“Exploring the “Fading Forest”? Maybe if I had more time.” Seiren thinks to himself. Still, excited by the fact spring break had come, he gathered up his belongings and left the school as soon as he could. On the walk home, he began thinking to himself.

“My last year of school… It’s flying by faster than I expected. Well, I did the transfer with less than half a school year left. Thinking of the future I can’t see anything. It’s like I’m gonna be stepping into darkness. And then there’s Mom’s condition. I just hope she’s doing what she’s supposed to.” He thinks as he walks up the steps to the house. Opening the door to the house, he spots his mother lying on the couch, in her pajamas.

“Welcome back!” She says. “Did you enjoy the last day of school?”

“If you say it like that, it’ll make me feel like I’m graduating soon.” He says, hanging his bag on the banister.

“Right, sorry. Any plans for spring break? Now’s the time for you younguns to get lit, amirite?” She says.

“Please stop. You are physically hurting me.” Seiren mutters. “I don’t have any plans.”

“Well, you should probably make some, then.” She says. “Your boss at the restaurant called, apparently there was a pipe burst yada yada mildew yada yada paid vacation for you.”

“I’m pretty sure there was some important info there that you just glossed over.” He says in his usual monotone.

“Well, you’ll be getting paid to have fun, so enjoy yourself, okay?” She says.

“Just my luck, now I’ve got to figure out something to do, otherwise I won’t be able to keep my mind off of things. Seiren thinks.

Seiren remains motionless to think until he remembers kirth’s words.

“Hey, Mom, what do you know about the fading forest?” He asks.

“Other than that it’s just a forest, not much else. Now that you mention it, I remember my coworker saying how it’s always been extremely foggy. So it’s very easy to get lost.” She says. “Why do you ask?”

“I was thinking about going with some friends,” he says.

“Well, as long as you’re not going alone, leave the location on your phone just in case.” She says.

“Alright.” He agrees.

After spending the rest of his night relaxing, tomorrow night rolls around as something sinister begins to stir within the fading forest. Seiren stands in front of his mirror, dressed in a light two-toned sleeveless hoodie, a pair of black pants, and a small messenger bag. In the bag, he has a small flashlight, a few snacks, and some water.

“It’s about 7:44 now, if I leave now I’ll be there early.” He thinks.

Seiren heads down the stairs, catching his mother in the living room reading.

“About to head out?” She asks.

“Yeah. I’ll see you soon.” He says.

“Be careful out there, I love you.” She says.

“I love you too, mom.” He says.

Seiren slowly closes the door behind him, watching the light from the house disappear behind the length of the door. He then heads straight to the appointed location. He enters the Aundi National Park where he can see the edge of the forest in the distance. The forest was exuding fog as if it were endlessly forming from within. The white of the fog would slowly fade away as it exited the forest, completely disappearing just before touching Seiren’s nose.

The forest looks eerie. It’s so foggy, I can’t even make out trees beyond the first row. He thinks.

Seiren starts browsing his phone, when he’s caught off guard, by a sudden hand on his shoulder. Kirth was standing there behind him along with three others.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Did I scare you?” Kirth asks.

“Not really.” He replies.

Seiren rises from the park bench and peers back over at the forest.

“Ready to go?” Kirth asks.

Seiren nods.

“This is gonna be sick! Exploring the fading forest!” One guy says.

The four of them approach the edge of the forest. Giving each other one last look, kirth pulls a rope out of his bag, tying it to a lamppost.

“This way we won’t get lost.” He says.

“Good idea,” Seiren says.

They continue further and further into the forest, and Seiren begins to notice something in the dirt.

Is this a pattern of holes? They’re about the size of tennis balls. I’ve been seeing them for a while, but what are they? Seiren wonders.

“What's up Seiren?” Kirth asks as he notices Seiren watching the ground.

“Nothing.” He replies.

“Seiren, how much do you know about the forest?” Kirth says.

“Not much.” He says as they continue into the forest.

