Around us, beyond the dense forest, I could distinguish the presence of some buildings and houses, partially hidden by the magical vegetation. Cars, motorcycles, and buses were scattered among the trees and bushes, their metallic contours and vibrant colors creating an intriguing contrast with the lush green of the forest. So far, aside from the fish we had seen, we hadn't found any signs of animal life.
As we ventured deeper into the forest, I felt the anticipation growing inside me. With everything that was happening and what I was discovering, what awaited us here? Would it be something dangerous? I had no idea. The only thing I knew was that I was anxious.
However, at the moment I had other things on my mind. I looked at Caroline, who was a few steps ahead. "So," I started, making her jump slightly in surprise, "about those questions..."
She didn't turn to face me, and her posture became more rigid. "Alright, I guess we can't postpone this any longer. Ask away; I'll try to answer what I know." She sighed, and with a tired voice, I caught a murmur: "at least what I know."
"First of all, what's happening? Is this magic or something like that?" I decided to be direct with the first question.
"It's a bit complicated to explain, but first, I need to ask: what do you know about multiverse theory and related concepts?" When she mentioned this, I felt a pang in my memory, as if I should know more about the subject.
"I know a little about it, but not much."
"Well, what's happening is that we're in a kind of p-bridge between two r-realities or worlds. We don't know exactly what it is, but something connects our world to another, and sometimes this creates situations like the one we're experiencing." Caroline tried to speak professionally but stumbled over some words.
"This bridge is made with parts from both worlds; it absorbs various 'elements' from two or more worlds. In a very simplified summary, these 'elements' can include environments and locations,"—she pointed around us—"and even non-physical elements like emotions. Even other forms of life. These bridges can absorb these elements for years, and eventually, they create dimensions, so to speak."
Yes, all of this seemed to align with that 'dream' I had in my apartment. It was good to know I wasn't going crazy. Even so, there was still something that needed an answer.
"There was also another thing, a gem full of different feelings, most of which I can't even describe—what was that?" Talking about it still caused a bit of discomfort, but not as intense as before.
"That was the core of the bridge. It's where most of the absorbed elements remain, and it's what keeps these realities standing." She finally turned to look at me, giving me a view of the device showing the map and a blue dot blinking a bit ahead of us. "And it's what we're going to retrieve now."
I wanted to ask her more things, but before I could, her arm extended in a 'be careful' gesture. Caroline seemed to look around as if she had noticed something. As she turned to the right, I saw that the map had three other points marked, but this time they were blinking red.
A few tense seconds later, I heard the sound of footsteps, and from between the trees, three creatures emerged, stomping heavily. Their heads were massive, dominated by huge mouths full of dagger-like sharp teeth, two of them stacked on top of each other. The lower jaws were open in preparation or anticipation, revealing several rows of irregular and differently sized teeth, likely developed to shred flesh and bone. Their tongues were long, protruding from their mouths in a challenging position, and I could see a yellowish-green saliva dripping from each creature's mouth.
Their eyes, small compared to the size of their heads, were deeply shadowed, with a threatening gleam, possibly emitting a subtle light, as if ready to detect any movement. The creatures' foreheads were marked by bony protrusions that seemed to merge with the spines along their bodies, making their heads even more menacing.
Their bodies were enormous, I estimated at least 2 meters tall and who knows how thick, covered in dark, thick skin, resembling natural armor in shades ranging from black to dark gray. Their skins were reinforced with a series of spines projecting from their backs and shoulders, looking like defensive weapons. Each spine appeared sharp, durable, and strategically positioned, as if used for both defense and attack. The monster's musculature was impressive and visible, especially in the arms, legs, and chest, suggesting extraordinary physical strength. They had six legs, two arms, and a leg on each side. The creatures walked on four, or rather, six legs.
The arms were long and powerful, ending in gigantic hands, each equipped with long, sharp claws that could easily tear apart any enemy's flesh. The creature's legs were thick, clearly developed to support its enormous weight, ending in feet with equally sharp claws, ideal for gripping or crushing prey.
