Blood pours out from the boy's gapping slash wounds, dripping down the floor of the burning facility now littered with mangled corpses of the tribesmen that dared to attack his home. His long tail limped and bloodied, with patches of white fur dyed red, his hand gripping the straight, one of his raptorial legs now twisted in an odd angle, clawed toes broken. Gipping the single-edged sword still covered in blood, he dragged himself toward the bloodied body of a woman in a white lab coat. The boy fell onto his knees, his once silvery haired now covered in blood, draping over his face as grunts and pulls out the arrow still stuck on his shoulder, there were more on his back and legs but he didn't mind, he only wanted to make sure that she's safe.
- Elizabeth... - He called out weakly, shivering breaths escaped from his slightly open mouth full of bloodied fang-like teeth. There was no response, so he dragged himself forward and put his hand on her shoulder. - Elizabeth. - He called out again with his hoarse voice, this time more determined and filled with frustration. - Elizabeth, please, wake up... Please, don't leave me...
- Q-Quetzy... - The wounded woman slightly opened her eyes, beautiful sapphire eyes the shone brightly even when hellish flames were still burning around them, eyes that the boy loved and wanted to cherish. She smiled at him, her son, her beautiful boy, her hand flicked weakly, trying to reach up and caress his cheek, but he body has all but given up. - It's...cold... - She muttered weakly, keeping her eyes open has become such a difficult task that it requires all of her remaining strength.
- Please...don't die... - Quetz pleaded desperately, his amber eyes filled with salty tears. - Don't leave me...
- Quetzy...be strong... - Letting out a defeated sigh along with her last words, Elizabeth closed her eyes, her whole body became cold and lifeless as the facility burns even brighter.
- Elizabeth. Elizabeth! - The lone boy shook his figurative mother to wake her up. She didn't. - Elizabeth! No! I won't let you! Wake up! - Desperate pleadings escaped his mouth as he shakes the lifeless corpse, all the while the fire has surrounded them, threatening to devour them both.
Letting out a painful howl, Quetz was drowned in grief as the roof of the burning building collapses, sending tons of flaming debris down, burying all of them, both the living and the dead.
***
- Gargh!
Quetz let out a terrified cry as he landed onto the wooden floor with his back, he slipped onto all four with a swift motion and looked around frantically, checking his surrounding. The silenced, chilled air of the night greeted his senses and shaking body, cooling off his mind with every shivering breath, ensuring that he's in no danger. The silver haired man stayed in his defensive position for a few more heartbeats, still shaken by his nightmare that has haunted him since his childhood. It's been always easy for Quetz to shrug it off, but this time it's more vivid, more surreal, as if he's been torn from reality and placed there purposely since he met...Haru.
Grabbing the large flask of water, Quetz poured the cold liquid onto his head, washing off the sweats from his silvery hair and naked back, making the python-like patterns of scales on his back glitters in the moonlight reaching down from the holes on the ceiling. He shook his head and stroked his wet hair backward before walking out to the balcony, mumbling inaudible curses under his breaths and rested his arms on the handrails made of driftwoods and bones.
Quetz was right to choose this large hill, from the top of his tree he has a nice view of the surrounding land, close to both the meadows and the ruined city where he can hunt and scavenge for materials. Winter is coming soon this year, the mountain tops have been covered in snow and herds of mammoths, wise animals that they are, have already began moving southward. Filling his lung with the chill air of late autumn, he marveled at the fact that most of the trees were still quiet green, with only a handful have just now shedding their golden leaves. It was to be expected, he thought, life here response very rapidly to changes, with tree retracting all nutrients and shed leaves days before snowing, a remnant of human's ingenuity. But the more Quetz thought about the ruins and their former inhabitants, the more he was reminded about her.
- Goddammit... - He cursed, ruffling his silvery hair, his mind buzzed by visions of the past and of that human boy. Haru, the name rang through Quetz's brain, he seemed somewhat...familiar.
His thought was cut short as the tree vibrated violently, making Quetz struggles to stay balanced. He gripped at the handrails and looked down, horrified at the scene of a large ground sloth that was using the tree as a back scratcher. The three meters tall beast stood on its hind legs, leaning its entire body against the tree and rubbed furiously while flailing its tongue out of its mouth from the pleasure.
- Get off you damn sloth! This is my house! Not your back scratcher! - The host of the house yelled down in futile, the sloth closed its eyes and continued rubbing much to Quetz's frustration.
Rolling his eyes, Quetz staggered back into his house and came back with a long bow and a quiver filled with arrows. Anchoring his claws into the wooden floor, the silver haired man bent over the balcony with his bow, pulling the string back and released. The arrow shrieked as it pierced through the air before planting itself into the sloth shoulder with a sharp sound. The beast roared in pain and dropped on all four, colossal hooked claws swung around blindly to attack whatever it was that's just hurt it, a futile attempt as its blows fell into thin air. Wounded and frustrated, the giant sloth disgruntledly walked back into the forest, unknowingly leaving trails of blood behind for predators to pick up.
- Damn sloths keep using my tree at a back scratcher...why don't you just do something about it? - Quetz cursed as he walks inside, but no sooner has he taken three steps did the tree start shaking again. - What now!? - He roared and walked out to look down, but there was nothing at the root of the tree.
It wasn't only his house that was shaking, this entire part of the forest and the meadows beyond were suffering from an earthquake. The tremor stopped as suddenly as it's began, causing the sounds of panic animals a moment ago were drowned out now fill the air as they stampede for safety. The panic was short lived, the animals soon return to their rest as they felt no more violent tremors coming from the ground.
