The battle with the wolves had been fierce and bloody. The brothers fought desperately, each blow filled with the determination to survive, every swing of the blade a struggle for life. When the last wolf fell, their hearts continued to race, and an eerie silence settled around them.
The brothers spent the rest of the night in anxious silence, feeling as though the Forest of Hope was a living creature, wrapping them tightly in its embrace. The Forest of Hope surrounded them with a dense darkness, as if testing their resolve. The shadows of the trees seemed alive, whispering ominous words of impending doom:
– You won't escape…
– Death is near…
– None shall leave alive…
These sinister words sank into their minds, amplifying their fear and despair.
When the first weak light of dawn began to filter through the thick canopy, it appeared dim and uncertain, as if the forest itself resisted letting it through. The feeling that the forest lived its own mysterious life and controlled their every movement lingered with Baios and Anfar.
They walked along the trail, but soon found it suddenly vanished, dissolving into dense thickets. The trees stood before them like silent guardians, blocking their way, as if deliberately preventing them from moving forward. Their "eyes" – hollow knots and ridges on the bark – followed their every step, robbing the brothers of any sense of security.
Baios checked the map, but each time he looked, it seemed as though the forest was shifting its boundaries, refusing to reveal the correct path. Soon, a sense of hopelessness began to creep into them.
– This forest… it's strange – Baios whispered, looking at the branches that seemed to reach out, trying to grasp them.
Anfar couldn't hide his rage. His jaw clenched, his fists were so tightly gripped that his knuckles turned white. He was a warrior, used to relying on his physical strength and spirit, but here, amidst the unpredictable and mystical forest, his confidence was dissolving like smoke. The veins on his neck bulged, his breathing grew rapid and uneven, as if each breath was a struggle.
– To the abyss with this! – he shouted, pushing off the ground and leaping into the air, hoping to spot some clearing from above. But all that met his eyes was an endless green ocean of trees stretching in every direction. For a moment, he thought he glimpsed a faint figure among the treetops, as if someone or something was watching them, but he couldn't make out the details.
The forest surrounded them like a giant trap, its branches intertwining, creating something akin to a snare where every shadow and every root became part of this intricate web with no visible boundaries. Landing, Anfar exhaled heavily, trying to suppress the mounting sense of despair.
– What is this place, Baios? Did the Teacher send us into a cursed trap? – his voice trembled with a despair he rarely allowed himself to feel.
Baios, clutching the map, tried to stay calm, though he too felt the darkness of the forest seeping into his thoughts.
– The Teacher said to keep going and not to look back. That's how we'll get through the forest – he said, attempting to speak with confidence. However, doubt was already growing in his own heart.
– Do you even understand how vast this forest is? We could keep walking forever, and there would be no end! – Anfar gripped his head as if trying to expel the heavy thoughts. His strong body was exhausted, and despite his resilience, his spirit was beginning to falter.
With each step, their bodies grew weaker, their supplies dwindled, and the light became ever dimmer. The forest, like a living entity, filled them with despair, as though it fed on their fear and weakness.
At some point, Baios felt his own resolve beginning to wane, as if the darkness was penetrating deeper, reaching into the most hidden corners of his mind.
– We can't die here, Anfar – his voice trembled, but there was still a spark of strength in it.
– We have to keep going. Hope is always there, do you hear me? Always!
Anfar, barely holding back tears of despair, whispered:
– If that's true, then why are the heavens silent? – Anfar lowered his head, his face twisted in pain and despair, his eyes dim. He clenched his fists tightly, as if trying to hold onto his slipping faith, and his shoulders shook as though bearing an invisible weight.
He was ready to give up, more so than ever before. But at that moment, Baios, gathering his last bit of strength, slapped him sharply.
– The heavens may be silent, but our hearts must scream! Hope doesn't die as long as we live! – Baios looked at his brother with unbreakable resolve, trying to pass this spark of hope to him.
Anfar froze for a moment, then, taking a deep breath, regained control. He realized that in this insane forest, their only saving grace was their own will.
Resolving to push onward, they continued their journey. The forest grew darker, its trees looming over them like conspirators whispering secrets to each other. Suddenly, they heard a sharp crack of a branch somewhere in the depths, the sound so unexpected and loud that both brothers froze, straining to see into the darkness, trying to identify what or who might have made it.
