5: The Forbidden Forest

Deanaro's POV

 Walking slowly towards me as if not to scare me. It continued to creep forward, startled I shot up like a bullet and took a fighting stance. The man stopped dead in his tracks then raised his hands slightly above his head.

He cocked his head to the side, feeling distraught with the look that man's eyes held. Despite being so far away I could still feel his sharp gaze on me. But there's something dark and ominous about the man who stood far away from me still within the tree lines.

At the moment the animals were almost as if they had just noticed his presence. They all became ridged as they looked up and ran. Almost as if they were running for their lives, I also felt a sharp sense of fear.

He continued to look upon me as if I were a new species that he had just discovered. He gave a crooked smile although his teeth were perfect there was still some kind of dark meaning behind that smile. So I took a step back only to realize I was still standing in the water.

I felt fear and dread of course through my veins. A sense of cold ran through my body and down my spine. The man's gaze seems to penetrate my very being.       Though his eyes had a certain gentleness about them, still the sharp gaze made it feel as if my hot blood was replaced with ice.

      I couldn't understand quite frankly; I held my breath waiting for his next move. I was thinking maybe just maybe I can hopefully somehow get away from the river as far as it goes and hopefully he's not a fast one more like me. I might have a chance to get out of here just I hope I'm right about this.

      But it was too late, feeling a blunt force knock against my skull. The dull feeling that went along with darkness that once again held me in its clutches.

*before the start of the war, 8 months before present time*

Andrew's POV

      I tried acting as normal as possible. It was too hard. I couldn't do it, the light wasn't too bright but the noise itself was loud enough to penetrate my brain. I couldn't think, I couldn't move without feeling dizzy.

       What the hell is happening to me?

       I felt as if I were going to pass out from all the pain. I fought through the urge anyway I decided that I was about time to go meet my father get my horse ready as well because today is going to be a long long day I couldn't help but feel dread. What was Deanaro doing? How does he feel and will you ever forgive me when I come back and then ask for his forgiveness, would he accept me? Would he accept my words?

       I stood up as fast as my body would allow. Once on my feet, my body throbbed as a warning. This is dangerous, how could I let myself get like this at a time of war? My father is counting on my eyes and ears. I can't let him down, I'll just have to be 10 times more alert. Yeah, that'll work! My determination overpowered my sense of pain. As I walked through the passageways to find my father I noticed that almost everyone was ready for the upcoming battle. Beads of sweat started to drip down my temple.

       How many of them will die today? How many? I don't understand but I feel almost as if I were responsible for all the deaths to come today but I don't understand why? Why do I feel this way towards all these people who have ridiculed my father and me? I don't understand why war must be part of our lives. Can't we all just coexist? Life shouldn't be full of negative emotions. It should be peaceful, but it's not like that-

       "Ack....what is up with all this pain? I know I didn't drink, I know I don't remember everything but I do know that much. So why is this sharp pain still lingering?" I clutched my head as I walked past all my allies. "Where the hell is he?" I began to feel frustrated at my father's lack of presence. Right as I was about to call out to him I saw Captain Luset walking by. He was making his rounds, checking that everyone was ready for what is come. He caught sight of me too, with a large grin he made his way towards me. "Hey, kiddo..... are you ok? You look pale." He said as he put his forehead against my own. I blushed at the closeness of his handsome face. Lurking my face away I stared wide-eyed as he gave me a confused look. "What? what's wrong? Your face is all red. Do you have a fever? I can g-" I shook my head no that, 's not it! If you bring your face that close I feel as If my body is starting to burn with passion. But I can't tell you that or you'll look at me weird and dad.... Well, I don't know what he'll think, and frankly, I don't want to know.

      "I'm fine! I just need to know where my father is. Have you seen him anywhere?" I said looking slightly away. "Um... Oh yeah, I believe I saw him getting your horses ready. Why!? Is something wrong? Was I right oh no let me go g-" I held up my hand. I shook my head with a nervous smile "No nothing is wrong, so don't worry. Honestly, there is nothing for you to-..... ack......... my head" I said as I clutched my head in both hands. "Um... I'm gonna go and meet up with my father and help out."

