face concentrated. Evren could faintly think of one word to describe her. Beautiful.

This kind of beauty was found somewhat in creatures from the Otherworld and Underworld. The kind of beauty one would want to capture in a painting forever. The human had the biggest green eyes he had ever seen, and her pale skin was like snow. Her face was a work of art—classy and delicate but with a dazzling fierceness. Her dress was torn, but she smiled. Whatever she was writing must’ve been delightful. Evren couldn’t help but want to see what it was.

For the first time, he wondered if there was more to humans.

Nonsense , he thought. Evren decided it was too troublesome to bother scaring her, so he stayed there, watching the waterfalls until it was late at night. Then, she stood, ready to head home. He went in the same direction until she returned to her rickety town.

Evren told himself it had been a boring day and humans were a nuisance.

He told himself he hadn’t been following her. It was a mere coincidence.

He told himself he had been too tired, which was why he stayed with her until she was ready to leave.

He told himself she was plain and not as beautiful as he had thought.

The prince of the Otherworld also knew he was lying.