(The Whispering Forest)
The king's envoy entered as they gathered in the meeting hall and said in a loud voice:
"Heroes, the king has prepared a carriage outside to take you to the edge of the forest. Are you ready?"
They had agreed that Rallyors would be the leader.
Rallyors: "We are fully prepared."
– "Then the carriage awaits you outside. Take what you need from the armory, for what lies ahead... there is no turning back."
Zaphira (to the heroes): "We've laid out the plan, comrades. There's no need to fear."
The king's envoy: "No, no fear!"
The heroes rode the carriage bound for the forest. On their way, they heard screams and calls for help.
Moments later, the carriage came to a halt.
Rallyors: "What was that?!"
Grok: "Let the forest wait a moment. Let's go check it out."
The carriage driver had already rushed to help, which is why the carriage stopped. When they reached the source of the sound, the heroes saw a red-robed wizard lifting another man into the air using magic, while the man screamed for help.
Rallyors dashed toward the wizard. As he approached, he drew his sword, which shone with a red glow tinged with black, and the area darkened.
When the heroes regained their sight, the wizard lay unconscious.
Raes: "What exactly just happened?"
Zaphira: "That spell… it was a simple blinding spell, but..."
Raes: "But what?"
Zaphira: "It requires a lot of magical energy… that's not the problem. The issue is that his sword absorbed all that energy."
(In her thoughts): "A man from the outskirts of the kingdom? How did he get such a sword? He must be the grandson of Loran—no doubt."
Rallyors: "Everyone, come here. Do you see the emblem on this wizard's cloak?"
– "Yes."
– "Does it remind you of anything? I think there's something more to this."
Zaphira: "Do you live in a cave or what? You all recognize the emblem, don't you?"
The heroes except Rallyors: "Yes, of course."
Thorius: "It's fine, Zaphira. I'll explain. This is the emblem of the followers of the Red Wizard, the former Minister of Magic."
– "They still exist?"
– "Of course. They survived the fall of the kingdom and now serve the current Ministry of Magic. They usually don't leave the capital or its surroundings. Since you live in the outskirts, I guess you've never seen them before."
Rallyors (agitated): "He's awake... hey! You! Stay where you are or—"
The wizard interrupted him (weakly): "Who are you? Where did that debtor run off to?! You're the reason he escaped, aren't you?! You filthy wretch! I'm from the Ministry of Magic, know your place!!"
Rallyors (furious): "My place!? You want to see my place? Fine then, see it."
His sword glowed again—this time in black.
———
"The Dar..."
———
Zaphira cut him off: "What are you doing? Stop!"
Rallyors: "We serve the king. What would be the consequences?"
Zaphira (via telepathy): "The consequences would befall the king! This is a high-ranking official. If you harm him, news will spread quickly, and the king doesn't want the public to know about our mission. Fear and panic would erupt across the kingdom if they learned something was wrong in the castle. The village disappearances are enough."
Rallyors: "Fine then. Lucky day, red one."
Wizard (angrily): "My lucky day?! No—yours!"
The wizard raised his staff, about to attack when—
A flying axe crashed into the staff, breaking it, and then struck the wizard, knocking him out again.
Rallyors: "Thanks, Grok."
Grok (retrieving his axe): "You're welcome, Rallyors. But we need to go—the sun is rising."
Rallyors: "Are all the Red Wizard's followers like this, Thorius?"
Thorius: "No, but corruption is rampant, and with the authority they're granted, some abuse common folk."
They boarded the carriage and continued until it stopped at the forest entrance. They all dismounted, the driver wished them luck, and left.
Zaphira: "We're just a few kilometers from the forest's border. We've gone over the plan many times—no room for error."
They advanced toward the forest border and entered... and so the journey began!
They moved through the forest in a diamond formation, as planned.
Though the sun had risen, darkness enveloped the forest.
Thorius: "What is this darkness?"
———
"Illumina..."
———
His sword glowed, lighting up the space around them, adding to its usual glow.
Raes: "Beautiful! That's one fine sword. Are you ever going to leave it alone? Just kidding."
They continued according to plan, but eerie sounds began to echo around them.
Grok: "Here we go."
Zaphira: "Alright, everyone. We've entered the forest—don't speak."
Moments later, a six-meter-long snake perched atop a tree stared at them menacingly and lunged at incredible speed for such a massive serpent.
———
"Sword of Light...!"
———
A bright light shot from Thorius' sword, striking the snake and wounding it. Terrified, the snake fled.
Thorius: "I know snakes. It won't leave us alone. We have company."
Zaphira: "Don't stray, Thorius!"
Thorius: "Alri—"
Zaphira silenced him, gesturing that the voice he just heard wasn't hers.
He nodded in acknowledgment.