       I said quickly and scurried away. "Hey wait! Andrew!..... all I wanted to do was help." I liked back for a split second to see Captain Luset holding out his hand starring after me. I felt guilty at the saddened look he had on his face as he looked after me. But I quickly turned my head forward once again and rushed to my father.

*Current time*

Jessica's POV

        I let out a sigh as I missed my target once again. "Hey sis, you ok?" I looked back to see my younger brother Cane Nightshade. The 3rd eldest in our family. I glared at the tall boy starring at me with a smirk plastered on his face. "Oh, right Deanaro still isn't back is he? Is that what you're worried about? Because if so I say you're wasting your time and energy on that poor excuse of a brother. I mean honestly good riddance, all he did was remind me of my dear mother. Her death was caused by the-" I aimed my throwing knife and let it fly, it struck the wall with a loud and dull thud. My glare intensified, "Is that why you won't help us find him? Xerox, Jason, and I have been searching for him all this time while you go out and do god knows what. Not to mention our mother's death had nothing to do with him." My words came out in a low growl. Cane just simply shrugged, although it seemed that I had struck a nerve. "Do you know that you are truly a waste of talent and space thanks to that dimwitted brain of yours? I mean honestly if he wanted to be found don't you think your precious Jason would have found him already. Oh, and don't you ever think I can't read you like the open book you are. Jason isn't interested, yet here you are suffering thanks to your brother Deanaro. I'll never accept him in my family. And the only reason why Xerox is even helping in the first place it's because you asked him." With that, he turned on his heel and stocked away.

       Clutching my knife in my hand as I watched him walk away only seemed to anger me further. How dare he talk to me in this manner. Has he lost his mind? Not to mention if he stayed any longer I might have not missed my target this time. Deanaro... I can't even imagine what he is going through but I hope he's alright.

        Thinking about it made me restless. I put away my gear and headed for the front door again. As I walked through the hallway I caught glimpse of Cain sitting in a dark oak chair with some kind of scroll in his hands. Bright sunlight passing through our window on the opposite wall seemed to give him a beautiful glow. His jet black hair now streaked with strips of light, with broad chest heaving up and down calmly. The curve of his eyes and lips gave him an almost Korean look. The sharp-angled jaw, the beautiful arch of his dark eyebrows, his olive skin seemed to shimmer in the beams of light. His greenish-gray eyes sharp and focused. The natural dark look set In his resting face. He bit on the corner of his lip like he always does when he's focused. Sensing my presence he looked up with a smirk although his eyes, as he looked at me were full of hatred. Rolling my eyes I stalked towards the door. I let out a deep frustrated sigh as I slammed the door shut behind me. "He's my little brother, not to mention my responsibility on top of it. Of course, I'm worried, if something terrible were to happen then it would be my fault and no one else's. Why can't he see that?"

        As I stalked down the many rows of town I voiced my concerns out loud.

Andrew's POV

        Finally reaching my father I stood to wait for him to notice me. I was still fighting the urge to fold in on myself. Due to the agonizing pain that was slowly consuming me. My black and gray mare stood armed and ready. My father was finishing up some adjustments on his own brown and white horse. "Are you feeling alright now son?" That was all he said, still not turning around to look at me.

       "I'm..... fine.... yeah I'm fine. Do you need any help?" He simply shook his head, still refusing to turn and look at me. I felt as if I have done something completely unforgivable.

       "I-" as soon as I was about to change the subject the war horn suddenly blew. The sound had me instantly on my knees as I clutched my ears and cried out. What the hell is happening to me?

      My father turned on his heel to look at me and finally, I squeezed my eyes shut. He quickly came over to my side "SON!" I looked up at him and stood up. Not looking back at him I mounted my horse. "Let's just get this over with," I said as I looked back at him to see a pained expression edged on his face. He simply nodded and mounted his horse as well. People were making their way to the encampment. We all got into our respected groups and began to March our way onto the battlefield. We have a total of 60000 troupes and it was said that our opposing force has only a total of 8000 troupes. Unable to fathom the thinking process of our enemies. I still didn't want to underestimate my opponents.

      Everyone else thought differently. They thought that because of their small numbers that the fight would be over soon one a small minimum of casualties. But no matter how I looked at it there was something incredibly off about the whole ordeal. I just couldn't figure out why. Once in position, we faced our foes. They all looked to be young, strong, and fierce competition. But that wasn't all I could tell that not a single one of them was human. Their leading general rode his horse up to the center as well as our leading general Axel. As well known as Captain Axel Downfell, they met in the middle and began their conversation. But somewhere down the line, I could see even from my position that our general became rigid. And a sudden outburst from the other general's laughter had us all confused.

