Fate didn't seem to like me all that much. The moon had shown through my window as 8 months had passed of me meditating for 3 hours a day. Even if meditation wasn't doing anything and the whole dream was... well, just a dream, meditation still felt very calming at the end of the day. I heard a loud hiss outside my window. I rushed down and found Garrett preparing some equipment.

"There's a serpent type monster near by. It needs to be killed before it destroys our crops." He muttered.

"I'll go with you, it will be great to see you in action." I smiled tiredly.

I followed him out of the house and deep into the forest. The hissing got louder. As we drew nearer. Garrett readied his sword and waited a moment before leaping at the serpent and striking its head. Nothing happened as he bounced backward onto the ground. He looked up at the serpents red eyes and all I could do was watch. I thought serpents were supposed to be green... not black. Garrett's Face had gone white as he cowered in fear at the serpent. The serpent struck his shoulder with his fangs and hissed again.

"Run!" Garrett gasped as his arm turned purple and it grew up to his face.

I did run... but not away. I wasn't going to just cower in fear again. I couldn't loose someone again! I ran to Garrett's side holding him upright as he was about to collapse. Half his face had turned to a purple stone.

"It's poison." He coughed. "There's nothing you can do. Please just run. Lead a normal life. Look for the red chest in my room." With that, he was entirely enveloped in the poison and died.

Tears streamed down my face. I should have realized that I can't let people close to me. They all just get hurt. Why? Why!? I was sobbing on the ground in able to stop. The serpent drew closer with its fangs ready to strike me as well. WHY!? I cried as a root spring from the ground and cooled around the serpent's neck. It shrieked in protest as the rot slowly strangled it. I glared at the serpent, the cause of my suffering. It hiss out its last words.

"I resssssspect your bravery and power. I bestow upon you the black serpent ability. Thank you for freedom." It hissed as is struck me forehead with its tail. "Goodbye." The serpent collapsed and slowly melted into the ground as if it were just a shadow.

I sat there, crying for who knows how long. I couldn't take it anymore. Everyone I ever cared about. They were gone. I rose up and the roots around me turned black. I looked to my right arm and noticed a serpent eating its tale tattoo next to my rabbit one. Both were so small that they looked like freckles. I willed the black roots back into the ground and got up. I created a large hole in the earth and gently laid Garret's body in there. I used my super speed to run back to the cottage to look for the red chest that was so important to Garrett. I rummaged through his room until I came across a dark red chest. I carefully opened it looking over he contents. I read the note he had left in there.

My dearest Veronica, if you are reading this then I am deceased. I hope you will carry on but I want you to know that I always thought of you as my daughter. I got to see you grow up, laugh, cry, and do the stupidest things. This was to happen on your 15th birthday anyway but I have a friend in Vilum City of the Thordeon Kingdom. There will be a map in here along with some money. Please take it and go to him. He will take care of you.

Tears were streaming down my face as I clutched the paper. I grabbed the backpack I had from under the bed. I grabbed the money left for me and the map. I looked at Mochi, I ended up naming the rabbit since he stayed with me. I grabbed the white mask off my dresser, I just about never used it but now... it was something I had left of Garrett and my best means of hiding my true identity as Veronica.

"He's dead," I sobbed.

Mochi looked at me surprised. "I-I'm so sorry..." he hopped of my cot and scuttled over to me.

"W-we are going to the capital. Garrett left a note saying he had a friend in the capital. He might be able to take care of us..." I explained through tears.

I put Mochi in my backpack so that he would have to walk and walked downstairs to the kitchen. I grabbed all the fruits, vegetables, and bread I could fit into my backpack. I looked back at He purple hyacinth from earlier. I plucked it out of the vase of flowers and grasped it firmly in my hand. Mochi and I traveled to where Garrett lay. I looked at his purple body and slowly let the ground close over it. I place the purple hyacinth over his makeshift grave. "Couldn't save you in time." I sobbed. No, that was a lie. I could have saved him. I just didn't. I didn't because I was too scared.

I looked around at the forest I would likely never see again. I looked at the ground and saw acorns. These would be perfect. I grabbed as many as I could and put them in a small green velvet pouch.

I got up and brushed myself off. "Mochi, I think it's time we pay a visit to Garrett's little friend."