Clinging to the handrails, Quetz cursed his luck and walked inside, jerking his head backward as he sees the mess that has been made. His workshop where he crafted his tools and weapon littered with small parts. Journals and parchment sheets littered the floor, with some ruined completely by the spilled ink. But worse of all, his pots of herbs and bottles of medicine have fallen from their shelves, in their places was mashed up herbs and wet dirt mixed together in an unrecognizable mess on the floor.
- Great... - Quetz rubbed his face and walked inside, planning on salvaging the things still remained intact and replace the irreplaceable.
But as he starts to clean up a mess, the silver haired male notices something odd. A bracelet of small, smooth gemstones and bones, fit only to an infant's wrist. Quetz placed the trinket on his paw and caressed it his fingers, trying to recall whose its owner was. He sat down, retracing his memories about this small piece of jewelry, he remembered making it for one of the twin orphans he found in the forest that was his old home. He remembered taking it away from that same infant when he was forced to give it to a friend of his to take care of. A frail boy, with snowy white hair and beautiful violet eyes.
- Runty?
Quetz's amber eyes widened as he recalls the pair of twins he found, the other twin, a girl with the same features as her brother, was still living in his old forest when he left. He remembers now, his loyal friend told him that he couldn't care for the boy who he playfully named Runty, that the frail child needed the gentle hand of fellow human, unlike his sister. And so Quetz gave the boy to an old friend, a chieftain of a coastal tribe, hoping that he'd receive better cares.
Another tremor shook the ground, causing Quetz to drops the trinket before subsiding. He bent down and picked up the bracelet, but as he did, he noticed what it's landed on, a map of the land, with a large mountain near the sea marked with a big red X, noted with a single word by its side. A word that filled Quetz with terror as he whispered:
- Volcano...
***
Leaves crunches beneath the footsteps of the two boys as they make their ways through the forest, making the small animals on the game trail they're on scatter into the undergrowth. The white haired boy rubbed his tired eyes, trying to keep up to his brother who was waiting patiently on the trail with only a spear for protection. After leaving the village, Haru and Loi made landfall on a forested beach before sleeping for only a few hours and began the walking with the coming of dawn. Though their sleeps were short and nightmares ridden, both of them were still rested enough to walk through the dense forest of the lowlands, still wet because of the rains.
But as they move further inland, the terrain and vegetation changed drastically. Soft, muddy ground soon turned firm and dry with taller trees like oaks, spruces and pines replacing dense undergrowth, banyans and other rainforest trees. The atmosphere itself was different inland, away from the coastal wetlands and swamps, trees here grow sparsely, making it easier to breathe and lessen the feeling of being suffocated. It's also much brighter here, with rays of golden sunlight dotted the brightly illuminated forest floor covered in dry grass and flowers that were next to impossible to find near their village.
- Everyone must be having lunch back at the village by now. - The tanned boy said as he looks at the sky, though still a bit gloomy and obstructed through the canopies, he could still see the sun shining brightly above them.
- Or thanking the ancestors that I've gone missing again. - Haru replied and adjusted his backpack, disheartened by his own comment.
- Oh, don't be so gloomy Haru. - Loi smiled and turned around, walking backward on the trail as he tries to cheer his brother up. - Those people are just stupid, Mitsuki and I have been living with you for nearly fifteen years, nothing happened to us.
- But...your parents... - Haru lowered his face, he still remembers the days when people brought them the news, how they secretly eyed him.
- Hey! Hey! - Loi walked up to his brother and held the smaller boy by his shoulders. - You don't think about that, ok? You have nothing to do with their fates! Just because you have white hair, purple eyes and a bit frail don't mean you're some sort of evil spirit, ok?
- Ok. - Haru smiled and sniffled before continuing. - People don't like it when I tie my hair into a ponytail for some reasons. - The white haired boy said and scratched his head, his white hair tied tidily into a small ponytail.
- Well I like it. - Loi said and adjusted his backpack filled with food, water and herbs. - I bet Keto'd fall to his knees when he sees how cute you are with it.
- R-really? - Haru asked with a small smile, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the sun as they moved into a clearing near a river. - You think I'm...cute with it?
- Well...yeah. - Loi scratched his head awkwardly, looking for a something else to turn his attention to. - O-oh look, there's a river, we could rest there for lunch.
Haru smiled softly, knowing full well that his brother was trying to diverse his attention from the compliment but still nodded playfully. The closer they get to the river, the more ruins they encountered, some were covered under so many layers of small vegetation that they thought that they were only large boulders at first. Loi climbed up on top of a large boulder, squinting his eyes to look across the wide yet slow moving river dotted with rocks and ruins. A remnant of a stone bridge lied across the river, connecting the two side with its broken spines, they could cross it with little efforts.
- Kya!
- What?! What's wrong?! - Loi turned his head back as he heard Haru's scream.
- N-nothing, just a rat running past my legs, that's all. - Haru smiled awkwardly, trying to sound as calm as possible.
- Hm...ok, just let me know if you see something ok. - Loi said understandingly as he hops down from one boulder to another, spear still in hand. - Say, this looks like a good place to rest. - The tanned boy said, patting the moss-covered surface of the boulder.
It was a suitable spot for resting, shadows of the nearby trees and the boulders themselves shielded both of them from hungry predators that prowl these forest. Haru draped his cloaked down near the boulder while Loi unpacked his backpack, he has prepared for both of them, small rice balls, breads, meat, dried fish and butter, enough of them for two days but they still need to ration their food. Though their food was bland and dry, the peaceful flow of the river and cool air of late autumn still made a psychological impact on the two boys. Out here, alone in the wilderness, the sounds of nature were pure and unaltered by the squabbling of merchants or the laughter of hunters after a meal and a quick smoke, even the faint falling of a golden leaf was enough to make them shiver.