They continued until they saw what looked like a tall castle—it was clear they were near Athorin's Palace: Castle of Horrors. But their hopes were dashed when they saw the snake again.
Thorius: "Sword of Light...!
What...?! Why didn't it flee!?"
It lunged at them with tremendous speed...
Rallyors: "Leave this one to me, Thorius."
———
"The Darkness...!"
———
His sword glowed black. A massive sword emerged above the snake, half its size, slamming down and killing it.
Thorius (excited): "Rallyors! That... that was amazing!"
Zaphira (in awe): "You hate magic, huh? What if you didn't? What kind of sword is that?"
Rallyors: "Look! The castle walls!"
Grok: "Walls? That wasn't on the map..."
Zaphira: "We're still in the forest, mind you. Don't talk too much."
Thorius: "Right, the walls weren't on the map."
Zaphira: "In any case, it must be one of Wdalton's tricks... let's get closer."
Raes: "They're too tall to climb over."
As they approached and neared the edge of the "Whispering Forest"...
Rallyors: "Is that a fence or what? Why does it feel... strange?"
Zaphira: "It's a magical explosion barrier. But I need to examine it further — Decrypting...!"
A green light glowed from the barrier.
Zaphira: "I knew it."
Rallyors: "What?"
Zaphira: "This fence is infused with a magical explosion spell—not physically harmful, but it knocks out anyone with low magical energy."
Rallyors: "Knocks out!? Seriously!?"
Zaphira: "We can handle it, but the problem lies with Raes and Grok. Do you know a defense spell, Rallyors?"
Rallyors: "Of course."
Zaphira: "Great. Take Raes and Grok, shield them. I'll break the fence... alright, I'm starting."
Rallyors raised his sword and activated his defense spell.
Zaphira cast "Black Hammer"—a hammer of shadow formed from the fence and shattered it easily... but then came a thud.
Zaphira: "That was easier than expec—wait! No! Rallyors!"
Thorius (chuckling): "Didn't expect that from someone who took down a snake in one blow."
Zaphira: "Oh my god... they all fainted..."
Some time later...
Rallyors (opening his eyes): "Wha... where am I?"
Zaphira: "Finally awake! You have great magical power, but your resistance is weak. I didn't expect that... though it makes sense. Some wizard-philosophers say magic has a consciousness. If you hate it, it won't protect you—it won't give you its full strength."
Rallyors: "Never mind that. What happened?"
Zaphira: "We broke the fence, and just as I thought—you all passed out."
Rallyors (eager): "Thorius?"
Zaphira: "Nope. Just you three. Anyway, we couldn't enter alone, so we waited. Grok woke up first and gathered wood. I didn't expect wildlife, but... have some rabbit."
Rallyors: "Delicious! Who cooked it?"
Zaphira: "I did."
Rallyors: "We've got a great cook! So, did you scout the area?"
Zaphira (smiling): "No, we're waiting for Raes."
Zaphira's eyes widened slightly, pupils narrowing.
Zaphira: "D-did you just learn to control your magic
Ralyors: "What... no."
Zafira: "Oh no! That's why I sensed such an overwhelming surge of energy! You'll draw the beasts to us like this..."
Ralyors: "But they weren't drawn to us when we entered the forest."
Zafira: "The energy flows more intensely upon awakening. Fortunately, the forest doesn't stretch out this far."
The sound of heavy footsteps grows louder, slowly but surely...
Ralyors: "It can't be Grok… right?"
Zafira (worried): "Don't you sense—"
Suddenly, Zafira freezes.
Ralyors: "You… what's wrong?"
She pointed toward the broken fence. Ralyors turned, but then…
A monstrous creature emerged from within the fence. Thirteen meters tall, four meters wide, crimson-skinned, chest bare, a grim expression carved into its face...
Due to its sheer size, the broken fence was not enough—its exit shattered more of the structure, unleashing another burst of magical energy.
???? (muffled voice): "Ra... Raly... Ralyors!! You!!"
Ralyors: "Wha... what... ha–happened...?"
Zafira: "Wake up, you immunity-deficient fool!!"
He wakes and looks around, spotting a mysterious figure... Oh! A shield! It's protecting them, but it's clearly not going to last. Behind him—Raes! Still unconscious.
Ralyors: "Where are Thoreus and Grok?"
Zafira: "In the forest! Those greedy fools wanted a deer, the rabbit wasn't enough!"
Ralyors: "Then don't worry. Dispel the shield."
Zafira: "What? Are you still delirious?"
Ralyors: "Trust me. Take Raes and move a bit farther. We'll be fine."
Zafira: "You really are out of your mind…"
Ralyors (firmly): "Zafira, we don't have time! Now!"
Zafira: "Alright, if you're so insistent."
Zafira dispelled the shield and took the thief away. And in that moment...
---
DARKNESS!!
