Leyra frowned as her gaze fell on the creature at her feet. She had never seen anything like it in Herap, or in any of the other realms she’d been sent to in the last 4 earth years.

The creature’s body was portly, and covered by thick layers of green and blue fur. Pink spikes meandered from the top of its head, all the way to its nub tail. Four lidded cerulean eyes met hers, as the creature extended a three-toed paw onto her boot.

Within a moment, Leyra felt a distinct but gradual shift in her body. She exhaled the breath she didn’t know she was holding, her heart slowing significantly, despite the long assent she had just made up the steep terrain. Collectively her muscles released their tension, arms falling limp at her side. Adrenaline, built up steadily over the last hour, slowly leeched from her limbs, leaving a dull ache behind.

Her mind now clouded, Leyra saw the creature’s gaze never left hers as she settled deeper into calm.

Exhaling again, she felt her head tip back, and eyes slowly fall closed. It felt nice here, warm and safe. It was almost as if she didn’t have to...

Reality sliced through her gut in an instant. Her eyes snapped back open as her scowl deepened. This should not be happening. She needed to stay alert, and serenity would not help her through this hunt. In fact, it could get her killed.

Leyra had heard the creatures in Herap were known for their manipulation abilities, but to experience it first hand was unsettling. She resented the violation, but understood this would probably not be her last encounter. She had only just arrived this morning after a brief but informative debriefing by her employer.

She would have to be careful to avoid these tiny green creatures in the future. Who knew what other emotions they could conjure up? Maybe she should have paid closer attention to the lecture this morning.

Kicking the creature off her boot, Leyra continued on the path ahead of her in long strides, feeling her muscles tense back up with every step.

“It’s called Guruboo,” said a deep unfamiliar voice behind her.

Whipping around with a hand on her side arm, Leyra’s gaze fell on a large figure in the middle of the path she had just trudged through. The figure was over 2 Earth-meters tall, with grey skin and long black hair on its head and the back of its arms. It wore dark green and brown woven robes extending down to the forest floor. Bipedal, but definitely not from Earth, Leyra surmised. This figure was not a member of her mission party.

In its grasp it held the creature, gesturing to it as it repeated the name. “Guruboo. It feeds on stress and negative emotions.”

How hadn’t she heard this figure’s approach until now? Was she really that distracted? She could only assume it was one of the hostile inhabitants that she had been briefed about, but it’s use of her native tongue unsettled her further.

Though it’s size made it formidable, the figure’s stance and demeanor appeared non-threatening. But Leyra couldn’t afford any more missteps. She had a job to do, and a key to find.

She tensed as she fell into a defensive stance, mentally preparing for what may happen next.

The figure slowly cocked its head, and let out a small chuckle. Then, just as swiftly as it had a appeared, it was gone, dissolving into the wind like a dust pile, leaving nothing but the creature called Guruboo tumbling swiftly back to the path.

It recovered quickly, and locked its four eyes on her again, sending a chill through Leyra’s body. Not to be manipulated twice, she swiftly turned and continued down the path.

Was the figure ever even there to begin with, or was it another mind manipulation? She didn’t want to dwell on it long. Time to find the key and get the hell out of here.

If only she knew what she was looking for.