It's been a long time since human persecution forced me to settle in this forest. There is nowhere else a monstrous creature like me can go. I used to think I was pretty, that my blue wings were impressive, and that my strong, lion-like body gave a sense of security. Turns out I was very wrong. I am just a monster whose clawed paws could sweep you to the other side of the forest with one swing. These thoughts keep haunting me... The stream that once seemed so beautiful no longer impresses me the least. I look at my reflection in the water and walk away, hoping that I will magically transform into some other being. One that, unlike me, is not being looked at with disgust. Nothing can save me from this wrath. The trees that used to grow tall, showing off their vibrant green colour, now frustrate me. I'm pretty sure they used to be greener, but I learned to ignore them anyway. I used to love getting lost in the forest, but now I recognize every single tree. I could probably even tell you how many branches each one has. If a human were kind enough to spare me a second of its time, one glance at my eyes would surely make them think that I hate every living being, especially the human itself. Because, why would I be with beings who are so much weaker than me and who I have no benefits from? But that is far from the truth. I have never felt more inferior. More than anything, I long to feel the comfort of human presence. I want to be petted. I want to be told meaningless stories for hours, just because these creatures can't stop babbling. It amuses me. What I do hate, though, is that everything I love escapes me or destroys itself until I start to resent it. I'm not doing anyone any harm, so why me? That is a question that keeps coming back to me. I can't find the answer, and the longer I try, the more I lose hope of finding it. Maybe I am just unlovable, and no one dares to be the one to tell me the truth. It doesn't matter anymore; they haven't seen me in years and most likely think I'm done for. Or at least somewhere far away. It's too late. I haven't felt anything other than disgust and frustration in the last five years. Suddenly, I feel a breeze of cold air. I didn't even realize the sun went down a while ago. Another day has passed by, and what has changed? Nothing. It's another cycle.
The next moment, my nose and cheeks are comfortingly warm. The sun is out. If I hadn't woken up this thirsty, I would have just gone back to sleep. However, no amount of sleep helps with my tiredness anyway. I am walking through the sunlit forest to the stream. To my big surprise, I see a girl drinking from the stream. Her long, blonde hair is shining in the sunlight. She claps her little paws together and dips them into the stream. Oh. Hands, no paws. I often forget. Why do they even call them that way? So stupid... Before running away so she won't see me, I find a pair of big brown eyes staring at me. With her head tilted slightly, frowning, she studies my face for a moment. I am done for. When she tells people in the town that she saw me, they will soon fill the forest with traps. Of course, to catch the most disgusting monster that is apparently after them. I suddenly see her lips forming a smile. I freeze. Is it possible that someone doesn't see me as a monstrous being who is nothing more than the embodiment of evil? No. I don't think so. I am sure she's smiling at something, but it isn't me. No one has ever smiled at me.
She pets my head, her fingers running through my fur as her smile grows even bigger. "Lumis?" She screams in excitement. I feel my whiskers twitch. I am so confused right now. The humans named me. Are you kidding me? "Lumis?! Is that really what your breed calls me?" She laughs at me. "No one has told me that you look so adorable. I didn't expect your fur to be so fluffy or your wings to be of such a vivid colour. You really are something." Why can't I move? I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said that I physically felt my heart move when I first saw her smile. It hit me like a stroke. I somehow quickly notice how small and cube-shaped human teeth are. Is that normal? "Why aren't you scared of me?" I blurt out. She looks so confident, I could've sworn I saw a wrinkle forming between her eyebrows. "Am I supposed to be?" She asks. I just lower my head. When I look up, she is nowhere to be found. As confused as I am, I do not waste time. I will find her no matter what. She is the first person to look at me and smile. There is good in the world, after all. I can't believe I spent years thinking I was the monster, knowing I have no evil intentions. Suddenly, I find myself in the sky using my wings after a long time. I get used to it quickly and fly over the whole forest. I forget how good this feels. I can fly at such high speed that it gives me an insane adrenaline rush. I love it. From a place this high, you can see the sunset so clearly. It's beautiful. The air is pretty warm, with a slight breeze running through my fur. And I guess I was wrong about the trees not being as green. They look tiny from the sky, but they are vibrantly green. I have no idea how I didn't notice it earlier. The water is crystal clear, with a hint of blue. I am completely mesmerized, almost too wowed to focus on flying. The sun has already set as I sit on the top of a tree. It's been hours since she disappeared. I feel a wave of sadness. It is such a strong, aching feeling that it almost bring tears to my eyes. I never thought I would ever feel sad. I can't shrug away this need to find her. Before I even give myself time to think, I start flying towards the town. Everyone is asleep, so there should be no problems. As long as I am quiet, I'm good. To my surprise, I find many damaged items in the town. The wells have no water, various fences are broken, and I am finding pieces of old furniture on the streets. I guess they are too heavy for anyone to carry. I take an empty bucket from one well and head to the stream. It only takes me about ten seconds to fly from the town to the forest. It usually takes people hours to get there on foot. I fill the bucket with fresh, cold water from the stream and head back to the town. By the time sun comes up, the wells in the whole town have been filled with fresh water, the old broken pieces of furniture taken to the garbage dump, and some fences and roofs repaired. For me, repairing their roof is like putting together a puzzle. I am too curious not to watch them from a distance in the morning. I am very interested in what their reactions will be, and, luckily for me, they did not disappoint. They are varied; some people even cry with relief. I can't remember ever feeling this much warmth in my heart. Suddenly, I see long, blonde strands standing out in the crowd. Her family is drinking the fresh water from the well. "Thank you, Lumis!" She yells, waving to me with a big smile. It's the same smile I saw when she first noticed me. I nod in approval. How did she even notice me? I am hidden in the tallest tree I could find. It's about three times as high as her house. She knows it was me who helped them. There is no doubt she sees good in me. Everyone looks up and start cheering. "Lumis! Lumis!" I slowly fly to the ground, making sure I don't scare them off. A second later, I feel many arms hugging me tightly and running their fingers through my fur. This is an overwhelming feeling I didn't even know existed. It is truly beautiful.
It's been two years since I first helped the people in the town. You can say that human beings are like a family to me. I live in the forest, and every night I take a tour of the town. If I notice something is wrong or there is a lack of water, I help. They consider me as their local protector, although I don't really see myself as a hero. I just do what I like. Many festivals and dances have been organized in my name. The beauty of the forest keeps growing, and other beings of my kind have also inhabited it. There are about five of us, so I guess I am no longer Lumis, but a lumis. And yes, the blonde-haired girl still runs her fingers through my fur as she gives me the biggest smile.