The air was thick and musty with the smell of decay, and the branches creaked in the breeze like ancient beings sharing sinister secrets. The silence, broken only by their footsteps, intensified the sense of isolation. And then, as they reached the heart of the forest, a spirit appeared before them.
Its form was misty and ethereal, shimmering with shades of green and blue, like the northern lights. This light both absorbed and reflected darkness, creating the feeling that the spirit was woven from the very essence of the forest – mysterious and unfathomable. It seemed to embody the very soul of this forest – its pain, hope, and silent suffering.
– Humans, have you come here to test yourselves? – its voice echoed as though coming from everywhere at once.
– Turn back. The rest of the forest is beyond your reach. I won't kill you, but I won't let you pass.
The spirit's voice was ancient and unyielding, like the very earth from which these trees had grown. Baios and Anfar, exhausted and desperate, fell to the ground. They felt as though all strength had left them, and even the hope they had clung to so fiercely was beginning to fade.
– We have lost almost everything, but hope remains – Baios said, his voice trembling from exhaustion but full of determination – And we're not leaving.
– The Teacher always said: – If your spirit is broken, let hope be your sword – added Anfar, clenching his fists. Despite his weakness, his eyes glowed with fire.
– Hope – the spirit pronounced, his voice soft, with a hint of admiration.
In that moment, Baios felt a spark of faith reignite within him. He looked at the spirit, feeling its words fill his heart with warmth and strength. – Perhaps it was for this that we went through all these trials, to find Hope here, in the darkest place, – he thought, feeling his resolve strengthen once more.
– But will it save you? Very well. I will give you a chance. Guess my name, and I will lead you through the forest.
Stunned by his words, Baios and Anfar stood motionless for a moment. How could they guess the name of a being that might have existed for centuries, or even millennia? A name hidden from all?
They began listing every name that came to mind, hoping for a miracle: "Eldrin," "Mora," "Zave," "Altar," "Lumin"… But the days passed, and the spirit remained silent. Their strength continued to dwindle, their minds grew foggy, and even speaking became difficult. Hunger and exhaustion sapped their bodies.
As the last bits of energy left them, Baios felt despair tightening around his chest, tears welling up in his eyes. He looked at Anfar, seeing the same fear and disappointment in his eyes. They understood that perhaps all their efforts had been in vain, and hope was slipping away like a mirage. The spirit shook his head sadly.
– I offer you a chance to return. You may go back to where you started. You have no more strength or time. Perhaps luck will smile upon you, and you'll find food, and if not – this may be your last glimpse of this world – his voice was filled with sorrow, yet it held no hostility. He truly seemed to regret that the brothers found themselves in such a situation.
Anfar, exhausted to the limit, closed his eyes briefly, remembering the wolves that had once attacked them, driven to desperation by hunger. Perhaps they, too, had tried to pass through this forest and found no way out. The memory made him smile bitterly.
– Yes, your offer sounds like a noble gesture – he said, his voice filled with bitterness.
– But even if I die, I won't surrender.
Baios, barely standing, supported his brother:
– We won't give up on hope.
– As you wish – the spirit replied – I only offered.
Anfar, torn by anger and despair, shouted:
– Damn this Forest of Hope! Why did we even come here?!
Then Baios froze, his gaze sharpened, and his eyes widened with a sudden realization.
– The Forest of Hope… You're Hope – he whispered, as though unraveling an ancient mystery.
The spirit smiled, its form grew brighter, and the light emanating from it illuminated the dark forest. The shadows began to dissipate, retreating before the power of this light, and the trees around the brothers seemed to soften, their branches no longer hanging menacingly. The darkness dispersed, yielding to a warm glow that reached the deepest parts of the forest.
– Indeed. I am Hope – its voice became warm and embracing.
The light emanating from it entered the brothers' hearts, rekindling the faint spark that had almost gone out. This small but vibrant spark grew stronger, filling them with strength and dispelling the darkness.
They felt energy return to their bodies, along with the lost power. With each passing second, they grew stronger, as though rediscovering themselves.
– Your efforts and faith in me have touched my heart. Go on. When you face difficulties again, just call on me. I will always be here to help…
For I am Hope.
With these words, the spirit dissolved into the air, leaving behind a portal leading to the forest's exit.