"So Mr. Rowen,"
Throughout their walk uphill, Rowen had remained calm and unruffled, making it difficult for the petite Alice to walk beside him. Despite being out of breath, Alice tried her best to make sure he was in her line of sight. She thought if she struck up a conversation with him, she could get him to relax his pacing. She didn't dare to ask him to slow down, not for her sake, afraid that it would further burden Rowen and prove that she was more trouble than she was worth it.
Sure, Alice had no idea who this man was, but he had helped her without hesitation. She weighed her options quickly—running alone, without any sense of direction or protection, versus trusting this stranger who seemed oddly capable and unthreatened by the Dark Forest.
"Just Rowen will do."
"Um, then Rowen, where are we going?"
"It's more of where I'm going, you're just tagging along."
"So where are you going?" She rephrased her words while catching her breath.
"We're heading for that cliff over there."
Alice paused, taking in the sight of the cliff looming over the rugged, untamed wilderness. It rose sharply, overlooking a canopy of gnarled trees and tangled vines. As they drew closer, a thin layer of mist hovered around them, and the air was thick with the smell of damp earth and decaying vegetation. Beside the imposing cliff lay a vast body of water—a lake that seemed almost out of place in its serene stillness amidst the wild surroundings. The surface of the lake was unnaturally calm, and Alice had a creeping suspicion that something might be lurking in its depths.
Reflecting on her journey, Alice remembered encountering smaller creatures when she had been alone in the forest. But ever since meeting Rowen, there had been no sign of life, not even the chirping of birds. She kept these thoughts to herself, watching as Rowen approached the lake, seemingly unbothered by the restlessness that lingered in the air. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the eerie stillness, making Alice wonder even more about the mysterious power he wielded that kept the forest's creatures at bay.
"From here on," Rowen warned Alice as his voice rang out with weighty solemnity, "whatever you see and hear, keep quiet."
The moment he spoke, Rowen lifted his foot and stomped the ground with such force that the earth itself seemed to tremble. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the land, producing an echoing boom that shattered the fog, revealing the raw power that seemed to defy nature itself.
Rowen stomped again, and this time the ground buckled, surrendering its stability to his sheer might. Unseen waves rippled through the lake, and with a colossal surge, the entire body of water erupted, soaring into the air as if propelled by an unseen hand.
For a moment, the water hung motionless in midair, defying gravity. Alice watched in disbelief, her breath caught in her throat as she witnessed the miraculous scene. Rowen's gaze turned skyward, and with a casual snap of his fingers, he summoned an invisible force. In an instant, the suspended water evaporated, leaving behind nothing but a vast, empty crater where the lake had once been.
Alice stared at the transformed landscape, her mind reeling. Rowen's abilities were beyond anything she had ever imagined, his power reshaping the very fabric of the world around them.
Alice quietly sneaked up beside Rowen, eager to get a better view of the aftermath. But before she could catch a glimpse, Rowen snapped his fingers once more. The stormy sky above crackled with chaotic energy, veins of pulsing light descending with frenzied precision, like celestial spears piercing the heavens.
Each strike sent shockwaves through the air, targeting the hidden creature lurking in the depths of the now-exposed lake. The impacts were accompanied by blinding flashes of light, so intense that Alice had to shield her eyes. The pandemonium left her bewildered and almost sightless, the sheer force of Rowen's power overwhelming her senses.
Terrified, Alice ducked behind Rowen, covering her ears to muffle the deafening roars of the relentless onslaught. The ground shook with each blow, the very air humming with raw, untamed energy. Despite the chaos, Rowen stood firm, a calm pillar amidst the storm, his eyes focused and unyielding as he commanded the celestial assault with a mere snap of his fingers.
Alice peeked around him, awestruck by the display of power. She realized that Rowen's abilities were not just formidable—they were otherworldly, capable of bending nature and summoning the wrath of the skies to do his bidding.
As abruptly as it had begun, the frenetic dance of lightning finally ceased, plunging the surroundings into an eerie silence. The sky remained shrouded in dark, brooding clouds, and the wind continued to howl through the trees, carrying the lingering scent of ozone. Yet, amidst the tempest, there was an uncanny calmness that starkly contrasted with the earlier cacophony of thunderclaps and crackling energy.
