A few hours had passed, and by noon, Takoda was walking through the forest, admiring the beauty of nature. The gentle rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds filled the air, creating a peaceful melody. Suddenly, he caught sight of a beautiful naked woman standing among the trees. She met his gaze, smiled mischievously, and silently stepped deeper into the woods.


    Takoda furrowed his brows but chose to ignore the strange encounter, continuing on his journey. Eventually, hunger crept in, and he stumbled upon a tranquil lake. Deciding it was a good place to rest, he set up camp, caught fish for his meal, and stepped into the cool water to bathe.


    As he rinsed away the dirt of travel, a voice, smooth as running water, called out to him.


    “You are a strange man,” the woman from earlier mused, peering at him from behind a rock. “Most men would have followed me without hesitation. But you…” She smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. “You are different.”


    Takoda tensed at her sudden appearance but remained calm. “I have no interest in chasing after shadows,” he replied.


    She chuckled, stepping forward as a faint shimmer surrounded her form. Before his eyes, she transformed, revealing her true self—not an ordinary woman, but Deer Woman. Her long dark hair wove into vines and leaves, her eyes deep pools of wisdom, and her legs now those of a deer, powerful yet graceful.


    Takoda’s breath caught in his throat—not out of fear, but admiration. She was unlike anything he had ever seen, both human and something far beyond it. For a moment, he faltered, unable to look away.


    Deer Woman noticed. Her lips curled into a playful smirk. “So, even you are not immune.”


    She giggled, then vanished in a swirl of mist. A heartbeat later, the forest around him changed. The trees loomed taller, the lake had disappeared, and the land was unfamiliar. She had tricked him.


    Takoda groaned, realizing he had been teleported—naked—to an unknown part of the woods. Embarrassed and frustrated, he had no choice but to find his way back. After some time wandering, he finally stumbled upon his belongings and hurriedly dressed.


    Just as he secured his tomahawk to his belt, a soft voice called out.


    “Excuse me, sir… I’m lost. Can you help me?”


    Takoda turned to see a young woman standing at the edge of the clearing. She had warm brown eyes and a gentle, uncertain expression. “My name is Sika. I was traveling but lost my way.”


    Despite his recent ordeal, Takoda’s instincts told him she meant no harm. “You must be hungry,” he said. Before she could even ask, he was already preparing a meal for her.


    As they ate, Sika tilted her head. “Why are you so quick to help a stranger?”


    Takoda shrugged. “It is the right thing to do.”


    Sika smiled. “Hmm… interesting.”


    After a brief pause, she leaned forward slightly. “May I tell you a story?”


    Takoda nodded.


    She took a breath. “My journey has led me to a difficult choice. Deep within the forest stands an ancient tree sacred to my people. It is said to hold the spirits of our ancestors. But a powerful storm has left it damaged. Some believe we must cut it down to prevent disaster, while others say we should let it stand, honoring our heritage, even if it might fall one day.”


    She met his gaze. “What would you do?”


    Takoda thought carefully before responding. “We must find a way to both honor tradition and ensure the safety of the people. Perhaps there is a way to support the tree, to heal it rather than destroy it.”


    Sika’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. “A thoughtful answer,” she murmured. “One of balance.”


    Suddenly, the world shimmered again. The illusion fell away, and Takoda realized—Sika was Deer Woman all along.


    The forest around them remained unchanged this time. He was still at his camp, but the truth had been revealed.


    Takoda exhaled sharply. “So you tricked me again? First, you left me stranded in the woods naked, and now this?”


    Sika giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “I was testing you,” she admitted, a playful glint in her eyes. “And perhaps… teasing you just a little.”


    Takoda sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I should’ve expected that.”


    Sika smirked and stretched lazily, leaning slightly toward him. “You know, Takoda, most men would be furious with me by now.”


    Takoda, still suspicious, crossed his arms. “Is this another test?”


    Sika blinked, then laughed softly. “A test? Maybe…” She leaned in closer, her voice lowering. “Or maybe I just enjoy your company.”


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Takoda frowned, thinking deeply. “Enjoy my company? As in... studying me for another trial?”


    Sika stared at him for a moment, then shook her head in amusement. “You are so dense.”


    Takoda raised an eyebrow. “Dense? What does that mean?”


    Sika giggled again and picked up a berry from his supplies, popping it into her mouth as she studied him. “It means you have much to learn, warrior.”


    Takoda sat back, still puzzled. “I am always willing to learn.”


    Sika’s smile turned mischievous. “Good. Then I’ll stay a little longer and see just how much I can teach you.”


    Takoda, oblivious to the playful glint in her eyes, simply nodded, convinced that she was referring to some ancient wisdom test.


    Sika shook her head, amused. This was going to be fun.


    Later that evening, Takoda rolled out his sleeping mat and laid his blanket coat beside it. Without a word, he gestured for Sika to use it. “You can sleep here. I’ll take the ground.”


