Reënboog Forest (1)

Day 14

A couple of days later after Reizo celebrated his victory in the preliminary tournament, a different kind of battle was brewing on another continent.

Africa, on one of its rare rainy days.

In front of a colorful and ominous forest, seventy men stood in perfect formation in five ranks. Each soldier clad in the advanced Project Alpha armor, which made them look like dark, imposing figures against the vivid backdrop of the forest. The rain drummed against their armor, producing a muffled, metallic rhythm that echoed through the tense atmosphere.

Beyond the squad, a vast military encampment sprawled across the landscape, surrounding the mysterious forest. Thousands of soldiers moved from one side to the other setting up camp. Hundreds of tents were scattered around and the camp buzzed with activity—troops moved around, setting up equipment, checking weapons, and preparing for what lay ahead. 

War tanks rumbled across the muddy ground, heavy artillery was being positioned, and planes roared overhead, taking off and landing on an improvised airstrip. The air was thick with the smell of fuel and the sound of engines, a stark contrast to the unnatural calm of the forest.

Flags from different nations fluttered in the wind, a testament to the international response that had been mustered. The world's superpowers had deployed their men, and now they waited, tense and uncertain, at the edge of the unknown.

The front line squad were equipped with the latest and most advanced technology available. Their armor, weapons, and even their augmented reality gear were top-of-the-line. Each soldier wore the ARGP-100, a cutting-edge pair of augmented reality goggles developed by the Robotics Alliance. These goggles could record everything in 8K resolution, and they provided real-time translation of every language on Earth, ensuring seamless communication among the multinational forces. The translation was so fast, it felt as if they were all speaking the same language

The cost of this equipment was astronomical, far beyond what any ordinary soldier could afford. Yet, for reasons unknown to these men, the Robotics Alliance had not donated the ARGP-100s to the armies but also all the Project Alpha armor suits.

The five ranks of men stood in complete silence as rain trickled down their armor, creating a rhythmic, almost haunting sound. The black metal of their suits seemed to glow faintly as sunlight reflected off the water droplets, casting an eerie, ethereal light around them. To any observer from a distance, the sight was nothing short of terrifying—it was as if a death squad had assembled, an imposing force ready to unleash hell.

This formidable group was known as the Pathfinder Division, the new collective force forged from the agreement of nations during the European conference. Each participating country had sent one or two of their most skilled cultivators to be part of this "independent" army. Of course, true independence was a myth in the world of geopolitics, but the potential benefits of this cooperation far outweighed the concerns.

Tasked with exploring the unknown and charting the dangers within, the Pathfinder Division was stationed in Africa under the command of the newly promoted Captain Zander!

Zander was the man who had not only survived the horrors of the forest but had also famously punched a ferocious panther in the face, a feat that had made him an instant legend! His fame had spread like wildfire, and with it came the heavy burden of responsibility. As the leader of this elite division Zander's primary mission was to lead his men into the Reënboog Forest escorting a team of scientists and engineers to explore it.

The men under his command came from diverse cultures and backgrounds, a melting pot of nationalities brought together for a singular purpose. Zander knew that commanding such a varied group would be a challenge, but he was determined to earn not just their obedience, but their respect. In any military organization, obedience to superiors is sacred, but Zander wanted more than that—he wanted his men to follow him because they wanted.

"As part of the Pathfinder Division, it is our duty to scout that damn forest!" Zander's voice cut through the rain, strong and authoritative. "Due to its mysterious colorful leaves, the forest is called Reënboog Forest, which means Rainbow! Don't be fooled by the name—it's a place where death lurks behind every tree. The things inside can kill you without a second thought!" 

In front of that group of men, Zander paced back and forth in front of his men, his tone grave as he reiterated their mission. 

The rain and helmets obscured their faces, making it difficult for him to gauge their reactions. It was frustrating, but he couldn't afford to let his unease show. The name 'Reënboog Forest' bothered him—it sounded too innocent, too whimsical for a place that had claimed so many lives. He couldn't help but wonder what the higher-ups were thinking when they chose it.

A second later he continued.

"Today, we're responsible for escorting two key engineers from the Robotics Alliance and a group of scientists from Diamond Pharmaceuticals. They're going in to collect samples, and it's our job to make sure they come out alive." He turned to face the forest, the memory of the black panther flashing in his mind. Would it be waiting for him again? He shook off the thought, unwilling to let his men see even a hint of doubt. "Stay sharp, keep an eye out for ambushes. This is not a normal forest—anything inside may kill us. Do you all understand?"

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers responded in unison, their voices firm, yet beneath the surface, Zander could sense a current of anxiety. It was subtle, but it was there—a slight hesitation, a hint of doubt that tainted their resolve.

Zander knew why. These men had heard the stories, the rumors, but they hadn't faced the reality. They hadn't seen the black beast, hadn't felt its presence as he had. Skepticism was natural, almost inevitable when facing the unknown. But Zander was certain—by the end of today, they would no longer doubt.

"Let's move out! Stay in formation once inside, and report anything— anything— you find out of the ordinary!" Zander's command was sharp as he turned and began the march toward the forest. His boots sank into the mud with each step, the weight of his armor and the gravity of their mission pressing down on him.

