Dead forest (2)

The dead forest was a silent and dangerous forest. Just as its name suggests, it had a very horrible past. The dead forest used to be very lush and green until something happened.

The forest used to be gigantic, wet, and ancient. Its canopy was overshadowed by hazel, spruce, and poplar, and the occasional beam of light that made its way through the canopy allowed for disorderly plants to spread in the flat, fertile grounds below.

Swooping creepers dangled from a couple of trees, and a mishmash of flowers, which desperately tried to avoid the shadows, added more life to the otherwise homogeneous scenery.

A disharmony of wild sounds, which were caused by insects and critters, added life to the forest and drowned out the sounds of a fight over dominance between larger animals.

However, the once healthy forest began to wither away after some time. All the plants began to wither away, and as for those who didn't wither, they became demonic plants that hunted and ate their visitors. And that was the main reason why the forest was called the dead forest, which highlighted its dangerousness and silence.

******

"I am so tired!", Jared said lazily feigning tiredness.

"Stop being so lazy!", Duane said angrily. They had only walked for about a kilometre, which meant they were still a long way from their destination however, Jared had started to act all lazy!

"Hehe! I am just joking", Jared said with a smile on his face.

They were currently walking under huge canopies that allowed only a small amount of sunlight! The canopy was contested by linden, spruce, and pine, who gave just enough light a chance to descend for a plethora of sprouts to cultivate the boulder-covered grounds below.

Thick branches waved from many a tree, and a medley of flowers, which desperately tried to avoid the shadows, stuck out against the otherwise jade terrain. It was all green around them.

"Hey, don't you guys think it is strange that there is so much greenery in the forest?", Travis asked as he looked around. He didn't understand why the 'dead' forest had soo much green in it.

In fact, according to the dead forest's history, the dead forest was supposed to look like a desert. Plain, dry and devoid of life! However, not only did the forest they were walking through filled with tall trees and healthy plants but there wasn't the sound of even a single animal. After all, which kind of forest had no animals in it?

"Are you scared? nothing can happen to us!", unexpectedly, before Duane could reply, Sarah replied to Travis in a provocative tone.

"Why do you always behave like the boss?", Travis coldly snorted and said.

"You dare?", an angry look appeared on Sarah's face when she heard what Travis said. After all, she didn't expect someone like Travis, who had no superpower to speak to her like that.

"Hmph! I told you to stop worrying him! You earned it this time. Don't think you can get away with this by hurting him. If you want to hurt him, it must be done over my dead body!", a voice suddenly came from behind Travis. Just after Travis heard the voice, the massive build of Duane appeared before Travis. He was currently facing him with his back.

Duane had a very angry look on his face when he said this to Sarah who currently had a green glimmer on her hands. She seems to be using magic!

"Hmph!", Sarah coldly snorted and walked away. When she left, Duane released a slight sigh and turned to Travis bearing a smile on his face.

"I think it is pretty strange too!", he said to Travis with a smile on his face.

"Hm, yeah. I think so too. I thought the Dead forest was supposed to be 'dead' but what we are experiencing is totally different from what we knew!", Travis said with his hand on his chin.

"I think~~"

"AH!~~", a loud shout was heard from the front of the group. It seemed to be the voice of a female. And the only female in the group was,

"SARAH!~~"

******

With a huge boost of speed, Travis, Roland, Jared and Duane rushed toward the sound. When they arrived at the source of the sound, they couldn't help but gasp in shock.

They couldn't believe what they were seeing.

Currently, huge vines were tied around Sarah who had a look of despair in her eyes. These vines were branches of one huge tree which had a hollow centre. As for what the tree was trying to do, it was trying to..... SWALLOW SARAH!

The huge tree had narrow, heart-shaped leaves, which are usually green and white and huge braches that looked like whips from a long distance. Those vines gave off a dangerous feeling that made one's skin creep with absolute terror.

"Will you guys stop gawking and help me?!", Sarah said, dragging the quartet out of their trance. She was still immobile due to the tight vines around her.

"Quick! Jared! Extract all the water from that tree now!", Duane said after breaking out of his trance. With just a nod, Jared raised his hands as a glimmer of white appeared around them.

After the glimmer of light appeared, his aura completely changed. His clothes and hair began to flutter in the air as strong air currents surrounded him. His aura continued to rise until,

*BAM!*

*ROAR!~~*

The tree monster roared loudly as water began to escape from its stem and leaves, gathering towards Jared. However, not much chance was given and it slowly withered away.

'I see, so Jared is that strong.', Travis thought meaningfully as he looked at Jared.

"I am coming for you!", Duane said as he jumped high into the air, crossing almost 10 metres off the ground! And with a punch, he broke the ice and carried Sarah who had her face all pink, down.

"Leave me alone! I don't need your help!", Sarah said when she got down.

Duane merely smiled and shook his head in a disappointed manner as he let Sarah down.

'I wonder what that is', Travis thought.