When Ryuji arrived home everyone was surprised to see him and asked him what happened. He couldn't tell them everything and he said he was doing more training in the forest. Considering he was unharmed no more questions were asked and he went to rest.
The next day Ryuji accompanied some of the villagers in the forest. And the forest was silent as if nothing happened. He split up with them and went to the cottage. But the cottage was empty. Ryuji left Raiden a message to let him know he was there.
When Ryuji returned to the villagers one was missing. No one knew where he was. Ryuji told the rest to take the resources and leave and that he will remain and search for him.
*Step*
*Step*
*Distant howling*
*Earthquake*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Hello? Anybody there?
*Whispers*
*Loud thud*
*Howling*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I hope that the other (Race) will remember me as well.
*Creek*
*Loud thud*
(Raiden) - What are you doing here?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I came with some villagers for resources.
(Raiden) - It is not safe, you should leave.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What do you mean? Are you going to tell me what is happening this time?
(Raiden) - Not here, not now.
*Creek*
*Loud thud*
*Grab*
Raiden took Ryuji to the cottage and they sat and discussed what was happening. Raiden said that something came back with them from the dark side of the forest and now is roaming the forest. And he with the other Fenbogs is trying to make it leave or keep it under control.
Hearing that, and thinking back at the temple, there was something that was growling before they left.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - One of the villagers went missing today, do you know anything about it?
(Raiden) - I just hope it did not cross paths with that thing.
*Worried*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Let me know if you find anything.
*Step*
*Step*
Ryuji left as soon as possible as the sun went down the howling was louder. There were a lot of earthquakes. When Ryuji got back to the village there was a gathering going on.
*Chattering*
*Whisper*
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What is happening?
(Villager) - We are trying to decide what to do about the forest.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What do you mean?
(Villager) - Have you not noticed that there are fewer resources and there are a lot more earthquakes coming from it?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I did notice, but how is that something concerning?
(Villager) - Someone went missing today in the mid-day. It never happened before.
*Yelling*
(Villager 2) - Burn the forest!
*Shocked*
*Murmuring*
After the villager yelled that the room became quiet. People were looking at each other not knowing what to make of it.
(Mitoshi Fugaku) - Everyone, calm down!
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - We do not need to do such a thing, I will go to the forest for everyone, and that way no one will have to suffer.
Everyone remained silent when they heard Ryuji's claim.
(Itsuki Toya) - You do not have to do this for us. Who are scared and can not go into the forest will be helped, but the rest should not loiter around.
(Mitoshi Fugaku) - He is correct, we can't let this young man do everything for our village.
(Itsuki Toya) - Everyone in favor, raise your hand.
Everyone one by one, started to raise their hand even if the events occurring at that point made some unsettled. After the gathering, Toya stopped him and ask what is going on, since Ryuji was the only one going into the forest the most. Ryuji tried to tell Toya as little as possible, but even he noticed that Ryuji was hiding things.
Toya assured him that he would not tell a soul about what was happening, so Ryuji started explaining everything. With every word coming out of Ryuji's mouth Toya seemed more and more surprised about what Ryuji was going through and not only him but the forest and Raiden as well.
(Itsuki Toya) - So you tell me that there is something dangerous roaming the forest now?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Yes, but they are trying to handle it, and that is why it is not safe to go in the forest at this point.
(Itsuki Toya) - I will make sure that we stay as close to the exit as possible, and do not venture too deep in the forest.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - That sounds reassuring.
(Itsuki Toya) - One more thing. Do not try to do everything by yourself.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I know.
*Step*
*Step*
They both went their ways that evening. When Ryuji closed his eyes he could see the village on fire, and a big tall rocky creature smashing everything in its way. But this time Ryuji tried his hardest to see it only as a dream and not as a premonition. Only if that was a choice he could make for the future.
The next morning there was one more gathering where Fugaku appointed some people as captains of the groups heading into the forest. They had the responsibility to get everyone back even if it will cost them the resources. One of the captains was Toya. Ryuji was too young to be appointed as a captain, even though he was the most experienced. But they did ask him to accompany them every time and scout the areas where they are going.
*Step*
*Step*
*Grab*
*Throw*
*Distance howling*
*Loud thud*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Raiden?
*Creek*
*Point*
It was not Raiden, but it was a Fenbog and he pointed Ryuji in the direction where he assumed Raiden was. As Ryuji was going in the pointed direction, some earthquakes happened and trees were fa down. Ryuji noticed that it was in the same direction as the dark side of the forest, and it got him worried.
*Started running*
*Panting*
*Huff*
*Puff*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Wake up!
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Come on, wake up!
Ryuji could not believe his eyes. It was Raiden's body split in half, but one half was transformed and the other was human. Ryuji was in disbelief. He couldn't hold himself together.
*Cough*
*Cough*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - You are alive!
*Cough*
(Raiden) - Not for long. Listen to me.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Stop, don't talk. We need to get you some help.
*Grab*
(Raiden) - We don't have time, listen!
*Crying*
(Raiden) - You need to take everyone out of the village. We can no longer keep the creature under control.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I can not do that. Not alone. I need you!
(Raiden) - Just go.
(Raiden) - Run!
The premonition Ryuji had taken a turn that he was not expecting. He got up, left Raiden's body there, and ran, ran as fast as he could towards the exit of the forest. Howlings from the forest were loud and earthquakes made Ryuji fall a few times. When he got to the exit, everyone was dead. All the villagers including their captain were split in half or had rocks crushing their bodies. It was an image Ryuji will never be able to forget.