Ian and Gerude walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The wind rustling through the trees sounded like faint whispers, adding an eerie atmosphere to the place. Their footsteps vanished into the quiet, while the shadows of the tall, dense trees seemed to envelop them in a suffocating reality.
The forest, though beautiful, felt like a trap. The sunlight filtering through the thick branches offered only faint illumination, not enough to chase away the fear that crept into their hearts. It wasn't just the external threats that haunted them, but the painful emptiness—the loss of home, loved ones, and the fading hope of a future.
Ahead of them, Elara walked without hesitation, as if she were part of the forest itself. Her steps were steady, confident, yet there was something that kept Ian's attention on her. Who is she really? Ian thought. While Elara exuded an aura of calm, there was a mystery surrounding her, something Ian and Gerude could only guess at.
Elara's black cloak swayed with the wind, blending with the shadows of the trees. Her long black hair fluttered lightly, creating the illusion that nature itself was following her. Her deep blue eyes radiated a wisdom that was not fully understandable, as though she held secrets never spoken aloud. Yet, behind her mysterious presence, her behavior sometimes left Ian and Gerude unsure whether to feel awe or confusion.
When they stopped to rest, Elara approached a large stone by the trail. She knelt beside it, gazing at it intently, then—without warning—began to speak.
"Are you sure they're here?" she asked seriously, her voice as if she were conversing with an old acquaintance.
Ian and Gerude exchanged glances, bewildered. Gerude, with uncertainty on her face, finally gathered the courage to ask, "Elara... are you talking to the stone?"
Elara turned with a flat expression, as if the question were absurd. "Of course. This stone is the guardian of the forest," she replied casually. "It knows everything."
Gerude furrowed her brow. "The guardian of the forest? This stone?" She pointed at the large stone, as if needing to confirm the object in question.
"Yes," Elara said firmly. "It speaks to me. You're just not sensitive enough to hear it."
Ian almost laughed, but held it back. The absurdity of the situation briefly lightened the tension, but he couldn't completely ignore the curiosity gnawing at him. Was Elara truly speaking to the stone, or was there something larger they didn't understand?
As they continued their journey, Elara stopped more frequently. Her right hand rose, as if sensing something in the air. "Something's not right," she murmured softly, more to herself. "But we're safe for now. Let's keep going."
Though she said that, Ian could feel the tension beneath her calm movements. He became more certain that Elara was hiding something—whether it was an incredible power, or an unseen burden.
The forest remained silent, but it was a silence that felt alive. Ian began to understand one thing: this journey was not just about crossing the forest, but about surviving whatever lay ahead—and perhaps, battling against Elara's own secrets.
**
The giant trees towered high, creating a dense canopy that almost completely blocked the sunlight. Long shadows enveloped the path, and the wind that blew carried a soft whisper, as if offering a warning. Ian and Gerude walked in silence, their eyes constantly alert. This forest was not just an unfamiliar place—it felt alive, yet hostile to their presence.
Elara continued ahead, walking without hesitation or sign of fear. Her steps were so sure, as though she knew every corner of this forest. Yet, her silence only made Ian and Gerude more uneasy. There was something they didn't fully understand about this woman—her calmness felt like a secret too large to be revealed.
In the middle of their journey, Elara began to speak. Not to them, but as if addressing the forest itself. "There is a language in every whisper of the wind," she said, her voice seeming to float along with the leaves moving gently. "A language only those who are willing to listen can understand." She paused for a moment, closed her eyes, and raised her hand, sensing the air around her. "You will understand it someday."
Gerude, walking behind her, couldn't hide her curiosity. "How can we learn it?" she asked, her tone half uncertain.
Elara glanced back briefly, a faint smile crossing her face. "The time will come," she replied shortly, then continued walking.
Though simple, her answer raised more questions than it provided certainty. Ian and Gerude exchanged glances. They knew they had no choice but to follow Elara, but their curiosity mixed with uncertainty, lingering in their minds.
The forest grew denser. The trees loomed higher, with massive roots crossing the path, forcing them to tread carefully. The air, once fresh, now felt stifling, and the wind's sound turned into a piercing hiss. This forest was alive, Ian thought, and for the first time, he felt that whatever lived within it might not want them here.
After hours of walking, Elara finally stopped in a small open area surrounded by the towering trees. She gestured for them to sit. "We need protection," she said, her voice calm but firm.
