"When it all went down."
Anser ventured further into the forest, he noticed as the atmosphere in the normally serene and beautiful forest slowly changed into an ominous, shadow-draped environment, a sense of foreboding crept upon him as a grisly scene of death slowly unfolded before him. The once familiar forest had become a strange place and was as quiet as a graveyard, teeming with lifeless creatures in various states of decay. His steps sounded eerily loud to him and a sense of danger was felt on the wind as a shiver ran down his spine.
"Darkness seeps through these woods." Anser muttered in a voice barely above a whisper as he came across a small stream. He glanced through the water and found something amidst the normally clear, refreshing stream water. But he just couldn't lay a finger on what it actually was. "Darkness even seeps through the waters of this forest, there must be something wrong." He said, cupping his hands to draw water from the stream.
Its fog-like state had even disappeared, he turned around to cast a look at his surroundings when he spotted the lifeless body of a deer. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him because this forest was known to be very peaceful and void of such scenes. He immediately inched towards it to get a clearer view.
He gazed at the mutilated remains of the young deer, its savage wounds, like malevolent claw marks decorating its body. His mind recoiled from the conclusions the scene seemed to arrive at.
"No… it cannot be them!" He thought, the mere idea clawing at his insides, as he went closer towards the animal to inspect the marks on its body, hoping to deduce the source.
Anser and his partner Fallon, had painstakingly inscribed protective sigils at the forest's entrance, around the city walls and before the city gates barriers that should have thwarted any unregistered entities from entering their sanctity. With his heart pounding in fear, Anser knew he had to unravel this unsettling mystery before it claimed another victim, one that might be human. His mind drifted back to the "recent findings" his friend had said they had to discuss.
"Could it be what I'm thinking? No, no." He said, as he unwillingly walked away from the lifeless creature.
He was contemplating his next course of action and realized that he was losing precious time and so he quickened his pace hoping to find what monstrosity that caused this.
Ashley's P.O.V
"Well, we're done with preparations, Roan. Would you mind helping Auntie Greda carry the food to the heart of the village?" Ashley asked. "Be careful while you're at it." I cautioned and turned to continue my own thing.
Roan's curiosity overcame him as he replied
"Sure, Mom, I will. But first, I have a question."
I braced myself for what would follow.
"Who will be protecting you?" Roan asked with eyes full of childish innocence. "Daddy said I'm to always stay and protect you in case anyone tries to harm you. How will I do that if I'm not here with you?" He declared.
"Silly boy, you aren't going alone, I'll be right behind you." I said, chuckling, and I started to reflect on my husband's influence on Roan.
Roan, at just eight years old, already believed he was strong enough to protect me. I found it endearing but also knew I needed to guide him away from adopting Anser's somewhat clueless traits.
"Where is he?" I muttered under my breath, my voice laced with irritation. "He should have been back by now. When he gets home, he'll have some serious explaining to do…"
With Roan in tow, she set off to follow their path to the village center. As they moved through the village, Roan's youthful wonder was piqued by the intricate designs and markings adorning some of the villagers. The festival was already in full swing, with some dancing and others already drunk. But what held Roan's attention most was the entrancing sight of women circling the bonfire, their movements hypnotic.
Turning to his mother, he asked in awe, "Mom, what are they doing?" Ashley's heart swelled with affection for her inquisitive son, as she pondered on how to explain what was going on.
"Ah, my darling, that's the sacred dance of the flame." Ashley gently explained, her voice carrying the warmth of motherly love and affection. "It is believed that when a woman performs this dance, she receives the blessings of the Goddess and becomes eligible for marriage." Roan's eyes widened in wonder.
"Really, Mom?" he asked, his heart brimming with both joy and surprise at this new revelation. "So you did this dance too?" He asked, widening his eyes the more as he expected an answer.
"Yes, my dear," Ashley replied, a fond smile on her lips. "Now, be a good lad and help me set the food on the table," she commanded. He nodded and run off to where the other women had displayed various types of dishes and wine for the merry making.
Meanwhile in a secluded corner of the town, dangerously close to the edge of the forest, another scene was unfolding.
"Stop it," a trembling feminine voice, laden with heat and anticipation, whispered urgently.
"Come on, don't worry," a masculine voice, dripping with need and heat, replied. "No one is here. They're all at the festival, so stop worrying." He said as he moved his hands deeper into the girl's already wet fold, signaling her pleasure.
The girl, moaning slightly and feigning shyness, cast her eyes downward, but her flushed cheeks betrayed the facade and fooled absolutely no one. The boy leaned in for a kiss, their lips almost touching, but in the blink of an eye, a shadowy entity materialized. Raising her eyes at the shadow, the girl screamed in horror, her voice piercing the whole village. She could not believe her eyes. Although she was screaming, her whole mind and body remained frozen at the sight before her.
It can't be!