"Sir, yes, sir!"

The soldiers followed, their heavy footsteps merging with the sound of the falling rain, creating a rhythmic, almost ominous beat as they advanced toward the infamous Rainbow Forest. The colorful treetops loomed ahead, vibrant yet foreboding, like a warning in plain sight.

Zander led the way, his eyes narrowing as they approached the treeline. At his side was his closest friend, Schalck, the man who had stood by him through countless battles, who had faced death with him more times than he could count.

"I've got your back, bro," Schalck said quietly, his voice barely audible over the rain. It was a simple statement, yet it carried the weight of a thousand unspoken promises. "Just say the word, and I'm there."

"Just stay close, Schalck. We're going to need every bit of that strength today," Zander replied. He couldn't afford to show his own doubts, not now. His men needed to see confidence. 

With a final glance at the men behind him, Zander stepped into the Rainbow Forest.

**********

The seventy men entered the forest slowly. The closer they got to the edge of the mysterious forest, the smaller they felt. The trees loomed large, their trunks thick and ancient, creating the illusion that they were entering the gaping maw of some colossal, primeval beast. The further they ventured, the more it felt as though the forest had swallowed them whole, closing its leafy jaws behind them.

Once inside, the change was immediate and disorienting. The rain that had poured relentlessly outside was nowhere to be found. Instead, sunlight filtered through the vibrant, multicolored canopy above, casting an ethereal glow that bathed the surroundings in a surreal, almost otherworldly light. It felt as though they had stepped into another realm entirely, a place untouched by the chaos of the outside world.

Zander once again felt the refreshing denser Qi adhere to his skin. That was à majestic feeling, almost addictive for a cultivator. For a brief moment, he marveled at how effortlessly it seemed to flow into him. Cultivating in this place would be like breathing; the forest itself seemed to invite it. 

The rest of his soldiers took a few seconds more to notice that, but soon began to murmur in surprise as they, too, felt the Qi's presence. Their reactions ranged from awe to quiet disbelief, but Zander quickly silenced them with a raised hand. They needed to stay focused—this forest, no matter how inviting it seemed, was still an enigma.

One of the scientists from the Robotics Alliance, oblivious to the Qi's influence, voiced his thoughts. "Hmm... the environment here is completely different from the outside," he observed, his tone more curious than concerned. He marveled at the vibrant colors and the calm atmosphere. "It's almost as if we're in a different dimension."

Zander gave him a curt nod but quickly gestured for silence. The scientist's observations, while insightful, were not what concerned Zander. He needed his men to remain vigilant. With a subtle motion of his hand, he signaled the soldiers to spread out and secure the perimeter around the scientists.

The soldiers moved with practiced efficiency, forming a protective circle. Zander kept his eyes sharp, scanning the area for any signs of danger. The forest was quiet—too quiet, perhaps—but after a tense minute, he received the all-clear from his team.

"Okay, you can start collecting samples now," Zander ordered, his voice steady. He then turned to the engineering team. "So, what were you saying? Did you find anything?"

The lead engineer, a Japanese man burdened with a metal backpack brimming with electronic equipment, looked up from his laptop with a troubled expression. "I'm having trouble establishing contact with the outside world," he reported, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "All signals are isolated—it's like this forest is blocking everything. But what's strange is that our internal communication is unaffected. We can talk to each other, but anything beyond the forest… nothing gets through."

Zander frowned, absorbing the information.

"So, are you saying we can still communicate using this?" He asked, tapping the ARGP-100 goggles attached to his helmet with his finger. At least there was some good news in this bizarre situation.

The scientist nodded, his eyes still glued to the screen as he rapidly typed on his laptop. "Yes, sir. Internal comms are stable."

Zander was about to return to his thoughts when another scientist approached him, looking concerned. The man was bald and slim, holding a drill machine in his hands, which was now completely broken.

"I'm sorry, sir," the scientist began, his voice tinged with frustration. "But we were unable to extract a sample from the tree… Its surface is too hard."

Zander looked at the damaged drill, his mind racing with disbelief. [It seems I expected too much from the higher-ups… even gunshots can't scratch these surfaces, and they sent drills?]

He considered the situation for a moment, then an idea struck him. "Maybe I can help…" he muttered, walking over to the nearest tree. The tree's trunk was massive—so large that it would take ten men to encircle it. Zander marveled at its size and felt the rough, almost stone-like texture of the wood under his fingertips.

With a sudden surge of determination, Zander channeled as much Qi as he could muster into his right hand. He wasn't entirely sure this would work, but it was worth a shot. Immediately closed it with full force!

*CRACK!*

The sound of splintering wood echoed through the forest, and the group of soldiers and scientists looked on in stunned silence. Zander broke off a piece of the tree with his bare hands! 

The scientists stared at him, their eyes wide with astonishment. They had tried every tool in their arsenal, and nothing had even scratched the surface of these trees. Yet here was Zander, a Cultivator, breaking off a piece with his bare hands.

One of the scientists finally spoke, his voice barely a whisper. "Could this be… the power of a Cultivator?"