The ground, once vibrant with the raw power unleashed by Rowen, now lay still and scarred from the recent upheaval. Deep fissures marred the earth, steam rising from the hot, freshly torn wounds in the landscape. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and scorched vegetation, mingling with the cool, metallic tang of the dissipating storm.
Alice surveyed the scene, her eyes wide with awe. The once serene lake was now a gaping crater, its depths exposed to the stormy sky above. Jagged rocks jutted out at odd angles, and the remnants of the water clung to the crater's edges, creating small, glistening pools that reflected the dark clouds.
The trees around the lake bore the brunt of the elemental assault, their trunks splintered and branches twisted from the force of the strikes. Leaves and debris littered the ground, swirling in the gusts of wind that swept through the clearing. The forest, usually alive with the sounds of wildlife, was eerily quiet, the creatures having fled from the terrifying display of power.
Rowen stood at the edge of the crater, his posture relaxed but his eyes vigilant, scanning the aftermath for any sign of hidden creatures. The silence was almost palpable, broken only by the distant rumble of thunder and the rustling of leaves. Alice, still hiding behind Rowen, felt a mix of fear and fascination. The man beside her was not just powerful; he was a force of nature, capable of commanding the elements themselves.
"Is it over?" Alice squeaked, peeking out from behind him.
"Yes, you can get up now." Rowen replied nonchalantly.
"So, did you manage to kill it?"
"You noticed them?"
"I had my suspicions. The lake was too still." Alice stood next to Rowen and looked over to the now non-existent lake.
As Alice busied herself observing her surroundings, she didn't notice Rowen watching her silently. His eyes narrowed with a hint of skepticism. Despite her apparent innocence and seeming weakness, Rowen couldn't shake his suspicions. Finding a young girl alone in the treacherous Dark Forest of Chesrath was unusual, to say the least.
He pondered the possibilities: either she was in such dire trouble that she had been forced to flee to this perilous place, or she was the source of the trouble herself. The Dark Forest was not a refuge for the innocent; it was a place of danger and darkness, where few dared to tread.
Rowen's wariness was not easily assuaged. He had seen enough deception and peril in his journeys to know that appearances could be deceiving. Still, whether Alice was a victim or a threat, Rowen felt confident that he could handle whatever challenge arose. His abilities had been honed through countless trials, and he was prepared for whatever lay ahead.
For now, he would keep a close watch on Alice, ready to act if necessary. As the wind rustled the leaves and the eerie calm settled over the forest, Rowen remained vigilant, his senses attuned to any hint of danger.
"You're not afraid?" Rowen asked as he effortlessly made his way down.
"But they're dead. They are dead, right?"
Rowen approached the corpse of the gargantuan serpent, which once commanded respect and fear, now lay in agony as a muted giant in the throes of death. Its scales were now dulled and cracked, sprawled across the verdant floor like a fallen titan. Its luminescent eyes, once a beacon of sinister power, were now dull and lifeless, staring emptily into the unseen beyond.
"Is this a basilisk?"
"Oh? You know about them? Most people don't."
"I read about them in a book. I heard that a basilisk can usually grow up to twenty meters long due to its long lifespan. I had never seen one so big before. It must be at least a hundred years old."
"Nope, this serpent was still an infant."
"An infant? But the body is so huge compared to its age."
"Do you see this?"
Rowen lifted its massive head like it was nothing, to show the belly to Alice.
"The scale pattern is more symmetrical compared to an adult basilisk and judging from the smooth texture of the scales, it was relatively young since there are no battle scars or injuries."
"So that's why it didn't attack us when we first reached the lake. But if it was only an infant, how did it grow so big?"
Rowen knew the answer to Alice's question, but revealing it would expose the true reason for his presence in the forest. It was a secret that underpinned the notorious reputation of the Dark Forest of Chesrath.
The Dark Forest stood as a brooding sentinel at the edge of the kingdom, a living entity with a dark history and an unsettling presence that welcomed no one. Countless rumors whispered of untold mysteries, ferocious beasts with no names, and unexplored territories speculated to hold precious treasures. The forest's eerie atmosphere and the foreboding tales surrounding it only added to its fearsome legend.