Their tails were particularly notable. They were long, extending at least 3 meters, robust, and covered with spines extending to the tip, making them effective weapons for both ranged and close combat. The tail's movement seemed agile, contrasting with the creature's weight, suggesting it could be used for quick and devastating attacks. The tail's tip was slightly curved, almost resembling a spiked whip, ready to strike in any direction, with a particularly long final spine.
These creatures were hunched, with their bodies low and their heads projected forward, ready to attack. The one in the middle didn't take its gaze off us, its saliva dripping to the ground, producing a slight smoke and a burning sound when it hit. The other two were beginning to move to the sides, intending to encircle us.
I felt my body trembling at this sight, never having seen anything like it. Sweat was pouring from my forehead, and I could feel my legs weakening a bit. I looked at Caroline, but she seemed impassive, as if it weren't a big problem. She looked at me with a kind and reassuring gaze, conveying confidence as if she had everything under control. I can't say I felt more at ease with that, but at least I was a little more confident about making it out alive.
Her posture was cautious, and she let her gaze dart between the creatures and the map quickly. My eyes fixed on the creature that had moved to the right, not wanting it to leave my sight, leaving the other two to Caroline. It was hard to force myself not to look away due to fear, but I could at least try to stay on guard.
Each creature was at least 4 meters away from us by my estimate, with the middle one being further, but they approached slowly, their open jaws producing a terrifying sound, a kind of distorted growl that seemed to seep directly into my soul, and they continued to advance—3.5 meters, 3 meters, 2.5 meters.
When the creatures were 2 meters from us, I was suddenly thrown to the ground. In desperation, I looked to the side and saw Caroline pushing my back to the ground, also lying down. I heard a loud thud from behind us, twisting my neck slightly to look, and I saw the creature in the middle with some broken trees. Looking to the side, I saw the other two making the same terrifying growl while staring forward.
Looking in that direction, I saw another monster, at least 5 meters tall. The creature had a head resembling that of a deformed demonic goat, but much more robust and sinister. Four massive, curved horns extended from its forehead, curling backward in an almost symmetrical shape. The horns were black and angular, with a rough texture, making them look like they could be used for both offense and defense. The creature's face was fierce, with a deep, wild gaze, surrounded by a mane of thick, white fur that gave an impression of majesty and monstrosity.
Its body was a blend of humanoid and beastly forms. The torso was incredibly muscular, with a broad, well-defined chest, showcasing its physical strength. The body's skin was covered with thick fur in shades of black, white, and brown, giving it an almost natural appearance as if adapted to wild environments. The arms were long and powerful, ending in hands with sharp claws that seemed ready to tear flesh or crush bones.
Its legs resembled those of a quadruped, with robust and muscular joints, yet capable of supporting its bipedal posture. They were covered with thick fur up to the knees, and from there, the skin appeared hardened and resistant, with sharp claws on the feet, allowing for agile movements and powerful attacks.
The monster had two long, serpentine tails extending from its rear, undulating in a way that suggested lethal flexibility. Both tails had a robust appearance and ended in sharp tips, suggesting they could be used as additional weapons in combat, attacking with precision and speed.
The two demonic dogs on our sides instantly changed their stances, no longer appearing as predators after prey but as animals ready to take down another predator that interrupted their hunt. Their double jaws opened in unison, and the roar began with a deep, guttural rumble, coming from the depths of their powerful chests. The initial sound was low and deep, resembling the roar of a gigantic beast but with an overwhelming intensity, as if channeling all the predatory rage and hunger the creature carried.
As the roar continues, it intensifies, gaining layers of growls and fierce snaps as the long tongues flicker and move, causing greenish saliva to drip from the open jaws. The air seems to vibrate around the creatures as the roar expands, filling the environment with a blend of fierce and shrill sounds, almost like metal scraping against rock, interspersed with cracks, as if the very teeth and jaws were being forced to grind something invisible.
As the second row of jaws moves, the roar changes pitch, becoming even more piercing and penetrating, ending with a brutal howl that carries echoes of threat, a warning to any nearby creatures that these beasts are ready to attack. The reverberations of the roar send shivers down my spine and my ears ache, leaving me paralyzed with fear.