Taking in a lungful of cool air, Haru took another bite out of his rice ball, letting the smell of fallen leaves mix with the taste of his food as he watches the peaceful movements of the river and all that live in it. He noticed that the shadows of the boulders and the trees have become a bit longer since they sat down, a tiny bit sooner than before, a sign that winter is coming, this year it comes sooner. That means that life would be harder for the entire village, the sea would freeze up, trees would shed their leaves and big games would be harder to catch. They'd have to ration their food even more so than previous years, no doubt many wouldn't last to see spring returns, and they'd blame Haru for all of it.
- Hey. - A poke from Loi pulled the white haired boy from his thoughts.
- Hm? - Haru turned around, cheeks still puffed with rice, making his brother chuckles a bit.
- There's a bridge over there, why don't we gather some more supplies here and set up camp on the other side? - The tanned boy tossed his head at the bridge's general direction before biting off a chunk of bread with butter.
- I don't know. - Haru replies. - The forest on the other side looks a bit denser, it's giving me the heebbie-jeebbies.
- Hm... - A mischievous grin spread on Loi's face. - Remember when you said that you met Keto in a dense forest? What if he's over there right now, waiting for you to return his cloak and give him a big...
- Shut up! - Haru slapped his brother on the shoulder, causing the other male to fall to the ground and laugh loudly.
The river was slow, crystal clears and full of life, salmons, carps, armored fish and even amphibians swam through the cold water, many of them were too large for Loi's spear, which was suited only for small preys. Luckily, the ruined bridged provided ample hiding places for smaller creatures, suitable quarries for the tanned boy to catch. As they cross the broken spine of the bridge, Haru has to wait for Loi who occasionally stops between a large gasp to try and spear a fish or a small amphibian. Before long they've reached the other side, five fish and one small yet fat amphibian hung on the tanned boy's serrated spear while his brother scoffs him for wasting sunlight.
On this side of the river, the trees grew much denser, though not as dense as the lowlands, they're still enough to blot out the waning sunlight as the two boys walk deeper and deeper into the forest. Loi recognized these ruins, this is one of the rarely used paths that lead to the far north of their tribe's territory, to the prairies near the Forbidden Forest, the prairies where Haru was separated from the hunting party. The tanned boy shivered a bit a gust of cold wind swept through the trees, bringing the harrowing breathes of winter from the northern mountain ranges with it. He knew they'll have to set up camp soon, before the last light of the sun disappears under the horizon, it's not safe to travel at night here.
Having reached a small clearing on a hill overseeing the now sparse forest below, Loi planted his spear onto the ground next to a boulder and look at the west. The sun was setting fast, much faster than he's comfortable with, and if the rumors hold true, they should start a fire soon.
- Rai, I'll collect some firewood, you set the barrier ok? - Haru said and put his backpack down.
- Don't go too far ok? - Loi said as he watches his brother walk around the boulder than a bit deeper into the tree lines.
When Haru returned with a bundle of woods in his arms, Loi was sprinkling brown powder around the boulder where they'd set up camp, a hunters' trick he learned from an elder, mixing the right herbs together and it'd become a powerful repellent to wild beasts. Putting the firewood down, the white haired boy began to pile them up into the dugout fire pit surrounded by stones and waited patiently for his brother. He watched as the tanned boy sits down and starts making fire, nervously listening for the sounds of predators that lurk in these woods. The stones in Loi's hands collided, sparks flied out once, twice and fire began to burn in the fire pit, lighting up the surrounding area, making shadows dance on the surface of the boulder like ghosts.
Their dinner was a richer than their lunch, the smell and taste of roasted fish were so good that for a moment the two boys almost forgot that they're in a dangerous place. It wasn't long before Loi regretted catching so many preys, too many for both of them to eat in one sitting and too risky to put it anywhere near their campsite. Picking up a burning stick from the fire, the tanned boy took the remaining fish and the amphibian away from the camp to expose of them, using them as a diversion if any predator came by.
Left alone by the fire pit, Haru took out the journal and flipped through the pages to until Quetz's portrait was in front of his eyes, all the while looking around to check for danger. Though the powder can repel wild beasts, there are other things that lurk in the dark forests of the North, things that the terrified traders from beyond the mountains usually talk about whenever the hunting parties come across them. The boy shivered as such thoughts, for he has seen one such thing long before he met Quetz, he would never forget the sight of that giant tree uplifting its roots to entangle a giant beast, before crushing and stomping it to the ground.
- Welp, I'm done. - Loi walked out from behind the boulder and carefully put the torch back into the fire pit, causing it to light up a bit more. - We should get some sleep, - He said before lying against the boulder and wrapping himself in his cloak like a blanket. - we still have to a long way to go.
- Y-yes. - Haru nodded. - You go ahead and sleep first, I think I'll stay up a bit more.
- Suit yourself then. - Loi let out a large yawn. - Just don't stay up too late, ok?
- Ok. - Haru nodded softly and watched as his brother slowly drifts into dreamland.
Small snoring soon emanate from the tanned boy, the constant rhythm occasionally broken by the sound of night birds and flying reptiles. The sounds, mixing with the feeling of both dread and excitement kept Haru from falling asleep as he sat near his brother, back leaning against the boulder. It's dark here, not even the lights of the stars and the shining moon could illuminate such darkness that has befell the forest at night, enforcing the boy's fear of waking up to a burnt out fire pit. The thought made Haru shiver, he reached out to the fire pit, tossing several fallen branches he's gathered and poking it with a stick, causing the flame to dance brighter.