Without responding to Alice, Rowen walked past her, his movements deliberate. He casually pushed the basilisk's carcass aside, revealing an underwater cavern slightly larger than his height. The massive body of the serpent had hidden the entrance, ensuring it remained concealed for ages.
The cavern entrance, now exposed, yawned like a dark maw, its depths obscured by shadows. Rowen's expression remained unreadable as he surveyed the hidden passage. The basilisk's massive form, now lifeless and discarded, served as a silent testament to the secrets the forest guarded so fiercely. Alice watched in awe and curiosity, realizing there was much more to Rowen's quest—and to the Dark Forest itself—than she had ever imagined.
"Wait, are you going in there?" Cried Alice, hesitating to take another step.
"Like I said before, I have my own business to attend to. You're welcome to follow if you're willing. If not, just stay outside until I come back."
Alice looked around anxiously, torn between staying alone in the wilderness of the forest, where unseen creatures roamed within the shifting shadows, or venturing into the unknown cavern with Rowen.
She was unaware of Rowen's true intentions, and his indifferent attitude suggested he was not particularly concerned about her or her predicament. Alice knew that her presence as a small child in the middle of the forest was suspicious, but she wasn't ready to reveal her full story, not wanting to put Rowen in a difficult position.
Despite the brief time she had spent with Rowen—barely half a day—she had come to see him as someone dependable. He had guided her through the forest and kept her safe with his mysterious powers. Instinctively, she felt it was safer to stay by Rowen's side, even in the face of unknown dangers.
Taking a deep breath, Alice made her decision. "I'm coming with you," she said, her voice steady despite the fear that lurked beneath. She took a step towards the cavern, determined to face whatever lay ahead with Rowen, rather than risk the perils of the forest alone.
"Up to you."
Rowen raised his eyebrow slightly, intrigued by Alice's decision. Despite her young age, he had to admit that she possessed a remarkable courage, willing to venture into an unknown cave where even he didn't know what to expect.
"Well, make sure to stay close then. I don't have time to be looking for you if you wander off on your own."
There was a cool breeze that rose from the depths as they entered the cave, which carried an earthy smell of damp dirt and the promise of hidden secrets. The air grew heavier with anticipation as they stood on the threshold of the subterranean realm. Jagged stalactites framed the cave entrance, casting eerie silhouettes in the faint light that Rowen had conjured. As they ventured deeper, the ground beneath their feet transitioned from solid earth to uneven rock, the change echoing through the cave with each step.
The sounds of the outside world faded away, replaced by an almost reverent silence that enveloped them as they progressed into the cave's cool embrace. The walls, slick with moisture, glistened faintly, reflecting the subtle luminescence of Rowen's light. Shadows danced around them, adding to the sense of mystery and the unknown.
"Um, Rowen, where are we going?" Alice asked, her voice a whisper in the vast stillness.
Rowen said nothing, his gaze fixed ahead as he strolled down the invisible path. He moved with purpose, his strides confident and unhesitating, even as they came upon a series of branching tunnels. It seemed as if he knew exactly where he was going, his silence lending an air of determination and focus.
The deeper they went, the more the cave revealed its ancient secrets—fossilized imprints on the walls, mysterious markings that hinted at forgotten histories, and the occasional distant drip of water echoing through the vast chambers. Throughout the long walk, Alice was trying her very best to stay close to Rowen.
By now, every step was a battle against the searing pain in her side. Alice's broken ribs sent sharp, agonizing jolts through her body with each movement. She pressed a hand against her ribcage as if the pressure could somehow hold the pain at bay, but it was futile. Her legs felt like lead, each step more labored than the last.
Hunger gnawed at her stomach, a constant reminder of how long it had been since her last meal. The exhaustion was almost overwhelming, her body craving rest, but she knew she couldn't stop.
Her vision blurred as she stumbled over roots and rocks, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Each inhalation was a fresh wave of torment, the broken ribs protesting with every expansion of her lungs. She bit down on her lip, hard enough to draw blood, using the sharp sting to focus her mind and push through the haze of pain and fatigue.
With sheer determination, she kept moving forward, one painful step at a time, driven by the faint hope of finding safety and relief from her suffering. A sense of powerlessness settled over her and before she knew it, her vision darkened suddenly.