Without further explanation, she began arranging small stones on the ground, forming a complex circular pattern. Ian watched closely, trying to understand what Elara was doing, but the pattern was too foreign to him. Then, Elara began chanting something—her low voice resonated like an echo from another world. The words were unintelligible, but every syllable carried a vibration that could be felt in the air around them.
Gerude glanced at Ian, her face a mix of fear and awe. "What is she doing?" she whispered quietly.
Ian shook his head, his eyes still fixed on Elara. "I don't know," he answered. But deep inside, he knew this was more than just a ritual. It was power.
After a moment, Elara opened her eyes. They appeared sharper, filled with an otherworldly light. "This circle will protect us for a time," she said, glancing between Ian and Gerude. "Something is watching us, but it won't dare come near as long as we stay inside this circle."
Her words made the air feel colder. Ian's skin prickled. "What's watching us?" he asked cautiously.
Elara merely looked at him, her smile faint, but her eyes full of warning. "You're not ready to know."
Silence enveloped them. Night slowly fell, bringing with it a darkness that was almost impenetrable. Ian and Gerude, though protected by Elara's circle, couldn't shake the fear that now clung to their hearts.
Yet, as time passed, they began to realize something. Elara wasn't just a sorceress. Whatever power she held, it was far greater than they could imagine. She wasn't just someone who understood this forest; she was a part of it, a guardian of secrets they had never known existed.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
And that secret, though hidden, slowly began to reveal itself. Ian and Gerude knew—this journey was not just about crossing the forest. It was the beginning of something much larger. Something that would change the way they saw the world, and perhaps, the way they saw themselves.
**The damp air wrapped around them, filled with the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves. But more than that, there was something lurking in the forest's silence, something unseen but felt, like invisible eyes constantly watching.
Gerude stepped carefully, her eyes scanning every corner. Amidst the unseen threat, the forest exuded a breathtaking beauty. The giant trees towered high, their leaves shimmering with a golden-green hue as sunlight filtered through the canopy's gaps. Sometimes, that light would fall to the ground, creating a dance of light and shadows that was almost magical.
"Do you see that?" Gerude whispered, her voice nearly swallowed by the silence. She pointed to a large tree, different from the others. Its trunk was rough, nearly covered entirely by dark green moss, but what stood out most was the way its branches formed a natural dome, as if protecting the small world beneath. Pale blue flowers grew among its branches, their petals so thin they were almost transparent.
Ian stared at it in awe. "It seems... like no human has ever stepped here," he murmured, his voice softer than usual, as if afraid to disturb the harmony of the place.
But as they ventured further, that beauty began to transform into something else. The forest grew darker, quieter, heavier. This silence wasn't peaceful—it was a warning, like a sense of vigilance. The trees seemed bigger, their bark glowing faintly like metal in the almost nonexistent light. Bright purple flowers emitted an eerie glow in the darkness, as though warning them not to approach.
With every step, Ian felt that something was wrong. The wind blew, carrying soft whispers that sounded like voices from another world, calling to them in a tone that was gentle yet unsettling. A few times, the sound of broken branches echoed from unseen places.
Elara led them ahead, calm and confident. There was no sign of doubt in her steps. She walked like someone who had known every corner of this forest, but occasionally stopped, observing something only she could understand. Her eyes swept the surroundings, full of attentiveness. At times, she would touch the tree trunks, her hand soft yet careful, as if speaking to the forest itself.
"What's she doing?" Gerude asked quietly, glancing at Ian.
Ian shook his head. "I don't know." But he knew one thing: there was something bigger than just this journey.
Suddenly, they emerged from the grip of the giant trees and found themselves in a place that felt like another world. An open field greeted them, decorated with flowers in colors they had never seen before—bright purple, deep red, and golden yellow. The flowers seemed to glow beneath the setting sun, creating a scene so mesmerizing they paused for a moment.
In the middle of the flower field, a small pond of crystal-clear water reflected the colors of the twilight sky. Its surface was still, but beneath it, stones that looked like gems gleamed with a radiance that seemed to come from another realm. Climbing plants grew around the pond, their flowers releasing a sweet, calming aroma, making the place feel like an escape from the world of tension.
Gerude stopped, mesmerized by the view. "This is amazing," she whispered, her eyes unable to tear away from the beauty before her. "Like a dream."
But Ian felt something different. This place was too perfect, too serene. There was an unease creeping inside him, contradicting the peace around them. "But we can't stay here, can we?" he asked, trying to ignore the allure of the place.
Elara turned to them, her gaze intense enough to make the air feel heavier. "This place only appears to those who truly seek something," she said, her voice flat but full of meaning. "But it's not a place to linger. We must continue."