He glued his eyes to the fire, mimicking the shaman of the tribe whom he usually consults with, one of the few people who'd tolerate his presence, to an extent. The elderly man who always smelt of wood incenses and herbs would occasionally humor his questions, looking into the dancing fire and retelling the tales of old legends. Next to him, Loi churned in his sleep, at eased and relaxed through a day of walking and hunting. Haru felt himself smiling as he looks at his brother, though he always pull pranks on him, the two of them have always stuck together, being both orphans must have sealed their bonds. For that reason, the white haired boy was afraid that one day, his brother would leave him behind, alone and exposed. The mere notion of it made him shiver, his teeth clenched while his heart wrenched painfully, though he has tried to remember all of Loi's promises to not abandon him.
- Keto! This way!
- Uwah! - Haru screamed loudly as he heard the high pitched voice echoed from the darkness, followed the rustling of leaves and grass.
- What?! What?! - Loi sat up and looked around frantically. - Haru? What's wrong?! - He asked his brother.
- Th-there's s-someone out there... - Haru stuttered, holding the small dagger shakily and pointing it at the darkness.
- You're just hearing things... - The tanned boy squinted his eyes sleepily. - Go back to sleep.
- No! I'm not just hearing things! - Haru hissed. - There really was something!
- Keto! This way!
Both boys now turned their gazes into the darkness, where the voice's just emanated from. It was closer now, clearer, but still the owner of that voice eluded them, standing just outside the light so that their shape wouldn't be detected. Then came the rusting, the thing that's made the sound started to run back and fort outside the light's reach. Haru gulped and looked at his brother shakily, Loi was as shaken as him, with a warped, forceful smile spread on his lips, a smile that he uses to hide his fear.
- R-Rai...? - The white haired boy asked, his body shaking with dread.
- D-don't worry! - Loi said, trying to be brave for both of them. - Th-the powder w-will protect us!
As if to repute the tanned boy's statement, the creature in the dark let out a blood curling shriek that echoed the nearby hills, sending animals fleeing. Haru yelped as a miniature horse, barely the size of a dog, rushes toward the camp, only to stops at the invisible border and runs away. But the boys knew there was something else that has spooked the horse. There was something looking right at them, and it's getting closer.
The creature lingered outside the reach of the light, its serpentine silhouette moved on phantom footsteps, dancing in the cloak of darkness as its yellow eyes glare from one boy to the other. It was swift, agile, each movement was smooth yet sharp and quick to avoid the flickering light, almost as if it was dancing. Haru's heart hopped to his throat as his eyes met with its, bright yellow orbs that reflect the flame, radiating a beastly cunningness. At that moment, the creature slowed, faint footsteps could be heard, pounding on the soft soil, crunching leaves beneath unseen feet.
- D-don't come any closer! - Loi shrieked, pulling out his dagger and pointing it at the eyes while pushing his brother behind him.
- Keto! This way! - The creature repeated its message before stepping into the light.
Metallic black feathers reflected the fire as the creature slowly made it way out of the shadow, covering the serpentine body of a large raptor, larger than any Loi has ever seen. The animal lingered outside of the invisible barrier set up by the powder, turning its gaze from Loi to Haru, making the white haired boy snuck further behind his brother as he briefly locks eyes with it again. Brilliant yellow orbs met his violet eyes, glittering like gemstones with a hint of unmistakable intelligence equal to that of a man.
The animal moved again, carefully keeping itself from the barrier, rotating to meet Haru, but thwarted as Loi continuing shifting his brother behind him. Frustrated as the larger boy's attempt to protect his brother, the raptor cocked its head sideway, narrowing one of its eyes to express its frustration in an almost human fashion. Shaking its head while lowering it as if imitating a defeated sigh, the animal suddenly jerked its head up, tossing a small bracelet of gemstones and bones cut into small beads at the boys and sat down.
- Wh-what is it? - Haru asked shakily.
- I-I think...I think...it wants us to p-pick it up. - Loi replied and bent down on his knees, still pointing his dagger at the raptor. But just as he was about to touch the small trinket, the animal sprung into action. With a wide stride, it stepped through the barrier, puffing its feather and baring its teeth, making the tanned boy shrieked and pressed both himself and his brother against the rock. - What do you want?! - The tanned boy yelled out in fear and frustration.
The raptor rolled its yellow eyes and picked up the bracelet, tossing it as close to Haru's feet as possible before sat down, clearly annoyed by the boys' misinterpretation of its action. The brothers exchanged looks, confused and a bit terrified by the raptor's odd, almost human actions.
A few heartbeats passed before Haru decided to pick up the bracelet. To his surprise, the raptor seemed...delighted, as if its mission has completed. The animal nodded in approval and curled up into a ball of black feathers, leaving the two boys twice as confused as before.
- What is it? - Loi asked, looking at the small trinket inside his brother's paw.
- I-I don't know. - Haru replied as he runs the tip of his finger on the smooth surface of the beads. - I think...I think it's trying to tell us something with this but...I-I don't know...it f-feels familiar somehow but...but...I don't know...
- Keto. This way. - The raptor repeated, albeit in a much more gentle tone.
- W-what? - Haru's eyes widened, he surged forward from behind his brother, toward the raptor, despite his brother's attempt to stop him. He knelt down by the resting animal and held out the hand that's holding the bracelet. - I-is this Keto-san's?
