The two swordsmen were sitting in Sarabell’s outside diner. The day was continuing as before either of them had arrived. Arnis had ordered both of them the village signature drink. Famine Heart. Ezra believed the drink to be rather fine. Arnis, had instead ordered himself multiple glasses to drink from. Ezra watched as many of the villagers walked past the two. Some caught quick glances at him, some even went to Arnis. In both loving and un-friendly ways. Around them were other nice necessities that a small village wouldn’t naturally have.

They had a clothing store with freshly sown articles made nearly everyday. A large two bakery not only fitted with bell shaped pastries, but dishes that made Ezra’s mouth drool.

Since the beach was unfit for recreational use, they built a suitably large pool area that seemed to fit nearly half the village at a time.

Other shops selling tools, toys, groceries, and household items were littered throughout the far corners of the land. All of this was occupied by the sounds of a small choir playing a song near the beach.

“This secluded little village is a fucking paradise! Why would you ever plan on leaving this place. I can get a large meal, talk to a pretty girl, go swimming, and find cool stuff all in one day. How did I not see this all before? Oh…….right. The monster attack.” Ezra was ecstatic about Sarabell. Arnis sighed at his excitement and continued drinking.

“Yup. This place is almost perfect. If monsters didn’t attack I’d actually give a damn.” Arnis said.

“Well all of that can be fixed by someone putting up some sort of barrier.”

“Who do you think was the first person to suggest that?” Arnis snarky replied.

“Man. I have to bring Anabelle and Nicholai here.” Ezra said looking off into the distance.

“Those your friends?” Arnis asked.

“Yeah.” Ezra said before going back to his drink. He then called over to the chef and asks for some food.

“So how did you get separated from them?”

“Oh we were walking through a cave and fought a monster and then an earthquake happened and I fell down a hole and ended up in a bigger cave then ended up here.”

“That is absolutely insane.” Arnis said back.

“Of course. But hey. It happened.” Ezra was given his food and started eating.

“So. Let’s talk about the woods. What makes you think you can clear it, or even escape?” Arnis asked.

“What has kept you from clearing it?” Ezra came back with.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

“Well. That forest is fucking weird. Everytime I go in, it starts to twist and turn and whenever I see an opening. It brings me back here.” Arnis said sadly.

“Really. If that’s what it’s like. Well then. Guess I’ll throw my hat in.” Ezra confidently said.

“That’s what I say every time. It doesn’t matter how many walls you hit. As long as you know you’re going somewhere.” Arnis said back with the same confidence. “Hey speaking of which where did you get your sword?”

“Oh. My dad gave it to me as a birthday present for my 8th birthday when I told him I wanted to fight with a sword.” Ezra said taking the blade and showing it off. “What about yours?”

“I found mine in the forest outside town about 7 years ago. I don’t know how it got there, but it was free so i took it.” Arnis said, removing the blade from his side to show Ezra. The sword was a katana with a blue sheath. The hilt had been embroidered with an unknown emblem. It looked like a mask but one of the eyes was missing. “Ever since I found it in the forest. I’ve been using it to slay monsters.”

“Then we better be on our way.” Ezra said standing up readied himself to go. “I’m in the mood to slay some monsters. Plus I need to get back with my friends.”

“Not so fast you two!” A voice rang beside them. They looked to see Bellvin standing before them. “Arnis. You haven’t done your daily prayer. And you young man. You haven’t finished your milk.”

“I don’t want your damn milk old man!” Ezra yelled.

“And I told you. I’m not doing that prayer anymore. Unlike the rest of you, I don’t worship monsters.”

“How do you intend to go anywhere if you can’t understand the ways of our ancestors. We pry to them everyday for guidance and power. If not for that then we are sitting around gaining nothing but age and wrinkles.” Bellvin stated.

“I hate to burst your bubble old man. But I have my own way of finding power. And I’ve already found it. I go into that forest everyday and face monster after monster. That’s how it’s been since I was 7 years old. Now that I have that power. I will make it through the forest, then i will reach the northern continent and I will join the most prestigious monster hunting group. The Death Tyrants.” Arnis stated his conviction. Ezra gasped quietly, for he remembers the name.

“There you go again about that same bullshit. Do you understand how dangerous the world is?” Bellvin yelled trying to scold him.

“I don’t. Guess it’s something I'll have to learn.” Arnis said. He grabbed his glass and finished it’s contents. “Hey...uhh….I never caught your name.”

“Ezra.”

“Ezra. Let’s go.” Arnis walked off. Ezra looked down to Bellvin.

“Protect that young man. His heart is in the right place. But the path he walks will lead him to face an enemy he doesn't want to make.” Ezra laughed playfully at Bellvin.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he gets where he needs to be. Thanks for the hospitality old man.” Ezra said as he began to follow Arnis. The two met up at the village's front gate. The monster's corpse was still laying down.

“Now. When I’ve gone through I’ve made different advancements. I’d say I’ve gone 10 kilometers. All before things started to get messy. However, remember that pressure I spoke about?” Arnis asked.

“Yeah?”

“Step up to the trees.” Arnis said.

“What?”

“Just do it.” Ezra listened. He naturally began to go up to the free and closest tree. Once he had made it there, a huge amount of energy surrounding his body. He felt as if his body was being pushed down into the earth. The energy was giving off the sense of unbridled hatred. So powerful he was unable to move. Yet he had to push himself back. His feet jumped off the ground and he was pushed back. “That’s what I meant.”

“That power. It’s coming from the forest.” Ezra said nearly in terror.

“Yup. I feel it as well. However i’m able to withstand it. Ever since I was 7 I developed a way to override its power. And by doing so. I use Heart."

"Heart?" Ezra confusingly questioned.

"Yeah. Heart is a power i've been using to help me get through these woods. I discovered it back when i was 7. Now i've become so good with it I can create a protective field around me to block out this power. However it doesn't stop the forest from changing around and being weird." Ezra listened to him go on about his apparent power.

"Well then. I guess i'll use my Heart to get through here as well." Ezra said back to Arnis.

"Wait. You can't just-" Arnis was cut off as Ezra began to emit a white aura around his body. Arnis noticed that this was similar to how his body would do the same. He smiled, and started to do the same with his Heart. Villagers behind them saw this breathtaking sight.

Bellvin was in anger of the sight. "Those two. Could they be….?"

The two young men glanced at each other and nodded. They now naturally walked up to the forest.

The power began to surround them. Ezra felt it, yet it was cushioned out by his Heart. His feet didn't stop, and he continued as if nothing was happening. Arnis was already aware of its feel and ignored it completely.

The villagers watched as they stepped farther and farther in, until disappearing all entirely.