"OK, I SEE SO SOME OF MY BRETHREN ARE HIDDEN AMONGST THOSE PITIFUL HUMANS! WELL LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF I AM GENERAL YOO JI-SUNGO! I OFFER YOU HERE AND NOW THE ONLY SALVATION I CAN GIVE! BY THE WAY, ONCE THE OFFER IS OVER AND DELT WITH WE SHALL CUT YOU ALL DOWN EVEN IF YOU BEG TO HAVE A SECOND CHANCE! HERE ME MY BRETHREN, STAND WITH US NOW AND DESTROY THESE PATHETIC HUMANS AND LIVE THE GLORIOUS LIFE YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE! I GIVE MY WORD THAT YOUR FAMILY SHALL ALSO BE WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS! NO HARM SHALL COME TO YOU OR YOUR FAMILY! IF NOT WE SHALL SIMPLY CUT YOU ALL DOWN LIKE THE LIVESTOCK YOU ARE!"

      The air around me became stiff and hot with tension. For what felt like an eternity someone within the ranks called out. "Will my family be ok?" I gulped as fear of this happening became a reality. "YES OF COURSE!" said General Yoo. Soon after about 100 of our men moved over to the other side. "TRAITORS, ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE OF YOU!" shouted out a beastkin that was stationed beside me.

       10 minutes had gone by and no one has moved. "THIS SHALL BE FUN! SHALL WE!?" Said General Yoo, our general pulled hard on his reigns and the horse jerked away. Just in time to evade an arrow that had been launched in his direction. "CHARGE!" Yelled everyone as they began to run head-on into battle. Sticking close to my father we also rode start in. Clashing forces coiled into each other. But just as the fighting began our ranks were being ripped apart. The beastkin on the other side seemed to not have any problems what so ever. Before I knew it I was tackled off my horse. The blunt force of the fall had me stunned for just a split second. But luckily I was able to roll away from the outstretched claws that came my way. Rolling onto my hands and knees I got a quick look at what I was fighting.

       Shit! I FUCKED UP!

       Starring at me Elder Tempest the most powerful of the Elder Elementals, an Elder Tempest is an Elder Elemental of Wind. Created from clouds, wind, rain, and lightning, the elder tempest takes the form of a titanic feathered serpent. Its mere presence causes a massive thunderstorm, with the elder tempest at the center.

        I tried sparring with one of these and I almost got killed last time. But now that we are enemies I don't know how this will end. Not to mention that I'm not 100%. "ANDREW! GET AWAY FROM THERE ITS NOT- AHHHHHHH." I heard my father's scream and turned towards it only to see I saw with horror as a vampire ripped my father's arm clean off his body. He threw it at his wolf companion who ate it gladly. "DAD! HOLD ON I-" FEELING a devastating blow to my side I got sent fly away. I could hear my flesh being eaten away due to the intense heat of the lighting strike. As soon as I hit the ground I felt the air around me clasp my body. I got hurled towards the Elder Tempest then got thrown again the ground once again. Due to the sudden pain, I blacked out.

(While unconscious)

         My body was flung in every direction then slammed against something hard afterward. The screams of my father a comrade mixed with the hollowing of the wind.

       All of a sudden I was no longer in the grasp of the wind but instead stood against it as if it were a simple breeze. I washed at the Elder Tempest, cutting through its barrier and plunging my hand deep within its chest. Twisting and feeling a strained snap then ripping my hand back with its heart still in my hand. I crushed it feeling the hot acidic blood eat at my arm and hand. Throughout the no longer useful organ at the ground.

        I turned and headed toward my father. I kept at the wolf and we went spiraling to the side. My father gasped at the sight, the wolf and I continued to get a fatal blow at the other. The ghastly beast grabbed hold of my forearm and yanked. I let out a scream as I got yanked out of unconsciousness.

(Fully aware of the situation now)

       I screamed out in pain, I then plunged my dagger into its neck. The best let go and began to cough up the poisonous blood and its own.