- What are you doing?! - Loi hissed under his breath. - It's a raptor! It can't talk!
- You heard it talked! We both did! - Haru hissed in reply, surprising his brother with his rare moment aggressiveness.
- Keto. - The raptor "spoke" loudly, yet quiet enough to not rouse any wild beast from their sleep. It looked at the white haired boy deep in the eyes, beckoning him to heed its next message as it utters a single word: - Follow.
***
The two boys soon reached the end of the light-dotted sparse forest, where once there were only trees and low bushes in their view, now a river of golden tall grass cut through their path, a river that stretched from one horizon to another. On the other side of the river, lies another forest, darker and denser than even the vine-ridden rainforests of the lowlands. Loi knew that forest, everyone in the tribe do, the Forbidden Forest, a cursed realm of spirits and demons, where no human can tread. He's seen foolish hunters testing their luck, chasing fleeing preys through the Golden River and into the shadows of the forest, only to scream as they were torn limb from limb by the spirits that dwell it. Those that escaped were driven mad by what they've seen, rambling nonstop about living trees with human corpses skewered and hung on their branches as morbid trophies. But even then there were no escape for them, the survivors would go missing a few days after they've returned to the village, only to be found later, mutilated and hung by their own intestines on a tree not far from the gate.
- N-no! This is too far! - Loi shook his head and took his brother by his hand. - Haru, let's go back, we can search anywhere but there, it's too dangerous!
- I...I...- Haru stuttered, almost paralyzed by fear and confusion, he had hope that the raptor would lead them to Quetz, but he didn't think it would lead them here.
- C'mon Haru, let's go back. - Not waiting for his brother to reply, Loi forcefully pulled Haru back from where they came from, not noticing the raptor was bearing its teeth at something.
- Danger! Danger! - The animal shrieked and jumped toward the boys to push them aside, but it was too late.
The only warning they heard was the cracking of wood as a nearby dead tree began to move. Strange carvings glowed eerily green on gnarled bark, bending and twisting the trunk and roosts into a hideous parody of a woman, with dead sprawling branches for hair and long, wicked talons for fingers. A chasm tore itself onto the lower half of the tree's face, angered grunts and moans escaped the jagged mimicry of a mouth as the tree, the creature, started to make its way toward the boys on legs of tangling roosts and cracked bark.
Loi shifted Haru behind him while the raptor stood between them and the tree creature, pleading with desperate yelps. Without a warning, the tree creature leaped forward on powerful limbs, so fast that neither of the boy could react as it reaches its talons and snatches Haru by the back of his shirt, dragging him through the Golden River toward the Forbidden Forest.
- Haru! - Loi turned around, fear filled his mind and gripped at his heart as his brother disappeared into the golden reeds, only the terrified screaming and parting of grass marking where the tree creature was dragging him.
- Rai! Help me! - Haru cried out and flailed his limbed, desperately trying to break himself free from the monster's talons. - Let go! Let me go! - The boy kicked and grabbed at the creature's wrist, cutting his hands on its wooden skin as it drags him closer to the shadowy outstretched fingers of the Forbidden Forest.
Darkness soon befell them as they enter the bowel of the Forbidden Forest, where trees grew so mightily tall, their branches so intertwined that almost all light were blotted out, save for scattered clearings where the corpses of fallen trees lay rotting. Gone were the blue sky and winds that swept through his skin with tender touches, in the perpetual darkness that is the Forbidden Forest, the very air were choked and cramped, festering with the smell of fungi and rotting woods. Even the sounds were muffled out by the darkness, Haru could barely heard the dragging sounds that his body made, or the angry, ever shifting footsteps the tree monster made, avoiding unseen obstacles.
It was dark here, so dark that the boy couldn't even see his hand even if it was held right in front of his eyes. The only thing he could make out were moving, glowing marking on the tree monster, emanating from spiraling carving or from cracks on its wooden skin. Yet even in horror, Haru stayed still, not only because he was afraid of what the creature might do if he struggle, but because there was something else, a strange feeling at the back of his mind promising that the monster won't hurt him, as long as he stay still.
The tree monster moved slowly now, stepping almost to the rhythm of its captured prey's loudly beating heart, slow enough for the Haru to feel uncomfortable being dragged in such sluggish speed. Slow enough for him to break free. But what would happen then? Would it turn around and attack, or would it just stand there, letting him get lost in this darkness forever? Either way, the options he has are equally terrifying, but they couldn't be worse than whatever this creature has in mind for him. Or could it? A crazy idea popped into existence in Haru's mind, maybe he should try asking it. After all, it looks human enough to understand him, right? The silence around them was deafening, it was true as what the elders said about the Forbidden Forest, no sound can be heard save for the wailing of the dying and the whispered of spiteful souls. Back in the village, such silence was a rarity, serene and comforting, here it's anything but, it choked the air, pressing into Haru's ears until the buzz and pressed on his chest so hard that he couldn't breathe. It was unbearable, it was suffocating, and the white haired boy knew he has to do something about it.
- H-hey... - Against his better judgment, he turned his head to face the creature, cursing himself for his insane idea. - Wh-where are you taking me?
In response, the tree monster suddenly pulled him up and pressed him against what seemed to be a smooth stone covered in coiling carving. It pressed its hand onto the boy's mouth, but instead of gnarled bark, Haru felt the softness and warmth of skin pressed against him. He felt the creature moved closer, so close that he imagined its cracked face was merely inches away from his. He closed his eyes tightly, waiting for jagged teeth to bite into his skin, or a terrifying shriek that would make his ears bleed. He breathed heavily in fear, sweats rolled down his face onto the creature's fingers as he tries to tear himself away, his vision fading from the lack of fresh air. It must have been amusing to it, Haru thought, watching him chokes himself to death with every breath in the stagnated atmosphere reeked of death and decay.