---
A sword—half the size of the beast—shot toward it from Ralyors' side with immense speed!
It launched the beast into the fence, but luckily, the fence wasn't damaged further.
Zafira (shouting): "Watch where you're throwing things!!"
As the dust and smoke cleared...
Ralyors narrowed his eyes and muttered:
Ralyors: "It's unharmed…"
Zafira: "It came from inside the fence, meaning from within the castle's perimeter. It must be the gatekeeper of Atherin... You attracted it with your recklessness! We're not enough... Where are those greedy fools!!?"
Ralyors: "I'm not done yet…"
He raised his sword toward the monster. A dark red beam surged from the sword's tip toward the creature's head—but it didn't even scratch its cheek.
Ralyors: "I said… I'm not DONE YET!!"
---
DARKNESS! DARKNESS! DARKNESS!
---
Three massive swords launched toward the creature, slashing at its bare chest—but... to no effect.
Ralyors (weary): "Wh–Why… why isn't it working?"
Zafira (confused): "What's going on? Is the beast... sealed?"
Ralyors: "That's the only explanation…"
(A sealing spell: It enables the caster to control a living being after humiliating and defeating it. It's easier to use on non-humans. The entity is sealed into a physical object and forced to fulfill a task against its will. The creature must be dead and humiliated, and only its killer can perform the seal. The creature can't be harmed unless the seal is broken.)
Ralyors: "It's definitely sealed. But how do we find the seal?"
Zafira: "I can sense—"
A massive boulder crashes into Ralyors, launching him into the air… and moments later—
A glowing white deer is hurled toward the beast.
Grok: "Nooo! Our precious catch!!"
Thoreus: "By the gods! I left to fetch food and look at you now!"
Zafira: "It's sealed, Thoreus! The deer won't hurt it... Wait! I can sense the seal now—Ralyors must have passed out; his energy was interfering."
Thoreus: "Has Ralyors awakened?"
Zafira: "It doesn't matter. Just distract the monster—I'll break the seal."
Thoreus: "Go! I'll keep it busy.
Blade of Light…!
The attack irritates the monster, driving it away from the fence and toward Thoreus, though its focus remains on Zafira.
Grok: "Don't ignore me!!"
He leaps, axe aimed at the beast's face—but the creature moves faster, grabbing Grok with both hands.
Thoreus: "Blinding Flash...!!"
A blinding light affects only the monster. Its eyes burn, but it doesn't release Grok.
Grok: "Don't worry! I'm tough as steel!"
The creature mutters something unintelligible...
Thoreus: "What's it saying?"
Zafira: "It's Orcish… He's saying…"
Thoreus: "What is it...?"
— "Help… me."
Thoreus: "Poor thing… I've always thought sealing spells were cruel, even against monsters...
More importantly, find the seal before its vision returns!"
Zafira: "It's inside the fence. I'm going in before Ralyors wakes up…"
Zafira enters the fence, her shadow disappearing.
Thoreus: "Hang on, Grok, just a bit longer."
Grok: "I'm hanging in."
Thoreus: "Light… BLAZING SWORD...!"
Thoreus channels intense heat into his blade, then launches a lightning-quick leap—too fast to see—appearing before the creature's right foot as it looks elsewhere.
He strikes its leg with the flaming blade. The foot burns. Though not damaged, the creature feels pain and drops Grok. It raises its foot to stomp Thoreus, who has no energy left to move—the leap drained him.
Grok: "No! That's not happening...!"
Grok throws his axe, hitting Thoreus with the wooden part, trying to knock him away—but Thoreus doesn't budge due to his heavy armor.
Grok: "Thoreus!!"
Suddenly, the monster collapses onto its back, murmuring incomprehensible words. Its body begins to evaporate—the seal has been broken.
Thoreus (exhausted): "Let's check on Zafira..."
Grok: "Go ahead. I'll check on Ralyors—he's probably under that pile of rocks."
Grok digs out a slightly injured Ralyors, lays him beside Raes, and rushes after Thoreus.
He finds Thoreus standing near Zafira, who is just inside the fence—closer to them than to the castle.
Thoreus (laughing): "What's with this team? Everyone keeps fainting!"
Grok (arriving): "What happened to her?"
Thoreus: "The seal was powerful—it drained her energy and knocked her out."
Grok: "No matter. She saved us... and saved you from being crushed."
Thoreus: "Indeed. I owe her my thanks—but we don't have time. We only have a week. It's been five and a half hours since sunrise."
Thoreus carries Zafira into a nearby camp Grok had built, placing her close to the other two.
Grok: "They'll be starving when they wake up. Let's go hunt another deer. Thanks to you, we lost the last one."
Thoreus: "Sorry, sorry—I didn't know it was sealed...
Let's go hunt some deer."
(To be continued…)