“Well, this forest has been foggy like this for hundreds of years. It’s also infamous because 10,000 people disappear in here annually.” He explains.

“Why are we here?” Seiren asks, not hiding his raise in tone. As Seiren turns to leave, the two friends that Kirth brought along block his path.

“Calm down.” He says. “I’m sorry I had to do this. Everyone else is too scared to come here, so I needed someone who did not know this place.”

So he used me. Although I’m partially at fault too, I never even bothered to do any research. Seiren thinks.

“So why are we here?” Seiren questions, his face housing a glare.

“There’s an urban legend that there’s some sort of treasure or an artifact at the heart of the forest. Although, no one’s ever been able to reach it.” He says.

With just 4 high schoolers and a rope, this guy thought he could find a treasure no one’s been able to find for hundreds of years? Seiren thinks.

“Are you stupid?” Seiren questions.

Kirth just gives him a weak smile.

If 10,000 people disappear annually, how are they disappearing and why can’t anyone get to the center? Seiren wonders.

Snap!

The sound of the rope being severed fills the air, as it falls to the ground.

“What was that?!” One of the boys shouts.

Sounds began to assault their ears from all directions. As their eyes dart around, jumping with each sound.

It sounds like crawling. Seiren thinks.

A large silhouette begins to form from within the fog, the group can only back away in fear as it comes closer. Its tail had a spear-like blade on it, its upper body was covered in shimmering black fur and it sported three heads one of a lion, a leopard, and a werewolf. Its arms were hulking and had claws sharper than knives. Its lower body was like a scorpion’s legs, each one piercing the ground deeply, leaving a trail.

“Let’s get out of here!” One of the boys shouts.

As Seiren turns to escape, he feels a hand on his chest. He then finds himself on the ground looking up.

“I’m sorry Seiren, I don’t wanna die,” Kirth says before taking off.

Seiren turns to see the beast extend its arm out toward him. All Seiren could do was tense up in fear, as it wrapped its hand around his neck. It stared Seiren in the eyes as it slowly suffocated him.

So this is it? Is there nothing I can do? I’m scared. I can feel my vision fading, the darkness is slowly creeping up on me. I don’t want to die. Seiren thinks.

Within an inch of his life, Seiren’s life flashes before his eyes and he begins to see images of his mother passing by.

If I die here, she’ll be all alone. I… can’t give up just yet. Seiren thinks.

Seiren’s eyes begin frantically searching for a weapon, a tool, or anything that can help him escape. His eyes lock on. Seiren reaches out. Grabbing onto a loose tree branch he yanks and yanks it. He can the darkness encroaching from the back of his mind and in one more yank manages to pull the branch down. In a single fluid motion, he stabs the monster right in the lion’s head’s eye. The creature releases him and Seiren falls to the dirt, as all the fog begins to fade. Seiren, scrambling to his feet, breaks into a dash, now able to see where he’s going as the demon roars. The demon chases after him in a panic, using it to stab at him. Seiren looks back to see the tail flying toward him and he manages to dodge to the side.

The demon continues to send its tail toward him, yet Seiren manages to dodge each of the swings and stabs, that tear trees apart in a single swipe.

Just a little more!!!!! He thinks as he squeezes out as much energy as he can muster. And in just a nick of time, Seiren exits the forest running beyond the park benches and falling on his face. He turns around to see the demon standing at the edge of the forest as if it were waiting when Seiren’s expression turns dark. A trail of blood had trailed behind him and Seiren’s hand is covered in blood. When he looks down at his body he clenches his teeth in horror. His body had been riddled with holes, blood steadily oozing out. His adrenaline slowly begins to fade away and his body begins to turn pale. He falls back, his eyes cloudy, yet looking at the infinite darkness of the moonless night sky.

“Damn it.” He mutters as tears stream down his pale face. “I’m sorry… mom.”

As his consciousness fades, the demon exits the forest, grabs him by the leg, and drags him back into the forest. As the fog begins to reappear both Seiren’s body and the monster disappear into the thick fog.