The Black Forest

With Sefenfor led, they entered the Black Forest. A forest located west of Winfor, guarded by Nous the Forest Wind. This forest is as mysterious as Nous's personality.

This forest is the closest contact with the Dark Abyss. This forest has the most impact than any other place. Due to the high concentration of dark elements around for hundreds or even thousands of years, affects the vegetation and geological conditions in this forest.

Since the darkness was sealed, the overflowing energy was successfully suppressed and its impact was drastically reduced. However, some plants and animals have adapted to the dark energy.

The trees in the middle to close to the abyss have a coarser texture than other trees. The bark turns black like charcoal, and the roots grow so wild that they can damage solid rocks. The sap that flows from the tree is black and has a foul smell, as are the fruits.

The trees live by consuming the dark energy that still contaminates the soil and water. Other plants are like that too. The petals and leaves will be a little harder than a regular plant. Some plants will produce toxins that are dangerous for consumption.

For animals, they have no physical impact, but their behavior becomes more wild and savage. Non-aggressive animals such as deer and rabbits can attack or bite humans who pass by.

Because the environment is quite extreme and terrible, this forest is named the Black Forest by the citizen.

Nous, the guardian of this place, has sharp eyes to see into the darkness of the forest. His agile body makes him able to move from one tree to another silently, avoiding dangerous creatures. But, not with Ashnard and the others. They are not suited to the dark and dense forest environment.

From the moment they first entered the forest, they had been greeted with a gust of dry wind that shook their feet. They had to open their eyes wide to see what was hidden in the eerie darkness.

"I can't believe you've been to this place, Liliya," Ashnard chimed in. Stepping slowly, following the guardians who were in front.

"As I remember, this forest is not as scary as this," replied the girl, rolling her eyes left and right while holding on to Ashnard's arm.

"So, why did you come here?"

"Yes ... because I was curious about the black lily that grows here. At that time, Mr. Nous did accompany me, anyway."

The further they continued into the forest, the denser the air became. Dark energy increased rapidly. Ashnard tried to fight the darkness in his mind and the minds of his friends. He was getting tired.

The footsteps of hordes of beasts rang out among the cracked black ground. The source of the deafening roar revealed its fangs and claws.

"Raivolka! They're coming!" Zefiria shouted.

"Ashnard don't push yourself. You'll have to save your strength when you're downstairs," Reibo said. "Don't worry, we can still hold on."

"You run first." Sefenfor pointed in a direction. "Ahead there, there is a cave entrance that leads directly to the bottom of the abyss. Go! We will protect you."

Ashnard pulled Liliya and dashed forward past Sefenfor. The guardians followed behind, trying to protect them from Raivolka.

From the side, a Raivolka appeared from behind the trees and tried to ambush with its claws. Reibo immediately swung his ax until there was a loud bang.

Sefenfor turned and stopped while the others continued forward. He pressed his sword against his chest. "Wind from the west. Help repel our enemies!"

Instantly, the wind gathered from the sidelines of the forest, gathered around Sefenfor, and formed a huge vortex that blew away the Raivolkas. The trees were also pushed away by the wind, causing some of the trees to tilt and their roots to lift upwards. Sefenfor went back to chasing the others.

"Look!"

A cave mouth gaped in front of Ashnard. Filled with an aura of darkness, Ashnard tried to ignore it. The aura of darkness thickened, and from beneath the ground, a thick black ooze emerged. At first, it looked like mud which made it difficult for Ashnard's legs to move.

"What's this!?" shouted Ashnard frantically. Ashnard's feet sank deeply into the black mud. He couldn't even lift his legs one bit.

Liliya tried to use her wind power to get rid of the mud but in vain.

Slowly the mud shrank, releasing Ashnard's legs, and converging at one point. The mud moved as if it had consciousness. From behind the rocks, from the ground, and from the burrows of rodents, the mud gathered together in front of the mouth of the cave until it grew as high as a tree.

Then, formed a stocky hand on both sides. Two circles appear later at the top like eyes. The last one is the mouth, roaring so loudly that it makes the birds fly.

Everyone froze to see the mud monster standing in front of the cave.

"What is that creature?" Everyone was asking each other. Even the Guardians of the Wind had never seen the creature during their battle against darkness.

From the stubby muddy fist, a mud ball was formed which the creature threw. Zefiria thrust her wind-covered spear, causing the mud ball to shatter and splash everywhere.

"That creature seems to be guarding the cave," Reibo guessed.

Behind them, the Raivolkas that have survived kept coming.

"Insolent beasts! We have to make way for Ashnard," Sefenfor said. "Zefiria! Take care of that beasts. Reibo and I will hold off the Raivolkas."

"I will do it."

Zefira swiftly jumped high above the muddy creature. She aimed her spear right at the creature's head. Then, she landed smoothly on the ground as the creature's head exploded everywhere.

"Ashnard! Hurry up! Come in first," Zefiria called.

Even without its head, the creature did not perish or weaken. The mud that splashed, merged back together and formed a head like before.

"How could that be?" said Zefiria in surprise.

"Looks like the creature can't die," said Sefenfor.

Zefiria chuckled, "Annoying. Ashnard, you have to go down alone. I will restrain the creature. You have to do it quickly, understand? We can't hold back the dark energy any longer."

Ashnard nodded.

While Zefiria busied the creature with fighting it, Ashnard took the opportunity to pass through the battle gap to the cave entrance.

Followed by Liliya, who pushed away Reibo's hand, who tried to stop her from going down. Reibo couldn't catch up with her. He was too busy with the ferocious Raivolkas.

The two kids entered the cave. Darkness greeted them with a hint of light and hope. In the end, the light slowly left them. Ashnard tried not to get away from Liliya in a place he didn't understand.

The sword is ready with everything. He also always protects his own mind and Liliya's mind. But, now they had to take care of each other in the depths. Neither Sefenfor nor Reibo will protect them.

They also continued to walk in the cave passage that was directly connected to the Dark Abyss. The goal is very close.