The monster in front of us is not intimidated and prepares to let out its own roar. The sound starts with a deep growl, almost a guttural snarl, as if the very earth were trembling under the weight of its presence. This initial snarl is low and prolonged, creating a sense of oppression and suspense, as if the creature were gathering all its energy before unleashing a devastating attack. The heavy breathing that accompanies it creates a sinister sound, a forewarning of something terrible about to happen.
Suddenly, the roar erupts into a deafening boom, which I'm sure nearly left me deaf—a deep sound that seems to echo from within an abyssal cavern, but with a demonic intensity. The primal fury behind this sound is palpable, charged with a mix of raw power and pure ferocity. The roar spreads like a shockwave, starting with a low vibration, similar to distant thunder, but soon transforming into a sharp bellow, a blend of scream and howl, cutting through the air like a blade.
As the creature releases its full roar, there is a shrill and metallic sound, like the grinding of deformed bones and horns scraping against rock. It's as if the very shape of the creature's body, with its massive horns, amplifies the roar in an almost supernatural way, making it something alien yet familiar, like the cry of an ancient beast. This sharp and dissonant sound echoes over long distances, reverberating through the skies, forests, and into the minds of those who hear it, like a war cry or a declaration of absolute power.
As the roar subsides, it doesn't stop immediately. Instead, it ends in a prolonged guttural snarl, as if the creature is satisfied with the display of its terrifying presence but still alert and ready to strike at any moment. The echo of the roar continues to reverberate through the environment for a few seconds, leaving a heavy silence and a sense of alertness in the surroundings.
While these monsters continue to stare each other down, I'm suddenly yanked from my place by Caroline. This time, I'm not even bothered by being dragged; I just want to get out of there as quickly as possible. I feel my consciousness almost slipping into a faint; it was the most terrifying thing I have ever witnessed in my life. As she drags me further into the forest, I can still faintly hear some distorted growls and snarls and sounds that might be of pain, but none of that matters now—what matters is getting away as quickly as possible.
I'm not sure how long we've been moving away, but for a while, fear gave me a queasy feeling that I could barely control, and amidst the lingering fear, the nausea, and the unfamiliar surroundings, my sense of time was completely lost.
After a while, Caroline gently sets me down on the ground. I immediately drop to my knees and vomit on the grass, unable to hold it any longer. It was one of the worst experiences I've ever had, second only to the gem and when I got my scar. I can feel Caroline patting my back as my heavy breathing starts to calm down a bit.
"But what—" I try to catch my breath, "were those things?" I ask between heavy breaths. Caroline stops patting my back and is now hugging me a bit to calm me down. It's working.
"Otherworldly creatures that were brought into this reality just like us." She tightens the hug a bit. "Are you okay?" Her voice has genuine concern, which I appreciate. I nod at her; I may still be a bit shaken, but I'm better. "Great, because we've reached the entrance."
This definitely grabs my attention. I look ahead and see a colossal, imposing, ancient tree rising in the center of a vast, crystal-clear lake. Its trunk is thick, with roots deeply embedded in the lake's water, some of them stretching out and returning to the water around it. The tree's branches are extensive, reaching up to the sky and spreading out like long arms, forming organic shapes that seem to touch the distant stars. Some of these branches hang gently, touching the surface of the lake.
The lake around it is vast and serene, a massive expanse of calm water, whose surface perfectly reflects the tree's silhouette and the sky. The tree's reflection seems almost as real as the tree itself, creating a magical and harmonious symmetry between land and water. The surrounding landscape is peaceful and empty, with distant, misty mountains barely discernible on the horizon. Everything seems suspended in a moment of timeless tranquility, where the tree and the lake coexist in perfect harmony.
"It's a beautiful view, but how is this the entrance to the island?" I turn to her, only to see her pointing to something on the right. I can hardly believe what I see. The waterfalls that I thought were falling from the island actually rise from the lake, completely defying all laws of physics and gravity.
"We're going to climb up the waterfall," Caroline declares proudly. In any other situation, I would call her crazy for this absurd idea, but now that I see it with my own eyes, it really does seem possible to climb a waterfall.