As they reached the village border with wet and reddish eyes, none of them uttered a word. Silently, they pressed forward without casting a glance behind, the weight of their shared experiences etched on their faces.
A while later, they came to a halt near the edge of the forbidden forest. For Kai, it was the first time stepping beyond the village boundaries. Although Ervin had ventured out with his father, Tommy, a renowned blacksmith, and a cornerstone of the village's economy, Dan had traversed even more distant places with the village elders, their purpose shrouded in mystery.
Despite being the lazy one dragged into excursions, Dan had explored more than Ervin, thanks to the village elders' unknown motives. After some time, they finally entered the mysterious forest.
Kai's eyes wide with wonder and anticipation. Sunlight filtered through the towering ancient trees, casting enchanting patterns on the lush, emerald green carpet of moss below. Ethereal whispers danced in the air as leaves rustled, revealing hidden paths that seemed to beckon them deeper into the heart of the woodland.
Colorful blooms adorned the edges of the trail, each petal shimmering with a touch of magic. Small, iridescent creatures flitted between the branches, leaving trails of sparkling dust in their wake. The air was infused with the sweet scent of blossoms, creating a heady atmosphere that heightened the sense of exploration.
As they venture deep in to the forest the more beautiful view they see, the sunlight began to weave golden tapestries through the dense canopy. Their path, dappled with the warm hues of the setting sun, led them to a serene clearing.they are not getting hungry nor tired but decided to stay put for the night
Ervin, drawing on his experiences, expertly gathered dry twigs and leaves to kindle a gentle fire. The flickering flames cast a somber glow, dancing shadows on the ancient trees surrounding them. They unpacked a simple meal, a blend of foraged berries, nuts, and a few provisions they carried.
The air, tinged with the aroma of the crackling fire, held a sense of quiet reflection. Kai, although new to the world beyond the village, found himself immersed in the solemnity of the moment. Dan, typically the lazy one, seemed unchanged in his demeanor. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink,
Deciding to set up camp by the calming riverside, they recognized its strategic advantage for spotting potential threats from a distance. Despite being surrounded by the enchanting beauty of the forest, they were acutely aware of the hidden dangers. While today's journey had been peaceful, they understood it didn't guarantee a string of serene days ahead.
The forest, although a picturesque realm, concealed a variety of lurking monsters. Even though Dan, Ervin, and Kai carried their weapons, the mere presence of these tools didn't grant them absolute safety. The tranquility of the night might paint a serene picture, yet beneath this peaceful surface, the shadows held the potential for unseen dangers in the heart of the mystical woodland.
After an hour of resting, a sense of refreshment filled the air. Knowing they were staying for the night, Kai and Ervin considered trying their luck at fishing in the nearby river. Given that it wasn't too deep at the start, Kai invited Dan to join them. However, Dan chose a different path, opting to climb a tree and sit there, seemingly unfazed by the prospect of fishing.
Attempting to catch fish with the spear Ervin brought along, they found themselves in crystal clear waters, revealing the aquatic world beneath. The fish were visible, and the water became a new hunting ground for them, it's the first time Ervin and kai went to fishing.
Excitement led them to chase after the fish, creating splashes that ultimately left them soaking wet. The playful pursuit escalated into a water fight, echoing with laughter.
Amidst their merriment, Dan's voice pierced through the air.
"Will you guys stop this? Stop making so much noise. Do you have a death wish or something? If you want to catch fish, do it quietly! Okay?"
Dan, visibly angry, had climbed down from his perch in the tree to deliver his scolding. Armed with experience and aware of the potential dangers in the forest, he couldn't tolerate their disruptive behavior, particularly when it interrupted his peaceful nap. Despite their efforts, their noisy antics yielded no fish by the end of their playful endeavor.
Dan become visibly angry that he climbed down from his perch in the tree to deliver a stern scolding. Equipped with experience and a keen awareness of potential forest dangers, he couldn't tolerate their disruptive behavior, especially when it interrupted his peaceful nap.
However Kai and Ervin is having too much fun , they don't felt like stoping right now
And that's when Kai yelled back saying
" We don't think we should listen to someone
Who is hiding in a tree because he is feared of water,hehehe"
Even Ervin noded supporting Kai's statement
Seeing their mocking faces, he started to walk towards the rivers removing his dress in a stylish way revealing his Manly body
"Well, that's it you have done it"
He started running straight at them, smirking
Kai and Ervin felt that something bad was coming, and the one who made the first and fastest decision was Ervin. He simply put Kai at the front and ran to a side. That's when Kai realized that Ervin had left him alone, and he also ran to the opposite side Ervin had chosen. Both of them screamed like babies.
However, to their surprise, Dan ran past them and dived deep into the river. Kai and Ervin watched Dan's shadow going deeper and deeper into the river with amazement; it turned out Dan was a good swimmer as well. Almost a minute passed; Kai and Ervin stayed still. There wasn't even a tiny bit of motion in the water, and Dan was nowhere to be found. Due to the reflection, they could only see the stars in the night sky.
With a tense expression, Kai turned to Ervin and asked,
"Where did he go?"