       Quickly I dodged its fierce pounce just barely a few cms away from my face. Rolling away and quickly dashing for my father who was losing tons of blood yet still somehow standing and fighting. As soon as I reached my father's side I pulled out my sword. Dancing due to the injuries I had just received I lunged forward at the vampire slicing through his sword arm. She screeched and hissed at me. "How dare a mere human cut me? You should know your place." She smirked as something sharp plunged itself in my shoulder falling forward I felt such a heavyweight land on my back knocking the breath out of me .making a shocking sound I tried to move the thing off my back. "Let go of my son!" I heard my father yelling at the creature that stood above me. Feeling my ribs beginning to crack under its ridiculous weight. I used all my strength to turn my body and fling it off.

       When I did its teeth sunk deeper and ripped a giant chunk out of my shoulder and crushed the bone slightly. I felt a sharp pain shoot through my body and I screamed out. I clumsily rolled onto my knees and looked at that same wolf as earlier now healed and possessed. It let out an impossibly low growl as it leaped for me once again only to be tackled by an Arc Angel. The Angel ripped the crying wolf slowly apart.

         I could hear every bone, every tendon, and even the flesh being ripped. At the invariable pain, the wolf began to revert itself into its human form. But it was too late the beast was too horrific to look at it any longer. I looked back to where my father was just fighting the vampire. Only to see nothing there. "Are you alright?" Said the Angel, its vibrant fully colored goldish- silver eyes beamed down at me. I didn't know what to say as I was not ok.

        The Angel began to lean forward. But the bright luminous light that the Angel gave off was blinding. I looked away afraid of being blinded. Then that blinding light was stripped away in an instant as something grabbed it with sharp talons and flew off it.

        In the fight or flight scenario, I fight. I stood up as tall as my body would allow. I stood my ground, I glanced around the battlefield looking for my father. I caught sight of the tall red-headed man and made my way over to him as fast as possible.

        He just stood there without moving a muscle fear enveloped my mind. "Father!...... Father don't just stand there come over here!...... Father are you alright!?"

        I skidded to a stop in front of him only to realize that he now had both arms ripped off. And a dead horrified look was plastered on his face. But that wasn't the only thing that made the world crumble and fall from under my feet. There was a wide gaping hole wedged in his broad chest. His eyes wide open and drained of color. Even his skin looked pale, sword clutched in his teeth. I began to shake with rage, I turned from side to side wildly only to realize that only 100 or so of my comrades were still alive and fighting. While only 50 or so of their men had gotten a taste of death.

         At that very moment, I felt a sizzling hot slice across my back. "Ack!" I jumped forward and quickly turned around to see who was attacking me. But the only thing that was there was dead bodies that covered the ground and my father's unmoving body. Is it someone that had turned themselves invisible? Or are they attacking from afar? I got my answer when my father's body pounced forward with a coward slash. "What!?" I heard laughter from a distance. I looked around until I saw a slider tall hooded sorcerer staring dead at me. I sucked in a breath, "What did you do? WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!?"

        "My vampire friend killed him and I brought him back to play a little. If he wasn't who he was then he would be nothing more than a pile of scraps. He's such a fine specimen. I would oh so loved to study him. But alas he is dead and gone and there's no fun in studying someone if they're not alive to feel pain. I love to hear the screams of my experiments. I can't have you because you aren't built the same way. You're just a waste of precious air. Not to mention those wounds of yours. You are dying and I can't bring home someone who is on the brink of death now, can I? But hey I'll let you say goodbye to your father, as he runs you through."

        At that moment I felt my father's sharp sword pierce my chest. Blood gushing from every opened wound. Now a fatal blow to the chest by my dear beloved father. Who would never hurt us? The sorcerer let go of his spell and me and my father bodies hit the ground together. Still facing him I touched his face. I tried to say something but only bubbling blood came out. Then everything became dark as the world around me fell away once again.

      Deanaro, please forgive me. Stay safe my dear baby brother. I shall look after you in the afterlife that I promise, stay strong. Stay the loving and caring boy you are. Promise me that you'll never fall, you'll never end up like us three. Don't worry mother, father, and I was always proud of you. You are the greatest most precious person this world has ever seen. Don't fall in the dark and stay in the light no matter what. Till I see you again, I will always love you Deanaro!