- Stay...here...
A muffled yelp escaped the white haired boy's gagged mouth as he hears those words, for a few heartbeats, he was frozen in place with shock. It emanated from where the creature's face was in the darkness, a hoarsely voice of a woman pierced his ears with the cracking and creaking of tree bark through jagged wooden teeth. Even after the creature has relinquished its hold on his mouth, all Haru did was stare blankly into the darkness, where he thought the tree monster was standing.
As if satisfied with its message being heard and obeyed, the creature began to move. Haru turned his head sideway, following the sounds of crunching dead leaves and rustling of undergrowth, imagining the form of the monster in his head. But as it got closer to the clearing, something changed, the footsteps sounded different, where there were only two, there were now four. Even the sounds were different, gone were the heavy thumbing sounds of roost and cracking bark, replaced by the gentle and grace of a deer's hooves stepping on damped earth. The boy blinked and rubbed his eyes, trying to adjust to the darkness to no avail, the only light source he had were the scattered patches of clearing. He stood still, eyes following the direction of the sounds as the tree monster makes its way into the light.
The white haired boy almost cry out in surprised, but his jaw hung low, unable to make any sound but a quick gasp as his eyes widened to take in what he was seeing. From above where once a great tree stood, light showered down like a brilliant water fall of golden rays, but instead of shining on the gnarled and cracked wooden bark of the tree monster, it struck the pale skin of a fair maiden, cascaded from her green lustrous hair. The maiden's upper body was covered in a dress weaved from leaves and vines, hanging loosely from one shoulder down to her waists. Instead of legs, her lower body was that of a beautiful white deer, with slender legs and cloven hooves walking ever so gently and gracefully through the undergrowth. The white haired boy's heart sank as she looks at him deep in the eyes, as if she could see him clearly even through the shrouds of lichens and mosses hanging from her majestic antlers with her beautiful emerald green eyes filled with pure disappointment, if not anger.
- Wh-who are you? - Haru mumbled a question, but no sooner has he did, she turned away, leaping into the darkness. - W-wait! - He called out and walked blindly through the darkness. - Why did you take me here!? Come back!
- Haru! Is that you?! - Loi's distanced call reached the white haired boy, making him turn around toward the direction from which it has came from, but with the darkness and density of the air itself, it's almost impossible to tell where exactly his brother was.
- Rai! I'm here! - He called out, looking around to find a landmark, the only thing visible was the clearing itself, yet through all the trees he doubted his brother would be able to see it.
- Stay right there! We're coming! - The tanned boy's voice echoed toward him again, it's closer now but from an impossible angle, almost the opposite from where it first came from.
- O-ok! - Haru called out again, hugging himself as with his frail arms and started walking backward until he hit the boulder.
It's getting colder, Haru thought to himself, rubbing his shoulders as he looks at the now dimmer clearing and shivered. It's getting colder now, even through the warmth offered by the plant matters decaying in this stagnated air Haru could feel it. It must be late afternoon now, that's the only logical explanation for the sudden chill. But it couldn't be, Loi and him started their journey early in the morning and reached the Golden River by high noon, just moments before he was snatched by that...tree woman.
It was impossible to tell the time here, even harder to tell how long he's been in this eternal darkness, clutching at himself next to this carvings-covered boulder. Many time Haru considered walking into the light, giving his brother a clear direction, yet fear gripped his heart as he recalls the maiden's stare. So cold, those eyes, so filled with disappointment, burning so intensely it froze his heart for a heart beat. It was as if she was disgusted of the white haired boy, no, of what he's grown into, for he recognized the expression, exactly like those on his teachers' faces. That fear rooted his feet in place, the very thought of walking over there, just to see her peek out from the darkness and guilt him with her stare was too terrifying for him. But why? Why did she give him that? Did she know about his life? Did she see all of Haru's failure and was disappointed to have such a failure become food for the Wood? The endless questions filled his mind, causing him to clench his teeth and grip his hair, trying to block them out. It was not working. They were too many. They were too strong.
- Haru! Is that you?
A hand placed on his shoulder pulled Haru out of his desperate state, it was warm and filled with love and caring for him, it was his brother, it was Loi's hand.
- R-Rai? - The white haired boy shot his teary eyes up into the darkness at Loi's direction. - I-is that y-you? - He asked with shaky voice, soaked with fear and uncertainty.
In response, the rustling of cloth was heard as the bigger boy kneels down and wraps his arms around his terrified brother. Instinctively, Haru hugged him back and started crying just loud enough for both of them to hear, like a lost child finally found a safe haven, for he was indeed lost, and Loi was his haven in this perpetual darkness.
- Hush... - The tanned boy stroked his little brother's hair in the darkness in an effort to sooth him, a simple yet effective gesture, as Haru's cries began to lessen into quiet sobbing. - It's ok, I'm here now, I'm here for you. - He said softly.
- I-I'm s-sorry... - Haru buried his face into his brother's shoulder. - I-I dr-dragged us i-into th-this...
- No, no, no, it's ok! - Loi wiped the tears from his brother's face before pulling both of them up. - Now let's get out of this place, the raptor should...
It was then that Loi realized that the raptor's footsteps have disappeared, along with its breathing. It's abandoned them.
- R-Rai? - Haru asked quietly. - Is s-something wrong?