No sooner had she spoken, an unfamiliar sound suddenly came from the forest behind them. At first, it sounded like wind, but slowly it morphed into something more tangible—a low roar mixed with the rustling of leaves. The sound grew closer, clearer, and the air around them suddenly turned much colder.
Elara's gaze sharpened toward the sound. "We must go now," she said, her tone firm.
Ian and Gerude didn't argue. They knew whatever was coming from the dark forest was something they didn't want to face. Quickly, they followed Elara, leaving the flower field that had once felt so enchanting. Behind them, the sound continued to echo, like a dark shadow that wouldn't stop chasing.
As they left the place, Ian couldn't shake the thought that something much larger was at play here. This place wasn't just a beautiful sight—it was a portal to something deeper, something they didn't fully understand.
**
A thin mist blanketed the morning, creeping slowly like a soft curtain, hiding what was to come. The silence in the forest felt heavier, as if every sound had been intentionally drowned out. A light breeze stirred, carrying the scent of long-undisturbed wet earth, decaying leaves, and something they couldn't quite place—a strange blend of scents hanging in the air like a silent warning.
Elara led the way, her face more serious than before. Her sharp eyes scanned every detail around them, every movement, no matter how small. Behind her, Ian and Gerude moved cautiously, exchanging occasional glances, trying to read each other's unease without words. The forest, once a sanctuary, had now turned into a disorienting dark corridor. The branches grew closer together, forming a natural canopy that blocked out the sunlight, drowning the world below in shadow.
Every step felt heavy. The air, growing colder, tugged at their skin, sending a shiver that ran deep into their bones. The quiet—more than just the absence of sound—wrapped around them like an invisible blanket.
Suddenly, Elara stopped. Her body stood rigid, like stone. She closed her eyes, her head slightly bowed, as if listening to something that wasn't audible to the others. Ian and Gerude held their breath. In that instant, the forest felt darker. The air grew cold enough to bite, making them shudder.
"Elara?" Gerude whispered, but she didn't respond.
Moments passed before Elara finally opened her eyes. Her gaze was sharp, full of alertness. "He's close," she said softly, her voice hoarse, almost like a sigh.
"Who?" Ian asked, though his heart already knew the answer.
"Gorgoyle," Elara replied, the single word enough to stop time for a moment.
Ian and Gerude froze. The name echoed from their past—the name of the brother they had lost years ago, disappearing in the chaos that shattered their family. No news, no trace. And now, that name surfaced again, so suddenly, stirring a mix of hope and deep doubt.
"Is he still alive?" Gerude asked, her voice trembling between confusion and a faint joy.
Elara simply nodded slowly, then turned without another word, continuing her steps. Ian and Gerude followed, hearts churning with a mix of fear and hope, both emotions tangled together.
The mist thickened as they ventured further into the forest, passing narrow paths nearly hidden among the towering trees. The air around them grew colder, as if it seeped directly into their bones. They were heading toward a valley that seemed darker, more silent than the rest of the forest.
In the center of the valley, a massive stone loomed like a silent monument, standing between them and something unseen. Elara stopped a few steps from the stone, staring sharply at the shadow that moved slowly behind taller trees.
Ian felt his heart race. The air around them felt denser, heavier, as if pressing down on each step they took. Gerude glanced at Ian, and they exchanged a look filled with worry.
Then they heard the sound of heavy footsteps, the echo breaking the silence. These were no ordinary steps—there was something about them that spoke of great weight, something carrying both physical and emotional burden. The steps drew nearer, growing clearer, and with every passing second, the tension in the air became almost unbearable.
The mist thickened, wrapping them in a white haze that blurred their vision. Within it, a figure slowly emerged. The silhouette was large—far too large for an ordinary human. Yet there was something strangely familiar about its shape, something that resonated deeply with their souls.
When the figure finally fully appeared, Ian and Gerude felt as though the world had stopped. Before them stood a man—his body solid, his face partially obscured by scars that looked like the remnants of battles fought long ago. His eyes, though hardened, carried a glint that Ian and Gerude had recognized since childhood.
"Gorgoyle..." Gerude whispered, her voice nearly breaking from the flood of emotions.
The man didn't say a word. He simply stood there, like a living statue bearing the weight of the past.
The tension between them was palpable, like two worlds trying to reunite after being separated for so long. Ian stepped forward, but his movement halted. His lips moved, yet no words came out. Before them, the beauty of hope met the shadow of uncertainty—was this truly the Gorgoyle they once knew? Or had the forest changed him into something else?