Wiccan forest:
I pulled my leg out of the muddy swamp as I flinched due to the pungent smell.
The wicca forest was a swampy forest filled with death and danger.
Literally, thousands of witch trails were held here and I'm pretty sure I've already passed three corpses on my way here.
'No bad omen seems to have been latched onto me.'
Those people must've e been falsely accused then.
'The bodies are very well preserved.'
The people who had been executed in the Wiccan forest have never had their physical form altered after death.
'Although it isn't explained why.'
Although the Wiccan forest was a normal forest centuries ago, the witch trials that happened during the broom plague turned it into something sinister.
'The death toll that happened reduced the population in Astreaea by half.'
The broom disease caused human bodies to develop black brush-like clusters on human bodies.
The source was a witch's experiment gone wrong though it's not confirmed what's she was trying to do or if she died during the trials.
'Thousands of bodies are present in this forest although they are very hidden.'
The trees around me had thick green leaves so dark they almost seem black.
Their branches and trunks were twisted in a horrifying manner.
'It just feels disturbing to look at.'
Many people recounted that they had a feeling of being watched when they passed through the forest.
'I feel wierd but no feeling of being watched.'
Either my instincts wasn't par on experienced adventurers or they were just trying to scare the newbies.
There was no safe path for me to follow, I walked along the small stripe of clearing infront of me.
All around me was trees and well, more trees.
'I will reach the hanging nest inn after leaving the forest.'
That was something to look forward to, it was a popular inn business which was all around the continent.
Speaking of the continent, some people believe that the continent was named after the god who almost wiped out humanity.
'Ellil, a name of a god?'
'Asteria, Manea, Ellil, and hecate.'
Gods are an interesting concept, everyone believes them because of the miracles that happens through them.
But some of them don't trust the gods.
'Am i considered as one of them?'
I actually don't know.
Do I hate the gods?
Or is it because I feel it's too unfair?
'They are the perfect beings with no need for struggle.'
'But what is the reason for their existence?'
A question that many had but they wouldn't be able to ask this.
'Why haven't I reached the exit yet?'
The forest was huge but not that huge, only an hour and half will be enough to leave the forest.
Click
'What?'
I didn't stop, I didn't want to alert it.
I kept my usual pace but slowly fastened my pace but made sure to not make is suspicious.
Click
Click
Click
It kept on getting closer and my heart started to beat faster as my fight or flight response was triggered.
The place, atmosphere and the strange event made my unable to think properly.
I kept on increasing my pace, the sound followed.
I power walked my way through the forest while
I tried not to look around too much unless something I'm not supposed to see pops up in my vision.
No matter how experienced and wise I try to sound after all I'm only a beginner.
The clicking sound seems to have disappeared but the feeling of dread still remained in my heart.
'Should I turn around or not?'
Either be in the dark for my safety or step into the dark to light my on ways.
That was a bad comparison but it's the best i could come up with my current state of mind.
I immediately clutched my claymore tightly and turned around without a a thought.
All I saw was four long legs.
Scrawny, brown goat legs.
The addition of the length made it even more terrifying.
Click
Click
Click
The clicking sound appeared once again as I looked up towards its main body.
And right infront of my face was a goat, with long curved goat horns and crimson red eyes.
Blood dripped from the corner of it's eyes and and smell of its saliva which was dripping down made me puke.
I wanted to swing my sword but fear chained me down.
I wanted to run but fear chained me down.
I wanted to atleast beg for my life but my pride held me back.
Sometimes in life the biggest obstruction towards your goals are your fear and pride.
I freezed, too scared to move or think.
A mistake that should be never committed by a adventurer.
'Dont ever freeze in fear no matter who you're against.'
I wanted to laugh, I never thought I would be in a situation like this.
Mistakes like these were made by beginners, who wouldn't have guessed i would experience the same.
'No matter how much I try, reading and hearing about it around the city is different from the experience.
The creature opened it's mouth, it's teeth fully visible to me as it leaned in for a big bite.
'Goats don't have sharp teeth so I'm in for some pain.'
I couldn't do anything else, only being able to ridicule my stupid death.
The last I saw was the darkness of it's mouth.
I'm pretty sure I heard a ear-bleeding laugh around me when I froze there but maybe I was hallucinating who knows.
********
Wiccan forest:
I regained my consciousess but I was unable to move my body.
Not even my eyes as my vision was filled with darkness.
It felt like my soul was trapped inside my body.
'It feels uncomfortable.'
I didn't try to resist, thinking that it would naturally go away but my fear of suffocation said otherwise.
I started to swuirm although my body didnt move, i tried to force my eyes open.
I tried everything I could to wake and it kept on getting more and more uncomfortable.
But however with a snap I immediately woke up and found myself in a clearing.
Intense headache assaulted my brain and I struggled to stand up.
My equipment and weopons were still with but I didn't really check as my whole focus was on escaping.
A wet feeling was present around my temples and on my forehead which may either be sweat of blood.
I didn't really care about my injuries as of right now.
And using my last amount of strength, I limped my way towards the end of the forest.