Forbidden Forest

He looked back at his troops who were riding wild two-headed garrons with horns sticking atop their muzzle. Their eyes glowed like molten lava in the day and violet at night. They grunted and snorted carefully treading over the outgrown roots of the forest. It was a hard task taming them and taking them out of Alaksad's stables. They were a rare breed that the lord once boasted about only existing in Alaksad. But they were only mutations of several breeds. Like a chimera. Bacia and his bastard's death was not part of their plan. The wildlings followed them but not closely since they did not acknowledge them. Ciaran and Amon were ordered to leave in advance to inspect the way ahead for any dangers lurking about them.

His body was stiff as he pulled the reins to make his garron move faster. It snorted furiously in response but obeyed the command of the reins.

After Hel was dragged by the tree's roots and was swallowed whole, the chains of the slave melted on their necks and caused them to writhe in pain. The screams around him pierced his ears and one after the other they died. Jafar continued to maintain the barrier in case they were attacked. The Red Mansion was set ablaze due to an unknown accident and smoke started to rise into the afternoon sky. Erebus flew towards the mansion following the shadow into the smoke when Jafar grabbed him by his arm and pulled him back.

"Master! Those are dead souls. Get a grip!"

He came back to his senses and realized that he was being lured in by a spell. He glanced at the burning mansion one last time and saw a screaming soul rush toward him and pass right through him before he could react to defend himself. He felt no harm except for the chill that made him shudder for a moment leaving him blank for a few heartbeats.

That was the last memory of that place of his mission. They had failed miserably. And more mouths to feed with little to no way of trade or income.

-"Curses!" he wanted to say it out loud. He had been pondering over the faded figures standing amidst the rising flames from the mansion.

"You'll get older before time if you keep up with that frown."

Jafar drove his Barton beside him. It was a little smaller and leaner than Erebus' garron. He had hated the very idea of riding them. He was not good with animals. So riding was out of option. He was forced to pick out either going on foot or riding a garron due to the injuries he incurred during the battle.

The mist was falling heavy on the borders of Alaksad. It was a swampy area that was not a good option for terrestrial creatures to take. The weather had the choice to change drastically in such a short time. It made flying nearly impossible.

They halted for some time. His garron grunted anxiously. The tall pine trees loomed together imaging like some enormous tattered cloth under the thick cover of murk.

The stench from the swamp was appalling. He heard a cracking sound from where his garron stepped making him look down. His garron neighed furiously this time. The mist cleared a little only to show them the hidden reality beneath them. His affiliates and subordinates looked at the swampy forest floor with repulsion. He barely managed to take control of the creature as the others shied away following his own.

"Commander, we will need to find another route." one of his subordinates suggested anxiously.

He looked at him, then turned back to look at the wildlings. They were weary beings. They dared not take a step any further.

-"They're fearing." he noticed. But it was the only shortcut to Stygian. He did not find to afford the luxury of sparing more days knowing that he had left behind a wife and a child who were Amanecérians. There were rats among the fortress walls that loved to share inner secrets with the outside world. At this point, he didn't trust his own men to watch over Luciana who had dared to attempt to escape under their noses. To take a detour around the forest meant another three-day journey. They couldn't use a spell fearing that demon-eating trees could sense and devour them.

But then again the mountain range awaited them on their detour which was a much harsher route. The wildlings could more or less survive the journey if they were willingly sacrificing their kind to the bitter cold.

The night was approaching them through the evening sky. It was a perilous walk through the forest at night. He bit his lip in annoyance.

-"I will have no other choice."

"We take the forest up early morning. It's the only safest way and the fastest to the territory." the soldiers were horrified by his decision and whispers were briefly shared among each other. The wild demons in their chains looked at each other. And then at him, bewildered.

-"He's not going to spare a day further. Since when did he start caring about the fortress being left? Ah why yes of course. A gorgeous wife awaits him in his domain." he grinned as he judged his master's restlessness.

"The forest smells dangerous," he mumbled under his breath.

Night drew in and the wildlings nestled together to keep the warmth. However, his men were used to the biting cold. He stayed up til the third part of the night to keep guard. Jafar came up yawning and so did one of his subordinates.

It was time to switch positions. However, Erebus did not feel like sleeping. Instead, he continued the watch with them. They had made a camp a little further away from the forest to be on safer grounds.

"My lord. It's best if you have some sleep." his subordinate insisted. But Erebus waved off his hand staring up at the sky as he lay on the musty ground.

It smelled foul. But the smell wasn't his concern.

"He's just impatient to take his beautiful wife in his arms. After all, they just got married."

"You've taken it too far this time Jafar." his voice was cold and sharp as the sharpest metal in the realm. He pummeled his aide's head with a fist that was harder than a rock when hit. His subordinate didn't dare to respond or utter a word.

-"H-he's dead!"

"Make sure he gets up by sunrise." he walked back to his spot and returned to his position.