CHAPTER I: THE LOST MAIDEN
I run through the woods, indifferent to the mysteries I might find or the creatures I must face. The fairies are my first adversaries. I pray to the heavens that I may channel my powers when the battle begins.
I wandered without realizing that my enemies were stalking me. My only objective: to fight until death. The night was dismal and silent; my fears and terrors imprisoned me to the point that my body paralyzed at times. But as I remembered my purpose, a surge of energy flooded my veins.
“Lost Maiden, you have become a dream full of intrigue! My virtuous muse, with brilliant eyes that draw a smile upon your face!”
It was my quest to find her and release her from the curse a witch had cast upon her. The forest had been turned into a hallowed, cursed place, but the love for my lady gave me the confidence to face my challenges. My ears began to catch the terrifying screams of the fairies—once beautiful, now turned perverse by the curse. Suddenly, I saw their faces: sharp teeth snapping at me. Their wings were short, their flight swift, driven by their mental malice. My weapons: the bow and arrow, cunning, and intelligence. My shield: fortitude and faith. Magic aided me; as I loosed my arrows, they turned into fire, erupting into flames. Driven by my wrath and the power of justice, I exterminated the army of these malevolent harpies, who burned until they turned to ash.
“Lost Maiden! Goddess of my flaming melodies, princess who danced while I played my flute... I have not forgotten the day I saw your joyful face. You are the moon whose light makes my heart throb; you are the radiance of the sun. My heart cries out for you!”
With strength and skill, I embark on this fantasy of finding you and, afterwards, slaying the cursed witch.
“My beloved, my hatred grows. Because you were snatched from my forest. Because my soul loathes injustice. Lost Maiden! The war is not yet over. I am a Faun: Guardian, Hunter, and Warrior!”
A gladiator with long hair and beard, half-human and half-goat, with large, furry ears and shaggy legs. The horns on my head rise from my broad forehead in distinct, ancient shapes.
I proceeded to walk, alert, trying to conquer my next goal. Until I felt her presence—perverse, dangerous, and sinister. A woman with the body of a lion; her face was pale and white, her red eyes produced terror, and her lips were the color of a bruise. Her gaze caused me deep disturbance; something strange began to manipulate my body, and the cold increased my nerves. Her eyes radiated pure contempt. Without lowering my guard, I mastered my body and soul. I fought her and I destroyed her. I heard her voice saying that the great Red Dragon desired my lady. A perverse beast that wanted to devour and sacrifice her to possess her soul and become immortal.
My honor shall prevail; I will not allow them to harm the princess of my joys. My rage mounted, and I let out a cry to the winds, filling myself with strength. I launched a flaming arrow, but she managed to dodge it and charged at me. I fell unconscious, gravely wounded by the blow. An enemy to be respected. My hope was drifting away; so much blood flowed from my nose and mouth that I thought this Faun was saying goodbye to life.
“What a pity... not to save you, my lady, queen of my heart and my own gift.”
And that is when I heard it:
“Do not faint, loyal knight. Do not falter, prince of melodies. You are a Faun who brings joy to this sad life.”
Was I delirious? Was what I heard real? Someone was speaking to me, giving me breath.
It was her, the enchanted princess; she walked among the trees. Her hair was blonde and straight, her smile gave me enchantment.
“Oh! My knight, you have found me. It is time for you to free me from these evil enemies, for a deranged dragon seeks eternity and wants to become the most ruthless of all. Your strength regenerates with your own purity; use your intelligence and thus you shall defeat your opponents.”
Those words of encouragement gave me bravery. In that moment, with a single shot to the head, I defeated the witch. I hit the mark; the fire had consumed her. At last, my first objective was achieved.
The forest trembled. A new enemy was approaching so fast I could not see him clearly; I did not know how to attack. Step by step, the echo whispered that something massive was closing in on my queen.