    Sika raised an eyebrow, tilting her head in amusement. “You’d give up your comfort for me?”


    Takoda simply nodded as he adjusted his weapons nearby. “It’s only right.”


    Sika chuckled softly, settling onto the mat. “You really are different from most men.”


    Takoda didn’t quite understand what she meant, but he was too tired to ask. Instead, he laid back on the cool earth, staring up at the stars, as Sika quietly watched him, a thoughtful expression on her face.


    As the morning sun peeked through the trees, Takoda woke to the sound of birds singing in the distance. Sika was already awake, sitting on a rock nearby, watching him with an amused expression.


    “You sleep heavily for someone on a great journey,” she teased.


    Takoda stretched and rubbed his eyes. “And you wake early for someone who spent the night testing me.”


    She laughed softly, then stood and motioned for him to follow. “Come. Before you continue your journey, there is something you must learn.”


    Takoda followed her through the dense forest until they reached a small clearing. The air was thick with the scent of earth and morning dew, and the only sounds were the rustling leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird. Sika turned to him, her expression serious for the first time.


    “The world speaks, Takoda. It always has. But most men do not listen.” She gestured to the trees around them. “The wind carries messages, the birds sing warnings, and the earth whispers secrets beneath your feet. If you learn to listen, you will never be lost.”


    She closed her eyes and stood still. “Try it. Close your eyes. Do not just hear—listen.”


    Takoda hesitated, but then did as she instructed. At first, all he noticed was the usual sounds—the birds, the rustling leaves. But as he focused, he began to notice more. The shifting of distant branches. The way the wind changed directions. The faint snapping of a twig far off in the forest. His instincts stirred.


    Sika’s voice was soft, almost blending with the sounds around them. “What do you hear?”


    Takoda took a deep breath. “The wind... it’s shifting. Something is moving through the trees, far to the east.”


    Sika smiled. “Good. Now, open your eyes.”


    She pointed toward the tree line. A small herd of deer emerged, moving carefully, their ears twitching as if they too were listening to the forest’s whispers.


    Takoda’s eyes widened. “I… I wouldn’t have noticed them before.”


    Sika nodded. “You are learning. Keep listening, and the world will guide you.”


    As Takoda watched the deer disappear into the trees, he turned to Sika, who wore a satisfied smile.


    “You did well,” she said, “but once is not enough. Let’s see if you truly understand.”


    She motioned for him to close his eyes again. “This time, listen deeper. Feel the rhythm of the land. Tell me what you hear.”


    Takoda sighed but obeyed. He focused once more, letting his other senses take over. The wind hummed through the leaves, the gentle flow of water nearby whispered its path, and the distant calls of crows echoed through the trees. But then, something else—something subtle. A faint shift in the grass behind him. Slow, deliberate movement.


    “Sika,” he murmured, keeping his eyes closed, “I hear footsteps… behind me.”


    “Good,” she said, her voice smooth and unreadable. “And what do you think it is?”


    Takoda concentrated. The steps were too light for a bear, too steady for a rabbit. The weight and pacing suggested… a person?


    “…You,” he guessed.


    Silence. Then—


    Something brushed against his ear, followed by a warm breath.


    “Correct,” Sika whispered playfully.


    Takoda’s eyes snapped open, and he nearly stumbled back as Sika stood inches from him, grinning mischievously. She chuckled, tilting her head. “You listened well. But you should’ve expected a trick—I am a spirit, after all.”


    Takoda exhaled sharply, crossing his arms. “You enjoy messing with me, don’t you?”


    Sika shrugged, feigning innocence. “Maybe a little.”


    Shaking his head, Takoda couldn’t help but smirk. “At least I passed, right?”


    Sika’s playful expression softened. “Yes. You did well, Takoda. Now, remember this lesson. The forest will always speak—you need only listen.”


    She turned and started walking ahead, glancing back at him with a teasing glint in her eyes. “You are a quick learner but this is all I can teach for now.”


    As Sika prepared to leave, she turned to Takoda with a knowing smile. “We will meet again,” she said, her voice carrying a playful lilt. “And perhaps, you’ll see me in your dreams.” She stepped closer, her gaze teasing yet enigmatic. “I am a dreamwalker as well. If you ever need guidance… or if I simply wish to see you, I will find you there.”


    Takoda furrowed his brow, unsure if she was serious or just toying with him again. “My dreams?” he echoed, half skeptical, half intrigued.


    Sika chuckled softly. “Yes, so try not to miss me too much.” Then, with a final mischievous smile, she vanished into the trees, leaving only the rustling leaves in her wake.


    Takoda let out a slow breath, shaking his head. “She’s impossible,” he muttered, but despite himself, he couldn’t help the small smirk that crossed his lips. With her departure, the forest felt just a little quieter, but his journey awaited, and he had much ahead of him.