- N-nothing. - The tanned boy shook his head in the dark, hoping that his brother didn't feel the sudden tension from his hand. - C'mon, let's go.
They walked through the bowel of the Forbidden Forest, using oasis of fading light to navigate their paths through the ever growing darkness. They're running out of time, Loi knew that much, the only certainty in this cursed place was that bleak fact and the fear that they'd probably die here, either due to exhaustion or because of the curses of the spirits. The tanned boy shivered at the thought, he has never been interested in the stories of the elders, most of them are made up just to scare children into obedience. But this place is different, he has seen the anger and hatred of the monsters, spirits that dwell here, he has seen what kind of fates await those who would defile this sacred, cursed place.
And though they have not encountered any of the angry spirits or tree monsters, the Forbidden Forest itself seemed to be against them. It was as if the tree themselves were shifting, one minute Loi was swinging his arm into thin air, next thing he knew there was a tree in front of them, hiding behind its trunk the next oasis of shrinking sunlight. Though he was holding Haru's hand, the tanned boy found himself occasionally asking if his brother was actually there, or has the Forest took him away again. It was getting harder for them to find the oasis, even when they did, the ones they found were small and dimmed, as if choked out by the forest's canopies and the fouled air itself. They could hear them now, the creeping silence was replaced by drifting whispers, shifting curses dashes in and out of their ranges of hearing, while faint chuckles filled their heads with dreaded visions. The Forbidden Forest was toying with them, they knew it, the spirits were about to strike.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Footsteps.
The sudden constant rhythm stopped Loi in his track, causing Haru to bump into his back in the dark. It was almost unreal, amidst the constant shifting paths and the whispering of the Forbidden Forest, nothing here seemed, sounded of felt real to Loi. Yet there the footsteps were, returning the forest to its deafening silence and removing whatever curses it has placed on their minds. Without the whispering guiding their steps, Loi and Haru could once more perceive the world around them with whatever clarity and light the large clearing they've stopped in front of had to offer. They must be getting nearer to the edge of the Forbidden Forest now, Loi thought, noticing that there were more small clearings and rays of light piercing through the knitted branches of young trees that haven't grown as tall and big as their peers.
Suddenly, in the darkness on the other side of the clearing the size of a front yard, they saw two beady red eyes, reflecting the light in such a way that it almost seemed like they're glowing. Haru tightened his grip on Loi's hand as he noticed the two meter tall animal was looking directly at them, as if it knew they're there. The white haired boy felt his blood ran cold, the shivering from his brother's hand didn't help as the animal slowly makes it way toward them. Before long, the blue, scaly head of a carnotaurus popped out of the shadow, the sudden action, along with the animal's ridiculous appearance almost made both of the boys burst into laughter. Its head was narrow, rounded and short, as if the head of a poor frog was compressed sideway and mounted on the intimidating jet black feathered body of a fearsome dinosaur. Two orange bull-like horns sprouted from both sides of that head, giving the animal a permanent annoyed frown of a grumpy toad.
Yet the most laughable aspects of the dinosaur were its tiny arms. While the carnotaurus's hind legs were slender, yet strong and thick with muscles, its arms were nothing more than two lumps of meat no bigger than a toddler's forearm. The poor excuses for a pair of forelimbs pressed themselves into the animal's body so much that it'd have been impossible to see them has it not for the fans of reflective, metallic blue feathers lining them. Jet black fur-like feathers covered the carnotaurus' neck down to its midribs, yet the other half of its body was just bare skin, making it looked like a half-plucked poultry.
Despite its laughable appearance, the boys kept their silence out of fear, for they knew what kind of wounds such creature can inflict. Saliva dripped onto the forest floor as the carnotaurus opened its maw, revealing dozens of backward-pointing blade-like teeth, perfect for slicing off huge chunks of flesh. The dinosaur turned its head up to sniff the air, only to let out an annoyed hiss as its lungs were filled with the putrid smell of death and decay. It must have chased something here and got lost like them, Loi thought, animals usually avoid this place unless there's nowhere else to run.
A distressed yelp of a deer drifted through the air, causing the carnotaurus to turns its head to that direction before quickly retreating back into the shadow with an almost human like grin on its face. In the darkness, Haru felt Loi pulls him closer, a silence gesture to tell him not to make a sound no matter what he may hear. Before the white haired boy could wonder what his brother was warning him about, the dinosaur let out a large yelp from the shadow, almost identical to the deer's call. It was a trap.
The other animal cried out again in excitement after hearing another one of its kind here, faint trotting became clearer and clearer for all three of them to hear as the deer ran across rays of light. Haru tightened his grip on Loi's hand, eyes staring at the direction where the trotting was coming from, half fearing for the animal, half curious to see what will happen next. Before long, the shape as the large doe could be seen as she gaited into the clearing, excited at the prospect of seeing another of her kind in this forest. She looked around eagerly, trying to find the other deer that has responded to her calls yet there was none.
The cracking of a fallen branch was the only warning they were given. As the doe turned to inspect the sound, the large predator launched itself out of the shadow, mouth opened and head raised, readied to strike a lethal blow. It bore its upper jaw down in a swift hacking motion, burying its razor-sharp teeth deep into the deer's flank like a giant hatchet. The doe let out a terrified shriek and tried to flee yet found herself anchored in place by the carnotaurus' lower jaw clamping upward, locking into the flesh of her soft underbelly. The dinosaur suddenly jerked its head upward forcefully, sending its helpless prey flying a short distant with arches of crimson liquid and torn flesh. As the doe landed at the edge of the clearing, only a few meters away from the boys, her internal organs spilled out onto the forest floor, causing Haru to almost bend over and puke has it not for Loi hugging him tightly.
