CHAPTER 4
DARK FOREST
BY - KARIK
Aadu had already planned his journey, his top speed was a mile every 3 minutes. As the distance was 220 miles it would take Aadu 11 hr but
in the jungle where things always dont go as they planned to and also due to difficult path it would take him 1.5 times more time so Altogether
without taking any breakes he would have to travel for 14 straight hours. He would first travel to the starting of the dense forest and take his
first break and in between the forest he would take 2 breaks and reach the village of Ubbin.
Aadu made up his made for the difficult journey and slept.
HE sets off early in the morning at 7am. After walking around for an hour he reached the East gate of the city. Aadu truned back one last time
and continued on the journey. The view was very different, there wasnt any houses or buildings but only trees and grass. Aadu started to
run, he had much stamina in him and could reach faster if he ran so he did. Aadu ran for 4hr and on the way he collected many different herbs,
both of his SPARTAL POUCH was full in the first hour. He had harvested many earth garde herbs. He was tired so he sat down to rest.
Aadu then took out his food from spartal pouch and filled his stomach. He rested for an hour. He buckled up and went on with his
journey, entering the forest.
The atmosphere quickly changed the trees in the forest were malady-brown. Grains of poison begrimed the bark and gleamed like witch
dust. Even small beast like mice haunted the sooty coppices, salivating over their prey and smearing the blood over their faces.
The decaying air and stifling atmosphere provided the perfect abode for those who worshipped the darkness rather than the light.
In the dense shadows, spiders clutched their snare-strings. Their webs shimmered like meshed steel dipped in silver and was lusturous.
Eyes a-flame with hunger, they were hoping to dine on bloated bodies and slurp on hot blood. The forest was primordial.
Centuries-old trees with sprawling limbs guarded the darkness, blotting out any sunlight. Their bark was mottled and splotched,
as if bubbled soup had been frozen in time on its surface. Clumpy combs of wet moss dangled from their rotten boughs. Underneath
the moss, lethal larkspur peppered the mulchy floor. A pungent tang oozed from every sentient being in the forest. Bewailing sounds
ghosted through the trees. Whether it was from victim or victor, only the forest could tell. It was truly a place to make your
veins freeze over. Everything considered edible in another forest was nauseating here. It left you with the same, sickening taste
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
of your own blood.
The way became more difficult, rigid scrubs vines blocked the way but luckily the path was still visible. it was more difficult then
anticipated Aadu had a thought of leaving but if he turned his back at difficult situations he would never grow. Aadu took a good
deep breath and went forward. Aadu travelled inside the forest for an hour until he found -
NAME: SILPHIUM HERB
GRADE: EARTH
CLASS: HIGH
DESCRIPTION: A EARTH GRADE HERB HIGH CLASS HERB WHICH IS USED IN CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY
AS A SEASONING PERFUME APHRODISIAC AND MEDICINE. IT RECOVERES STAMINA AND
TREATS TIREDNESS TO SOME EXTENDS.
"Wow this looks promising. I shall save this one for me when i get tired" saying that he recovered the herb and stored it in his
pouch continuing his travel. Aadu heard many beast howking and making intimidating sound but surprisingly none crossed path with
him. It was slightly raining more like 'drizzling' or 'sprinkling'. Even something as basic as raining was a big deal for Aadu,
he felt cold rain drop hitting against his whole body. Rain has its own enormous, charming, variegated castles.
Some castles take you to your hidden dreams and some castles have their own rollercoasters of memories. You don't just feel the
splash or little live drops! In fact you create swarms of unreachable moments, mono- happening past.
Aadu started recalling his past though most of them were downhearted and despondent. He would remember the day he was adopted, the day his
freedom and choices became limited and controlled, when one simpal mistake would result in beating. He was not allowed to have fun like any other child.
the only thing he did was study and practise music and go on concerts, compitions and win in the name of the family. No one in the family really
cared about him. People used him for his talent and to gain fame.
His memories flashed in his eyes when he was young when he was at foundling home. His life was very easy, he played in the rain with
other kids.
Those little and random ponds after heavy rain may look dirty, but you do know what does that water contain- those paper boats of someone's
childhood which are now blurred because of the time. They weren't just the boats! They were your happiness sailors. Creativity used to drag
the tiredness in those boats.
And playing outdoor games regardless of time! Mud was not absurd for our childhood copies. I can still recall the weird faces and
loud voices that used to make songs worst for others, but for us they were jingles of joy. And then, getting scolded by parents and
making innocent faces! It still seems like a total dramatic and cheerful hide and seek of tensions in the rain.
A morning walk holding the beauty of lush green nature is directly proportional to freshness. Murmuring of rain on our faces and
exchanging smiles with strangers feels so familiar sometimes! Wet roads after the whole night’s darkness under rain and smell of
wet sand boost your energy. Trees carry imperial greenery. Rain sounds more full of life at that time.
Felling countless emotion he couldn't help but cry. His tears dropped on the ground becomming one with the rain. he wanted to stay and
continue having this nostalgic emotion and felling but Aadu now had to leave the past and make the comming future better. He had somehow
arrivied to a Fantasy world, so he couldnt miss this second life that god had created for him. Aadu vowed to be happy and strong in this life
and would never let anyone contol him. Thus, he continued his journey for another 3 hours till it was dark. The Creepiness grew 10 times
more. It was already Dark enough to make a healthy people fell blind, continuning was not an option. He carefully climed a tree and
set up awning and a small tent. Not to mention he activated minor traps that he learned when he was in earth.
"better be careful then sorry" he thought
Aadu had a light dinner and slept.
THANK YOU FOR READING