Even in this state, the poor doe was still trying to escape, so shocked and surprised because of the attack that she didn't even noticed her injury, or the fact that her hind legs didn't work properly. The deer flailed her legs and thrashed around, tossing up blood soaked earth and mosses while tripping on her own spilled organs as her butcher almost leisurely gulped down the piece of flesh in its maw, before making its way toward her. The beast opened its mouth slowly, savoring the moment of the kill, blood and saliva dripped onto the doe's neck before it clamped its jaws around her head. The carnotaurus lifted its flailing prey slowly and shook its victim like a ragdoll, sending blood and pieces of flesh flying everywhere, even onto the boys' clothes. It threw its head backward and brought down with all the might of its muscular neck, smashing its prey onto the ground again and again and again, the sounds of bones being shattered and dying yelps echoed through the forest with each smash.
It was not long until the mangled corpse of a deer finally hang almost lifeless from the dinosaur jaws, her head almost separated from her body, connected only by her spine and what little left of what used to be her neck. The deer appeared to be still alive somehow, but not for long, her legs twitched slightly, her exposed inners convulsed and writhed on the ground, oozing blood from every gaps, then she was stilled. Satisfied with its kill, the predator turned and retreated into the shadow, not noticing the two boys frozen in place with fear only meters away from it.
Neither of them spoke anything, frozen in place, not daring to lift their feet, not when the thumping footsteps were still near. As suddenly as they've appeared, the carnotaurus' footsteps faded into midair, without a single echo that indicated that they were there at all. Finally allowing himself to breathe properly, Haru sighed silently in relief and was about to lift his foot. But suddenly, he felt his brother's gripped on his chest, Loi was terrified, almost to the point of crying based on how violent his shivering was. The tanned boy lifted one finger and tapped down shakily, urging, begging his brother to look at the direction he's pointing at. Chill ran down Haru's back, it must be something very dangerous to have scared his brother like that, if this is how Loi responded, he didn't know if he'd be able to hold back if he sees it.
- Don't...scream... - Haru heard his brother whispered, followed by a large thud from where he was pointing at.
As the white haired boy turned to inspect the sound, he let out a small gasp and was immediately silenced by his brother's hand covering his mouth. But that was all it takes to alert the carnotaurus feasting only about ten meters away from them. It looked up from the deer carcass it has dropped in a small patch of sunlight, blood and saliva dripped down from shredded pieces of meat still hanging loosely from its mouth. Pea-size sweats rolled down Haru's face as the animal looked toward them, flinching as its glowing red eyes seemed to be fixed upon him. The urge to scream was almost unbearable, clawing at his mind and choking his throat, threatening to give away their position.
Haru heart beat loudly in his small chest as the animal abandoned its kill and surged toward them slowly, sniffing at the air, locking on their smells and quite possibly their fears. Suddenly, he felt Loi's hand on his, gripping onto it tightly, preparing for a desperate gambit for their lives. With a quick and decisive turn, the tanned boy pulled both himself and his brother through the sunlit clearing, all the while the footsteps of their pursuers almost seemed to be right behind them. Even when it's weak, the sudden change of brightness caused both of them to instinctively raise their arms to shield their eyes, yet the loud breathing and hissing of the carnotaurus pushed them forward into the darkness on the other side.
Loi suddenly fell forward, pulling both himself and Haru into the darkness and covers of the undergrowth, leaving the dinosaur in confusion on the other side. It looked around, trying to pick out any movement or distortion in the darkness, but there was nothing, its preys have seemingly vanished into thin air. It walked into the light cautiously, flinching slightly as the sudden brightness hit its sensitive eyes and sniffing loudly at the path where the small two legged creatures have left behind. It was a futile attempt, the rotting plant materials along with the smell of blood from its previous prey drowned out any other scents left behind by those two. It pressed deeper into the undergrowth, sniffing and blowing its breaths at ferns and darkness loving plants before pressing against something round and furry, causing whatever it was to yelp, followed by a rustling of leaves. The carnotaurus snapped it jaws into thin air and let out a low growl, frustrated as once again the chance to stock up on its reserve evaded it.
Haru buried his face into his folded arms, muffling his sniffling and biting at his lower lip to hold in his urge to scream. Above him, Loi pressed both his brother and himself into the ground, avoiding the carnotaurus, now just inches away from them, hearts beating so loudly that he afraid that it might hear them. That was too close, they should've run a bit deeper into the forest, but he tripped on a damn root and only had enough time to pull his brother down with him. Just as he's feared, the dinosaur's snout touched Haru's head and almost guillotined him with a snap of its jaws.
Suddenly, the dinosaur jerked its head upward and let out a painful howl as an arrow found its mark on the animal's leg. It staggered and roared in protest at the direction where the arrow has came from, where faint footsteps and rustling of leaves could be heard coming toward it. Before long, a silhouette of a tall man appeared in the darkness, towering over the crouching carnotautus. The man dropped his bow and stared at the dinosaur menacingly with his amber eyes, his long tail swinging from side to side before he came charging into the clearing on raptorial legs.
- Shoo! Get out of here you good for nothing flee bag! - At the sight of the man screaming and waving his arms in the air, the carnotaurus turned and retreated into the forest, leaving only the man in the middle of the clearing, silently watched by the two boys still in shock and confused of what just happened. He let out a sigh and scratched his silvery hair now tied into a long ponytail at the back of his head, the top of his tail wagging as he slightly turned his head to look at the boys. - You were never good at listening to me, were you Runty?